#okinawa

She pauses right before the Tori Gate and takes a breath. A small bow to the portal. Something that symbolizes a portal between words deserves just a little respect, then she steps through bowing her head to the monk.

"Good afternoon sir" Said respectfully in her pretty, almost musical Japanese.

Then her gaze turns to the Shisa statues. She wonders if these ones come alive, if dog treats would work. Then notes she is out. Bummer.

*The Monk nods to her, distracted by his chores. What brings you here on a Saturday, child? *He looks up, raising his eyebrows Ah. Welcome to Futenma shrine. *The Shisa statues are intricately carved, you can almost make out "fur" texture although the stone has been weathered considerably. Several other tourists are wandering about, a couple of American servicemen descending the stairs of the shrine

She eyes the Shisa once more making sure they are holding still. Then she looks back to the Monk. "Talsman sir, prayers, and offerings." Once she notes the Shisa are not going to gain up on her, she does admire them for their artistry and age. Oh the stories they more than likely could tell if they could speak.

*The Monk nods again Up the stairs and through the first "Hall". This shrine is attached to a series of caves, the Megami "Syuri" is said to live in them, have you heard this?

She shakes her head. "No sir." She pauses, fixed for a moment. It sounds like a start of a story or warning. "Megami Syuri?" Her head tilts, black curls cascading over a slender shoulder. "Would you care to tell me." Her voice, her tone, respectful.

*The old Monk has a smile at the corner of his lips. He rests his hands on the top of the broom and leans on it a little There were two sisters who lived in the area, long long ago. The eldest daughter was named Syuri, and her beauty was immeasurable. She was a very religious woman, and was ashamed of her beauty, and in her humility refused to be seen. Her younger sister married, and the husband, having been warned by his wife, was still curious and wished to sneak a peek at his sister-in-law. She would bathe at night in a nearby spring, and it was there that he spied her. She caught him, and upon realising she had been seen, she fled, disappearing into the caves of Futenma Shrine, where she was never seen again. They say she became a Megami, a female spirit, who protects those who are lost. As he finishes the story he sweeps up some more woodchips* If she could do something about these vandalous raccoons I would be most grateful.

She pays close attention to the Monks stories. Then smiles at the end. "Raccoons are tricky little guys. Perhaps if you left something out to distract them with. The little guys would be to busy with that, to nibble on the gates. They have no respect for portals of any sort." She gives a smile. "A Megami." Her brow furrows. "Why the warnings then? Is it because one gets lost to easily?"

*The monk smirks We offer tours...however Several american GI's got lost in there on there own some years back and had to be helped out. We put up the signs to make the Military happy. Most people know better. *Putting the broom aside he starts to ascend the stairs, seemingly appointing himself Beth's tour guide. The raccoons have become a problem at a lot of temples. People started importing them in the 80's due to a popular cartoon at the time about a japanese boy who gets one as a pet. At the end of the series the boy lets the racoon loose in the woods to be "Free" so that's what some of the owners did once they were tired of taking care of the little devils. He pauses with a sigh* Some of the Temples on the mainland have considered using poison.. they care very much for these temples.

"Perhaps bowls of something crunchy and dense will help. It will help keep their teeth down without the need to chew, and fill their tummies. Maybe nuts of some sort. I would hate to see a life be taken by poison. Even a raccoons." She gives a small smile. "A couple lost Military boys. I guess the Megami wanted nothing to do with them." A brow lifts. She follows the monk though, only a step behind, as she pauses to take things in every so often. Like she is trying to set everything to memory.

*Hands clasped behind his back, he slowly ascends the stairs, patting one of the Shisa statues on his way up. The interior of the shrine is beautifully minimalist. Lighting some incense, he continues to walk, past the big large bell, to a "back door", motioning to Beth If you wish, you can pay your respects to the Megami through there. *Out of the main temple she can spy stairs to a smaller building, built deceptively into a hill

She looks to the door, pausing for a long moment. Then looks to the monk and nods gratefully. "Thank you sir. And the talsmans are down the hall?" She does take a peek at the small building. Her eshu blood-a-tingling.

