[Day 4, Late Morning- Yukari's Room] Open Door Policy (Open-ish)

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari had seen the weather- had been out in it!


And now she was keenly aware of those who were living in tents and their dire straits.

So she pointedly moved all of her things to one side of her room, strung a line across the room and hung various kimono over it, then slid the door open, and let Toshi know that she could take in someone who needs to get a real roof over them when the storm hit.

Of course, that means no sneaking out this evening if anyone takes me up on it, but...

[Doji Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko with her basket of fresh flowers knocked on the frame. "May I come in Yukari san?"

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari glanced up from her various bits of housekeeping and smiled.

"Of course, Hantsuko-san! It's good to see you under less..."

Tree-killing

"... work-related circumstances."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"I was wondering if you would like to help me make a flower arrangement as a tribute for Osano-Wo. I know the coming storm and well I thought my gift would help appease it." She smiled.

[Shiba Yukari]

"I can think of no better use of my time, Hanatsuko-san. What did you have in mind?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"A wreath with these..." She had some branches and some of the flowers she picked up earlier. Many of them wild flowers, chamomile, hydrangeas, lillies and even a camellia. "Do you think Osano-Wo would forgive us?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"He's descended from the line of Hida-no-Kami- I doubt he'd call off his demonstration. But he might be persuaded to soften it..."

She tapped her chin.

"And it'll be ready before the votive statue I have in mind, that much is certain."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"But Lady Doji always had her way to appease people." The Doji smile. "My training with the Kakita is quite the charm."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Then perhaps we'd best get started."

Yukari smiled and gestured to the cleared off half of the room.

"We even have a good workspace, for the time being."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"So it seems..." She moved and placed her things on the table and sat on the floor. "You seemed upset and I understand why." She started to organize her things. "I hope your prayers help them understand."

[Shiba Yukari]

"It goes beyond... well. I grasp that some sort of harvest of the local trees is inevitable, but... it was also needless. At least today."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"People wish to prepare for the looming storm, Yukari san. I should be upset with the people here as well but I understand that they may be desperate to finish things before we get hit. To have more fire wood or to sturdy up some of the buildings." Hana started to weave the branches into a circle to make a wreath. "I understand why the forest is angry at us... it is part of life."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Driftwood would have been appropriate to honor Isora and Suitengu, and would have given us at least one more day to get a feel for the forest, but too late now. I've also got to try to come up with a ritual to thank and honor the salamanders..."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Are you sure?" She continued her motions. "Daidoji san seemed that had started to cut a tree before Kyo sama asked for." Her voice was leveled yet had a bit of sadness and disappointment on the part of the Daidoji. "We are eager to explore deeper into the forest but everything in its time." Hana looked at the Shiba and nodded. "It is not just wood for the shrines... keep that in mind. There are other needs in the small town we have going here. Fire wood need to dry first... and it has to be prepared to be able to build new things... it is a matter of time." The Doji resumed her work. "Time that may not be."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Yes, well, who knows, may Osano-Wo will scatter all the buildings around like kawaru coins, and we'll have to start over using their timbers..."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"That is why it is better to protect them using less resources than what would be needed if we were to build them anew." The Doji sighed. "The heimin worked hard for their homes if they were to be destroyed then they would be busy doing that instead of aiding in construction of the shrines and perhaps the farm."

[Shiba Yukari]

"True. And I need to recall that their lives are harder, and force a less.... spiritual perspective upon them."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Yes..." The Doji had finished the wreath part now to decorate. "That may be best. Think about how we can work together to make a spectacular garden rather than other things." She nodded. "Moto sama would like some berries and perhaps we can make two gardens instead of one. I like the idea of a vegetable garden and flower garden. What do you think?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"I was thinking along the lines of beginning with a vegetable garden, but sneaking as many flowering varieities in as possible."

The Phoenix smiled.

"I've broadly resigned myself to the idea that anything purely ornamental is going to be a personal project, at least to start."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Well... tea flowers could be snuck in." The Doji giggled. "There are also the edible ones." She would note that the arrangement of the flowers bring peace to a storming heart. "Those round fruits flowers... look pretty as well."