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+---- Thread: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu (/showthread.php?tid=160731)
The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Shinju - 05-03-2018
The Shrine of the Goddess
As you enter the third deck, section A, you can see a blazing light shining on the metal wall of Ainu station. Also the scent of different and special kinds of oils and flowers is present. The Shrine of the Goddess consists of three sections, each of them serving a special purpose of the rituals and ceremonies.
Section One
The medium sized room serving as the entrance into the Shrine of Amaterasu. Visitors and sisters are supposed to "clean" their bodies and mind by the water present in the small fountain located in the middle of the room, while candles serve as the needed light. On the right side changing rooms are present, stuffed by white clothing with red ornaments similar to Kimono.
Rules:
- Golden Chrysanthemums do not have to change their clothing
- Visitors must change their clothes as they may contain evil spirits
- People have to clean their bodies and mind by a simple ritual before proceeding to section two. (spread the water over your forehead, shoulders and elbows)
Section Two
The second section serves as the final cleanse of the evil spirits before proceeding to the ceremony hall. Visitors of the shrine have to walk through the corridor of thick layer of water, as yet another ritual of the cleanse and self-discovery. The person may discover some traits and emotions as the mirror of their bodies and minds appear below them.
Rules:
- Do NOT leave the path you are following to the ceremony hall
- Do NOT talk or produce any sounds
Ceremony Hall
Ceremony hall, the biggest room of the Shrine. Here you can find numerous candles located all over the Shrine, benches standing in front of the altar, the altar is decorated by yellow ornaments of the sun and one huge mirror in the middle, while huge statue of Amaterasu is present above it, one pult is located in front of the altar , where books of Yuyu Matsuda or old mythology are read. In the right corner are placed three tables with pillows instead of chairs where different kinds of tea are served. In the left corner is located The Wall, where sisters and visitors may add their name and symbolic number, after that they may silently share their wish with the wall and it may become real in the future. Ambient music can be listened to as well.
Rules:
- Do NOT speak or yell loudly
- Follow rules of the Priestesses
- Do NOT enter the excluded zone around altar
- Do NOT damage equipment of the hall
ooRP Info
The shrine can be visited by anyone who is neutral, friendly or an ally of the Golden Chrysanthemums and wishes to have a tea, to find out more about Golden Chrysanthemums, Yuyu Matsuda, to share some secrets with priestess or the wall, to seek wisdom, to pray, to meditate or to have a chat with GC.
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Stefan - 06-10-2018
A few hours earlier Brahms* had docked in Stuttgart and told no one but Hex where he planned to go. As he stepped out of the transport he had hired, walking into Ainu, he knew there was no turning back.
The "Shrine of the Goddess".
Not long ago he had made contact with the Chrysanthemums - trying to make sure another part of his past would not haunt him any longer. Since he often operated so far from Kusari space, however, he had little to no interaction with any of them, nor their allies. Now, with the House's relations with Rheinland starting to boil, he needed to change that. If things were to go up in flames once again between the two of them, he was sure it would be even harder to know the group whom he believed had begun opening his eyes.
Secretly, however, he feared he would meet Outcasts here.
Reminding himself of the rules and with the past knowledge of Kusari customs at his side, he moved into the first area after leaving in the changing room what little he had brought with him - documents, credstick, a communicator and a spare set of clothing.
Wearing one of the provided robes he looked towards the fountain in silence, making the same gesture ones before him made, halfway unsure if he should await guidance from the ones present before moving forward.
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Shinju - 06-10-2018
Section One
The blaze of candle light supported the scent similar to vanilla flowers filling the room. It's been a quiet day on Ainu. Few visitors were standing at the entrance, trying to decide whether they should pay a visit to the Shrine or proceed to other decks. One woman kneeled down before the fountain and carefully cleaned her forehead and nose.
Shortly after she touched her shoulders with wet fingers and stood up before continued further into shrine.
Kiku Kiwako, a high priestess of Amaterasu, eternal student of Yuyu Matsuda's life and texts, was approaching The Shrine as she finished an important task outside. She couldn't overlook a bearded man in mid-age, standing near the fountain. She approached his side and looked at the fountain. "What brings you to our shrine, eternal wanderer. May I help you?" she asked him while she remained watching water, flowing from the top of fountain, down to its roots.
