☀️ Arselia and Akonia

- The first step: purification, - she said, demonstrating it. - It is absolutely necessary if you come here as a worshiper. If not, then it's up to you; in that case, you will violate custom and etiquette, although it is not fatal, - she suggests doing the same. - Everything is perfectly sterile.

Sonata and the others followed Aiyano's example, but Cleona hesitated.
- Are you sure? I don't really feel like it after the elders. - She sighs, but still washes her hands and mouth, and then makes an important clarification. - Only because of my feelings for you.

Passing by the maidon:
- ...all the significant dates remained in that half of the year, and new ones have not yet arrived, so it hasn't been used much yet. But everything has its time.

- Do you mean holidays?
The fair-haired girl looks around for a calendar or something similar.

Passing by the ema frame:
- ...they are still hanging, but there is less and less space. Before the new year, we will move them to a new format.

Seeing that the new acquaintance was looking at the price tag with displeasure, Sonata clenched her fist, as if an idea had come to her.
- Girls, - she says to Cleona and the two sisters, handing each of them 1000 rem from her personal savings, - please take this.
- Sonata-sama... - Ahuri hesitates. - It's not necessary...
- To be without money in a foreign country or even world, - a quick glance at Cleona, - would be very sad, even if your basic needs are met thanks to Naria's generosity; there will definitely be times when you need money. So please, I insist.
With gratitude in their eyes, they accept the unexpected gift, bowing deeply to the benefactor.
- I will not be in debt, - Cleona also did not refuse the offer.

Passing by the haiden:
- ...I wonder how people found Minako-chan? Well, I guess they probably don't even know that there was another miko-sama here... But I think that just her appearance can bring any soul back from the realm of despair, and there is also her kind wisdom. Hmm, Ahuri-san, Ahuri-san, I have a logical question - is any of this close to your own tradition?..

- Architecture and some elements of etiquette are similar to ours, but customs are different, - Ahuri points to her horns, - I think that you, Aiyano-sama, will find more similarities with human civilizations and their religions than with ours.
- I will try to explain the key difference briefly. In Ajitani, political and religious life are closely intertwined; the head of each clan is the Mikoto, who also heads the corresponding Temple - the central structure of each settlement. The Mikoto is both a ruler and someone who is equal to the gods. - Ahuri points to the mark on her forehead. - We receive it at birth and must follow the corresponding creed. For example, my mark of a seer, who is patronized by the goddess of wisdom, Amenoumi, requires me to strive to understand the world and the people who inhabit it, and the mark of a warrior, Ahuri, who is patronized by the god of war, Kaminari, leads her on the path of a protector of our home and everything that is dear to her. There are also common traditions, for example, a sense of duty and honor is paramount for all of us, but that's not what we're talking about now. - She nods towards the ema. - We have a similar ritual, only instead of a wish, we leave a promise to ourselves, our ancestors, and the gods, including the Mikoto. It is believed that if it is not fulfilled, great misfortune or even a curse will befall us. Therefore, as you can see, Aiyano-sama, there are similarities, but also differences.

- ...as you can see, this is clearly popular. It's understandable, for the most part, a person creates their own destiny, so having something comforting with them allows them to both reinforce their promise to put effort into achieving their goal before the Kami, and to receive their approval and unseen support for this very impulse... - having finished the explanation, she waves her hand. - Miko-sama! Can someone take your place?

- A-a-Aiyano?!
Startled, the miko almost mixed up the color of the right talisman, but she managed to control herself. Bowing to the worshiper, she hurried to the newcomers, struggling to find the words.