The Prince and the Priestess

[GamesMaster]

"It is forbidden to directly cause effects with magic," Shiori explains. "But to ask the ancestors or the local kami for a favor is not forbidden."

[Raja kumarie]

" would gods count as spirits?" I ask

[GamesMaster]

"Yes, of course," says Seiya. 

[Raja kumarie]

I nod relived that I haven't actually broken any laws. Then frown slightly "if gods are spirits and spirit majic is allowed and gods give us magic then shouldn't all magic be legal?'

[Shiori]

"There are magics that come from inside you. Liwanu knows some of them, but he can't demonstrate, not here in Nihon. But his people also have spirit magic, so he can practice that instead. It's... it's the difference between asking a spirit for help, and a spirit granting you the power to fix something yourself."

[Raja kumarie]

but that's th same thing I think before nodding slowly "I think I understand now.... Thank you..' I say gently we sit in silence a while listening to the birds as I turn things over in my mind. "How can I ease your grief mother?"

[GamesMaster]

Seiya's eyes well up with tears at the reminder, but she shakes her head. "Just sitting with me is doing a load of good. You are truly a blessing, daughter, and do not let my husband convince you otherwise."

[Raja kumarie]

I nod "you are too kind mother." I say softly

[GamesMaster]

"Honored Mother," Shiori says, "do you play the shamisen?"

"Of course."

"Would you play for us? I have been trying to learn, and I would love to learn from someone with more skill."

"I would not say I have skill, but, I can play for you, yes." And she sends for a servant, who soon brings the instrument. 

[Raja kumarie]

I smile gently swaying as she plays. "mother...how do I be a good wife now that Ryu is....what is it that he has to do now anyway?" I ask sheepishly

[GamesMaster]

"You will need to socialize more with the other women. It will be challenging, but it is possible to smooth over disputes and find important information that way."

[Raja kumarie]

" and how do I do that?"

[Shiori]

"Tea," says Shiori. "I can teach you six kinds of tea ceremony. That will help."