*He nods to her My name is Haru, if you need anything else. *The shrine itself is minimalist, no altar ("Honden") being present, perhaps in the other building? The building does indeed have two halls, one of them has a wall with paper prayers and Omamori charms of various purpose

"Thank you Haru-sir." She gives him a respectful little bow, then turns to face the door. Then seems to change her mind, collecting the right charms first, two for luck, and if they have it, one for health. If there is a place to leave payments or offerings for the charms, she does so. Then she turns to go towards the door, tucking the charms in her skirts as she does so.

**Out the door is a small boardwalk that takes you up the stairs, past the two Shisa statues to the small building's entrance. There's something palpable in the air..some sort of energy or vibe or feeling, it's not something Beth is used to or has experienced before. It's like walking into Chernobyl and just knowing that the reactor room is just behind the next door. As she reaches for the door's handle, it opens seemingly on it's own. Fully opened, a priestess is revealed on the other side. It would seem the "building" only has three sides and serves as an entrance into a cave mouth.

She bows to the priestess and offers a polite greeting. She shivers lightly at the oddness she feels in the air, her eyes, behind the glasses taking in the cave around her. She is in a stated of wonder, as her eyes widen. Such a place. Murphy will be disappointed he missed this!

She moves towards the Honden. Her eyes wide, perhaps wondering if she will see a Kami. Once she is in a respectful distance, she claps her hands together twice. She remembers this little ritual from somewhere, as there is no bell to get the kamis attention. Then she places her palms together and bows her head, until her nose almost touches the tip of her fingers. A softly muttered prayer in Japanese praises the kami for her attentions, and works, and she prays for protection of her own, that she might not get lost on her quest to save her friend. When her eyes open she looks for offerings, if any are left, to get a clue to what the kami lurking here, might favor.

She smiles at the change in the feel of the vibes. "Thank you." Whispered under her breath. Then she studies the offertory box. Her head tilts, perhaps she needs to add a ladle of water. She looks for a ladle or water to add? Or other clues. "Forgive me." Said under her breath in Japanese. "I am new at this.

*The Priestess from the entrance gently places a hand on Beth's shoulder. She's holding a ladle, and motions to a corner of the cave where a small spring is bubbling up. She has a friendly and expressive face but doesn't say anything the whole time as she goes over and collects some of the spring water, handing the ladle to Beth with a small nod

"Thank you." She carefully takes the ladle and adds it to the box, with a little bow. Then she hands the ladle back to the priestess. Then she takes a step back. Nods respectfully to it all, as a whole. She is hardly breathing, finding the whole experience amazing.

*The "vibes" seem to dissipate, spreading out across and over the whole cave now. The small string of lights illuminating the cave interior flicker. First randomly, in quick flashes like an xmas show, then more methodically, almost like in a sequence. The Priestess takes a deep breath, putting a hand to her mouth. She speaks in the local Okinawan dialect, making her words come off a little broken to Beth. What you ask for?

Beth works slowly through the word of the priestess. "I asked that I would not get lost in my quest to find my friend." Said softly as she watches the lights flicker. "Is this good?" Her head tilts. "Did I do it wrong? I did thank her for all she has done before."

*One of the lights "pop" and the priestess jumps Never they speak to me. Not really. *Another light pops and she let's out a startled meep What are you?! *She runs up the stairs and out the "door" back to the rear of the main shrine

She blinks as the lights pop, and she turns to face them. Not sure how to answer the priestess, she lets her run. "Oh Aunty, what did I do now?" She mutters in English. She watches the lights, not sure what to do, then finally she chooses to bow, just in case. It is a good thing to do after all, with nobility....or spirits.

She takes a deep breath. "Thank you." Then she respectfully leaves the cave, hoping this means the Kami is pleased with her actions. She goes to open the door to the rear of the shrine. In away she hopes the priestess has moved on, in a way she hopes she hasn't? There is still the small building to explore after all.

*As she exits the cave entrance, walking down the steps and across the boardwalk back to the main small shrine area she can see the young priestess talking urgently to Haru in hushed tones. When they see you he shoos the Priestess away and walks up to Beth calmly

She walks to meet the Monk. Still respectful in her tone, and in her movements. She gives him a little bow of her head. "Haru-sir? Is something the matter?"

