Dark Edge Village

(21 to climb http://orokos.com/roll/508108)

Taira, despondent and angry at fate, decided a little blasphemy seemed reasonable.

Scaling the torii arch of the shrine, he settled himself on the top beam, laying on his back, hands behind his head, gazing up at the moon, and began to whistle. It was a rakish gaijin tune he had once heard, to the distant accompaniment of the musical party his Bayushi cousin was hosting.

The forces of the cosmos might be determined to make a fool of him, but he would roll with the joke, he always did. After all, he'd been a fool his whole life, why stop now?

Ryuuta Tsume arrives, bearing a candle and a flat stone. She is consumed with her own thoughts. She passes under the arch and begins to chant in a low voice.

"Spirits of Fire, assist this young maiden, illuminate the correct path, make clear what is hidden."

There, perhaps with this my wits will return to me.

Another Soshi also walked along the path towards the Shrine. He saw a woman starting to pray at the shrine, which drew his attention for a moment before the whistling above became obvious. He squinted as he looked up to the top of the Torii. His face drew confused at what he saw.

The Soshi doctor? If it was a Unicorn maybe this'd make sense...

He called up softly... "So... uh cousin... whatcha doin' up there?"

Taira paused whistling long enough to laugh, a dry chuckle.

"Cursing Benten."

Then he resumed his song.

"Seems like a silly thing to be doing with someone else here offering prayers." Yuuru nodded to the Ryuuta nearby.

Her eyes opened by her devotion, Tsume becomes aware of the man atop the arch, and subsequently does her best to ignore the conversation's irreverence.

"The elements have always had a sense of humor." she mutters wryly.

Taira sighed, and stopped whistling.

Yuuru waved his hand downward, "Why don't you come on down and we can talk. Maybe the kind lady over here will even entertain us with her presence. It doesn't look like she's gonna be all that successful praying with this going on."

Taira contemplating that, and then swung his legs over the edge of the arch, and then pushed off. He dropped down, a few feet from the others, but the distance was a bit taller than expected.

The tumble on landing dispersed most of the energy but he would probably have a few bruises in the morning. He almost welcomed the physical pain.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Yuuru-san?"

"Well... perhaps why you felt it necessary to 'curse Benten''?" He offered.

Taira snorted, and walked a few steps away from the shrine, gazing up at the moon.

"For a fortune, she doesn't seem to care if her gifts bring happiness or pain. It seems she gives, and then takes no responsibility."

Yuuru nodded, "I see. So you've had a bit of a heartbreak then eh?"

"Nothing so clean."

He glanced at his cousin, adding. "I don't want to speak her secrets, sorry."

Yuuru nodded, "Alright. Well I'm just glad I could get you off the shrine. No matter what you're going through on the inside... always remember what it looks like on the outside."

Taira chuckled.

"I was alone, until just a moment ago."

Dusting himself off, he shrugged.

"Just envision someone who admires you, but cannot desire you. Cannot return your sentiments."