#gray and shinto

[poorlydrawnpokepasta]

Yeah

[wingsoffirenames]

SkyWing Names - Letter A #1

Ablaze (Burning fiercely, or something brightly colored.) Accentor (A dull-colored Eurasian songbird) Accipiter (A genus of medium-sized forest-dwelling hawks that have short broad wings and a long tail.) Achondrite (A stony meteorite without rounded grains) Acorn (Fruit of the oak tree.) Actinolite (A fibrous mineral that can be pale green, yellow, blue and black.) Adret (The sun-facing side of a mountain.) Adularia (A white or colorless mineral often found in the alps) Aegolius (A genus of small owls) Aerial (Of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere.) Aerie (A large nest of a bird of prey, especially eagles, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.) Aerosol (Small particles suspended in the atmosphere.) Afterburn (A burning sensation.) Agate (A variety of chalcedony that comes in many colors, often with swirl or banded patterns throughout.) Aiguille (A sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock.) Airstream (A current of air.) Alabaster (A mineral often used for carving.) Alabio (An Indonesian duck breed.) Alate (To have wings or wing-like appendages.) Albite (A pale-colored, usually white, mineral.) Alder (A type of tree from the birch family with toothed leaves.) Alev (A Turkish name meaning 'flame'.) Alexornis (A prehistoric bird.) Algodonite (A copper arsenide mineral.) Alizarin (A red pigment.) Almandine (A type of garnet with a violet tint.) Alp (A high, rugged mountain that is often snowcapped.) Alpaca (A domesticated mammal related to the Llama and known for its wool.) Alpenglow (The rosy light of the setting or rising sun seen on high mountains.) Alpine (Relating to high mountains.) Altitude (The height of an object or point in relation to sea or ground level.) Alto or Altocumulus (A fleecy cloud formation that occurs at a medium altitude.) Altostratus (A fairly uniform mid-altitude layer of gray cloud.) Alunite (A white, gray, or reddish mineral that can be found in volcanic rocks.) Amaranth (A purple color.) Amaterasu (The Japanese Shinto goddess personifying the sun.) Amber (A hard and translucent fossilized resin, or a yellow/orange color.) Amblygonite (A pale yellow gem.) Amethyst (A violet or purple quartz gem or a violet color.) Ammolite (An opal-like gemstone made of the fossilized shells of ammonites.) Analcime (A white, gray or colorless mineral.) Anapaite (A green mineral.) Anatase (A rare gemstone that comes in many colors.) Andalusite (A gemstone that is typically brown, red or green.) Andes (A South American mountain range.) Andesine (A rare gem known for it's orange-red and red colors, but also comes in yellow, green, and blue.) Andesite (A gray lava rock with white and black speckling. The speckles are crystals such as feldspar or quartz.) Andradite (A kind of garnet that comes in many colors.) Angelite (A blue gemstone but can also be white, violet, colorless, or dark gray.)

[suguwu]

Bee i would LOVE to know more about your wedding day with Kita 🥺

did either of you cry? what was the ceremony like?? do you have pictures of your rings? ♥️

gray i'm so sorry that this is 1000 years late thank you so much for asking!!

we actually had two ceremonies within the same weekend (to the annoyance of everyone attending ksldjfksldjf i'm so sorry to our families)—one jewish ceremony and one shinto ceremony! we wanted to incorporate both of our cultures and family traditions.

i am not someone who has ever planned out my wedding/had wedding ideas other than getting married in winter (which we do in part because of kita's farm schedule). kita isn't picky as long as i'm happy.

i cried—i cry about everything anyway—and kita got verklempt, as we would say in my family. it took him a moment to be able to talk again hahaha. my seemingly-stoic but truly emotional man 💞

for rings, we kept them relatively simple! kita doesn't wear his to the fields and though i love jewelry, i rarely wear it. i'm also always afraid of losing expensive jewelry in particular.

the engagement ring was a vintage setting but kita got the stone from my father—it was taken from my mother's engagement ring. the wedding rings are a matching set!

altogether, the ceremonies aren't extravagant, but the party/reception after? that goes hard.

[vaseoflilies]

Elysian Fields Chapter 3: Low Key

warning: there is an emotional breakdown, descriptions of injury and body after a coma, and references to torture an: please check this out on AO3 as i have more information regarding this story on there

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Jun began by telling you about herself. 

She had a rather sad past, you thought. She had been an only child; her mother was unable to conceive another. This left her alone throughout her childhood. Her father, dissatisfied with not having a son, arranged for her to be married off at the tender age of fifteen to a high-ranking coworker of his.

Her husband was nothing short of abusive. A complete and utter waste of oxygen. Hearing that he was upset because she couldn’t conceive when she was only seventeen had your jaw clenching and your mind whirling with anger. How could someone do that to someone else? You didn’t understand.

She stopped talking about her past when she sensed your anger and decided to concentrate on what you were asking her.

“The Eternal Paradise Faith,” she began, shuffling through a few gray kimonos, “saved me in more ways than one, just like it saved you. I stumbled upon the building after running away from my husband a few years ago. Lord Douma saved me that winter night.”

You smiled softly. Both Dr. Isha and Jun held Lord Douma in high regard, which made you curious: who was he? “Tell me about Lord Douma,” you asked, allowing her to help you into the gray kimono. “He seems like a decent man. He did save me from a bear, after all.”

Looking at yourself in the mirror, you recalled what the other members were wearing. White. The cafeteria was mostly filled with white, like a flurry of snow. You remembered not liking waking up in such a dull color. Was gray any better? But still, did it really matter?

“He’s a man of action,” she chuckled, gathering various hygiene products. “He’s always on the move, leading worship, planning, and orchestrating activities. He’s also a great listener. If a God ever walked the earth, it would be him.”

Wow. 

You raised your eyebrow. With those words, the name “Eternal Paradise Faith” became much clearer. You didn’t consider yourself particularly religious, but based on the subtle decorations and mostly plain outfits of the regular members, you assumed it was some sort of Buddhist or Shinto philosophy.  You seemed to remember basic knowledge, at least.

As for your feelings about being here? You still felt a sense of unease, and fear continued to creep in, but it was significantly diminished. There was no doubt that you were grateful to be alive. When you saw the state of your leg without the bandage, your heart skipped a beat, and you could swear you felt the sharp sting of the initial wound. Whoever this Douma character was, you knew you needed to express your gratitude to him. After all, it wasn’t as if you planned to stay here indefinitely.

“I’ve been taking care of your hygiene regularly while you were unconscious, so if you need any assistance, please let me know and don’t feel embarrassed,” she said. Her words interrupted your train of thought. Just how much had she taken care of? The idea of her bathing you while you were unconscious made you feel somewhat guilty and uncomfortable, as it involved someone touching you in such a manner. “When you say maintaining hygiene, do you mean…”

“Yes.”

You purse your lips. No wonder she was so kind to you. She had been caring for you so intimately without really knowing whether you would live or die. “Thank you, Jun.”

She gazed at you, her eyes brimming with emotion, and she wrapped you in a gentle embrace. “I was terrified that you were going to die,” she confessed. You couldn’t help but admire her. The way she cared for someone was nothing short of brilliant. 

You were indebted. 

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After about an hour and a half of talking with Jun, eating a meal she brought, and getting more information about Paradise, you began to question if Lord Douma was ever arriving.

“If he’s not coming, I don’t see why I have to stay here,” you said, quickly eating the dango that she had sneakily fetched from a cart for you. “I could try walking or-”

“Please, be patient,” she interrupted, taking a piece of dango for herself and leaving you with a scowl. “Dr. Isha probably got busy. I’m sure he’ll arrive any second.” 

During your conversation, you learned a lot about Paradise. It was home to more than 200 followers, with some outsiders also working on the property. Jun informed you that the majority of followers worked here and contributed to the community in some way. The property included over a dozen buildings and had an intriguing layout. At the center of it all was a lake teeming with a diverse array of plant and animal life. And even better, just a few hundred feet, was a large hot spring that was modernized. 

It sounded so beautiful; it was almost too good to be true. There had to be some downside to all this.

“Do people usually stay here?” 

