The less ambitious someone is the more they are looked down upon. Yet these people find happiness in the world much more quickly than those who strive for goals. Why care about the future when the present can be a gift? One such person Dojyaan without surname, felt like the inadequacies of self motivation were a hindrance. Thus, he spent his time in merry making and drinking.
"The world is much more colorful when there is a sway in one's step." He thought to himself. Already eighteen years old, considered a man in this time, Dojyaan had the wisdom of a sage or so he liked to believe.
Returning home after a night of drinking and delicious food the plain man of average build and looks swayed as he made his way into a cave and up to a small wooden cottage.
However, unlike his usual return to home there was a strange appertain before him. A small white fox whose fur did not hold a single stain. Noticing the man walking home the creature bared it's beast like teeth in the form of a human smile.
"Young merry maker! Halt and come speak with this lonely fox!" The clever fox creature called.
Faced with a peculiar sight Dojyaan could not help but think, 'What an interesting drinking tale this will become.' Walking over to the fox of small stature he replied, "Oh wonderful creature what reason do you have to bar me from my own home? Have you come to pay clever tricks on a poor drunken young man?"
The creature nodded it's head. "I am Mao Song, and I am looking for merriment myself. What say you in carrying on into the night to drink with a fellow?"
Dojyaan was confused by this spirit and though that the drink he shared in the tavern had crippled his mind, as it was quiet strong. Nevertheless he folded and invited the demon fox into his home.
The cottage of wood was not much to look at but had room that Dojyaan normally invited guests into. He showed Mao Song to a seat while he himself went and fetched a urn of wine he had been saving. His mother always told him that when playing with a demon watch your words and show gestures of kindness. Thus he fetched his best urn of wine, Moonlight's fruit.
This wine was known to be made of unique plum like fruits that had a fiendishly red color that only grew in places of darkness, such as the cave he lived in. Dojyaan brought the wine his predecessors, his great grandfather, brewed. Placing it before Mao Song he sat down across from the male demon fox and said, "Please fellow merry maker, have some of the wine that the men of my small family brewed before passing."
With that being said Dojyaan poured to small cups of the wine. Placing the red liquid before the demon fox Dojyaan leaned back and awaited the fox's first taste.
Mao Song smiled without showing teeth. Picking up the small cup with both hands he sniffed the wine and widened his eyes. 'This spice simply shakes my core!' He thought before sipping. However he could think no more as the wine touched his tongue and slid down his throat.
"What an earthly taste! It's so grounded that my feet may as well become encased in mountain stone! Whoever created this wine in your family most surely put some of his soul into it, because even now my own spirit seems to be dancing with their's!" Mao Song proclaimed. The cup did not last long but even as it was emptied it was refilled at the hands of Dojyaan.
The man could all but smile as the demon enjoyed the labor of his family's work. He too began to drink and entertain the demon fox with gossips of town and tales of lore. Drinking games soon followed and both shed tears of sorrow as the sun began to shine across the sky.
The wine was now gone and the merriment began to expire in the morning light. As Dojyaan began to wish Mao Song sage travels the fox quickly spoke up.
"Dojyaan without surname I wish to part two gifts upon you." Mao Song spoke solemnly, "The first gift is that of a surname. Become my sworn brother and take on my surname, Mao. The second is this, with your heart full of happiness and your character full of warmth may the trickle of wine sustain you and the bite of food give you strength. These are but gifts that pertain to my own existence and thus all I can give."
Dojyaan knowing never to refuse a demon's gift less he be cursed in exchange, thank you mother, accepted. "Brother Mao Song may you have safe travels and I hope to see you upon the road as I walk from tavern to home." He replied with a smile.
With the demon fox gone Dojyaan retired to his room. Noticing a little drop of Moonlight's fruit still in the urn he finished it with the chant, "waste not want not." However when he drank the drop his body felt hot and his mind expanded. Deep in himself he felt the wine drop to his stomach and explode, carrying a strange energy through his veins.
The feeling was so overbearing he could do nothing else than faint onto the floor.