[Day 5, Mid-Morning] I Wonder as I Wander

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Intrigued by the notion of the elevated state of the priests of these lands, Fuichi found himslef inclined to wander over to the temple district to get a feel for the no doubt misguided religion of these people. Having secured a translator, he made for the gate.

[Volsung]

A girl that was clearly in the midst of a growth spurt was leading the way for the Daidoji, taking great pleasure in pointing out how much she knew about everything there was to know about everything. Yuo was still a little careful to avoid the ire of the Daidoji or any of the natives though.

"They've got hundreds of gods, all supposed to take care of different things. But they treat 'em like they're real Kami, when they're more like Fortunes, I think. Hairu says that isn't quite right, but he just sits in the embassy all day so what does he know? I get out a lot more often." The girl continued to chatter, seeming rather proud that she was all grown up and able to leave the embassy more often now.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Desperate for any sort of information on this culture, Fuichi launched into his own exuberant questioning.

"Hundreds of Gods? How do they depict them? Is everyone expected to pay reverence to them all, like with our Fortunes, or are people affiliated with one or the other, like with the Kami? How does one best approach one of their priests?"

[Volsung]

"Oh they've got all these arms and heads. It's kinda weird really. Like some of 'em have 5 heads and 10 arms and some of 'em are blue or green or gold. Most people pray to all the gods, kinda like we do with Fortunes. There is a weird one though. They call him Buddha. He was just a man, they say, not a god. Showed up a thousand years ago or something and taught them all how to live better lives. Some of them pray to him."

She spoke with all the assurance and surety that only a teenager could possess. She pauses at the question of approaching one of the priests though.

"The Brahmin? I dunno. Why would I want to do that?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Oh, I wasn't suggesting that you would. I might. Is it not advisable? Are they unfriendly to foreigners?"

It seemed a fair question, given that so many of his crewmates seemed hostile to the natives.

[Volsung]

"Well things 're pretty tense. Some can get pretty mean, just a matter of finding a nice one though, right?" The girl smiles widely. "You want me to go see if I can get one?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"I would appreciate that very much. I hope...well, it would be nice to have one that didn't speak Rokugani, so that you could help me formulate the questions properly, so as not to cause offense. Would you do that for me?"

[Volsung]

Yuo frowns. "Well. I don't think I know as much as you might, Daidoji-sama. And translating can always get a little fuzzy. If ya really want though I'll see if I can find one."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"I have every confidence in you. Please, go ahead."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

As the rains picked up, Fuichi frowned and ducked into an archway of the temple. He briefly considered asking the kaze-kami to keep the rains from him, but something seemed--off about this storm. He hoped the servant would return soon, because he wasn't relishing the trip back to the Embassy in this weather.

[Volsung]

Smiling the girl disappeared into the crowd and was gone for five minutes.

Then ten minutes.

After fifteen minutes the girl returned, smiling. "I found her. She's over at that temple and when I told her all about it she was happy to help again. She helped Shiba-sama yesterday. This way Daidoji-sama."

The girl led the Daidoji unerringly to another of the temples, careful to at least keep under partial cover the whole way there. At the temple, Yuo pointed Fuichi towards a younger woman dressed in yellows.

[Rixy]

The young woman, who was likely not yet twenty, was slim and pretty in an exotic fashion. Her silk robes were beautifully made and her wrists were circled by heavy gold bangles that made a soft musical sound as she pressed her palms together over her heart, bowing in greeting. As she straightened, a delicate carved lotus slid from her robes to lay, glimmering slightly, upon her chest. "Greetings, Speaker of the Fortunes." Her voice was clear and musical, yet her speech was perfect. "Welcome to the house of Sarswati, giver of Knowledge and Art. I hope the Daughter of the Phoenix to whom I spoke yesterday is well?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi bowed fluidly and respectfully. "Hai, she is well indeed. My thanks for your greetings. This one is Daidoji Fuichi of the Esteemed House of the Crane. If it is not an imposition, I came to learn, though I suspect a touch of shelter would do as well at the moment."

His easy smile reflected his guileless sincerity, which was no doubt augmented by his posture and bearing, which suggested that he was no threat, nor ever could be.

[Rixy]

"It is an ill-tided wind. Best that no holy man be touched. Come in and be welcome, Seeker." With a graceful gesture, she indicated that Fuichi should follow her further into the Temple, past the myriad worshipers and down a long hall. One of those who had the general feel of a Togashi back home, a woman of middle years, fell into step behind them as they moved, though she made no move to interfere and held the sort of respectful distance that gave the illusion of not listening in that any good yojimbo learned.

"As your name is given, so shall I give mine. I am Sabera Kalsekeron, of House Kosala. Tell me, Daidoji Fuichi of House Crane, what it is you seek to learn within these halls."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"As I stand now, I have travelled farther than any other Crane in history. Among my people, you must understand, this would not be seen as a good thing. However, having come all this way, I believe that it would be shameful to depart again without having learned of the people I walked among."

He paused. "In short, I suppose I am curious about everything." An easy laugh. "I understand that we do not have that sort of time, and I do not mean to be a pest. Therefore, may I begin by asking about you? You mentioned you belonged to House Kosala. Are the children of that House known for a particular devotion or skill?"

[Rixy]

"Time is the last gift. To give wisdom to a fellow Speaker is a mercy." Sabera stopped at a small door and slid it open, revealing what looked very much like a casual tea room, complete with a low table and seating cushions. Against one wall was a large shelf of books and a beautiful scribe's table occupied one corner. High up in the wall was a window of multiple panes of glass in different colors, all of which together made the shape of a flower.

"Please, sit." Suiting action to word, the woman folded herself gracefully onto a cushion. "My House is one known for our lore and it's finding. Our founder spoke to Buddha and, in his words, found a great truth...for all his knowledge, he as yet knew nothing. He, and all who have followed, spend lifetimes seeking to find all that remains that is unknown."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi smiled. "I have heard something similar in my homeland. Different names, of course, yet the sense is the same. My young interpreter was kind enough to inform me that there are many gods worshipped here, yet the Buddha is also given reverence. Tell me, was he a mortal man possessed of great wisdom, who sought to bring a taste of Enlightenment to others?"

[Rixy]

"You have heard of him, I see." A knowing smile crossed plum-colored lips. "It is good that his words have reached other lands."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi inclined his head in agreement. "He was among us, or at least one very much like him. Shinsei, a light of hope even in the darkest of hours."

He considered his next question for a moment. "As I mentioned, I have learned that you worship a great many gods. Are some more worshipped than others?" The image of the dark temple could not divorce itself from his mind's eye.

[Rixy]

"Of course, though it depends where one dwells. Vishnu is mighty in all places, for he is the great protector and keeper of cosmic order. Lakshmi is the lady of beauty and she, too, is revered by most. Indra, as giver of rain, is beloved of farmers. Saraswati, who we serve here, is much beloved of scholars and artisans and my House looks to her very highly."