+ 1 god of wind

[god_of_wind]

[[ooc: Enjoy the new location! The monks are NPC's and characters can visit the tea house and enjoy the gardens whenever they wish, even when Fujin isn't in residence. :) Fujin's Navigation post with his info is here!]]


The nexus had been under the curious gaze of the wind god of Earthrealm for a while now, but it was only in recent days that he decided to show himself. In the mysterious way that the Nexus had, the green space known as the park inexplicably had been expanded in a short amount of time; as a small verdant forest extended and the walking paths entered in meandering fashion.

One of these paths led to a walled tori gate, where one could enter and find the Henka no Kaze tea house; a place sanctioned by the wind god himself. Surrounded by maintained Japanese gardens, someone could lose themselves to the beauty of nature in this place; listening to the whisper of leaves and the tinkling of wind chimes and the trickle of water fountains. It was easy to forget that within walking distance, the rest of Nexus Crossings sprawled. The autumn colors were starting to show themselves, which only added to the quiet beauty of the space. Curious people that came through here would be greeted by kind robed monks and invited to enjoy some tea at the tea house.

Fujin himself was on the grounds today, not hard to spot with his height and long silver white hair in a braid and bright glowing eyes. For anyone visiting and sensitive to energies - Fujin was the physical manifestation of potent elemental energy native to the natural world. Unlike the monks who wore robes of muted colors, Fujin wore an elaborate layered sleeveless tunic and trousers with a wide belt that appeared to be east Asian in origin and decorated with tooled leather in cloud-like shapes. A glowing mark on his upper left arm lined his skin. Even during periods where he wasn’t immediately seen - patrons at the tea house would be rewarded by the relaxing sounds of the shakuhachi flute; marking Fujin’s place out in the gardens.

Currently, the wind god moved along the tables on near silent feet, bending now and again to speak to people or even kneeling among them with a tray to serve their tea. His manner was soft spoken, relaxed and kind; quick to smile as he spoke to guests and his presence brought with it the fresh scent of mountain breezes and pine. No task was too humble for him. He had even been spotted earlier sweeping the path of flat stones leading up to the tea house.

At one point, as he knelt at a table to pour some tea into some cups, he smiled a little; expression almost wistful in his striking glowing gaze.

“Everyone must rest at some point. Even warriors. What relaxes you and gives you peace?”

Comments

[itmeanstruth]

“Come on, Isamu. You’ve been working and studying for way too long, it is high time you took a break!” Minoru nudged his brother forward. “What does Papa always say? The answers you need might be right in front of you, but it takes a rested mind to see them there.”

Isamu groaned, but only because he knew Minoru was right.

“As much as I would like to argue that my papers will not write themselves in my absence, you are right. As is Papa.“ he admitted as they stepped onto the teahouse grounds. “And this... wow...”

“I know, right?” Minoru looked back at the Tori gate. “Like visiting Grandma Mikoto, isn’t it.”

“Is that a shakuhachi flute?”

Minoru shrugged.

“It is strikingly beautiful.”

“Yeah...” he smiled, stopping to listen to that, in addition to the tinkling of the wind chimes. This place was very peaceful indeed. He drew a derp breath, taking it all in before catching up to his brother, already asking for a table for two in polite Japanese. Minoru quickly slipped off his shoes.

[god_of_wind]

One of the monks were seating the two brothers at one of the low tables when Fujin entered the tea house. He had been enjoying the gardens outside and playing his shakuhachi; which was now secured to his belt. Even the wind god switched out his shoes before he entered, and approached the newcomers with a small smile.

"Welcome to Henka no Kaze." He greeted in Japanese. Their voices had been on the wind and he had recognized the familiar language. "Please, relax and enjoy some tea." If there was any they wished to try, he'd make and serve it personally.

[itmeanstruth]

The twins sat in seiza on the tatami, comfortably looking over the menu as well as taking in the atmosphere. It really did remind them of traveling to Japan during the summers, and even of their parents’ house in the States.

They spoke to each other in a mix of English and Japanese, but when greeted by the host, replied in kind.

It was Isamu who noticed the shakuhachi in his belt. “Were you playing the music we heard earlier? It is quite a rarity to hear it played, and played so beautifully.”

Minoru nodded with a smile. “Everything here brings back a lot of good memories.”

