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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 23, 2018 2:55:15 GMT -5
Hisui found it surprising how easy it was to acquire flowers on school grounds. She guessed the gardens had something to do with that. She got camellias, red and white in equal measure. A white lily in the center. She'd read in a textbook what they meant, and they seemed fitting for her purposes. Three arrangements, all simple but clean and elegant. All in white vases, to speak of death and finality. Three packs of incense, dutifully packed with her belongings by her son.
Umbrella in one hand and her offerings in the other, she walked to the temples on school grounds. She intended to make her circuit to three of them, each in turn. Offer incense, donate to the upkeep, and leave the flower arrangements.
One to Benten, who seemed to stir things with her inexorable will.
One to Emma-O, who Fuyu-chan favored most of all.
And last to the Lords of Death, who have ever-guided Hisui and her family line for generations.
All three, she thinks, responsible in some way for her current state. All three, she knows, deserving of whatever humble thanks she could offer.
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Post by Togashi Yia on Jan 24, 2018 1:19:36 GMT -5
A Togashi, even one so trained in the arts of court and mediation, could not ever go a day without setting for within sacred ground. Or perhaps Yia simply found herself drawn here for another reason. There was a sadness behind her eyes, hidden quite well - but the white of her outfit and the flowers she followed behind Hisui to place before Emma-O's countenance were words themselves, "Blessed Emma-O, I pray to you once more, to soothe the soul of my mother, to assure her of my happiness. Though I know my ancestors watch over me, I know that you watch over them, when they have yet to pass beyond. I know not where my mother's spirit lays, but I know she always claimed she would wait for me, before moving into the heavens. If such is true, I pray that you do not resent her for this foolish wish of hers. And that while I do not wish to meet you soon, I hope that when my day does come, my life will be one that was worth having." Her prayers were loud, and she did not hide her thoughts as she made them, taking a deep breath as she walked away from the shrine. The rain always made her miss her mother.
Hisui was given her space, though the Togashi teacher had acknowledged her with a bow.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 24, 2018 1:31:59 GMT -5
Whatever prayers she offered to Emma-O had been quick and quiet. He was Fuyuko's patron Fortune, not hers. Nearby was the place for her own patrons, the Lords of Death.
She lit another pack of incense, placing the flowers in their vase where more material offerings belonged. She went through the rituals for drawing the attention of the Fortunes. Her own prayers were spoken, hushed enough to be respectful not perhaps loud enough for an inquisitive or sharp ear to pick up.
"Lords of Death, your child returns to offer supplication and gratitude. You have guided my family for generations, and your influence has ever been felt at my side. I am your servant and supplicant, and I am beyond gratitude for the blessing you have bestowed upon me. I cannot offer you anything you have not already laid claim to, but I thank you just the same."
"I have been plagued by misery. By loneliness. In my dark hours, I thought you had forsaken me. But now I know otherwise. I have never been happier. All because of her. I am..." A sob. "...humbled by the magnitude of your blessing. Grant me strength, that I might prove worthy of your favor and bring your blessings upon those who deserve it."
A final bow, a quiet tear. She breathes a moment, calms her emotions. Next is Benten.
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Post by Togashi Yia on Jan 24, 2018 1:38:06 GMT -5
Unlike earlier, in the teacher's lounge, there is no reaction to the comment by Hisui over the relationship she has with a woman. Indeed, there isn't even a glance spared, as the Togashi watches the rainfall. They were not her gods, but she moved towards their alter after Hisui had left, and a single white flower was left there, a whisper is spoken, and a silent acknowledgment of their own status, and what they were. These were not her gods, but she had prayed over the dead once, and while it was no large offer, it would perhaps show a respect that was important to show those of the celestial order - even outsiders. She did not confront Hisui, again.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 24, 2018 1:47:40 GMT -5
To Benten, Hisui repeats the process. The flowers, with their hidden message. The incense. This time, she places a few small coins into the donation box. Bigger denominations than is typical, or would be expected for someone like her. Not outside the realm of someone asking for --- or thanking --- a Fortune for special favor.
If she noticed the motions of the Togashi, she hasn't acted on them.
Instead, she once again goes through the motions and offers another prayer. Her voice is more hushed than before, but the acoustics carry them further than normal.
"Benten, I...thank you. I'm not a courtier. I'm not a poet. I'm not favored with the honeyed tongue of those you bless most in this world. I'm just a soldier, old and scarred. You've given me a chance to find happiness within your purview, and I can't properly put to words my gratitude at such a blessing."
"Forgive me my resentment of you for so many years. Forgive me my thoughts of your neglect or callousness. I am mortal, and am only a fool. I have not forgotten this favor. This unspeakable blessing."
Steel loses its edge
Time-worn, but thrice-blessed and more
To find Love in Death
She makes a final bow.
Then, and only then, does she take notice of the other presence.
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Post by Togashi Yia on Jan 24, 2018 1:54:53 GMT -5
The Togashi was smiling, sweetly, as she watched this time. Something interested her about the prayer to Benten, though she would never repeat what she heard to anyone, "My apologies for intruding, Utaku-sama." The bow was deep, and respectful, but not held as long as it was to the Otomo earlier, "You have a beautiful way with words." Was her lone comment on the prayers she had overheard, as she moves towards the entrance to the temples, watching the rain still falling, and then looking back to the Utaku, just briefly. There was still a smile upon her face, sweet, and yet restrained.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 24, 2018 1:57:25 GMT -5
Curious about this reaction, and the difference between that and the earlier one, Hisui decides to follow along at a quiet pace. She catches that final glance and that smile. The Battle Maiden wonders at what it could mean, and finds herself drawn towards an approach.
"I hardly deserve such praise. Poetry was never my strong suit," she says, looking at the rain.
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Post by Togashi Yia on Jan 24, 2018 2:02:38 GMT -5
The Togashi walked far enough out that her arm would get wet, the one emblazoned with the fierce tattoo, wrapping up from the back of her hand to her elbow, and for a long moment she is quiet, "One needn't be good at something for it to be beautiful. To speak from the heart is a beauty of its own, even if the poetry itself may lack, the heart behind it creates a beauty in the moment." She finally withdrew the hand, wet as it was, turning to face the Utaku after giving the compliment, "And I saw a beauty in you, as you shared your prayers." It was another soft-yet-sweet smile. She felt no need to mention 'earlier', if it was even on her mind.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 24, 2018 2:06:47 GMT -5
She eyes the tattoo. She couldn't recall the last time she'd seen a Togashi tattoo up close. She chooses not to dwell too long on the compliment. She could never accept it, and the Togashi likely would never tolerate a rejection. Something about her didn't seem quite willing to do that, and so the Utaku let the whole thing slide.
"They say those who find Benten's blessing have a certain presence about them. Or perhaps this is the favor of Death. Who can say?"
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Post by Togashi Yia on Jan 24, 2018 2:12:26 GMT -5
Benten's blessing, the Togashi smiled as she thought over that comment, and then looked towards the others she had paid heed to, "I shall hope that the three all heard your prayers, and give you the blessings you desire." She gave a small bow, and then opened her mouth once more, "She must be grand, to openly defy the norms, and to pray so openly." The words were almost poisonous in their many meanings, and yet she showed no hostility as she said it.
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