>Nod
>"Well, I shall leave you to your business then, and I wish you all a pleasant evening."
>Carry onward
>"See you at Aya's." Kirino calls with a smirk in her voice, while Haruka merely inclines forward in a small, polite bow. She does, however, give Rin a slightly curious look, but says nothing to her. If Rin notices, she says nothing about it, and merely walks along with you, opening one of the sliding paper doors to allow you entrance to the chamber of the sacred flame of the Black Water Tortoise.
>The large flame chamber has an almost theater-like feel about it, with a fair-sized elevated wood stage standing in front of the flame. The flame itself burns a bright orange and red, dancing in the still air of the large, vaguely circular room. Bamboo flooring covered with tatami mats comprises the floor of the room, while blue and white painted thick bamboo columns line the room at intervals, about five feet from the walls of the room in any direction. Banners and talismans hang from the ceiling beams. Occupying the front half of the room are eight rows of benches, with individual chairs built into them, almost identical to what you'd see in some theaters. Sliding doors are set behind you, and in the north, east and west walls. Aisles divide the benches into groups of six. The area behind the flame is cordined off by a thick, expensive looking blue curtain.
>The stage is currently occupied by a grey and blue-haired miko with flowing, circular wings protruding from her back, like a manta ray's, and a light blue, thin tail, sweeping up the raised platform.
>Standing between the stage and the flame is a familiar head of green hair. It looks remarkably like Sanae from back on, and she seems to still be weaing her school uniform. Her head is bowed slightly, as though she were in prayer.
>Two chairs are presently occupied: On the right side of the room, in the front row, is an elderly gentleman with bushy grey hair and eyebrows, clad in a sensible black and grey suit, leaning on a dark red cane, his eyes intently focused on the flame. The other occupied chair, on the left and in the fifth row of eight, is a woman with short purple hair, clad in a red shirt and brown skirt. She seems familiar, and you place her a moment later. She was seated with Sanae last night, at Szenska's. She has a confidant, almost impersious, bearing, and her short blue hair is kept out of her eyes by a white headband with a pair of autumn-colored leaves.
