D5ME, Keep 'em Coming (Tomodachi Enthusiasts)

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"No," Tomodachi says, and knocks back his cup.

"Couple years after, ship he was on was caught in a storm. He's with Suitengu, now."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I see may the fortune allow his soul to be reborn." She tipped her head in reverence. "This guy may had had a similar fate... join his ancestors... if tanuki have ancestors." She finished her drink.

Raakun yawned and purred. those were fun times.

"Not so fun for me."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Returning?" Tomodachi asks. "Do...they...do that?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Well... " She placed her finger on her chin thinking. "I really don't know... some people think that deeds in this life choose where your soul is reborn... be it a beetle to a majestic houhou."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Or a fox or a mantis?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I guess..." The woman shrugged. "I have spoken with foxes that one may think they were ningen." She nodded.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"And mantises?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

She tilted her head and chuckled. "I am yet to speak with a Mantis be it the animal not the clan." She sipped her drink.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Seems a thing to correct soon, I think," Tomodachi replies.

He grins and adds "Might be a better talker, too."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Find me one and I shall try." She nodded as it was something normal for her. "Perhaps they will show me how to fight."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"That been an issue of concern for you, Kitsune-san?"

Tomodachi's eyebrow arches.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"If a bear won't comply to my counsel. I better know how to fight. For now it hasn't been an issue. Better to be prepared than to be in Meido or Yomi." She winked finishing her drink.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Better'n Yomi?" Tomodachi raises an eyebrow again. "That's...you must have quite the life."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"One can say such thing. But not really... my life is one of service and study." She lowered her head. "I am just a lowly samurai whose life is devoted to those who don't have a voice." Shizenko stroke the tanuki on her lap.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"You keep saying 'lowly,'" Tomodachi notes. "You are a member of the oldest of the Minor Clans and participant in a unique tradition. Value it, and value you."

He nods, assertively.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I have no status beside the basic common samurai. I guess you are right. We have been around for a long while with strange traditions to boot." She took her glass and made the toast "for unique traditions and virtues...Kampai!"

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Kampai!" Tomodachi says, lifting and draining a cup.

Who poured it? Who can say?

Does it matter?

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"So... how about that song... or is it still too soon?" The Kitsune chuckled.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"That depends," Tomodachi says, "on whether Kitsune-san is thoroughly intoxicated yet."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I think I am." She chuckled "delight this one... with your people's songs."