She nods, "Okay, Temple it is then. It looks like they have quite a variety of shops too." She says as they head towards the temple.
Juhi relies on her muscle memory to aim and fire, only taking four shots before she hits the bull's eye. She then focuses on one of the further targets, taking a few more shots before she gets close to a bull's eye.
She watches with pride as Juhi takes her time and concentrates on hitting her targets. After her last shot, Rajni goes over to her and pats her on the back, "Very well done Juhi. Would you like to stay out a little longer and keep practicing?"
Juhi nods. "Yes, please."
She goes and retrieves her bolts from the targets.
Giving her a smile she says, "You're doing very well. I'd like to see you hit the middle targets with a little more consistency before moving onto the smaller ones further back though. Just keep up the good work." She says encouragingly.
Juhi reloads her crossbow and proceeds to fire at the middle targets.
---
The temple is rather busy as people leave the morning service.
Rajni keeps a close eye on Juhi, watching for signs of fatigue from her little sister. Mama wouldn't like it if Juhi got sick because she kept her out in the cold for too long.
Jin stands off to the side to allow the people leaving the temple room to pass before entering.
After about fifteen minutes, Juhi collects the bolts again and hands the crossbow to Rajni. "I think I've had enough practice for today."
Nodding she takes the crossbow from her, "So, what do you want to do now? Do you want to go get a snack somewhere, or go back home? It's completely up to you." She says as she stows the bolts and crossbow in her bag for now.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get mama something from Halfpocket's," Juhi says.
---
Jin enters the temple, which has a homey feel. There are a few paintings of the different gods hanging on the walls and a small stained glass window behind the altar. Two men sit in conversation with each other in the front pew.
She smiles and gives Juhi an impulsive hug, "You've been working really hard, so we can go anywhere, and do anything you like. Off to Halfpockets then."
Leaving the men to their private conversation, she goes around and starts looking at the different paintings.
Jin sees the fairly plain depictions of Sarenrae, Iomedae, Desna, Erastil, Cayden Cailean and Shelyn with small bowls for donations underneath each picture. Smaller paintings of Torag, Irori, Abadar and Pharasma occupy a small alcove to the side, though there is still a bowl under each painting.
She appreciates each piece of art and leaves a platinum piece in Sarenrae's, Iomedae's, Desna's, Erastil's, and Cayden's bowl. When she gets to her Goddess's depiction she pauses a bit longer as she prays silently for wisdom and compassion in dealing with others. Patience and understanding when dealing with others who might not understand her, and to have the same for herself. She prays to let go of the past, forgive those that hurt her, hold onto her love's memory while not letting it control or keep her from any future happiness she might find with someone else. While in the temple she simply unburdens her heart to her Goddess and when she is finally finished, she leaves two platinum pieces in Shelyn's bowl. Moving onto the smaller pictures she leaves a gold piece in each donation bowl before finding a pew near the back in which to meditate. She liked the quiet peacefulness of the temple and it had been a few days since she had even had a chance to really quiet her mind. Looking at Hitome as they find a pew she asks her quietly, "Could we just sit here for a little bit? I just....I think I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed and just need a quiet space to gather my thoughts. Is that okay Hitome?"
Juhi skips along toward Halfpocket's. Once inside, she heads toward the warm blankets. "Mama can't make these, so I thought I should get her one."
Rajni lets out a chuckle at her little sister's enthusiasm, "Of course, that's very thoughtful of you Juhi. Anything you want, you get. You've earned it with all your hard work. You can even get something for Aunt Priya if you want to." She said feeling proud of her sister's thoughtfulness and wanting to encourage her to keep doing well with her practicing, she didn't see anything wrong with rewarding her efforts. Thinking for a moment she says, "We can even gift wrap it if you'd like."
"Definitely, Jin. I've always loved the serenity of a temple." Hitome says taking a seat. She says a silent prayer to her goddess, watching over them even here.
She nods, "Thanks Hitome....I know you grew up in one, I just didn't want to assume anything in case there was something else you wanted to do. I just need like fifteen minutes or so and then we can get going okay?"
"We can get another blanket for Auntie Priya. We don't have to gift wrap them though," Juhi says. "It's a 'just because' present."
She gives her a smile and nods, "Sounds good to me. Is there anything you'd like for yourself?"
Juhi shakes her head. "I'm good."
"Okay then, if that's all you want let's go pay for it and then we can either go home, or we can go somewhere else. I don't really have anything else to do until later tonight, so I'll all yours right now." She says with a smile as they go up front to pay for the blankets.
Going to one of the pews near her Goddesses painting she sits down and closes her eyes, allowing the serenity of the space envelope her.
Juhi thinks for a minute. "I don't know what to do and it's still cold out."
"Four gold," Halfpocket says to Rajni.
Juhi pulls out four gold coins. "Here, Mr. Halfpocket."
Looking a little surprised she says, "Ahhh I see you've been working hard at home too." Her pride in her little sister was evident in her tone as well as her eyes as they misted up briefly at how much Juhi had grown in the short time she had been with her family. Thinking for a moment she asks, "Would you like to go to Ms. Yulia's for maybe a hot chocolate and something sweet? My treat."
"Part of it's my allowance," Juhi admits, taking the bag with the blankets from Halfpocket. "Let's take these home to Mama and Auntie Priya and then we can go to Yulia's."
She nods as she waves goodbye to Halfpocket and holds the door open for Juhi, "You got it kiddo."
Juhi carries the blankets all the way home.
When they get home Rajni holds the door open for her.
"Mama, we're home," Juhi says, heading over to Asha. "I got you and Auntie Priya a blanket."
