[Tempus Fugit] Gokan no Enmei

[grufflehead]

Gokan spread the last of the rose petals on the surface of the pool, bowed deeply, then rose from his kneeling position and retreated 3 steps. For almost 20 minutes he had conducted the ritual of Chu An Shi, an entreaty to the water spirit that inhabited this particular pool to allow the villagers of Aizawa to draw water from it undisturbed. Now he waited.

After several moments, the surface began to bubble slightly, and a deep, hearty laugh began to emanate from the pool. As he watched, a tiny man, no bigger than his hand, appeared at the surface and swam to the edge of the pool. Pulling himself out, he scuttled in a curious bow-legged fashion over to Gokan and sat down before him. He eyed the basket sitting beside the young shaman expectantly, but as was tradition, waited to be offered the contents first.

 

[GlassEye]

Enmei's lip twitched as he suppressed his smile. It wouldn't do to offend the water spirit but he found the crab-like, scuttling movements of the little man amusing. He waited and so Enmei reached into the basket at his side and withdrew the furoshiki-wrapped package and placed it between himself and the water spirit. Again he bowed making a gesture of respect as he did so. "A gift."

 

[grufflehead]

The tiny man licked his lips and looked eagerly at the package in front of him. He tentatively walked up to it and sniffed, then made a full circle of the offering, peering at it from all angles until he had returned to his starting position.

Sitting down in a pose which mirrored that of the young shaman, he looked at him and said in a sing-song tone 'and this gift is freely given?'

 

[GlassEye]

"It is a gift freely given in thanks for the gift of water you have granted in the past and with the hope that you will continue to bless the villagers of Aizawa." Enmei pauses and watches the spirit. He knows the silk wrapped package contains several tasty delights, he can smell them and his stomach makes a not-so-quiet gurgle in response to the tantalizing aroma. He shifts slightly in embarrassment and continues, mainly to cover his bodies reaction to the smell of the sweet pastries. "Widow Mei-ko also sent more of the tiny beads you favored but the color of these is astounding! I don't know how she does it." His formality slips in his excitement and his fingers twitch with desire to undo the knots in the silk cloth and show the spirit the widow's handiwork.

 

[grufflehead]

The water spirit nods his tiny head vigorously at Enmei's words, and almost before the shaman has finished, the greedy sprite tears open the packet of pastries and starts to gorge himself, occasionally nodding again in the young man's direction.

After a few moments, it belches happily, and still covered in crumbs, eagerly waits for the silk parcel to be unwrapped. When it is, the creature giggles happily before collecting an armful of the beads and diving gracefully into the pool. It reappears momentarily and collects more, making several trips until all the trinkets have been stowed away.

When it re-emerges for the final time, it waddles over to the shaman again, and with a deep bow says, 'may the village be blessed with the essence of life once more'. It stands, beaming, for a few seconds, then turns and disappears into the pool, leaving Enmei to collect up his basket and make his way ouf of the cave.

 

[GlassEye]

Enmei smiles pleased with the success of his mission. However, before he leaves he bows down facing the pool until his forehead touches the damp earth leaving a smudge of mud upon his brow. He stands and collects the basket and the square of silk. "All of Aizawa thanks you for your generosity." He turns, leaves the cave, and makes his way down the trail towards the village.