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[jiyuujin]

[The video opens on a man who couldn't be called old, neither did he exactly appear young though the way he's dressed suggests that he's some noble from some ancient time. There's a cup of tea beside him and as he moves and speaks, it's with a kind of ethereal grace.]

For those of you from Japan you may be aware that Obon season is upon us. For those not familiar with it, Obon is a time to honor those that have departed the world, celebrate their life and invite their spirits back into our own lives for a few days. That may sound rather somber but it's really quite a joyous affair.

Although the particulars are somewhat unique to Japan, I believe there are similar traditions all over the world. I'd love to hear about them if you are familiar with any of them.

I would also like to extend an invitation to a festival that we will be having in a couple weeks around our home in Caihong. [He says our home as if he's done anything to make his housemates or employees aware of these plans. Maybe this explains the boxes they have been piling up in the back of their estate as of late.]

Make your way to the teahouse, Tsukiyo on the 14th of this month for a night of festival food and dancing. Light a lantern for someone you care about and end it all with a bang. There will be fireworks, to put it plainly. It hasn't quite felt like summer without any as of yet, don't you agree?

I hope to see you all there.

[He pauses here to sip his tea. Seems he's not quite done yet.]

Before I leave you, there is one small inquiry I'd like to make as well. I'm in need of someone capable of repairing a sword. I'm happy to pay for this service and I can guarantee a modest amount of additional business in return.

Comments

video;

[jiyuujin]

Belias. That looks like it's coming along quite nicely. [How could he not comment when he'd been obliged of such a favor so recently. Not to get too distracted so quickly...]

The customs vary by region though they all celebrate it in some way or form. Humans will travel great distances at this time just to be with their families. One important ritual involves cleaning the graves though of course that won't be possible for us. As for us swords, we might be more inclined to celebrate the lives of our former masters. [Though whether that's the case for him remains unsaid.]

You mentioned there were many religions in your lands? Over time Japan has adopted a number of them although there are two in particular that inform the majority of our traditions. Obon comes from one. And I belong to the other.

[opalcrown]

[ He touches the fabric for a moment and then smiles, clearly pleased by the compliment, but he listens instead of speaking. ]

Ahh, curious, so you belong to another religion yet you celebrate this still? I do the same thing, so I suppose it's not too strange. [ He closes his eyes briefly, thinking out loud. ] Do you remember your former masters clearly...? Or perhaps, is that too personal a question to ask?

[jiyuujin]

It's more like, I wouldn't exist without it. Or it exists for our sake. It governs the spirits of a nearly all things in the world.

[He spread his hands wide.] Well that's the idea anyway. I'm just a sword. I don't question the details.

[It's the probing into their masters that gives him pause. He's almost tempted to leave it unanswered as it touches on things that are not only personal but complicated. But it's a harmless question when taken broadly.]

It would be quite impossible for us to forget them. Well, swords that have been damaged or lost over time, particularly to fire, struggle with their memories in general but they still come to know them. The mission we were summoned for puts them in our paths constantly. And it's our duty to protect them as always.

[opalcrown]

That's quite a strong devotion you have to them.

[ Belias at the very least can pick up on the fact that it was too personal and dials it back, trying to find a good ground for them both to be on. ]

Mmm, I would think that because you are a sword, you have the ability to. Ah, but perhaps our cultures think differently.

[ He closes his eyes. ]

Should I bring a gift?