The Matsu-Matsuri

Life, Organisation Association

As The White Blade of Hope: Date Masamune vanished from the arena, Aotsuki Tsukamoto breathed a sigh of relief. He was not to be afforded even a moment of peace, however, as his adviser Abe no Seimei hailed him on the mental network almost immediately after. She'd finished scouting a priestess for their new shrine to Ōkuninushi. Their most promising candidate was waiting on Aotsuki's pleasure back in Ōtsu Castle. Or, if he so wished, Seimei could take care of it herself.   There was some business going on with a mission to the Dreamlands (again?). Perhaps attending to this newcomer himself would give Aotsuki time to decide who he wanted to dispatch on that.

When he arrived at Ōtsu, Aotsuki received instructions from Seimei on which meeting room the priestess awaited him in. As he approached, something struck him as odd. Was that...music? When he reached the door, the sound abruptly stopped. Opening it, he beheld a woman with rabbit ears, a veiled face, and white robes sitting within.   She stood up and took a bow. It was a slow, languid thing. The woman's demeanor seemed to suggest, if not demand, that she would take things at her own pace now and forever. Introducing herself as Maboro Matsu, the priestess proclaimed that Aotsuki would find no one better to overlook a shrine to Ōkuninushi. Indeed! She would keep the celebration going as long as he liked. It was a shame that they hadn't met for his wedding.   Momentarily taken aback by the sheer force of the other's introduction, Aotsuki recovered manfully. He proceeded with the interview. Apparently, Matsu wanted to join because she missed a sense of community. She wanted to get to know her fellow worshipers, and what better way than through celebration? The priestess declared (with an accompanying magical light show) that every Friday would be a "Matsu-Matsuri" so long as she tended the shrine.   From what Aotsuki knew about Ōkuninushi, this woman certainly seemed genuine in her worship. Of course, there was one last thing to make her aware of. The shrine was still new. It wasn't particularly big or established yet. Matsu would have her work cut out for her in helping it to grow. Happily, that suited her just fine. Indeed, she seemed positively excited to be able to shape the site's growth to her own particular brand of worship.   It was settled, then. Maboro Matsu would become High Priestess of Honnō-ji, effective immediately.