Dark Edge Village

There was no proper temple here.

For a man of the Phoenix, of whom it could be said there are more shrines per capita than in any other Clan, this was a startling fact indeed. Still, when he found himself in need of making an offering, this Shrine was the best that he could do. So, after honoring those who had or still held the office of Emerald Champion, he stepped a bit to the side but still within bounds of a holy place.

He set out a small bowl of rice, the best offering, he thought, for this sort of thing.

Then he began the prayers to Ekibyogami, whom he suspected he might have angered by naming Her the day prior without properly placating. He could only hope that was the cause of his discomfort after the meal and, indeed, into today. If so, this should see the problem resolved.

The shrine honored the former emerald champions, many of which were Crane (the good ones anyways). The morning had passed, and yet there still seemed to be no relief from the barbarian cheese, And so Fukawa made her way, slowly to the shrine. Excessive movement could be....problematic.

She was dressed in a different kimono from the day past, the one featured a Crane spreading it's wings and departing a lake.

Once she attained the shrine, she sunk down to pray.

Oh Kakita, if you cannot take away this pain, nor save me from the Unicorn, please please loan me your strength of character to let my discomfort at neither show. she silently prayed.

Akil had never really been to a proper shrine before. The Unicorn did not exactly have time to erect them while travelling all the time. And so this was a fascinating new experience for the young Shinjo. He was dressed reasonably simply, a grey kimono with some purple trim on it.

He noted there were two already there. One of them was... praying? Right, praying is a thing that you do at shrines, or so he was told.

Though she was silent, that particular paleness and care in motion was all too familiar to the Asako. He sent a commiserating look the Doji's way, though he didn't disrupt her in her petitions. Only when she looked to be finished did he push back from his makeshift shrine to speak.

"Konnichiwa, Doji-san." He gave a seated bow, then indicated the small space he'd made. "Do you need to offer to Ekibyogami-kami, too? I don't mind waiting to clear up if so."

The Unicorn male, too, go a bow. Since he looked well enough, he didn't receive a like invitation.

And so Kakita-no-kami sends me a Phoenix....perhaps he is so busy in the celestial Heavens to note the current state of politics? It would explain why there is still a Nikesake. Fukawa thought.

Still, the grace of the Crane would hold.

A careful bow was made to both men.

"A very kind offer, Phoenix-san. Perhaps you would do me a further kindness in conversing afterwards?" she asks.'

She looks to the Unicorn.

"If after your prayers you are free to converse as well Unicorn-san, I would enjoy hearing your insight as well, if it's not too much trouble." she says. After all, Cranes united threads.

"Ah, of course," he nodded, approaching to bow to the pair. "And, er... if it isn't too much trouble..." he considered how to ask the question. "Could I maybe join you? I have," man, he really looked embarrassed. And sick. Sickbarrassed. "Well, I have never seen a prayer at a proper Rokugani shrine before."

"Asako Hirase. A pleasure." He looked from one to the other, then shifted over to make space. "Nor would this truly count as such, Shinjo-san, but it has the essentials for a travelling shrine when you don't have an idol."

He indicated the careful lettering on a piece of rather nice paper, faintly scented with sandalwood.In front of it was a small bowl of rice.

"I was just making an offering to Ekibyogami-Kami, who is the Fortune of Disease. Since so many, myself included, had complications from dinner, I thought that perhaps petitioning Her would be a help. If nothing else, it is never a bad idea to ensure She, and other Fortunes like Her, are kept pacified with proper reverence."

Fukawa bowed again at introductions before settling down to pray.

"I am Doji Fukawa, a pleasure to meet you both." she offered.

The Phoenix had no bell to ring, but she offered a couple of claps to call attention to the Heavens.

Rather than a bowl of rice, she set down a Koku coin next to the Phoenix's offering, and prayed for a cessation to her torment.

"I am Shinjo Akil," he offered, nodding. He mostly watched their specific processes, offering a prayer but largely trying to mimic Hirase... save that he had no proper offering of his own today. Of course. He mentally chastised himself for not being properly prepared for such a thing.

Seeing this, the Phoenix silently held out a pouch that contained slices of dried apple.

"Here. This will work, at least if you like apples the way most of your Clan's horses seem to. Anything that you would enjoy, that is a true sacrifice, is a worthy offering. Especially in cases like this, when you suspect you might have erred somehow and drawn ill attentions. Some Fortunes are particular about the sorts of offerings they prefer but most of them are gracious enough to accept anything given in the proper spirit of the thing."

"Ah, thank you," he nodded, taking the apple and going through the same motions that they had gone through. He was at least giving it his best to actually be pious about the whole thing, even if the experience itself wasn't something he was fully sure of.

Fortunately for Akil, if not for his pride, Hirase had spent much of the last year teaching another how to offer basic prayers. He shifted into 'teaching' mode very easily, murmuring just loudly enough for the other man to follow along without disrupting the Doji from her prayers.

When he was done, he made the closing gestures he'd learned, then eased back, giving privacy for anything secret that either other samurai might need to discuss with the Fortune.

The Crane finished her own prayers. She didn't feel immediately better, but on the other hand, she hadn't been turned into a pillar of salt. Most likely, the Heavens were like any bureaucracy....they'd get to her request in their own time...possibly tomorrow.

She took out her fan, different from yesterday's, depicted a flock of Cranes crossing the night sky, while she waited for the Unicorn to finish his prayers.

Akil finished his prayers. They were awkward, probably not the most legendary prayers Ekibyogami has ever heard, but hey, prayers are prayers. He did the proper clap, then turned to look to the other Samurai. "Thank you both for your patience. The Ide have done their best to help me integrate into the Empire smoothly, but there are things that even they do not know. Accept my advanced apologies for any faux pas."

Hirase gave a brief smile. "I welcome the opportunity to learn, Shinjo-san. It is only fair that we afford you the same. It is why we are all here, ultimately. I for one am happy to excuse any ills done in ignorance and not malice."

To prove his understanding, he extended a hand to the Shinjo, mirroring the way he'd seen the Moto offer the day before.