INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(821, 1, '2009-08-26 16:16:17', '2009-08-26 07:16:17', '', 'Licking the Wounds', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '820-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:16:17', '2009-08-26 07:16:17', '', 820, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/820-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(822, 1, '2009-11-17 00:00:38', '2009-11-16 15:00:38', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It looks fine. I’m still not driving it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What will you do, then?â€ Akiko asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ve called a garage, said it was making funny noises and smells. We’ll see what they say about it. Anyway, I have to stay here until they come. Everything all right there?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, no problems. Noriko’s waiting for a harae, though. Should I tell her to come back later?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, probably best, no idea… Oh, here they come. Maybe it’s OK for her to wait. I’ll let you know what they say.â€ Shiraishi hung up, and Akiko quickly summarised the situation for Kazumi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Weeeeird,â€ the girl said.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Noriko decided to go home and come back later, and a bit of shouting as she left the shrine confirmed that the remaining protesters were already at their post. Akiko shook her head, and then went to get a broom and start cleaning the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko, about the tree.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What about it?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Shouldn’t we investigate it?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko stopped sweeping, and looked at Kazumi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, of course. But how?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, take our…â€ Akiko cut her off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, I know <em>that</em> bit. I was thinking more about getting back to the shrine afterwards.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, right. Well, er, send one of us to the park with a yukata and some shoes?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That… That would actually work, wouldn’t it?â€ Akiko suddenly felt really stupid. It wasn’t like the park was some remote corner of the world. “OK. We should do it during the day, then. That park is rather quieter, and safer, in daylight.â€ Kazumi nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, are you going to wait for me in the park?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think you’d better wait for me.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi pouted.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I found it first,â€ she protested, but Akiko wasn’t going to let such petty things cloud the issue.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You know the park better than I do, and I can see things you can’t. That might be essential.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Can you see the flame in the iwakura?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No,â€ Kazumi admitted, reluctantly.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. I’ll go through the tree.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Standing in front of the tree a couple of hours later, Akiko was no longer so happy with the decision. Yes, it was still the right one, but now she actually had to go through the tree. She was wearing a yukata, acutely conscious of being naked underneath. That had been Kazumi’s suggestion; it minimised the length of time she would be standing by the tree partially dressed. It was a even a sensible suggestion.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Her cell phone rang.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hi Akiko. Well, I’m looking at the tree. Ready when you are.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko took a deep breath, and undid her belt, shrugging the yukata to the ground. She took a step forward, pressing herself against the bark.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The rush of feeling left her gasping again, as she found herself standing at the base of a tree in the forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves. She looked around for a moment, shifting her vision to look at the spirits. The power, the energy there was overwhelming, but Akiko forced herself to look, clinging on to the tree for support as she tried to adapt to it. She looked at the bark next to her, focusing on it, watching the rivers of light running up and down within the trunk, feeling the life pulse deep inside it, the waves reaching her fingertips, making them tingle.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And, deep inside the tree, she saw the shrine, all of it, all its details, Tamao sleeping under the scorched earth that was his sanctuary, Mr Takenaka sitting by his shrine, the ujiko on duty wandering around, Shiraishi coming up the steps…</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko wrapped her arms around the tree, and it was like jumping down a waterfall, spray and air all around her as she fell for an eternity in a moment.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She was standing by the tree in the shrine grounds, her yukata at her feet. Reaching down, she snatched it up and pulled it on, only breathing more calmly when she tied the belt.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She picked up her cell phone and called Kazumi. The experiment had already yielded useful results.</p>', 'Experimenting', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'experimenting', '', '', '2009-11-18 07:33:10', '2009-11-17 22:33:10', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=822', 0, 'post', '', 3);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(823, 1, '2009-08-26 16:17:01', '2009-08-26 07:17:01', '', 'Experimenting', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '822-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:17:01', '2009-08-26 07:17:01', '', 822, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/822-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(824, 1, '2009-11-18 00:00:16', '2009-11-17 15:00:16', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Where are you?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I got out back in the shrine. I think maybe we just chose the wrong tree last time.â€ There was a pause at the other end. Akiko was walking through the woods as she talked, wondering how accurate the vision she had seen through the tree had been.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh. Mmm.â€ Kazumi actually sounded a little embarrassed. “Well, should I come back, then?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well…â€ Akiko emerged from the edge of the trees, and caught sight of Shiraishi walking up to the house. She waved, but the priest didn’t see her. “No, wait there. I’ll see whether I can get out to the park.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. There’s no-one here at all, you know. You don’t even need the yukata.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. See you soon, I hope.â€ Akiko hung up, and went back to the kami tree. She paused, looking around and listening for any sounds, but there didn’t seem to be anyone in the woods. Quickly, she slipped out of the yukata and embraced the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It felt like a river, a river of hot and cold water, sweeping her along, and then up, through the surface of a pool, the air rushing into her lungs, filling her with energy.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko stood among the trees, balancing easily on the roots. She just wanted to run and jump, play among the trees, but she easily resisted the urge.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I can’t keep Kazumi waiting,â€ she said, pretty sure that the kami of the tree would be listening. As she said it, a particular tree drew her attention. Gnarled, like the others, it was different without being distinctive; Akiko could easily tell it apart from the other trees, but couldn’t see any particular reason why she should. However, she was getting used to hints from the kami now, and walked over to it, shifting her vision to look at the spirits.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The energy of the place struck her as forcefully as ever, making her gasp as her heart raced. She could see the tree growing, stretching up for the sun as it breathed the air, making itself from light and water.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And, deep within it, she could see… another tree. Surrounded by darkness. The tree looked like it could be the one in the park, but Akiko wasn’t sure. The darkness, though, that had to be kegare. As Akiko watched, Kazumi appeared, the darkness drawing back to reveal her as she approached the tree. The kegare seemed to be avoiding a small area around the girl, as she hugged the yukata to her chest and looked at the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko wrapped her arms around the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was as though a waterfall were pounding on her back, icy cold, furious, driving her to her knees…</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She staggered and almost fell as she appeared from the tree, and Kazumi caught her. Akiko drew a deep breath, reaching for the yukata. Then she stopped herself and, without looking Kazumi in the eye, turned round to embrace the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Nothing happened. Turning back, she did grab the yukata, pulling it on and only looking at Kazumi once she had started tying the belt.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The girl was grinning at her. Akiko gave her a hard stare.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What’s so amusing? Come on, let’s get back to the shrine.â€</p>', 'Trail Blazing', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'trail-blazing', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:17:58', '2009-08-26 07:17:58', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=824', 0, 'post', '', 1);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(825, 1, '2009-08-26 16:17:42', '2009-08-26 07:17:42', '', 'Trail Blazing', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '824-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:17:42', '2009-08-26 07:17:42', '', 824, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/824-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(826, 1, '2009-11-19 00:00:13', '2009-11-18 15:00:13', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko could feel that she was bright red by the time they got back to the shrine. She had tried to forget that she was wearing nothing under the yukata, but every time they passed a group of men, Kazumi had said something in an unnecessarily loud voice about how traditional Akiko was, provoking whispering and stares. Kazumi, on the other hand, was having trouble controlling her giggles, and Akiko’s instructions to stop it had not had the desired effect.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters at the foot of the steps ignored them, and when they reached the top Akiko could see Shiraishi just finishing Noriko’s harae. Akiko felt herself blushing again; her yukata really couldn’t compare to Noriko’s kimono. She motioned for Kazumi to follow her over to the shrine house, where they waited for the ceremony to finish.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When it did, Noriko came over with Shiraishi, and Akiko had to fight down a bit of frustration. She needed to talk to Shiraishi about… well, things she didn’t think she could say in front of Noriko. Noriko was frowning as she approached, and glancing round the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ms Tanahata, can we step into the entrance a moment?â€ she asked. Puzzled, Akiko nodded, and stepped inside, followed by Noriko. As the other two came in, Noriko reached forward and deftly undid Akiko’s belt.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s not how you… Oh.â€ Noriko fell silent abruptly. The yukata had fallen open, and Akiko was sure she was blushing all over. Noriko quickly folded it closed again. “Hold it here, and here. You know, the only reason you traditionally didn’t wear anything under a yukata is that the yukata <em>was</em> the underwear.â€ She started wrapping the belt around.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Really?â€ It was Kazumi asking, and she sounded disappointed. “So do you always wear underwear with one?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Always for fireworks. Too many people, too much risk. Too many drunk people!â€ She paused, as she turned Akiko so that she could tie the belt. “Never at an onsen. I mean, you’re only going to take it off to get in the pool. For other occasions…â€ There was a pause, and Akiko had to resist the temptation to look round and see what she was doing. “It depends on my mood, and the occasion.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, what about now?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi!â€ Akiko and Shiraishi said it together, but Noriko just laughed.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not wearing a yukata. There, you’re done up properly now.â€ Akiko looked round at the mirror. It was true, the yukata did look a lot better now.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you.â€ She hadn’t the heart to say she had been about to change out of it, and actually, now she looked, maybe she could leave it for a little longer.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK, so what about…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>Kazumi!â€</em> Shiraishi’s voice was quite sharp, and Kazumi quickly fell silent. Noriko was smiling, however.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“If you like, I’ll give you kimono lessons. That does include full instruction on the appropriate underwear.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Appropriate underwear?â€ Kazumi sounded comically disappointed, and Akiko suddenly had the impression that they were being teased again.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ms Miura, I am not naturally cylindrical!â€ Noriko’s voice sounded stern, but she was smiling. She also, apparently, thought she was being teased. “Actually, seriously, if you want lessons, I’ll teach you. Free. You could wear kimonos when off duty, then.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not sure we have time right now,â€ Shiraishi said, “but that’s a very kind offer.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, no problem.â€ Noriko bowed slightly as she moved towards the exit. “I don’t agree with Mr Fujimura about everything, but I do think that traditional Japanese clothes are more appropriate to a shrine. Well, thank you very much for the ceremony.â€ She bowed again, and Akiko bowed back, as she took her leave.</p>', 'Traditions', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'traditions', '', '', '2009-11-20 07:42:28', '2009-11-19 22:42:28', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=826', 0, 'post', '', 9);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(827, 1, '2009-08-26 16:18:34', '2009-08-26 07:18:34', '', 'Traditions', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '826-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:18:34', '2009-08-26 07:18:34', '', 826, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/826-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(828, 1, '2009-11-20 00:00:03', '2009-11-19 15:00:03', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So? There has to be a story.â€ Shiraishi was looking quizzically at Akiko, which made her blush again.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. Unlike some people, I don’t go without underwear for fun.â€ Akiko managed not to glance at Kazumi as she said it, but she heard a quiet “hey!â€ of protest. She went on to explain what they’d been doing, and the possibility of travel through the kami forest. Shiraishi, again, listened in silence.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, your other yukata and cell phone are still by the tree here?â€ she asked, and Akiko nodded. “Let’s go and see.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they walked over, Akiko suddenly remembered about the other issue.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Revd Shiraishi, how was the car?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, yes.â€ The priest’s face went serious. “The mechanics looked at it, and told me how lucky I was. Apparently various bits of the engine were so old and worn that there was a serious risk of the car bursting into flames at any moment if I drove it. It needs a completely new engine.â€ She frowned. “So we don’t have a car at the moment. I don’t think the insurance will cover “attacks by kegareâ€.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They reached the tree, and Akiko’s yukata and phone were still there.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, can I try it now?â€ Kazumi asked, but Akiko shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You might pick the wrong tree. I can only see which tree it is when I look for the spirits, and you can’t do that.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Can we go in together, then?â€ Akiko could easily understand Kazumi’s point of view. It felt so <em>good</em> in the forest, really alive, and now that they knew how to get out at the shrine, there didn’t seem to be any reason not to visit.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Not just yet,â€ Akiko said. She took a deep breath. “There’s something else I think we should try first.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think the reason we couldn’t get back from the park was the pollution on the tree. I want to try purifying it, to see whether I can get through to the forest then.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you think this, what, magic forest?â€ Shiraishi really didn’t sound sure about what to call it, “is connected to the pollution around here?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko shrugged.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t really know. Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s definitely connected to the shrine, and I want to know how it works.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“All right, then. I’ll come with you to purify it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">An hour or so later, Akiko was standing in front of the tree in the park, her belt already undone, holding the yukata shut as Shiraishi finished the purification ceremony. She had no idea how long it would take for the tree to get polluted again, and wanted to be ready as soon as it was clean.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As Shiraishi swung the ohnusa, the light swept the kegare from the tree, blowing it away like cobwebs, and for a moment the tree looked completely clean.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko dropped her yukata, and stepped forward to embrace the trunk.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was a river again, sweeping her out, over a waterfall, so that she seemed to fall for ever before plunging into a pool of icy water.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The forest was all around her, the sun shining through the leaves as a gentle breeze, laden with the clean scent of wood, caressed her skin.</p>', 'A Way Back', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'a-way-back', '', '', '2009-11-20 07:46:37', '2009-11-19 22:46:37', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=828', 0, 'post', '', 5);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(829, 1, '2009-08-26 16:19:27', '2009-08-26 07:19:27', '', 'A Way Back', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '828-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:19:27', '2009-08-26 07:19:27', '', 828, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/828-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(830, 1, '2009-11-21 00:00:49', '2009-11-20 15:00:49', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko switched her vision to the spirits and looked back at the tree, the rush of energy making her light-headed, but it was something she was getting used to. Looking within its trunk, she could see the tree in the park, and an area around it, with Shiraishi and Kazumi standing there, waiting for her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>The darkness was the kegare,</em> she thought, and ran quickly over the roots to another tree. Looking into this one, she could see an old tree, a pine, but it was surrounded by darkness again. Frowning, she tried another tree. Again, she could see a tree through it, but nothing around it. A couple more were discouragingly similar. Akiko went back to the tree leading to the park, but the darkness had already drawn more closely around it, keeping its distance from Shiraishi and Kazumi, but reaching out for the tree. Shaking her head, she went to check the one leading to shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As before, she could see the whole of the shrine precincts. Tamao was awake, his eyes shining as his scales sparkled in the sunlight, and Mr Takenaka was standing next to him, apparently talking about something. The fire burned brightly within the iwakura, while the ujiko keeping an eye on things — Akira, as it happened — was walking around the grounds, speaking to a few worshippers, completely oblivious to the presence of the kami. Her vision stopped at the wall of light around the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was no-one near the tree, and her yukata and phone were still there, so it looked safe to go back to the shrine. She embraced the tree, and fell through rising jets of water, breaking out into the air, beside the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Quickly, she got dressed and called Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m back at the shrine,â€ she started.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Why didn’t you come back here?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The kegare was already getting close to the tree; this way looked safer.â€ She quickly explained what she had seen. “Come back to the shrine; there are people waiting for ceremonies, and I think we’d better discuss it here.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was getting towards evening before they had time to sit down and talk about the forest.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I suppose we could walk around looking for the trees I saw, but that would take a very long time,â€ Akiko said, and Shiraishi nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We don’t even know that they are local.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“True, but I think they are.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Wouldn’t it be cool if one was in Okinawa! Or Hawaii!â€ Kazumi said. “We could go there free!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And naked,â€ Akiko reminded her. “I think we can be confident that it’s not a practical means of transport.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh. Oh yes. Um.â€ Kazumi subsided again.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>Why</em> do you have to be naked?â€ Shiraishi asked, and it sounded like a serious question.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The kami’s a dirty old man?â€ Kazumi suggested, prompting Shiraishi to roll her eyes.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I really don’t know,â€ Akiko said. “Purity?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“There’s nothing impure about clothes. Although I suppose we could try doing a harae on you first.â€ She shook her head again, and sighed. “Just when I thought I was starting to understand things, we get something completely weird again.â€ Akiko couldn’t quite suppress a chuckle, but she had to agree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And does it help? I can see the kegare through the trees, but that’s all.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Talking of the kegare,â€ Shiraishi said, “we have to go back to Kazumi’s school.â€</p>', 'Practical Issues', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'practical-issues', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:20:45', '2009-08-26 07:20:45', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=830', 0, 'post', '', 2);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(831, 1, '2009-08-26 16:20:19', '2009-08-26 07:20:19', '', 'Practical Issues', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '830-revision', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:20:19', '2009-08-26 07:20:19', '', 830, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/26/830-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(832, 1, '2009-11-22 00:00:02', '2009-11-21 15:00:02', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ Akiko was genuinely surprised. “But…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I know, but we can’t leave it. Most of the students are still going there, after all.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Serves them right,â€ Kazumi said, and then quailed when Shiraishi glared at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>Nobody</em> deserves to be stuck in that level of pollution.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I was only joking…â€ Kazumi said, in a very small voice.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This isn’t a joking matter,â€ Shiraishi replied, her face still grim. “This is serious.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, sorry.â€ Akiko thought that Kazumi looked on the verge of tears, and tactfully looked away, concentrating on the priest.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But we only just got away last night. What can we do?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I had an idea,â€ Shiraishi said. “Tamao told us to take the power we had raised, right? So maybe if we summon the aramitama into a gohei and take it with  us, we’ll be able to purify the school.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe…â€ Akiko acknowledged, “but what if…?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi cut her off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We can’t worry about that. We have to try something.â€ She smiled, wryly. “If all else fails, we can just run away again.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi helped make the gohei, attaching the two large shide to the top of the wooden rod, like an inverted V. She was unusually quiet, and Akiko thought that she was still upset over being scolded by Shiraishi. Akiko wanted to say something, but before she could think of anything suitable they had finished, and Kazumi had excused herself.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko took the gohei to Shiraishi, who had prepared a table and stand in front of the iwakura. They set it up, and then Shiraishi began the ceremony.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The initial purification seemed to have little effect; the shrine grounds were so clean that even searching for the slightest hint of kegare Akiko could not be sure that she had seen any. Maybe the light from the ohnusa swept a few bits of pollution from them, or maybe she had just been imagining them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Then Shiraishi knelt in front of the table and began the norito calling on the aramitama to descend into the gohei.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>Kakemakumo Kashikoki Tamao no Ohkami no Aramitama…â€</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As soon as she mentioned the aramitama, the flame in the iwakura blazed up, the fire enveloping the stones and reaching up into the sky. Akiko had to half-close her eyes against the light, and she could feel the heat on her skin, feel the sweat starting to soak into her clothes. Shiraishi, however, seemed unaffected.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The fire grew brighter and brighter, until Akiko was squinting to see anything, and then the gohei burst into flames.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko had half risen from her knees before she realised that the gohei was not being consumed, that the flames were following the lines of the shide, leaving the rod clear.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“… <em>Kashikomi Kashikomi mo mohsu.â€</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi finished the norito, and bowed twice, clapped twice, and bowed once, before stepping back and taking her seat beside Akiko. She glanced sideways.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The flames in the iwakura had sunk down now, to something like their normal level, but the gohei was still burning brightly. Akiko nodded, and then bowed, together with Shiraishi, to finish the ceremony.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko was to carry the gohei, and she approached it cautiously. She could feel the heat, and while she thought she might not if she stopped looking for spirits, she really needed to be able to watch the kegare while they were carrying out the purification. Slowly, she reached out, keeping her hand low, below the flames.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As soon as she touched the rod, the heat ceased, although she could still see the flames leaping up from the shide. Taking a firm grip on the shaft, she picked it up, and turned to Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think we’re ready.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko had long since got over any sense of self-consciousness about walking through the streets in her vestments, and at this time of night there were few people to see them pass. Even the foul fog of the kegare was keeping its distance, apparently driven back by the light from the gohei.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Maybe Shiraishi was right,</em> Akiko thought, and she started to feel a bit more confident.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When they arrived at the school, Shiraishi quickly started the purification. As she swung the ohnusa, the light drove the fog away, revealing the spirits hunched over the school. With a scream of rage, they sprang down, running towards Akiko and Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko took a step forward, holding up the gohei. The fire burned as brightly as ever within it, and the kegare spirits wrenched themselves to a sudden stop, hissing and growling, but refusing to come any closer.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What is it?â€ the priest asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The spirits,â€ Akiko replied. “Can’t you see them?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Not tonight. Are they…?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“They are still there. They don’t seem to be able to come any closer, but they are still there.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But what…?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Use the gohei!â€ Akiko said, suddenly. “Use the gohei instead of the ohnusa!â€ She turned to the priest, offering her the rod and, after a moment’s hesitation, she took it, passing the ohnusa to Akiko.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the priest’s hand closed around the wooden shaft, her eyes widened, then squinted almost shut.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Can you see the fire?â€ Akiko asked, and Shiraishi just nodded, taking a deep breath and turning to face the school.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest took a step back, and then squared her shoulders and stepped forward again. Akiko guessed that she could see the spirits as well, watching them with transparent hostility. Shiraishi’s voice trembled a bit as she began the norito, but grew stronger and more confident as she continued.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When she swung the gohei, the fire danced in the air, and the spirits took another step back, but they didn’t run, and didn’t disappear. Shiraishi swung the gohei again, but there was still no response.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What do we do now?â€ she asked, stepping closer to Akiko.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t know. I thought…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The spirits started to back away, occasionally snapping at the air in their direction, returning to the school without taking their eyes off the two of them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think we do the same,â€ Shiraishi said. “Tonight’s battle is drawn.â€</p>', 'Stalemate', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'stalemate', '', '', '2009-08-26 16:21:28', '2009-08-26 07:21:28', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=832', 0, 'post', '', 3);
