D5ME, Keep 'em Coming (Tomodachi Enthusiasts)

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi bows his head and tucks in, too, surreptitiously slipping Raakun some morsels.

"Not bad," he says.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Raakun happily accepted the scraps. Shizenko shook her head and smiled. "Don't get to used to it." She patted the tanuki's head. "How many bottled will it take for you to sing for me?" She asked with curiosity.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi laughs.

"As many as will take for you not to care about anybody's singing," he says.

"No, I know where my talents are, and that isn't among them."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I see... I know my talents as well." She sipped her wine. " And it seems that is not quite the arts... Unless one thinks that using the kami is an art."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"What do you mean, not the arts?" Tomodachi asks, incredulous. "You do excellent work in paper, and consistently."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"You say that because I am the only one here sharing a few drinks." She stated "I know... I come from the bottom up... like your clan once did... I don't aspire to be one of the greatest... you know. I know my true strength lies not in the arts."

Raakun squeked

You are a great trainer. That fox was a wild ride. The way you talked to that bear. Ah our many adventures and those to come.

"Thanks Raakun..."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"I'd say it even in other company," Tomodachi says. "And I'd say that I admire your personal presentation, too."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

She lowered her eyes. "It is too simplistic to be known for what it is. It is not an easy task... folding papers." Shizenko showed her fingers with some paper cuts. "Things that are not seen. "

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"An unblemished hand is one that hasn't done anything," Tomodachi replies, showing his own callused, bruised hands. One finger is missing a nail.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune nodded and took her final sip. "That may be true, Yoritomo sama. The samurai are workers for the Empire and hands must be rugged be it by weapons or the arts." The shugenja smiled. "What is the next poison?" She chuckled.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi pauses just a moment, cocking an eyebrow.

"Kitsune-san," he says, mocking seriousness, "surely you don't think I'd lead you to some ill end!"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Of course not... we are honorable samurai Yoritomo sama." She looked at the Yoritomo and smiled. "Then again fun should be had and worries drowned in the liquid courage."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"We could drown them, yes," Tomodachi agrees. "Or we could bury them somewhere, instead."

He winks at her.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko shook her head and chuckled. "Careful there Yoritomo sama you can get your wish literally... have you seen the raw power of the earth? I know you have seen the power of the sea."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"You're saying I might do something to make the earth move?" Tomodachi says, grinning.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko laughed. Then she kept quiet as she ate some rice and pickles. The company was nice and friendship slowly growing on her.

Raakun kept eating and scurrying around.

"No..." The shugenja chuckled.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Well, damn," Tomodachi says.

"So," he adds, changing the subject, "what are your thoughts on the tournament, overall, so far?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I think most participants will be ambassadors by the end of the week, myself included. There are ups and downs but the talent shows. Raakun enjoys the food and his belly is mostly full. I enjoy the music." She sighed. "But I do miss my home."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi nods.

"I can understand that," he says. "I like to travel, but I like to come back to my home harbor at the end of it."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"What do you miss most? I miss the crisp clean air and the calls of birds." She wondered.