“Typically, yes. Unless they attain Eternal Paradise or are turned away,” Jun replied, absentmindedly playing with her empty dango stick. “No one really has the desire to leave. We’re safe here.”

Her words struck a chord with you. Why would anyone abandon such a sanctuary in the first place? No wonder no one wanted to leave. The basic necessities of life—food, clothing, and safety—were guaranteed here. But this place offered more than just the essentials. It promised salvation. It provided an environment to nurture a family. According to Jun, achieving Eternal Paradise was the pinnacle of achievement, and while members were chosen biweekly, it was the ultimate goal for everyone.

But what does it entail? What must you offer to remain in such a place? This was a cult, no doubt. Contemplating all of this, especially having just awakened from a coma, gives you a headache. 

“May we come in?” You hear from the shoji doors, noticing two moving shadows. Fucking, finally ! “We have brought gifts!” Another voice chimes in, a rather smooth male one. “I’m so, so sorry that we’re late!” 

Jun clasps her hands together, a smile gracing her face as she opens the doors for Dr. Isha and the man you assume to be Lord Douma.

Your jaw drops. 

You’ve never seen anyone so peculiar yet so striking. His hair, as white as snow, seems to defy gravity with its wild disarray. Sharp, angled spikes rise from his head in a chaotic symphony, framing his pale, rather cold-looking face quite handsomely. The hair around his head flares to the side, curving backwards, and a single lock slants down to the right side of his face, falling between his eyes. On the top of his head was a pointed black hat with golden stitching. You’ve seen people with strikingly different appearances before, but never anyone this flamboyant. 

His clothing tells a different story. 

It’s clear that his kimono is expensive. It’s a traditional red robe made from silk, as smooth as the calmest imaginable lake. He also wears a thick, black cape with two tresses patterned in purple and black that reach to his knees. The robe is adorned with two large symbols, each on his upper chest. His height is also impressive, towering over Jun, who is bowing to him, and Dr. Isha, who is greeting both of you.

You’d never seen a Japanese man look even remotely similar to Douma. 

No wonder Jun regards him as a God.

Douma greets Jun and moves closer to your hospital bed before settling into the small corner at the end. “I’m so sorry for the delay!” he exclaims, placing a basket brimming with various items beside him. He claps his hands together dramatically, his face adorned with a smile. “Please accept my apologies!”

You blink at him as he bows, his hands pressed together. This man is the leader? His behavior strikes you as rather childish. “It’s alright, I suppose,” you respond.

He ceases his bowing and straightens up. Your gaze drifts away from him, landing on the two women, who are sporting broad smiles. Dr. Isha’s face is flushed, and Jun appears no different. A twinge of annoyance prompts you to clench your jaw, and you shift your attention back to Douma.

His eyes capture your attention. This was the first time you’ve ever seen eyes quite like these and the longer you look at them, the more it feels like you’re swimming in a sea of rainbows. “Could we have some space, please?” he suddenly requests, his smile broadening as he addresses the two women. “I’d like to have a conversation with our guest, if that’s alright.”

Dr. Isha’s smile faded. The two women exchanged hesitant glances before sliding open the shoji door and exiting, closing it gently behind them.

He turned his gaze back to you, his smile giving way to a more sincere expression. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his eyebrows knitting together in a display of deep sympathy. “I cannot simply imagine the emotions and struggles you must be confronting right now.” His words were so soft, they were barely above a whisper.

“I’m thankful to be alive, so thank you.”

His lips curled upward into a gentle smile. “Dr. Isha told me you’re having trouble with your memory.” He began to rummage through the basket on the bed before picking up a few items. “These are a few items from the attack. Let me know if they jog your memory, okay?”

You nodded, your gaze falling on the first item. It was your haori. You had one that matched your brother, though his face was still a fuzzy memory. “Can I hold it?” you asked, already reaching out to take it.

He handed it over to you, and you began to inspect it. The haori, patterned with sunflowers, was in a pitiful state. It was ripped and torn in several places, and the fabric that was once carefully stitched was now marred with dried blood stains and dirt.

You looked up.

Douma was observing you intently as you clenched the fabric in your hands. You didn’t remember much, not really. Looking at the dirt reminded you of mud, but oddly enough, you couldn’t discern whether what you remembered was a dream or an actual memory. Everything seemed more blurred the longer you pondered.

“I remember mud,” you told him, setting the ripped haori down. “Dream or not a dream?”

“Not a dream.” He shook his head, picking up the haori and examining it himself. “It was raining. I don’t know why you were in the forest, but I’m thankful I was there. There was a bear larger than a station wagon that grabbed you and threw you down the mountainside."

You let out a soft tsk. “I was afraid,” you confessed to him, your voice cracking and your hands trembling slightly as you spoke. “Every time I woke up, fear was there, like an unwelcome guest. It’s still with me, this fear, and I don’t understand why.”

Douma, still fixated on you, remained silent. You didn’t think he blinked even once during your interaction. “Well then, tell me about yourself,” he suggested, rising from the bed and moving towards the kettle that Jun had placed earlier. “How does that sound? Let’s see if it jogs your memory, shall we?”

You clicked your tongue, feeling a headache coming on and your emotions running high. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” you countered.

He whipped his head back, his long platinum hair swishing against his waist. “Me?” He chuckled softly under his breath as he plugged the kettle into the wall. You were so thankful that this place had electricity. “Well, isn’t that interesting?” he mused, seemingly intrigued. 

You tilted your head, confused. “What’s interesting?”

He stands still for a moment, his interest piqued by the sound of the water heating up. “Hmm,” he murmurs, shifting his weight uneasily from one foot to the other. You can’t help but notice his discomfort, which in turn stirs a sense of nervousness within you. You wonder if your presence is causing him unease. Breaking the silence, he asks, “What is it that you wish to know?”

You shrugged. "Why do you help people the way you do?" You blurted out the question. You were not particularly good at talking to people, let alone asking them personal questions. But talking to Jun was different; it was simple. She preferred to do most of the talking. But now, talking to the man who saved you, you were extremely nervous. “It must be hard. How does that make you feel?” you added.

He let out a soft chuckle before finally turning to face you. Leaning against the wall, he responded, “I lead my people towards enlightenment.” He then crossed his arms, studying your reactions. “Knowing that my people are well-cared for and saved in this manner brings me great satisfaction.”

As the tea kettle began to boil, Douma shifted his attention towards it and poured a cup of tea for you. “Aren’t you going to have a cup?” you asked, observing the steam rising from the small porcelain cup he had placed by your bedside. “Jun brought it; it’s quite good.”

He walked over to the kettle and unplugged it before taking a seat at the edge of your bed. “Thank you, but I don’t eat or drink in front of others,” he said, crossing his legs with a slight hum.

You furrowed your eyebrows, finding him quite unusual. “Why?” you asked. Your love of food made the idea of not eating or drinking in front of others seem extremely strange to you. A part of you wanted to keep asking questions, but you could feel his unease. You felt indebted to him and figured the least you could do was avoid bothering him to the point of being asked to leave. “You don’t have to answer that,” you quickly added.

He sighed. “Don’t worry,” he said, shaking his head, dismissing your worry. “You’re so tense, it’s making me nervous just talking to you.”

You chuckled nervously, taking a sip of the tea and scalding your tongue in the process. “I’m sure you can understand why,” you managed to cough out, the hot liquid aggravating your already sore throat. “It’s not every day you wake up in a cult.”

“Is that what you think? That me and my people are a cult?”

Your eyes widened. Wasn’t his organization exactly that? In this era in Japan, cults weren’t necessarily a bad thing. Were they taboo? Yes. Did he seem to take it personally? Indeed, he did. You remained silent, only returning his gaze as your breathing quickened.

After a moment of intense staring, he broke the silence with a chuckle and a slap to his knee. “Relax!” He was now laughing heartily, his shoulders rising and falling with each burst of laughter. “I’m just surprised you came to that conclusion so quickly. You’re quite the sharp one, aren’t you?” He shook his head, and his face was rather serious. “But yes, we could be described as a cult. Nonetheless, my followers are happy to work towards Eternal Paradise.”

You visibly cringed.

Joining a cult was not on your bucket list. 