There were so many varieties of green tea to choose from. Over time, they would probably come to enjoy them all. But for their first visit, they picked purely based on nostalgia.

Minoru ordered a cup of tamaryokucha. The tangy, berry-like taste made it a mild choice as far as green tea was concerned, but that’s what he liked. Isamu, on the other hand, ordered a cup of konacha, a byproduct brew far better known for its bitterness.

[god_of_wind]

Fujin smiled and nodded his head. "Yes. I find it very meditative." He answered in regards to the shakuhachi. "It pleases me to know that you both enjoyed the music and that this place brings good memories for you both."

At their pick of tea, the wind god rested a hand over fist and nodded. "I will prepare it for you personally." He said, before moving away to do just that. He moved with the inherent grace of a warrior, but also appeared to be quite comfortable in this setting. The energy of his presence brought a refreshed feel to the air. Like a brisk mountain breeze. When the wind god returned a short while later, he was carrying a tray in his hands with the requested tea. Kneeling at their table, his long white braid swayed as he settled and proceeded to pour their drinks and serve them.

Fujin placed their cups before them with another small smile. "Considering that you are familiar with these teas and the shakuhachi, I take it you hail from Earthrealm?" He asked curiously. Though knowing the Nexus, it could be from any number of versions of Earth. "How long have you been in the Nexus?"

[itmeanstruth]

As the cups were placed before them, the twins took a moment to appreciate it with all their senses. This was no formal tea ceremony, of course, but it was a matter of politeness.

Isamu knew, just from the color alone that the tea had been expertly brewed. His tea was a vibrant green, while Minoru’s was almost yellow. The difference in color would speak to the differences in leaves, boiling time, water temperature - all of which produced a different taste.

“Earth, yeah, you could call it that.” Minoru smiled.

“We grew up in the United States, but nearly our entire extended family still lives in Japan.” Isamu added. “We moved to the Nexus several months ago after I completed my graduate programs, so I could apply for admission to the Institute for Research and Interdimensional Studies as I pursue my doctorate.”

Minoru chuckled warmly. “I go where he goes.”

Isamu was the man with a thousand plans, all of them (metaphorically and sometimes literally) detailed out and neatly organized in a three-ring binder. Minoru just tended to go with the flow.

“I’m working as an orderly in the hospital here.” He added. “I’m glad we moved. It’s a wonderful place!”

“60% of that response is based solely on the lack of restrictions the authorities here place on his parkour hobby.” Isamu nodded to Fujin.

“Not denying it.” He shrugged happily. “Freerunning is my thing.”

[god_of_wind]

Fujin smiled a little, seeing how the twins enjoyed their cups of tea before even sipping their drinks. He settled back into seiza so that he could comfortably converse, resting his hands on his knees as he looked between the two of them.

"I know of IRIS. What field do you study in?" Fujin asked curiously. He had been observing the Nexus long enough to know of the institute, though he wasn't involved with them personally. What caught his notice was the fact that not only was scientific studies worked on there, but magical as well. It amused the wind god to see the contrast in personalities between the brothers. He too shared differences with his own brother.

Fujin flashed a grin at the twin that mentioned freerunning. This fellow seemed pretty care free. "I too enjoy vigorous exercise." He admitted, glowing eyes brightening. "Though I haven't done much free running in the Nexus, I have flown over it several times." At a sudden realization, the wind god inclined his head slightly.

"You may call me Fujin. What is your names?"

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru flashed the wind god a glance that roughly translated to, ‘well, you asked.’

“Most of my research has been in biochemistry thus far, with leanings toward pharmacology. However, with the near-limitless wealth of knowledge inherent in this convergence of multiple worlds, I am not opposed to shifting my discipline as new data presents itself.”

“In other words, he’d never met a book he didn’t like.” Minoru laughed.

And it was Isamu’s turn to admit, “Not denying it.”

In between conversations, the brothers sampled their tea. Traditional politeness was clearly old habit, as they supported their cups while holding them.

“If you ever want to come running with me, you’re welcome to!” Minoru grinned. “I can’t fly, though. So you’ll have to show me how that works!”

Heaven forbid that be a teachable skill. The world (this one, their home world, any of them...) may never be the same.

“Oh!” Isamu realized roughly the same time as their host did. “Apologies. I am Uchiwa Isamu.”

“Uchiwa Minoru.” He smiled, sipping his tea. “Pleased to meet you, Fujin.”