Sapphire Ambassadors

Hands clasped, her satchel already packed and stowed near the temple entrance, Matsu Inori stood in front of the temple's main shrine.

Thank you Fortunes. Thank you ancestors. It has been a busy week, but I shan't be so negligent in the future. Thank you for watching over me.

It felt right to make a final round of prayers and dedications before heading back - or rather heading onwards into an entirely different life. She felt like she owed something to higher forces watching over here, felt she should, if she was to be a priestess of some sort - and the act would be a great symbol to give her a sense of closure.

Clapped. Bowed. Clapped. Bowed. And once more for a lucky three.

She would miss this place. Not Teitaku itself, maybe, even though parts of it were lovely, but how it had been just now, and the people she'd met here, some of whom she felt she had met far too late and spent too little time with.

Yoshino headed toward the shrine. Tomorrow she'd be leaving and there likely wouldn't be enough time for a prayer before her departure. This would be it.

As she entered she was a little surprised to see Matsu Inori performing her claps and performing her prayers. She paused a moment, letting her finish, before walking over to offer her own prayers. More claps. More bows.

It had been an interesting week. More 'excitement' than she wanted. Some headaches. Lots of good experiences too however. The exact duties of a Sapphire Ambassador still eluded her, but she looked forward to doing more art.

After giving her thanks to her ancestors she checked to see if Inori was still present. They might perhaps not see each other again, so she hoped to give a friendly farewell.

"Good afternoon Matsu-san. Have you been well?"

Doji Yoshino Inori realized with surprise. Pleasant suprise. She had not expected to meet any of the others again before her departure towards the capital. She was cutting it close as it was...but...

"It does. Good afternoon Doji-san. I am glad to see you. We've only just met but still - I want to properly bid my farewell to all of the people I've met here and that I've learned so much from."

She made a bow to the Crane - even depth.

"Won't you join me?"

Inori returned it with matching respect. "It has been a wonderful learning experience. I pray we all grow into these new roles."

She smiles as she rises. "We can make some offerings. For safe travels."

"Just so. I'm sure the next few days will be busy for all of us. Still...the capital" Inori said.

"I still can't believe all of this. Still, with all the travel I think the first choice is obvious, is it not?" she said, pointing at the shrine to Koshin, Fortune of Roads.

"Ne?" Yoshino agrees easily. She heads over to Koshin's shrine to offer some prayers.

"I would normally be heading to Crab lands, as I have been working there for the last few years, but that may change." She goes on to say somewhat cryptically.

"You do not know yet?" Inori asked, with some surprise "To be fair my plans changed suddenly as well. But...that is probably for the better, really. Have you made any plans at all, Doji-san?"

I wish I could, but things are getting better.

"It's ironic that now, promoted and all, we're still mostly beholden to others"

She shook her head. "Isawa-sama made a prediction that my Lord would instruct me to head to his institute. He seems to delight in being right, so..." She was waiting on confirmation essentially.

"We are samurai. Even the Emerald Champion is beholden to another, ne?"

Inori nodded in acknowledgement.

"He is. I also imagine just like most of us he still makes plans and tries to find the wiggle room in those orders"

She continued to another statue, bowed, and placed incense.

Thank you Benten. Not for...love she thought, and paused but as the patron of beauty and the arts. They have given me more than I would have ever anticipated. Brought something to my life I would have never thought possible, and for that, I praise you. And I shall endeavour to bring more beauty into this world, where I can

"I imagine so too. A servant with no imagination or initiative is a poor servant."

Yoshino clapped her hands and offered her own prayer.

I am grateful for your inspiration and guidance, especially over the past week and a bit. I could not have coped without the support of my cousin and other artists. May we bring more art, creativity and understanding to the world.

When it was time to say goodbyes proper Yoshino gave Inori one more deep bow.

"I hope we can write one another and that our paths cross again Matsu-san. My best regards to you and your family. May they be proud."

They had made a short circuit, offered prayers and incense. It seemed like a thing they should do, and it felt...right, to Inori.

Still, time waited for no one, not even them, so when Yoshino squared up for the formal goodbye, Inori felt a stirring, of sorts, in her chest. She realized she miss her, like many others, even though she'd only met her so recently. She returned the bow, not quite as deep, as station demanded, then answered with some emotion in her voice.

"You know what? I will. I will write. I've promised this to others, and have not done it yet - but I will. I can keep those promises. One of these days we will meet again, or at least hear from one another. I really hope you will be doing well, Doji-san. Regards to your family in the Yasuki, and...good luck."

There might have been more clever things to say, but nothing she came up with at that moment. Sometimes goodbyes were not perfect. They just...were. She hoped it was not forever, but who knew?