[D4, EM] Prayer Requires Interruption in PbP (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

Fresh from her work at the dojo, Michi approached the temple to Lady Sun and the eight lucky gods. As per usual, she greeted the statue of Amaterasu with a reverent bow and sat before her, chanting silently the prayers of her people. Thanks was given for her opportunity to live an honorable life, for the short time she spent with her brother, and for the wisdom of her parents in challenging her with the Topaz Championship.

Soon after, she moved to the nearby shrine to Bishamon. Here she spent a great deal of time in stillness and thought, but yet she smiled somewhat, as if meeting a friend.

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura comes in after having performed the proper rituals. She visits the altar of Amaterasu first, as is proper, before visiting the other shrines, careful not to disturb the Lioness. Before ending at the shrine to Ebisu for deep prayer.

[Akodo Michi]

Eventually, all things come to pass, even prayers to Bishamon. Michi stood slowly, offering the shrine a bow. Noting the Crab, she realized it was a young Kaiu, and she had not met their like before. Rather than disturb their prayers, she waited by the shrine to Fukurokujin, but did not kneel before it. Instead she examined the statue, as she had with Urusai.

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura finished her prayer and almost started when she noticed the Lion, who was not where she expected them to be at all. She bowed. "Greetings Lion-san. This one hopes that your spirit is renewed by your visit."

[Akodo Michi]

"I find myself refreshed after prayer", she answered and returned the bow. "I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. May I have the honor of your name, Kaiu-san?"

[Kaiu Taura]

"This one is Kaiu Taura, Akodo-san, we had met briefly at the gates of the city before the competition began," she replies with a bob of her head. "This one hope that you have been doing well in the competition."

[Akodo Michi]

"You are quite right, forgive my rudeness", she replied with another bow. Internally, she cursed her dumbass player. "And so we have come far in certain ways since then, have you given thought to the poems you will grant to Kakita Yuji-san?"

[Kaiu Taura]

"This one has started a few . . ." she admits. "but I fear they will be nothing but barracks doggrel. This one is no poet but she would hate to disappoint the Crane. He seemed so earnest."

[Akodo Michi]

A slow nod. "And earnestness should be rewarded with an answer", she said with certainty. "It has no been a simple task for one trained as I have been, but it will be completed."

She was silent for a moment, thoughtful. Resolve firmed her face, focused her eyes.

"Kaiu-san, we only know each other as competitors, but we are of an age and women both, may I ask you a personal question?"

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura blinked and nodded. "This one will help as she can, Akodo-san." What could she need advice from me about? Taura thought, her mind awhirl.

[Akodo Michi]

There was a question in mind, placed there by some fortune (the player), but she could not ask it as this is day four, not day five. Fortunately, the unending inspiration of the fortune that watched over Michi had other ideas as well.

"Have your parents arranged for you to marry?" she asked.

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura blinks. "Ano, not that this one has been told of, though this one is sure they have some plan in mind. It is the Kaiu way after all. Plans that is." Ahhh, I am blathering in front of a Lion, she must think I'm an idiot.

[Akodo Michi]

"It is not a matter of thought for me, either", she admitted. "Our lives are ongoing rituals, processes we perfect the longer we live", she nodded, seeming to like the idea. "Since we stand on the cusp of our duty, I was moved by my mind to ask if others had given it thought."

[Kaiu Taura]

"This one has thought a little of marriage in general terms. This one hopes to be married within her family," says Taura, "somewhere where she will be able to continue to use her skills. Who performs as engineers within the Lion?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Some who share a name with me, and the Ikoma", she said. "It is rare for a Matsu to dabble in matters away from the front lines."

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura nods. "Have you interested in engineering, Akodo-san? This one would be very interested in learning from the masters of war in such matters. She is not unskilled in such matters and can offer observation for observation."