However, if joining a cult meant being fed, staying alive, and remaining safe until you could find a way back home (or remember where it even was), you were willing to make that compromise. As you set the tea back on the bedside table, survival was the only thing on your mind. Jun had assured you it was a safe place, and even though you hadn’t known her for long, you decided to trust her. The sight of people in the cafeteria, well-fed and clothed, some even with children, gave you some reassurance.

“Well, our conversation seems to have become rather tense,” he observed, rising from the bed to his full height. “Why don’t you try standing? I think a tour is in order.” He walked over to a closet in the corner of the room and pulled out two crutches. “Ah, these might come in handy, don’t you think?”

“What about the rest of the items?” You asked, glancing at the basket placed on the other side of the bed.

“I’m sure your nurse will be more than willing to assist you,” he said, moving closer to you on the bed and extending his free hand. “Here, let me help you.”

You studied his hand. 

It was even paler than his face, adorned with short, bluish nails that had a slight sheen. He was already pale, but his nails were so blue that you wondered if he was sick. With some hesitation, you accepted his hand, only to be taken aback by its icy touch. 

You gasped, both at the chill of his hand and the realization that you were now standing. As you wobbled slightly, your heart pounded in your chest. Instinctively, you reached up to touch his face, pressing your hands against his cheek and forehead and getting a grasp on how cold he really was.

“My God!” you exclaimed, unaware of the loudness of your voice. You let go of his hand, took a step back, picked up your hot teacup, and then took his hand again, pressing it against the cup. “You’re absolutely freezing! You really should drink some of this,” you insisted.

Douma’s eyes widened as you held his hand firmly against the warm cup. Could his pale skin and hair be signs of illness? “I think I remember something else,” you said, furrowing your eyebrows in deep thought, “Yes, I knew a few people who were ill as well.”

“Yes…” he trailed off, allowing you to touch his face with your warm hands. His gaze shifted slightly, avoiding direct eye contact. “I have a condition. A rather terrible disease. Not enough blood, you see?” His voice, unusually deep, faltered just a bit, adding an eeriness to the already tense atmosphere.

“Please, accept my apologies,” you murmured, your hands falling from his face as you shook your head, taking a step back. The past few hours have been a surreal experience for you. “Despite your own struggles, you saved me,” you began, your body bending in a deep bow, a symbol of your unwavering gratitude for the life he had saved. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Douma’s lips curled into a wide grin, a stark contrast to the somber mood, as he returned the cup to you. “Think nothing of it, Sunshine!” His voice was cheerful, a sudden shift that left you slightly unsettled. “Now, about that tour. If you’ll excuse me…”

He quickly walked over to the shoji doors, his feet making soft sounds on the floor. Upon opening them, he found Jun and Dr. Isha with their ears pressed against the door, clearly eavesdropping on your conversation. “Well, what a surprise!” he exclaimed, chuckling as he watched them stumble in surprise. “I must be going now. I trust you both will treat our guest with kindness, yes?”

“Please forgive us, Lord Douma,” Jun bowed, with Dr. Isha following suit. “We were just curious, that’s all.”

As Douma made his exit, he paused to whisper something in Dr. Isha’s ear. Then, he continued on his way, leaving you all in a state of surprise at his abrupt departure.

Then, the women entered the room.

Jun quickly moved to your side, gripping your upper arm to help you maintain balance as you stood. “Look at you!” she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face as you took tentative steps. “Isn’t she amazing? Even after an injury.”

Dr. Isha’s expression was hard to read, but a hint of anger was evident in her furrowed brows, causing wrinkles to form. “You must know something, girl,” she said, coming closer and supporting your other arm as you navigated the room. You paused when her grip tightened. “You seem too comfortable with the Lord Founder. What did you say to him? What made him leave the room so abruptly?” Her voice was almost a growl, her knuckles turning white as she held onto you.

“What on Earth are you talking about?” You hissed, rolling your shoulder in an attempt to get her off of you. “We just talked, that’s all.”

Finally, she released you, her expression still stern. “Do you want to know what he told me, Jun?” Her laughter was bitter, filled with sarcasm. “He said her room is in the Lotus Wing. What a joke!”

Your gaze shifted to Jun, whose eyes had widened in surprise. “The Lotus Wing?” She let out a disbelieving scoff, clearly taken aback. “That’s quite prestigious. You must have left a significant impression on Lord Douma.”

Confusion washed over you as you glanced between the two women. “…What is the Lotus Wing?”

Without acknowledging your question, Dr. Isha continued. “She’s been given the all-clear,” she declared, her hand waving dismissively in the air. “Jun, I’m entrusting her care to you. Ensure her needs are met, I’m sure it’ll be a rollercoaster. Good evening to both of you.” With that, she opened the doors and exited the room, leaving behind a resounding slam that echoed in the silence.

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Neither you nor Jun said anything as she tidied up the hospital room.

It wasn’t that you didn’t have anything to say, but rather, you were quite upset. Dr. Isha didn’t seem to like you at all, and you were starting to understand why.

You didn’t know the exact reason, but you guessed that her demotion from advisor was because of you. That’s why she didn’t like you. Maybe you were too casual with Lord Douma! Touching his face like that, what were you thinking? You had just met him, so why did it matter if he was cold? You should have just let him be and asked if he was alright.

You had a bad habit of getting involved with things you shouldn’t.

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Jun packed everything into a larger basket, leaving you to hold the smaller one that Douma had brought for you. You noticed she had brought a lot of soap, an oddly large amount. You decided to ask her about it later.

You were utterly ecstatic to finally leave the room you’d been confined in. With shaky hands, you slid open the doors, only to be met with another door. They certainly made it difficult to leave. You wondered just how much trouble you had caused. Upon opening the last door, you were greeted with the sounds of crickets and a beautiful garden.

“Wow,” you muttered, utterly astonished at the beauty of this place. “You weren’t kidding.”

Jun paused, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the moon. She inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp night air filled with the subtle scent of flowering bushes that dotted the garden. ““This isn’t even the main part,” she chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she watched your reaction. “You’ll enjoy the Lotus Wing. It circles a private pond.”

“Oh?” You tilted your head, intrigued. The idea of a private pond tucked away in the forest piqued your interest. You followed her as she started to walk at a leisurely pace, allowing you to fully absorb the surroundings. You looked up, noticing the towering trees adorned with blossoms. “Tell me more,” you requested.

She nodded, descending a small set of stairs. Extending her hand to you, you accepted it, and together you began to traverse a path on a hill. “Firstly, this is more of a private hospital wing. There are a few other facilities in that building,” she gestured in front of her. “See how the path diverges?”

You nodded, observing how the pea gravel path forked into two. One trail ascended while the other descended. “One leads to the main buildings, where the main lake is,” she said downhill, where a veil of mist obscured most of the landscape. “Up there, are the hot springs. That’s where the Lotus Wing is, along with a few other structures. The Lotus Wing is the most luxurious place to reside. I’ve only been there a few times, so I’m quite excited to be serving someone who lives there.”

You both began walking uphill, which quickly started to strain your leg. “How does Lord Douma manage this?” you asked, panting. Your coma had really taken a toll on you. “With his condition and all?”

Jun took the basket you were holding and placed it on top of hers. Balancing her basket on her hip, she linked arms with you to help you walk. “His condition?” She turned her head towards you, looking rather confused. “Ah, that. His Worship often rests. He isn’t typically seen during the day, and even then, we’ve all grown accustomed to his nocturnal schedule. The Gods have blessed him so much that it must be nature’s course to burden him with illness. Isn’t that sad?”

…Right. You thought back to how cold his hands were and how odd he seemed. He must be quite sick, you decided. “Anyway, how many people live in the Lotus Wing?”

She clicked her tongue as she thought about it. “Either eight or nine now that Dr. Isha got demoted.” You guys then reached a set of wooden stairs. “As nice as it is up the hill, it sure is a workout.”

“No kidding,” you gasped, placing your hands on your knees. “Eight or nine, huh? Are they more advisors? Doctors? Engineers?”

She nodded, patting your back as you caught your breath. “Something along those lines, yeah.” She then glanced around, as if checking if anyone was watching. “They’re not as harsh as Dr. Isha. Don’t tell her I said that.”

You chuckled. “Your secrets are safe with me, no worries.” The moonlight cast a beautiful glow on her blue kimono. “I’m assuming Douma also lives in the Lotus Wing?”

