[It's noon! You handle the rest!] [Session Start] [Today is the festival day for the shrine. There's already been a presentation of food to the Kami, a blessing of the parishioners, and an advanced dance telling the story of the miraculous healing incident that occasioned the shrine's founding. That ritual centered around professional kagura dancers with Haruko and the shrine's other three mikos playing comparatively small supporting roles.] * Haruko has the honor of performing the final purification dance. She's not wearing her personal robes but instead has a well crafted traditional vermilion skirt and a special white jacket that shimmers in the sunlight. The crest of her family and the shrine, a traditional carriage, has been woven into the back and the long hanging sleeves of the jacket using golden thread. * Haruko 's eyes have been downcast for both of her dances and yet almost glow with a rare look of focused excitement. The discolored droplet marks that run down the left side of her face are visible to all because her bangs have been pinned above her forehead, but she shows no sign of being self-conscious. The remainder of her long black hair is in a ponytail tightly bound in a paper tube; it sways behind her as she moves. [There are quite a few spectators watching. Seems people get more religious on holidays. Or something.] * Haruko is now well into her dance. She spirals out from the centre of the stage, finishing one circle and continuing onto a second to the haunting sound of her flute and drum accompaniment. Her movements are slow and dreamlike. Her circling is interrupted each time she passes a compass point; she faces outward and bows, crisply ringing the bells and twirling her fan. * Haruko's gestures at the compass points and steps between them grow more elaborate as she approaches the edge of the stage. Finally, she kneels down and bows deeply; her arms hang limp at her sides and her chest is parallel to the ground. * Haruko slowly ascends from her bow as if drawn upward by the rising tone of the flute, dragging her hands along the ground. She suddenly swings out her arms to the sound of ringing bells and the beating of the drum. Haruko rises smoothly and circles once more, bringing her hands up to her face as she twirls, swinging the long sleeves around her. * Haruko reaches the side of the stage and bows once again. She raises her arm while spinning her fan with the flute's melody and ringing the bell to the rhythm of the drum. Haruko's sleeves slowly slip down, revealing her bare arms beneath. Only two burn marks blemish the skin, grey ovals standing out against the light tan. * Haruko rotates her arms down and continues the journey. The young miko moves her arms in a slow figure eight, fluttering the fan and tinkling the bells as she walks but keeping her head straight forward. The beat of the drums quickens and Haruko points her left hand out over the audience, snapping the fan shut as she does. She stomps her foot down and bows once again. * Haruko moves at a quicker tempo, stepping and shaking the bell with each beat. There's a sudden loud drumming and she leaps and pulls her hand together, holding the wand and fan as if they were the hilt of a sword. She lands to another beat and brings down her hands in a powerful stroke to scatter any spirits that wish the shrine ill. Haruko sinks into her final bow and the music ends. * Haruko bows to the altar once again and twirls to face her ceremonial position at the side of the stage. For just a moment as she spins she glances up, hoping to see Ryuji. [Haruko spots Ryuji, clapping along with the rest of the crowd.] * Haruko gives him what she hopes is an alluring smile. Returning to her place, the young miko almost appears to glide, for her small steps are hidden by her skirt. [The ceremony concludes soon there after. Haruko has duty serving the rice wine and manages to be a good miko and not indulge. She goes back into the shrine and switches to a nice blouse and jeans before venturing out to look for Ryuji.] [Haruko searches among the crowd and finds him!... Along with Eriko. Oh dear.] * Haruko mostly looks briefly puzzled at Eriko's appearance, but gets over it. "I'm honored that you both could come." She bows. [Ryuji bows back. "It was a splendid performance." Eriko also, bows, albeit a bit awkwardly. "Yeah. That was really something."] [Haruko gets the general impression that Eriko didn't really care, but is trying to be polite.] * Haruko beams at the praise. "Thank you. Praise should really go to my teacher. I couldn't have managed it without her guidance." She glances over to Eriko. "I didn't realize