The Day of Thunder

''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''

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?”

Wu Zhe wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:59 pm

''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.

Han-Hei wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:47 am

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."

Bayushi Norikage wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 24, 2023 1:02 am

Wu Zhe wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:59 pm

''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."

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?”

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

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.

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

“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…”

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."

“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.

"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.

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

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.

Han-Hei wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 24, 2023 3:21 pm

“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."

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