Seems to have hit a stand-still.
Sanae Kochiya was a morning person. She woke up before the sun rose, tidied her bedclothes and packed away her futon, and had breakfast cooking before either of the Youkai Mountain Shrine's deities woke up.
Both Goddesses could be described as 'morning people', as well, though they didn't truly have issues waking up regardless. They just... slept, and then were awake. At times, they didn't sleep for weeks, though being divine tends to help maintain sanity in that situation.
Kanako and Suwako would come out to the table and sit down in unison, and meditate while Sanae cooked. Meager portions or massive, they'd eat everything, ask for one plate of seconds, and then be done and satisfied. Despite this, they would make sure to offer appropriate commentary based on her cooking; 'the eggs are little bland this morning, are we out of seasoning?' 'We should have bacon in more meals, that was delicious.'
As such, there was no reason for her not to try her best, and not to slack off while cooking. She had to eat what she made, as well, of course, but because the Goddesses would actually complain about or compliment her food was another good reason.
After breakfast, her daily chores would be tackled with the same gusto and enthusiasm. Depending on the seasons, the shrine grounds may need to be cleared away, be it by straw and bamboo broom or by simply calling upon the Divine Wind and sending all the leaves and debris away in a single, colorful burst. According to some of the tengu, they really preferred it when she did that, because it made the top of the mountain look beautiful in the rising sunlight, with all of autumn's leaves swirling down and catching the dawn-light. Kanako, of course, scoffed, and said that was abusing her Divine Gifts.
The offertory box was dusted off on a regular basis, and more sparsely, given a good polish and occasionally a new coat of varnish. It wasn't traditional, but being on top of a mountain, exposed to the elements, with all manner of Nature spirits passing through, it saw its fair share of wear and tear. Sanae tended to it just as she did breakfast, and sweeping; with cheerful enthusiasm and determination.
After the shrine was cleaned out for the day, barring Suwako or Kanako having any direct requests from her, she went and made herself publicly visible throughout the Youkai Mountain valley, visiting the crow tengu aeries, the wolf tengu dens, and the kappa's encampment at the base of the mountain. Simple public visits, making herself available for conversation, and keeping up-to-date with her local neighbors' community was one of the most effective tools for maintaining the faith in her shrine.
As the seasons passed, the Human Village would hold festivals, celebrating harvests, or, anything that warranted celebration. She looked forward to these the most, for no particular reason. The festivals were just so exciting and fun, full of people, and almost always plenty of good food and drink to enjoy with a fireworks display - more often than not, danmaku magic provided by the Forest Shrine Maiden, Reimu, and her friend, Suika.
The other Miko confounded her. So bored, jaded, and cynical most of the time. When crossed, however, quick, and absolute. Sanae only caught her smiling less out of humor and more out of mirth or sarcasm, as though she were more amused at the thought of someone's fortune turning, rather than seeing actual humor in a situation.
Though Reimu had Sanae thoroughly confused most of the times, during the festivals, Reimu truly seemed as though she were enjoying herself. Content to see this mark of humanity, this sign that Reimu was more than just a hollow shell of a vindictive youkai exterminator, Sanae was able to think on her situation.
Of course. It all drew back to the monotony of daily life. Before coming to Gensokyo, Sanae had been a Living Goddess, who seemed to attract miracles. Of course, she was one of the only people in her entire region who was spiritual enough to even see Kanako and Suwako. Because of this, she was only ever called on for 'desperate cases' for exorcisms, or yearly winter festivals. Each day, she woke up, and didn't get out of bed for hours, just staring at the ceiling, hoping something different would happen. She was bored, jaded, and cynical.
Then she came to Gensokyo. Her status as a Living Goddess no longer set her apart from everyone around her - instead, it put her on level playing ground. No longer ostracized for her otherworldly aura, she began to explore life, and enjoy it for all its little nuances. When she heard the original Gensokyo shrine miko was a human, as well, and attempted to challenge her for rights to a branch shrine, she was shocked at how completely and thoroughly she'd been defeated by the other girls' sheer magical prowess. She hadn't had to invoke any divine ability but once or twice in their entire duel - and yet, even though Reimu so easily outclassed Sanae, after obliterating her entire stock of spellcards, she simply... stopped, and went back to her shrine, content to let Sanae maintain the Moriya Shrine.
Content, and jaded, as Reimu was wont to do things. But, someday, perhaps,
Sanae could get Reimu to enjoy life, and respect it, as a proper Shinto Maiden should. So, until then, she was going to do things Reimu's way - spellcards and danmaku - until she could put herself back into an advantaged state over the other miko, and perhaps challenge her, just to get her attention, then remind her just how amazing and wonderful living in Gensokyo was. Perhaps she'd take her back to the mundane world, and show her just how blessed she had it, being surrounded by such unadulterated nature.
Sanae knew she'd never take another day for granted, now that she knew how amazing it could be.
Next one is any of the residents of Chireiden's Earth Spirit Palace~