went to shrine ceremonies." * Haruko 's tone with that question is largely one of honest curiosity. [Eriko chuckles. "Yeah, me neither. Ryuji didn't tell me this was where he was headed. Er... not that I mind or anything."] * Haruko nods and looks down at the ground for a split second before smiling again. "Well, I hope you at least enjoyed the rice wine." She then looks back to Ryuji. [Eriko blinks. "They have that here?"] * Haruko grins. "Rice wine." She gestures over to the area where some is still available. [Eriko grins. "Sweet." She heads over, rubbing her hands together.] * Haruko gets a faint look of accomplishment and returns her gaze to Ryuji with a smile. "Would you be interested in lunch? I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to keep standing." [Ryuji smiles. "I'd be delighted."] [Just then, a bunch of guys come up. Haruko recognizes them as students from the Karate group. One of them, Junji Ebina, points a thumb at Ryuji. "Hey Haruko. Who is this guy?"] * Haruko beams when he accepts her offer. She then blinks and looks over to the karate group. Hi guys! This is Ryuji, he's a friend of mine from school. And were you here for the ceremony? I'm touched. * Haruko does mean it when she says that. Not in a "and I'll date you now" way, but she appreciates them turning out. [Aside from Junji, Masu Okabe is there as well, and Eijiro Hagiwara. She also notices Kenzo Mazuka, lurking in the background.] [Junji looks Ryuji up and down. "A 'friend', huh?"] * Haruko turns to Ryuji. "Ryuji, this is Junji, Masu, Eijiro, and Kenzo. They all go to a local martial arts dojo. They come by the shrine. Often in need of a patchup." * Haruko then looks to Junji. Not dodging his question, just being polite. [Ryuji nods to them. "A pleasure." Junji laughs. "'A pleasure'. Get a load of that."] * Haruko eyes Junji but keeps a fairly good natured grin. "What, am I not allowed to invite polite friends from school to the shrine?" [Masu stares wide-eyed at Haruko. "You *invited* him?"] * Haruko looks to Masu. "I thought he'd enjoy the ceremony. Did you guys like it?" [Masu looks like he was thinking about something else. "Huh? Oh, yeah. It was really great, Haruko." He smiles at her.] [While talking to Masu, Haruko overhears Eijiro in a whisper that's louder than he probably thinks to Junji. "WE didn't get invitations."] Well, I am glad you guys could all come. I did hope you'd remember today was the shrine's special founding festival day since you've been coming here for years now. ::There's a slight note of amusement in her voice:: [Junji nods, and Masu says, "Of course we did!"] * Haruko smiles. "Oh, have you guys ever met Riko? ::she smiles briefly at Ryuji:: She's another student from our school. I believe she was taking classes at your dojo." "Who?" "Oh, that girl from the Thursday class." [They collectively shake their heads. "Not really."] * Haruko nods. "Oh well, do be kind to her if you she switches classes or something. But I'm afraid I need to be somewhere for lunch and keeping that appointment is highly important to me." She then bows. "But I thank you again for coming." [Junji glances at Ryuji as he says, "Lunch?"] * Haruko looks to Junji. "Junji, have I ever pestered you about your meal plans?" [Junji goes wide-eyed for just a second, then grins, practically shouting, "I'd love to!"] ( .oO Could try to foist them off on Eriko. They'd like her. Damn, she's a lesbian.) * Haruko shakes her head. "Junji, I already have lunch plans. But tell you guys what, we could all get dinner together next week if you like. I'm sure between the four of you you can come up with a good place." [Junji's smile fades. "Oh. I thought you were inviting me to eat with you."] I'm sorry Junji, I didn't mean to be unclear. But the five us can do dinner next week. Up for it? [Masu blinks a few times. "Five?"] [Junji doesn't say anything. He just looks glum.] * Haruko looks over the four karate guys. "Four of you. One of me. Five. Let me know where. But I am afraid I really must be going." * Haruko is slumping slightly. She's been standing a bit longer than she'd prefer. [They glance around, and finally notice and point out Kenzo to each other.] (*snerks) [Eijiro notices. He moves over to Haruko and grabs her hands. "Hey, you don't look okay. How about I let you lean on my shoulder?"] [Junji brushes him aside. "Wait, let me do it. You're not strong enough for it, Eijiro."] [Ejiro moves in front of Junji. "I am too."] * Haruko rolls her eyes and then looks to Eijiro. "Thank you, but I'll be alright." She looks to Junji. "I really just need to be off to eat." * Haruko does look slightly puzzled by