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INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(834, 1, '2009-11-23 00:00:43', '2009-11-22 15:00:43', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>What went wrong?</em> Akiko stared at the flame within the iwakura, willing the aramitama to tell her something useful. <em>Why didn’t you purify the school?</em> The flame seemed to flicker a bit more than usual, but it didn’t offer any useful advice.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko’s reverie was interrupted by the sounds of an argument from the entrance to the shrine. Groaning inwardly, she looked around to see whether anyone else was available, but it seemed to be down to her. Reluctantly, she went to the steps, and looked down.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“How can you turn against us like this?â€ It was Naoyuki, who seemed to be the only person currently protesting.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Look at you! The whole area is cursed. Only the people who are coming to the shrine are protected from it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s all dangerous superstition.â€ It didn’t sound like his heart was entirely in it, and now that Akiko looked, he really didn’t look well. She started down the steps, and both men looked up at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, good morning. I was hoping to have a purification ceremony…â€ said the former protester. Akiko nodded at him.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Of course. Please go up into the shrine; Revd Shiraishi will be happy to perform the ceremony for you.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh.â€ He looked a bit taken aback for a moment, and then glanced at Naoyuki, and nodded to her. “Of course. Thank you.â€ He climbed the steps, and Naoyuki sat down heavily on a small folding chair. He really looked bad; like he needed several days’ sleep, for one thing, and at least one proper meal, for another. Akiko knew she should look for his kegare, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was all too easy for her to imagine the sort of thing she would see.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ Naoyuki was looking at her, and she realised she had been staring. Blushing, she looked down, to cover her confusion.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think you’d benefit from a purification ceremony,â€ she said, as she looked up again. Naoyuki sneered at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not as easily led as some of these people. I know too much about what your so-called “priestsâ€ get up to.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko wondered for a moment what he was on about, and then pressed on.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK, you don’t need to have a ceremony, but shouldn’t you go home and get some rest?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t give up that easily, either!â€ he said, a bit fiercely.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Naoyuki, you really don’t look well. Maybe you should see a doctor.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m fine!â€ He was shouting now, pushing himself up to stand facing her. “The only problem is the lies that your shrine is spreading! You might have managed to suborn some of us, but those of us who are left know about your plans, and we aren’t going let them pass without a fight.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko was completely baffled now.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Naoyuki, what are you talking about?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I was right to get rid of you.â€ He wasn’t meeting her eyes, Akiko realised. Did he regret breaking up with her? No, it had to be more than that. She remembered his mother’s story. <em>How much does he know about what happened? How much does he want to admit about what happened?</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry, Naoyuki. It clearly was for the best that we broke up.â€ She turned and started climbing the steps again, pausing to look back.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You really should see a doctor or something.â€</p>', 'Last Words', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'last-words', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:07:22', '2009-08-28 03:07:22', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=834', 0, 'post', '', 3);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(835, 1, '2009-08-28 12:07:10', '2009-08-28 03:07:10', '', 'Last Words', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '834-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:07:10', '2009-08-28 03:07:10', '', 834, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/834-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(836, 1, '2009-11-24 00:00:29', '2009-11-23 15:00:29', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko paced around the tree, hoping that Yoshiko would put in an appearance tonight. Neither she nor Shiraishi had been able to come up with any alternative ideas for purifying the high school, and she really wanted to talk to the other miko. Kazumi had wanted to come too, but Akiko had finally convinced her not to.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">A flickering light approached through the trees, and Akiko felt a great sense of relief. Yoshiko emerged into the clearing, and bowed formally.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I have been most remiss in contacting you.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko bowed in return.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, it is I who should be apologising.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They straightened up and faced each other, and Akiko realised that she had no idea where to start. The silence stretched on, until Akiko had to break it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Shall we continue not asking those questions for a while?â€ Yoshiko looked a bit surprised, and then nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think that might be better. I don’t understand what I saw. It was real, wasn’t it?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. Yes, it was.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Then… I don’t think I’m ready to ask about it yet.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No,â€ Akiko agreed, “I don’t think I am, either.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was another awkward pause.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I do have a different question, though. About purification.â€ Yoshiko visibly relaxed.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I might be able to help with that. What is the problem?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko explained about the school, and the heavy kegare. Yoshiko shuddered at the description.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ve never seen kegare spirits like that. So, you want to purify the place?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But it’s very difficult. Normal harae doesn’t seem to work.â€ She described their first attempt, and then the attempt with the gohei, following Tamao’s instructions. Yoshiko was shaking her head as Akiko finished.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not surprised it didn’t work. You had the kami present in the gohei; waving it around might make the kami more energetic, but it wouldn’t purify the area.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It kept the spirits away,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, yes. The aramitama would scare any kegare.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko leant back against the tree, letting her tension drain away for a moment.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, what should we do? We need to purify the place.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Yoshiko nodded, obviously thinking.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think you must be right about somehow involving the aramitama. I think that is what Tamao meant. But…â€ She paused, looking up at the tree as she thought some more, and then looking back at Akiko. “I don’t know. If the kami somehow performed the purification, that might work. But,â€ she said, quickly raising a hand to forestall the obvious question, “I don’t know how you would make the kami perform the purification. It’s a difficult problem,â€ she concluded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Akiko was silent for a few moments, lost in thought, and then she shook herself, and stood up. “Well, we did solve one problem. I know how to get back out of the kami forest here, rather than at that other place.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh?â€ Yoshiko suddenly looked interested.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We just chose the wrong tree. Each of the trees in the forest seems to be connected to a different tree.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah. Yes, that makes sense,â€ Yoshiko admitted.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So… Should we practise the dances in the forest?â€ Yoshiko looked at the ground.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It is a good place to practise,â€ she admitted, without looking up, “but…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, it’s OK,â€ Akiko said quickly. “We can practise out here. I brought the kagurasuzu.â€ She held it up, and Yoshiko quickly brightened, soon becoming engrossed in the dance lesson.</p>', 'Taking Advice', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'taking-advice', '', '', '2009-11-25 09:05:20', '2009-11-25 00:05:20', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=836', 0, 'post', '', 2);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(837, 1, '2009-08-28 12:07:54', '2009-08-28 03:07:54', '', 'Taking Advice', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '836-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:07:54', '2009-08-28 03:07:54', '', 836, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/836-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(838, 1, '2009-11-25 00:00:09', '2009-11-24 15:00:09', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko sat at the kitchen table, her third cup of coffee in front of her as she tried to keep her eyes open.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Next time, I’ll insist on going into the forest,</em> she thought. Kazumi had finished breakfast, and had been sent to watch the shrine, while Akiko and Shiraishi discussed the problem of the school. Akiko explained what Yoshiko had said, and Shiraishi nodded as she finished.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That makes a lot of sense, actually. Waving the kami’s yorishiro around isn’t normally part of purification.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yorishiro? Oh, yes, the thing the kami is inhabiting. Well, it didn’t work, so obviously we were doing something wrong.â€ She took another sip of coffee, and frowned. “But what can we do to do it right?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, if we could get the kami to perform the harae, that might well work.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Tamao doesn’t have hands,â€ Akiko pointed out, “and the aramitama doesn’t even seem to have a body.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That <em>would</em> make it a bit difficult,â€ Shiraishi conceded. “Although I think there are other ways to do purification; the ohnusa is just the most standard one today.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Like what?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, washing in a river or under a waterfall is the classic one. Using salt water or boiling water is also common. Transferring the kegare to a paper doll, and either burning the doll or dropping it in a river. Er…â€ The priest paused a moment. “I think there are some shrines that use small pieces of rope, as well.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“None of those sound like things that Tamao could do, though,â€ Akiko said, and Shiraishi shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You’re right. They <em>are</em> all designed for people, after all.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you think I should try to ask Tamao what sort of purifications he can perform?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Wait, do you remember? He purified Kazumi with light when we saw him in the other shrine. Do you think he could do that for the school?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe…â€ Akiko thought for a moment. “But he didn’t suggest it. I know Tamao isn’t always as helpful as he could be, but failing to suggest that seems really obstructive.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe he’s testing us?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t think so. I think he really wants the kegare to be cleared. The aramitama certainly seemed very angry about its presence at the wild festival; I don’t think Tamao would endure it for longer than he had to…â€ Akiko fell silent as something occurred to her. The aramitama had possessed her at the festival, and before, when she had worn the mask. “Revd Shiraishi, what about if I performed the purification while possessed by the aramitama? Would that work?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Could you?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was a good question. In the previous possessions, Akiko had not been fully in control of her own body.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t know, but it might be worth a try. I was able to take the mask off during the wild festival, so I don’t completely lose control. Maybe if we explain to the kami first, I’ll be allowed to keep control.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest looked at her for a few moments, and then stared up at the ceiling for a while. When she looked down, she nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s worth a try. I’d better teach you how to do the purification properly.â€</p>', 'Making it Active', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'making-it-active', '', '', '2009-11-25 08:56:44', '2009-11-24 23:56:44', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=838', 0, 'post', '', 3);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(839, 1, '2009-08-28 12:08:35', '2009-08-28 03:08:35', '', 'Making It Active', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '838-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:08:35', '2009-08-28 03:08:35', '', 838, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/838-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(840, 1, '2009-11-26 00:00:51', '2009-11-25 15:00:51', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, hold it a bit higher. About here.â€ Shiraishi lifted Akiko’s hands, so that the ohnusa was at chest level. “Now, left hand up a bit. You want to hold the head of the ohnusa a bit higher than the handle.â€ The priest stepped back, as Akiko held her position, and considered her for a minute, before nodding. “That’s good. Now, walk forward, left foot first.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko carefully followed the instructions, although she couldn’t shake a worry about them. Finally, they finished, and Shiraishi said she could take a break before practising again.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Revd Shiraishi, am I going to be able to perform all of these movements correctly while possessed and being attacked by giant cockroaches?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, if you practise them…â€ Shiraishi suddenly came to stop, and then grinned, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I took that question completely seriously.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But…â€ Akiko started to protest, and Shiraishi raised a hand.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I know. It’s just a straight question about the circumstances you are studying for. But… ‘while possessed and being attacked by giant cockroaches’? That’s weird.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, they aren’t really giant cockroaches,â€ Akiko offered, but she could see the priest’s point. When had such things become everyday matters of course for her? And, more to the point, <em>how?</em> <em>They turned up in your everyday life,</em> a voice said in the back of her mind. <em>You are really quite adaptable.</em> “Anyway, am I going to be able to do it?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“If you practise enough, I think so. It needs to be more-or-less automatic.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I suppose I’d better do plenty of practice, then. Let’s try it again.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The movements were not the only thing Akiko needed to practise; she also had to practise reading the purification norito.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You carry a piece of paper with it written on,â€ Shiraishi explained, “but given the giant cockroach situation, you’d better try to memorise it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“‘Giant cockroach situation’?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry.â€ Shiraishi did sound apologetic. “I just can’t shake the sense that it’s somehow ridiculous.â€ She grimaced. “Maybe I should apologise to Kazumi for shouting at her about joking about it; it does have a weird side. Anyway, let’s try it again.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was lunchtime before Shiraishi let Akiko try a full harae, and Kazumi volunteered to be the subject of it. As Akiko knelt in front of the ohnusa, reciting the norito, she felt something building up inside her, something like tension, like the crackle of static electricity in the air, like the ominous calm of an approaching typhoon. Fragments of kegare suddenly became strikingly obvious to her, tiny deformed insects scuttling across the grass even as they were consumed by a light that seemed to come from the green blades.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When she picked up the ohnusa, she could see the light within it, and as she swung it she felt an incredible sense of release, as the power that had built up inside her swept out, a wave of light that obliterated all kegare before it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That was good,â€ Shiraishi said. “You seem to be getting the hang of these ceremonies.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Revd Shiraishi, is it possible to do the harae without any tools?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No tools? Well, I’m sure we could think of something. Is it in case you drop them?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, although that’s actually a good point. No, I was thinking about the kami forest. Maybe I can purify the trees, and get back through them.â€</p>', 'Bare Purification', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'bare-purification', '', '', '2009-11-27 17:01:42', '2009-11-27 08:01:42', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=840', 0, 'post', '', 4);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(841, 1, '2009-08-28 12:09:19', '2009-08-28 03:09:19', '', 'Bare Purification', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '840-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:09:19', '2009-08-28 03:09:19', '', 840, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/840-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(842, 1, '2009-11-27 00:00:35', '2009-11-26 15:00:35', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are we going back to the school tonight?â€ Akiko asked Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, I think you need some more practice first,â€ the priest replied. “You can do the purification well enough here, but you might have trouble while possessed and being attacked by giant cockroaches.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Tomorrow night?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think so; I don’t think we can afford to wait too long.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko had to agree with that.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“In that case, I think I’ll go to the kami forest tonight.â€ Akiko couldn’t read Shiraishi’s reaction to that, which was strange. “I’ll be able to practise the version without the ohnusa, at least, and if last time is any guide, I won’t need to sleep.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Shiraishi’s response wasn’t a refusal, at least.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is there a problem?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ The priest sounded a little surprised. “Oh, no, no problem.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Akiko said, still not entirely sure, “I’d better get changed. The vestments take a bit too long to get in and out of.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh! Are you going to the kami forest?â€ Kazumi had just been passing the office, and now she stuck her head through the window. “Can I come too?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko’s first reaction was to refuse, but she didn’t really have a good reason to, and it wouldn’t hurt to have someone else around in case something went wrong. She nodded, and Kazumi’s face lit up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ll get changed too.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Within half an hour, Akiko and Kazumi were both standing in front of the tree in their yukata. They paid their respects, bowing twice, clapping twice, bowing once, and then Kazumi pulled her yukata off and stepped up to the tree. She looked back just before embracing it, and her face turned puzzled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Come on, Akiko!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Taking a deep breath, Akiko undid her belt, and dropped the yukata to the floor.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She felt the rough bark of the tree against her skin for a moment as she embraced it, warm and soothing, and then she was plunged into a wall of spray, fine needles of water driven by a strong wind, driving into her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She was standing in the forest, with Kazumi next to her. The girl looked around, and then grinned broadly.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s still here!â€ she shouted, before leaping for a tree and almost running up the trunk into the branches.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi!â€ Akiko called. “Pay attention!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The upper half of the girl’s body appeared, hanging down below the foliage.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This is the tree that leads back to the shrine. Don’t forget.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously. I don’t want to end up on the other side of Kawasaki either, you know.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">While Kazumi played, Akiko made her way across the roots to another tree. Looking within, she could see nothing but another tree, an old keyaki, surrounded by darkness. Suddenly, her plan to step through the tree and then purify it seemed really, really stupid. The purification ceremony took a few minutes, and the tree might be on the side of a busy road. She might not be able to finish it before someone interrupted her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Frowning, she stepped back to consider her options, just as Kazumi dropped from the tree to stand beside her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you going to purify it?â€ she asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I… Well, I suppose I could try doing it from here,â€ Akiko replied. “I need a twig or something…â€ She looked around among the roots, and soon found a fallen twig with enough branches to look a bit like a tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s going to absorb the kegare, right?â€ Kazumi asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. It’s a substitute for the tree.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Then what?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Normally, you’d burn it or throw it in a river. Here… Well, we’ll see what seems appropriate. Any more questions?â€ Akiko was smiling slightly as she asked, but Kazumi was utterly serious as she shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, then…â€</p>', 'Purification from Within', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'purification-from-within', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:12:04', '2009-08-28 03:12:04', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=842', 0, 'post', '', 1);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(843, 1, '2009-08-28 12:10:04', '2009-08-28 03:10:04', '', 'Purification From Within', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '842-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:10:04', '2009-08-28 03:10:04', '', 842, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/842-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(844, 1, '2009-11-28 00:00:23', '2009-11-27 15:00:23', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko started to recite the purification prayer, concentrating to make sure she did not slip over any of the syllables. The level of life and energy in the forest was making her a little light-headed again, especially with her vision tuned to the spirits, and it wasn’t as easy to focus on the words as she had thought.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>I do need more practice,</em> she acknowledged, and almost lost the thread of the norito.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the prayer continued, Akiko saw wisps of darkness, like scraps of cloud in a windy sky, gather and stream from the tree, towards the twig she held in her hand. Within the tree, the darkness around the tree at the other end was receding as it was drawn through and into the twig. Earthen ground came into view, and then the base of another tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The norito finished, and Akiko bowed, the twig held in front of her. As she straightened up, there was a sudden flare of light, and a roaring in her ears, as the twig burst into flames that consumed it in a moment, leaving a light scattering of ash over Akiko’s hands.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">For a long moment, Akiko and Kazumi stood in silence, looking at where the twig had been.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Akiko said at last, “that answers the question of what we do with the twig.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you all right?â€ Kazumi sounded concerned, and Akiko quickly nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh yes, I barely even felt the heat. Certainly no burns.â€ She held up her hands as evidence, and Kazumi smiled in relief.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, did it work?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think so. I can see more of the area around the tree at the other end now.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What can you see?â€ Kazumi sounded a bit impatient, and Akiko remembered when Shiraishi had wished she could see the spirits.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Just earth and some more trees. Maybe the tree is in a wood somewhere.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No-one around?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No,â€ Akiko replied, without thinking, and Kazumi sprang up to the tree, wrapping her arms around it and vanishing.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The girl appeared in the image Akiko could see within the tree, looking around, walking around the tree, and then embracing it once more.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She appeared back beside Akiko.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What did you think you were doing?â€ Akiko exploded at her. Kazumi took a step back, her face shocked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I… I just wanted to test it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You could have ended up anywhere!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I could get back!â€ Kazumi was almost shouting back now, and Akiko suddenly realised that things were about to get out of control. Dropping her gaze, she took a deep breath.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. It worked.â€ She looked up again. “It was still a stupid risk.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We have to take risks. We aren’t going to find anything out otherwise.â€ She still sounded sulky and defiant, and Akiko had to admit that she had a point.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, at least tell me in advance.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You’d have said no.â€ Another good point.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. So, where did it go?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi smiled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, it was dark, so it was a bit difficult to tell. A woodland, though. Quite a big one. Maybe the forest park? Or Ikuta? At least, if it’s within Kawasaki.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Was it in a city?â€ Akiko asked, and Kazumi thought about it for a few moments.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ she replied, at last. “I could hear traffic.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hmm.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should have a look at some of the others,â€ Kazumi said, but her tone was more pleading than the words suggested. Akiko thought for a moment, and then smiled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. We won’t learn anything if we don’t explore.â€</p>', 'Exploration', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'exploration', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:11:01', '2009-08-28 03:11:01', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=844', 0, 'post', '', 1);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(845, 1, '2009-08-28 12:10:52', '2009-08-28 03:10:52', '', 'Exploration', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '844-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:10:52', '2009-08-28 03:10:52', '', 844, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/844-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(846, 1, '2009-11-29 00:00:10', '2009-11-28 15:00:10', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The dark fog of kegare was close around Akiko, and she nodded, trusting that Shiraishi would be able to see the signal. She heard the priest begin the harae norito, and looked around, hoping to see some change.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They were back in front of the school, Akiko carrying the mask from the shrine, but there was no way that they could try calling the kami into such a polluted area. So, the plan was for Shiraishi to purify the area around them first, and hope that this did not draw the attention of the spirits in the school.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The fog began to visibly shift, and Akiko caught a glimpse of light. She looked in all directions, but there was still no sign of any spirit larger than a mosquito, and the smaller ones were all driven off by the faint aura surrounding her body.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The light brightened suddenly, as Shiraishi swung the ohnusa and drove the kegare back. She swung again, and the fog was driven away, leaving Akiko and Shiraishi in a clear area. With the final swing, Shiraishi completed the purification, and a glow seemed to settle on the ground and in the air, holding back the corruption. Akiko looked around once more; still no sign of the spirits.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It looks OK,â€ she said, as she walked a bit closer to the edge of the purified area. She could see the fog rubbing up against the light, now, like sandpaper, slowly eroding it. It wouldn’t last for ever, but they should have enough time. She looked back at the priest, who nodded, holding the ohnusa ready.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko stepped back to the centre of the purified area, and took a deep breath as she raised the mask towards her face. She remembered the pain of the previous times the aramitama had taken her, and for a moment her hands froze, the mask still only halfway up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I see the spirits,â€ Shiraishi warned. “I think they’ve noticed us.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Swallowing her fear, Akiko quickly lifted the mask the rest of the way, settling it over her face, reaching back to tie the strings.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The rage filled her like the wind in sails, driving all other thoughts from her mind. The wall of kegare in front of her still blocked her vision, but now it was painful to look at, as if the sandpaper was rubbing on her eyeballs.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Taking a deep breath, she blew at the fog, and the wind that sprang up around her caught the kegare, twisting it, scattering it, and leaving the school clear to view.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She could see no spirits, but the kegare was obvious, veins of black running through the structure of the building, weaknesses in the pillars supporting it. Currents in the air spoke of fatigue and malice, while the ground was barren, parched and ready to soak up any water, any life that might be poured out on it. The rage flared within her again, and she took a step forward, shifting her weight, ready to run.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi’s shout was barely audible, but it was enough.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>No, </em> Akiko thought, throwing all her willpower into not moving. <em>Not like that. Not. Like. That.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She took two steps forward, and stopped, breathing hard. The rage was still boiling inside her, and sweat was streaming off her. She could still see the light from Shiraishi’s purification, sparks being sucked off and into the school, where the currents of darkness absorbed them. Those currents were shifting now, starting to flow out of the building and towards Akiko. But she still couldn’t move. The aramitama wanted to run straight into the school, and fighting that urge was taking all her effort.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Harae,</em> she thought, directing it at the rage within her. <em>Purify the place.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The currents of decay had reached the edge of the light now, but although they scythed off a bit of the illumination every time they touched it, it was still slow. They still had time.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Harae,</em> Akiko thought again, and turned towards Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest was pale, staring at Akiko, and the ohnusa was shaking slightly in her hands, but she still stood there, holding it ready.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko stopped in front of the priest, and bowed. The second time was much easier, the aramitama no longer resisting. She began to recite the norito, aware as she did so that the darkness surrounding them was crowding in, pressing on the barrier of light, as the rage began to build within her again. Forcing herself to focus on the ohnusa, she continued the norito. Light appeared within the shide, and the words flowed out easily, two days of practice showing their worth.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She caught a glimpse of the movement out of the corner of her eye, and felt something cold and empty brush against her skin. She remembered failing a test at elementary school, one she had bragged to all her friends was really easy. She remembered a really bad choice of boyfriend, dumped after an excruciating week. Failure after embarrassing failure came back to her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And were swept away by the rage, and by the flow of words, as the norito continued to fall from her lips, and the light in the ohnusa strengthened, blossoming into fire.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She took the ohnusa from Shiraishi, holding as she had been taught, and turning to face the school.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">In front of her loomed a gigantic figure, like a centipede formed by a rent in the air, a rent into a dark void, an emptiness, a lack in the world. Its jaws clashed together above her head, with a sound like the death of music. As Akiko raised the ohnusa, the thing fell back a pace, its head lowering towards her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She swung, and the centipede flinched back, dozens of legs scrabbling for purchase as a wave of fire swept over it, illuminating the void, a hundred sparks in the blackness.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She swung again, and the sparks within the centipede grew brighter, flaring in moments into a hundred suns, light that filled the void and vanished, along with the creature itself.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The school was visible now, hunched over, the decay running through it all too obvious. It was in the walls, in the floors, in the water and the books, in the very air of the classrooms. Fear, exhaustion, despair; no sign that the building was normally filled with people on the verge of adulthood.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko swung the ohnusa one last time, and the fire rushed from it in a towering wave, burning red and purple, green and gold, silver limning the edges of the flames. The school grounds vanished in a burning lake, and the buildings were surrounded, covered, hidden in the light.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The flames burned brighter, blindingly so, and Akiko felt the rage within her change to exultation. She could see nothing but the light, hear nothing but the roar of the fire, feel nothing but fierce joy in purity.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And then it was over, the mask falling from her face, bouncing off the ohnusa to land on the ground, spinning a few times before rocking to a stop in the darkness.</p>', 'Rematch', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'rematch', '', '', '2009-11-29 21:19:32', '2009-11-29 12:19:32', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=846', 0, 'post', '', 9);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(847, 1, '2009-08-28 12:11:35', '2009-08-28 03:11:35', '', 'Rematch', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '846-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:11:35', '2009-08-28 03:11:35', '', 846, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/846-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(848, 1, '2009-08-28 12:10:15', '2009-08-28 03:10:15', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are we going back to the school tonight?â€ Akiko asked Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, I think you need some more practice first,â€ the priest replied. “You can do the purification well enough here, but you might have trouble while possessed and being attacked by giant cockroaches.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Tomorrow night?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think so; I don’t think we can afford to wait too long.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko had to agree with that.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“In that case, I think I’ll go to the kami forest tonight.â€ Akiko couldn’t read Shiraishi’s reaction to that, which was strange. “I’ll be able to practise the version without the ohnusa, at least, and if last time is any guide, I won’t need to sleep.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Shiraishi’s response wasn’t a refusal, at least.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is there a problem?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ The priest sounded a little surprised. “Oh, no, no problem.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Akiko said, still not entirely sure, “I’d better get changed. The vestments take a bit too long to get in and out of.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh! Are you going to the kami forest?â€ Kazumi had just been passing the office, and now she stuck her head through the window. “Can I come too?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko’s first reaction was to refuse, but she didn’t really have a good reason to, and it wouldn’t hurt to have someone else around in case something went wrong. She nodded, and Kazumi’s face lit up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ll get changed too.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Within half an hour, Akiko and Kazumi were both standing in front of the tree in their yukata. They paid their respects, bowing twice, clapping twice, bowing once, and then Kazumi pulled her yukata off and stepped up to the tree. She looked back just before embracing it, and her face turned puzzled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Come on, Akiko!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Taking a deep breath, Akiko undid her belt, and dropped the yukata to the floor.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She felt the rough bark of the tree against her skin for a moment as she embraced it, warm and soothing, and then she was plunged into a wall of spray, fine needles of water driven by a strong wind, driving into her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She was standing in the forest, with Kazumi next to her. The girl looked around, and then grinned broadly.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s still here!â€ she shouted, before leaping for a tree and almost running up the trunk into the branches.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi!â€ Akiko called. “Pay attention!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The upper half of the girl’s body appeared, hanging down below the foliage.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This is the tree that leads back to the shrine. Don’t forget.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously. I don’t want to end up on the other side of Kawasaki either, you know.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">While Kazumi played, Akiko made her way across the roots to another tree. Looking within, she could see nothing but another tree, an old keyaki, surrounded by darkness. Suddenly, her plan to step through the tree and then purify it seemed really, really stupid. The purification ceremony took a few minutes, and the tree might be on the side of a busy road. She might not be able to finish it before someone interrupted her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Frowning, she stepped back to consider her options, just as Kazumi dropped from the tree to stand beside her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you going to purify it?â€ she asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I… Well, I suppose I could try doing it from here,â€ Akiko replied. “I need a twig or something…â€ She looked around among the roots, and soon found a fallen twig with enough branches to look a bit like a tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s going to absorb the kegare, right?â€ Kazumi asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. It’s a substitute for the tree.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Then what?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Normally, you’d burn it or throw it in a river. Here… Well, we’ll see what seems appropriate. Any more questions?