The Day of Thunder

[Wu Zhe]

''The world changed rather quickly in a minuscule amount of time''

A man in a green roughspun clothing with a fishing rod appeared, coming from the yard. He smiled timidly, knowing he should not have interrupted the conversion

''My apologies for the intrusion''

[Shiba Kumori]

She bowed to the Dragon who walked in the room.

“There are plenty of things that changed…”

She nodded, “Was it like a diary or something that you found? What described the rituals?”

[Bayushi Norikage]

''My apologies for the intrusion''

Norikage wondered when whoever else was here would make themselves seen. He bowed slightly, perhaps the heimin would introduce everyone as host.

[Wu Dai Lu]

She bowed to the Dragon who walked in the room.

“There are plenty of things that changed…”

She nodded, “Was it like a diary or something that you found? What described the rituals?”

"It seemed more like research notes," she said. "I've been doing my best to piece together what they were trying to accomplish."

''My apologies for the intrusion''

Norikage wondered when whoever else was here would make themselves seen. He bowed slightly, perhaps the heimin would introduce everyone as host.

"Ah, Bayushi-sama, Han-Hei-sama, this is Wu Zhe-sama, another guest in the village. Wu-sama, this is Bayushi Norikage-sama and Han-Hei-sama."

[Shiba Kumori]

After exchanging pleasantries with the Dragon she nodded towards Chouri.

“Well from what we hear you’re note gathering is going well. How does it work?”

[Bayushi Norikage]

Norikage listened with interest while he munched on...whatever it was he was fed.

[Wu Zhe]

The dragon politely bowed to the other guests but otherwise kept his distance: This was lady Chouri's house and her affairs after all.

After laying the fishing rod down near the entrance he returned to the kitchen to finish the cleaning.

[Wu Dai Lu]

"Well, we start with the celebration tonight, then tomorrow is the purification of the mind, which involves confronting one's fears to rid oneself of them," she explains. "Then the feast is the next night. The fourth day there's no specific event - it's a day for bonding with one's family and loved ones. Forming and reinforcing close relationships. This is followed by the purification of the body the next day, which is a healing ritual. Finally, there's the purification of the soul, which is generally where it becomes limited to those within the village, or who want to continue living here. Then the last ritual is closed, and takes place at the shrine. The participants pray to call down a blessing."

[Bayushi Norikage]

"The shrine?" he asked. "What's the kami enshrined there?"

[Wu Dai Lu]

"Inari," she responded with a smile. "This is in preparation for planting, after all. They're the Fortune of Rice, but we're hoping they can bless us with clearing the fog so we can plant rice and get more than a meager harvest. The fog making things too cool here unless it's a very lucky year."

[Bayushi Norikage]

"I'll have to pay my respects. Inari fed a lot of people my father stole from."

[Wu Dai Lu]

"I have a miniature shrine in my home if you wish to use it. Unfortunately, the shrine needs to be prepared the next few days for the last ritual," she replied with an apologetic frown and a deep bow. "I wish I could."

[Shiba Kumori]

“Sorry to seem like we’re filled with so many questions… It’s just… I’ve traveled a lot. There aren’t other places like this…”

[Wu Dai Lu]

She nodded. "That's certainly true. It's all right, though. It's not uncommon for people to question things here. It can be a strange place."

[Shiba Kumori]

“We have a ritual specialist of some renown who plans on being here… Perhaps he could help with your preparations in the shrine?” She offered.

[Wu Dai Lu]

"I don't mean any offense, but if he's from the Empire, he's likely unfamiliar with our practices... Especially considering we're fairly new to them ourselves," she said with a small, self-effacing chuckle.

[Shiba Kumori]

“Shinsei is far traveled… Both within and without the Empire. He may have something to add.” She offered gently… mostly to see the response.

[Bayushi Norikage]

If they are from the empire? Where exactly do you think you are, lady?

Norikage also waited to see what she would say. It's perhaps possible she had misspoke quite a bit, a relic of the past before the Empire was declared formally, but he didn't like this. She was too young to be their leader, too nice to trust. Maybe he was just a cynical mess, but he didn't like any of this.

[Wu Dai Lu]

“Shinsei is far traveled… Both within and without the Empire. He may have something to add.” She offered gently… mostly to see the response.

She perked up at that. "I hope he visits. That would be a wonderful idea."

[Shiba Kumori]

“I’ll let him know of your interest.” She said with a soft smile.