She winced at your words. “No. A bit past that,” she said, shaking her head. “However, you should address him more formally.”

“Why am I living there? Why did he put me there? I’m no advisor, I can’t even remember my hobbies or my own brother's face.”

“Hey,” she said in a soothing voice, rubbing your back once more. “It’s alright. He saved you personally, remember? I’m sure it’ll work out.”

You sighed. No choice but to push forward. “Alright.” You nodded, continuing your walk on the stairs.

After clearing the stairs, you found a short path leading to what looked like an enormous shrine. Bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, meticulously manicured Zen gardens flanked either side of the path, right where the rest of the stairs ended. Stone lanterns dotted the landscape, their orangish glow challenging the moonlight.

The shrine itself appeared ancient, with sweeping roofs and ornate carvings. It was quiet at the moment, but soft murmurs filled the air, along with the scent of incense. Without a doubt, you knew this was sacred ground.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?” she whispered, aware of the people in the Zen Garden and the few praying to a rather large statue of Douma. Freaky, you thought. “The Lotus Wing is past the shrine, but there are a lot of members right now, so be mindful.”

You nodded hesitantly as you followed Jun. The white-clad wearers watched you in silence as you ascended the stairs and passed the shrine building. On another gravel path, Jun stopped right under a large tree. Pointing, she murmured, “There it is. Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Pretty” was an understatement. You could only see the entrance to the building, but even then, the pink hue of the building, along with its white slanted tile roof, was breathtaking. Moving forward, you and Jun finally entered.

The floor was made of dark wood, but like the exterior of the house, it held a subtle pink hue, as if reflecting the blush of a lotus blossom. 

The furniture was a different story. Each piece, crafted from the same dark wood, was meticulously carved for its purpose. The furniture pieces, whether they were tables, chairs, or cabinets, all shared a small crest of a lotus itched in the middle.

Following Jun down the hallway, you noticed doors spaced generously apart, each illuminated by the warm glow of a yellow lantern. The light from the lanterns cast long, dancing shadows on the wooden floor as you walked and shone beautifully along the white walls.

Upon reaching the end of the hallway, a shoji door crested with a lotus, along with a neatly arranged place to remove and store your shoes. “This was Dr. Isha’s old room,” Jun said, slipping off her shoes with practiced ease. You followed suit, feeling the cool wood beneath your feet. “I assume this is where you’ll be staying,” she added, sliding the door open with gentle hands.

Your eyes widened with surprise.

Douma seemed to prefer Western-style beds, as evidenced by the ones in your room and at the hospital. Your bed had a large headboard made of intricately carved dark wood. A lotus crest was carved into the wood, its design the same throughout the Lotus Wing. A layer of bamboo on the same wall added a touch of nature, as did two nightstands placed near your bed. 

The room was floored with traditional tatami mats, their subtle fragrance filling the space. Despite the high ceilings, part of the room dipped into a cozy area furnished with a table and a few chairs. It looked like a small tearoom, complete with a small fire pit in the center. A long wire hung from the ceiling, holding an iron pot in the pit below. Beyond the tearoom, you could see closed shoji doors that certainly opened to reveal another space.

Never in your life have you seen a room this luxurious. 

With a sense of urgency and a flicker of excitement, you rushed to the shoji doors and slid them open. Your intuition was right. As the doors parted, you took in the imposing size of the walls separating each room. On either side of you, two large, dark walls shielded you from the view of the other rooms while also granting you a generous portion of the private pond that Jun had mentioned.

If you hadn’t been raised with manners, you might have stripped off your clothes and plunged straight into the inviting water. But then Jun’s sympathetic smile pulled you back to the harsh reality of your situation.

That’s right, you reminded yourself. 

You weren’t here on vacation or to celebrate some brazen achievement. You were here because you came dangerously close to meeting the reaper. The weight of that realization began to settle in, casting a pall over the beauty of your surroundings. 

The luxurious room, the private pond, the exquisite craftsmanship—all seemed to mock your predicament, serving as a somber reminder of the grim reason for your visit. Slowly but surely, the initial awe and excitement gave way to a creeping sense of despair. 

You lost a part of yourself.

A part of what made you, you. You would never be sure if you would remember what had happened to you or the important details of your life. You walked over to the bed and noticed that it was bare, but you still sat on the mattress. Your throat began to sting as your lip quivered with emotion.

You tried to take deep breaths, but all that came out were quick, shallow ones. Swiftly, Jun came to your side. “Deep breaths,” she advised. You focused on the sound of her voice as you began rolling up your kimono. Thank God, you thought, relieved that you hadn’t injured yourself walking here. “Why don’t we try making your bed, huh?”

You nodded, deciding to stand up and move to the tearoom. Tears began flowing freely, your chest heaving with sobs as your mind kept replaying the blurry faces of your loved ones. You were so unbelievably frustrated.

“I want to go home,” you cried, gripping the fabric of your kimono tightly. “I want to see my brother.”

Jun nodded empathetically, allowing you to voice your frustrations while she looked for sheets. “But I don’t even know where to begin looking,” you confessed. Pathetic whimpers escaped your lips as you stared at the clear water outside. The room grew rather cold. “My brother, he must be so scared. He was my twin, you know?”

Your face was blotchy red as she spread the pale pink sheets on the bed. You found yourself liking the pink theme. It was unique. “My brother was a difficult child, you see?” You hiccupped, and your crying subsided slightly as you began to recall faint memories of your childhood. “He was a horrible kid. Really. I was calm in comparison to him but..."

The sobs started again and grew louder. “He was too much. My parents sent him off to live with the village leader, but he refused to go because my parents didn’t want to send me.” This happened years ago; why did the pain feel so fresh? “So they abandoned both of us.”

Your crying became uncontrollable as you curled up on the tatami mat. “Shhhh.” Jun dropped the sheets and sat down next to you. “What you’re going through is extremely traumatic. Difficult, emotionally pressing memories will always take priority over more joyful ones.”

That didn’t comfort you. Were you going to be stuck living the rest of your life like this? Is your trauma resurfacing because of your injury? You couldn’t help but wonder. “Why don’t I go get another doctor?”

You nodded. 

If they knew something, anything, that could relieve the extreme distress you suddenly found yourself in, you would be grateful. You stood up, watching as Jun hurriedly made your bed before tucking you in. 

You fell asleep rather quickly.

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

You awoke sometime later, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows as it peeked in through your now closed outdoor shoji. You felt surprisingly well-rested, your body rejuvenated from the deep sleep. Stretching slightly, you took a moment to take in your surroundings. A meal had been quietly brought inside and laid upon the table in the tearoom, the dishes neatly arranged and waiting for you.

Just how long have you slept? The question lingered in your mind as you tried to piece together the events of the past day. The last thing you remembered was having an emotional outburst and Jun saying she was going to get the doctor. But now, Jun was nowhere to be seen. Looking around, you got up, your leg slightly sore from the unfamiliar bedding, only to jump back at the sight of a man sitting on a chair directly next to you.

“Jesus!” You yelled, your hand instinctively flying to your chest as your heart pounded against your ribcage. “Who are you?”

His eyes widened in surprise, and he began flapping his hands around, almost like he was trying to explain himself without talking. You watched him, confusion etched on your face, as he began to make noises.

“I, I, I-” His words were garbled, more like random noises than coherent speech. But you managed to catch the repeated ‘I’.

“I?” You echoed, your brow furrowing in confusion. “Why are you here?”

He shook his head, frustration evident in his features. Then, he opened his mouth and pointed at what little was left of his tongue. You gasped and instinctively moved closer to the man. “My goodness, your tongue!” You exclaimed, taken aback by the sight. His tongue had large chunks missing, but despite his condition, he seemed desperate to get you to understand him.

He then pointed at himself and gave a thumbs up, as if to reassure you that he was okay. You felt yourself relax. “I’m guessing Jun went to sleep?” He nodded in response. Then, you took notice of his attire. Just like Jun, the man was dressed in blue. Could he be a nurse, perhaps? “Why don’t we find some paper so you can write?”

