thenearshore | Closed

It was indeed hard to miss the extra work that the festival was causing. Suzaku was doing his best to put in extra hours when needed, whilst also trying to make things up to Saber and be more present at his own temple.

He's learned that he needs a lot less sleep than he maybe thought he did so that's a good thing, he's also learned that when you get a reputation for 'being good with computers and things' you get a lot of extra work from shinki who had very little idea how they worked at all.

He's glad that his ability in practical things seems to be enough for them to forgive his lower ability in other matters. He can't know why but it's clear to him there are odd gaps in any education he may have had in life. Which is why he is currently frowning at a sheaf of papers and stubbornly refusing to use a dictionary because he's not a child and he should be able to read these kanji.

Ginia's interruption is welcomed. His eyes pick up the signs quickly. "I'd be happy to Ginia. Do you have a list of traditions already for us to adapt or are we starting at the beginning?"

There's a sigh of relief and a tired smile as Ginia grabs a seat from one of the empty desks nearby. "You're the best." She slides her briefcase off her shoulder and pulls out a folder. Inside are printouts about Ebisu's shrine and Shinto traditions.

"There are some regular traditions at his shrines as well as broader traditions. The main part of the festival is the parade of his shrine around Kyoto. I thought maybe there was a way to highlight some of the regular traditions or make them special for that day. Or maybe some kind of food or charm people could buy?"

As she grabbed a chair Suzaku quickly cleared his desk so she could spread out everything from her folder. He looked over the information, both about Shinto itself and the traditions more specific to Ebisu's shrine.

"The easiest thing to highlight might be the lucky bamboo, if they made charms specifically for this festival to hang off them it would make it special for the day as well as holding to what seems to be one of the more famous traditions."

There are probably other things, he keeps reading a little more carefully now, looking for other things that could be adapted.

The lucky bamboo also stood out to Ginia as one of the signature good luck charms of Ebisu's Kyoto shrine. She writes down the suggestion on a notepad, pen tapping the paper as she thinks.

"I'll have to see if there's enough time to create new charms for the event. It would be easier if it was something printed or maybe written? Something written on the bamboo?" her signs are a mix of mulling over ideas and looking for Suzaku's input. Knowing with how much time is left, she doesn't want to accidentally put more prayers on everyone.

Though really, there will be prayers until the event is over.

"If you were buying the lucky bamboo, would you prefer a special charm tied to it or something written on the bamboo itself?"

"I'm not sure." He thinks a moment, trying to put himself in the position of a worshipper. He's not too sure what people would want, what they find important when they pray or visit shrines for festivals.

"I suppose a charm would last longer, even after the bamboo died. So it could be a keepsake. But we don't want to give people too much extra work."

Especially if they didn't have that much time.

"Maybe there's something they already have we can repurpose..."

Ginia's fingertips tap against each other as she looks for inspiration. Something paper-based would be the easiest, maybe something made on the spot too. It does put some work on the people working at the shrine, but some things at the shrine are on request anyway, like the stamps and calligraphy.

That's it. Ginia snaps her fingers.

"Maybe an ofuda written that day as a special charm? It wouldn't be too different from calligraphy requests and wouldn't need too much prep."

Something... Suzaku looked back at the papers, hoping that something would spring out at him. Something that wouldn't cause too much extra work for already overworked temple staff.

He looked up as Ginia snapped her fingers, to follow her signing again.

"That's a good idea. It should be relatively easy to fit in with the other tasks, even if they need a couple of extra people doing the calligraphy and ofuda."

"It doesn't have to be too much writing either." A few characters, a thoughtful reflection. Ginia writes the idea down as something to consider. "I'll have to see if the others have ideas on what it can say. Let's keep looking through, I want a few ideas in case one doesn't work."

Though attaching a special charm that day to the lucky bamboo is a pretty solid idea. If that's what they implement, she'll definitely bring one back for him.

She's quiet for a bit as she looks through resources on her phone, waving when she has another idea.

