First, (as covered in PS: First Contact), my interpretation of kitsune has them as actually being two specific races. One, the purebloods: creatures of spirit that must expend a portion of their own energy to exist in the material world. These are the original kitsune race and now comprise the older portion of the population. As well, their ruling conclave entirely consists of purebloods.

Two, the hybrids: the children of purebloods and humans, as well as every future generation beyond such a blending. Hybrids generally comprise the younger portion of the population, and a fair number of the purebloods really want nothing to do with these ‘mutts’ that are bringing mortal filth into their genepool. Since they actually have a corporeal body, their existence does not run contrary to the natural order and these hybrids can remain in the material world without dedicating energy to do so. It’s no harder on the fabric of reality for them to be here, any more than it is for us to be here.

There are of course bonuses and drawbacks specific to each ‘species’ beyond the traits they have in common. Purebloods are generally resistant to corporeal harm, but are deeply affected by spiritual attacks. On the other hand, spirit magic won’t do much to a hybrid other than piss it off, but they are susceptible to physical damage (such as Tari’s wounded arm in the hunting trap back in Blizzard). Furthermore, because their own mortal soul acts as the primary feeding ground for their kitsune spirit, hybrids are able to do, with minimal impact to their environment, much of what a pureblood can only accomplish with a great deal of destruction to the elements and any nearby life around them. Hybrids, however, do require time to recuperate, and even more should they not choose to draw on their element/etc to assist the process. The mortal soul, kitsune or not, is a massive source of energy that they can tap and is the most delicious thing on a pureblood’s menu - it’s also a self-sustaining source of energy. Given time, it will heal.

In general, this blending is transparent and constitutes a single being with a single mind, nothing like what Tari’s gone through in the last installment or two. The mortal soul and the fox-spirit comprise two halves of the same whole, but they do remain distinct enough where the latter can nibble on the former as required.

I was going to go into more detail about Tari’s specific problems (which I actually did earlier, and unpublished the post as I thought about it an hour later; if you were lucky you may have caught it in the RSS feed) but I think I’ll hold off for now, and make sure it’s well expositioned in next week’s installment.

Nice chapter. Plot twists, suspense, action, a little comedy thrown in. It makes for an excellent movie.