The afternoon sun filtered gently through the delicate petals of the sakura trees, casting dappled shadows across the wooden porch where Inari sat. A soft breeze carried the faint scent of blooming cherry blossoms and the distant murmur of water from a nearby river. The goddess lounged elegantly upon a plush cushion, her long, fluffy tail draped gracefully over one thigh as she cradled a steaming cup of tea between her dainty paws. She took a slow sip, savoring the rich, deep flavor as she watched another pink petal detach from its branch and spiral lazily to the ground. The garden was tranquil, almost too tranquil. Peaceful. Beautiful. And utterly, unbearably dull.

"Ahh..." She exhaled with a sigh that carried the weight of her divine annoyance, her golden eyes half-lidded as she set her cup down on the low table beside her. "What a boring day."

Her celestial manor was quiet: no scampering kits underfoot, no chattering reports from her messengers. All of her children were either off managing shrines or delivering messages, leaving her with no one to dote upon, no cheeks to pinch, no little ears to scratch. For the first time in what felt like eons, Inari had nothing to do.

Her fingers drummed against the smooth wood of the table as she contemplated her options. She could summon a few fox spirits back to entertain her, but that felt too much like admitting defeat. She could visit another deity, but most of them were insufferable bores. No, what she needed was something interesting.

A slow, mischievous smile curled at the edges of her muzzle.

"Perhaps a little trip wouldn't hurt..." she mused aloud, tapping one claw thoughtfully against the rim of her teacup. The mortal world was always good for entertainment, chaotic, unpredictable, brimming with life and foolishness in equal measure. And right now? She craved a bit of foolishness.

With effortless grace, she rose to her feet, smoothing the creases on her hakama with a paw, and adjusting the neckline of her kosode to show less cleavage. Though no amount of adjusting could ever truly contain the swell of her bosom. Her ears perked forward with anticipation as she lifted a single claw and traced a shimmering kanji in the air. The symbol pulsed with golden light before expanding into a rippling portal.

Without hesitation, Inari stepped through, and the tranquil world of the gods melted away in an instant.

The sudden assault of noise and motion nearly made her laugh aloud. The roar of traffic, the chatter of pedestrians, the scent of street food and exhaust fumes. Oh, how she had missed this! The portal snapped shut behind her as she emerged onto a bustling city sidewalk, seamlessly blending into the crowd as if she had always been there. Her divine aura dimmed to something more mundane, though her beauty remained impossible to ignore. Men and women alike stole glances at the elegant vixen in traditional dress, but none dared approach.

She clasped her paws behind her back and strolled leisurely down the street, tail swaying with each step, her crimson-tipped ears twitching at every new sound. A street vendor called out his wares: yakitory sizzling on a grill. And she couldn't resist stopping to buy a skewer, nibbling at the juicy chicken treat with delight.

For a while, she simply wandered, admiring shop displays, eavesdropping on conversations, breathing in the chaotic pulse of mortal life. But soon enough, her gaze settled on a particular figure standing by a crosswalk.

Her tail flicked with quiet amusement as she glided toward them, stopping just close enough to be politely acknowledged but not so close as to startle. When she spoke, her voice was warm, sweet and just a touch teasing.

"Excuse me, young one," she began, tilting her head slightly to one side. "I seem to have gotten myself a bit turned around. Would you be so kind as to point me towards somewhere with good alcohol?"