Illuminated 3

[21:16] She locked the back room again, obviously upset. Hurt, perhaps. But regardless, she sat down, ready for Rindou to begin.
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:18] Rindou quietly watched as Reito returned to the table, visibly... upset. It was just as she had said, wasn't it? That man was out for himself and was going to use her whenever she was needed.

At least that was how the young noble saw it. She stared with amber eyes at Reito silently.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:24] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[21:29] She shook her head, and as the food was finally brought to the table she forced a smile. The Kobe Beef smelled amazing, and it was hot. She nodded,

"Now close your eyes, and meditate, Rindou. Your ritual begins now."
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:33] Rindou looked down towards the table as the meal was brought before her. Her eyes practically salivated at the sight of perfectly cooked kobe beef, sizzling with an aroma of butter and thyme gently embracing it. The marbling was outstanding, as was expected of such.

The young woman looked up to Reito, nodding.

Her eyes fell shut as she attempted to meditate, to settle her dark thoughts.

Gods, that smelled good.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:41] The Kitsune, in all of her knowledge produced a small fan. The smell of the Kobe Beef was soon fanned towards Rindou, as another dish was soon brought to the table, the exact one... Only this one was for Reito.

She fanned it for a bit before she began eating her own portion. Loudly. Was it rude? ABSOLUTELY - but this was the point of the ritual.

"Oh it's SO good, Rindou. You're missing out, you know. You really are. Do you want a piece?!" She asked. A hot, delicious smelling piece was placed right in front of her face. Tempting her.
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:47] She though this ritual would have been easy. Abstaining for food for a while? There was nothing to it. The young woman was holding on just fine until a meal was placed before Reito. Had the Kitsune always been this savage when eating? And why was the smell even stronger? A light frown appeared upon the noblewoman's features, her lips trembling with temptation for just a bite, a taste, one bit...

She grit her teeth, clenching her fists as her mind steeled itself as best it could.

Meditation. Right. What was on her mind? What was bothering her? Isaac Shimasu had plagued her life enough for her to already know the next steps; she'd go to Dusk, open a shrine, use it as a base, and eventually strike when the time was best - before the expedition.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:51] As the frown appeared on Rindou's face, Reito knew she was doing her job well. She had never personally overseen the second ritual; she had only participated in it, and Emiri had done such a fine job. But regardless, she pressed on! She continued to eat, and occasionally fan the Kobe Beef in Rindou's direction.

"Oh, Rindou you really have no idea how delicious this is. They've -really- outdone themselves this time. The butter makes it so juicy," She murmured out loud. Then there was silence...

And Rindou would smell tea being poured; and then lemon. A cup was held up under the girl's nose,

"And now I'm going to have a NICE cup of hot tea with some lemon in it to finish this off...!"
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:58] Every time she tried to get a train of thought going there would be one more loud bit, one more whiff of butter, another clank of the knife hitting the plate, more words, more satisfaction. Her tummy groaned in despair as Rindou tried to settle her mind.

What was she to do next? She had to train. To further sharpen her own holy might. To help Caira go through her own trials and tribulations. She had to find a way to clean up the land in Dusk. She had to make herself stronger-

For Caira. For Reito.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:16] The Kitsune's tail swayed back and forth quietly as she watched Rindou struggle.

"Focus upon Jiuweihu," She said softly, as she continued to eat. Though it was still disruptive, and still loud. She even drank the tea loudly,

"Oh. The lemon in the tea really is amazing, I'm surprised! I've never had it this way before, you're truly onto something, Rindou," She added with a soft smile.
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:23] Focus upon Jiuweihu.

What would the sun itself say to her in a moment of need like this one? What would she suggest? She already knew that being one's self was just what was expected of her and that baring herself was only a way of accepting the goddess into her heart wholly, without any shame of it. But this? What was the point of it?

The more she thought on it, the more difficult it was. That tea was her absolute favorite. The lemon just brightened it up and made the world far more vivid and alive. Why would the wise deity demand of them to learn to abstain in such a way?

...

Because she... didn't need it? She wanted it, but it was just fine as it was. The world wasn't going to end if she didn't get that meal. The waves would still crash upon Agartha and tomorrow would come. Was this the lesson she was supposed to understand from it?

Knowing what was needed, yet keeping in mind who we were to know what we wanted. To let go of things that aren't needed. To learn patience. To learn to listen, learn, and wait.

Throwing away her superflous heritage was going to be tough. Could she really live without luxuries? She was used to it all.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:39] She continued to sip upon the tea loudly, forcing herself to be that loud and obnoxious for Rindou's sake. Her elbows rested upon the table as she continued eating.

Knife against plate, food being sopped up by the juices and the melted butter. It was all too delicious. Food was one of Reito's weaknesses; she consumed it savagely whenever it was presented to her. But Rindou didn't know that. Whole pieces were stuck in her mouth as she chewed loudly. Another piece was brought directly in front of her face, waving it around,

"Doesn't it... Smell so good? If you lean forward you can eat it," She said. She poked her lips with it, even.
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:43] Her lips shifted a bit as a piece of beef was poked against them. She could almost taste it. She knew just how tender it would be, just how good it would taste. Just how incredible giving it could be, but...

She had to resist. Not for herself, but for the sake of the world. To learn lessons, to learn how life really is and to ascend into a greater form of being. Being an Illuminated would not give her every answer. She wasn't even sure it would give her anything at all, but... it would make her feel accomplished. It would prove that she was capable of something beyond being born of a high-class family. That she was more than just a girl with money and time.

Jiuweihu put this ritual ahead of them for a reason, after all; to see if they could go on without their favorite food in life merely in order to get one piece of advice. To get their inner spark. To be appreciated by the one who brought forth Kitsunes and their wit.

Her face twisted in discomfort asshe tried to meditate. To focus. She could only hope Reito would be done soon.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:03] She pulled the piece of food away now, smiling gently. It had been quite a while hadn't it? She figured she had suffered long enough and now she spoke up,

"Rindou, open your eyes. You have passed," She said gently.
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:04] Rindou's eyes opened up, their amber light seeming far more tired than they had been when she first begun the ritual. This... was physically and psychologically difficult to deal with. Thankfully enough she had managed to get through it. To survive. A slight smile sat on her lips as she stared across the table towards Reito.

.. hungrily. Of course.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:05] A fresh plate of hot Kobe Beef was placed down in front of her, as well as a hot cup of tea - with lemon and she smiled.

"I'm proud of you! It's tiring, I know. It doesn't get easier."
(Reito Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:07] Rindou didn't even seem to be listening to the Kitsune anymore, devouring what had been placed in front of her like it was the first time she had eaten in ten years. In-between bites she spoke - keeping her table manners proper through it all.

"The next ritual is the last one, correct?"
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:07] Reito Shimasu says, "It is."
[23:10] Rindou Sakamoto says, ".. Up the highest mountain in Agartha..."
[23:11] Reito Shimasu says, "Mhm."
[23:11] Reito Shimasu says, "To bask in Jiuweihu's light and allow her to judge if you're worthy."
[23:13] Rindou Sakamoto says, "... I should get my mind ready for that, then."