Illuminated 1

[21:26] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Lady Regent."
[21:26] Reito Shimasu asks, "Ah - yes?"
[21:26] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "Do you have some time to spare?"
[21:26] Reito Shimasu asks, "Of course, what can I do you for?"
[21:26] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[21:26] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I'm afraid I don't have those... particular interests."
[21:27] Rindou Sakamoto says, "But I wish to learn about the illuminated."
[21:27] Reito Shimasu says, "That... Isn't what I meant. "
[21:27] Reito Shimasu exclaims, "But if you wish to learn about the Illuminated, I can certainly answer any questions you may have!"
[21:28] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I know not much of the order. An introduction to such would be appreciated."
[21:30] Reito Shimasu asks, "Certainly. Follow me.... Rindou, was it?"
[21:30] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Yes."
[21:30] Reito Shimasu asks, "Have you visited the Shrine before?"
[21:30] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Only for a few ceremonies and burials."
[21:31] The Kitsune wore a natural smile on her face, as she nodded briefly,

"Ah. Well, have you heard of Twenty-Nine Nights, One Dawn?" She asked. She'd move towards one of the small tables, gesturing for Rindou to take a seat. "Do you like tea?" She'd ask.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:33] The young woman moved to the seat indicated for her, taking a seat quietly before she shook her head at the first question.

"No, I have not. I do enjoy tea, however. Dark tea in particular with some lemon squeezes in it, it makes it far more refreshing."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[21:41] She settled in one her favourite spot at the table, beginning to brew the tea. A small flame was lit under the teapot before she withdrew to give it time to heat up.

"The very first Kitsune of the Illuminated recorded down this story, and it's been passed down through the ages... Over a thousand years ago, there was the Divine War. A Fallen Angel led an attack upon Jiuweihu, and sealed her into Kunlun Mountain after a fierce battle," She began, seeming pleased to be able to retell the tale once more after so long. It was probably her favourite, after all.

"With her being sealed, the sun immediately disappeared, losing it's light and for twenty long, and grueling nights, the forces of Azrael worked to win the war. However the Emperor banded together three different armies, and worked to free the imprisoned Divine Spirit. Eventually, they won! However the runes that the Fallen Angel had inscribed upon the mountain left the warriors puzzled...

"Without breaking these seals, they'd unable to free Jiuweihu for months. Crops would wither and die, people would die without the glorious light of the Sun itself!" She paused now, to reach out once the tea was hot enough. She poured a cup for both herself and Rindou, allowing her to put the amount of lemon in it as she liked before continuing,

"So, Jiuweihu looked upon these brave warriors and said, 'I cannot complain. If you all spent more time with a book instead of a sword you wouldn't have won. However I am Jiuweihu and I know a few tricks. Warriors, will you trade your brawn for a Fox's wit? Then you'll be able to free me, and destiny will be eternally grateful to your descendants.'. Those that chose to take up Jiuweihu on Her offer became the very first Kitsune. In twenty-four hours, the seal was broken, and Jiuweihu was free, and finally after twenty-nine nights, the Sun finally rose." She continued to smile.

"That's merely the beginning of the Illuminated, of course."
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:47] The young woman listens to the re-telling of Jiuweihu's grand defeat and the birth of the first Kitsune rather intently. Her attention was solely focused upon the Regent until the moment a cup of tea was passed her way, bringing her to reach out for a lemon cut in half, giving it a gentle squeeze over the liquid. A slight motion of the porcelain receptacle was given in order to swirl the foreign substance and integrate it better into its new home. She brought her lips to the liquid without daring to blow upon it, taking in its full warmth and heat, basking in it like one does under the sun.

She finally speaks as the story concludes, demonstrating her understanding of the origin of her people.

"Were the first Kitsune the ones who created the order, then? Where do the traditions come from?"
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[21:55] She took a few sips of her own tea, basking in the flavor profile as well as the heat before she set the cup down.

"The founding Kitsune went forward and developed intricate means of predicting future events, weather patterns. It was the heads of the three founding Kitsune families who wrote the scriptures. They're the ones who worked on those traditions, and eventually the Fourfold Path took a lot of it from the Illuminated's teachings," She said politely with a smile.

"But ultimately the three tenets of the Illuminated are Kindness, Respect, and Understanding."
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:58] A long thought was given to the tenets after they were spoken of. Rindou needed to assess her own attitude towards the rest of the world, or rather, towards commoners. She eventually sipped from her tea again, looking at Reito.

"Do you believe that respecting the class system and my family's wishes affects my ability to be kind? A fellow Fourfold member thought I was rotten to the core for rejecting the offer for friendship from mere farmers."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:00] The Kitsune continued to smile kindly as she shrugged,

"I believe we should be kind to everyone within Huangzhou. Even farmers, dear," She said with a few more sips of her tea before she settled the cup back down, "I dislike suffering of any kind. I dislike the perils of war, and battle. So - if you're rude to people simply because you view yourself above them, that does affect your ability to be kind, yes," She said with a small nod. She was honest.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:04] "I was not rude, I merely indicated to them I could not accept partnership or friendship with them, as more is expected of myself. I made sure to encourage them to earn a name for themselves if they wished to change that fact." She answered, sipping the far too heated tea a bit more without any issue. The cup was put down on the plate, briefly, as to give her next words more power.