He nodded, his long hair shaking with each vigorous nod. “Very well.” You got out of bed and began making it, but he dismissed you with a wave of his hand and took over the task himself. “I don’t think there’s any paper in this room, so why don’t we check the common room?”

He nodded in agreement as you excused yourself and headed to the bathroom. As you shut the door behind you, you were finally alone with your thoughts and your reflection. The bathroom was equipped with a closet, and a rather long mirror stretched across one wall, reflecting back an image of someone who seemed almost unrecognizable.

You were skinny.

Your mind flashed with a brief, haunting image of how you used to look, and a wave of nausea washed over you. You remembered a time when your body was strong and muscular, but now all that remained were frail arms that seemed pitifully weak. As you stripped out of your kimono, a gasp escaped your lips.

Scars, like a constellation of past battles, dotted your body. Some were fresh, while others were old and faded, their stories long forgotten. But what caught your attention the most were your hands. You remembered how they used to be—tough, calloused, bearing the evidence of hours and hours of hard labor. But for what? What kind of work had you done that had left your body scarred and your hands hardened?

Thinking about it was pointless.

It was just going to upset you.

So, you rummaged through the closet, dressed into a silken gray kimono that you were sure that Jun left behind, and got ready for the day. Meeting the man back in your room, he greeted you with a pithy smile and a bow.

“There’s no need to be so formal, sir,” you said, your hand cutting through the air in a dismissive gesture. His stiffness seemed out of place in the relaxed atmosphere of the room. “Shall we proceed?”

He turned his attention to the tea table, where a meal had been carefully arranged. Despite the enticing aroma wafting from the dishes, you didn’t feel the slightest bit hungry. At least, not yet. “Let’s find some paper for you and take a little walk, shall we?”

In response, he extended his arm towards you, making a silent offer of support. You accepted gratefully, your thoughts turning sour at the prospect of navigating those damn stairs. With a courteous nod, he opened the door for both of you, and you made your way towards the common area.

You began thinking about Douma as you opened the various cabinets and desks. Was he the one who sent you this man? What had happened to his mouth in the first place? It was rather unsettling.

Finding a sheet of parchment and a rather fancy fountain pen, you handed them to the man. “Why don’t you tell me your name?” He began writing. My name is Haji. 

You smiled at him. “Hello, Haji.” You quickly told him your name.

Jun and I will be taking turns, watching over you in shifts. Day and night, one of us will always be there,

Your condition, your situation, it’s been relayed to the doctors. They’re aware. Our leader, too, has been informed.

That was rather unsettling, you thought. You gave him a kind smile disregardless. He stilled for a moment, looking around, before he started writing again.

I was there with you that night.

His writing sent a chill down your spine. He was there? A flurry of questions swirled in your mind, each one more pressing than the last. How was he there? What did he see? What did he know? 

“How?”

The sudden opening of the building’s doors seemed to startle him. In a swift, almost reflexive motion, he crumbled up the paper. It happened so quickly, so unexpectedly, that you blinked in surprise. Before you could even react, he shoved the crumpled paper into his mouth, swallowing it as if it were nothing more than a piece of candy. The action was so bizarre and out of place that for a moment, you wondered if you were dreaming.

Two men, both clad in red, approached you and Haji. “Ah, our guest!” They bowed to you in unison, their faces lighting up with a warm welcome. Their gaze then shifted to Haji, their enthusiasm dimming noticeably. “And Haji.”

Haji gave you a silent, pleading look as you began conversing with the two men. You decided to keep his secret. What he had confided in you would remain confidential until you died. You couldn’t help but think that he might be more useful in uncovering the full extent of what had transpired compared to Douma.

You learned that the two men were also twins, fraternal ones, just like you and your brother. Their names were Kuro and Hachiro, and they were the architects who had designed the cult. However, their stay was brief, and they departed as quickly as they had arrived.

“There’s more to this place, isn’t there?”

He nodded.

Shit.

[wsjyuyuyuau]

Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Name: Yuji Itadori

Series: Jujutsu Kaisen

Gender: Male

Status: Alive

Family: Jin Itadori (Father), Kaori Itadori (Mother), and Wasuke Itadori (Grandpa)

Flower Motif: Purple Pansy (Viola tricolor hortensis)

Flower Meaning: Humility

Weapon of Choice: Ofuda Talismans

Associated With: Interdimensional Hero Club

Hero Form Appearance: An outfit that resembles the combat outfits of JJK but is mixed with YuYuYu’s Hero Form outfits. The outfit resembles that of a Shozoku (Shinto priest wear), but it’s more of a modern kind- with a top that has a short front and a long back, less baggy pants, and fitting sleeves, as well as white gloves to balance the colors out. The main colors are purple and dark blue, but they’re balanced out by red, gray, and white to make sure that they’re not overwhelming. The boots are more akin to short heeled ones, and the Pansy’s petal silhouette can be seen in the sleeves, collar, tailcoat, and the lower back of the top.

Full Bloom Gauge Location: Right Fist

Guardian: Tsuchigumo (Based on the Tsuchigumo)

Favorite Food: Ramen

Parallel To: Sonoko Nogi

Bio: Once an ordinary high school student, Yuji Itadori is swept up into the adventure of a lifetime when he encounters his friend Megumi and consumes the finger of Sukuna, the King of Curses, and becomes his vessel. Now, it’s up to Yuji to fight against his fate!

[uriekukistan]

this is easily the most angsty thing i have published to date...i was inspired by the greek myth orpheus & eurydice, and the shinto story of izanami & izanagi to write this and im so glad i did!

love was too strong a god. | Shiraurie | M/M | Angst | 1/1 | 2.0k

Warnings: Major Character Death (Canon Compliant), Grief/Mourning, Graphic Description of Corpses, Brief Mention of Throwing Up, Implied Self-Harm

The ride was choppy and water splashed up over the side of the boat. The water was acidic and it burned as it sank into Urie’s wounds. When they reached the far side of the river, Urie leapt out of the boat. As his feet touched the ground of the gray wasteland, a feeling of deep, deep sorrow came over him. He wanted to crumple to the ground and sob until his tears ran dry and his voice gave out, but he stood strong. Shirazu was here. He could feel it.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 2.25

Holidays

Armed Forces Day (Dominican Republic)

Big Bang Theory Day

Colt Revolver Day

Commedia dell’Arte Day

Coronado Day (Mexico)

Cuddle Day

Dag van de Revolutie (Day of Liberation and Innovation; Suriname)

Dance of the Secret Places

Day of Liberation and Innovation (Suriname)

Deinonychus Day

DNA Discovery Day

EDSA Revolution Day (Philippines)

Februaristaking (Netherlands)

George Harrison Day

Gray Day (Scotland)

High Five Day

Imam Ali Day (Iran)

International Cochlear Implant Day

Ireland Reads Day (Ireland)

Meher Baba Day

Memorial Day for the Victims of the Communist Dictatorships (Hungary)

National Banking Act Day

National Day (Kuwait)

National Don't Utter a Word Day

National Masturbation Day (Poland)

National Radio Day (Thailand)

National Reparations Awareness Day

Peace Memorial Holiday (Taiwan)

People Power Day (Anniversary of EDSA Revolution; Philippines)

Pistol Patent Day

Revolution Day (Suriname)

Russian Warship GFY Day

Quiet Day

Sister Wendy Day

Six-Shooter Day

16th Amendment Day (US)

Soviet Occupation Day (Georgia)

Time of the Old Woman begins (until March 4)

Tristan da Cunha (a.k.a. Queen’s Day, Saint Helena)

Women’s Day (Ukraine)

World Bookmark Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day

Let's All Eat Right Day

National Chocolate-Covered Nuts Day

National Clam Chowder Day

National Muffin Day

Tastykake Day

Nature Celebrations

Deinonychus Day

Italian Buckthorn Day (French Republic)

Musk Rose (Unpredictable Love; Korean Birth Flowers)

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Choiseul Province Day (Solomon Islands)

Flag Day (Bangladesh)

Kuwait (from UK, 1961)

Pigeon Island (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Texas Independence Day Celebration, Day 1 (of 2; Texas)

4th & Last Tuesday in February

Digital Learning Day [4th Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Target Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tater Tot Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tell the Truth Tuesday [4th Tuesday of Each Month]