â€ Akiko was smiling slightly as she asked, but Kazumi was utterly serious as she shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, then…â€</p>', 'Purification From Within', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '842-revision-2', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:10:15', '2009-08-28 03:10:15', '', 842, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/842-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(849, 1, '2009-08-28 12:08:40', '2009-08-28 03:08:40', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko sat at the kitchen table, her third cup of coffee in front of her as she tried to keep her eyes open.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Next time, I’ll insist on going into the forest,</em> she thought. Kazumi had finished breakfast, and had been sent to watch the shrine, while Akiko and Shiraishi discussed the problem of the school. Akiko explained what Yoshiko had said, and Shiraishi nodded as she finished.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That makes a lot of sense, actually. Waving the kami’s yorishiro around isn’t normally part of purification.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yorishiro? Oh, yes, the thing the kami is inhabiting. Well, it didn’t work, so obviously we were doing something wrong.â€ She took another sip of coffee, and frowned. “But what can we do to it right?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, if we could get the kami to perform the harae, that might well work.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Tamao doesn’t have hands,â€ Akiko pointed out, “and the aramitama doesn’t even seem to have a body.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That <em>would</em> make it a bit difficult,â€ Shiraishi conceded. “Although I think there are other ways to do purification; the ohnusa is just the most standard one today.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Like what?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, washing in a river or under a waterfall is the classic on. Using salt water or boiling water is also common. Transferring the kegare to a paper doll, and either burning the doll or dropping it in a river. Er…â€ The priest paused a moment. “I think there are some shrines that use small pieces of rope, as well.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“None of those sound like things that Tamao could do, though,â€ Akiko said, and Shiraishi shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You’re right. They <em>are</em> all designed for people, after all.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you think I should try to ask Tamao what sort of purifications he can perform?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Wait, do you remember? He purified Kazumi with light when we saw him in the other shrine. Do you think he could do that for the school?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe…â€ Akiko thought for a moment. “But he didn’t suggest it. I know Tamao isn’t always as helpful as he could be, but failing to suggest that seems really obstructive.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe he’s testing us?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t think so. I think he really wants the kegare to be cleared. The aramitama certainly seemed very angry about its presence at the wild festival; I don’t think Tamao would endure it for longer than he had to…â€ Akiko fell silent as something occurred to her. The aramitama had possessed her at the festival, and before, when she had worn the mask. “Revd Shiraishi, what about if I performed the purification while possessed by the aramitama? Would that work?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Could you?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was a good question. In the previous possessions, Akiko had not been fully in control of her own body.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t know, but it might be worth a try. I was able to take the mask off during the wild festival, so I don’t completely lose control. Maybe if we explain to the kami first, I’ll be allowed to keep control.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest looked at her for a few moments, and then stared up at the ceiling for a while. When she looked down, she nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s worth a try. I’d better teach you how to do the purification properly.â€</p>', 'Making It Active', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '838-revision-2', '', '', '2009-08-28 12:08:40', '2009-08-28 03:08:40', '', 838, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/838-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(850, 1, '2009-11-30 00:00:45', '2009-11-29 15:00:45', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko crouched and carefully picked the mask up; it appeared to be undamaged. Looking up, there was no kegare to be seen over the school, or for some distance around it. Beyond that, however, the banks of fog still rose, and even as Akiko watched they began to move in, the exploratory tendrils they sent out dispersing in the air, but not stopping.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ Akiko replied. “Yes,â€ more confidently this time, “it worked. The school’s kegare is gone.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you all right?â€ The priest sounded really concerned, and Akiko turned to her, nodding.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I managed to convince the aramitama to do things our way, rather than just charging in.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You burst into flames.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I <em>what?â€</em> Akiko just stared at the priest. “I remember feeling hot, but…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You were enveloped in fire. I couldn’t see you at all.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was a sound of distant sirens, and Shiraishi drew a deep breath.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. That happens. The important thing is that the harae worked.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Not for the whole city, though,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s progress. We should get back.â€ She grinned. “We have to break the news to Kazumi.â€ Akiko laughed; Kazumi would not be happy about going back to school.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The sirens were getting louder, and Akiko suddenly realised that they were approaching.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should go now, before they arrive.â€ Shiraishi nodded, and they set off, walking quickly, but not running. The fire engines rushed past the end of the alley, clearly on their way to the school.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Fire engines?</em> Akiko wondered. <em>But there was no </em>real<em> fire.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you think anyone else saw the flames?â€ Shiraishi asked, the same thing apparently occurring to her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Did you see the flames at the end?â€ Akiko asked, unsure just how much the priest had seen. Shiraishi nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The whole school was covered with them. It was really quite spectacular.â€ She paused. “But I was rather assuming that most people wouldn’t be able to see them.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko nodded in agreement.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi couldn’t see the fire around the shrine before, could she? Maybe there’s just someone living nearby who can see the spirits,â€ she suggested, but then shook her head. “No, in that case they’d have seen the spirits at the school, and something would have…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Suddenly, the ground shifted beneath them, as windows rattled and car alarms sounded. Akiko flung out her arms for balance, and ran to the middle of the road. She could feel the waves of kegare under the surface of the city, shifting and roiling, not angry, not conscious, but strong, and not happy with being confined. The fog had formed into dozens of tiny tornados, which tore at the ground, trying to dig down and release the forces below.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The shaking stopped, and the fog spread out once more, hiding the houses from Akiko’s view. It took a few moments for her to force her vision back to the mundane, and when she did the first thing she saw was the mask of worry that was Shiraishi’s face.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko? Are you all right? That wasn’t a very big earthquake, but you’ve gone white…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The kegare…â€ she began, and then shook her head, starting the sentence again. “That wasn’t just an earthquake. That was the kegare moving. I think we’re running out of time.â€</p>', 'Earthquake', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'earthquake-4', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:16:25', '2009-08-28 06:16:25', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=850', 0, 'post', '', 1);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(851, 1, '2009-08-28 15:16:18', '2009-08-28 06:16:18', '', 'Earthquake', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '850-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:16:18', '2009-08-28 06:16:18', '', 850, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/850-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(852, 1, '2009-12-01 00:00:34', '2009-11-30 15:00:34', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi had been less than delighted to hear that her school had been purified, but she set off nevertheless, leaving soon after the morning ceremonies were complete. A near-constant stream of people was coming for harae, and the kegare they carried sickened Akiko, increasing her worry.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi was back within a couple of hours.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No school!â€ she said as she bounded into the shrine grounds, not even trying to sound unhappy. “The fire department was called out last night, and although there was no fire they spotted some problems with the fire safety systems. They had us wait outside while the engineers looked at it, but they found cracks in the building itself. Apparently, it could fall down if we breathe on it too hard. So we were all sent home.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Breathe too hard?â€ Akiko asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, OK. But it would only take a level four earthquake, they said. So no school until they have safer temporary accommodation ready.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kegare,â€ Akiko said, half to herself, but Kazumi picked it up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You think the kegare caused the damage?â€ Akiko nodded, and looked over at Shiraishi, who was just finishing another harae.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think we need to act now. Go and get changed.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What? Oh, yes. Right away.â€ Kazumi dashed into the house, and Akiko walked over to Shiraishi, her jaw set.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Revd Shiraishi, we have to do something now,â€ she said, not bothering with any preamble.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ The priest was confused for a moment, but quickly put things together. “Why so urgent?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko quickly explained about the school, and the priest nodded in understanding.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. Tell everyone waiting for personal harae that we’ll do a group one; then we have to do something about the city.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Half an hour later the three of them were standing in the road outside the shrine, Akiko looking out at the pollution, which was getting ever heavier. She had the mask in her hands, the wood becoming slick with her sweat.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Why am I so nervous?</em> she wondered, even as she nodded to Shiraishi to begin the initial purification.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the mask settled over her face again, Akiko’s nerves were swept away by the fierce exultation that filled her, a need to act that drove her a step forward, before she turned to walk over to Shiraishi, and stop before the ohnusa. The aramitama seemed to know what was happening this time, because it did not interfere as she began to recite the norito, as the light and fire built up within the ohnusa. Instead, her tension and anticipation grew ever greater, her skin tingling to the tips of her fingers as she reached out for the ohnusa, taking it from the priest and returning to face away from the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She raised the ohnusa in front of her, and it was a great blossom of flame, the tongues of fire rising up, writhing in the air almost like a snake, almost as if they were anticipating her swinging them through the air.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Perhaps they are,</em> she thought, as she swung the ohnusa hard.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The flames flew off it, growing as they raced away from her, merging into a wall of fire that swept through the houses, and then another as she swung it once more, and a third, scouring the kegare away, and remaining as an arc of fire, another barrier against pollution.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">A barrier that was, Akiko saw, far too close.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Again, the mask dropped from her face, and the fire vanished. As the mask touched the ground, the wood ringing clearly, the earth lurched beneath Akiko’s feet, sending her staggering to one side.</p>', 'Urgent Purification', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'urgent-purification', '', '', '2009-12-01 09:35:00', '2009-12-01 00:35:00', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=852', 0, 'post', '', 4);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(853, 1, '2009-08-28 15:17:01', '2009-08-28 06:17:01', '', 'Urgent Purification', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '852-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:17:01', '2009-08-28 06:17:01', '', 852, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/852-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(854, 1, '2009-12-02 00:00:20', '2009-12-01 15:00:20', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Was that the kegare?â€ Shiraishi asked as soon as the ground settled, and Akiko forced a nod. “And the harae?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It worked, but it didn’t go far enough. It would take us far too long to purify the whole area like this.â€ <em>Especially as it seems to provoke the kegare when we do it,</em> she thought, but she decided against sharing that particular worry. They had enough to think about.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Can we make the aramitama stronger?â€ Kazumi asked. “You know, have another festival?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“There’s no time!â€ Akiko shouted it, and then clamped her mouth shut, closing her eyes and drawing a deep breath. <em>It’s not a silly suggestion. Don’t take it out on Kazumi.</em> “I’m sorry. I don’t think we have long enough to organise a festival, though.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, what about the kami forest?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What about… Oh. Yes.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The kami forest?â€ Shiraishi sounded puzzled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Come on,â€ Akiko said. “I’ll explain on the way.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is it really that ur…â€ the priest began, and Akiko cut her off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It might be. I don’t know. Do you want to take the risk that it is?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi stared at her for a moment, and then shook her head, starting off up the steps, following Kazumi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, what about the kami forest?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. Kazumi and I explored it a couple of nights ago, and found that it connects to trees all around here. <em>And</em> if you do a purification within the forest, it has some effect around the trees outside. That’s how we were able to get out and back again.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hang on, you were going naked all over Kawasaki?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Very briefly. And it was mainly Kazumi.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hey!â€ Kazumi objected.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, it was. Anyway, we needed to know. So, if I can take the aramitama into the forest and perform a purification, maybe we can do the whole city at once.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you really think so?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think it’s worth a try.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They had reached the tree, and Akiko reached out to touch the bark. It was not calming; the tree seemed to be as nervous as she was, which only made Akiko even more nervous. Kazumi was already undressing, and Akiko handed the mask over to Shiraishi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hold this a moment.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As soon as she was naked, she took the mask back, avoiding Shiraishi’s eyes and trying not to blush.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK, it’s probably best if you purify me again.â€ Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Kazumi vanish into the tree, and she shifted awkwardly in place as Shiraishi recited the norito, stumbling over a few of the words.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As soon as the harae was complete, she placed the mask over her face, without tying it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The aramitama rushed into her, and this time the expectation had a questioning edge.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’re going into the tree,â€ she said, out loud, “and I can’t take the mask. Stay with me.â€ Holding her breath as she did so, she lowered her hand, removing the mask, but the aramitama was still boiling within her. She could see flames leaping from the skin of her forearms, and she held the mask out towards the priest, who took it. Without looking at her, she stepped forward and embraced the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was a moment in which Akiko felt utter terror, excruciating pain, total euphoria, and a mind-shattering orgasm, all at once, and then she was standing in the kami forest.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She was still burning. She could see the flames rising from her skin, dancing over it, almost like feathers.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Immediately, she began the harae norito, chanting the words as quickly as she dared. As she spoke, the flames around her hands spread up, forming an ohnusa of fire, which she lifted.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She spoke the final words of the norito, and swung the ohnusa, waves of light spilling from it to wash around and through all the trees.</p>', 'Light in the Trees', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'light-in-the-trees', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:17:52', '2009-08-28 06:17:52', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=854', 0, 'post', '', 2);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(855, 1, '2009-08-28 15:17:46', '2009-08-28 06:17:46', '', 'Light in the Trees', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '854-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:17:46', '2009-08-28 06:17:46', '', 854, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/854-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(856, 1, '2009-12-03 00:00:01', '2009-12-02 15:00:01', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko couldn’t sit still, and she thought Shiraishi was fighting to remain calm.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe three metres radius around each tree,â€ she said, frowning. “Not even close to enough.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But not nothing,â€ the priest pointed out.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No. But you felt another earthquake, right?â€ Shiraishi nodded; Akiko and Kazumi had felt nothing in the kami forest. “Every time we purify somewhere through the aramitama, there is an earthquake. It might be the kami as much as the kegare. In any case, we <em>can’t</em> do the whole city piece by piece. If we do, there will be too many earthquakes; the disaster will happen.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko, you don’t know that,â€ the priest chided her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You don’t know different!â€ Akiko realised she was shouting again, but she didn’t care. “We have to do something <em>now!â€</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The aramitama needs to be stronger, then. It needs to be strong enough for the harae to cover the whole city,â€ Shiraishi said. Akiko took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think so.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So we do need another festival.â€ The priest glanced at Kazumi, who nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We can’t do one in a day.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We have to. We have to start calling the ujiko now, and get as many of them here as we can.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko! We have to do something!â€ Shiraishi stood up so quickly that her chair fell over, shouting loudly enough to almost drown out the crash it made as it hit the floor. “Do you have any better ideas?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko opened her mouth to shout back, and then shut it. No, she didn’t have any better ideas.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. Let’s call them.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi nodded, and pulled the list of ujiko out of a drawer.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ll take the first two pages. Akiko, you have the next two, Kazumi, the last two. Try to be persuasive.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It wasn’t as easy as Akiko had hoped. A lot of people were in work, and quite a few of the others did not buy the only explanations that they could offer. Indeed, after the first couple of calls, Kazumi looked at Akiko, her face stricken.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What do I <em>say?</em> I can’t say that kegare is about to destroy Kawasaki. They’ll never believe that.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Say… Say we’ve just discovered a festival that’s essential to the shrine and has been neglected, and has to be performed today.â€ She smiled. “That’s even true.â€ Her face fell again. “I just hope it works.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She opened her cell phone again, and dialled the next number on the list.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hello, Mrs Tanaka. I’m just calling because…â€ She paused. The story didn’t sound so convincing now that she was about to say it to somebody. “We’ve been researching the shrine, and we’ve discovered a festival that we really ought to perform.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I see. That sounds interesting.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. Well, the thing is, it really has to be performed today.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Today?â€ She sounded surprised, which was, Akiko reflected, completely reasonable.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We were wondering whether you would be able to attend.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, we weren’t planning on going to the shrine…â€ Akiko heard another voice at the other end. “Just a moment,â€ Mrs Tanaka said, and then, Akiko guessed, put her hand over the mouthpiece; there was a muffled conversation.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry about that. You say you are holding the festival today?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, this afternoon.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“All right, we’ll be there.â€ She didn’t sound wildly enthusiastic, and Akiko’s mouth quirked into an almost smile.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you. And please thank your mother.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes… Oh, yes, of course. See you later.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s two,â€ Akiko announced to the room.</p>', 'Emergency Festival', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'emergency-festival', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:18:36', '2009-08-28 06:18:36', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=856', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(857, 1, '2009-08-28 15:18:27', '2009-08-28 06:18:27', '', 'Emergency Festival', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '856-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:18:27', '2009-08-28 06:18:27', '', 856, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/856-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(858, 1, '2009-12-04 00:00:42', '2009-12-03 15:00:42', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You didn’t say it was <em>this</em> sort of festival,â€ one of the women complained, holding up the strip of cloth in one hand.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>We didn’t know,</em> Akiko thought to herself, but that wouldn’t be a good thing to say. She had already changed into the loincloth and happi coat, and was aware that she was constantly blushing, something that didn’t help her to explain that there was nothing strange about it at all.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It wasn’t really surprising that the outfits had been Kazumi’s idea, but she had pointed out that the only established festival to the aramitama used them, and that they couldn’t afford to get it wrong. Akiko and Shiraishi had both had to concede that she was right, even as they adapted the mikoshi part of the ritual into a sort of contest involving two gohei; Shiraishi was sure that they needed some kind of chaotic competition to energise the aramitama.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry, it must have slipped my mind.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t think I want to wear this.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, don’t be such a wuss.â€ Akiko gave silent thanks for the older Mrs Tanaka. She’d even bullied her older daughter into wearing the outfit this time; she was standing at the side of the room, back to the wall, her face red. “It’s not like there are any men here.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“There are. I saw them.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“About three. And that Akira Takenaka is a really sweet boy; you don’t need to worry about him. The other two are older than me, and have probably lost interest.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko wasn’t sure about that, but the shortage of men was worrying her. It was going to be another difference from the model festival.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Have you lost interest?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Absolutely.â€ Mrs Tanaka said it with a completely straight face. “Us old folk have no interest in ogling naked bodies at all.â€ The woman smiled, but she wasn’t showing any sign of getting undressed, so Mrs Tanaka tried another tack.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Have you had a harae recently?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, yes. We all came at the weekend.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And? Oh, yes, it made a difference. We all felt much better.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. So now the shrine is asking for something in return. It’s not like you’re actually going to be naked.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK, OK!â€ Half exasperated, half grinning, the woman put her loincloth down and started to undress. “This had better be a <em>really</em> important festival.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>More than you realise, </em>Akiko thought, as she smiled and thanked her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they filed out into the shrine grounds, Akiko saw Mrs Watanabe standing at the top of the stairs.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What is this obscenity? What sort of depravity is the shrine descending to now? And with children here!â€ Akiko looked around, and realised she must mean Kazumi. The idea of Kazumi being corrupted by seeing people running around in loincloths was so funny that it gave Akiko the courage to go over and confront Mrs Watanabe.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This is a religious ceremony…â€ she began, but Mrs Watanabe cut her off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You’re just trying to lure people in so that you can spread your fascistic poison. You and your kami are parasites on Japan, and…â€ Akiko lost patience.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kegare is about to overwhelm Kawasaki. If we don’t perform a festival to strengthen Tamao, we won’t be able to purify it, and it will destroy the city. If you don’t leave <em>right now</em> you’re going to be in the same place as a very strong, and very angry, kami. You can try to explain your attitude to him directly if you like, but I really don’t recommend it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Mrs Watanabe stared at her for several seconds, the expression on her face strange and shifting rapidly. Akiko remembered the dead girl, and suddenly felt guilty about the threat. Then Mrs Watanabe turned and ran down the steps. Akiko could hear her sobbing as she vanished from view.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">A bad taste in her mouth, Akiko turned back to the festival, suddenly aware that people were staring at her.</p>', 'Preparing for Battle', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'preparing-for-battle', '', '', '2009-11-12 14:04:49', '2009-11-12 05:04:49', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=858', 0, 'post', '', 3);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(859, 1, '2009-08-28 15:19:06', '2009-08-28 06:19:06', '', 'Preparing for Battle', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '858-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:19:06', '2009-08-28 06:19:06', '', 858, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/858-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(860, 1, '2009-12-05 00:00:24', '2009-12-04 15:00:24', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What did you just say?â€ one of the women asked, and Akiko could feel her mouth opening and closing as she searched for an answer.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Could four of the women join the men, please?â€ Shiraishi called out, interrupting. “We need to balance the two groups a bit.â€ There was no response for a moment, as everyone was still staring at Akiko. Most of them looked as though they thought she had gone mad, although Noriko looked sympathetic, and Akira… Akiko didn’t want to think too hard about the way Akira was looking at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ooh, me, me! I’ll go with the men!â€ It was the older Mrs Tanaka, and she went straight to stand behind Akira. “This festival gets better by the minute!â€ Akira had gone bright pink, and Akiko couldn’t quite suppress the smile. Several people glanced at Mrs Tanaka, who was blatantly ogling Akira’s backside, and started smiling. The tension dropped, and people started to move again, looking away from Akiko. Mrs Tanaka’s daughter went to join her, and the groups sorted themselves out, choosing a representative to hold the gohei as they formed into two small groups in front of the pool and iwakura.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi, the only person fully dressed, in her vestments, performed a harae over them, and then knelt in front of the iwakura to call the aramitama out. Akiko shifted her vision over to watch the spirits. The fire was burning brightly in the iwakura, and as Shiraishi intoned the norito Akiko saw two bolts of fire arc out of it, falling into the gohei, which were instantly limned with light.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The norito finished, and the two groups retreated to opposite sides of the open area. Each side had a table, with a stand for a gohei. The aim was to put the gohei in the other side’s stand. The only rule was that you could not touch the other team’s gohei.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The result was complete chaos. The other team, with the men, had chosen Akira to carry the gohei, and the three men came charging forward while the women hung back, ready to stop the women’s team getting through. Noriko was holding their gohei, and she led them all straight at the men.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the two groups clashed, and the other women came running forward, Akiko felt hands pulling at her arms as she tried to push Akira back. She lost sight of Noriko for a moment, but then a flare from the gohei caught her attention. It was getting brighter.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The distraction was dangerous. Someone got a good grip on her arm and pulled her out, tumbling her to the ground. Her skin stinging, she pushed herself upright, and launched herself at the back of the woman blocking Noriko’s path, grabbing her shoulders to pull her back.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The happi coat slipped back and up, prompting an embarrassed squeal as the woman reached up to haul it down again, distracting her for long enough for Noriko to dodge round. Another woman was running to get in front of her, and Akiko released her hold, turning to intercept.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And squealing herself as she felt someone grab the top of her loincloth, almost pulling her off balance. She looked round to see a grinning Mrs Tanaka, and reached back to pry her hand away.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was enough of a delay, though. The woman was in front of Noriko, keeping in her path as she tried to dodge from side to side.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The gohei was burning a brilliant gold now, and the fire in the iwakura was reaching into the sky, red, green, purple, silver, and gold, a serpent of fire hanging over the shrine.</p>', 'Raising the Spirit', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'raising-the-spirit', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:20:00', '2009-08-28 06:20:00', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=860', 0, 'post', '', 4);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(861, 1, '2009-08-28 15:19:50', '2009-08-28 06:19:50', '', 'Raising the Spirit', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '860-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:19:50', '2009-08-28 06:19:50', '', 860, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/860-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(862, 1, '2009-12-06 00:00:16', '2009-12-05 15:00:16', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Still out of breath from the contest — but they won! — Akiko stood before the iwakura. The fire still towered into the sky, its light burning bright against darkness that seemed to threaten from all sides, looming over, blocking all but a tiny circle of blue sky.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Taking a deep breath, Akiko reached for the mask.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Even before her fingers reached it, the column of fire bent over and poured down into her like a waterfall. She felt it fill her, running through her veins, her nerves, into her eyes and ears, blotting out everything else with the sheer power. For a moment she forgot where she was, forgot what she had to do.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The shrieks from behind her brought her awareness back. The ohnusa was in front of her, and she bowed before it, twice.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Please try to be calm,â€ it was Shiraishi’s voice. <em>Why?</em> “She is perfectly all right.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Somebody call the…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>No!</em> Please be quiet for the norito.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>They can see! They can see the fire!</em> Akiko suddenly realised. As she began to recite the words of the ancient norito, she wondered what that meant.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She finished and bowed again, but the ohnusa was unchanged, still paper streamers on a wooden rod. She reached for it, with hands she could see were wreathed in flames, and as she touched it the flames spread from her hands to the ohnusa, each strip of paper burning a different colour, scattering sparks of light and flame as she lifted it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She turned back to the gathered ujiko, and raised the ohnusa. A few bowed their heads immediately, the others after a few moments. She swung the ohnusa, and fire exploded from it, across the shrine grounds, out to the boundary, and beyond, rushing out across the city. Akiko was filled with exhilaration. <em>It’s working.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She swung it again, and the fire rushed out once more, but this time the kegare stopped it some way outside the shrine, a boiling wall of blackness that was pressing in from all sides, pushing the light back. Akiko swung the ohnusa again, but the kegare was too strong now, pushing back hard in all directions, pressing right up to the edges of the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The fire in the iwakura flared up again, sending out wave after wave of fire, but they were all checked by the kegare. Things moved within the darkness, things with claws and wings and beaks, things that tested the barrier of fire, and then withdrew.