"How about something with the lucky coin toss? Maybe a special token people can buy to keep or throw for good luck?"

Suzaku nodded and went back to reading, it was probably best left to people who knew more about religion, ofuda and luck to know what to write on charms for the festival.

He looked up when she waved and nodded at her idea. "That's a good idea, perhaps you could buy paired tokens, one to throw for good luck and one to keep as a momentum?" It would also make it more likely people would buy them rather than just tossing a regular coin.

"Again I'm concerned about the tokens meaning more work for them but perhaps the temple already has something similar they could use."

"Paired coins are a great idea." This is why brainstorming with others is great. It's an idea she wouldn't have come to on her own.

"I'll have to see what's around. Maybe there's an artisan in Kyoto that can take a rush job. Perhaps it's even a limited amount as a test this year." It doesn't have to be anything too distinctive. Even wood coins with something printed or written on it would work. Whatever is collected in the rake could be used for next year too.

"I wish the prayer came in sooner."

"Wooden coins would work." They technically didn't even need to be coin shaped if they were tokens so woodcuts could work at a push.

"I guess they thought they could handle it themselves and then prayed once they realised they were overwhelmed."

"I was thinking that. Quick to make and easy to modify. Hopefully it won't cause a flood of people throwing wood coins or other things outside of the festival." That could be a problem, but they can deal with it if it arises. Ginia jots down a note, pen tapping against the table.

"That's how it always is. Can't blame anyone though. It's a big day with a lot of moving parts. Going to visit it?"

"I might do, Lord Saber and Edge will probably enjoy it." Alright Saber would enjoy it, Edge would grumble about having to baby sit them but probably enjoy himself.

"I am sure it will all go well, especially with you helping to organise things."

If they enjoyed the festival back in March, they should enjoy this one. Especially since there won't be any masked ayakashi. Ginia is utterly determined the cultist don't ruin this festival too. On the other hand, regular ayakashi will probably be a problem to deal with, but it's nothing a few borderlines (and maybe a few rending pairs) can't handle.

"I'm just one among many doing my best to help. Once the festival is underway, it'll actually be in the hands of the human volunteers. We're there to support as needed and keep borderlines up during the parade."

"Of course." He nodded at her with a smile. "I am happy to help with borderlines as well." He wouldn't want to see all of this work undone because of a few stray, or purposeful, ayakashi.

There's been too many incidents lately, but Suzaku hopes that with everything that has been discovered they will be able to draw the rest of the cult out and end things soon.

Ginia smiles a little, remembering once how quick she was to volunteer to help at one of Ebisu's festivals without even knowing them well. They can use all the help they can get, but Suzaku is focused and studious.

"Not going to say no to help, but you have to enjoy the festival some too."

"Of course." He was sure he would be dragged around the festival regardless, especially if Saber was there. He would want to see everything after all.

"I doubt I'll have a choice in that." He's smiling though, his voice is fond.

A shinki can build a foundation on a lot of things, but a steady temple goes a long way. She's happy things are working for Suzaku. He deserves a happy afterlife and someone he can count on but also won't take advantage of him.

New charms for the lucky bamboo, paired coins for the lucky coin toss, these are definitely options to work with given the time they have.

"This has been a lot of help, thank you. Any other suggestions before I run off?"

"You're welcome." He shook his head, "I will text you if I think of anything else, if you need anymore help please let me know."

He was happy to help, he just hopes everything runs smoothly.

"Sounds great. Hold onto the folder. I'll make sure you get a bonus on your next paycheck too."

Consider it payment for use of ideas or something like that. Or a 'thanks for saving my ass' bonus. Time there's not enough of but money they certainly have no shortage of.

"Oh. Thank you Ginia." That was very kind of her and he feels a little awkward about accepting. But it is the point of him working here, to earn more money for his temple. Since it is sort of his fault that Saber has discovered Internet shopping...

"I will see you soon."

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