Teriyaki Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Thai Tuesday [4th Tuesday of Each Month]

Transformation Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Trivia Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Two For Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

World Spay Day [Last Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning February 25 (4th Week of February)

International Energy Week (thru 2.27)

Festivals On or Beginning February 25, 2025

Ayyám-i-Há (Baha’i) [thru 2.28]

Cerknica Carnival (Cerknica, Slovenia) [thru 3.5]

IFMA Fundamentals Seminar (Chicago, Illinois]

Iowa Hawkeye Farm Show (Cedar Falls, Iowa) [thru 2.27]

Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism US)

Weekly Holidays beginning February 25 (4th Week)

Peace Corp Week [thru 3.2]

Telecommuter Appreciation Week [thru 3.2]

Feast Days

Æthelberht of Kent (1st Christian Anglo-Saxon King) [current date]

Anthony Burgess (Writerism)

Bd Robert of Arbrissel (Christian; Saint)

Burke Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Calixto Caravario (Christian; Saint)

Caesarius of Nazianzen, Physician of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás (Positivist; Blessed)

Dance of the Secret Places (Shamanism)

Day of Mut (Mother Goddess; Ancient Egypt)

Elizabeth Fedde (Lutheran Church)

Ethelbert of Kent (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Fflur (Celtic Book of Days)

Feast of the Blessed Regina Marriam of Vattalil (India)

Feast of Montu (Egyptian Falcon-Headed War God; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Feast of the Stinky Butts

Festival of Ptah (Ancient Egypt)

Gerland of Agrigento (Christian; Saint)

Hare Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Hermie (Muppetism)

Jacques Philippe Caresme (Artology)

John Roberts, writer and missionary (Christian; Saint)

Kitano Baika-sai (Plum Blossom Festival; Kyoto, Japan; Shinto)

Louis Versiglia (Christian; Saint)

Maria Adeodata Pisani (Positivist; Blessed)

Media Hiems I (Pagan)

Octopus Enjoyment Day (Pastafarian)

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Victornius and six companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Virgil (Positivist; Saint)

Walpurga (Christian; Saint; she was canonised on 5.1 c. 870 and Walpurgis Night is celebrated 4.30) [Crops]

Wendy Beckett (Christian; Sister) [Art]

Wenchang Wang Day (Chinese God of Literature)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 1 (Wu-Yin), Day 28 (Yi-Chou)

Day Pillar: Wood Ox

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Close Day (閉 Bi) [Inauspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Sean Astin (Entertainment)

Jim Backus (Entertainment)

’Sister’ Wendy Beckett (Art)

Anthony Burgess (Literature)

Enrico Caruso (Music)

Mary Coyle Chase (Literature)

Giuseppe De Nittis (Art)

George Harrison (Music)

Neil Jordan (Entertainment)

Tea Leoni (Entertainment)

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Art)

Ralph Stanley (Music)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [9 of 53]

Premieres

Baby Hold On, by Eddie Money (Song; 1978)

Belle Epoque (Film; 1994)

Be Up to Date (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1938)

Boat Builders (Mickey Mouse Disney Cartoon; 1938)

Bobby Bumps at the Dentist (Paramount-Bray Pictograph Cartoon; 1918)

Boom at the Top or Bullwinkle Loses His Head (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 259; 1964)

Boris Talks to Himself or Mockingbird Heel (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 260; 1964)

Born to Peck (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1952)

The Bourne Ultimatum, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1990)

Broom-Stick Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1956)

Camelot (TV Series; 2011)

The Carnival of the Animals, by Camille Saint-Saëns (Musical Suite; 1922)

The Cat Above and the Mouse Below (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1964)

Col. Heeza Liar, Detective (Paramount-Bray Pictograph Cartoon; 1917)

Count Screwloose and J.R. the Wonder Dog (MGM Cartoon; 1939)

DC Showcase: The Phantom Stranger (WB MM Cartoon; 2020)

Dedicated to the One I Love, by the Mamas and the Papas (Song; 1967)

Drive Angry (Film; 2011)

The Emerald Isle (Famous/Fleischer Screen Song Cartoon; 1949)

Gold Rush Daze (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Hall Pass (Film; 2011)

Henry IV, Part 1, by William Shakespeare (Play; 1598)

Hudson River Tunnel (Highway Tunnel; 1908)

Hullaba-Lulu (Little Lulu Cartoon; 1944)

A Hunger Strike (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1928)

In the Name of the Father (Film; 1993)

I Taw a Putty Tat (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade; 1955)

Jitterbug Follies (MGM Cartoon; 1939)

Ko-Ko the Barber (Fleischer Out of the Inkwell Cartoon; 1925)

Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse Discuss the Letter G (Hearst-Vitagraph News Pictorial Cartoon; 1916)

The Lady Eve (Film; 1941)

Little Earthquakes, by Tori Amos (Album; 1992)

The Lumberjack (Oswald the lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

Modern Times (Film; 1936)

The Mouse on 57th Street (WB MM Cartoon; 1961)

On the Beach, by Nevil Shute (Novel; 1957)

Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip, by TLC (Album; 1992)

The Passion of the Christ (Film; 2004)

Penny Lane, by The Beatles (Song; 1967)

Phoney Booths, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S3, Eps. 37 & 38; 1967)

Physical Graffiti , by Led Zeppelin (Album; 1975)

Please Please Me, by The Beatles (US Song; 1963)

Point Rationing of Foods (War Office of Information Cartoon; 1943)

Reindeer Games (Film; 2000)

Robin Rodenthood (Herman & Katnip Cartoon; 1955)

Rubber Duckie, sung by Ernie (Song; 1970)

Slap Shot (Film; 1977)

Soldiers' Pay, by William Faulkner (Novel; 1926)

Songs from the Big Chair, by Tears for Fears (Album; 1985)

Strawberry Fields, by The Beatles (Song; 1967)

Superman: Red Son (WB Animated Film; 2020)

Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle, by Carl Jung (Science Book; 1952)

The Tears of an Onion (Fleischer Color Classic Cartoon; 1938)

Ten Summoner’s Tales, by Sting (Album; 1993)

Terror Island (Animated TV Show; Jonny Quest #24; 1965)

That’ll Be the Day, recorded by Buddy Holly (Song; 1957)

Toby the Milkman (Toby the Pup RKO Cartoon; 1931)

Toys in the Attic, by Lillian Hellman (Play; 1960)

The Treasure Runt (Scrappy Cartoon; 1932)

U.S. Steel (Company incorporated; 1901)

Vikings: Valhalla (TV Series; 2022)

Wonder Boys (Film; 2000)

Wonderful Town, by Betty Comden, Adolph Green & Leonard Bernstein (Musical Play; 1953)

Wooden Shoes (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1933)

Yes Minister (UK TV Series; 1980)

Your Show of Shows (TV Series; 1950)

Today’s Name Days

Walburga (Austria)

Berislav, Hrvoje, Nestorije (Croatia)

Liliana (Czech Republic)

Victorinus (Denmark)

Tormi, Tuule, Tuuli, Tuulike (Estonia)

Tuija, Tuire, Vanessa (Finland)

Roméo (France)

Edeltraud, Walburga (Germany)

Riginos, Tarasios, Tarsi (Greece)

Mátyás (Hungary)

Cesario, Costanza, Vittorino (Italy)

Alma, Grants, Zalga (Latvia)

Margiris, Rasa, Regimantas, Viktoras (Lithuania)

Viktor, Viktoria (Norway)

Bolebor, Cezary, Konstancjusz, Maciej, Małgorzata, Modest, Nicefor (Poland)

Tarasie (Romania)

Frederik (Slovakia)

Donato, Valerio (Spain)

Sigvard, Sivert (Sweden)

Artema, Artemis, Welden, Weldon (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Billy Day

National Jessica Day

National Kathy Day

National Nicholas Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 56 of 2025; 309 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 2 of Week 9 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Wu-Yin), Day 28 (Yi-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 18 Amshir 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Pine (Feb 19-28) [Day 7 of 10]

Hebrew: 27 Shevat 5785

Islamic: 26 Sha’ban 1446

Julian: 12 February 2025

Moon: 7%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 28 Homer (2nd Month) [Virgil)

Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 67 of 90)

SUn Calendar: 26 Gray; Foursday [26 of 30]

Week: 4th Week of February

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 7 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 13 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 4 of 27)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 9 of 23)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 10 of 24)

[sonofstorms]

hugo song is a thirty-six year old half-god from busan, south korea and is the son of raijin, the shinto god of lightning, thunder, and storms. he’s been at camp since he was twenty-six years old and is a little skeptical about being in the ark. hugo is a firm, studious, and active kind of fellow. only time will tell what will happen to one of our intrepid heroes !

