(D2, LA) Temple Fare

[Isawa Natsuko]

(Expecting. Public space. But I'd like to keep direct interaction to say 2-3 other folks who were in the Call to Temple Thread, with others holding their own 'bubbles' in the thread to avoid overwhelm, please.)

Today's Natsuko had seen more wind and waves than she'd honestly ever expected to run into her whole life. A chance to sit in a slightly dusty, quiet, not moving at all, shrine seems like a fantastic idea. She lugs a relatively large wicker basket in her good hand, a faded furoshiki wrapped something on top of the basket, and her usual rattling scroll satchel at her hip.

[Ender]

As the Shugenja approached, the shrine seemed somewhat livelier than the day before. There were a few others who had turned up. The feeling of darkness around the area seemed to retreat somewhst.

Saito, the old monk, was sweeping again. There was a certain pep in his step, almost a sense of vibrancy that was missing yesterds.

[Isawa Natsuko]

The Phoenix girl paused, watching, observing the small changes. They wouldn't last without change though. People just naturally disrupted things. Restoring and maintaining a balance was work, constant work, throughout the Empire. Otherwise they rebalanced themselves, without regard to the people who might be hurt by that.

After proper purification she entered and approached, bowing to the old monk and his broom, letting the basket settle to the floor gently. "I see the day finds things brighter, Saito-san."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

Not being able to come in the morning Kuroneko made his way to the shrine. As he noted Natsuko and Saito, he smiled. "Things seems a bit better." Still a bit of sadness filled his heart. He wished they had a Kaito with them yet it would make things worse. "I made a promise and I will keep it." He spoke to his furry friend that had come up to the Shiba's shoulder.

[Isawa Natsuko]

Not being able to come in the morning Kuroneko made his way to the shrine. As he noted Natsuko and Saito, he smiled. "Things seems a bit better." Still a bit of sadness filled his heart. He wished they had a Kaito with them yet it would make things worse. "I made a promise and I will keep it." He spoke to his furry friend that had come up to the Shiba's shoulder.

Natsuko nods to the Shiba. Things do seem better, certainly. The spirits don't care if attention comes from visitors or the townsfolk, after all. But only one group would still be here next month.

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"I wonder if the Crane would allow us to take care of things here. you know... Maybe we can see if there is a Kaito available to help keep the shrines." He had brought another offering for Inari no kami.

[Kakita Ahiru]

With very damp hair, Ahiru hurried over to the shrine, carrying a wrapped bundle in her arms. Seeing that there were two other samurai-to-be at the shrine, remembering them both from yesterday here, she stopped in her tracks to bow properly. "Good afternoon, minna-san, Saito-san," she acknowledged the monk as well.

"I hope you are all having a blessed day so far?"

[Isawa Natsuko]

"I wonder if the Crane would allow us to take care of things here. you know... Maybe we can see if there is a Kaito available to help keep the shrines." He had brought another offering for Inari no kami.

"But it is *their* shrine." Natsuko says with slight, but notable emphasis before she frowns in thought a bit. "I do not know how one clan could assign someone to another's holdings. Some kind of agreement among courtiers? Maybe to assist for a time." She isn't really sure of the pathways and bureaucracy that must be involved, but sure that she doesn't have the power to assign anyone that way.

She bows to the approaching Crane. "Kakita-san." Another long moment of thought. "The day is more blessed on dry land," is her quiet answer to the question. "I hope you found the fortunes' favor today. Maybe brought it here with you."

Dropping to her knees in a fashion that she's going to pay for in midlife someday, Natsuko begins unwrapping the faded cloth to pull out bamboo trays with steamed yams and their greens and a small, stoppered bottle that is probably some form of soy sauce to begin setting out. "I met a Sparrow in the forest who offered these. For strength."

[Kakita Ahiru]

As she had just arrived, Ahiru opted to merely look questioningly at the exchange she caught the tail end of, rather than to ask what they were talking about.

"Ah yes," she chuckled with some warmth, "I do prefer it much more on dry land than on a boat." Particulary a loud Mantis boat. "I'm not sure if I've brought any fortune or favor with me though, only some humble donation to offer to the shrine's caretaker." At that lifted slightly the wrapped bundle she carried in her arms. Judging by how it moved in her embrace, it was probably cloth.

The Kakita girl watched with interest as Natsuko set out food. To her it looked like a very strange fare, she hadn't even seen the servants eat something so plain. "Is it some kind of Sparrow specialty?"

[Isawa Natsuko]

The Kakita girl watched with interest as Natsuko set out food. To her it looked like a very strange fare, she hadn't even seen the servants eat something so plain. "Is it some kind of Sparrow specialty?"

"I..do not know. I asked the kitchen to make them." She looks at the dishes in her hands, head tilting. "The leaves are nutritious and good for building strength." Setting the dishes out, she notes. "seems like a lot if you all want to share."

