[D1 LM] Visiting the Lonely Shrine

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Again, Monkhbataar followed her lead, making an offering of kumis, careful not to splash any on the Kakita and watching as the earth drank it. He bowed low like her and said similar words quietly rather than the loud one-sided conversation like he had before.

[Kakita Nanami]

Finishing her prayer, Nanami straightened up and slowly rose to her feet. With one last bow to the shrine, she backed and waited for the Shinjo to finish and do the same.

When he finally approached she nodded slightly, "It takes only a few moments but it is right and proper. There are of course other variations among some of the other clans. Some a little... brash for my tastes, but all reverent in their own ways I suppose."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He does as expected, though his movements and bows are unrefined, which is likely expected. He nods to her words. "I see. Thank you for your guidance Kakita-san. It means a great deal to me. Hopefully, with time and further education I can properly see to my spiritual well being and that of my clansmen in the ways that the Empire has been doing so for centuries." He bows thankfully to her.

"You've been very kind," he says with a warm smile.

[Kakita Nanami]

"It is my duty, of course." She bowed in return, "As a shugenja I speak to and for the kami. It is only right that I should ensure other venerate them and the ancestors correctly to make sure they remained pleased." She frowned slightly at the thought of how much more difficult it had become to call upon them lately, hiding the frown behind a waving fan.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I hope that in the future my prayers will help to keep them pleased. I imagine that can only help the priests with their duties, even if only a small amount," he replies.

"I do wonder about what types of rites and rituals may have come to exist in our absence, as well as if any new fortunes or beings of the heavens have made themselves apparent. I can imagine there have been innumerable heroes that have lived and ascended in our time away."

[Ide Amaya]

After composing herself with a morning cup of tea and taking care to apply her makeup, Amaya had toured the village and found that everywhere was crowded with bodies. They were pressed together in the summer heat and - oh, the noise. A thousand voices babbling over one another like a stream chattering over stones. And so she had retreated to the Shrine of the Emerald Champion. She had noted the horse and figures from a distance, but it was much quieter there, and the Shrine would provide a convenient excuse for quiet contemplation.

Drawing nearer, her attention was fixed on the noble steed, admiring its strength and gleaming coat. The magnificent beast was in fine form and she was so completely enraptured that she almost lost her footing as she respectfully circled, keeping an honourable distance between her and the animal. Even then, it took a great deal of mental effort to pull her eyes from the horse and glance at others at the Shrine.

[Asako Yuki]

Finishing her own prayers, Yuki slowly got back to her feet. "Minnasamas," she gave as a greeting and a bow to the collection of samurai. "I hope that the Unicorn will be able to give proper respect as is due to the champions once you have settled in."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

The Shinjo offered his unrefined but well meaning bow to the other arrivals with a wide smile. "Greetings. I'm Shinjo Monkhbaatar and this is Kakita Nanami. I was just learning about paying proper respects in the ways that have been practiced in the Empire in our time away from her."

[Ide Amaya]

Amaya glances between Shinjo Monkhbaatar and his magnificent horse with its charming pinto markings. She desperately wished she had some apple or other crunchy treat to offer but, no, she must remember why she is here, and that is not to be distracted by horses. Oh, but for just one moment...

Perhaps something almost as interesting might catch her eye, and she manages not to blurt out is that a lucky cricket? "This one is honoured, Kakita-Sama, I am called Ide Amaya." She bows from the waist.

[Kakita Nanami]

The Kakita bowed, "This one is pleased, Amaya-san." She turned to the Phoenix with a bow as well, "Asako-san."

"It is good to see those coming to honor Lord Kakita, even those so long separated from the Empire."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki smiled warmly. "This one is Asako Yuki. Lord Kakita is in many ways one of the foundations of bladework in Rokugan. It is only right that he be honored for such work." She said, looking to the Kakita woman with her warm smile still on her face.

[Ide Amaya]

This talk of Shrines and honoured ancestors had left Amaya feeling quite out of her depth, and she fluttered her fan in the day's heat, shooting envious glances at the horse who didn't need to navigate this social morass and was even now cropping disinterestedly as the grass.

She tries to think of something to say, and manages to be at least fleetingly interesting. "I understand several events have been planned, do you look forward to the activities?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"It's only right to pay respects to ancestors and heroes of the empire. And now I'm on the path to doing so properly thanks to Kakita-san," he says with a nod.

"Ah, the events. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the planners for the miai came up with. I hope it's all exciting." His bright smile reveals his anticipation. "And I look forward to seeing how well all those present perform."

[Asako Yuki]

"Would you have any idea what we might be up for, Shinjo-san?" Yuki asked with some interest. "There is not much known about the Unicorn, other than your fondness of horses." She paused. "What other skills do the Unicorn find to be of great value?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Well, I don't know what they have planned, but I suspect that the competitions will likely be a mixture of things important to both Unicorn culture specifically and Rokugani culture in general. The clan is interested in showing our commitment to reintegration as much as they are to sharing the things we've learned during our travels. Because of that I think it'll be hard to really figure out what we're in store for without having a more thorough knowledge of both. After all, while we're testing the capabilities of the other clans to see who might do well among the Unicorn, we're also trying to show the other clans what skills us Unicorn have that would match well with their duties."