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒

𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄.    hugo song 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐒.     jaenan 𝐀𝐆𝐄.     36 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 & 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐒.     cis male & he / him 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.     gray-ace gray-romantic 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒.     half god ( son of raijin )  𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.     previously a professional criminal, half god 

𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑.     black 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒.     brown 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.     5'9 / 175 cm 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃.     lean 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒.     missing pointer finger on his left hand, missing ring finger on his right hand. various on torso, arms and thighs from combat during mortal life. 𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐒.     a complete irezumi tattoo, inked across his back and rear, cuffed above elbows and knees. dedication to raijin and the shinto pantheon. 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒.     none 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌.    steven yeun

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓.     lawful good 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐒.     firm, studious, and active 𝐍𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐒.   stubborn, vindictive, and temperamental (at the worst times) 𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒.    reading/studying (history), traveling (temples especially), photography, martial arts (various), archery/kyūdō, kendo, weaponry, hiking and working out, meditating, gachapon, cars, cooking INSPIRATION. yami no matsuei/descendents of darkness gods, miles upshur from outlast, balance of peace and chaos, sharp suit hiding ink, temples on stormy nights, dried blood and polished steel

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃

𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋.     reserved, but prepared to support or act 𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋.     enhanced condition to being a demigod, minor handicap due to his recent injury 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐒.     romance and loss 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.     20/20 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃.     right 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐆 𝐔𝐒𝐄.     rarely 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐎𝐋 𝐔𝐒𝐄.     rarely 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐓.     relatively clean, but will spoil for something greasy so often

𝐁IOGRAPHY

Life was always quite noisy for Hugo growing up. The packed city, angry household, and every outlet available fed a sort of chaos. Had he known anything different, he might have felt near suffocated. Instead, Hugo followed the pace of the world spread out before him. The family who found him. Who made him.

Jaenan. The calamity. His very nature seemed to mirror their chaotic reality. Contained by leaders of various levels and their orders. The boundary of one island to the next. The first time he left home was when that sound quieted, just for one night, and he would forever chase that feeling.

It would cost him. Bloodshed, darkness, and so much death, all building to one great roar. Maddening, ear splitting, wrenching. Till it all just stopped. Once an orphan, now home. Among the Shinto pantheon. Life here wasn't perfect, but Hugo knew violence. War. Family. He could do the same here, but at long last on his own terms. At his own pace. Without time and foolish leaders dragging him by a short leash. For their own ends.

Hugo committed, immediately, to the cause. The Shinto. His father, a true calamity, a force, but a misunderstood one. There was much to prove, to control and learn, but he found more of himself in every challenge. Even the ones that hurt; a cut to himself or the loss of a brother.

The Shinto cause was his own, until relationships began to be built between other pantheons. Hugo remained loyal, but recalled his want for change so long ago. He knew well enough not to fear it. To listen. To try. If only to learn more of this world that remained far better than that he'd left. Even with the sacrifices.

Hugo carried his own interests, but offered all of himself to the ark project. Build a home for themselves to break tradition and find a new way. To fight. To live. Only after Sugaru's interjection was the last six months of progress all but abandoned. His wild action led to the worst consequence as he became the god hunter's captive.

Tortured, mutilated, it was Forest and company who ended his war. Returned Hugo to freedom. The fighter reflects on his entire life now, rather than the future. Neither nature or knowledge could carry him that far. After ten years, he really thought he would be the victor. So righteous. He fears that this wont be the last time he learns such a terrible lesson.

[tenjin-no-shinja]

Tag Page

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Shinto Tags

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My Poetry (Waka and other poems I've written as devotional pieces to Tenjin-sama)

My Artwork (pictures and drawings related to Shinto that I've done)

Kamidana Photos (Pictures, videos and info posts related to my kamidana, or kamidana in general)

Shrines (pictures, videos, information about Shinto shrines)

Goshuin (pictures related to the collectable stamps at Shrines and Temples)

Tarot Days (Shinto Kami & Japanese Mythology Oracle Card Decks & Tarot Deck)

Books

English Books

Shinto Meditations for Revering the Earth, by Stuart D.B. Picken

A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine, by John K. Nelson

A New History of Shinto, by John Breen and Mark Teeuwen

Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion, by Joseph Cali & John Dougi

The Kojiki, the Phillipi Translation

Shinto: Discovery of the Divine in Japanese Art by Sinéad Vilbar & Kevin Gray Carr (More of an Artbook with some articles inside)

English-Japanese A Visual Guide to Shinto by Yamaguchi Satoshi

English-Japanese Shinto from an International Perspective by Yamaguchi Satoshi

Handy Bilingual Reference for Kami and Jinja (日英対照神社関係用語集) by Study Group of Shinto Culture (神道文化研究会)

Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers, by Anne Llewellyn Evans

Women in Japanese Religions; by Barbara R. Ambros

Japanese Books

参拝したくなる! 日本の神様と神社の教科書 by 渋谷申博 (You'll Want to Visit! A Textbook of Japanese Kami and Shrines, by Shibuya Shuhaku)

古事記のものがたり by 小林晴明 (Stories from the Kojiki, by Haruhaki Kobayashi)

神社語辞典 by 本村のり子 (Dictionary of Shrine Words, by Noriko Motomura)

日本の神様解剖図鑑 by 平藤喜久子 (An Illustrated Analysis of Japanese Kami by Kikuo Hirafuji)

全部わかる神社ガイド by 岸川雅範監修 (A Comprehensive Guide to Shinto Shrines by Masanori Kishikawa)

コレクション日本歌人選０４３：菅原道真 by 佐藤信一 (Collected Works of Japanese Poets 043: Sugawara no Michizane by Satō Shin'ichi)

天神信仰の成立：日本における古代から中世への移行 by 河音能平 (The Establishment of the Tenjin Belief: Transition from Ancient Times to the Middle Ages in Japan by Kawane Yoshiyasu)

[yuriko-mukami]

Yuriko's Relatives

The Kozimas are Yuriko’s (second) cousins. Toshi and Toru live in Kaminashi City, and Touko is living in Kyoto with her husband.

Note: These characters aren't open for roleplaying, but some of them might make their debut on Her Calamity.

Toshi

Name: Kozima Toshi

Age: 28

Birthday: October 23rd

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Gay (doesn't admit it)

Race: Kitsune (Zenko)

Nationality: Japanese

Current City: Kaminashi City

Job: Priest of an Inari Shinto shrine

Height: 183 cm

Hair color: White-gray

Eyes color: Amber-yellow

Fox form: White-red fur, two tails

Likings: Shamisen and koto music, beer, matcha, peace and quiet

Hobbies: Reading, hanging around, visiting historical scenes, and studying Zenko history

Toru

Name: Kozima Toru

Age: 21

Birthday: December 9th

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Straight

Race: Kitsune (Zenko)

Nationality: Japanese

Current City: Kaminashi City

Job: Student (English language)

Height: Around 168 cm

Hair color: White-gray

Eyes color: Amber-yellow

Fox form: White-red fur, two tails

Likings: Ramen, idol groups, J-pop, parties, beer, being a cute fox

Hobbies: Going for gigs, partying, video and arcade gaming

Touko

Name: Kono Touko (née Kozima)

Age: 25

Birthday: July 5th

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Straight

Race: Kitsune (Zenko)

Nationality: Japanese

Current City: Kyoto

Job: Shrine maiden

Height: 154 cm

Hair color: White-gray

Eyes color: Amber-yellow

Fox form: White-red fur, two tails

Sibling Relationships

Touko and Toru are close

Toru and Toshi are close

Touko and Toshi are on good terms but not very close

[macla539ac]

an interesting thing I was seeing today: sumo arenas are permanent blessed but the "stage" where fights happen is clay and destroyed after each bashô. then they're built anew and a shinto priest consecrates them. It's a haunting ceremony and it causes goosebumps.

starts at the 4:50 mark

l'm not easily impressionable but that shinto priest makes me shiver lıke a 20-something suburban bitch reading '50 shades of gray (sorry)

[hiohaku]

𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚌 ` . . . DOMAIN EXPANSION .

there is something haunting in power. not to be equated with fear , it ' s a thrill that you don ' t anticipate . goosebumps that swim in the flesh , the melody of your soul stretches , bends at the will of another lost in time . lost to time [ . . . ] but darling , they live within you .

