The crew followed the swordsman to a building close by that was away from the village. There he invited them to rest.
"Suki, may you help me bring these guests some futons?" He asks. A feminine figure entered the room from a hallway across the room. It was a Cat person. She had calico colouring and was dressed similarly to the swordsman. None of the crew other than John had seen a Cat person. John didn't even know if the swordsman was like the girl.
As soon as the Futons were prepared, the crew all collapsed onto them. The Cat girl then left the room to fetch water and food. The Swordsman knelt from across them and introduced himself. He politely apologised for his rudeness from their initial meeting and offered them to stay for as long as they needed.
"Apologies for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Kaze. I am a Kitsune from the Kitsune Village far east from here. I am terribly sorry for my sternness earlier. You see, bandits have been attacking this village quite often recently. Please stay here for as long as you need and do tell more about your journey."
Hugo and Ehma were out cold. Snoring away in the soft futons. Migs helped himself to the Sake while John explained the events that had happened prior to their arrival to the prefecture.
"So what is your line of work?" Asked Kaze curiously.
"We accept jobs from people from around settlements and towns. More often than not, it's cargo delivery and escorting convoys. But sometimes we have requests such as hunting beasts and bounties." John replied.
"I see. I assumed you were bandits from the vehicle you had stolen and from the…weaponry attached to it. Again I apologise." Kaze said.
"Me, Suki and the village folk have also had our experiences with bandits. Many come here in the hopes of stealing resources. Suki especially has been thoroughly scarred by them which is why I asked you to leave the vehicle. I'll have someone scrap it if you don't mind."
John took a polite sip from the saucer. Migs was taking large swigs from the canteen he filled with Sake.
"So~~uh…"Migs mumbled as he tries to stay conscious, "What's a man with swords gonna do against them bloody *hick* bandits. You said you were from a Kiss~moon~knight village right?"
Shortly after asking this, Migs passes out onto the futon.
Embarrassed, John apologises and continues Mig's question.
"Apologies for my friend here but I too am curious about you too. Why did you stand up to us with just your swords?"
"Swords are indeed quite old fashioned. But I believe combat by your own hands is the most honourable when taking a man's life." He takes another sip from his saucer.
"My people are Kitsunes. We pride ourselves in embracing our centuries old traditions and art. Everyone of us is a warrior who is trained skillfully in at least one weapon or combat style.
Some of us have also been blessed with divine powers. My father has incredible strength and effortlessly wields two greatswords which weigh 100 kilograms each. I myself have been blessed with such abilities which have allowed me to combat those with firearms."
"I see," John replies with great interest. "I've met many with extraordinary abilities such as yours. However, your people's traits work quite differently from the likes of my people."
After a few exchanges, the cat girl returned with a large wooden tray decorated with plates of food. She cautiously approached the group, trembling with shyness all the while. She timidly placed it between Kaze and the crew and quickly stepped back and bowed her head, inviting them to eat.
"P-please help yourself. T-there's always more I can p-prepare."
"Thanks cat lady!" Ehma shouts as she sits up with great force at the smell of food. The cat girl jumped at the sudden awakening of the tinkerer. She blushes and fruitlessly covers her face.
"You really saved us here. Thanks so much uhh… I never got your name," Ehma realised.
"S-Suki. My name is Suki." Answers Suki with a great air of bashfulness.
Emha then smacks the other two boys who were sleeping on their heads, waking them immediately. They promptly gave their gratitudes to Kaze and Suki.
The selection was quite delicious. Bowls of rice and bread made up most of the meal with accompanying vegetables and meat to complement it.
As the crew continued to eat, the ever shy Suki slowly became more comfortable with the sudden guests. She sat beside Kaze watching them eat and occasionally talking to the crew about the village.