Kagome extricates herself from Sesshomaru's side as she gives the kitsune merchant who'd called them over to his stall a second look. "What did you say these were again?"
"Flasses," the kitsune emphasizes with a wink. "They come from the West, you know, far outside of Nippon. They're very popular right now, miko-sama. That is practically my last pair."
Kagome's brows raise. She's very familiar with the outside world, even if Japan in this era right now isn't outside of a few Dutch traders. "Oh, really?" She lifts the odd-looking glasses up in the air. "And what do they do, exactly?"
She has a feeling she already knows, given the shape of the frames. They swirl around a small lens on either side of the tiny nose pieces, leaving little room for actual utility. If they're for anything at all, it's to line a kitsune's pockets over the idea of 'Western fashion.'
"Have you never seen glasses before?" The kitsune leans forward, eyes sparkling as he brushes a lock of reddish brown hair from his face. "They help one see things up close. It's quite an impressive invention. My flasses, however, take it one step further. They help you look fashionable while doing so."
She hears Sesshomaru snort behind her—a sentiment she shares. The whole idea is absolutely ridiculous. "Hmm, I guess I should try them on, then."
"Of course, miko-sama." The kitsune looks eager as she moves to lift them onto her head.
She places them squarely over her nose and doesn't so much as blink when they poof, turning into a bouquet of flowers that falls into her hands.
"Hah! I got you!" Shippo's guise immediately falters as he crows with glee. His twin tails flicker with his excitement. "You didn't even see that coming, did you?"
"As it happens—" Sesshomaru begins, deadpanned, before Kagome gently elbows him with a pointed look. Her mate dutifully falls silent with a quiet huff.
Shippo had tried to surprise them, and it's the thought that counts. "I never thought I'd see flowers coming from that," Kagome says honestly as she ruffles Shippo's hair.
The adolescent kitsune beams with pride. "That's why they're called 'flasses,'" he confesses then with a sly grin. "They're glasses that turns into flowers!"
Sesshomaru makes an odd noise in the back of his throat that is half laugh, half groan.
"Very clever." Kagome manages to bite back her own laugh—but only just. "Why don't you join us for dinner, Shippo?"
He agrees, his magical stall at the end of the shiro town near their home disappearing as quickly as it'd no doubt appeared. "Oh, good. I'm famished," Shippo announces. "A good trick works up quite the appetite, anesan."
"I am certain a good one does," Sesshomaru drawls, unable to resist getting in at least one sassy comment.
Shippo, however, doesn't even seem to notice.