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Stefan - 06-10-2018
Brahms heard the priestess approach him but awaited for her to speak first - he wasn't exactly nervous, just desiring to show nothing but respect. He listened to her in silence, bowing slightly after she spoke.
- "Ohayou gozaimasu. I came to pay my respects." - He raised his head again, looking back to the fountain. - "... and, hopefully, learn."
He let his voice show - Brahms longed for a calm place to think and to know the Sisterhood more.
- "I am Allan. Allan Brahms. Thank you for having me."
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Shinju - 06-10-2018
Section One/Two
Kiwako listened to his words carefully, she could recognize a very good aura emitting from his body. She kept neutrality in her face however, bowed as well in friendly manner as Brahms did. "We haven't had many visitors since last year, however it's going to change soon with return of the Empire to reign of Kusari." she closed her eyes, imagination was running wild as she tried to guess what exactly would Mr.Brahms learn from the Sisterhood.
"A desire to learn new things usually brings numerous questions." Kiwako said and gestured towards the entrance to Section Two of the Shrine. "It's pleasure to meet you Brahms-sama, soon you will realize something. Names aren't important in the game of Universe and Life, your deeds however, are." Speaking, she began walking towards the entrance. "Please, follow me to inner hall, Brahms-sama."
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Stefan - 06-10-2018
The tone with which the priestess spoke was entrancing. As certainty, reassurance and mystery switched protagonism on her voice, Brahms couldn't help but feel both at home and on a journey of it's own. He followed her lead in silence, letting the distant sounds reach him - as they walked into the second section, however, he felt the air shift.
He took a moment to observe the candlelight playing with shadows as it reflected on the water along the floor. Everything about the inner part of the temple - the scent, the acoustic, the lighting - was impossible to conceive as real when seen from the outside.
A remarkable way to put it, he thought to himself.
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Shinju - 06-10-2018
Ceremony Hall
The scent was once again shifting as both approached entrance to the Ceremony/Main hall were all of the ceremonies are held. With a huge altar in the middle with several benches where listeners could rest while priestess held ceremony or read from the book of Great Matsuda. Kiwako stopped as soon as they entered the hall and turned to Brahms. Her arms still hidden below her robe. "What kind of knowledge is eternal wanderer like you seeking for? Texts or wisdom?" Kiwako gestured towards the library. "Spoken wisdom or just somebody you would love to share your secrets with? Just to ease stress." Now she gestured towards the corner with tea service, tables and pillows. "Or something else?"
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Stefan - 06-11-2018
Moving with her he stepped into the Main hall, allowing the details of the altar to settle in his memory. He didn't look towards those who were present, but followed her gestures with his eyes, drawing the place in. Finally resting his gaze once she spoke of secrets and simple talk, he looked towards the tea corner.
- "Tea would be perfect - if there happened to be someone to converse over it with, the better."
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Shinju - 06-11-2018
Section One
It's been a long time since her last conversation with somebody over a cup of tea. Even longer since she left her usual life behind and became one of the priestesses and students of Matsuda's writings.
With a nod she proceeded to the round wooden table of small height and sat down on the orange pillow.
"Please have a seat, eternal wanderer." she gestured with her hand, while young Chrysanthemum was preparing a lotus tea at the desk.
RE: The Shrine of the Goddess || Ainu - Stefan - 06-11-2018
He went across from her, fixing the kimono. The gesture had a uncommon effect on him, he was reminded of the times he worked within Kusari, sitting like this in meetings with corporate men of different levels - mostly who worked for Samura. Pushing unsavory thoughts aside, he sat down.
- "You'll excuse me if I sound so... casual." - He let a smile go through. - "The truth is, albeit nowhere else comes close to how much I wanted to visit Ainu, being here is more a surprise for my past than anything else."
Allan wasn't sure how much his contact with Aimi Amaia* had gone forth, or even if his past within Samura was known by the priestess who had received him. Either way, none of that was a secret, he simply didn't want to repeat himself or bother with something that was on his past.
- "With things in Sirius moving the way they are, however, I recognized it was time to swallow shame - time to experience and learn what the Sisterhood really represents."