Inari

Inari

Inari was a precarious dragon from birth. She was born with eyes that appeared to see more than the normal world around her. A strangely serious hatchling, her parents weren't sure what to do with her. Instead of playing with her siblings Inari read books on a wide range of topics. It wasn't until her siblings were grown and leaving the clan in service of the Lightweaver that her parents realized she had stopped aging. Confused, they consulted with Blueberry who recommended that they wait and see what might happen. Inari moved out on her own before too long, starting up a tea house called the Sakura Chashitsu with her brother, Tano, which became quite prosperous, bringing in dragons from all corners of Sorneith. Inari gives most of the treasure and gems to her parents, although occasionally piles of money will turn up for dragons she feels are deserving. She has become very adept at playing the shamisen, and some say that her haunting melodies are part of what make her store such a success. Her shop is small and Inari chooses who may visit carefully so few who come to hear her play actually get the chance to do so. Those who do leave feeling refreshed and revitalized and often find success in their upcoming ventures. While usually a very stoic young dragon, Inari has been known to engage in mischief on occasion. It actually makes her parents a little more relieved to hear that she sometimes acts her age. While none of the pranks in the clan have ever been traced back to her, some of the prankees have reported seeing a golden kitsune running away from the scene of the crime. Others swear that she acts as a consultant for Serrure, although the two have never actually been seen together. Never seen without her pearl, Inari is very protective of it. Name Origin: Inari was named after the Japanese god of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture, industry, general prosperity, and worldly success. Kitsune were seen as her messengers in areas. Based on the prompt: creative minstrel with a penchant for mischief.

Father Mother Ally

Writing:
By Watchers
The dragon paused to examine the store in front of them. It was a quaint little thing- a cozy one, story building made of wood with translucent sheet serving as windows. A sakura tree dripping with flowers overhung the stone walkway leading up to the sliding door. The dragon counted the few pieces of treasure clutched in its claws before passing along the path, listening to the faint but lingering sound of some sort of stringed instrument.
As it approached the door, the kitsune which had been curled on the small porch lifted its head. It fixed golden eyes on the dragon. It was an intense, knowing gaze. Then it yawned, settling back down to sleep. The dragon continued cautiously past it. The door slid open easily and quietly. The dragon was glad- they would have hated to disturb the young dragon playing some sort of stringed instrument at one end of the room.
The young pearlcatcher’s head was bowed, eyes closed as their claws danced quickly and delicately over the strings. Notes wafted through the air, soft but impossible to miss in their haunting melody of loneliness. It tugged at the listener’s heart and they sniffed.
“What would you like to drink?”
The dragon blinked, rubbing at its eyes. How long had they been standing there, listening to the song. “Oh, um… what’s your cheapest tea?” The other seemed a bit too young to be working in a shop, but it wasn’t the dragon’s place to say anything.
The pearlcatcher’s large golden eyes (oddly reminiscent of the kitsune’s or perhaps vice versa) stared into them, piercing them in a manner that was unsettling. The young dragon’s smile screamed child yet their eyes screamed adult. It was a bit disconcerting. “I think you’ll like our oolong blend. Please take a seat and I’ll be right back,” the child chirped at them.
The dragon settled down carefully on a cushion beside a low table. They’d barely gotten comfortable before the child carefully set a cup and saucer in front of them. She leaned forward, pouring the tea from the pot in a long, steady stream. Then she set the pot down and perched across from the dragon. She waited expectantly. The dragon took a careful sip.
“Oh! This is good.” Whatever oolong tea was, it was exactly to their taste and surprisingly filling. They cradled the cup carefully in their talons.
“So, what brings you here?” The child smiled brightly at them.
“Er… I was thirsty?”
“Hmm. No, it’s more than that. People always come here because they need something in their life.”
The dragon glanced down at the tea. Shouldn’t people come to a tea shop for tea? Though the music had been good as well.
The child leaned across the table to pat their hand. “Don’t worry. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it out. Stay as long as you like. There’s plenty of tea. And don’t worry about the payment- I have a feeling you’re not going to be in need of treasure for long.” She winked at the dragon before skipping off.




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By: Amehime


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By: Nyaseoki


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