[D2MM] Why'd You Have to go and Make Things so Consecrated?

[Daidoji Ryu]

Being a lower status samurai surrounded by higher status samurai meant that when supplies to assemble and consecrate a shrine needed to be gathered, it was sometimes you that did the gathering. Or, at least, telling the servants to do the gathering. Duty flowed downhill, after all.

And so Ryu gathered everything that was needed, in consultation with both his Emerald Magistrate cousin and the monks. He'd also arranged to have a bit more of the front area of the Crane House cleared out; thank goodness for the modular design screens. That made the whole task much easier.

He waited, standing at a sort of attention, for all the other parties to arrive.

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae was a bad boss in the sense she often turned up early and would ask questions.

As such, it would be no surprise to Ryu that the Daidoji arrived only moments later, dressed simply for now.

"Ryu-san, as ever I ask for a small favour and before Lady Amaterasu has fully risen you have set it in motion." Bowing her head. "What a pleasant way to start the day, thank you."

[Chou-sin]

"I had heard there was some pious soul in search of assistance," Chou-sin says, somehow appearing in the doorway without preamble or fanfare. "I could not turn away from such need."

He bows as he steps in.

[Abbot Do]

The mighty shadow of Do, guardian of the Way, fell over Chou-sin as he strode up behind him and crossed his arms.

"Took the words right out of my mouth."

[Jihen]

Jihen arrived alongside his master and stood ready to help in anyway he could.

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Ryu-san, as ever I ask for a small favour and before Lady Amaterasu has fully risen you have set it in motion." Bowing her head. "What a pleasant way to start the day, thank you."

Ryu bowed to his cousin. "Of course, Sae-sama." He said, his voice as soft and as even as ever. "I'm pleased to be of assistance."

Then he turned, bowing to the three monks. "Honored monks." He said. "Thank you, and indeed. We very much wished to have a place for proper dutiful offering."

[Chou-sin]

"Such piety is becoming the defenders of the Doji, of course," Chou-sin says. "What offerings are meant to be made, and to whom?"

[Abbot Do]

Do's eye twitched, but he could detect no error so far. He remained stoic, like granite.

[Daidoji Ryu]

Ryu waited a few moments, then spoke again. "Most importantly, we wished to have a shrine to Benten." He said. "My cousin," he gestured with open palm towards Sae, "-the Emerald Magistrate Daidoji Sae, is to be married this coming spring. And, while I do not know that any of the other Crane are as of yet engaged, spring is the season of matrimony. And, as it is said, hope springs eternal." Ryu's lips twitched at his own phrase.

He went on. "One of the Asahina also requested that there be a shrine to Emma-O, for personal reasons. I understand this may not be entirely auspicious, but one does not neglect a Fortune because it is unfashionable to do so." He paused a moment there.

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin turns to Sae and bows, saying "Congratulations, Daidoji-bugyo, and may the Fortunes bless you and your family!"

He straightens, continuing. "We can, of course, help you place a votary to the Fortune; it would be a pleasure to do so. And we can place something appropriate to your...compatriot's request, as well."

Chou-sin draws a breath. "Daidoji-san has the right of it. An...uncomfortable Fortune remains a Fortune, and thus deserving of veneration."

He glances behind him, to Do. "Unless there might be thought some objection to such?"

[Abbot Do]

Do frowned.

"Well, you got to the right answer, but as usual you presented it all wrong. Discomfort's part of the nat'ral order, 'cause all existence is suffering. It's not something you do but you'd rather not. Without the "discomfort" of facing Emma-O now, in our flesh, we labor under the illusion that this here life is all that there is, so our souls are in agony. Spiritual agony, that is. So it's not like it's a big ol' harship that we honor the Judge of the Dead just 'cause his votaries give us ideas that skeeve us out; it's a way of showing our understanding of the Way."

He paused his harrangue to throw his hands in the air. "Life gets balanced with death, buddy! It's a great big wheel!"

He turned to look at Ryu. "So what he ought to have said was "Sure! Happy to help you honor all aspects of the Way! How else can we help you?"

He crossed his arms again and started muttering. "Some guys, Jizo's holy hands, man!"

[Chou-sin]

"It is true, as the Little Teacher says, that 'At times, the voice of peace must ring like Thunder,' but it is also true that there are not always clouds in the sky," Chou-sin says.

He returns to the Cranes. "Given the temporary nature of things, even more here than generally, perhaps a calligraphic display might be in order?"

He glances to Jihen. "Perhaps someone skilled in such is known to you, Brother?"

[Asahina Hoshiko]

The mentioned Asahina squeaks in (after work and between forum fluctuations) carrying a small wooden statue of Emma-O. The Fortune's iconic black armor is painted with something that offers a bit of metallic shine, the eyes behind the carved mempo strikingly white. She offers appropriate greetings, finding the right depth of bow for their guests' status and respect, and a appraising look at her cousin-in-law to be...only seen briefly here and there through the first day of court.

"Apologies all, misjudged the sun this far north." She glances around. "I haven't missed any preparations yet, it seems?" While a voice in only her ear urges...All these monks, if he's anywhere here, it might be one of them...closer to getting his soul straight if he knows what's good for him.

Not right now, granny...I've all winter to chat more with them all! She can only hope the old ghost can read the thought in the small hiss of breath as she sets the statue down, like quietly shooing a cat.

"Things are cleaned of course, but we wouldn't want to step on any toes doing spiritual cleansing without permission from our hosts or..." she nods to the senior monk, "the Imperial court's spiritual advisors."

[Jihen]

"It is true, as the Little Teacher says, that 'At times, the voice of peace must ring like Thunder,' but it is also true that there are not always clouds in the sky," Chou-sin says.

He returns to the Cranes. "Given the temporary nature of things, even more here than generally, perhaps a calligraphic display might be in order?"

He glances to Jihen. "Perhaps someone skilled in such is known to you, Brother?"

Jihen bows to his master at the verbal prompting.

"I am a stranger to these lands and unfortunately do not know as many people as either Master Do or yourself... But at the risk of 'standing too high above modesty', I have been trained in the art of calligraphy and would be honored to assist the loyal servants of the Emperor among the Crane as they seek to venerate the Way and 'all of its aspects'."

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae who had been waiting for Hoshiko nods when the shugenja arrives before turning to Jihen and nodding.

"We would be honoured by your assistance, Asahina-san can seek the blessing of the spirits and a display of calligraphy sounds most...appropriate.

I can think of some classic poems that might be appropriate, but I defer to those with vastly greater expertise in the matter. What is important is that we show Benten-no-Fortune the respect she is do and ask for her blessings. It would be an ill thing indeed to go without for an entire Winter Court.

[Jihen]

Jihen bows deeply in deference to the magistrate.

"If it is agreeable to all, then I would be so honored to do this for the followers of Lady Doji."

He lifts his head to the proper degree.

"I will meditate on the proper characters for both Benten-no-kami and Emma-O and provide the completed materials as quickly as possible."

He looks over to the two abbots of the Brotherhood to ensure they agree on this particular matter before fully raising his posture back to normal.

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin gives a small smile and a nod to his aide.

[Daidoji Ryu]

While Ryu had taken the steps to get this thing in motion, like a ball rolling downhill, it was now very much out of his grasp. He simply bowed, stepping back a bit, taking a position near his cousin.

[Abbot Do]

Chou-sin gives a small smile and a nod to his aide.

"What you said about humility, there, Jihen, was pretty good. Keep it up." It seemed Do also approved.

[Jihen]

He bows in gratitude for the compliment paid to him by Master Do.

"I will make the preparations for my part later today. How else may we be of service?"