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>It’s still not strong enough!</em> Akiko thought, wildly. <em>How can we…</em> The fire was eating at the darkness, and for a moment created a hole, a hole that was rapidly patched by kegare flowing in from other sides.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And suddenly Akiko understood what was happening. All of the kegare was concentrating here to contain the aramitama. If they won here, they would win everywhere.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">But it wasn’t at all clear that they would win here. There were places where the darkness extinguished the flames, and while the aramitama quickly reinforced it, the strength it had gained from the festival would not last for ever.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko knew what she had to do. Turning, she replaced the ohnusa in its stand, and then ran for the woods. She heard Shiraishi call after her, once, and then fall silent.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The woods felt more alive than ever, even the ground under her feet lending her strength and bearing her up. She reached the kami tree in moments, faster than she could ever remember, and wasn’t even out of breath as she paused to bow before it. She shrugged her happi coat off, and quickly undid the loincloth, before stepping forward to embrace the tree.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">For a moment there was agony, as the fire burned at her, and at the tree, and she felt the tree’s pain as her own, but then she was the fire, and the tree accepted her, letting her through.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She stood in the forest, the trees above her drawing their branches back from the flames that still leapt up from her body. Putting her hands together in front of her, she began to intone the harae norito once more. The flames drew in, concentrating above her hands, forming into an ohnusa of fire once more, but as she kept chanting Akiko seemed to flow with the fire, her awareness entering the ohnusa, her voice continuing to chant from behind her and above.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She raised herself, and turned herself loose.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko and the aramitama, a distinction she felt she was losing, rushed through the forest, filling it, surrounding the trees, pushing at them, opening them, embracing them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Pouring through them, like through a dozen open doors, and bursting out into Kawasaki through the trees, trees which shook themselves and put out new leaves and twigs as they passed, growing larger in a moment. Akiko laughed as she saw Kawasaki from many places at once, the shrine unmistakable within a dense cocoon of kegare, while the light swept between and through houses, under the streets, along power lines, burning away the kegare that was left, purifying everything as it rushed onwards, spreading out to the edge of Tamao’s domain, lapping gently against the realms of other kami.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Concentrating itself like a tsunami as it converged on the shrine, on the kegare around the shrine, the kegare fighting against the light within, turned in on the shrine, not prepared for the fire to strike it from all directions at once.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The scream filled Akiko’s soul as the waves of light crashed down on the corruption, and she exulted in it, gloried in it as the kegare held for a moment, and then collapsed, burning up under the light, dissolving into particles of darkness that vanished into nothingness, a cocoon of kegare that became a film, that was burned through, that vanished as the light without rejoined the light within, a sea of cleansing fire that covered the whole area, burning the clouds away from the sky. The joy of completion filled Akiko, submerging her soul in ecstasy.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Tamao was coiled around the pool, his eyes gazing deep into the light.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Bright Child, come back.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko was not the aramitama. She was…</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Bright Child, come back.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She remembered. She remembered a body. She was not a spirit, she was a body, human. Tamao looked at her, the light refracting through his scales and scattering in a million colours. He was calling her back. She let her awareness extend over the whole of his domain for a moment longer, confirming that it was all purified, through to the deepest level, and then answered his call.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You have done well, Bright Child. You have done very well.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was something in the pool, something pale, something familiar… A body. Her body.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You are still human, Bright Child.â€ Tamao had not taken his eyes from her. “Remember that.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She remembered. She remembered bruising her knee against a table. She remembered the taste of umeboshi. She remembered the feel of silk on her skin.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She was in her body.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She rose from the water, the scattered droplets turned to burning diamonds in the light from the iwakura.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The air was clean under a blue sky, and Akiko’s mind was at peace.</p>', 'Purification', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'purification-2', '', '', '2009-12-06 18:00:02', '2009-12-06 09:00:02', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=862', 0, 'post', '', 10);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(863, 1, '2009-08-28 15:20:34', '2009-08-28 06:20:34', '', 'Purificatoin', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '862-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:20:34', '2009-08-28 06:20:34', '', 862, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/862-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(864, 1, '2009-08-28 15:23:18', '2009-08-28 06:23:18', 'I''ve just finished writing what I planned to write. One hundred episodes are uploaded and waiting to be automatically released. So, unless there is a serious server crash, you are guaranteed daily updates until the end of the initial outline.\r\n\r\nThe last installment will go online on December 6th. If you want the story to continue beyond that, you need to give me money.', 'It Is Finished', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'it-is-finished', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:23:18', '2009-08-28 06:23:18', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=864', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(865, 1, '2009-08-28 15:23:11', '2009-08-28 06:23:11', 'I''ve just finished writing what I planned to write. One hundred episodes are uploaded and waiting to be automatically released. So, unless there is a serious server crash, you are guaranteed daily updates until the end of the initial outline.\n\nThe last installment will go online on December 6th. If you want the story to continue beyond that, you need to give me money.', 'It Is Finished', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '864-revision', '', '', '2009-08-28 15:23:11', '2009-08-28 06:23:11', '', 864, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/28/864-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(866, 1, '2009-08-30 18:18:34', '2009-08-30 09:18:34', 'As I mentioned in the last side post blog, I''ve now finished writing the story I initially planned out. It''s come to about 220,000 words, which would, apparently, be a 600 page paperback. There are still two sections for you to go; the last installment will go online on December 6th. Everything is uploaded to the server, so unless there is a server crash you''ll get everything on time, and unless there''s both a server crash and something happens to me, you''ll get everything by then or soon after.\r\n\r\nSo, do you want any more story after that? Even if we ignore opportunity costs (what I could have earned by writing 220,000 words for role-playing games), I''ve spent about 80,000 yen on Tamao, on advertising and web hosting. So, as you can see from the torii above, I''ll continue if I get at least 100,000 yen, before the written bit finishes. If I get the money before part six finishes (that''ll be seven weeks, of course), I''ll do my best to make sure that there is no break, and I think I''ll be able to manage it. If it''s later than that, I''ll still try, but I''m less confident that I''ll succeed.\r\n\r\nThere are two ways you can give me money. The most efficient is to click on any of the donate graphics and give me money through PayPal. I can take credit cards, and you don''t need a PayPal account.\r\n\r\nThe other way is to buy something from Amazon.com after clicking on one of the links on this page. It doesn''t have to be one of my books (although that would be nice). I only get about 4% of the cover price, but you do get whatever you bought as well.\r\n\r\nPeople who have already given me money: thank you very much. It''s included in the total on the torii.\r\n\r\nIf you do want the story to continue, it''s probably a good idea to try to recruit more readers as well, so that the total comes to less money per reader. I can''t afford to spend any more on advertising…\r\n\r\nIn any case, thanks for reading. It''s very encouraging to know that people are enjoying my writing.', 'Do You Want More?', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'do-you-want-more', '', '', '2009-08-30 18:18:34', '2009-08-30 09:18:34', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=866', 0, 'post', '', 6);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(867, 1, '2009-08-30 18:18:30', '2009-08-30 09:18:30', 'As I mentioned in the last side post blog, I''ve now finished writing the story I initially planned out. It''s come to about 220,000 words, which would, apparently, be a 600 page paperback. There are still two sections for you to go; the last installment will go online on December 6th. Everything is uploaded to the server, so unless there is a server crash you''ll get everything on time, and unless there''s both a server crash and something happens to me, you''ll get everything by then or soon after.\n\nSo, do you want any more story after that? Even if we ignore opportunity costs (what I could have earned by writing 220,000 words for role-playing games), I''ve spent about 80,000 yen on Tamao, on advertising and web hosting. So, as you can see from the torii above, I''ll continue if I get at least 100,000 yen, before the written bit finishes. If I get the money before part six finishes (that''ll be seven weeks, of course), I''ll do my best to make sure that there is no break, and I think I''ll be able to manage it. If it''s later than that, I''ll still try, but I''m less confident that I''ll succeed.\n\nThere are two ways you can give me money. The most efficient is to click on any of the donate graphics and give me money through PayPal. I can take credit cards, and you don''t need a PayPal account.\n\nThe other way is to buy something from Amazon.com after clicking on one of the links on this page. It doesn''t have to be one of my books (although that would be nice). I only get about 4% of the cover price, but you do get whatever you bought as well.\n\nPeople who have already given me money: thank you very much. It''s included in the total on the torii.\n\nIf you do want the story to continue, it''s probably a good idea to try to recruit more readers as well, so that the total comes to less money per reader. I can''t afford to spend any more on advertising…\n\nIn any case, thanks for reading. It''s very encouraging to know that people are enjoying my writing.', 'Do You Want More?', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '866-revision', '', '', '2009-08-30 18:18:30', '2009-08-30 09:18:30', '', 866, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/30/866-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(868, 1, '2009-08-30 18:19:40', '2009-08-30 09:19:40', 'As I mentioned in the last side post blog, I''ve now finished writing the story I initially planned out. It''s come to about 220,000 words, which would, apparently, be a 600 page paperback. There are still two sections for you to go; the last installment will go online on December 6th. Everything is uploaded to the server, so unless there is a server crash you''ll get everything on time, and unless there''s both a server crash and something happens to me, you''ll get everything by then or soon after.\n\nSo, do you want any more story after that? Even if we ignore opportunity costs (what I could have earned by writing 220,000 words for role-playing games), I''ve spent about 80,000 yen on Tamao, on advertising and web hosting. So, as you can see from the torii above, I''ll continue if I get at least 100,000 yen, before the written bit finishes. If I get the money before part six finishes (that''ll be seven weeks, of course), I''ll do my best to make sure that there is no break, and I think I''ll be able to manage it. If it''s later than that, I''ll still try, but I''m less confident that I''ll succeed.\n\nThere are two ways you can give me money. The most efficient is to click on any of the donate graphics and give me money through PayPal. I can take credit cards, and you don''t need a PayPal account.\n\nThe other way is to buy something from Amazon.com after clicking on one of the links on this page. It doesn''t have to be one of my books (although that would be nice). I only get about 4% of the cover price, but you do get whatever you bought as well.\n\nPeople who have already given me money: thank you very much. It''s included in the total on the torii.\n\nIf you do want the story to continue, it''s probably a good idea to try to recruit more readers as well, so that the total comes to less money per reader. I can''t afford to spend any more on advertising…\n\nIn any case, thanks for reading. It''s very encouraging to know that people are enjoying my writing.', 'Do You Want More?', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '866-autosave', '', '', '2009-08-30 18:19:40', '2009-08-30 09:19:40', '', 866, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/30/866-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(869, 1, '2009-06-06 13:22:46', '2009-06-06 04:22:46', 'It was a couple of nights before Akiko met Yoshiko again, and Akiko was already at the tree, pacing impatiently, when the other miko appeared. They bowed to each other, and Akiko got in with her question before Yoshiko could start the dance lessons.\r\n\r\n“Yoshiko, what do you know about dealing with kegare?â€\r\n\r\n“What do you mean? We have to keep kegare out of the shrine, so we wash, and avoid spilling blood, and stay away from the dead… but you know that, right?â€\r\n\r\n“Yes, sorry. I mean…â€ Akiko suddenly realised that she didn’t know whether Yoshiko actually saw kegare. “Can you see it? Kegare, I mean? You said you saw Tamao, but…â€\r\n\r\n“Sometimes, I think. I see things that look like mould, or deformed insects or animals crawling on people.â€\r\n\r\n“Yes! That’s it! Right, what do you know about dealing with that?â€\r\n\r\n“Well, when you perform a harae it goes away.â€ Yoshiko still sounded uncertain about what Akiko was asking, which, now that she thought about it, was quite reasonable.\r\n\r\n“I’m sorry,â€ Akiko began. “I’ve not explained this at all well. I know that the harae cleanses the kegare, but that’s not enough. It’s everywhere, and it’s getting stronger.â€ Akiko quickly began explaining the kegare that she could see, and how it was spreading over most of the city. Yoshiko was very quiet when she had finished, getting up to walk slowly round the tree, even leaning on it for a few moments.\r\n\r\n“That’s bad,â€ she said, finally, looking back at Akiko. “Kegare is not just pollution, you know. It’s also weakening, sickness, decay, and death. And it’s disharmony and conflict between people. And not just between people; when people don’t live in harmony with the rest of the world, that causes kegare as well.\r\n\r\n“And I think that kegare makes all of those things stronger, so that once it starts to build up, it increases faster and faster.â€ Akiko thought about the situation in Kawasaki, and nodded. It certainly sounded like a description of what she was seeing.\r\n\r\n“So what can we do about it? What’s causing it?â€\r\n\r\n“Probably just the kegare itself,â€ Yoshiko said. “But I’m not an expert on this.â€\r\n\r\n“Do you know anyone who is?â€\r\n\r\nYoshiko paused for a moment, and then shook her head.\r\n\r\n“I’ve never seen it build up as much as you’ve described, though. I think the kami cleanse it before it gets that strong.â€\r\n\r\n“So, why haven’t they done that this time?â€ Akiko didn’t really expect an answer, but she did hope for a useful opinion.\r\n\r\n“Maybe they can’t? Maybe something it stopping them.â€\r\n\r\nAkiko suddenly remembered what Tamao had said when she spoke to him in the other shrine precincts.\r\n\r\n“That’s right. Tamao said that he was too weak.â€\r\n\r\n“So you need to make him stronger.â€\r\n\r\n“But how do we do that?â€\r\n\r\n“The rituals and festivals make the kami stronger. Are you performing them properly?â€\r\n\r\n“Well…â€ Akiko was a little embarrassed by the question. “There aren’t many ujiko at the moment, so they aren’t very big.â€\r\n\r\n“Not many ujiko? I thought you said it was a city?â€\r\n\r\n“Well, yes. There are lots of people, but they don’t come to the shrine.â€\r\n\r\n“Really?â€ Yoshiko looked surprised, even shocked. “Well, that’s the fundamental problem, then. You need to get people to come back to the shrine.â€\r\n\r\n“But how? And will it be quick enough?â€\r\n\r\n“You need a festival, I think. People like festivals, and the kami like festivals. And they draw attention, bring people back to the shrine.â€\r\n\r\n“A festival?â€ Akiko thought about it. It wasn’t a bad idea, but what sort of festival could they hold? “That’s a good idea. I’ll have to talk to the priest about it.â€ Yoshiko nodded.\r\n\r\n“Good. And now, I think we should get on with the practice. Do you have your kagurasuzu?â€', 'The Nature of Kegare', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '600-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-06 13:22:46', '2009-06-06 04:22:46', '', 600, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/06/600-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(870, 1, '2009-06-06 13:23:31', '2009-06-06 04:23:31', 'Akiko walked back to the shrine house deep in thought. She hadn’t really thought of festivals as a source of energy for the kami, but if they were then it did seem like a good strategy. They had been performing the shrine rituals more thoroughly recently, and doing the purifications in the area, so that might have had an effect. Akiko thought back, and realised that she hadn’t really seen Tamao since they had started offering food in the mornings and evenings, so she didn’t know whether it was having any effect on his level of power. In fact, she had almost no feedback on what they were doing.\r\n\r\n<em>Why don’t you talk to me, Tamao?</em> She shook her head, and paused as she came out of the woods, looking around the shrine grounds. Was there any way she could get Tamao to speak to her?\r\n\r\nThe iwakura immediately drew her attention. Even in the darkness, she could see it clearly, the stones standing out from the gloom of the night. She took a step towards it, the feeling that she was the focus of someone’s attention getting stronger by the moment. Another step, and her pulse sounded louder in her ears, strengthening, becoming a drum beat that reverberated through her whole body.\r\n\r\nBy the time she reached the stones she was stepping in rhythm with the beat of her body, and she sank naturally to the ground beside them, placing the kagurasuzu by her side, bowing so that her forehead brushed the grass, bowing again, raising her hands to clap twice, and then bowing once more.\r\n\r\nWhen she straightened up, she could see the fire within the stones, a shifting red glow, flickering and winking as it looked at her. It was warm, then hot. Sweat began to pour off her, and her heart suddenly started to race. Seizing the kagurasuzu, she pushed herself up from the ground, swinging the bells towards the sky and running round the stones, fast enough to lift the trailing cloth from the ground. She ran faster, her footing unnaturally sure as her breath came in shorter and shorter gasps. The cloth strips seemed to be longer now, the red light from the stones brighter, and she swept the kagurasuzu down, the tinkling of the bells briefly drowning the sound of her panting.\r\n\r\nThe light within the stones flared.\r\n\r\nShe swept the bells up, and the light flared again. Still running, she moved the kagurasuzu before her, in patterns that came to her from hours of dance practice under the tree, patterns that she had never used together like this before. The light waxed brighter, and hotter, and called to her wordlessly, a cry of desperate longing.\r\n\r\nThrusting the kagurasuzu high with a shout, Akiko turned and leapt into the heart of the stones.\r\n\r\nShe fell a short distance, landing on a rough stone surface. She put her hand down to steady herself, and then snatched it back, sucking her breath in hard. The stone was hot. She stood, unable to see anything in the darkness, the heat of the stone already coming through her shoes, and strained her ears for any hint of sound.\r\n\r\nThe light from the jet of fire almost blinded her, as the crack of is eruption set her ears ringing, and the stone shifted under her feet, making her lose her balance. She cried out as her hands fell on the hot rock again, and she could smell the scorched cloth of her vestments as she stood up again. Her eyes had adapted now, to the red light from the fountain of lava ahead of her, its glow reflected from the dark clouds low overhead. She was standing on top of a large, dark rock, surrounded by other rocks in a chaotic jumble. The gaps between many of them vanished into darkness, deeper than she could see, and even as she regained her feet, the rocks shifted again, as if in an earthquake, just as a strong wind struck her from behind, almost lifting her off her feet.\r\n\r\nLightning split the sky, and then lanced down to strike the rock next to her. Fragments of stone stung her face and hands, and the blast of air knocked her back. The rock heaved again, and a geyser of boiling water erupted from the crevice beside her, sending her staggering away as drops of scalding water fell on her hands.\r\n\r\n“Tamao!â€ Her scream was whipped away by the wind, drowned out by the thunder. The rock was rolling like the deck of a ship now, fire and steam providing spray as the other rocks crashed like waves.\r\n\r\n“Tamao!â€ Akiko was afraid, no, terrified. This wasn’t natural. This was rage. Fury. She fell to her knees again, unable to keep her balance, and cried out as the rock burned her hands. The ground tipped under her, the wind gusting far stronger from one side, and with a scream she lost her balance, tumbling across the rock towards the edge, her hands scrabbling for some grip even as the surface burned and tore at her skin.\r\n\r\nShe couldn’t hold on, though. The rock was tipping further over, and now the red light from below was from a raging fire, not molten rock but actual flames, red and orange and white, smoke rising from her vestments even now as she smelled her hair start to singe.\r\n\r\nAnd then the rock was vertical, and she fell into the flames. There was nothing but agony in darkness as the flames consumed her eyes, her body.\r\n\r\nShe was the fire. She wanted to dance, to leap, and she found that she could. Springing into the sky, she danced around the lightning, dodging the clouds, then plunged into a stream of lava, melting the darkening crust again, encouraging it to flow once more. She could still feel the rage all around her, but it was not directed at her. The wind swept down around her, gently carrying her up, up through the clouds, clouds which were the ground.\r\n\r\nShe was a fire in a brazier, in the grounds of the shrine. She could see around her in her own light, see the nearly-naked people carrying the mikoshi, the palanquins of the kami. They were racing, the men slightly ahead of the women, and around them other people were watching and cheering. She felt their energy, their enthusiasm, flow into her, and she burned more brightly, the sweat that coated their bodies catching her crimson light and scattering it back at her, returning it loaded with energy. The white loincloths, the gold of the mikoshi, the red of the scarlet torii, the shouts of celebrants and the beat of the drums, the scents of sweat and arousal; Akiko was overwhelmed, burning ever brighter, a tower of flame now, looking down on the festival from above and illuminating it like a sun.\r\n\r\nThe men won the race, setting their mikoshi down in front of the iwakura scant moments before the women. A priest, Shiraishi!, stepped out from the shadows with an ohnusa, and as she swung it in purification Akiko felt her passions subside, her flames shrinking as she calmed down, the light dying with the fire, hiding the end of the festival from her as she sank back down from the brazier, towards the ground.\r\n\r\nWhere she was lying, her cheek against the cool earth, left hand flung out, touching the rough stone of the iwakura with one finger, the kagurasuzu still gripped in her right hand, vestments warm against her skin.\r\n\r\nFor long moments she lay still, eyes closed, feeling her breath pass in and out.', 'Arakeidai', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '602-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-06 13:23:31', '2009-06-06 04:23:31', '', 602, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/06/602-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(871, 1, '2009-08-30 18:24:03', '2009-08-30 09:24:03', 'Akiko walked back to the shrine house deep in thought. She hadn’t really thought of festivals as a source of energy for the kami, but if they were then it did seem like a good strategy. They had been performing the shrine rituals more thoroughly recently, and doing the purifications in the area, so that might have had an effect. Akiko thought back, and realised that she hadn’t really seen Tamao since they had started offering food in the mornings and evenings, so she didn’t know whether it was having any effect on his level of power. In fact, she had almost no feedback on what they were doing.\n\n<em>Why don’t you talk to me, Tamao?</em> She shook her head, and paused as she came out of the woods, looking around the shrine grounds. Was there any way she could get Tamao to speak to her?\n\nThe iwakura immediately drew her attention. Even in the darkness, she could see it clearly, the stones standing out from the gloom of the night. She took a step towards it, the feeling that she was the focus of someone’s attention getting stronger by the moment. Another step, and her pulse sounded louder in her ears, strengthening, becoming a drum beat that reverberated through her whole body.\n\nBy the time she reached the stones she was stepping in rhythm with the beat of her body, and she sank naturally to the ground beside them, placing the kagurasuzu by her side, bowing so that her forehead brushed the grass, bowing again, raising her hands to clap twice, and then bowing once more.\n\nWhen she straightened up, she could see the fire within the stones, a shifting red glow, flickering and winking as it looked at her. It was warm, then hot. Sweat began to pour off her, and her heart suddenly started to race. Seizing the kagurasuzu, she pushed herself up from the ground, swinging the bells towards the sky and running round the stones, fast enough to lift the trailing cloth from the ground. She ran faster, her footing unnaturally sure as her breath came in shorter and shorter gasps. The cloth strips seemed to be longer now, the red light from the stones brighter, and she swept the kagurasuzu down, the tinkling of the bells briefly drowning the sound of her panting.\n\nThe light within the stones flared.\n\nShe swept the bells up, and the light flared again. Still running, she moved the kagurasuzu before her, in patterns that came to her from hours of dance practice under the tree, patterns that she had never used together like this before. The light waxed brighter, and hotter, and called to her wordlessly, a cry of desperate longing.\n\nThrusting the kagurasuzu high with a shout, Akiko turned and leapt into the heart of the stones.\n\nShe fell a short distance, landing on a rough stone surface. She put her hand down to steady herself, and then snatched it back, sucking her breath in hard. The stone was hot. She stood, unable to see anything in the darkness, the heat of the stone already coming through her shoes, and strained her ears for any hint of sound.\n\nThe light from the jet of fire almost blinded her, as the crack of its eruption set her ears ringing, and the stone shifted under her feet, making her lose her balance. She cried out as her hands fell on the hot rock again, and she could smell the scorched cloth of her vestments as she stood up again. Her eyes had adapted now, to the red light from the fountain of lava ahead of her, its glow reflected from the dark clouds low overhead. She was standing on top of a large, dark rock, surrounded by other rocks in a chaotic jumble. The gaps between many of them vanished into darkness, deeper than she could see, and even as she regained her feet, the rocks shifted again, as if in an earthquake, just as a strong wind struck her from behind, almost lifting her off her feet.\n\nLightning split the sky, and then lanced down to strike the rock next to her. Fragments of stone stung her face and hands, and the blast of air knocked her back. The rock heaved again, and a geyser of boiling water erupted from the crevice beside her, sending her staggering away as drops of scalding water fell on her hands.\n\n“Tamao!â€ Her scream was whipped away by the wind, drowned out by the thunder. The rock was rolling like the deck of a ship now, fire and steam providing spray as the other rocks crashed like waves.\n\n“Tamao!â€ Akiko was afraid, no, terrified. This wasn’t natural. This was rage. Fury. She fell to her knees again, unable to keep her balance, and cried out as the rock burned her hands. The ground tipped under her, the wind gusting far stronger from one side, and with a scream she lost her balance, tumbling across the rock towards the edge, her hands scrabbling for some grip even as the surface burned and tore at her skin.\n\nShe couldn’t hold on, though. The rock was tipping further over, and now the red light from below was from a raging fire, not molten rock but actual flames, red and orange and white, smoke rising from her vestments even now as she smelled her hair start to singe.\n\nAnd then the rock was vertical, and she fell into the flames. There was nothing but agony in darkness as the flames consumed her eyes, her body.\n\nShe was the fire. She wanted to dance, to leap, and she found that she could. Springing into the sky, she danced around the lightning, dodging the clouds, then plunged into a stream of lava, melting the darkening crust again, encouraging it to flow once more. She could still feel the rage all around her, but it was not directed at her. The wind swept down around her, gently carrying her up, up through the clouds, clouds which were the ground.\n\nShe was a fire in a brazier, in the grounds of the shrine. She could see around her in her own light, see the nearly-naked people carrying the mikoshi, the palanquins of the kami. They were racing, the men slightly ahead of the women, and around them other people were watching and cheering. She felt their energy, their enthusiasm, flow into her, and she burned more brightly, the sweat that coated their bodies catching her crimson light and scattering it back at her, returning it loaded with energy. The white loincloths, the gold of the mikoshi, the red of the scarlet torii, the shouts of celebrants and the beat of the drums, the scents of sweat and arousal; Akiko was overwhelmed, burning ever brighter, a tower of flame now, looking down on the festival from above and illuminating it like a sun.\n\nThe men won the race, setting their mikoshi down in front of the iwakura scant moments before the women. A priest, Shiraishi!, stepped out from the shadows with an ohnusa, and as she swung it in purification Akiko felt her passions subside, her flames shrinking as she calmed down, the light dying with the fire, hiding the end of the festival from her as she sank back down from the brazier, towards the ground.\n\nWhere she was lying, her cheek against the cool earth, left hand flung out, touching the rough stone of the iwakura with one finger, the kagurasuzu still gripped in her right hand, vestments warm against her skin.\n\nFor long moments she lay still, eyes closed, feeling her breath pass in and out.', 'Arakeidai', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '602-autosave', '', '', '2009-08-30 18:24:03', '2009-08-30 09:24:03', '', 602, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/30/602-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(872, 1, '2009-06-10 10:45:29', '2009-06-10 01:45:29', 'The doorbell rang, cutting off any further discussion. Akiko was quite surprised to see Noriko Yamanaka standing there, again dressed in a formal kimono.\r\n\r\n“Good morning. I hoped that I would be able to offer my respects to the kami this morning.â€\r\n\r\n“Ah, of course.â€ Shiraishi also sounded a bit surprised. “If you wish, you may join us for the morning offerings.â€\r\n\r\n“I should be delighted to do so.â€ Ms Yamanaka bowed again, and Akiko bowed back, as did Shiraishi. Ms Yamanaka was certainly very polite, but Akiko wasn’t at all sure of her motives. Mr Fujimura’s statements were still fresh in Akiko’s mind, and made her worry over whether Ms Yamanaka had similar opinions.\r\n\r\nStill, that didn’t make it any harder to carry out the morning ceremonies. As they were gathering the necessary equipment, Shiraishi muttered to Akiko,\r\n\r\n“Just the goshintai and the iwakura.â€ Akiko nodded. Drawing attention to Mr Takenaka’s shrine didn’t seem like a good idea, and the sacred tree was a bit too mysterious to expose to just any visitor.\r\n\r\nMs Yamanaka was a model participant in the rituals, offering her tamagushi, sacred sakaki branch, in the correct way and, Akiko thought, possibly getting the bowing and clapping more right than Akiko herself did. She said nothing during the ceremonies, and afterwards simply thanked them, wished them well, and handed over her offering, in an envelope with very nice calligraphy on the front.\r\n\r\nAkiko and Shiraishi watched her go, but as she started down the steps, someone else bounded into view.\r\n\r\nKazumi. Akiko noticed immediately that, while her skirt was still short, she was wearing tracksuit bottoms underneath it. The girl came running over to them, grinning.\r\n\r\n“Hiya! Hey, Akiko, is this all right?â€ She grabbed the hem of her skirt, lifting it up so that Akiko could see the trousers. Akiko, fighting hard to suppress giggles, nodded, to give herself time to get enough composure to speak.\r\n\r\n“Yes, Ms Miura, that’s fine. Thank you.â€ Kazumi smiled again, dropping her skirt.\r\n\r\n“Great! I didn’t want to get it wrong. Oh! Should I have done the o-mairi first?â€\r\n\r\n“Well, yes, but…â€ Shiraishi began, but she was cut off.\r\n\r\n“Oops! Be right back!â€ Kazumi ran across the shrine grounds to the water basin, purifying herself and then going to the usual spot to bow and clap.\r\n\r\n“It’s a lot better with the trousers,â€ Shiraishi murmured to Akiko. “What is it with that girl?â€\r\n\r\nAkiko nodded in agreement, but she didn’t have an answer to the question. She had even less answer when Kazumi came back to them to hand over another five hundred yen.\r\n\r\n“Ah,â€ Shiraishi said, “far be it from me to discourage you, but five yen is the traditional offering.â€\r\n\r\n“Really? But…â€ Kazumi glanced round the shrine. “That doesn’t seem… right.â€ Akiko was on the verge of asking whether Kazumi could see the kami, when the girl rushed on. “No, I think five hundred is OK. Anyway, gotta go to school.â€ She pulled a face, suggesting that she wasn’t happy at the idea, and waved to them as she ran for the stairs.\r\n\r\n“I don’t understand either of them,â€ Shiraishi remarked as soon as Kazumi had gone.\r\n\r\n“Me neither,â€ Akiko said, “but I understand Kazumi less.â€\r\n\r\n“Mm.â€ Shiraishi looked in the envelope Ms Nakayama had left, and showed Akiko the ten thousand yen note. “Ms Nakayama may be better for the shrine, though.â€', 'Morning Visitors', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '607-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-10 10:45:29', '2009-06-10 01:45:29', '', 607, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/10/607-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(873, 1, '2009-09-01 06:36:07', '2009-08-31 21:36:07', 'The doorbell rang, cutting off any further discussion. Akiko was quite surprised to see Noriko Yamanaka standing there, again dressed in a formal kimono.\n\n“Good morning. I hoped that I would be able to offer my respects to the kami this morning.â€\n\n“Ah, of course.â€ Shiraishi also sounded a bit surprised. “If you wish, you may join us for the morning offerings.â€\n\n“I should be delighted to do so.â€ Ms Yamanaka bowed again, and Akiko bowed back, as did Shiraishi. Ms Yamanaka was certainly very polite, but Akiko wasn’t at all sure of her motives. Mr Fujimura’s statements were still fresh in Akiko’s mind, and made her worry over whether Ms Yamanaka had similar opinions.\n\nStill, that didn’t make it any harder to carry out the morning ceremonies. As they were gathering the necessary equipment, Shiraishi muttered to Akiko,\n\n“Just the goshintai and the iwakura.â€ Akiko nodded. Drawing attention to Mr Takenaka’s shrine didn’t seem like a good idea, and the sacred tree was a bit too mysterious to expose to just any visitor.\n\nMs Yamanaka was a model participant in the rituals, offering her tamagushi, sacred sakaki branch, in the correct way and, Akiko thought, possibly getting the bowing and clapping more right than Akiko herself did. She said nothing during the ceremonies, and afterwards simply thanked them, wished them well, and handed over her offering, in an envelope with very nice calligraphy on the front.