𝟣. 𝖭𝖠𝖬𝖤 : the sacred ballad of daybreak .

𝟤. 𝖵𝖨𝖲𝖴𝖠𝖫𝖲 : at any point this domain is activated , there is a manifestation of a shinto shrine , at the foot , two inches of water sits. candles , pillars of wax sit in the water as well, like a ritual . behind the shrine , a massive statue of stone stands , it's size unfathomable . ame - no - uzume , stands behind the shrine, watching . it ' s dark , but not pitch black . the overwash of blue over the grayed sky , where it gets brighter at a point . the domain timer comes in the form of the sun , waking over the horizon and making it ' s way into the sky . once it has risen , the domain breaks.

𝟥. 𝖠𝖢𝖳𝖨𝖵𝖠𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭 : it's a performance of sorts , the user performs the kagura dance to completion, crossing the wrists above the head , the pads of the pinky , index and thumb fingers touching , the rest of the fingers bent with knuckles pressing into another . allowing past incarnations to make contact , to control and possess the current user .

𝟦. 𝖠𝖡𝖨𝖫𝖨𝖳𝖨𝖤𝖲 𝖦𝖱𝖠𝖭𝖳𝖤𝖣 : two things happen . first of all , the user is given an output that reaches up to 200% amplified . the past incarnations are able to control the current user and recreate their own cursed energy , giving the current user the added strength , speed , agility , etc. though there is a timer : 90 seconds . at times , it is not the incarnations that take control but the goddess ame - no - uzume herself . as descendants of the godddess , there is a link that allows the godly power to flow through the user , however this is extremely rare . second. another boundary is manifested that acts a protective boundary for anybody else seen worthy by the user .

[shedecays]

KIKYO; MIKO; ROTTEN. this is a writing blog for kikyo, a character from the animanga INUYASHA: A FEUDAL FAIRYTALE. this blog is selective and private, and will only write with mutuals. discord is also only available to mutuals.

this blog is a study on topics such as gray morality, the fine line between good and evil, death, self-hatred, becoming the things you hate and the star-crossed lovers who were never meant to be.

featuring themes of murder, blood, gore, imagery of the Shinto religion and heavy violence. i'm not japanese, but i do try to do my best research regarding the Shinto priestesses and the religion itself, as well as japanese folklore and the feudal era.

wirtten by nosta.

[chaoscircus]

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Hello, hello and welcome to the show !

Here is where people can ask ‘The Chaos Circus’ anything!

Let’s meet them, shall we?

マジン・ソニック (ᗰᗩᒍIᑎ sOᑎIᑕ)

мιѕѕιиgиσ

𝐺𝐵

𝔅𝔢𝔱𝔞 𝔏𝔲𝔦𝔤𝔦

𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠

ᴇᴍᴇʀʟ

The Rules are simple:

No hate

DNI proshippers, homophobia, transphobia etc.

Respect everyone!

No Gore and Sexual implications.

Don’t hate the characters chosen

Ask away!!

Come and test your skills with your good ol’ pal Majin!

You see, in this world... THOSE GOLDEN COINS WON’T SAVE YOU NOW!..

Oh, poor child. I’m just a vessel of what I used to be: a god.

Mario... Where are you, now?...

Ha ha ha! Your so funny, Gray. You can’t even call me your own friend, such a shame huh?

System reuploaded. I am Emerl, Eggman’s worst enemy. Fear me.

¡Go on and ask with all you’re might to our performers! (They’re not clowns)!

Head canon voices to the characters:

Majin Sonic (魔人ソニック)⇣

By Madame Spyder on Youtube

GB⇣

At 4:06 by JayMotion on Youtube

Missingno⇣

by SayoSkyy on Youtube

Beta Luigi⇣

by Muckney.mp4s channel on Youtube

Shinto⇣

by Spoogynova

Emerl⇣

Metal Sonic’s voice but high pitched.

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝. 𝙵𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕.

[idontknowanametouse]

Genshin cringe headcanons part 10: other Inazuma characters

This post reclaims the term "cringe". If you use it as an insult or is triggered by it, please DNI

-

Name: Sayu

Gender: nonbinary, they/them

Pictures of Character:

Appearance: ethnically japanese, tan skin, freckles, gray hair, black eyes, thin, scars through their body

Age: 7

Personality: lazy, loyal, gets easily confused, lovely, naive, knows how to keep secrets

Area of greatest ability: singing

Kins: does not has kin, but has no problems with it

Family: Kokomi (adoptive mom) Sara (found family mother) Gorou (adoptive older brother) Heizou (found family big sibling)

Friends: Itto, Yoimiya, Miko, Ei, Sigewinne, Paimon, Ayato, Ayaka, Thoma, Diona, Klee, Qiqi, Yaoyao, Nahida

Disabilities: autistic, narcolepsia, dwarfism, lazy eye syndrome

Belief: believes both Beelzebub and Orobashi, only does religious shinto-like practices sometimes

-

Name: Arataki Itto

Gender: pangender, any pronouns

Pictures of Character:

Appearance: ethnically japanese, very muscled, tall, tan skin, white long hair dyed red on the ends, red eyes, red tattoos

Age: 27

Sexuality: asexual panromantic

Personality: kind, tries his best, extroverted, loud, never gives up (it’s actually kind of a problem)

Area of greatest ability: cheering others

Kins: yellow, red, crystals, cows, beetles, Rainbow, shiny things

Family: his adoptive grandma, Shinobu, Mamoru, Genta, Akira, Xiao, Yelan, Sayu, Yanfei (found family siblings)

Relationship status: single

Friends: Yoimiya, Gorou, Kirara, Kazuha, Ayato, Kokomi, Heizou, Thoma, Kuni, Nahida, Sigewinne, Paimon, Yaoyao, Qiqi, Klee, Diona, Diluc, Kaeya, Noelle, Bennett

Disabilities: ADHD

Belief: does not care much about religion, is basically agnostic

-

Name: Kuki Shinobu

Gender: transmasc genderfluid, he/it/they/she

Pictures of Character:

Appearance: ethnically japanese, black, small, black eyes, black dyed green hair in locs

Age: 28

Sexuality: aromantic sapphic

Personality: serious, friendly to most people, responsible, professional, curious towards many things, learns easily

Area of greatest ability: knowledge in law

Kins: paint, flowers, knives, slime, purple, green

Family: Itto, Mamoru, Genta, Akira (found family siblings), found family granny

Relationship status: single

Friends: Sara, Miko, Xiao, Yanfei, Yelan, Kirara, Kokomi, Heizou

Disabilities: autistic, breathing allergies, asthma, wears a mask, uses breathing cateters and asthma bombs

Belief: has a heavy aversion towards religion and rathers not talk about it

-

Name: Kirara

Gender: transmasc paragirl, mew/nya/Scratch/purr/play/paw/soft/kit/she/Kirara/he

Pictures of Character:

Appearance: ethnically japanese, white skin, very thin, black long hair dyed blond, brown eyes.

Age: 19

Sexuality: aromantic sapphic

Personality: extrovert, naive, likes helping others and making them happy, curious, hard-working

Area of greatest ability: communication with others

Kins: cats, chocolate, soft stuff, plants

Family: none

Relationship status: single

Friends: Charlotte, Kokomi, Hu Tao, Miko, Kaeya, Cyno, Dehya, Diona, Ayaka, Thoma, Gorou, Sara, Shinobu, Ei, Sayu, Heizou

Disabilities: anxiety, Tourette’s

Belief: believes Beelzebub and constantly goes to her shrine and has shinto-like practices in purrs day-to-day life

[lindaiswoeful]

Gray and Shinto wooo