Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0 
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 10:05:48 GMT -5
The ropes that traditionally circled spirit trees were huge. Especially the ones Umeko used for the giant cherry tree that towered over the inner courtyard. They were as thick as her arm, and long enough to circle the tree twice. The ronin was very glad to have help. Even with two people, it was an exhausting trip from the greenhouses where the gardener had taken the ropes to wash them and renew their coating of rain-resistant fat. They finally made it to the courtyard, and Umeko sat down on a nearby bench to catch her breath for a moment before they started to arduous task of wrapping the ropes around the think trunk. Task that would only be made harder by the fact that there was very little light left. A few emergency lights shone through some of the school windows, giving the courtyard an eerie glow, but other then those, they only had the faint light of the moon and the stars to guide them. "Thank you, really." The woman whispered softly at the Utaku, smiling at him. She felt the need to speak softly, almost reverently... Like it would be impolite to disturb the rest of the giant tree. Utaku Genji |
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Post by Utaku Genji on Jan 16, 2018 10:35:29 GMT -5
Genji sat next to Umeko, having grabbed them a few bottles of water since he knew this wasn't going to be an easy task. He'd watched her do this a time or two before, usually while taking some horses out of the stables so they could get some exercise. He handed her one of the bottles, himself breathing a little hard from their activity. A slight bit of sweat beads on his forehead but the smile on his face showed unmistakable joy in making the task a little easier for her.
As the thanks comes his smile turns softer, nodding softly to Umeko before offering his own reply. Likewise, his tone was hushed, respectful of the spirits around them. "You're welcome." His eyes met hers for a moment before turning back to the tree. He turned the cap on his bottle then took a slow swig of water, glad both for the moment of rest and the company.
"I always thought those ropes were heavy, but I had no idea how hefty they were until now."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 10:42:45 GMT -5
She chuckled softly, nodding. "Yes, it is quite the workout. I am thankful I don't need to do it every week..." The task usually was only done twice per year, fortunately. She accepted the water gratefully, opening it and downing half of it. Umeko closed it back, resting it on the bench before standing again with a stretch. "Let's try to be quick about it, so we can get some sleep before the start of class."
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Post by Utaku Genji on Jan 16, 2018 10:52:39 GMT -5
Genji nods, getting up off the bench while watching Umeko stretch. He'd never noticed it before but there was something charming about the look on her face after a hard day of work and the pride she took in it. Even then he teased her just a little, noting as softly as he could, "If you had to do this every week, I imagine you'd be able to arm wrestle Hida no Kami by now!" That was followed with a playful laugh while nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it'd be a bad idea to for us to chide a student about not being late, then end up late ourselves."
The Unicorn moves over to the first rope, lifting it up carefully while waiting Umeko's instruction on just what she wanted him to do and how.
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 13:26:02 GMT -5
The task of wrapping the rapes around the tree was made a lot easier with help, and she was glad for it. She quietly directed to Utaku, and twenty sweaty minutes later, she was finally finishing the complex knot that held it in place. All that was left was to add the white ornaments and they would be done.
Umeko wordlessly went around the tree, placing the wards. Finally, she stepped back with a smile, looking up at the tree. The gardener bowed deeply to the tree, before taking a few steps back. Her smile widened as little lights slowly began to appear around them. The tree spirits floated in the courtyard, lighting it a bit more. "Kodomas." Umeko whispered under her breath as she watched them.
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Post by Utaku Genji on Jan 16, 2018 14:13:51 GMT -5
Genji watches the Kodama dance about them, clearly pleased with what the pair had done for them. Having never seen the little spirits before, he smiles and moves closer to the ronin woman. Whether accidental or instinctive, the Unicorn's right hand lightly brushes against Umeko's left. His smile grows, but then changes to a bit of surprise and a blush when he realizes what he did.
Why don't I carry fans?
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 14:26:07 GMT -5
The woman glanced back at him, smiling widely. "I've never seen so many of them at once." She whispered, looking around, joy and awe visible on her face. "Though I don't usually come so late at night..."
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Post by Utaku Genji on Jan 16, 2018 14:34:07 GMT -5
He smiled back to Umeko, looking into those hickory eyes for a moment. Sure, he'd seen her smile before but the awe was a side of her he'd never seen before; it brought an even larger smile to his own face. Genji looks back up to the kodama as he watched them play or whatever it was they were doing.
"I'm glad we did this. They seem so happy."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 16:17:21 GMT -5
She nodded absently, staring upward at the little lights the flickered past. Umeko stayed still for some time, quietly watching the playful spirits, before finally shaking herself out of her reverie. "Well, I believe our work here is done for tonight." She said, a few of the kodama winking out of existence at the sound of her voice. She turned to face Genji, bowing her head. "Thank you again for your help, Genji-san. It would have taken me a lot more time on my own."
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Post by Utaku Genji on Jan 16, 2018 16:31:45 GMT -5
Genji bows in return to Umeko, then extends his hand as is customary for his clan. "Any time, Umeko-san. As long as I'm free, you know I'm more than glad to help you."
He looked toward the Heavens, noting the Obsidian Moon was nearing the midnight hour, then turned back to his friend. "Shall we head back to the the apartments, then?"
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