[D9 EM] Spiritual Cleansing Overdue

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

With the influx of people in town, every spare hand was needed. Kodama made sure that the one he had was available.

Cautiously he approaches the Lion and Crane pair. "Samurai-samas, I apologize for interrupting. Have you any need of spiritual guidance this morning?"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:19 am

Mogami bows to the priest.

"Good morning, sensei. We were both exposed to death yesterday and in search of cleansing."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He bows. "Hai, of course. If you will give me a few moments to properly prepare? I apologize, but this is not my normal shrine of service."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:28 am

Mogami nods and looks to Monkhbaatar.

"I believe you had the unfortunate experience of dealing with more death than I, Doji-san."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"Doji Monkhbaatar," Bowing to the monk before he rises and nods. "Well, perhaps the most direct contact. When Kakita Airi fell I had hoped to save her life and rush her out of danger. Only after I had carried her for a few moments and been covered in her blood did i realize it was too late." He explained why he needed cleansing in a solem tone.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:35 am

"And I did battle with one of my returned ancestors, her having split open my belly and me having severed her spine with an arrow before decapitating her."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He bows, face grim. "I had not heard, but understand. I would be honored to do you such service."

He leaves briefly, returns, leaves, and returns again. Bringing a pair of small bowls of water and salt and setting them before the samurai. His last return has him holding an Ōnusa, that he carefully sets alongside the bowls.

"If you would all kneel? Then close your eyes and reflect on the purity of Lady Sun. Think of the day you took up your name and gained the swords you hold at your waist. Of the road that has led you from there to here. Think of those who have inspired you to walk that road, be they ancestor, lord, artist, or personal hero."

He pauses a moment, to let them do so.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:46 am

Mogami nods and then she and her budoka do as they are told, kneeling and closing their eyes

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

Monkhbaatar assumes seiza and does as he was asked. There were many people that had led him on his path. His mother, his sensei, his wife, his former and current lord... but Meushi, his closest friend and ally, had been there for all of the most important moments in his life. Thus his mind kept wandering back to the bond with his horse.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

They can feel it as drops of water are flicked upon them, as he continues the ritual.

"The Heavens give us water, so that we may be clean. It is a gift for the servants of the Heavens, as all are in our service to Empire and Emperor. Much as the moments of our lives mix together and become muddied, obscuring or delaying us on our path, so too does the water that cleanses us also mix with the earth of Nigen-do."

There is a slight pause. Then the possibly familiar sound of salt crystals, some which mix with the drops of water, others that rattle along cloth and skin to the shrine's floor. The purity of their sent reaches each as they too are flicked by the monk upon each kneeling there.

"May you ever remember those that inspire you to walk the righteous path. Know that they too had moments where they lacked clarity, but that they found the path anyways. Just as you may, should you keep your purpose true.
To know Courage is to know fear and to overcome it.
To be Compassionate is to see a cruelty and to correct it, in ourselves or in others.
To be Honest, we must know that we have a choice to lie, but choose not to do it.
To be Sincere, is not to never falter in keeping our word, but to bring our path ever towards the fulfillment of them.
To be Courteous we are not called upon to show our strength over another, but to respect them as another servant of the Heavens, whatever their opposition to you on your path.
To hold your Honor, you are not called to give yourself to the winds of fate, but to stand-fast when the path beneath you shakes. To know inner-self and act.
To be Dutiful is not to lose oneself, but to bend yourself to those you are loyal to. Be they friend or lord, as each is owed."

At this point there is another pause, and a bit of a rustling.

(Will continue after you both have any chance to reflect that you wish.)

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

Each time one of the tenets is mentioned, a new face seems to find it's way into his mind. The faces of acquaintances, friends, superiors and heroes in his life. He is calmed and strengthened by these visions of others.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 8:40 am

Mogami is silent as the priest conducts the ritual, meditating on each tenant and what it means to her, as well as those who had taught her their value.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"You may open your eyes. I ask that you focus on the candle flame before you." His voice is now behind the four of them.

When they do, they will see a small blue candle before them, flame cheerily flickering.

They can hear his steps, and then the rustling of the papers upon the Ōnusa above their heads. They may feel the slight breeze it produces as it is shaken over each of their heads.

"The Heavenly Dragons have put in each of us their gifts. Be it Water, Earth, Fire, Air or Void. In their gifts we are all made pure. Go forth and use those gifts. Know you are cleansed once more, through deed and intention. As the Little Teacher said, 'Wisdom can be found in many places, but you must always begin at home.'" He gives a stomp of his foot behind each of them as he walks past them again.

As he moves before them, he waves the Ōnusa sharply over the candle flame, blowing it out. The scent of it is pleasant, reminiscent of the spring to yet bloom. It was a Crane shrine, after all.

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

Monkhbaatar bows in seiza to the monk. "Thank you for your guidance and assistance. I am greatly appreciative." He rises to his feet and smiles a bit. "I feel as if a weight has been lifted."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kodama bows in return.

"Then I can be content with duty performed Doji-sama."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:06 pm

Mogami gives a final seated bow to Kodama.

"Indeed, thank you, sensei"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He bows again. "An honor, Matsu-sama."

[D9 EM] Spiritual Cleansing Overdue

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