\n\nAkiko and Shiraishi watched her go, but as she started down the steps, someone else bounded into view.\n\nKazumi. Akiko noticed immediately that, while her skirt was still short, she was wearing tracksuit bottoms underneath it. The girl came running over to them, grinning.\n\n“Hiya! Hey, Akiko, is this all right?â€ She grabbed the hem of her skirt, lifting it up so that Akiko could see the trousers. Akiko, fighting hard to suppress giggles, nodded, to give herself time to get enough composure to speak.\n\n“Yes, Ms Miura, that’s fine. Thank you.â€ Kazumi smiled again, dropping her skirt.\n\n“Great! I didn’t want to get it wrong. Oh! Should I have done the o-mairi first?â€\n\n“Well, yes, but…â€ Shiraishi began, but she was cut off.\n\n“Oops! Be right back!â€ Kazumi ran across the shrine grounds to the water basin, purifying herself and then going to the usual spot to bow and clap.\n\n“It’s a lot better with the trousers,â€ Shiraishi murmured to Akiko. “What is it with that girl?â€\n\nAkiko nodded in agreement, but she didn’t have an answer to the question. She had even less answer when Kazumi came back to them to hand over another five hundred yen.\n\n“Ah,â€ Shiraishi said, “far be it from me to discourage you, but five yen is the traditional offering.â€\n\n“Really? But…â€ Kazumi glanced round the shrine. “That doesn’t seem… right.â€ Akiko was on the verge of asking whether Kazumi could see the kami, when the girl rushed on. “No, I think five hundred is OK. Anyway, gotta go to school.â€ She pulled a face, suggesting that she wasn’t happy at the idea, and waved to them as she ran for the stairs.\n\n“I don’t understand either of them,â€ Shiraishi remarked as soon as Kazumi had gone.\n\n“Me neither,â€ Akiko said, “but I understand Kazumi less.â€\n\n“Mm.â€ Shiraishi looked in the envelope Ms Yamanaka had left, and showed Akiko the ten thousand yen note. “Ms Yamanaka may be better for the shrine, though.â€', 'Morning Visitors', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '607-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-01 06:36:07', '2009-08-31 21:36:07', '', 607, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/01/607-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(874, 1, '2009-06-10 10:47:38', '2009-06-10 01:47:38', '“What do they think they are doing?â€\r\n\r\nOnce they were in the car, Akiko felt safe letting her anger out.\r\n\r\n“Trying to close the shrine down.â€ Shiraishi sounded less angry, more resolved. “I’m not going to let them.â€\r\n\r\n“No, of course not. But we can’t let them block the entrance like that.â€\r\n\r\n“No. And pushing you was assault, surely.â€\r\n\r\n“Do we call the police?â€\r\n\r\n“Can you remember who pushed you?â€ The priest glanced briefly across at her, and Akiko shook her head.\r\n\r\n“I wasn’t paying attention to that.â€\r\n\r\n“I didn’t think so… So we probably can’t go to the police.â€ She paused for a moment. “Maybe I should ask Tamao to curse them.â€ It didn’t entirely sound like a joke, and for a moment Akiko thought it was a good idea. Then she remembered some of the things that had happened when Mr Takenaka was cursing the area.\r\n\r\n“Ah, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We don’t actually want to kill any of them. Right?â€\r\n\r\n“I wasn’t <em>entirely</em> serious, Akiko. Admittedly, largely because I agree with you that Tamao would probably take it to far rather than because I wouldn’t like to do it. No, we’ll have to think of something else. Well, this is the house,â€ Shiraishi said, as she brought the car to a stop. “How does it look?â€\r\n\r\nAkiko looked out of the window, shifting her vision to look at kegare, and shuddered.\r\n\r\n“Bad,â€ she said. There was a worm-thing wrapped around the house, one end splitting into a dozen blind heads, all of which were probing at the windows and doors, trying to get in. It didn’t seem to have noticed them, though. “I think a purification would be a very good idea.â€\r\n\r\nInside the house, Mr Yamamoto introduced his wife and daughter. All of them were heavy with kegare, but the daughter, who looked about ten, was covered with what looked like cockroaches, and she kept flinching as if she could feel it when they bit at her. When she turned to walk into the living room, the spirits surged around and under her feet, biting at her legs and ankles and making her stumble. Akiko tried to keep her face under control, but she looked at Shiraishi, and shook her head slightly. The priest nodded, and led the way into the living room.\r\n\r\nTo Akiko’s eyes, the walls were full of narrow gashes, surrounded by fungi, and from which dozens of cockroaches appeared to scuttle all over the walls, before vanishing into another gap. A thumping sound drew her attention to the window, and she could see the worm thing outside, trying to get in.\r\n\r\nThe roaches scattered as they set up the himorogi, and then rushed for the gaps in the walls as Shiraishi began the norito. The fungi seemed to catch fire in the light that washed from the ohnusa, and Akiko saw the worm thing outside flinch back, its skin smoking. She glanced back at the family, and the roaches were pouring off the daughter, running for cover, even as limbs dropped from them, as their bodies fell apart, becoming dry husks that eroded to dust.\r\n\r\nAs Shiraishi intoned the prayer for safety, Akiko saw auras of light settle around the family, and for a moment she thought she saw a glittering, many-coloured snake within them, but it was gone before she could be sure. The wounds in the walls were healed, and the worm had apparently vanished.\r\n\r\nThe girl looked a lot happier when they had finished, and even asked Akiko what it was like being a miko. Then she blushed, and beckoned her closer.\r\n\r\n“Is it true you don’t wear knickers?â€ she whispered.\r\n\r\n“No,â€ Akiko replied. <em>Oh, for crying out loud! Has everyone heard that story?</em>', 'Purifying the Yamamotos', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '613-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-10 10:47:38', '2009-06-10 01:47:38', '', 613, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/10/613-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(875, 1, '2009-09-04 07:31:46', '2009-09-03 22:31:46', '“What do they think they are doing?â€\n\nOnce they were in the car, Akiko felt safe letting her anger out.\n\n“Trying to close the shrine down.â€ Shiraishi sounded less angry, more resolved. “I’m not going to let them.â€\n\n“No, of course not. But we can’t let them block the entrance like that.â€\n\n“No. And pushing you was assault, surely.â€\n\n“Do we call the police?â€\n\n“Can you remember who pushed you?â€ The priest glanced briefly across at her, and Akiko shook her head.\n\n“I wasn’t paying attention to that.â€\n\n“I didn’t think so… So we probably can’t go to the police.â€ She paused for a moment. “Maybe I should ask Tamao to curse them.â€ It didn’t entirely sound like a joke, and for a moment Akiko thought it was a good idea. Then she remembered some of the things that had happened when Mr Takenaka was cursing the area.\n\n“Ah, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We don’t actually want to kill any of them. Right?â€\n\n“I wasn’t <em>entirely</em> serious, Akiko. Admittedly, largely because I agree with you that Tamao would probably take it too far rather than because I wouldn’t like to do it. No, we’ll have to think of something else. Well, this is the house,â€ Shiraishi said, as she brought the car to a stop. “How does it look?â€\n\nAkiko looked out of the window, shifting her vision to look at kegare, and shuddered.\n\n“Bad,â€ she said. There was a worm-thing wrapped around the house, one end splitting into a dozen blind heads, all of which were probing at the windows and doors, trying to get in. It didn’t seem to have noticed them, though. “I think a purification would be a very good idea.â€\n\nInside the house, Mr Yamamoto introduced his wife and daughter. All of them were heavy with kegare, but the daughter, who looked about ten, was covered with what looked like cockroaches, and she kept flinching as if she could feel it when they bit at her. When she turned to walk into the living room, the spirits surged around and under her feet, biting at her legs and ankles and making her stumble. Akiko tried to keep her face under control, but she looked at Shiraishi, and shook her head slightly. The priest nodded, and led the way into the living room.\n\nTo Akiko’s eyes, the walls were full of narrow gashes, surrounded by fungi, and from which dozens of cockroaches appeared to scuttle all over the walls, before vanishing into another gap. A thumping sound drew her attention to the window, and she could see the worm thing outside, trying to get in.\n\nThe roaches scattered as they set up the himorogi, and then rushed for the gaps in the walls as Shiraishi began the norito. The fungi seemed to catch fire in the light that washed from the ohnusa, and Akiko saw the worm thing outside flinch back, its skin smoking. She glanced back at the family, and the roaches were pouring off the daughter, running for cover, even as limbs dropped from them, as their bodies fell apart, becoming dry husks that eroded to dust.\n\nAs Shiraishi intoned the prayer for safety, Akiko saw auras of light settle around the family, and for a moment she thought she saw a glittering, many-coloured snake within them, but it was gone before she could be sure. The wounds in the walls were healed, and the worm had apparently vanished.\n\nThe girl looked a lot happier when they had finished, and even asked Akiko what it was like being a miko. Then she blushed, and beckoned her closer.\n\n“Is it true you don’t wear knickers?â€ she whispered.\n\n“No,â€ Akiko replied. <em>Oh, for crying out loud! Has everyone heard that story?</em>', 'Purifying the Yamamotos', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '613-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-04 07:31:46', '2009-09-03 22:31:46', '', 613, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/04/613-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(876, 1, '2009-06-12 18:18:33', '2009-06-12 09:18:33', 'Yoshiko was perfectly happy for Akiko to get a couple of full nights’ sleep once she explained the situation, and by Thursday morning Akiko felt a lot better. She’d slept well, with no disturbing dreams, as if Tamao realised that she needed the rest.\r\n\r\n<em>Maybe he does,</em> she thought, remembering the way he had encircled the iwakura in her last vision, dream, whatever. <em>Maybe he is finally getting some idea of what it’s like to be human.</em>\r\n\r\nShe went into the kitchen after showering and dressing, and found Shiraishi eating quickly. The priest glanced up.\r\n\r\n“Mr Fujimura called. He wants us to do an Ise Yohai for him and the guards. Could you do the morning ceremonies by yourself while I sort out the norito?â€\r\n\r\n“A what?â€\r\n\r\n“A norito… Oh. Ise Yohai. Paying reverence to the Grand Shrines of Ise from a long way off.â€ Her face twisted for a moment as she frowned. “It was very common in State Shinto. I don’t suppose that’s entirely unconnected with why Mr Fujimura wants one.â€ She shook her head then, as if to clear it. “Anyway, it’s a fairly simply ceremony, and always done with a himorogi, so the lack of the shrine buildings is no problem. I just need to put the norito together; I’ve not actually done one before.â€\r\n\r\n“Oh, certainly. No problem.â€ Akiko got her breakfast. “What time are they coming?â€\r\n\r\n“Ten. So we have time.â€\r\n\r\nThey were exactly on time, Mr Fujimura, Ms Yamanaka, and about two dozen young men in uniform. Akiko switched to check them for kegare as they approached the shrine, but they were all virtually clean, unlike the protesters, and guided them to the seats they had set out, facing west and a little south, towards Ise, and then went to join Shiraishi and put her over-mantle on; Shiraishi had decided that she would dance one of the simple dances as part of the ceremony.\r\n\r\nKneeling to one side as Shiraishi performed the first part of the ceremony, Akiko felt remarkably calm, despite the fact that this would be the first time she danced in front of a significant audience. <em>It’s not for them, it’s for the kami,</em> she thought.<em> I hope the kami doesn’t possess me…</em> But even that thought did not worry her. <em>If it happens, it happens.</em>\r\n\r\nShe rose to dance, as Shiraishi started beating the small drum, setting the rhythm. The moves were slow and stately, and Akiko found that she still had to pay attention, still had to think about them. <em>This is good,</em> she told herself. <em>I’m still in control.</em>\r\n\r\nShe turned towards the himorogi, and felt a sudden wave of warmth, a sense of being watched, assessed. The feeling was so strong that she almost lost the rhythm, almost stopped turning, but practice kept her going. The sense weakened, but did not vanish entirely, strengthening every time she turned back to the himorogi, until she sank to the ground to conclude the dance, and the awareness vanished, with a vague sense of what could have been approval.\r\n\r\nShe stood naturally, and returned to her place, the ceremony proceeding to its conclusion without incident. In the office, later, when she mentioned it to Shiraishi the priest just shrugged.\r\n\r\n“Could have been anything or nothing. If we worried about every detail of something that seemed supernatural, we’d get nowhere. So don’t bother about it until it actually seems to want something, or need something.â€\r\n\r\nAkiko had to admit that that sounded like very good advice.', 'Yohai', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '629-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-12 18:18:33', '2009-06-12 09:18:33', '', 629, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/12/629-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(877, 1, '2009-09-11 09:35:33', '2009-09-11 00:35:33', 'Yoshiko was perfectly happy for Akiko to get a couple of full nights’ sleep once she explained the situation, and by Thursday morning Akiko felt a lot better. She’d slept well, with no disturbing dreams, as if Tamao realised that she needed the rest.\n\n<em>Maybe he does,</em> she thought, remembering the way he had encircled the iwakura in her last vision, dream, whatever. <em>Maybe he is finally getting some idea of what it’s like to be human.</em>\n\nShe went into the kitchen after showering and dressing, and found Shiraishi eating quickly. The priest glanced up.\n\n“Mr Fujimura called. He wants us to do an Ise Yohai for him and the guards. Could you do the morning ceremonies by yourself while I sort out the norito?â€\n\n“A what?â€\n\n“A norito… Oh. Ise Yohai. Paying reverence to the Grand Shrines of Ise from a long way off.â€ Her face twisted for a moment as she frowned. “It was very common in State Shinto. I don’t suppose that’s entirely unconnected with why Mr Fujimura wants one.â€ She shook her head then, as if to clear it. “Anyway, it’s a fairly simple ceremony, and always done with a himorogi, so the lack of the shrine buildings is no problem. I just need to put the norito together; I’ve not actually done one before.â€\n\n“Oh, certainly. No problem.â€ Akiko got her breakfast. “What time are they coming?â€\n\n“Ten. So we have time.â€\n\nThey were exactly on time, Mr Fujimura, Ms Yamanaka, and about two dozen young men in uniform. Akiko switched to check them for kegare as they approached the shrine, but they were all virtually clean, unlike the protesters, and guided them to the seats they had set out, facing west and a little south, towards Ise, and then went to join Shiraishi and put her over-mantle on; Shiraishi had decided that she would dance one of the simple dances as part of the ceremony.\n\nKneeling to one side as Shiraishi performed the first part of the ceremony, Akiko felt remarkably calm, despite the fact that this would be the first time she danced in front of a significant audience. <em>It’s not for them, it’s for the kami,</em> she thought.<em> I hope the kami doesn’t possess me…</em> But even that thought did not worry her. <em>If it happens, it happens.</em>\n\nShe rose to dance, as Shiraishi started beating the small drum, setting the rhythm. The moves were slow and stately, and Akiko found that she still had to pay attention, still had to think about them. <em>This is good,</em> she told herself. <em>I’m still in control.</em>\n\nShe turned towards the himorogi, and felt a sudden wave of warmth, a sense of being watched, assessed. The feeling was so strong that she almost lost the rhythm, almost stopped turning, but practice kept her going. The sense weakened, but did not vanish entirely, strengthening every time she turned back to the himorogi, until she sank to the ground to conclude the dance, and the awareness vanished, with a vague sense of what could have been approval.\n\nShe stood naturally, and returned to her place, the ceremony proceeding to its conclusion without incident. In the office, later, when she mentioned it to Shiraishi the priest just shrugged.\n\n“Could have been anything or nothing. If we worried about every detail of something that seemed supernatural, we’d get nowhere. So don’t bother about it until it actually seems to want something, or need something.â€\n\nAkiko had to admit that that sounded like very good advice.', 'Yohai', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '629-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-11 09:35:33', '2009-09-11 00:35:33', '', 629, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/11/629-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(878, 1, '2009-09-12 08:25:58', '2009-09-11 23:25:58', 'Proportionally, I''m getting a very good financial response from my readers. More than 5% of my regular readership have made a donation, which I gather is pretty good for this sort of thing. So, from that perspective, I''m happy.\r\n\r\nIn terms of absolute numbers, however, I think I have about 125 regular readers ("regular readers" is a difficult number to extract from the statistics I get; I''m pretty confident it''s over 100, and not 150), of whom eight have donated. So, if the story is going to continue, I need more readers.\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned, I can''t afford to pay for more advertising. Overall, I have been losing about 500 yen per reader I get from paid advertising. As a result, I have to rely on word of mouth.\r\n\r\nThat means you telling your friends and linking from your websites.\r\n\r\n<em>Yoroshiku onegai shimasu, </em>as they say here.', 'Tell Your Friends (Again)', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'tell-your-friends-again', '', '', '2009-09-12 08:25:58', '2009-09-11 23:25:58', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=878', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(879, 1, '2009-09-12 08:25:11', '2009-09-11 23:25:11', 'Proportionally, I''m getting a very good financial response from my readers. More than 5% of my regular readership have made a donation, which I gather is pretty good for this sort of thing. So, from that perspective, I''m happy.\n\nIn terms of absolute numbers, however, I think I have about 125 regular readers ("regular readers" is a difficult number to extract from the statistics I get; I''m pretty confident it''s over 100, and not 150), of whom eight have donated. So, if the story is going to continue, I need more readers.\n\nAs I mentioned, I can''t afford to pay for more advertising. Overall, I have been losing about 500 yen per reader I get from paid advertising. As a result, I have to rely on word of mouth.\n\nThat means you telling your fri', 'Tell Your Friends (Again)', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '878-revision', '', '', '2009-09-12 08:25:11', '2009-09-11 23:25:11', '', 878, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/12/878-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(880, 1, '2009-09-12 08:27:04', '2009-09-11 23:27:04', 'Proportionally, I''m getting a very good financial response from my readers. More than 5% of my regular readership have made a donation, which I gather is pretty good for this sort of thing. So, from that perspective, I''m happy.\n\nIn terms of absolute numbers, however, I think I have about 125 regular readers ("regular readers" is a difficult number to extract from the statistics I get; I''m pretty confident it''s over 100, and not 150), of whom eight have donated. So, if the story is going to continue, I need more readers.\n\nAs I mentioned, I can''t afford to pay for more advertising. Overall, I have been losing about 500 yen per reader I get from paid advertising. As a result, I have to rely on word of mouth.\n\nThat means you telling your friends and linking from your websites.\n\n<em>Yoroshiku onegai shimasu, </em>as they say here.', 'Tell Your Friends (Again)', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '878-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-12 08:27:04', '2009-09-11 23:27:04', '', 878, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/12/878-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(881, 1, '2009-06-25 10:49:30', '2009-06-25 01:49:30', 'Akiko breathing steadily returned to normal, and her blood stopped pounding in her ears. There was still a dull roar in the background, and Akiko realised that it was the sound of falling rain. She picked up her yukata and pulled it on, belting it shut as she went over to the door.\r\n\r\n“I’m sorry,â€ she said as she pulled the door open. “Nightmare.â€ Shiraishi was also wearing a yukata, and looking rather dishevelled.\r\n\r\n“Just a nightmare?â€ the priest asked, and Akiko shook her head.\r\n\r\n“I think it was a message from Tamao. We should check the shrine grounds.â€ As she left her bedroom, Akiko realised that she could still smell the stench that had come with the creatures in the dream, and she shuddered. The smell got stronger as they approached the front door, and Akiko found herself hanging back. Shiraishi reached for the door, and Akiko couldn’t contain it any longer.\r\n\r\n“Be careful!â€ she yelped. Shiraishi looked back, her face quizzical, and let her hand drop.\r\n\r\n“Do you think it might be dangerous?â€\r\n\r\nAkiko took a deep breath, coughing slightly on the stench.\r\n\r\n“Do you smell that?â€\r\n\r\nThe priest nodded.\r\n\r\n“I’m not sure I want to find out what it is, but it doesn’t smell <em>dangerous.</em>â€\r\n\r\n“In the dream…â€ Akiko didn’t want to go into details. “Just a moment.â€ She ducked into the office, where the rain was pounding on the windows, largely obscuring the shrine beyond, and picked up the kagurasuzu. Holding it up, she went back to join Shiraishi. “OK. Open the door.â€\r\n\r\nAkiko braced herself as the priest slid the door open, but nothing attacked.\r\n\r\n“Oh, <em>shit,</em>â€ Shiraishi said, with feeling. It took another couple of moments for Akiko to focus on the mundane features of the scene, and understand the reason for the smell.\r\n\r\nIt <em>was</em> shit, quite literally, along with rotten food and other kitchen waste, and even, she saw, a few corpses of dead rats and birds. The rubbish was scattered across the precincts, even on the iwakura itself, but not right up to the house. There was a low rumble of thunder, and Akiko had no doubt that the rain was the result of the kami’s anger.\r\n\r\nThe priest turned to look at Akiko.\r\n\r\n“How bad is the kegare?â€\r\n\r\nAkiko didn’t want to look, but she knew the priest was right; they needed to know. Steeling herself, she switched her vision.\r\n\r\nThe black vines from the dream were spreading across the precincts, their tendrils reaching out, probing, falling back. They were wrapped around the stones of the iwakura, reaching into the sky as if there was something just out of their reach. Akiko involuntarily took a step backwards, and, as she noticed some things moving in between the vines, let her vision switch back to normal.\r\n\r\n“It’s bad. Really bad. Like in the nightmare.â€ She felt herself shudder again, and tried to get a grip on herself. The vines weren’t physically real; they couldn’t actually grab her.\r\n\r\n“No surprise, really.â€ Shiraishi turned back to look at the mess. “We have to clean this up. No point trying to perform a harae with that much obvious pollution. No point doing any other ceremonies until we have.â€ She paused to look at the scale of the task, and Akiko also forced herself to look.\r\n\r\nThere was a lot of rubbish.\r\n\r\n“It’s going to take all day,â€ Akiko said, with resignation. Shiraishi nodded.\r\n\r\n“I don’t suppose you could convince Tamao to stop raining while we do it?â€ she asked. Akiko shook her head.\r\n\r\n“He’ll probably stop once the shrine is clean again.â€\r\n\r\n“Of course. Just as we finish.â€ The priest sighed. “Oh well, we’d best get changed and get started. The shrine won’t clean itself.â€', 'Polluting Vandalism', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '643-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-25 10:49:30', '2009-06-25 01:49:30', '', 643, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/25/643-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(882, 1, '2009-09-14 06:46:55', '2009-09-13 21:46:55', 'Akiko''s breathing steadily returned to normal, and her blood stopped pounding in her ears. There was still a dull roar in the background, and Akiko realised that it was the sound of falling rain. She picked up her yukata and pulled it on, belting it shut as she went over to the door.\n\n“I’m sorry,â€ she said as she pulled the door open. “Nightmare.â€ Shiraishi was also wearing a yukata, and looking rather dishevelled.\n\n“Just a nightmare?â€ the priest asked, and Akiko shook her head.\n\n“I think it was a message from Tamao. We should check the shrine grounds.â€ As she left her bedroom, Akiko realised that she could still smell the stench that had come with the creatures in the dream, and she shuddered. The smell got stronger as they approached the front door, and Akiko found herself hanging back. Shiraishi reached for the door, and Akiko couldn’t contain it any longer.\n\n“Be careful!â€ she yelped. Shiraishi looked back, her face quizzical, and let her hand drop.\n\n“Do you think it might be dangerous?â€\n\nAkiko took a deep breath, coughing slightly on the stench.\n\n“Do you smell that?â€\n\nThe priest nodded.\n\n“I’m not sure I want to find out what it is, but it doesn’t smell <em>dangerous.</em>â€\n\n“In the dream…â€ Akiko didn’t want to go into details. “Just a moment.â€ She ducked into the office, where the rain was pounding on the windows, largely obscuring the shrine beyond, and picked up the kagurasuzu. Holding it up, she went back to join Shiraishi. “OK. Open the door.â€\n\nAkiko braced herself as the priest slid the door open, but nothing attacked.\n\n“Oh, <em>shit,</em>â€ Shiraishi said, with feeling. It took another couple of moments for Akiko to focus on the mundane features of the scene, and understand the reason for the smell.\n\nIt <em>was</em> shit, quite literally, along with rotten food and other kitchen waste, and even, she saw, a few corpses of dead rats and birds. The rubbish was scattered across the precincts, even on the iwakura itself, but not right up to the house. There was a low rumble of thunder, and Akiko had no doubt that the rain was the result of the kami’s anger.\n\nThe priest turned to look at Akiko.\n\n“How bad is the kegare?â€\n\nAkiko didn’t want to look, but she knew the priest was right; they needed to know. Steeling herself, she switched her vision.\n\nThe black vines from the dream were spreading across the precincts, their tendrils reaching out, probing, falling back. They were wrapped around the stones of the iwakura, reaching into the sky as if there was something just out of their reach. Akiko involuntarily took a step backwards, and, as she noticed some things moving in between the vines, let her vision switch back to normal.\n\n“It’s bad. Really bad. Like in the nightmare.â€ She felt herself shudder again, and tried to get a grip on herself. The vines weren’t physically real; they couldn’t actually grab her.\n\n“No surprise, really.â€ Shiraishi turned back to look at the mess. “We have to clean this up. No point trying to perform a harae with that much obvious pollution. No point doing any other ceremonies until we have.â€ She paused to look at the scale of the task, and Akiko also forced herself to look.\n\nThere was a lot of rubbish.\n\n“It’s going to take all day,â€ Akiko said, with resignation. Shiraishi nodded.\n\n“I don’t suppose you could convince Tamao to stop raining while we do it?â€ she asked. Akiko shook her head.\n\n“He’ll probably stop once the shrine is clean again.â€\n\n“Of course. Just as we finish.â€ The priest sighed. “Oh well, we’d best get changed and get started. The shrine won’t clean itself.â€', 'Polluting Vandalism', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '643-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-14 06:46:55', '2009-09-13 21:46:55', '', 643, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/14/643-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(883, 1, '2009-05-12 13:00:01', '2009-05-12 04:00:01', 'Akiko got up around noon the following day, and Shiraishi told her that Akira had visited the shrine in the morning, and told her that he would be free to take her looking for kegare the following day. They ate a meal together, and then Shiraishi announced that she was going back to bed; the purification had taken more out of her than expected.\r\n\r\nThe weather was not good, so Akiko found herself sitting in the office, staring out at the shrine through the rain. The stones of the iwakura looked darker than ever, slick with rain, and Akiko remembered the light she had seen pulsing within them. Then she remembered Yoshiko, and the spirit, or kami, in the river, and the kegare spreading over the whole area.\r\n\r\nFor a moment, panic seized her, and she stood up, convinced she should be doing something about the problem, not just sitting there. She looked frantically around the office, but then sat down again. There was nothing she could do about the problem, not right now. Well, apart from look after the shrine. More problems there would almost certainly just make things worse, she thought.\r\n\r\nThere was movement at the entrance, and Akiko looked round sharply, pulled from her reverie. Mr Fujimura was standing there, in haori and hakama as ever, and coming over to the office. Akiko stood up and bowed to him, pulling the window open. She really wished that Shiraishi were awake.\r\n\r\n“Mr Fujimura, thank you for coming. Do you have time to come inside and have some tea?â€\r\n\r\n“Thank you, that is very kind.â€\r\n\r\n“I am afraid that Revd Shiraishi is not available at the moment.â€ Akiko realised that she had better say that as quickly as possible.\r\n\r\n“Oh. Not ill, I hope?â€\r\n\r\n“Thank you, she is well. We just have to stay up all night to make sure the protesters do nothing to the shrine, so we have to sleep in shifts.â€\r\n\r\nMr Fujimura frowned.\r\n\r\n“Is there anything I can do to help?â€ Akiko bowed in acknowledgement.\r\n\r\n“No, I don’t think so, but thank you very much for the offer. Please, come in.â€ She gestured in the direction of the door, and went round to meet him.\r\n\r\nThere was no choice but to leave him alone in the reception room while she got the tea, even though she felt that it was being very impolite. Mr Fujimura, of course, looked as imperturbable as always, and when she returned he had taken some small stacks of leaflets out of his bag and placed them on the table. Once she had served the tea, he indicated them.\r\n\r\n“I have brought you some leaflets that you might find useful. I noticed last time that you had little to give to worshippers.â€\r\n\r\nAkiko looked at the titles of the leaflets, and quickly glanced through them. <em>Our Imperial Family, Shinto: Japanese Spirit, The Male Succession…</em> They were all standard publications from the Association of Shinto Shrines, but the choices made Akiko uncomfortable, reminding her of the accusations of fascism. Still, they weren’t fascist literature; a little right-wing, maybe, but entirely conventional, really. She looked up, and forced a smile.\r\n\r\n“Thank you, you are most considerate. I am sure these will be very useful.â€\r\n\r\n“You are most welcome. It is a shame that Revd Shiraishi is not available to perform a ceremony, but please convey my regards.â€\r\n\r\n“Of course.â€\r\n\r\nHe stood and took his leave, and Akiko waited by the door, bowing until he was out of sight by the steps. Retuning to the reception room she picked up the literature and looked at it again.\r\n\r\nSomething to talk to Shiraishi about.', 'Fujimura and Literature', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '549-revision-2', '', '', '2009-05-12 13:00:01', '2009-05-12 04:00:01', '', 549, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/05/12/549-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(884, 1, '2009-09-18 10:37:54', '2009-09-18 01:37:54', '<p />\r\n<div style="text-align:center">\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293509">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttongbp.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n</div>\r\n<p />\r\n<p>If you would like to donate in a currency that isn''t listed above, leave a comment on one of the articles (comments on this page seem to be broken, so I''ve disabled them), and I''ll see whether PayPal will allow me to make a button for it. If they will, it doesn''t take that long.</p>', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'publish', 'closed', 'closed', '', 'donations-in-multiple-currencies', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:51:34', '2009-09-18 01:51:34', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?page_id=884', 0, 'page', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(885, 1, '2009-09-18 10:37:34', '2009-09-18 01:37:34', '<div style="text-align:center">\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\n</form>\n<p />\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\n</form>\n<p />\n', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '884-revision', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:37:34', '2009-09-18 01:37:34', '', 884, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/884-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(886, 1, '2009-09-18 10:51:21', '2009-09-18 01:51:21', '<p />\n<div style="text-align:center">\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\n</form>\n<p />\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\n</form>\n<p />\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293509">\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttongbp.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\n</form>\n</div>\n<p />\n<p>If you would like to donate in a currency that isn''t listed above, leave a comment on one of the articles (comments on this page seem to be broken, so I''ve disabled them), and I''ll see whether PayPal will allow me to make a button for it. PayPal doesn''t handle all currencies, however, and I certainly can''t get them to expand their range.</p>', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '884-autosave', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:51:21', '2009-09-18 01:51:21', '', 884, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/884-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(887, 1, '2009-09-18 10:37:54', '2009-09-18 01:37:54', '<div style="text-align:center">\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293509">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttongbp.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '884-revision-2', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:37:54', '2009-09-18 01:37:54', '', 884, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/884-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(888, 1, '2009-09-18 10:39:46', '2009-09-18 01:39:46', '<p />\r\n<div style="text-align:center">\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293509">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttongbp.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<p>If you would like to donate in a currency that isn''t listed above, leave a comment, and I''ll see whether PayPal will allow me to make a button for it. PayPal doesn''t handle all currencies, however, and I certainly can''t get them to expand their range.</p>', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '884-revision-3', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:39:46', '2009-09-18 01:39:46', '', 884, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/884-revision-3/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(889, 1, '2009-09-18 10:46:12', '2009-09-18 01:46:12', 'By popular demand (one person is popular demand here), I''ve added <a href="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/donations-in-multiple-currencies/">a page to let you donate in different currencies</a>. The default currency, for the links in the sidebar, is still yen, because that''s the currency I will actually count the donations in. Unfortunately, PayPal won''t let me associated multiple currencies with one button, so this appears to be the best way I can do it. Let me know if there''s a currency you would like to use that isn''t there; if PayPal handle it, it is pretty easy for me to add it.\r\n\r\nI hope people find this useful.', 'Currencies', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'currencies', '', '\nhttp://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/donations-in-multiple-currencies/', '2009-09-18 10:46:12', '2009-09-18 01:46:12', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=889', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(890, 1, '2009-09-18 10:45:26', '2009-09-18 01:45:26', 'By popular demand, I''ve added <a href="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/donations-in-multiple-currencies/">a page to let you donate in different currencies</a>. The default currency, for the links in the sidebar, is still yen, because that''s the currency I will actually count the donations in. Unfortunately, PayPal won''t let me associated multiple currencies with one button, so this appears to be the best way I can do it.\n\nI hope people find this useful.', 'Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '889-revision', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:45:26', '2009-09-18 01:45:26', '', 889, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/889-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(891, 1, '2009-09-18 10:40:13', '2009-09-18 01:40:13', '<p />\r\n<div style="text-align:center">\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293463">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttonusd.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293494">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttoneur.