The Prince and the Priestess

[Npc]

Weeks and funerals are particular things each with their own set of Rights and rituals each important in their sway. It is the nature of such things to be busy boring and all consuming at once and so it has found Raja in a black kimono serving tea and playing a supportive role in the life of her husband and family only to turn around at night and burn incense and recite prayers to Kali Krishna Shiva and tissue sending up dozens upon dozens of prayers for peace for rest and for quiet she prays not for herself or I'm the one child but from the soul of the man her family has lost a man she rarely knew still a brother all the same. She prays for her mother's heart at the loss of her child for her father was the loss of an heir and for her husband and his loss of a brother it is not uncommon during the morning. To find her having fallen asleep in front of the gods and the shrine and so it goes

[GamesMaster]

The wake is full of strangers, whose names she struggles to keep in her head. Her husband's voice is subdued, his eyes bright with tears unshed, his mannerisms subtle and small. 

So it's a relief to find a familiar face in the crowd: Shiori, reaching out for her hand as they sit on a futon. "How are you holding up?"

[Raja kumarie]

It is only now that I crack slightly a few tirs rolling down my cheeks. " My heart brakes for them. Such a loss is a terrible thing. Children are ment to burry their parents not the other way round. And my husband has lost his beloved brother...and now everything changes..." I shake my head

[Shiori]

Shiori squeezes Raja's hands gently. "It is a terrible thing," she says quietly. "This war... these little rebellions are so costly. And the cost is not borne by the Emperor but by his beloved generals and their families."

[Raja kumarie]

I nod gently " it is a burdob I hope we'll no longer have to bear soon."

[Shiori]

Shori gives her an odd look. "With only one son remaining, of course the Emperor will not call upon your family to serve further."

[Raja kumarie]

I blink slightly confused then it clicks " forgive me I meant that I hope the fighting stops soon as id rather my new country be at peace"

[Shiori]

"Oh, that. This is close to peace -- it is only small rebellions to be put down. The fleet hasn't even been called up."

[Raja kumarie]

Still war brings loss, I think to myself. Nodding I look around the room another moment before asking softly "would it be alright if we walked around the garden? I'm not sure what I'm to be doing and I'd like to speak more freely"

[Shiori]

"Absolutely. Let me just notify my husband where I'll be."

[Raja kumarie]

I nod rising to do the same. As I go to leave I see my sister there in her grief. She is alone and forlorn.  " Mother should you wish to join us shiori and I were going to see the the garden it may do you good to breath fresh air"

[GamesMaster]

"You are kind," she says quietly. "Yes, I will join you."

[Raja kumarie]

I smile gently and guide her and shiori to a small pagoda hidden slightly my blooming dahlias and shady red maples. There's a thick rug on the floor and plump cushions around a low dark wood table. Once we are all settled I take a small breath before asking "mother, please forgive me if this is upsetting but why are people rebelling? I know I haven't seen all of Japan but from what I've seen you are a happy, giving, and kind people what grievances could there be? "

[GamesMaster]

Seiya smiles sadly. "Primarily, taxes. The Emperor and Shogun are ever expanding their courts, and to pay for the riches required to not be shown up in the Emperor's court, taxes must be collected, more and more every year. Add in the bans on non-spirit magic and, well, people are unhappy enough to kill."

[Raja kumarie]

"but is magic not a spirit itself? We are tought that magic comes from Ganesh and Kahlil and that it is up to us to choose how to use their gifts. do we follow Ganesh in growing peace, healing the sick, and building life, or do we follow Kahlil and aid in warfare, Shepard th dead, and risk following her on her path of vengeance." I fall quite a minute before adding "taxes I understand no one likes them but they hate them less when people see the benefits in roads and schools and public works. So I understand yh grumbling if it's all spent on palaces and power."