New Year's Shrine Visit

[all_wound_up]

Who: Nano Shinonome and whoever else happens by
Where: The Naganaki Shrine, Capricon District
When: New Year's Day
Summary: Nano's making her first shrine visit of the new year

[It's a cold, crisp morning on January 1st in Hinoto-Ri, and after all the chaos of the events of the month previous, Nano's looking forward to spending a relaxing New Year's Day at home. There's just one thing she has to do before that, though - pray at the shrine for good luck and good health during the coming year. And so here she is at the Naganaki Shrine, dressed in a simple white kimono with a branching floral pattern running up the side as she approaches the steps. Fishing a coin out of the small change purse she has hanging from her obi, she throws it into the offertory box and claps her hands together. Anyone close by can probably hear her muttering her prayer our loud.]

I wish all of my friends will be happy and healthy in the new year, especially Hakase, Sakamoto, Naganohara-san, and Minakami-san back home.

[And then she draws a fortune from the box, unrolling it and smiling at the slip of paper in her hand.]

Medium blessing! It's going to be a lucky year!

Comments

[mementodagger]

[These Japanese customs are completely foreign to him, but since he's a scholar at heart he feels obligated to learn what he can for as long as he's stuck. He's wrapped in a long coat against the chill, the deep hood pulled over his head. It's as much a shield against certain eyes as it is protection from the cold.

He hadn't told anyone about his recent birthday. The events of the days just before it left him not wanting to celebrate much. He'd accepted that miserable part of himself but for his weakness to be seen by strangers, not to mention Atsuro, he was still wrestling with the shame.

He recognized Nano after a moment and almost turned back, but now he feared that damned Shadow poking its head out of nowhere again if he fell back into old habits. So he came to stand beside the girl, watching what she was doing for a moment before speaking. His profile was mostly concealed by the depth of the hood but his accented voice might prove familiar.]

Miss? I just... I wanted to thank you.

[all_wound_up]

Hm?

[Nano hadn't heard his approach, so she's momentarily startled at the voice. But it's a familiar one, so the reaction isn't much more than a small start.]

Oh... Yurick-san, right? You're welcome.

[mementodagger]

[He nods slightly, turning his face toward her just a little. His unnatural left eye is covered, apparently he's not willing to parade around everything just yet.]

You're Atsuro's friend, yes? I'm fortunate that his other self and mine displayed a perverse echo of our camaraderie, otherwise I might've had to face that thing on my own. I don't know if I could've done it without all of you.

[He pulls his coat more tightly around himself. It's because of the wind, that's all. He hates to be cold.]

I'm sorry for the things it said... calling you that awful name because you wanted to help us....

[all_wound_up]

Oh... yes, that's right. My name is Nano.

[She briefly and politely bows her head.]

It's all right. I'm just glad you're okay.

[mementodagger]

Nano. [He repeats her name to memorize it before nodding at the offertory box and fortunes.]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with this custom. Would you mind explaining it?

[He's trying to make friends, really.]

[all_wound_up]

Today is the first day of the new year. Where I come from, that's the day everyone dresses up and makes their first visit to the local shrine to make offerings and pray for health and happiness in the coming year.