Asha smiles. "You're a sweet girl, Juhi. Thank you."
"Where's Auntie Priya so I can give her hers?" Juhi asks.
"She's bathing right now before we go shopping," Asha replies.
"Can I sit with you and wait for her?"
"Of course, my dear," Asha answers, making room for Juhi on the couch.
After a few minutes, one of the men walks up to Jin and Hitome. His kind face is framed by a soft beard. "Excuse me. I don't mean to disturb you, but you look like newcomers to Valwick and I wanted to introduce myself."
Hearing the voice kind of brings her back from her peaceful place of meditation. Slowly opening her eyes she stands as she looks up at him, "Oh...hello, and yes...we're new here. We only arrived here this morning and were trying to get a feel for this town before settling down for the night. We don't really know our way around yet, so we were just kind of strolling along and decided to just stop in here real quick for some meditation and reflection on what it is we're doing here and what needs to be done in the days to come. You know...that sort of thing." She blushes slightly, "I apologize, where are my manners? My name is Jin Kobayashi and I'm one of the new summoners to arrive here in order to aid Ms. Toni in ridding this land of some of it's darkness, and this is Hitome Murakami, she's my...well, she's my midwife and also protector and friend. She travels with me and Gyo and helps keep me safe while fighting the forces of darkness." She giggles somewhat, "Sorry...I didn't mean for it to come out sounding so serious...but that's pretty much why we're here. We came in on the ship this morning from Jin Zhao. So...what was your name? Do you work here in this lovely temple?"
Sitting in a soft comfy chair near her mother and sister she smiles, "Juhi picked them out and paid for them all by herself. I was very proud of her. She also did very well to day on the archery range. I think soon she'll be ready to try to catch some actual game. Once the weather gets just a little less colder I'm thinking. Surely we'll get a break from this chilly weather soon since we're not even in the full winter season yet." She ponders aloud. While looking at her mama she says, "Hey mama, after she delivered these blankets to you we were gonna go have some hot chocolate and sandwiches or something over at Yulia's Cafe, would you and Auntie like to join us before you do your shopping? It's my treat." There was a lightness and happiness to her voice that hadn't been heard in a while. A kind of contentment that came from someone who had finally found their place in the world and was happy in it.
The man smiles. "Yes, my name is Ashram and I am a cleric of Nethys. I preside over the evening services."
Asha nods. "That sounds like a lovely idea. I don't know what Kama and Elena are up to, but would you like to invite them as well?"
She smiles, "I would love that. I'd like to take the whole family out. You've all been so supportive and loving....I just....I wanted treat us to something special. I love getting to spend time with my family when we're not all busy running around doing other stuff. I'm so glad you're taking the day off mama." She says as she leans over and wraps her arms around her mama in a hug.
"I'm still not overly enthusiastic about the idea," Asha comments. "But the decision seems to have lifted everyone's spirits."
She nods and returns the smile, "Well, it's very well kept and I love how all the Gods and Goddesses are represented here. Well....the most common and good ones anyways. Personally I follow Shelyn and her teachings...so it's why I came here to sit near her painting. I'm sorry...I don't mean to ramble on so. I'm still getting used to things here. We both are....I'm sorry...you must be busy and I shouldn't take up a lot of your time if you're going to be preparing for your evening services, but it was nice to meet you. Maybe we'll be seeing you around from time to time? I guess we're going to be sort of settling here since this is pretty much turning out to be the base of operations for all of us summoners." Taking a breath to calm herself she holds out her small delicate hand, "It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Ashram, I hope your service goes well."
She smiles, "Everyone needs a break sometimes mama, even you. We all love having time to spend with you away from the shop. It's alright for you to take some time to do some things for yourself. Okay mama? I know you're not thrilled about it, but we're thrilled to get to spend time with you....because we love you."
Ashram smiles and politely takes Jin's hand. "Likewise. Feel free to stop by at any time you please. Our doors are always open, even in the middle of the night. We have a lovely young woman who takes care of the temple when Ulli and I are asleep. Her name is Aliethia."
"I know, Rajni. I love you all just as much," Asha says.
She nods as she shakes his hand slightly before taking hers back, "Then I look forward to coming back sometimes. These places always offer so much comfort to so many. I'm glad your town has such a nice one. I guess we'll go see what else is around town for now before going to the common house to settle there tonight until something more permanent can be arranged. Have a good night Ashram." She blushes slightly before turning back to Hitome, "Okay, so more stores, or do you want to secure a room for us at the common house first?" She asks as they head back out of the temple.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Having watched Ashram's approach quietly and taken his measure, Hitome gives the cleric a polite bow as they depart. "Be well Ashram."
"Now that you mention it, as busy s things seem around here, it may be the best idea to head to the common house and secure ourselves a room first." Hitome replies after a moment of thought.
She nods, "Okay Hitome, let's do that then. Now where is this common house at again?" She asks while looking around for some indication of which way they should go.
With Kierk's map, Jin easily finds the common house.
Putting the map away again she says, "I'm sure glad he wrote that out for us. This place is a little large to just wonder around. Let's go in and see what they have available." She says before stepping inside and looking around for someone in charge.
Looking around she asks, "So...where is Kama and Elena? Did they already go out? She said they didn't really have any plans for today...." She wonders as she looks around.
"They went upstairs a little bit ago," Asha says.
A strong-looking woman stands at the counter of the Common House.
Looking in that direction she says, "Oh...well, I'll just go knock and let them know we need to ask them something when they come back down then." Getting up off the couch she goes upstairs and knocks on her sister's door, "Hey...if you guys aren't busy resting or anything...we wanted to know if you could come downstairs so we could ask you something?" She asks from outside the door.