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n<p />\r\n<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">\r\n<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8293509">\r\n<input type="image" src="http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/donatebuttongbp.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">\r\n<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">\r\n</form>\r\n</div>\r\n<p />\r\n<p>If you would like to donate in a currency that isn''t listed above, leave a comment, and I''ll see whether PayPal will allow me to make a button for it. PayPal doesn''t handle all currencies, however, and I certainly can''t get them to expand their range.</p>', 'Donations in Multiple Currencies', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '884-revision-4', '', '', '2009-09-18 10:40:13', '2009-09-18 01:40:13', '', 884, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/09/18/884-revision-4/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(892, 1, '2009-06-26 22:08:24', '2009-06-26 13:08:24', 'By evening there were small patches of kegare within the shrine, and they were back again by the morning, despite the harae. Kazumi came very early, wearing shorts and a tee-shirt, meaning that they could include her in the morning harae, which swept away the cobwebs Akiko had seen around her.\r\n\r\nAround mid-morning, Akiko realised that Kazumi was still there.\r\n\r\n“Still here?â€\r\n\r\n“Is that OK?â€ Kazumi sounded nervous, as if she thought she was about to be sent away.\r\n\r\n“Well, yes, but it can’t be very interesting, just hanging around the shrine.â€\r\n\r\n“Yeah, well, OK, it’s not the thrill capital of Japan, but…â€ She paused, looking around. “I feel better here, you know? Not so tired. More alive.â€ Her face broke out in a grin. “Happier.â€ Remembering the kegare, Akiko nodded.\r\n\r\n“That’s good, then. Yes, of course you can stay if you want.â€\r\n\r\nKazumi didn’t leave until it was dark, apart from popping out of the shrine to buy a packed lunch, which she ate in the grounds, careful, Akiko noted, not to drop any rubbish at all. She was back very early the following morning, arriving just as Akiko found the kegare pushing into the precincts again. This time her uniform looked mildewed and torn, while there were sores on her skin, all of which vanished at the purification.\r\n\r\nWhen she came back in the afternoon, presumably straight from school, she had a large worm wrapped around her neck, and over, under and through her uniform, at least until she washed her hands and rinsed her mouth, when a pulse of light from the iwakura burned it away. She stayed until dark again, attending the evening purification, which was necessary, again.\r\n\r\nThe following day was the same, and Shiraishi went to talk to the girl, a conversation that went on for some time. The priest was smiling when she came back, but she refused to tell Akiko why. Akiko was more worried about the kegare, though, a worry that Shiraishi shared. They had started talking about what they could do, going over possible festivals, the practicalities of summoning Tamao, and even the possible uses of the goshintai and the mask. So far, however, they had not reached any conclusions.\r\n\r\nKazumi and Noriko arrived together the following day, very early again, and, Shiraishi was called out to purify some homes. When Kazumi arrived in the afternoon, she came over to the house after performing her o-mairi, and Shiraishi met her, smiling at the door, leading her inside, without saying anything. Akiko, sitting in the office, watched them go, puzzled. What was going on?\r\n\r\nThe mystery was solved a few minutes later, when Kazumi appeared in miko’s vestments.\r\n\r\n“…let your hair grow a bit,â€ the priest was saying, “and don’t paint your fingernails.â€ Kazumi was grinning broadly, and Akiko looked from her to the priest and back again, not at all sure what to say. A miko?\r\n\r\n“She’s here all the time anyway,â€ Shiraishi said, sounding a little apologetic, “and she said she really wanted to be a miko.â€\r\n\r\n“It’s so <em>traditional,â€</em> Kazumi added, still smiling. Shiraishi stifled a giggle, and Akiko had a terrible thought, which she promptly ignored.\r\n\r\n“Anyway, she’s willing to help out with the simpler chores to start with, so could you show her the ropes?â€\r\n\r\n“Er, yes. Of course.â€\r\n\r\nIt didn’t take Kazumi long to pick up the basics, but then she had been hanging around the shrine a lot, so she knew most of it already. As they practised the basic sitting and walking techniques, Akiko noticed that Kazumi seemed to be much more enthusiastic about the studies than she had been.\r\n\r\n“Why do you want to be a miko, Kazumi?â€ she asked, suddenly.\r\n\r\n“Why?â€ Kazumi looked nonplussed for a moment, and then she smiled. “Oh, I really like wearing the <em>traditional</em> clothes. Just the traditional ones, you know.â€\r\n\r\n“Kazumi Miura, you are wearing underwear, right?â€\r\n\r\n“What a question!â€ The girl laughed it off, but Akiko noticed that she didn’t answer. Akiko seized a chance while she was sweeping the path that used to lead to the shrine buildings, and went to look at the room where she had changed. Her uniform was hanging up neatly, but there was no sign of underwear. She sighed in relief. Just teasing then.\r\n\r\n“Checking she’s properly dressed?â€ Akiko jumped as Shiraishi came up beside her, grinning.\r\n\r\n“I… Well, yes.â€\r\n\r\n“No underwear here, so you don’t need to worry.â€\r\n\r\n“Yes, yes. I was being silly, but, you know…â€\r\n\r\n“Well,â€ the priest suddenly sounded thoughtful, “unless she wasn’t wearing any underwear under her school uniform…â€\r\n\r\nAkiko stared at her, and then saw Shiraishi’s mouth twitching as she tried to suppress a smile.\r\n\r\n“Oh, don’t <em>you</em> start!â€', 'Kazumi', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '659-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-26 22:08:24', '2009-06-26 13:08:24', '', 659, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/26/659-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(893, 1, '2009-06-26 22:13:09', '2009-06-26 13:13:09', '“I have to try to talk to Tamao.â€\r\n\r\n“What?â€ Shiraishi had clearly not been expecting that.\r\n\r\n“You’re right. The kami are not safe. If we don’t deal with the kegare, Tamao will lash out and kill someone. I can’t have that on my conscience.â€\r\n\r\nThe priest nodded.\r\n\r\n“I think you’re right. When should we do it?â€\r\n\r\n“Now. Tonight. Is Kazumi still here?â€\r\n\r\nShiraishi nodded again.\r\n\r\n“Good,â€ Akiko continued. “She can help at the ceremony. Yoshiko said that you should try to summon Tamao into me.â€\r\n\r\n“Yoshiko? Who’s Yoshiko?â€\r\n\r\n“The miko I meet at the sacred tree.â€ Akiko quickly pressed on, not wanting to give herself time to worry about what she was doing. “I’ll wear the mask from the fire during the ceremony; I think it’s connected to Tamao. We should all have baths to purify ourselves first, though. We have to be careful.â€ She pushed herself to her feet. “I’ll go and tell Kazumi.â€\r\n\r\nThey were ready within half an hour, Akiko kneeling on a tatami mat in front of the iwakura. There was no himorogi; that was for summoning the kami into, and this time Akiko would play that role. She held the mask in her hands, facing the stones, the kagurasuzu lying on the tatami in front of her. Her heart was pounding, but she kept her breathing as steady as she could. Would this work?\r\n\r\nBehind her, she heard Shiraishi begin the purification norito. She finished, and Akiko heard the ohnusa swing through the air. It was as if cool water had flowed through her body, and suddenly, although the precincts remained dark, she could see everything clearly. Every bump, every hollow, every ridge on the stones of the iwakura stood out, seizing her attention.\r\n\r\nIt was pulled back as Shiraishi began the norito to call down the kami. Although her stomach was churning with nerves, Akiko’s hands were steady as she raised the mask to her face, pressing it to her skin. The wood was cool and smooth, and she felt Kazumi tie the strings at the back of her head, then the miko stepped back, knelt, and bowed as the priest bowed too, Akiko’s face hidden behind the mask as she also bowed.\r\n\r\nShe saw herself reach for the kagurasuzu, felt it in her hands as she stood, began to move, her legs following a rhythm that she could feel in her blood, as she saw herself raise the kagurasuzu as, behind her, Shiraishi and Kazumi watched.\r\n\r\nShe began to dance to the music of her blood, spinning around the stones, turning to watch her own dance, watch herself leap, her legs carrying her higher than she thought possible. As she danced behind the stones, she turned to follow her dance, and could no longer see Shiraishi or Kazumi. She could see Mr Takenaka, though, clearly visible in front of his shrine, his expression concerned, paternal. She danced on, though, round to the back, and Akiko could see the sacred tree looming behind her, twice the height of the other trees, its leaves quivering. She ran on, the ribbons on the kagurasuzu flickering behind her, trailing sparks, them flames, then becoming ribbons of fire.\r\n\r\nThe rhythm drove her, and she followed it, dancing behind Shiraishi and Kazumi, the fire reflecting off their faces, faces graven with shock. With awe. They weren’t looking at Akiko; they were looking at the fire.\r\n\r\n<em>They can see the fire.</em>\r\n\r\nAkiko swept on, back round the stones, the fire still hanging in the air, a ring around them as the dance brought her back to the mat, sinking to her knees again facing the stones as Kazumi, looking dazed, got to her feet and stepped over to release the mask.\r\n\r\nThe stones were silhouetted against the wall of fire. It burned brighter, dazzling but cold, and even the stones disappeared.', 'Trying the Mask', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '667-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-26 22:13:09', '2009-06-26 13:13:09', '', 667, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/26/667-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(894, 1, '2009-06-26 22:14:10', '2009-06-26 13:14:10', 'When her vision cleared, there was a shrine building in front of her, its pale wood warm in the sunlight, the copper roof shining. She heard someone gasp behind her, and realised that Shiraishi and Kazumi, or at least one of them, was there with her, but she did not look down. Taking a deep breath, smelling the sun-warmed grass, she composed herself to wait, watching the doors of the shrine.\r\n\r\nThe sun was warm, and the breeze playing through the trees was pleasantly cooling as it toyed with her hair. But there was no motion from the shrine, and no sense of motion. Keeping her face neutral, Akiko tried to shift her vision to see kegare, but nothing appeared to change. <em>Makes sense, I suppose,</em> she thought, and then, quite deliberately, stood up, turning her back on the shrine.\r\n\r\nShiraishi and Kazumi were both there, still kneeling on their mats, and the stands with the ritual equipment were also there. Then Akiko looked again, and corrected herself. There were stands with ritual equipment, but not the same ones as they had been using.\r\n\r\n“What… Where?â€ Kazumi finally found her voice, and it was shaking. Akiko wasn’t surprised; she remembered how she had reacted the first time she had found herself here. Shiraishi, of course, had heard about it from Akiko, and she was looking around, an expression of wonder on her face.\r\n\r\n“It’s another version of the shrine,â€ Akiko explained quickly. “Tamao’s nigimitama lives here, in the shrine building.â€ She gestured back over her shoulder.\r\n\r\n“Why are we here? Where is here?â€ Kazumi sounded a little calmer now, but still rather bewildered.\r\n\r\n“Where? Ah… At the shrine, sort of, I think. I’ve always come out of here at the shrine. As for why, I presume that Tamao wants to talk to us.â€\r\n\r\n“Tamao?â€ Kazumi sounded surprised. “The kami?â€\r\n\r\n“Yes,â€ Shiraishi replied. “The kami. I was planning to tell you these things a bit more slowly, but Tamao doesn’t seem to be into giving his miko much time to adapt at the moment.â€\r\n\r\n“You’ve been here before too?â€ Kazumi asked. Shiraishi shook her head as she stood up and walked over to the stands, inspecting the ritual equipment, picking up a folded piece of paper.\r\n\r\n“No, but Akiko has told me about it. She came here before she came to the normal shrine.â€ Shiraishi looked over at Akiko for confirmation, and Akiko nodded her head.\r\n\r\n“That’s right. Normally, Tamao appears quite quickly, though.â€\r\n\r\n“Is he… What does he look like?â€ Kazumi was standing up as well, now, and looking around.\r\n\r\n“A giant snake with scales of gems and precious metal,â€ Akiko said, glancing back at the shrine. “He is… quite impressive. But apparently shy.â€\r\n\r\n“He wants us to summon him,â€ Shiraishi said, the piece of paper open in her hands. “This,â€ she continued, holding it up, “is a norito for summoning Tamao.â€ She suddenly grinned, and then, quite clearly, forced herself to be serious. “I’m sorry, I just suddenly had a mental image of a snake writing with his mouth. Anyway, I think we have to perform the ceremony to call him down. We have all the necessary materials,â€ she said, gesturing at the stands, “and enough people to do it.â€\r\n\r\nShiraishi quickly explained the procedure. It was fairly simple; many elements that Akiko had performed several times fitted together to make a longer ritual. Kazumi looked a bit baffled, but fortunately her part could consist of just copying Akiko.\r\n\r\nAs ever, the ritual started with purification. As Shiraishi swung the ohnusa, Akiko felt as though sparks of electricity were running all over her body, then inside and through her; beside her Kazumi gasped, and Shiraishi faltered slightly, as if she had also felt it.\r\n\r\nThen took their places in front of the shrine, and Shiraishi bowed, Akiko and Kazumi following suit. Then Shiraishi stood, and as the notes of a flute drifted through the air, Akiko and Kazumi bowed again, faces close to the ground. Other instruments joined the flute, and Akiko could hear Shiraishi climbing the stairs. Even over the music, she could hear the whisper of wood as the priest opened the doors to the shrine.\r\n\r\nA drum beat three times, and Akiko somehow knew that it was time to look up. Beside her, Kazumi also rose to a kneeling position. The doors were open, but it was still dark inside the shrine, behind the hanging blind. Shiraishi was kneeling to one side, at the very edge of the veranda. Akiko stood, Kazumi following her, and between them they set the offerings in front of the shrine, at the foot of the steps, and then returned to their places.\r\n\r\nShiraishi took the paper with the norito out of the folds of her kimono and carefully unfolded it. The music fell silent.\r\n\r\n“<em>Kakemakumokashikomi…â€</em> she began, and Akiko and Kazumi bowed once more.\r\n\r\n“<em>…kashikomikashikomimomosu.â€</em>\r\n\r\n“Rise.â€\r\n\r\nThere was no mistaking that voice, and Akiko sat up to look at Tamao. He was brighter than before, and larger, his scales almost dazzling with the brilliance of the light within them, his eyes so bright it hurt to look directly at him. Akiko glanced to one side, and saw that the kami’s tail was wrapped around Shiraishi, who looked frozen in place, one hand trembling as if she wanted to reach forward, but dared not. Akiko risked another sideways glance, at Kazumi, whose mouth was hanging open in shock.\r\n\r\n“Spirit Child, you have served me well for many years. I am pleased with you; be calm. Reach out.â€ Shiraishi did reach out then, laying her hand on the kami’s scales. The light seemed to flow up through her, enveloping her in a polychrome aura that shifted and sparkled.\r\n\r\n“Spirit Child, if I could have, I would have spoken to you first.â€ Shiraishi started at that comment, and Tamao continued. “There are some who can hear easily, and some who cannot. It is no judgement.â€\r\n\r\n“Bright Child.â€ Akiko felt the kami’s eyes on her, as hot as direct sunlight, and bowed, hiding her eyes from the light.\r\n\r\n“You listened. You have more courage than you realise, and more wisdom than you imagine. But you still have much to learn.â€\r\n\r\n<em>What does that mean? Dance moves? It could be, at that…</em>\r\n\r\n“Beautiful Harmony. Come here.â€ Akiko glanced sideways again, as Kazumi stood and, shaking slightly, slowly climbed the steps to stand before the kami. Tamao dipped his head, lightning flickering from his mouth to touch the girl’s head.\r\n\r\nAnd she was consumed in light, light so bright and pure it should have hurt to look at it, but it did not, and Akiko could see Kazumi within the light, see her in her vestments, and naked within them, and then, even more naked, she could see into Kazumi’s soul, and for an instant she understood the girl completely.\r\n\r\nAnd then the moment had passed, and Kazumi, still fully clothed, dropped to her knees in front of Tamao, panting.\r\n\r\n“Beautiful Harmony, all has now been purified. Serve without fear.â€\r\n\r\nBowing, still unsteady on her feet, Kazumi walked backwards down the steps, holding tightly onto the railing, and returned to her seat.\r\n\r\n“Spirit Child, Bright Child, Beautiful Harmony. Remember! I am not as you. I do not see as you, or think as you, or feel as you. We shall ever be mysteries.â€\r\n\r\n<em>Was that an apology?</em> Akiko couldn’t quite believe it, but why else would Tamao say that?\r\n\r\n“You must hold the shrine’s aramatsuri. It has been neglected for too many years, and my aramitama is too weak to turn back the pollution. Hold the festival, and restore its strength.\r\n\r\n“And now, Bright Child, dance!â€\r\n\r\nAkiko rose from her place to continue the ritual, performing the sacred moves of her own volition in the presence of the kami.', 'Divine Command', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '669-revision-2', '', '', '2009-06-26 22:14:10', '2009-06-26 13:14:10', '', 669, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/06/26/669-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(895, 1, '2009-07-04 15:30:18', '2009-07-04 06:30:18', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They bowed to conclude the ritual, and as they did the light faded around them, so that they straightened up back in the in normal shrine precincts, the stones of the iwakura dimly illuminated against a backdrop of dark trees.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko drew a deep, shuddering breath, and carefully got to her feet, cradling the mask in her hands. She turned to look at the others; there were tears on Shiraishi’s face, and Kazumi was looking between them, still bewildered. For a long moment, none of them said anything.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ll talk inside.â€ Shiraishi was, in the end, the first to speak, and Akiko just nodded, following the priest into the house. They said nothing while they prepared tea, and the silence continued for some minutes as they sat around the table.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I found myself in a different shrine precinct, in daylight, with a shrine building,â€ Akiko began, finally breaking the silence, “and then we performed a ritual and Tamao appeared in the form of a giant snake.â€ She could see the relief on Kazumi’s face, and Shiraishi was nodding in agreement. “It really happened. What do we do now?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hold the aramatsuri,â€ Shiraishi said. “I don’t think we can really disregard such a clear instruction.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko nodded her head, and glanced to Kazumi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er… yes.â€ The girl was obviously still rather distracted. “Er… That was Tamao? The kami?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes.â€ Akiko tried to keep her voice gentle. She could remember how much of a shock it was; at least Kazumi had some people to believe her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“He’s beautiful.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko nodded, and noticed Shiraishi doing the same.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Don’t forget that he’s still dangerous, though,â€ Akiko warned.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What do you mean?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi took over the task of explaining things, which reminded Akiko that the kami had told her she still had a lot to learn. Thinking about it now, she was fairly sure that he didn’t just mean the sacred dances and the various details of Shinto, but that didn’t help with the positive question. When Shiraishi finished her explanation, she decided to ask the question.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry to change the subject, but what do think Tamao meant when he said I still had a lot to learn?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, you do,â€ Shiraishi said, quickly. “Rituals, myths, dances; all that sort of thing.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you really think he meant that?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think that’s part of what he meant.â€ The priest paused. “You probably still have to learn more about your ability to see the kami and kegare, as well. And possibly about your ability to fight it. Talking of that, though, Kazumi, why did Tamao purify you like that?â€ Shiraishi blushed slightly as she asked it, but that was nothing compared to the dark colour that filled Kazumi’s face.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I… I don’t… I have no idea…â€ she stammered, before trailing off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, I see. Hmm, well, we should talk about what we’re going to do to hold the aramatsuri, then.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked at her, a bit surprised, and Shiraishi shook her head slightly. Suddenly, Akiko understood. Kazumi didn’t want to talk about it, and Shiraishi wasn’t going to press her yet.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you think that’s the one I saw in my visions?â€ she asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Visions?â€ Kazumi asked. Akiko nodded, and quickly explained what she had seen.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That sounds fun!â€ Kazumi said, brightening up considerably. “We should definitely do that!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Shiraishi didn’t sound quite so enthusiastic. “I’m not sure that it needs to be done exactly as Akiko saw it in her visions.â€ Kazumi’s face fell, and Akiko rolled her eyes. “We’ll have to look in the shrine records, but you need to go home, young lady.â€ Kazumi glanced up at the clock, and then sprang to her feet in a panic, pulling at the tie on her hakama.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Shall I bring your clothes in here, then?â€ Shiraishi asked, her voice slightly weary.</p>', 'Reflection', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '673-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-04 15:30:18', '2009-07-04 06:30:18', '', 673, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/04/673-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(896, 1, '2009-10-02 06:46:25', '2009-10-01 21:46:25', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I thought you wanted to change the festival?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That was before someone said my shrine’s festival was inappropriate!â€ Shiraishi sounded rather annoyed, but Akiko was struggling not to laugh.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, Kazumi seems enthusiastic about it.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And why not?â€ Shiraishi suddenly stopped, and then sighed. “Noriko is at least partly right. We still can’t have topless women running around; that’s against the law. But we’re going to have the mikoshi race.â€ Akiko nodded.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think we need to stay as close as possible to the original form of the festival. Otherwise the Aramitama might not be satisfied.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Did you see those mikoshi? We can’t afford anything like that. They’ll have to be…â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Suddenly, they heard shouting from the entrance to the shrine, and it sounded like an argument.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, not <em>again</em>…â€ Shiraishi’s expression was weary as she stood up, and Akiko followed her down the steps.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The scene was all too familiar; a bloc of protesters separating the guards from a group of people who wanted to enter the shrine. There seemed to be at least half a dozen different arguments going on at once, and a few people were going quite red in the face. Akiko paused half way down the steps and switched her vision over, looking at the pollution. As usual, the guards had very little kegare, while the protesters were heavy with it, creatures that looked like roaches with dozens of legs leaping from one protester to the next, leaving sticky threads linking them. Beyond, the visitors, some of whom Akiko recognised, also had heavy kegare, kegare that smelled of burning plastic and clung to them like smoke and oil. She hoped that they had come for a harae, because they clearly needed it.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Look, please let them through!â€ Shiraishi was shouting as loudly as she could, but Akiko could barely hear her over the noise, and the protesters paid no attention at all. The guards had heard, though, and, glancing up, one started pushing forward, the others following.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters pushed back, still shouting their protests. The guards pushed harder, and one of the protesters stumbled, grabbing the guard in front of him to avoid falling.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And then the guard stumbled, swearing, and Akiko realised that he’d been kicked in the shins. He struck back before Akiko could say anything, and this time the other protesters saw it as well, one of them swinging a fist at the guard, who dodged easily and returned it.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!â€ Akiko yelled, as she ran down the steps and into the melee, trying to push people apart. “Stop it this instant! I’ll call the police!â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She staggered as a solid blow landed on her back, and then slipped as another one caught her face.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She cried out, and as she fell to her knees realised that the fighters had pulled back, stopping as, she thought, they realised what they were doing.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What on earth do you think you are doing?â€ Shiraishi sounded really angry now, and Akiko could see her rage was directed equally at the protesters and the guards. “Get out of the way now! Go on! Move!â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters scattered, apparently somewhat shocked at what they had done, and the guards sheepishly retreated up the steps. Shiraishi came to the bottom to help Akiko to her feet.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you all right?â€</p>', 'Violence', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '679-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-02 06:46:25', '2009-10-01 21:46:25', '', 679, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/01/679-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(897, 1, '2009-07-04 15:32:49', '2009-07-04 06:32:49', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I thought you wanted to change the festival?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That was before someone said my shrine’s festival was inappropriate!â€ Shiraishi sounded rather annoyed, but Akiko was struggling not to laugh.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, Kazumi seems enthusiastic about it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And why not?â€ Shiraishi suddenly stopped, and then sighed. “Noriko is at least partly right. We still can’t have topless women running around; that’s against the law. But we’re going to have the mikoshi race.â€ Akiko nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I think we need to stay as close as possible to the original form of the festival. Otherwise the Aramitama might not be satisfied.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Did you see those mikoshi? We can’t afford anything like that. They’ll have to be…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Suddenly, they heard shouting from the entrance to the shrine, and it sounded like an argument.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, not <em>again</em>…â€ Shiraishi’s expression was weary as she stood up, and Akiko followed her down the steps.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The scene was all too familiar; a bloc of protesters separating the guards from a group of people who wanted to enter the shrine. There seemed to be at least half a dozen different arguments going on at once, and a few people were going quite red in the face. Akiko paused half way down the steps and switched her vision over, looking at the pollution. As usual, the guards had very little kegare, while the protesters were heavy with it, creatures that looked like roaches with dozens of legs leaping from one protester to the next, leaving sticky threads linking them. Beyond, the visitors, some of whom Akiko recognised, also had heavy kegare, kegare that smelled of burning plastic and clung to them like smoke and oil. She hoped that they had come for a harae, because they clearly needed it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Look, please let them through!â€ Shiraishi was shouting as loudly as she could, but Akiko could barely hear her over the noise, and the protesters paid no attention at all. The guards had heard, though, and, glancing up, one started pushing forward, the others following.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters pushed back, still shouting their protests. The guards pushed harder, and one of the protesters stumbled, grabbing the guard in front of him to avoid falling.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And then the guard stumbled, swearing, and Akiko realised that he’d been kicked in the shins. He struck back before Akiko could say anything, and this time the other protesters saw it as well, one of them swinging a fist at the guard, who dodged easily and returned it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!â€ Akiko yelled, as she ran down the steps and into the melee, trying to push people apart. “Stop it this instant! I’ll call the police!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She staggered as a solid blow landed on her back, and then slipped as another one caught her face.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She cried out, and as she fell to her knees realised that the fighters had pulled back, stopping as, she thought, they realised what they were doing.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What on earth do you think you are doing?â€ Shiraishi sounded really angry now, and Akiko could see her rage was directly equally at the protesters and the guards. “Get out of the way now! Go on! Move!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters scattered, apparently somewhat shocked at what they had done, and the guards sheepishly retreated up the steps. Shiraishi came to the bottom to help Akiko to her feet.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you all right?â€</p>', 'Violence', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '679-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-04 15:32:49', '2009-07-04 06:32:49', '', 679, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/04/679-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(898, 1, '2009-10-02 20:30:23', '2009-10-02 11:30:23', 'How many people would be interested in a paper book? In the first instance, that would be of the story up to the point where Tamao first talks to Akiko, the end of Episode 25. If you would be interested, would you prefer hardback or paperback, and how much would you be prepared to pay, including shipping and handling? Let me know in the comments to this post. (To get to the comments from the sidebar, click on the post title.)\r\n\r\nI''ll do it through some print on demand service, so it will take time. Thus, I need enough firm orders to make it worth my while. If it looks like there might be enough interest, I''ll work out how many that is, and probably set something up on <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/">Kickstarter.com</a> to make sure the money is really there. But, before I spend time sorting that out, I want an idea of whether it has any chance of being practical.\r\n\r\nSo…?', 'Paper Book?', 0, '', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'paper-book', '', '', '2009-10-02 20:30:23', '2009-10-02 11:30:23', '', 0, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/?p=898', 0, 'post', '', 16);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(899, 1, '2009-10-02 20:30:15', '2009-10-02 11:30:15', 'How many people would be interested in a paper book? In the first instance, that would be of the story up to the point where Tamao first talks to Akiko, the end of Episode 25. If you would be interested, would you prefer hardback or paperback, and how much would you be prepared to pay, including shipping and handling? Let me know in the comments to this post. (To get to the comments from the sidebar, click on the post title.)\n\nI''ll do it through some print on demand service, so it will take time. Thus, I need enough firm orders to make it worth my while. If it looks like there might be enough interest, I''ll work out how many that is, and probably set something up on <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/">Kickstarter.com</a> to make sure the money is really there. But, before I spend time sorting that out, I want an idea of whether it has any chance of being practical.\n\nSo', 'Paper Book?', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '898-revision', '', '', '2009-10-02 20:30:15', '2009-10-02 11:30:15', '', 898, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/02/898-revision/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(900, 1, '2009-10-02 20:31:29', '2009-10-02 11:31:29', 'How many people would be interested in a paper book? In the first instance, that would be of the story up to the point where Tamao first talks to Akiko, the end of Episode 25. If you would be interested, would you prefer hardback or paperback, and how much would you be prepared to pay, including shipping and handling? Let me know in the comments to this post. (To get to the comments from the sidebar, click on the post title.)\n\nI''ll do it through some print on demand service, so it will take time. Thus, I need enough firm orders to make it worth my while. If it looks like there might be enough interest, I''ll work out how many that is, and probably set something up on <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/">Kickstarter.com</a> to make sure the money is really there. But, before I spend time sorting that out, I want an idea of whether it has any chance of being practical.\n\nSo…?', 'Paper Book?', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '898-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-02 20:31:29', '2009-10-02 11:31:29', '', 898, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/02/898-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(901, 1, '2009-07-04 15:35:37', '2009-07-04 06:35:37', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko was exhausted, and slumped down in the car seat as soon as she had fastened her belt. Shiraishi glanced over.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That was the last one for today.â€ Akiko nodded, glancing out of the window. The house they’d just purified was clear, but she could still see the kegare hanging over the buildings around it, like a clinging mist, coiling around windows and doors. She tried to shift her vision back, but couldn’t quite get it to shift. Instead, she closed her eyes, leaning back in the chair.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should get back to the shrine,â€ she said. “Make sure Kazumi’s OK.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sure she’s fine,â€ Shiraishi said, as she started the car. “She’s a lot more responsible than she seems.â€ Akiko had to admit that that was true. Kazumi always did the things she said she would do, and she really seemed to like being at the shrine. Akiko thought she understood part of the reason; every time she went out into the city, the kegare seemed to suck her energy away. “Still,â€ the priest continued, “I do want to check on the festival preparations. Make sure she hasn’t cancelled the order for happi coats.â€ Akiko smiled, and opened her eyes to look at the priest.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Or loincloths.â€ Shiraishi chuckled, and then shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’re not being fair to her. Apart from after the cleaningâ€ — Akiko was sure Shiraishi was blushing — “it’s mostly just been teasing you. A lot of girls wear those short skirts, and Kazumi puts trousers on underneath now.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, but she’s <em>very</em> enthusiastic about helping to carry the mikoshi.â€ Akiko was grinning, and Shiraishi risked flashing a quick grin back, before looking back at the road, her face turning sober.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously. We should stop making fun of her behind her back. She’s a great help.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“She is.â€ Akiko had to agree. Kazumi seemed to be spending all her free time at the shrine, and even though it was taking her a while to get the ceremonial movements right she was surprisingly good at cleaning and basic office work. And she’d thrown herself into the festival preparations with great enthusiasm; with the surge in the number of requests for purification, she’d ended up doing most of the organising, and it seemed to be going well. “Weren’t the posters being delivered to…â€ Akiko looked idly out of the window as she asked, and cut herself off with a gasp.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop the car.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi quickly pulled over. Akiko got out, and walked back to the junction.