Etsuko lore
The young neko kitsune woman had been sitting in the jazz lounge workroom, unintentionally been fiddling with her wedding ring around her ring finger, something she did to pass the time between intermissions. Her way of passing the time should have been productive, working on herself, her ideas. All the while not noticing that she was being called to be on stage, her mind wandered to distant ideas she imagined before realizing the cue to be on stage and sing. As she stood up, a sudden feeling had washed over her, almost feeling as if a tidal wave crashed around her.
As Etsuko stood on stage, the feeling grew until she witnessed a small butterfly, with what seemed an imagination to her overthinking mind. The butterfly sat atop of her, it almost looked as if it was dancing, her nerves calmed as she felt the tidal waves turn to a house surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life, something her family was never fond of. Them having preferred a country life with a manor due to their political prominence that her father created in his youth for neko kitsune unity. Once the butterfly stopped dancing, it flew off, Etsuko feeling relieved until her heart understood that her nervousness had shown its purple aura. Her voice relaxed as she sang, the emotions pouring out into her words across the stage into the lounge.
As her shift ended, Etsuko noticed a kitsune, one that she had never noticed in the lounge when there weren't many that would spend time at Cafecito. Her anxiety showed across her face as she sheepishly waved, the kitsune waving back with a more casual approach. The two stared at their presence before Etsuko realized that she was an awkward person. Her music that she listened to in her earbuds, had changed from melodic and somber to electronic and upbeat. As Etsuko danced in the tone of the Shuffling Shapes style of dance out of the front door of her workplace, the kitsune watched before tapping Etsuko's head. "Oh uh um uh hi, I am sorry, the music I am listening to is quite upbeat."
"May I ask what music you are listening to, I'm not from here and have not listened to the genres I enjoy the most." Etsuko pulled out a spare pair of earbuds for the woman and synced them to her own earbuds. The song that blasted in both women's ears brought a smile to Etsuko's face as she started her Shuffling Shapes dance, singing to "D City Rock". "My name's Etsuko uh Shinagawa, uh is not my middle name, that's Svetiana…" Wait, I don't tell people that, Alicia knows but that's because well um…wife." Her face was red until she realized that when she spoke her own middle name, the partial Polish accent was heard, something she picked up from her mother, Mayvionia.
"My name is Nozomi, nice to meet you, Etsuko. I actually like this song we are listening to. I noticed that you sing, would you like to sing this song together that we are listening to?" Etsuko froze for a moment before clearing her throat, her head nodding to the beat. "I don't sing often with people but I would enjoy that. Also, an interesting outfit you are wearing, it looks rather comfy." Etsuko glanced over to her phone before a joyful expression filled the air as she leaned against a tree.
The song then repeated itself as Etsuko's more joyful emotions appeared in not just her dancing, but also in her vocals. Nozomi slowly began to smile before singing alongside the dancing woman, who was rather carefree at the moment. The song was quite joyful, albeit, a bit dirty minded, but that didn't stop the two from enjoying the current time they were having. Both women began to high five, attempting to sync the high fives to the tempo the song possessed. The low in the song allowed Etsuko to ease the dance, her ears and tails wiggling in unison before trying to tap Nozomi to join in. A few moments later, the song ended as Etsuko twitched her tails in happiness.
Both were smiling at how they felt with their performance they gave to anyone that had heard the two. Etsuko then gave a carefree smile to Nozomi, one full of life. "So that was pretty fun, I will not deny that, it felt needed for someone such as myself." "Well, I had a very enjoyable time as well, especially since you have an energetic personality. Would you like to get lunch as it is late in the afternoon." Etsuko nodded before her and pointed to a Taiwanese restaurant that was across the street.
As the two consumed the meals that laid before them, words had been passed to each other in a friendly manner. They both wished to know each other, their lives different yet exciting, passionate. Nozomi had expressed her time traveling as if it were a casual topic to anyone that listened. The time traveling kitsune was someone that Etsuko had felt to be knowledgeable due to the tales being told. As the two finished their meals, the small neko kitsune raised her hand for a high five, something she signified as a friend. The high five was met with a tail wiggle all the while exiting the establishment.
"Nozomi, I hope we can have another day talking, knowing each other. I'm usually shy and nervous due to anxiety and my awkward demeanor. I've not felt relaxed this much unless I was around my wife or a few of my siblings. Thank you for allowing me to feel calm and for getting to know someone as wonderful as you." "Etsuko, we should do this again sometime, it feels better to understand people such as yourself who are different in how they handle themselves. Plus, I wish to understand your taste in music a bit clearer, it sounds different than what I normally listen to."
The smaller of the two sighed in happiness as she was mildly concerned over the presence she shared before herself. "Surprised you like that song, Alicia doesn't normally like the music I listen to, never bothered me. Sadly, I have to go home, make dinner, and follow a few ideas I currently wish to pursue. If you ever want to talk again, let me know, I would enjoy it." The two waved before Etsuko nervously chuckled as she walked home, a little bounce in her step as she left Nozomi to keep the pair of earbuds.
(Full credit goes to NozomiFox for the addition to have her character give an important role in the story)