"Do you believe I could join the order as I am?"
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:08] "There is no reason why you cannot be friends with those beneath you," She said politely. "However the Illuminated strives to be dedicated to Jiuweihu, and if you wish to join the Illuminated you may do so. But as a personal piece of advice, I would still strive to be kinder to those around you."

She picked up her tea cup again and drank from it delicately, her tail swishing back and forth pleasantly.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:14] "What does it take to properly join the Illuminated, then? I believe I am giving as much kindness as possible to the lower class when pushing them to strive for a better life. Some have already signed up to the Fourfold after the fact."

It was obvious Rindou did not live in the same world as most, coming from a big, wealthy family had its own advantages and warped one's view of reality. She adjusted the pillow beneath her.

"And who leads it? I believe you to be the most appropriate candidate for such; your glow is phenomenal."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:16] "You merely need to ask, and you can join, dear," She said with a smile. "Think not of them as lower classes. They're just people - looking for connections, for friendship. They may struggle the same as you, or they may not struggle at all..." She fell silent then, simply enjoying her tea for a time.

"Emiri Taiyang is the current Chancellor. I stepped down when I was elected Regent of Huangzhou… But, thank you for the compliment!"
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:18] Rindou Sakamoto says, "... If I do meet him I will ask, then."
[22:18] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I will make sure to keep your teachings in mind, Lady Regent."
[22:19] Rindou offered a small bow before she reached for her tea again, sipping from it. Despite the subject being over with it did not seem as if she wished to leave the woman's company just yet. She knew not what to speak of, however. There were so many possible questions.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:20] Reito Shimasu says, "Of course. I can induct you myself."
[22:20] Reito Shimasu says, "If you wish."
[22:22] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "Would it not be odd for me not to meet the Chancellor?"
[22:23] Reito Shimasu says, "Emiri is.... More often than not indisposed."
[22:23] Reito Shimasu exclaims, "But if you wish to wait to meet him, that's perfectly fine!"
[22:23] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I see no need to if you believe your induction will be plenty enough."
[22:25] Reito Shimasu says, "We can always do that."
[22:26] Rindou nodded.

"Let us, then."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:27] She smiled now; had the playful Kitsune played a trick? Perhaps.

"Then it's done!" She said with a rise of her own teacup, drinking from it, "Welcome to the Illuminated, Rindou Sakamoto."
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:27] Rindou Sakamoto says, "...."
[22:27] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "...?"
[22:28] Rindou's expression shifted to one of confusion. She had done nothing, said nothing, and underwent no ceremony. How could it be that she had joined the order? It made little sense to the young woman, leaving her silently staring at the Kitsune.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:29] Reito Shimasu says, "There is nothing... Special... To do in order to join the Illuminated."
[22:29] Reito Shimasu says, "Devote yourself to Jiuweihu and Her teachings, young Sakamoto."
[22:29] Reito Shimasu says, "Work for a better Huangzhou - and a better Agartha."
[22:29] Reito Shimasu says, "The majority of the most meaningful projects that have come from Huangzhou in the last eight years... Have come from the Illuminated."
[22:30] Reito Shimasu says, "Do not disappoint."
[22:30] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[22:31] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Very well."
[22:31] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "Is there any ceremony I should be made aware of, then?"
[22:35] Reito Shimasu says, "There are three rituals involved if you wish to become a true Illuminsted."
[22:36] Reito Shimasu says, "The first, is the Ritual of Light. The easiest one. One meditates by a body of water beginning at sunrise, and stays there throughout the day. You wear the barest amount of clothing, and only take breaks for water."
[22:36] Reito Shimasu says, "By drowning out distractions beyond Jiuweihu's light, you learn how to easily become one with it."
[22:37] Reito Shimasu says, "The second is the Ritual of Aversion. You must meditate and steel yourself against temptation, by having your favourite dish right in front of you."
[22:37] Reito Shimasu says, "The last... The Ritual of Rays. With this, you trek up to the highest point upon Agartha, and there, you allow Jiuweihu Herself to judge you. Should you be found worthy, she will bless you."
[22:38] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[22:38] Rindou Sakamoto says, "......"
[22:38] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "B... Baring myself?"
[22:38] Rindou grew red, quickly so.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[22:41] Reito Shimasu says, "You can wear light clothes, is all."
[22:41] Reito Shimasu says, "I did it. There was nothing inappropriate about it."
[22:41] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[22:41] She grew quiet, remembering the time Tsu decided to go completely naked. She sighed.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:44] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I... should hold off on those."
[22:45] Reito Shimasu says, "That is entirely up to you."
[22:45] Reito Shimasu says, "Someone I held in very high regard never finished his rituals."
[22:46] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I do not believe in giving up halfway there."
[22:48] Rindou Sakamoto says, "In due time, I will succeed."
[22:49] Reito Shimasu says, "That's good."
[22:49] Reito Shimasu says, "Determination is good."