[EV-F22] A Night of Offerings

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

To reach Ariel's estate players have to make their way from Coral(F22) following the crowned lion sign toward the Forest of Memories. Pass the Lake of Reflection and either walk the marked forest path (watch for white tree markings) or take the small boat upstream to the dock. As they see the entrance of the Shirajishi Valley,a torii arched over the path like an oath—massive, lacquered red, its crossbeam strung with paper lanterns and fox masks that blinked in the lanternlight. Ropes of shimenawa braided with tiny bells hung from the lintel; their white shide caught the last of the dusk and flashed like small, patient teeth. Pumpkins sat in neat rows along the approach, not carved into leers but brushed with careful kanji—祓 (purify), 祝 (blessing), 守 (protect)—each one lit from inside with a warm, golden flame. The path that led away from the gate wound between sakura trees, lanterns swinging in their boughs, and the river’s surface held flickers of light as the valley exhaled into night.

Ariel stood to one side of the gate, the long blue kimono simple against the riot of lanterns, white haori tied with scarlet cords. Her hair was gathered with a neat ribbon; she wore the miko’s red hakama as much from habit as for the ritual tonight—form and function braided. Beside her Claudia, a flaming redhead with a sharp gaze, moved with brighter, quicker motions, bowing and offering blooms of courtesy to each arriving player. Claudia’s smile was practiced and warm; where Ariel’s presence folded the space into quiet, Claudia filled it with welcome.

Ariel nodded once at the first arrivals. “Welcome to the Shirajishi Valley,” she said, voice low and precise. “Tonight, instead of ghouls and monsters, I'd like us to honor Inari-sama that watches over this estate. Similar to a matsuri, if you would like to pay respect at the Inari shrine, follow the lantern path. Have your pick and then leave a small offering. It can be anything—food, an origami, a coin, a folded verse or even something immaterial: a gesture, a thought or speak a name aloud."
She then gestures at a table near them that displays various prepared offerings that players can use: paper and ink, plushies, vegetables, fruits, and sweets.

Claudia chimed in, hands folded politely. “Afterwards, return here. We will present your treats. The offerings helps Inari-sama watch over this estate.”

They stepped aside as the first newcomers passed beneath the gate into the valley’s hush. The lantern-lit route led past the sakura field, where paper cranes hung from branches and small wooden plaques—ema—bore wishes written in careful ink. Along the riverbank, strings of tiny fox masks bobbed over the water; soft wooden bridges were draped in translucent cloth and lit from below so the current itself seemed to hold fireflies. A gardener’s alcove offered seasonal tea and steamed chestnuts for pilgrims to warm their hands before they climbed.

Between the dojo’s semi-open training hall and the tailor’s annex, the path turned toward the "thousand torii" leading to the shrine. Each gate along the stone stair was tethered with a single ribbon and a paper charm; players paused there to leave folded offerings in shallow bowls and to tie prayers to the rails. At the crest, the small Inari shrine waited—a compact, lacquered building ringed by stone foxes and a shallow basin for cleansing. Lanterns circled the shrine like watchful stars; incense smoke braided with the river’s mist. [hr

Edited October 1 by Ariel - The Crowned Lion

[3ulogy 0]

The thought of being home made him sick. Vermillion torii mocked as a reminder of everything he was ecstatic to leave behind. The clutter at the table by the entrance was another sad reminder of reality, containing traditional offerings that one would expect anywhere in Japan. He grabbed some blank sheets of paper to fold absentmindedly while Acanthus did the talking. He was careful to keep his mouth shut. A loose mouth meant no candy when he inevitably offended the hosts with some disparaging comment about the "festivities." They'd put a lot of effort into the path, and it looked really good. By 3ulogy's calculations, that meant any stray remarks would be disastrous.

A tug on his feathered sleeve told him it was time to go. He and Acanthus vanished into the path beyond.

"You were surprisingly well behaved back there. Much better than Morningstar's house."

3ulogy gave a non-committal shrug. "I just want the candy. What do I care about some weird matsuri knock-off?"

Acanthus waited for a soft gust of air to finish rustling the trees before she spoke. "You seem... averse to things like this."

"'Like this?' Trick or treating? Carnivals? That's stupid."

"No. You don't like earnest things."

3ulogy kept his face neutral, and avoided his honest thoughts. Acanthus continued talking. "I suspect you're already uncomfortable with me saying so directly. And I don't want to ruin your night by chiding you over silly things. It's just something I've noticed."

A crack in the wall to correct, then. "Good. Because I'm having a good night, and I don't want to be chided over stupid things, like hating it when people are too damn serious. We're at the shrine."

"Ariel, Claudia... Thank you. This was a wonderful experience. It felt like home in all the best ways."

