[Day 4, Late afternoon] Taking pictures (open)

[Shiba Naomi]

"Oh," Naomi was pleasantly surprised that she spoke a civilized language. "I am grateful that you speak my language, priestess." She inclined her head in gratitude.

Maybe another aspect of our Fukurokujin or Tengen? Or Benten?

"I know very little of this place," nothing really, "and I wished to learn more while our ship is in the port here. I come from a very spiritual House, and its natural for me to try to understand such matters. I hope my questions will not cause offense."

[Rixy]

"Wisdom, sought from pure desires, can never be of offense in the eyes of Saraswati." Sabera made a gesture of benediction with one slender hand, gold bangles chiming pleasantly. "Ask, Daughter of Rokugan, and I will answer where I may."

[Shiba Naomi]

Another bow of her head. She was a polite and well-bred samurai after all.

"When I first came here to see the temples, I saw the black structure... it seemed very out of place and very different from all the other temples here, and its servants also different from those who serve here. Can you tell me anything of it?"

[Rixy]

A frown graced the woman's previously serene features. "It is a structure we keep because balance demands it. Good has no place in a world where it is all powerful...it needs opposition. So, too, must there be demons to contest with the deva, the gods. Such is that house."

[Shiba Naomi]

"I see..."
Oh my Kami! They have temples to Demons! How... heretic!

"I thank you for your understanding for outsiders," Naomi politely added, as she knew she had touched a sore spot. "It is different from how it is done in the Emerald Empire."

"But... did something bad happen here recently? I notice that many of the citizens here seem frightened, as well as hungry and weary..." judging by her tone and words, it seemed she thought there might be a more natural cause behind it, like a bad year for crops, or sickness.

[Rixy]

Sorrow replaced distaste on the woman's face. "You see a world on the edge of it's rebirth, Daughter of Rokugan."

[Shiba Naomi]

"R... rebirth?" she asked quietly.
She knew what it would mean in the sense of the Rokugani cosmology and belief, or even for the Phoenix. But, had it looked as bleak as this?

And one question begged to be asked. "... It is the end of the cycle?"

[Rixy]

The young woman's eyes closed in a long, slow blink of resignation. "So say the omens."

[Shiba Naomi]

Naomi bowed her head in sympathy for the woman before her, and maintained what felt like a long silence.
"I am sorry for having raised such difficult subjects, priestess," Naomi said softly to break the quiet.

"My clan," she gestured to the symbol of the Phoenix over her heart, "my House... takes its name after the mystical bird who is reborn from its ashes every morning. I can... in a way, understand your plight. We too have gone through the cycle of rebirth." But not in the same way this place seem to suffer, however...

She was curious of the omens, but she didn't want to push her limits too far so quickly.

[Rixy]

"We have similar beliefs." She touched her pendant. "This symbol, the lotus, is not only a talisman to assist my duties with other outsiders such as yourself but a prayer for a pleasant return on the next cycle. I would, however, like to hear the tale of this creature your House reveres. The tale is unknown to me and such things are rare and cherished."

[Shiba Naomi]

"I would gladly tell you the story that has been told in our House for over a thousand years," Naomi smiled and felt the conversation was taking a more pleasant turn.

"In the land of Rokugan, the children of Lady Sun and Lord Moon fell to the mortal world long long ago. It is from their lines that many great Houses were founded, as well as the first Dynasty of our ruler. The one who founded the House I belong to, was named Shiba, who was the only one to bend knee to a mortal man, a priest of the elements and spirits. His name was Isawa, and together they attracted many followers."

"However, there were divisions between them after a while. Isawa, while powerful, was also arrogant and resented that Shiba as a child of Sun and Moon was above him by accident of birth. Meanwhile, those who followed Shiba felt that Isawa did not show proper deference to Shiba."

"Shiba was very wise and wished only for peace and harmony, and he could feel the tensions in his House and knew he must do something. But, he was at a loss of the answer."

Naomi smiled. "Then, he had a dream. In his dream, he was visited by a majestic fiery bird. The bird explained to Shiba that it was made of all the five elements, just as the entire universe. It also told Shiba that it and he were the same, and said: You are not separate, but one and the same. I am the reflection of your soul just as you are the manifestation of mine. We are death reborn, immortality through a thousand lifetimes. We are the cycle of the cosmos, spinning in patterns as old as time. We will die in flames, only to rise again and again until the sky itself collapses. We are the Phoenix -- the Eye of Eternity."

"When Shiba awoke from his dream, he ran to the center of his city and rang the summoning bell, and all of his people, as well as Isawa and his followers, gathered there before him. He told them of his dream, and said the time for divisions and arguments were over. Henceforth, they would be the Phoenix Clan."

[Rixy]

Sabera listened with a thoughtful expression. "Might it surprise you to hear that we too believe that all life was born of the heavens? Many of the people of the world do, or so I have learned in my brief years. Still, none speak of their founders being the children of gods, it is interesting to see how your Houses came to be." Smiling a little, she added, "Such tales are important to share, for even when we are different there is oneness. The Buddha tells us, 'In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.' To find these common ways is one of many duties of my House."

[Shiba Naomi]

"I... have not really given thought to the beliefs outside the Empire, priestess," Naomi admitted shyly.
Her words, she carefully thought over, and considered at least this House to be a somewhat respectable one. At least they would learn to understand the ways of the Empire, after all.

"It is a duty I can admire. Our House have always been home to scholars of many kind... however, that is not my role in the house. We who bear the name of Shiba's line, are often guardians to the priests of Isawa's line. Just like our founders."

[Rixy]

"There are those born brahmin who cannot speak to the gods. They become our defenders instead. It sounds very similar." She gestured to one of the shirtless males who seemed to be everywhere, silently watching. "To shed blood on sacred ground is a great sin and so they learn to defeat without death. It is a duty we who they protect value. I hope it is so in your lands, that those you risk yourselves for are grateful."