[D1 MM Open] Morning Prayers

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune walked to shrine with her friend on her back. She sat in seiza and light the incense sticks to start her prayers. Raakun moved from the back to curl up on her lap to take a nap. The incence smoke rose as the whispering prayers were sent to the fortunes.

[Saibankan]

The Kitsune walked to shrine with her friend on her back. She sat in seiza and light the incense sticks to start her prayers. Raakun moved from the back to curl up on her lap to take a nap. The incence smoke rose as the whispering prayers were sent to the fortunes.

As she spoke her prayers, Shienko felt a sudden chill in the air, punctuated with Raakun tightening his grip almost reflexively upon her clothing.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The earthen maiden shivered as the air chill came. Reflexively she pulled Raakun tight closer to her chest. Her survival instinct was to keep both of them warm. She continued with her prayers but now with a wary eye. Perhaps the air wanted to tell her aomething... Or perhaps there were spirits around this shrine.

[Busubi]

The earthen maiden shivered as the air chill came. Reflexively she pulled Raakun tight closer to her chest. Her survival instinct was to keep both of them warm. She continued with her prayers but now with a wary eye. Perhaps the air wanted to tell her aomething... Or perhaps there were spirits around this shrine.

What her wary eye revealed was a tall and gangly monk sweeping the shrine. She could even faintly hear the gentled brush-brush-brush of the broom as he made his way through the shrine.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

As she finished her prayers, she let go of the racoon. She noted the monk cleaning and nodded. Raakun was securely inside her kimono his head poked out just above the obi. She stood up and move to the monk. "Good morning monk san."

[Busubi]

As she finished her prayers, she let go of the racoon. She noted the monk cleaning and nodded. Raakun was securely inside her kimono his head poked out just above the obi. She stood up and move to the monk. "Good morning monk san."

The sweeping halted and the bowing commenced.

The monk offered her a strangely broad smile.

"Ah, it IS a good mo0rnig indeed, Kitsune-sama. I am Busubi. May the Heavens receive your prayers in the spirit they are given." he says.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune did a short bow since her friend was in the way. "An honor to meet you. This one is Kitsune Shizenko and my companion Raakun." She pointed to the racoon head peaking out. "Can you tell me a bit of the history of this shrine?"

[Busubi]

The Kitsune did a short bow since her friend was in the way. "An honor to meet you. This one is Kitsune Shizenko and my companion Raakun." She pointed to the racoon head peaking out. "Can you tell me a bit of the history of this shrine?"

The monk stroked his chin.

"Ah, I could indeed, Kitsune-sama....but which bit? A shrine such as this is made of so many, from the first shovelful of dirt to the final word of Kitsune-sama's prayer. There are bits that I know, bits that I can guess at, and ones that are secret even to me. Which bit should I share with Kitsune-sama, then?" he inquired.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"We can start at the beginning. What came first the Manor or the shrine?" She wondered.

[Busubi]

"We can start at the beginning. What came first the Manor or the shrine?" She wondered.

Busubi nodded.

"Very well. The manor came first, though the shrine came second. As if often the way, shelter for the living descendents took priority over shelter for the ancestors. That would be quite the act of devotion though, wouldn't it? Building the shrine first while you slept outside? Then again, not all ancestors would look favorably upon such a course of action, would they? Utemaro's family chose to build the manor first, and who can say if that was the right course of action?" he pontificated.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Ah well the shrine could have been here all along and used it as auspicious encounter and decided to create the manor next to it." The Kitsune pointed out. "Well, some may think that the fortunes and the spirits will protect us while one make their roof to be protected. Then again ningen may be considered selfish and prefer to protect themselves before protecting others."

[Busubi]

"Ah well the shrine could have been here all along and used it as auspicious encounter and decided to create the manor next to it." The Kitsune pointed out. "Well, some may think that the fortunes and the spirits will protect us while one make their roof to be protected. Then again ningen may be considered selfish and prefer to protect themselves before protecting others."

Busubi nods.

"That is one way to look at it, Kitsune-sama. However, when Kitsuke-sama is shopping for a new kimono, is it selfish for her to buy for herself rather than for her dear companion?" he asks with a nod at the partially hidden tanuki.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Would it be selfish for one to buy a instrument for duty? A treat would be purchased to compensate for the act. I doubt Raakun would like to wear clothes."

I could use a stylish sash. That way I wouldn't be so cold in winter.

"Well, then... Next time I go shopping I should buy you a sash." She said to the tanuki.

[Busubi]

"Would it be selfish for one to buy a instrument for duty? A treat would be purchased to compensate for the act. I doubt Raakun would like to wear clothes."

I could use a stylish sash. That way I wouldn't be so cold in winter.

"Well, then... Next time I go shopping I should buy you a sash." She said to the tanuki.

Busubi offered a too wide smile.

"Ah, now that leads into an interesting point, Kitsune-sama. What makes an act selfish? You need clothes, your companion does not. BUT, you could have used the same coin you used to buy a kimono for a treat instead. Is an act selfish if it does not maximize the benefit it could grant to others? You could subsist on a lean diet of beans and rice....is it selfish to eat sushi?" he inquired.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Ah... Busubi san, what is to be selfish? What is to be selfless?" She smiled at the monk. "I have what is provided to me by my Lord and by nature. Perhaps to split the difference between myself and my companion. Something to treat both of us... Is a treat something selfish?" The woman pondered.

[Busubi]

"Ah... Busubi san, what is to be selfish? What is to be selfless?" She smiled at the monk. "I have what is provided to me by my Lord and by nature. Perhaps to split the difference between myself and my companion. Something to treat both of us... Is a treat something selfish?" The woman pondered.

Busubi nodded.

"I believe that is a question that must be answered on an individual basis. The truth is different for each person and each thing." he offered.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The girl nodded. "Indeed..." She patted the racoon on the head. "Then having sushi may not be selfish if moderation is put in place. I think that is the key moderation. Have what you need and leave for those to come behind."

[Busubi]

The girl nodded. "Indeed..." She patted the racoon on the head. "Then having sushi may not be selfish if moderation is put in place. I think that is the key moderation. Have what you need and leave for those to come behind."

"Too true, too true, Kitsune-sama. Though there will always be those who feel others could be more giving....along with a smaller number who feel they could be more giving." he added.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune thought about the history of the clan. The hardships that they had to go through. "One cannot give what one doesn't have..." She continue to pat the racoon head that it was too early for the little guy to be awake. Raakun slept soundly with the warmth of the Kitsune's body. "Not many understand that sometimes giving is a hassle."

[Saibankan]

The Kitsune thought about the history of the clan. The hardships that they had to go through. "One cannot give what one doesn't have..." She continue to pat the racoon head that it was too early for the little guy to be awake. Raakun slept soundly with the warmth of the Kitsune's body. "Not many understand that sometimes giving is a hassle."

Busubi considered that point.

"True...although as an artist, you give to those you have, have not, and will not meet, Kitsune-sama. It would be hard to seriously argue that you are a selfish person." he offered.