A Peaceful Place (D2-EE)

[Doji Fukawa]

Normally, when Fukawa was sick, she would have stayed in her room. Rokugani were notoriously uneasy about illness, and intolerant of displays of weakness.

But normally her room wouldn't consist of a mound of smelly leather, and fur. It just was doing very little to settle her stomach. So she grabbed one of her pillow books, and made her way to the least smelly place in the village, the shrine.

[Otaku Imane]

Imane, on the other hand, was feeling just fine following last night's feast. A touch concerned that her​ grasp of Rokugani social customs was no closer to improving, but there was time for that.

In the spirit of adventure she approached the Shrine of the Emerald Champion to see what all of the fuss was about. For a Unicorn her clothes were closer to Rokugani on appearance, and she decided to dismount further away than normal just in case there was some taboo about horses and shrines...

Spying the Crane she approached and offered a little bow. "Ohayou Crane-sama. Otaku Imane, pleased to meet you.". She approached closer and remembered not to offer her hand, brushing at her hair with it instead to give it something to do.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa bows to the approaching Unicorn. Although she mistook the hand gesture.

Huh, even Unicorn-samurai-ko worry about their hair in these conditions. Her would look awfully nice with a few pins and some times for the servants to work out the tangles and split ends. she wonders.

"A pleasure to meet you, Otaku-san." she replied, "I am Doji Fukawa. Rather warm out today, ne?"

[Otaku Imane]

"Doji Fukawa-san." She pronounced the name carefully to ensure her slight accent didn't trip over the sounds. "You are the first Crane that I have met. I hope that you are enjoying the miai and that the food was to your liking?"

She nodded in agreement at the comment on the day's warmth. "Why yes, it is quite the day! Almatar was very thirsty after our morning exercises."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa inclined her head.

"It has been....quite the experience thus far. Your clan have certainly presented an image of Honesty, friendliness, and a thirst for knowledge." she offers graciously.

"Almatar is the name of your steed?" she asks, curious.

[Suki]

Seeing distant figures as she approached the shrine, Suki slowed her steps. A broom borrowed from some of the locals tucked under one arm, a bowl of rice in the other hand, she did not wish to disturb any of the samurai with her work and devotions. Taking her time, she meandered along the edge of the hill, her gaze moving along the shadow of the torii arch.

[Ide Samai]

Samai was also at the shrine, observing and praying silently. How curious... she was just getting used to physical places of worship.

Noticing the monk, she bowed and moved closer, bowing to her.

[Suki]

Suki watched the woman approach, bowing respectfully, careful not to drop her offering of rice.

"Konbanwa, sama," she offered softly, rising from the bow with a friendly smile.

[Otaku Imane]

Fukawa inclined her head.

"It has been....quite the experience thus far. Your clan have certainly presented an image of Honesty, friendliness, and a thirst for knowledge." she offers graciously.

"Almatar is the name of your steed?" she asks, curious.

Imane bowed her head in response to the compliment. "It gladdens me to hear that Doji-san. The Crane are the keepers of art and culture, yes? There is much for us to learn from you."

She looked over to where the horse was happily nibbling at some grass. "Yes, Almatar and I have been together since she was a foal. She is a fine companion."

Her eyes drifted to the monk and the Ide she was yet to meet. For the moment her gaze returned to the Crane.

[Ide Samai]

Suki watched the woman approach, bowing respectfully, careful not to drop her offering of rice.

"Konbanwa, sama," she offered softly, rising from the bow with a friendly smile.

"Ide Samai, monk-san." She looked around to follow her activity. "Are you the caretaker of this shrine?"

[Shiba Kaizen]

Kaizen approached the Shrine with reservation. Trained in iaijutsu himself Kakita is the progenitor of nearly every dueling school to some degree. If imitation is the finest form of flattery Kakita could be lifted to Tengoku with such emulation. Also the first Emerald Champion the champion of the Hantei greatest of the Kami and so great he won the heart of the Kami Doji. The Shiba felt in awe of that.

At the same time a particular member of the Kakita Family had murdered Kaizen's brother. This of course had nothing to do with the original Kakita or the Family which bares his name. Much has been made about those events and while the fact of them angered and saddened the Phoenix he knew no actions of his could change that Kenshiro was dead.

Regardless of the past he was not here for that. This holy shrine being the only place of worship brought him here for a very specific purpose. He had apparently offended a Fortune and would make amends. Though as he approached he heard conversation. As he got closer he spotted a Crane, a pair of Unicorn, and a monk.

Approaching the open air shrine he bowed to the stone guardians and to the shrine itself before saying, "Konbanwa minasan." He bowed again to those present hoping not to disturb them. It seemed he had picked the wrong time to be here. As at least some were in conversation. He hesitated looking at those present wondering how he should proceed without making a poor impression. Regardless his intention was to pray so this would work itself out somehow.

[Suki]

"Ide Samai, monk-san." She looked around to follow her activity. "Are you the caretaker of this shrine?"

"This one is Suki. A pleasure to meet you, Ide-sama," she bowed in greeting. "As far as this one knows, this shrine does not have a constant caretaker. Thus it falls to ones such as myself to assist in such matters when the universe brings us to the area," she smiled.

"Prior to coming here, this one was merely one of many who resided at the Temple of Benten in Honored Treaty City," she added, keeping her gaze down-turned as another samurai approached the shrine.

[Ide Samai]

"This one is Suki. A pleasure to meet you, Ide-sama," she bowed in greeting. "As far as this one knows, this shrine does not have a constant caretaker. Thus it falls to ones such as myself to assist in such matters when the universe brings us to the area," she smiled.

"Prior to coming here, this one was merely one of many who resided at the Temple of Benten in Honored Treaty City," she added, keeping her gaze down-turned as another samurai approached the shrine.

"Oh, a monk of Bente? How auspicious." Samai smiled at Suki. "Well met. She took a look at the shrine. "Do you know much about this shine?" Her voice was curious.

[Suki]

Suki bowed her head in thanks, smiling faintly. At the question, she turned her gaze up to the shrine.

"It is dedicated to Kakita, and to the Emerald Champions that came after him. It is a lovely place," she remarked, appreciating the shrine's simplicity, "and very old. I cannot say with certainty exactly when it was erected."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa inclined her head.

"It has been....quite the experience thus far. Your clan have certainly presented an image of Honesty, friendliness, and a thirst for knowledge." she offers graciously.

"Almatar is the name of your steed?" she asks, curious.

Imane bowed her head in response to the compliment. "It gladdens me to hear that Doji-san. The Crane are the keepers of art and culture, yes? There is much for us to learn from you."

She looked over to where the horse was happily nibbling at some grass. "Yes, Almatar and I have been together since she was a foal. She is a fine companion."

Her eyes drifted to the monk and the Ide she was yet to meet. For the moment her gaze returned to the Crane.

Fukawa nodded.

"We are. But I think there is much to learn from you as well, Otaku-san. Rumors have been swirling about as to the special nature of your horses. Could you tell me a bit more about what makes them so special? I'd really like to know." she asks politely.