3ulogy kept his mouth shut and hoped that his firm forward gaze would be mistaken for appropriate solemnity. The candy better be worth it.

[Acanthus 0]

The thought of being here made her homesick. Beautiful crimson gates beckoned her into the estate and along the winding road towards the shrine. At the entrance, she glanced over a collection of objects to offer at the shrine. She spoke with the hosts as she wrote some characters in a delicate, thoughtful script.

"I did not realize you would be opting for a more traditional setting. I apologize for my dress. Had I known, I would have worn something more appropriate. I will enjoy walking the path, and I will offer my thoughts at the shrine." She moved quickly, snatching up 3ulogy before he had a chance to ruin the atmosphere.

* * *

Acanthus feared she had ruined the mood with her comments. She still didn't know what had inspired her to be so blunt with the boy. She spent little time with him outside of their professional relationship. (And part of her worried that time would wane, now that she could appraise things herself.)

"We're at the shrine."

Acanthus nodded quietly, accepting the end of the topic. She set her gently folded paper on the shrine and offered a prayer.

"What the fuck?" 3ulogy peered over her shoulder at the characters. "Masuda? Is that your name?"

Her eyes remained closed as she offered her thoughts to the spirits. "I'm praying for my family. 3ulogy, Please wait your turn. And stop spying on me." 3ulogy slunk back a respectable distance, a more muted figure than before. When she finished, she motion for 3ulogy to approach. He looked at her offering one more time, and then he tossed a small origami dog onto the shrine. "Good enough. I want some candy."

* * *

"Ariel, Claudia... Thank you. This was a wonderful experience. It felt like home in all the best ways." She offered the two a bow, gently pushing 3ulogy's head down to emulate the motion.

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

The two figures returned along the lantern path, their steps softened by the hum of evening. The faint jingle of bells marked their approach before Ariel looked up from where she stood beside the gate, still as the torii behind her. Claudia was arranging wrapped sweets into a small wooden tray when they drew near.
Ariel inclined her head, the faintest smile tracing her lips. “Welcome back. I trust your walk was pleasant.” she said, voice low but warm. “Thank you both for your visit.”

Claudia stepped forward, presenting each of them a small pouch tied with red and gold ribbon containing a neat bundle of seasonal sweets, a fox-stitched cloth, and a single pressed blossom.
“As promised—your sweets” she said, bowing lightly. “May they bring you good fortune through the night.”

The lanternlight shimmered as Ariel’s gaze drifted toward the valley path, its glow soft over the sakura branches. “We’re grateful you went along with my whims.” she added simply. “Enjoy your evening.”
With that, she and Claudia bowed once more, the quiet of the shrine’s evening settling around them like silk.

[Calcifer 0]

The rattling of darkened, weathered chains echoed across the lake’s surface. Black-dyed boots made soft landfall on a wooden dock, carrying a girl with a sinister-looking grin up the path to the sleepy valley. A pink bob and bright eyes clashed against her costume: black horns sprouting up from her skull, fingertips stained red to the second knuckle, and broken shackles on each wrist. Boots laced up to her knees and she was dressed in a cacophony of black leathers, cloth, and lace, with tattered red ribbons littering her like stuck-on decorations. Her eyes, normally altered purple, were changed to a bright yellow this night, and fake blood was splattered messily on one side of her face. Another shackle adorned her neck with a loose chain that had only gotten caught on her vest twice so far.

Calcifer was never great at making her own costumes.

Yet her attitude didn’t reflect an ounce of her slap-dash appearance. She slunk up the path with purpose, eyeing the two hosts on either side of the gate with mischievous anticipation. As a newly-freed demon from the underworld crossed over into the mortal realm on this All Hallows’ Eve, she was eager to bring fresh mayhem unto unsuspecting humans. Perhaps a curse or two would strike fear into their hearts.

Ariel greeted her first, relaying the rules of her property with a calm and even tone. Calcifer immediately frowned. She opened her mouth to speak, then quickly rethought her words, then tried again. ”An interesting proposition, Miss…Shrine-keeper.” She mentally bit her tongue over the habit of formality. At least she nailed the cheeky spirit in her delivery. Calcifer took on a thoughtful expression, straightening up and tapping her finger against her chin as if she was mulling over the host’s instructions. ”I suppose I can show this god of yours some respect, if that is your wish. It would be a shame to be cast back to the depths when the night has only just begun.” She reasoned.

”I will make my visit brief!” She declared, not waiting for a reply from the estate’s guardians before bounding forward and beginning her trek up the long path.

She was reminded of a shrine she visited once with her parents years ago. The memory was unexpected and, in the moment, unwelcome. Calcifer was quiet the rest of her way as she walked to the shrine, tossed a col into the offering box, clapped her hands together, and offered a silent prayer.