the attention from Eijiro, but now is not the time. [Junji nods. "Yeah, eating is important."] [Ryuji finally speaks. "Perhaps I should go find Eriko."] * Haruko nods and bows. "So work out a place. My schedule has been more hectic of late but I'm sure we can do it. So talk to you then." * Haruko nods. "We should see that she's alright." She then stands next to him. [The karate guys collectively frown at that.] * Haruko waves and heads off to the rice wine, presumably with Ryuji. [Ryuji does go with her, in fact.] "You seem to have a great many admirers" * Haruko smiles sheepishly. "They get a little jealous sometimes. Particularly when I want to spend time with someone as handsome as you are." (That's flirting!) (You are correct. ;P) "Still, they seem sincere." * Haruko nods. "They are. And should I and a special guy decide to date exclusively." She grins slightly at that and keeps her eyes on Ryuji. "I will break it to them gently, but firmly." She then drops the grin but keeps the smile. [Ryuji frowns. "Perhaps.... But it might not be a bad idea to keep them in mind."] * Haruko 's smile weakens substantially but she nods. "I will always care for them, want the best for them, and some day my interests may change." [Haruko suddenly finds an arm draped over her shoulder. Eriko's head appears over the other. "Hey. This is good stuff." She takes a sip from a cup in her free hand. "Really good!"] * Haruko giggles but teeters slightly. "It is. One of the best parts of the holidays is that father lets me sample some." [Eriko grins. "Yeah. Man, I'm used to beer and stuff. But this... wow!"] [Ryuji frowns. "Eriko... How much did you have?"] "Oh, you know... there were free refills, so..." She giggles again. "A lot." * Haruko nods and keeps giggling. She then thinks for a moment and sighs. But then smiles and decides to go with it. "Perhaps we should accompany her to lunch. Or order in." "But don't worry, plenty left for you guys." * Haruko looks tempted and then tries to kick in control. Must not be a lush in front of Ryuji. [Eriko waves her hand. "Nahhhh... You guys have your date. Don't worry 'bout me, I'm fine!"] * Haruko blushes a little at that. [Ryuji scratches his forehead. He has a slightly irritated look on his face. "I'm sorry, Haruko, but perhaps we had better call it off entirely. Circumstances seem unfavorable today."] * Haruko looks entirely unsurprised. "Perhaps. Would you like to make it up another time?" [Ryuji nods. "That-" he moves quickly as Eriko suddenly goes limp and lets go of Haruko, catching her before she hits the ground. "-would be fine, yes. I'm sorry about this. Eriko acts like a completely different person when she's drunk."] * Haruko shakes her head. "It's my fault. I should have warned her about the potency. If you like there's a room or behind the shrine we could use. Just relax while Eriko sobers up some." She grins at Eriko as she says that. "And I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I wouldn't mind spending some time with both of you." [Eriko laughs. "Who's drunk? Me?" She takes a step from Ryuji, stumbles, and nearly falls before he catches her again. "... Oh yeah. I'm totally wasted."] * Haruko does her best to assist with Eriko catching, holding her up from the other side. [Eriko grins. "That's not even a subtle pickup line."] * Haruko seriously blushes at that. "I..." [Ryuji shakes his head. "It's probably better idea if I take her home before she embarrasses herself any further."] * Haruko keeps the blush. "Well, if you think so." She then shakes her head at Eriko and grins. "Seems like she's more likely to embarrass me though." [Eriko grins at Haruko. "You're kinda cute. I like 'em bigger though." She pokes Haruko's chest before Ryuji practically drags her away. "It's entirely possible," he admits.] * Haruko giggles. "Uh, thanks, sorta." [Ryuji throws one of Eriko's hands over his shoulder. "Eriko, I'm taking you home now." He takes the cup from her other hand and holds it out to Haruko.] [Eriko pouts. "Awww... I wasn't finished yet."] * Haruko takes the cup. "You'll both be alright?" [Ryuji nods. "This is not the first time this has happened."] [Eriko snickers and points at a random woman. "See? Hers are bigger too."] [Ryuji glances at Eriko, then back to Haruko, and adds, "Unfortunately."] * Haruko looks at the woman Eriko pointed out and nods commenting to Eriko "True enough." She then looks to Ryuji and bows. "Thank you both for coming." [Ryuji nods. "It was quite pleasant. I'm sorry it had to turn out like this."] [Eriko grins. "I'm not."] [Ryuji walks off, Eriko in tow.] * Haruko chuckles and waves as they go. [End here]