Zaniel’s wrists burn. I don’t have time for this. He turns and bows low as he dares to the Kappa. When the Kappa bows in return, the water from its dish-like head drips onto the floor, then spills entirely. The Kappa lets out a scream. “My WATER!” it cries woefully.

Zaniel leaves the small demon to its efforts to scoop the water back into himself. She must be around here somewhere. Somewhere among the mechanical stuffed toys playing Karuta at one table, and the shamisen demons playing themselves at another, strumming the strings taut across their faces as they jam to the music. A few yokai regard Zaniel as he passes: “The rounin’s assistant,” they call him, wondering what he is doing here alone, but are too busy enjoying the music to pay him much attention. Over the sound of the samba beats, he hears a crow of voices:

“Takenoko takenoko nyoki ki!”

Zaniel wades through the array of round tables spread about the room, letting his eyes gloss over the multitude of strange faces. Then, he sees her. The Yokai, smiling. Arms in the air like a bamboo shoot sprouting out of the earth, sitting between a white rabbit and a grey mouse making the same gestures. A corpulent badger across from her shouts something that makes everyone at the table all scream and jeer. The badger gives a happy shrug, picks up the bottle marked “焼酎” before it and takes several gulps. “Nonde, nonde, nonde!” the creatures at the table chant until the badger can drink no more. Zaniel curbs around the bystanders watching the game around the table, approaching the Yokai’s side. The badger slams the bottle down on the table, dribbling alcohol from the corners of its mouth. The demons applaud, and the drinking game begins anew.

“Takenoko takenoko nyoki ki!”

“Ichi!” says the rabbit, hoisting its paws into the air.

“Ni!” the mouse squeaks.

“Ssssan?” a giant serpent raises its tail, unsure.

“SHI,” says the Yokai in a playfully malevolent voice. Everyone titters.

“Go!” cry a black bear and a deer together.

“OH,” everyone points at them. The bear and the deer each take a drink.

“Hello again,” the Yokai looks up at Zaniel. “Want to play?”

“He can’t play with us,” the rabbit puts simply.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” the Yokai chides. “Sit down, honey.”

Zaniel blushes at the pet name. “Thank you, but I’ll just watch.” One more round, he decides as he takes the seat next to her, the pain in his wrists subsiding with the glow of his bracelets.

“Takenoko takenoko nyoki ki!”

The demons watch each other with sharp, eager eyes. Some giggle, some keep their faces and features stern. “Ichi,” booms the bear, firing its arms into the air.

“Ni,” the mouse squeaks, doing the same.

The Yokai and a dog with a human face make the gesture at the same time. “San!” they shout.