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was still there. One of the side streets seemed to vanish into a solid bank of black cloud, its surface whipping and churning silently, while the smell of ash stung at Akiko’s nostrils. Even at this distance, Akiko started to feel grit on her skin, as if tiny particles of smoke were lodging inside her clothes.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kegare?â€ the priest asked, coming up beside her. Akiko nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Really dense. I can’t see down this street at all. How does it look to you?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well… A bit dirty; there’s a fair bit of litter about, and some graffiti. The houses could do with some paint, and there are a couple of small blocks of flats that look older than I am. But… Nothing really remarkable.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is that a park?â€ Akiko pointed at a patch of land right on the edge of the cloud.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. Nothing but a broken set of swings in it.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. We can do the harae there.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked at her, concern on her face.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you sure? We can come back.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should do it now,â€ Akiko replied. “I don’t want to leave that.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They collected the equipment from the back of the car and went over to the park, the ash now a taste in Akiko’s mouth. She resisted the urge to spit, but all her clothes felt gritty, and every step was uncomfortable. She had Shiraishi stand just outside the cloud, and readied the kagurasuzu as the priest began the norito.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was no reaction from the cloud. Akiko couldn’t see any change the boiling patterns, and no spirits emerged to confront the priest. The light began to build up in the ohnusa, and the taste of ashes faded from Akiko’s mouth. She looked around, but while there were a handful of kegare spirits on the houses behind them, they were keeping their distance, slinking behind the roof line as Akiko glanced in their direction.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi picked up the ohnusa and swung it, light flooding off it and washing over Akiko, briefly lifting her exhaustion. The smoke dissolved in the light, swept back, and Akiko caught a glimpse of something more solid retreating, withdrawing from the brilliance.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest swung the ohnusa again, and again the light dissolved the smoke. But, Akiko suddenly realised, only the same smoke. It had come pouring back as the first wave of light had faded. Shiraishi swung the ohnusa for the third and last time, and as she stopped the smoke flowed back to its original position, a boiling wall in front of her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest turned to look at Akiko, and Akiko shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It made no difference. Do it again.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked shocked, but she turned back to the smoke and began reciting the norito once more. There was still no response from the smoke, although the buildings outside it had been somewhat purified, so that there were now no spirits at all watching them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Again, the light pouring from the ohnusa drove the smoke back, but, again, the smoke just flowed back to its original position. Shiraishi looked at Akiko again, and she shook her head once more.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s not properly cleansing it. Hold on…â€ Raising the kagurasuzu before her, Akiko walked slowly towards the smoke. It showed no reaction, even when she was standing right up against it. Taking a deep breath, which smelled of dead ashes, Akiko stepped into it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She felt ashes on her skin, on her tongue, heavy in her hair. She could see nothing, but ash got into her eyes, leaving them streaming with tears, and there was nothing but ash on the air, ash that filled her lungs, starting her coughing, and she couldn’t stop, falling to her knees, her hand sinking into a deep layer of ash as she tried to steady herself.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Pushing off the ground, she flung herself backwards, into the light, kneeling on the ground in the park and coughing up black phlegm.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As her eyes cleared, the wall of smoke still rose into the sky before her, completely unmoved.</p>', 'Smoke on the Air', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '685-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-04 15:35:37', '2009-07-04 06:35:37', '', 685, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/04/685-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(902, 1, '2009-10-06 09:43:24', '2009-10-06 00:43:24', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko was exhausted, and slumped down in the car seat as soon as she had fastened her belt. Shiraishi glanced over.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That was the last one for today.â€ Akiko nodded, glancing out of the window. The house they’d just purified was clear, but she could still see the kegare hanging over the buildings around it, like a clinging mist, coiling around windows and doors. She tried to shift her vision back, but couldn’t quite get it to shift. Instead, she closed her eyes, leaning back in the chair.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should get back to the shrine,â€ she said. “Make sure Kazumi’s OK.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sure she’s fine,â€ Shiraishi said, as she started the car. “She’s a lot more responsible than she seems.â€ Akiko had to admit that that was true. Kazumi always did the things she said she would do, and she really seemed to like being at the shrine. Akiko thought she understood part of the reason; every time she went out into the city, the kegare seemed to suck her energy away. “Still,â€ the priest continued, “I do want to check on the festival preparations. Make sure she hasn’t cancelled the order for happi coats.â€ Akiko smiled, and opened her eyes to look at the priest.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Or loincloths.â€ Shiraishi chuckled, and then shook her head.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’re not being fair to her. Apart from after the cleaningâ€ — Akiko was sure Shiraishi was blushing — “it’s mostly just been teasing you. A lot of girls wear those short skirts, and Kazumi puts trousers on underneath now.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, but she’s <em>very</em> enthusiastic about helping to carry the mikoshi.â€ Akiko was grinning, and Shiraishi risked flashing a quick grin back, before looking back at the road, her face turning sober.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Seriously. We should stop making fun of her behind her back. She’s a great help.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“She is.â€ Akiko had to agree. Kazumi seemed to be spending all her free time at the shrine, and even though it was taking her a while to get the ceremonial movements right she was surprisingly good at cleaning and basic office work. And she’d thrown herself into the festival preparations with great enthusiasm; with the surge in the number of requests for purification, she’d ended up doing most of the organising, and it seemed to be going well. “Weren’t the posters being delivered to…â€ Akiko looked idly out of the window as she asked, and cut herself off with a gasp.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop the car.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi quickly pulled over. Akiko got out, and walked back to the junction.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was still there. One of the side streets seemed to vanish into a solid bank of black cloud, its surface whipping and churning silently, while the smell of ash stung at Akiko’s nostrils. Even at this distance, Akiko started to feel grit on her skin, as if tiny particles of smoke were lodging inside her clothes.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kegare?â€ the priest asked, coming up beside her. Akiko nodded.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Really dense. I can’t see down this street at all. How does it look to you?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well… A bit dirty; there’s a fair bit of litter about, and some graffiti. The houses could do with some paint, and there are a couple of small blocks of flats that look older than I am. But… Nothing really remarkable.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is that a park?â€ Akiko pointed at a patch of land right on the edge of the cloud.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. Nothing but a broken set of swings in it.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK. We can do the harae there.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked at her, concern on her face.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you sure? We can come back.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should do it now,â€ Akiko replied. “I don’t want to leave that.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They collected the equipment from the back of the car and went over to the park, the ash now a taste in Akiko’s mouth. She resisted the urge to spit, but all her clothes felt gritty, and every step was uncomfortable. She had Shiraishi stand just outside the cloud, and readied the kagurasuzu as the priest began the norito.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There was no reaction from the cloud. Akiko couldn’t see any change in the boiling patterns, and no spirits emerged to confront the priest. The light began to build up in the ohnusa, and the taste of ashes faded from Akiko’s mouth. She looked around, but while there were a handful of kegare spirits on the houses behind them, they were keeping their distance, slinking behind the roof line as Akiko glanced in their direction.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi picked up the ohnusa and swung it, light flooding off it and washing over Akiko, briefly lifting her exhaustion. The smoke dissolved in the light, swept back, and Akiko caught a glimpse of something more solid retreating, withdrawing from the brilliance.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest swung the ohnusa again, and again the light dissolved the smoke. But, Akiko suddenly realised, only the same smoke. It had come pouring back as the first wave of light had faded. Shiraishi swung the ohnusa for the third and last time, and as she stopped the smoke flowed back to its original position, a boiling wall in front of her.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest turned to look at Akiko, and Akiko shook her head.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It made no difference. Do it again.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked shocked, but she turned back to the smoke and began reciting the norito once more. There was still no response from the smoke, although the buildings outside it had been somewhat purified, so that there were now no spirits at all watching them.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Again, the light pouring from the ohnusa drove the smoke back, but, again, the smoke just flowed back to its original position. Shiraishi looked at Akiko again, and she shook her head once more.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s not properly cleansing it. Hold on…â€ Raising the kagurasuzu before her, Akiko walked slowly towards the smoke. It showed no reaction, even when she was standing right up against it. Taking a deep breath, which smelled of dead ashes, Akiko stepped into it.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She felt ashes on her skin, on her tongue, heavy in her hair. She could see nothing, but ash got into her eyes, leaving them streaming with tears, and there was nothing but ash on the air, ash that filled her lungs, starting her coughing, and she couldn’t stop, falling to her knees, her hand sinking into a deep layer of ash as she tried to steady herself.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Pushing off the ground, she flung herself backwards, into the light, kneeling on the ground in the park and coughing up black phlegm.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As her eyes cleared, the wall of smoke still rose into the sky before her, completely unmoved.</p>', 'Smoke on the Air', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '685-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-06 09:43:24', '2009-10-06 00:43:24', '', 685, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/06/685-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(903, 1, '2009-07-09 09:59:56', '2009-07-09 00:59:56', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The area of smoke had disappeared when they returned the following day, and although the houses it had covered had been heavy with kegare, a harae performed from the park had cleared away a lot of it. Not quite all, though.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The problem was that, while everyone was worried, no-one had any suggestions for action. Even Yoshiko had had nothing useful to add, although she did approve of their plan to hold the wild festival, and had mentioned that she needed to teach Akiko something. What Akiko thought they really needed to do, and Shiraishi agreed, was talk to Tamao.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The kami, however, seemed to be avoiding them. Akiko was starting to suspect that it was because he was too embarrassed to admit that he had no idea either.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The preparations for the festival were almost complete, and a few of the ujiko were participating enthusiastically. The plans for the simple, cheap, and light mikoshi had been made, and an ujiko with a carpentry business was making them right now. They’d seen the samples for the happi, and the loincloths had arrived; Shiraishi was fretting that they’d ordered too many, and that no-one would want to help carry the mikoshi, particularly the women.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">That morning, the posters they had ordered had come back from the printers. Akiko thought they looked really good, with a photograph of the iwakura against a background of trees and a reproduction of the men’s mikoshi from the book. Now, she was out in her miko’s vestments (Shiraishi’s idea) trying to convince people to put them in windows.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko kept checking the kegare as she walked around the area. It was heavy, getting heavier, and she could see more damage, and more vandalism, when she looked at the mundane world. The kegare spirits she saw seemed to be running away from her; that was, she supposed, a good thing.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The first place she tried with a post office, where a number of community posters were displayed in the lobby.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry, we don’t display religious posters.â€ The manager didn’t sound very apologetic.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“There’s a poster about Zen there at the moment,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s scholarship, not religion.â€ At that point, Akiko was sure she wouldn’t win, but she couldn’t let herself give up just yet.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, this is more of a community event than a religious thing. We don’t require any prayers or anything.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No. We won’t advertise it. Sorry.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">On impulse, Akiko checked the kegare. The whole building was heavy with it, blackish slime running down the walls and hanging in ropes from the ceiling to drip onto the desks. The manager seemed to be covered in flies, their droning whine filling Akiko’s ears. She quickly switched back, apologised, and left.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The next stop was the supermarket across the road.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, is this for the wild festival?â€ the manager asked, before Akiko could say anything. “Can I see?â€ He took a poster from her and held it up. “Looks like fun. Yes, we can put one or two of these up for you.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, no problem. It should liven the area up a bit. Actually, are you having businesses sponsor lanterns or anything? We’d probably want to do something like that.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, good point. I’ll have to check with Revd Shiraishi and get back to you.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Now, that was more like it.</p>', 'Posters', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '695-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-09 09:59:56', '2009-07-09 00:59:56', '', 695, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/09/695-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(904, 1, '2009-10-06 09:46:35', '2009-10-06 00:46:35', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The area of smoke had disappeared when they returned the following day, and although the houses it had covered had been heavy with kegare, a harae performed from the park had cleared away a lot of it. Not quite all, though.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The problem was that, while everyone was worried, no-one had any suggestions for action. Even Yoshiko had had nothing useful to add, although she did approve of their plan to hold the wild festival, and had mentioned that she needed to teach Akiko something. What Akiko thought they really needed to do, and Shiraishi agreed, was talk to Tamao.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The kami, however, seemed to be avoiding them. Akiko was starting to suspect that it was because he was too embarrassed to admit that he had no idea either.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The preparations for the festival were almost complete, and a few of the ujiko were participating enthusiastically. The plans for the simple, cheap, and light mikoshi had been made, and an ujiko with a carpentry business was making them right now. They’d seen the samples for the happi, and the loincloths had arrived; Shiraishi was fretting that they’d ordered too many, and that no-one would want to help carry the mikoshi, particularly the women.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">That morning, the posters they had ordered had come back from the printers. Akiko thought they looked really good, with a photograph of the iwakura against a background of trees and a reproduction of the men’s mikoshi from the book. Now, she was out in her miko’s vestments (Shiraishi’s idea) trying to convince people to put them in windows.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko kept checking the kegare as she walked around the area. It was heavy, getting heavier, and she could see more damage, and more vandalism, when she looked at the mundane world. The kegare spirits she saw seemed to be running away from her; that was, she supposed, a good thing.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The first place she tried was a post office, where a number of community posters were displayed in the lobby.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry, we don’t display religious posters.â€ The manager didn’t sound very apologetic.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“There’s a poster about Zen there at the moment,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s scholarship, not religion.â€ At that point, Akiko was sure she wouldn’t win, but she couldn’t let herself give up just yet.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, this is more of a community event than a religious thing. We don’t require any prayers or anything.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No. We won’t advertise it. Sorry.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">On impulse, Akiko checked the kegare. The whole building was heavy with it, blackish slime running down the walls and hanging in ropes from the ceiling to drip onto the desks. The manager seemed to be covered in flies, their droning whine filling Akiko’s ears. She quickly switched back, apologised, and left.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The next stop was the supermarket across the road.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, is this for the wild festival?â€ the manager asked, before Akiko could say anything. “Can I see?â€ He took a poster from her and held it up. “Looks like fun. Yes, we can put one or two of these up for you.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, no problem. It should liven the area up a bit. Actually, are you having businesses sponsor lanterns or anything? We’d probably want to do something like that.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, good point. I’ll have to check with Revd Shiraishi and get back to you.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Now, that was more like it.</p>', 'Posters', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '695-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-06 09:46:35', '2009-10-06 00:46:35', '', 695, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/06/695-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(908, 1, '2009-10-19 06:21:33', '2009-10-18 21:21:33', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko held up the length of white cloth, looking at it.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s just a piece of cloth.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, yes.â€ Noriko sounded slightly amused. “That’s how loincloths are made, you know.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi, unsurprisingly, was already getting undressed.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I looked up how to put them on,â€ she said. “There are pages on the internet. Actually, there are quite a lot of pages, with pictures, but most of them weren’t… ah… aimed at women.â€ She grinned, and Akiko rolled her eyes. “Anyway,â€ she continued, “I’ve been practising. Should be no problem.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And I’ve learned how to do them,â€ Noriko added. “It’s not that hard.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But if you don’t do it right, <em>they fall off!â€</em> Kazumi giggled as she finished, and Akiko glared at her.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop that! We’ll do them properly.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me, is this where we change… Oh.â€ Akiko looked round, to see a mother and daughter standing just inside the entrance. She remembered them from the purification a few days earlier.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, yes. Yes, please come in.â€ She glanced round, and saw that Kazumi had just started taking her underwear off. <em>She does wear underwear, then,</em> she thought, quickly followed by <em>Oh, for goodness sake woman!</em> “Um,â€ she turned back to the two women, “if you take your clothes off we’ll help you with the loincloths.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Both of them looked a little embarrassed, although it was the mother who spoke. “I don’t know why I let my husband talk me into this.â€ She took a deep breath. “OK. Let’s get changed. You’re still OK for this?â€ This to her daughter, who nodded.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Unlike my brother, who is a chicken.â€ She suddenly grinned. “Actually, I think it’ll be fun. People will be looking at the mikoshi, not us, right?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well…â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right, right,â€ Akiko quickly burst in, before Kazumi could say something to frighten them off. Any help would be good. She glared at the girl, who was now standing there naked as she began to wrap the cloth around between her legs, but Kazumi just grinned back. She looked back, and saw the mother’s mouth twitch in a half-smile.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another voice, this time from just outside. Akiko hurried over to see who it was, and was quite surprised to see the Tanakas’ grandmother.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“My daughter-in-law is being useless and refusing to help, but do you think I could help carry the mikoshi?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er…â€ Akiko desperately tried to think of a tactful way to put the question, but before she could, Kazumi came running up, loincloth fixed but no coat on.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Show us your muscles!â€ she said, flexing her arms. The old woman looked shocked for a moment, and then grinned.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ve been feeling much better recently.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, the more the merrier.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi, get back and put your happi on!â€ Akiko scolded her, and then turned back to Mrs Tanaka. “As she said, we’d be glad of your help.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko, get your clothes off!â€ Akiko turned back, to see that Noriko was already changed, and she and Kazumi were fixing loincloths for the other two women. Kazumi was grinning at her, and Akiko shook her head.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You get on with that loincloth!â€ She was right, though, and Akiko reached for the belt of her hakama.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another woman’s voice from outside. Surprised, but suddenly much more confident about the event, Akiko turned back to see who it was.</p>', 'Getting Changed', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '714-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-19 06:21:33', '2009-10-18 21:21:33', '', 714, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/19/714-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(905, 1, '2009-07-11 20:35:09', '2009-07-11 11:35:09', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko held up the length of white cloth, looking at it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s just a piece of cloth.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, yes.â€ Noriko sounded slightly amused. “That’s how loincloths are made, you know.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi, unsurprisingly, was already getting undressed.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I looked up how to put them on,â€ she said. “There are pages on the internet. Actually, there are quite a lot of pages, with pictures, but most of them weren’t… ah… aimed at women.â€ She grinned, and Akiko rolled her her eyes. “Anyway,â€ she continued, “I’ve been practising. Should be no problem.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And I’ve learned how to do them,â€ Noriko added. “It’s not that hard.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But if you don’t do it right, <em>they fall off!â€</em> Kazumi giggled as she finished, and Akiko glared at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop that! We’ll do them properly.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me, is this where we change… Oh.â€ Akiko looked round, to see a mother and daughter standing just inside the entrance. She remembered them from the purification a few days earlier.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, yes. Yes, please come in.â€ She glanced round, and saw that Kazumi had just started taking her underwear off. <em>She does wear underwear, then,</em> she thought, quickly followed by <em>Oh, for goodness sake woman!</em> “Um,â€ she turned back to the two women, “if you take your clothes off we’ll help you with the loincloths.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Both of them looked a little embarrassed, although it was the mother who spoke. “I don’t know why I let my husband talk me into this.â€ She took a deep breath. “OK. Let’s get changed. You’re still OK for this?â€ This to her daughter, who nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Unlike my brother, who is a chicken.â€ She suddenly grinned. “Actually, I think it’ll be fun. People will be looking at the mikoshi, not us, right?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right, right,â€ Akiko quickly burst in, before Kazumi could say something to frighten them off. Any help would be good. She glared at the girl, who was now standing there naked as she began to wrap the cloth around between her legs, but Kazumi just grinned back. She looked back, and saw the mother’s mouth twitch in a half-smile.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another voice, this time from just outside. Akiko hurried over to see who it was, and was quite surprised to see the Tanakas’ grandmother.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“My daughter-in-law is being useless and refusing to help, but do you think I could help carry the mikoshi?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er…â€ Akiko desperately tried to think of a tactful way to put the question, but before she could, Kazumi came running up, loincloth fixed but no coat on.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Show us your muscles!â€ she said, flexing her arms. The old woman looked shocked for a moment, and then grinned.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ve been feeling much better recently.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, the more the merrier.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi, get back and put your happi on!â€ Akiko scolded her, and then turned back to the Mrs Tanaka. “As she said, we’d be glad of your help.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko, get your clothes off!â€ Akiko turned back, to see that Noriko was already changed, and she and Kazumi were fixing loincloths for the other two women. Kazumi was grinning at her, and Akiko shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You get on with that loincloth!â€ She was right, though, and Akiko reached for the belt of her hakama.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another woman’s voice from outside. Surprised, but suddenly much more confident about the event, Akiko turned back to see who it was.</p>', 'Getting Changed', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '714-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-11 20:35:09', '2009-07-11 11:35:09', '', 714, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/11/714-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(906, 1, '2009-07-11 20:36:33', '2009-07-11 11:36:33', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It didn’t take long for the mikoshi to stop feeling light. They were barely down the steps — behind the men, unfortunately — when they had to stop trying to hurry, sweat already pouring off them in the heat of the twilight. Akiko carried the mikoshi for as long as she could, and Kazumi and Noriko had already dropped off for a break before she gave up, her shoulder too sore to continue. Mrs Tanaka took her place, with a surprising amount of energy and enthusiasm, even leading the other women in a chant. Grinning, Akiko joined in as soon as she caught her breath.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There were quite a few people by the roadside, gathered in small groups, with cameras. Akiko winced a little at the flashes, but reflected that it was inevitable, really. She glanced down again, to check that her happi coat was in place, and got nudged by Kazumi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Don’t think about it,â€ she whispered. “You’re doing nothing wrong; what does it matter if something slips out?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked across at her, and the girl’s face was surprisingly sincere. Akiko couldn’t think of anything to say; Kazumi had a point, but…</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">To have something else to think about, she switched her vision over, and almost stumbled. The dragon was visible again, coiled around the spear, its light pulsing brightly, occasional tongues of flame detaching from its body to consume the kegare over the houses. The polluted spirits clinging to the roofs of the houses were disappearing as they approached, and ahead of them, where the men had already passed, she could see that the road itself, and the people waiting, were clean.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hey, look!â€ Kazumi sounded excited, and it broke Akiko’s concentration, so that she saw the ordinary scene again. Ahead of them, a family was waiting outside their house — with rows of drinking bottles on a table.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko gladly took the offered bottle, and made sure that they had enough for the women who didn’t have hands free.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Looks fun!â€ said the woman, as she handed over the bottles.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It is. You should join in next time,â€ Kazumi replied, making her laugh.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Maybe…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The water seemed to restore Akiko’s energy, and she slipped back in to carrying the mikoshi, resting it on her other shoulder this time. It even felt a bit lighter, and, glancing at the others, she started up the chant again.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yo-sha!â€ They were picking up the pace again, and the men came back into sight.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’re gaining!â€ Akiko wasn’t sure who had said it, but they could all see it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Faster!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We can catch them!â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The men had heard them, of course, and glanced back, before sending up a shout of their own, and putting on speed.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko’s vision switched by itself, and the light dazzled her. The phoenix was spread out over the men’s mikoshi, its fiery wings brushing the houses to either side, tumbling kegare from them and sending spirits scurrying for cover, those that were too slow bursting into flames. She glanced up at their own mikoshi, where they dragon, its claws firmly gripping the frame, rippled in the air, flying, sheets of flame sloughing off to further purify the area around them. It was bigger now, and brighter.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And helping to carry the mikoshi.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yo-sha! Catch them!â€ Akiko shouted, and pushed herself into a run.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The mikoshi seemed to weigh nothing at all.</p>', 'Junko', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '718-revision-2', '', '', '2009-07-11 20:36:33', '2009-07-11 11:36:33', '', 718, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/07/11/718-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(907, 1, '2009-10-13 09:19:44', '2009-10-13 00:19:44', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko held up the length of white cloth, looking at it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s just a piece of cloth.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, yes.â€ Noriko sounded slightly amused. “That’s how loincloths are made, you know.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi, unsurprisingly, was already getting undressed.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I looked up how to put them on,â€ she said. “There are pages on the internet. Actually, there are quite a lot of pages, with pictures, but most of them weren’t… ah… aimed at women.â€ She grinned, and Akiko rolled her eyes. “Anyway,â€ she continued, “I’ve been practising. Should be no problem.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And I’ve learned how to do them,â€ Noriko added. “It’s not that hard.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But if you don’t do it right, <em>they fall off!â€</em> Kazumi giggled as she finished, and Akiko glared at her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop that! We’ll do them properly.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me, is this where we change… Oh.â€ Akiko looked round, to see a mother and daughter standing just inside the entrance. She remembered them from the purification a few days earlier.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, yes. Yes, please come in.â€ She glanced round, and saw that Kazumi had just started taking her underwear off. <em>She does wear underwear, then,</em> she thought, quickly followed by <em>Oh, for goodness sake woman!</em> “Um,â€ she turned back to the two women, “if you take your clothes off we’ll help you with the loincloths.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Both of them looked a little embarrassed, although it was the mother who spoke. “I don’t know why I let my husband talk me into this.â€ She took a deep breath. “OK. Let’s get changed. You’re still OK for this?â€ This to her daughter, who nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Unlike my brother, who is a chicken.â€ She suddenly grinned. “Actually, I think it’ll be fun. People will be looking at the mikoshi, not us, right?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well…â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right, right,â€ Akiko quickly burst in, before Kazumi could say something to frighten them off. Any help would be good. She glared at the girl, who was now standing there naked as she began to wrap the cloth around between her legs, but Kazumi just grinned back. She looked back, and saw the mother’s mouth twitch in a half-smile.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another voice, this time from just outside. Akiko hurried over to see who it was, and was quite surprised to see the Tanakas’ grandmother.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“My daughter-in-law is being useless and refusing to help, but do you think I could help carry the mikoshi?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er…â€ Akiko desperately tried to think of a tactful way to put the question, but before she could, Kazumi came running up, loincloth fixed but no coat on.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Show us your muscles!â€ she said, flexing her arms. The old woman looked shocked for a moment, and then grinned.