As Eva walked across the shrine grounds that afternoon on her way home from classes, she was surprised by the ringing of her phone.

“Hello Hanako.” She answered the phone after checking the caller id with a glance. “How was your weekend vacation?”

“Hi Eva. It was great, but not nearly long enough.” The somewhat tired sounding voice of Hanako came from the speaker. “But that wasn’t what I wanted to talk with you about anyways. Have you heard back yet from whomever you were going to ask about how humans can learn magic?”

“I actually did.” She replied nodding unconsciously, even though no one was around to notice the gesture. “Got a letter from him on Saturday.”

“Great. It’s still a few hours until I get off work, but maybe we could get started later tonight.”

“I’m a bit busy today, got some things I want to finally be done with, but how about tomorrow evening?”

“Hm, really nothing you could do so we can do this tonight?”

“No, sorry. I had an unexpectedly busy weekend.”

“I see. Well I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“See you.” Eva finished their conversation before hanging up. Opening the front door, she quickly dropped off her bag and pulled out a paper note she had written after her return to Tokyo. Lifting up the crate she still needed to deliver, Eva quickly hid herself and the things she was carrying by magic. The Kitsune then stepped back outside and made her way to the nearest Torii.

~~~

A few minutes later, Eva was once more standing on the banks of the very same river she’d visited this saturday. The Kitsune took a quick look around as she sat down the crate, making sure she was alone. Pulling out the note she had written for the dragon, she flicked it into the water. Unsure how long she was going to have to wait, Eva took a seat on the crate.

Just as she was about to pull out her phone, she noticed a head rising out of the water. It was soon followed by what appeared to be a man in his late twenties, still rising straight up out of the water. Once the water was only up to his knees, he looked around, his long azure hair swaying from side to side.

Noticing this, Eva gave him a quick wave as she stood up and picked the crate up once more. Taking the last few steps to the edge of the water, she waited for him to approach. As the presumed Dragon waded closer, he waved back before shouting with a booming voice rough like gravel. “Are you the one that threw this note in the river to get my attention?”

“Yeah.” Eva replied with a nod. She braced the crate against herself with one arm so she could knock on it with her other. “Got a delivery here for you. And let me tell you figuring out how to get it to you was a lot of work.”

“Ah, finaly.” A smile spread across his face as he stopped before the Kitsune, his feet never leaving the water while he walked in the now barely ankle deep water. “No longer shall construction noise keep me from my slumber. But do tell, why would it be difficult to deliver these Dragon sized Earplugs? I am most certain I instructed the craftsmen making these for me to attach a paper with delivery instructions to the outside of the crate.”

“Well.” Eva began, after letting out an annoyed sigh. “Those instructions were not attached anymore by the time it reached me for the actual delivery.”

“That is most unfortunate. But luckily you actually did find out.” He sat down on a conveniently nearby rock Eva was sure had not been sticking out of the river a moment ago. “Do tell me how you managed that. Not many people are still around that know how to get a hold of me.”

“Yeah, I figured that one out myself. Not to mention there aren’t many people that know you’re here, period.” Eva said with a shake of her head. “Even that Fishing Kami claiming this river as his domain had no idea you were living in it. Or are it. I didn’t quite follow what Ayami meant.”

“Ah, sweet young Ayami, so she is still around.” He said, his gaze growing unfocused as he continued. “Is she still as sweet and cute as she was last time I saw her?”

“Ah, I don’t know when that would be.” Eva mumbled as she started to rub the base of her neck. “But she seemed to have grown into a rather stern lady when I dropped in on her at the brewery she owns now.”

“Ha, so she did actually go through with that.” He said with a chuckle. “Then I guess I’ll have to uphold my end of that old bet as well.” He turned his head to Eva, eyes focusing on the here and now once again. “Would you mind doing a pick up here in a few days? I’ll need to prepare a suitable vessel before I send her the lake of purest spring water I promised her all those years ago.”

Eva, eyes growing wide, began to respond unsurely, voice wavering. “But, you will add some enchantment to that so it doesn’t weigh that much right?”

“Of course, of course. No need to worry. Now go skedaddle and have fun, young fox. Just don’t play any mean pranks alright?”

Before Eva could muster a response, the man and rock had turned back into water flowing down the river while the crate vanished beneath the gentle waves with a splash. Blinking twice, Eva simply shrugged as she turned back into a fox and began to rush towards the nearest shrine.