Opening the basket, she begins pulling out equipment for tea, right down to a very small kettle and charcoal-fueled 'stove' to heat water. The cups appear colored to symbolize the elements--blue, gold, striated browns, orange-red in a streaky glaze, and a pockmarked black.

She leaves comment on the donation to Saito, since it's apparently for him.

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Perhaps but if even the spirit are leaving because of such state... I wonder what would happen if the true fortunes decide to take action." He shook his head and welcomed the Crane Girl. "Good afternoon Kakita san. My day has been blessed and it seems this is a better sight than yesterday's. I hope you are blessed as well."

He turned back to Natsuko "If we have things left over let's leave them as offerings to the shrines and the spirits that remain. They seemed to be hungry for our devotion and food."

[Ender]

The Phoenix girl paused, watching, observing the small changes. They wouldn't last without change though. People just naturally disrupted things. Restoring and maintaining a balance was work, constant work, throughout the Empire. Otherwise they rebalanced themselves, without regard to the people who might be hurt by that.

After proper purification she entered and approached, bowing to the old monk and his broom, letting the basket settle to the floor gently. "I see the day finds things brighter, Saito-san."

"It does, my child. It is good to see you again. How was your cruise this morning?" He chuckled as he asked, his eyes twinkling with kindness. It seems the spirits around the shrine are also more active. Perhaps given life by the townspeople speaking more about it.

Not being able to come in the morning Kuroneko made his way to the shrine. As he noted Natsuko and Saito, he smiled. "Things seems a bit better." Still a bit of sadness filled his heart. He wished they had a Kaito with them yet it would make things worse. "I made a promise and I will keep it." He spoke to his furry friend that had come up to the Shiba's shoulder.

"A blessed day to you as well, Shiba-san. And your lovely little friend, as well." He bowed to both the Phoenix, and the pet that had come up to the shoulder. His hands rested atop the broom, ceasing his sweeping.

A few of the patrons around the shrine seemed to shift about, moving to different altars. Some of the decay on them seems to have receded.

With very damp hair, Ahiru hurried over to the shrine, carrying a wrapped bundle in her arms. Seeing that there were two other samurai-to-be at the shrine, remembering them both from yesterday here, she stopped in her tracks to bow properly. "Good afternoon, minna-san, Saito-san," she acknowledged the monk as well.

"I hope you are all having a blessed day so far?"

"My my, to have so many repeat visitors from our honored guests, this is truly something special. I must have done something right in a previous light to be able to receive so many competitors two days in a row." His posture seemed strong, as he laughed again. Exuberance in his eyes reflecting even more.

"A donation? Certainly, you didn't have to, my child. Merely having the pleasure of company and conversation is enough. You are a picture of courtesy, Kakita-san."

[Isawa Natsuko]

"It does, my child. It is good to see you again. How was your cruise this morning?" He chuckled as he asked, his eyes twinkling with kindness. It seems the spirits around the shrine are also more active. Perhaps given life by the townspeople speaking more about it.

"There may be a version of myself that enjoys being on boats, but I have not seen her." She prods the small coals from the kitchen to life, knowing the small pot will heat quickly. "Might need more water for so many."

"Perhaps but if even the spirit are leaving because of such state... I wonder what would happen if the true fortunes decide to take action." He shook his head and welcomed the Crane Girl. "Good afternoon Kakita san. My day has been blessed and it seems this is a better sight than yesterday's. I hope you are blessed as well."

He turned back to Natsuko "If we have things left over let's leave them as offerings to the shrines and the spirits that remain. They seemed to be hungry for our devotion and food."

Bright eyes glance up to the Shiba before she nods once. "They have responded to even small efforts. The earth spirits should be fond of these." She offers small, lacquered plates to any who want them. "How long have they suffered, I wonder?"

[Kakita Ahiru]

"My my, to have so many repeat visitors from our honored guests, this is truly something special. I must have done something right in a previous light to be able to receive so many competitors two days in a row." His posture seemed strong, as he laughed again. Exuberance in his eyes reflecting even more.

"A donation? Certainly, you didn't have to, my child. Merely having the pleasure of company and conversation is enough. You are a picture of courtesy, Kakita-san."

Seeing the strength in his posture was a bit heartening, after the impression of yesterday that the situation was much more difficult. "It is kind of you to say so, Saito-san, but I would be a poor Crane and poor samurai if I could not even offer a good monk some new and warm robes for the new year. The spring is still so very cold, especially at night," she said offering the bundle to him. Of course it wasn't extravagant silks, as it probably would have felt too inappropriate for the monk, but rather thick and sturdy clothes that would keep him warm and also endure good use.

The talk about the spirits from the two Phoenix was of interest to her, but she felt it was out of place for her to comment on the nature of spirits as she was not a priest like they were. Maybe something can be done to improve the mood of the spirits? Like music, or dance?

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Yes, I brought some rice yesterday and I believe they were happy yet they still hunger." He nodded. He turned to Saito and smiled we know that little steps make small differences." He looked at the Kakita and nodded. "Perhaps some tributes to the Fortune of artists or the one of perseverance."