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ve been feeling much better recently.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, the more the merrier.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi, get back and put your happi on!â€ Akiko scolded her, and then turned back to the Mrs Tanaka. “As she said, we’d be glad of your help.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Akiko, get your clothes off!â€ Akiko turned back, to see that Noriko was already changed, and she and Kazumi were fixing loincloths for the other two women. Kazumi was grinning at her, and Akiko shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You get on with that loincloth!â€ She was right, though, and Akiko reached for the belt of her hakama.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Excuse me…â€ Another woman’s voice from outside. Surprised, but suddenly much more confident about the event, Akiko turned back to see who it was.</p>', 'Getting Changed', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '714-revision-3', '', '', '2009-10-13 09:19:44', '2009-10-13 00:19:44', '', 714, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/13/714-revision-3/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(909, 1, '2009-08-04 13:31:15', '2009-08-04 04:31:15', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is there any way to drive up to the top?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko shook her head, trying to ignore the protesters, who were chanting louder than ever now that they could see the television van. It had seemed like a good idea when Shiraishi mentioned it; use the appearance of the pool to get some more publicity for the shrine. Now, Akiko was not so sure. The protesters were trying to capitalise on it, and when Akiko looked at the kegare on the television crew, she wasn’t at all sure about letting them in.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Spirits like winged spiders crawled all over them, jumping from one to another, disappearing inside the camera, picking at the blouse of the young reporter, tangling in her hair. The cameraman was bound in threads that covered his eyes, clusters of the spider-things gathering over his eyes, legs reaching out, stretching and waving.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m afraid you’ll have to carry it up,â€ she said, and the cameraman sighed, nodding as he shouldered the burden. The reporter glanced at the protesters, and Akiko was suddenly glad that there were only four of them, and that the guards had agreed to wait inside the house.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do they do that a lot?â€ the reporter asked. Akiko sighed and rolled her eyes, provoking a brief smile. “That often?â€ She looked over again. “Not enough of them to be news, though.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they started climbing the steps the cameraman muttered something about  background noise under his breath, and the reporter whispered something back, something Akiko couldn’t catch at all. In any case, she was concentrating on the kegare. The spirits were getting more agitated as they approached the wall of light, running to hide within the reporter’s clothes, or the body of the camera.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They passed through the light, into the shrine, and in a flare of light all the surface kegare was burned away. Akiko realised she was holding her breath, breath that she let out in disappointment as the spider-spirits began cautiously emerging, legs waving as if testing the air.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Harae!â€ Akiko whispered, urgently, as she came up alongside the priest. Shiraishi looked at her, slightly surprised, then nodded in understanding, before greeting the news team.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Welcome to Tamao Shrine. Thank you for coming.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, thank you. Good local interest stories are always welcome,â€ the reporter replied, as the cameraman looked around the precincts. “Is that the pool?â€ she continued, pointing over towards the iwakura.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ Shiraishi replied. “How do you want to do this?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, we’d like to film something more than a talking head. And a pool of water is also not exactly riveting television. Although the spring is quite pretty.â€ She paused for a moment. “This <em>is</em> the shrine that burned down, isn’t it. I thought so. Should we mention that, as well?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That would be helpful; we need to collect money to rebuild.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The reporter smiled.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The spring was a stroke of luck, then. So, any suggestions?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Harae harae harae</em> Akiko thought furiously, hoping that she’d somehow developed psychic abilities.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Shiraishi said, “I could perform a short purification ceremony and you could film that. Thanks to the fire, there’s no other evidence that this is a shrine.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Revd Shiraishi, that was very slick,</em> Akiko thought.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, that’s a good idea. Would that be near the pool?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest nodded, and the reporter quickly looked at cameraman, who nodded back, and started setting up the camera.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right, and after that, we could interview you.â€ She paused and frowned slightly. “But the pool and the rocks would be a bit boring as background.â€ She looked around, and then smiled as she saw Akiko. “Aha! Could you be in the pool while we do the interview? Half out of the water?â€ Akiko could feel herself going bright red, and the reporter hurried on. “Oh, with your back to us, of course. This would be going out on local news.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, sorry.â€ Shiraishi answered for her. “This is a shrine, not a hot spring spa.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, good point.â€ The reporter looked a bit disappointed, and then looked around again. “It’s still a bit static…â€ she said, at least half to herself.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I could dance,â€ Akiko found herself saying. <em>Why did I say that?</em> She didn’t feel possessed, but she had to fight an urge to shoot a suspicious glance at the iwakura.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, kagura!â€ the reporter said. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea. Can you dance near the pool, so that we have you in the background while Revd Shiraishi is talking?â€ Akiko nodded, and Shiraishi smiled encouragingly at her. Akiko bowed her head, and risked a quick glance at the stones.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The flame inside was burning brighter than ever, flaring and dancing, turning the inside of the stones red hot, but there was no particular sign of awareness. Surreptitiously, she looked back at the others; they really didn’t seem to be able to see the flame, even though Akiko was no longer looking at the kegare.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you ready?â€ the reporter asked, getting a grunt from the cameraman.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I keep getting glare from something…â€ he said, as he fiddled with the angle of the camera. Akiko glanced back, willing the flame to settle down. As she looked, it did die down, and Akiko somehow felt that it was chastened. “Oh, OK now,â€ the cameraman said, leaving Akiko wondering just what had happened.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The harae cleansed the news team, and Akiko began her dance in front of the pool, as Shiraishi started explaining about it, and about the fire at the shrine.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Don’t possess me,</em> she thought to herself. <em>And don’t snatch me off to some other world. Just let me be a bit of background colour.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The surface of the pool went very still, even though the water from the spring was still pouring into it. Every time the dance turned her towards it, Akiko could see the reflection of the iwakura in it, flames engulfing the stones and towering over them. The third time she turned, she saw Tamao in the reflection, coiled around the flames, the light refracting through his scales in a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko could have sworn he looked amused.</p>', 'Flaunt It', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '748-revision-3', '', '', '2009-08-04 13:31:15', '2009-08-04 04:31:15', '', 748, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/04/748-revision-3/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(910, 1, '2009-10-26 06:50:02', '2009-10-25 21:50:02', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Is there any way to drive up to the top?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko shook her head, trying to ignore the protesters, who were chanting louder than ever now that they could see the television van. It had seemed like a good idea when Shiraishi mentioned it; use the appearance of the pool to get some more publicity for the shrine. Now, Akiko was not so sure. The protesters were trying to capitalise on it, and when Akiko looked at the kegare on the television crew, she wasn’t at all sure about letting them in.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Spirits like winged spiders crawled all over them, jumping from one to another, disappearing inside the camera, picking at the blouse of the young reporter, tangling in her hair. The cameraman was bound in threads that covered his eyes, clusters of the spider-things gathering over his eyes, legs reaching out, stretching and waving.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m afraid you’ll have to carry it up,â€ she said, and the cameraman sighed, nodding as he shouldered the burden. The reporter glanced at the protesters, and Akiko was suddenly glad that there were only four of them, and that the guards had agreed to wait inside the house.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do they do that a lot?â€ the reporter asked. Akiko sighed and rolled her eyes, provoking a brief smile. “That often?â€ She looked over again. “Not enough of them to be news, though.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they started climbing the steps the cameraman muttered something about  background noise under his breath, and the reporter whispered something back, something Akiko couldn’t catch at all. In any case, she was concentrating on the kegare. The spirits were getting more agitated as they approached the wall of light, running to hide within the reporter’s clothes, or the body of the camera.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They passed through the light, into the shrine, and in a flare of light all the surface kegare was burned away. Akiko realised she was holding her breath, breath that she let out in disappointment as the spider-spirits began cautiously emerging, legs waving as if testing the air.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Harae!â€ Akiko whispered, urgently, as she came up alongside the priest. Shiraishi looked at her, slightly surprised, then nodded in understanding, before greeting the news team.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Welcome to Tamao Shrine. Thank you for coming.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, thank you. Good local interest stories are always welcome,â€ the reporter replied, as the cameraman looked around the precincts. “Is that the pool?â€ she continued, pointing over towards the iwakura.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ Shiraishi replied. “How do you want to do this?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, we’d like to film something more than a talking head. And a pool of water is also not exactly riveting television. Although the spring is quite pretty.â€ She paused for a moment. “This <em>is</em> the shrine that burned down, isn’t it. I thought so. Should we mention that, as well?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That would be helpful; we need to collect money to rebuild.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The reporter smiled.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The spring was a stroke of luck, then. So, any suggestions?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Harae harae harae</em> Akiko thought furiously, hoping that she’d somehow developed psychic abilities.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Shiraishi said, “I could perform a short purification ceremony and you could film that. Thanks to the fire, there’s no other evidence that this is a shrine.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Revd Shiraishi, that was very slick,</em> Akiko thought.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, that’s a good idea. Would that be near the pool?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest nodded, and the reporter quickly looked at the cameraman, who nodded back, and started setting up the camera.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right, and after that, we could interview you.â€ She paused and frowned slightly. “But the pool and the rocks would be a bit boring as background.â€ She looked around, and then smiled as she saw Akiko. “Aha! Could you be in the pool while we do the interview? Half out of the water?â€ Akiko could feel herself going bright red, and the reporter hurried on. “Oh, with your back to us, of course. This would be going out on local news.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, sorry.â€ Shiraishi answered for her. “This is a shrine, not a hot spring spa.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, good point.â€ The reporter looked a bit disappointed, and then looked around again. “It’s still a bit static…â€ she said, at least half to herself.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I could dance,â€ Akiko found herself saying. <em>Why did I say that?</em> She didn’t feel possessed, but she had to fight an urge to shoot a suspicious glance at the iwakura.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, kagura!â€ the reporter said. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea. Can you dance near the pool, so that we have you in the background while Revd Shiraishi is talking?â€ Akiko nodded, and Shiraishi smiled encouragingly at her. Akiko bowed her head, and risked a quick glance at the stones.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The flame inside was burning brighter than ever, flaring and dancing, turning the inside of the stones red hot, but there was no particular sign of awareness. Surreptitiously, she looked back at the others; they really didn’t seem to be able to see the flame, even though Akiko was no longer looking at the kegare.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you ready?â€ the reporter asked, getting a grunt from the cameraman.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I keep getting glare from something…â€ he said, as he fiddled with the angle of the camera. Akiko glanced back, willing the flame to settle down. As she looked, it did die down, and Akiko somehow felt that it was chastened. “Oh, OK now,â€ the cameraman said, leaving Akiko wondering just what had happened.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The harae cleansed the news team, and Akiko began her dance in front of the pool, as Shiraishi started explaining about it, and about the fire at the shrine.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>Don’t possess me,</em> she thought to herself. <em>And don’t snatch me off to some other world. Just let me be a bit of background colour.</em></p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The surface of the pool went very still, even though the water from the spring was still pouring into it. Every time the dance turned her towards it, Akiko could see the reflection of the iwakura in it, flames engulfing the stones and towering over them. The third time she turned, she saw Tamao in the reflection, coiled around the flames, the light refracting through his scales in a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko could have sworn he looked amused.</p>', 'Flaunt It', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '748-autosave', '', '', '2009-10-26 06:50:02', '2009-10-25 21:50:02', '', 748, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/10/26/748-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(911, 1, '2009-08-14 13:12:47', '2009-08-14 04:12:47', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hello, Tamao Shrine. How can I help you?â€ Akiko was leaning through the window of the shrine office to answer the phone, twisting round to keep an eye on the harae Shiraishi was performing in front of the iwakura.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I was wondering whether you could come and perform a purification at our home,â€ the caller asked. “We are all feeling very run-down, and have had bad luck recently.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked at the schedule, written on a large pad next to the phone, and frowned. That evening was already fully booked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m afraid we won’t be able to do it today,â€ she began.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Why not?â€ The caller sounded both annoyed and worried.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ve already had as many requests as we can do in one evening.â€ Quickly flipping the page over, she went on before he could say anything. “We could come tomorrow evening, however. Would that be convenient?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I could call another shrine,â€ he said, a little sullenly.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You could, certainly.â€ Years of experience in an office helped Akiko keep her voice calm and polite, even as she worried about whether other shrines could clear the pollution. Presumably, she thought, but she didn’t <em>know.</em> There was a pause.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, I suppose tomorrow evening will be OK.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you. Could you tell me your name and address?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the conversation ended, Shiraishi was just finishing the harae, and another small group had entered the shrine. They looked like a family, and for a moment they seemed to be clear of kegare. Then Akiko heard a dreadful baying from beyond the curtain of light, a noise to which no-one else reacted, and a pack of mangy dogs, their jaws foaming and eyes wild, sprang through to mill around the family, nipping at them, leaping onto their backs, and winding round their legs.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Suppressing her nervousness, Akiko walked over to them. The dogs formed a ring with their eyes fixed on Akiko, growling in a tone that set her teeth on edge. Akiko had to fight to keep from gagging at the stench that came off them, from the sores and pus matting their fur, and the gangrenous wounds that marked their bodies.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“How can I help you?â€ she asked as she drew close, the dogs backing off, but never taking their eyes off her.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We would like a purification, if possible. Things just haven’t been going right lately.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;"><em>No, I don’t imagine they have,</em> Akiko thought, forcing herself not to glance down at the dogs.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Of course. If you’d like to come inside a wait, we will perform the ceremony as soon as possible. I’m afraid that there are already people waiting, so it might be about half an hour.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh.â€ The man looked nonplussed for a moment, and glanced at the woman who was, presumably, his wife. She nodded, and he looked back to Akiko. “Yes, that’s fine. Er, I’ll need to quickly call the office. You go ahead.â€ He had turned back to his wife now, and as he walked back towards the entrance to the shrine, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, two of the dogs trailed him. Akiko led the family to the waiting room, and then went back to the entrance, to wait for the man.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">They weren’t going to get out to purify the area if this kept up.</p>', 'Calls for Help', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '771-revision-2', '', '', '2009-08-14 13:12:47', '2009-08-14 04:12:47', '', 771, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/14/771-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(912, 1, '2009-11-04 07:27:16', '2009-11-03 22:27:16', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they walked through Kawasaki, Akiko was acutely conscious that she was wearing nothing under the coat, and had to resist the temptation to keep a death-grip on the hem.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No-one will notice if you just walk naturally,â€ Kazumi had said. “Try to forget about what you aren’t wearing.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you do this a lot?â€ Akiko had asked, but Kazumi hadn’t answered. Still, she tried to follow the advice, but it was difficult.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Yoshiko, however, seemed to be having a different problem. She kept flinching away from things around her, from almost everything in fact, and Akiko realised that she was on the verge of panic.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yoshiko?â€ she asked, putting her hand on the other miko’s arm.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What… where… what is this place?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This is Kawasaki.â€ Yoshiko shook her head violently, and Akiko quickly amended her statement. “This is <em>our</em> Kawasaki. Come on. The shrine isn’t far.â€ Yoshiko just stood there, apparently frozen, so Akiko put an arm around her shoulders, and started guiding her forwards. She realised that the woman was shaking, trembling, and found herself almost supporting her as they walked forward. After a few moments, Kazumi came to join her on the other side, putting Yoshiko’s arm over her shoulders and gripping the miko round the waist.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I guess this wasn’t the best way to find out where we were from, was it,â€ she said. Yoshiko actually managed the ghost of a smile as she shook her head.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And then a car went past, and Yoshiko screamed, pressing herself against the wall of the nearest house, breathing heavily as Akiko and Kazumi tried to calm her down.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry,â€ she said, at last. “But what was that? Some sort of demon-spirit?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er, no. That was just a car…â€ Kazumi said. “They don’t have them where you come from. No. Of course not.â€ It was just a statement, but she looked at Akiko, obviously seeking confirmation of some sort, and Akiko nodded. It really looked as though Yoshiko was from the past. Somehow.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s all right, Yoshiko. It’s safe. Come on, the shrine isn’t far now.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When the shrine, with protesters and guards gathered at the base of the steps came into view, Akiko realised that she had been so concerned with Yoshiko that she had almost forgotten about her state of dress. Looking at the steps, however, forcibly reminded her. Kazumi glanced across and grimaced, suggesting that she’d had the same thought.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The shrine!â€ Yoshiko, however, sounded relieved. “That is the shrine! Who are those people?â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Half of them are protesting against Shinto, and the other half are making sure they don’t damage the shrine. So, what do we do?â€ Kazumi asked.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked at the situation for a moment. The steps were dark, and the guards would recognise them.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We just go in,â€ she said. “If we don’t give them any reason to be suspicious, they won’t notice. Can you walk by yourself?â€ This last was to Yoshiko, who nodded, straightening herself up.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry. Yes. I’m feeling a lot better now.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Everyone turned to look at them as they approached, but the guards did quickly recognise them.</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, Ms Tanahata, Ms Miura. We didn’t notice you go out. Welcome back.â€</p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you,â€ Akiko said, and led the way up the steps, forcing herself not to run. <em>Slow and steady. Keep it steady and the coat will stay hanging down.</em></p>\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Once they made it into the shrine grounds, however, she did run, racing across the open area and into the forest, heading straight for the kami tree. Yoshiko and Kazumi weren’t far behind her. It was only when they reached the tree, their clothes still neatly piled at the bottom, that Akiko realised Kazumi was laughing.</p>', 'Morning Road', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '788-autosave', '', '', '2009-11-04 07:27:16', '2009-11-03 22:27:16', '', 788, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/11/04/788-autosave/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(913, 1, '2009-08-21 13:12:25', '2009-08-21 04:12:25', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As they walked through Kawasaki, Akiko was acutely conscious that she was wearing nothing under the coat, and had to resist the temptation to keep a death-grip on the hem.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No-one will notice if you just walk naturally,â€ Kazumi had said. “Try to forget about what you aren’t wearing.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you do this a lot?â€ Akiko had asked, but Kazumi hadn’t answered. Still, she tried to follow the advice, but it was difficult.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Yoshiko, however, seemed to be having a different problem. She kept flinching away from things around her, from almost everything in fact, and Akiko realised that she was on the verge of panic.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yoshiko?â€ she asked, putting her had on the other miko’s arm.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What… where… what is this place?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“This is Kawasaki.â€ Yoshiko shook her head violently, and Akiko quickly amended her statement. “This is <em>our</em> Kawasaki. Come on. The shrine isn’t far.â€ Yoshiko just stood there, apparently frozen, so Akiko put an arm around her shoulders, and started guiding her forwards. She realised that the woman was shaking, trembling, and found herself almost supporting her as they walked forward. After a few moments, Kazumi came to join her on the other side, putting Yoshiko’s arm over her shoulders and gripping the miko round the waist.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I guess this wasn’t the best way to find out where we were from, was it,â€ she said. Yoshiko actually managed the ghost of a smile as she shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">And then a car went past, and Yoshiko screamed, pressing herself against the wall of the nearest house, breathing heavily as Akiko and Kazumi tried to calm her down.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry,â€ she said, at last. “But what was that? Some sort of demon-spirit?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Er, no. That was just a car…â€ Kazumi said. “They don’t have them where you come from. No. Of course not.â€ It was just a statement, but she looked at Akiko, obviously seeking confirmation of some sort, and Akiko nodded. It really looked as thought Yoshiko was from the past. Somehow.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s all right, Yoshiko. It’s safe. Come on, the shrine isn’t far now.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When the shrine, with protesters and guards gathered at the base of the steps came into view, Akiko realised that she had been so concerned with Yoshiko that she had almost forgotten about her state of dress. Looking at the steps, however, forcibly reminded her. Kazumi glanced across and grimaced, suggesting that she’d had the same thought.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The shrine!â€ Yoshiko, however, sounded relieved. “That is the shrine! Who are those people?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Half of them are protesting against Shinto, and the other half are making sure they don’t damage the shrine. So, what do we do?â€ Kazumi asked.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked at the situation for a moment. The steps were dark, and the guards would recognise them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We just go in,â€ she said. “If we don’t give them any reason to be suspicious, they won’t notice. Can you walk by yourself?â€ This last was to Yoshiko, who nodded, straightening herself up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m sorry. Yes. I’m feeling a lot better now.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Everyone turned to look at them as they approached, but the guards did quickly recognise them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, Ms Tanahata, Ms Miura. We didn’t notice you go out. Welcome back.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you,â€ Akiko said, and led the way up the steps, forcing herself not to run. <em>Slow and steady. Keep it steady and the coat will stay hanging down.</em></p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Once they made it into the shrine grounds, however, she did run, racing across the open area and into the forest, heading straight for the kami tree. Yoshiko and Kazumi weren’t far behind her. It was only when they reached the tree, their clothes still neatly piled at the bottom, that Akiko realised Kazumi was laughing.</p>', 'Morning Road', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '788-revision-2', '', '', '2009-08-21 13:12:25', '2009-08-21 04:12:25', '', 788, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/21/788-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `tamao_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_category`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES(914, 1, '2009-08-21 13:16:07', '2009-08-21 04:16:07', '<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, Kazumi, from whom did you borrow the coats?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah.â€ Kazumi blushed furiously, and looked down at the table. Shiraishi just waited, holding up a hand when Akiko started to speak. After what seemed a very long time, but probably wasn’t even a minute, Kazumi took a deep breath and looked up.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I…â€ She broke off again, and looked back down at the table. “A… friend.â€ There was a long pause, and this time Shiraishi did break the silence.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ve been to that park before. The women there are almost all prostitutes.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So my friend is a prostitute. Anything wrong with that?â€ Kazumi looked up, trying to look defiant, but Akiko could see the tears in her eyes, and the girl didn’t actually make eye contact with either of them.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Do you remember when we saw Tamao in the shrine, not just now?â€ Shiraishi asked, and Akiko was momentarily thrown. Why was she bringing that up? “He said everything was purified. So, no matter what it was, it’s gone. It won’t make any difference.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s easy to say!â€ Kazumi was almost crying.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And I’m very good at identifying faces,â€ the priest added, “even if people change their hairstyle and make-up radically.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi swallowed hard.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You knew?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“A bit. Do you want to tell me more?â€ Akiko suddenly put the pieces together, and looked at Kazumi in shock. “Ah,â€ Shiraishi said. “It looks like Akiko isn’t quite as quick on the uptake.â€ Kazumi made a strange, strangled noise, and it was a couple of moments before Akiko realised she was laughing, and almost crying at the same time.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK,â€ Kazumi said. “I should tell you the important bits.â€ She took a deep breath.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I signed up on one of those dating phone sites in my last year of junior high. I… I used to let the men take my clothes off. It was no big deal.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ve noticed,â€ Shiraishi interjected, and Kazumi laughed again, although her heart wasn’t in it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Anyway, I made quite a lot of money, but the men kept offering me more if I’d do sexual things. That’s… a bit different. Then one guy offered me 50,000 yen just to touch his prick. Just to touch it. I decided I could do that.â€ She grimaced. “He came all over my hand. I think I spent three hours washing it.â€ She sighed, looking down again. “But then, I’d done it. I told myself it was a lot of money for not very much effort, and did it again. And, slowly…â€ She trailed off.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We don’t need to know the details,â€ Shiraishi said, and Kazumi nodded.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right. Well, obviously it was a stupid thing to do. I was trying to prove to myself that I wasn’t bothered. Just like a body, right? Everyone has a naked body under their clothes. Everyone has sex. Or wants to. No big deal, nothing wrong with it. That was what I was telling myself. So I made myself up like the other tarts in the park, and went to join them. Selling your body to men in parks is like selling hamburgers, right? And at least you aren’t a slave to a corporation.â€ Kazumi shook her head, even as she said it.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Anyway, the woman I borrowed the coats off saw that I was new, and helped me out.â€ Kazumi grinned suddenly, and it looked genuine. “And in her case, I really <em>don’t</em> care that it was mainly because she wanted to get into my knickers.â€ Her face was suddenly serious again. “Of course, I did actually care about the rest of it. I felt dirty.â€ She paused, looking down.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Used?â€ Shiraishi suggested, but Kazumi shook her head.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No. Not used. Actually,â€ she drew a deep, shuddering breath, “that made it worse.â€ She looked up again. “I couldn’t really blame anyone else. It was just me. But I couldn’t stop. That would mean admitting that I had made a really, really big mistake.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And then… And then you came to the park. You did the ceremony and, well, I <em>felt</em> something.â€ She smiled wryly. “Actually, I suppose that’s not really surprising. Anyway, I felt clean, somehow. It was, like, the mistake was part of the past. I wasn’t carrying it anymore. And I realised that I could, in fact, just stop.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So I did. I walked straight home, cut off my hair, cleaned off my make up, changed my clothes. Stopped going to the park. Cancelled my registrations on the dating sites.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi was looking at them now, although there were still tears in her eyes, and tracks on her face.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I worked out you must be from a shrine, so I went round the local shrines looking for you, and found you here. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, really, but that ceremony had made a big impression on me.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The clean feeling went away, which is also not really surprising, and so I came back and asked for the purification ceremony. It worked again, of course, which is why I kept coming back; I really do feel a lot better in the shrine.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She stopped, and after a while Shiraishi broke the silence.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And…?â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi sighed, and fiddled with belt on her miko’s hakama.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And I still don’t know. Now I’ve seen the kami, I can hardly walk away. I mean, I <em>know.</em>â€ She looked up, her face really earnest. “The kami are real. Kegare is real, and dangerous. Some trees are paths to another world. How could I walk away from that? But I’m not a priest like you. I can’t see the kegare like Akiko. So I don’t know what I’m doing here.â€ She pulled a face. “Hanging around the kami in the hopes of something happening, I guess.â€</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well,â€ Shiraishi said, “it’s almost certain that things are going to happen. I…â€ Shiraishi swallowed hard, and Akiko could swear she was blushing. “We’ll wait and see,â€ she said, finally.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi nodded, her eyes on the priest, before she looked at Akiko, and raised her eyebrows quizzically. Akiko might have been slow on the uptake before, but she knew what this meant.</p>\r\n<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s OK.â€ Her voice wasn’t very steady as she said it, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “It’s OK. The past is the past. Tamao said it was all purified, so it is.â€ She nodded, firmly, and Kazumi broke out in a genuine smile, the tears leaking out of her eyes.</p>', 'History', 0, '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '798-revision-2', '', '', '2009-08-21 13:16:07', '2009-08-21 04:16:07', '', 798, 'http://www.davidchart.com/Novels/Tamao/2009/08/21/798-revision-2/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
