#kounninetales

[forgottenwaters]

[continued from here]

[koun tilts their head, ears lowered in sympathy.]

you don't even get to share meals often? i see...

[they look as if they have more to say before they perk up again.]

you're right; there is not much we can do about the changing times, but i am glad these events have led us to meet. whenever you feel like it, you are always welcome here. as long as you have that charm, you should have no trouble returning, my friend. i would be glad to share a meal with you again.

[just then, there is a knock on the door frame before the door is slid open to reveal another fox spirit.]

forgive the intrusion, my lord. there's been a... disturbance in the forest.

hmm? can it wait?

it's... well, it's a little urgent. noi went to survey the area and concluded that it needs to be cleansed. there's also quite a bit of damage...

[koun sighs and turns back to their meal.]

ah... and i barely got to eat. please forgive me, inari. duty calls and all that. though next time i would very much like to hear about how you attained godhood, if time allows. perhaps i could even visit your realm sometime, hm?

@askoinari

[forgottenwaters]

i'll admit, i've only ever heard of this headless spirit in passing. i'd be more worried if it strayed close to the village, but based on what you've told me, it's not targeting us directly.

yeah, it's more erratic, if anything. but if nothing is done about the mess it leaves behind, it could be dangerous. especially its blood.

[kappa grows quiet again, thinking back to how close otokou was to being lost completely.]

hmm... and the spirit that pushed you out of the way, i believe that was a jubokko by the name of kanoko. most likely it was acting on lord ninetails' orders to take care of our guests.

a jubokko? then, the headless spirit's blood definitely isn't good for them...

do not despair. you can't blame yourself for the actions taken by others, understand?

i... y-yeah...

kanoko is capable of making its own decisions. besides, i wouldn't worry.

[forgottenwaters]

[continued from here]

i see... to have your own realm seems both fortunate and lonely, to be honest. i believe it much more rewarding for gods to live closer to their followers - after all, some may find it harder to believe in something they can never see, hm? of course, everyone has their reasons, but i imagine that for those who live near-infinite lives, it must get lonely... in any case, i admire your boldness. you make it sound fun, exploring other universes.

[kon grows quiet then, snout tipped downward. something about their aura changes, their appearance shifting ever so slightly.]

thank you for your honesty. i admit, i have not been truthful with you, but i'm sure you understand my caution. allow me to reintroduce myself.

i am known as lord ninetails, but i believe i can trust you with my real name. please, call me koun.

[koun tilts their head with a playful smirk.]

i'm sorry for deceiving you. i was actually so curious about you, i skipped work to come greet you myself. i just couldn't help playing a little trick on you, hehe.

[koun's many tails wag in excitement, though they are soon interrupted by the sound of the door being slid open.]

lord ninetails, did you come in from the garden again? you're going to get the tatami all dirty.

ah, m-my apologies.

...whatever. i've brought your food.

[behind them, masaya tugs a small trolley where they take various dishes and lay them out on the table. garnished with pickled radishes as red as the maple leaves drifting outside, the fried tofu used in both the udon and the sushi have been prepared in a way that resemble fox ears. the sake and condiments follow afterwards along with napkins and utensils. across from inari, koun eyes their own bowl of udon with an eager twinkle, though they at least wait for masaya to leave the room again before lapping at the broth.]

eheh... please, enjoy the meal. masaya is a very talented chef, so i hope it's to your liking. if you have any more questions for me, i would be happy to answer them. i'd also like to get to know you better too, hm?

@askoinari