*Haru chooses his words carefully Something has upset Megami. I don't believe it was you.. perhaps something that came with you. As keeper of this site I can not allow any distress to the Kami.

She blinks a little. "Upset." She frowns a little. "I would never want to do that." She ponders back to the scene at the alter. "I prayed to her. Honored her for the things she has done. Then asked that I not get lost in a quest that I am on." Her brow furrows. "After that the cave felt warm, like a hug, a pleasant hug." Her head tilts. "Perhaps I messed up the offering?"

*Haru folds his arms in thought What sort of quest?

"I have lost a friend sir." Then she blinks. "But..." She looks around. He is monk, it might not sound so strange. "I think he might have been taken by Kami."

*Haru frowns If that is the case, then you should let them have him. *Folding his hands into his robes Child you are dabbling in dangerous waters

"I can't sir. He would do the same for me." She seems sure of this. "I have a friend though. I won't do it alone, and I have my dreams." Said softly. "I am sorry if I upset the Kami. Perhaps I should go back and say sorry?" She offers.

*He shakes his head That is my Duty. I think it would be best if you continued on your quest. Some advice though: do not let your curiosity upset the Order of things. Everything has it's place, and everything has it's destination.

She gives a little nod. Perhaps still a little confused, remembering the warm feeling. But she does as she is asked to do. "Yes sir." She gives another bow and leaves without a fight. Though, in the the back of her mind, the little building is stored. One never knows what the future could bring.

Though now she has a few questions for 'Tiger'...

She is still trying to figure the shrine thing out. The lights, the feelings. The monk. Her brow furrowed in thought, trying to remember the little knowledge she has of shrines. Why did the feeling change so? Then the taxis are noted. She walks towards the taxis almost carefully, eye them and eyeing the drivers.

*One of the drivers looks up from his paper at Beth. The evening edition has mention of a police drug bust, a footlocker full of cocaine found in an alley off of Naha beach. He puts out his cigarette and looks to Beth. He speaks to her in the Okinawan dialect, not particularly friendly Need ride, Lady?

She looks at the other drivers too. For some reason she almost seems to expect them to all look the same. "Arn't these the same color of taxis at Gate2?" Asked curiously "I need to go back there." Said with a little nod, adding the address of the club, just in case.

She gets in, easy enough. Quiet during the break neck speed ride. Something keeps bothering her. She sighs, as she watches the landscape fly past her window.

She pays the driver and slips out. She looks up at the sky. There's that good timing again. She reaches for the door, to look for Tiger.

*As the driver leaves, he says something half to himself and half to Beth in the local okinawan dialect. Something about a donkey in a swamp? Must be a local expression. The door to the Crazy Horse is open and Tyler is at the bar, cleaning glasses. Wasn't he doing that when she left? He's changed his clothes though, somewhat more formal attire, a collared shirt with a tie, black khaki pants. Ken the bar cat is spread out over the bar, gray tail lazily flicking at the clean glasses that Tyler has just cleaned. He looks up when you enter Ah, great timing. *He sets down his dish rag Did you explore the town?

She blinks at the driver, then enters. She gives the cat a few pats on the head. Then smiles at Tyler as she removes her hat and glasses. "I did. It is very strange here." But this does not seem like a bad thing to Beth. "Are Kami often moody? And what do you know about donkeys in swamps" Yup Beth. You go girl. Question are good, right?

*Tyler blinks, walking around the bar so he can sit his large frame down on a stool I....what? A Kami called you a Swamp Donkey?

"No, but I think a driver might have?" Her brows furrow. Clearly she has dealt with name calling before. This does not phase her. "I went to a shrine, to get talsmans. So I did...then I tried to pay respects to the Kami there. The feeling was weird when I first got there, sort of strange and heavy. Then I said my prayers, and it warmed up a bit. It was nice. Then I did the offering...and the lights starting sparking and stuff." She takes a breath. "The priestess asked what I was, the the old monk seemed sort of upset. It was all very weird."