Where all life goes
Tsunetomo was in the temple, the wings folded on the back as he swung the broom to dust off some of the ground in front of the way down to the catacombs. The grey cloth of his tunic clashed a bit with the yellow eyes, but it was separated by the feathers that covered the whole body save the claws. Besides the scratching of the broom the whole room lay silent
And here Solace comes, to mess that all up. The half-Mul makes his way up the steps to move towards the altar. He's carrying an offering that is somewhat unusual in this part of the world: a handful of dried mourning orchids, a species found mostly only in Charn. They're a deep blue in color, nearly black when dried. These, he sprinkles delicately over the front of the space for offerings, and looks around. His gaze stops on Tsunetomo, eyebrows going up with a moment of surprise.
Tsunetomo's seemingly lidless eyes focussed on the upcoming half-Mul. Orchids were nothing an egalrin would mourn with, especially since some tribes used only a canyon to toss the dead ones down into and then throw some edelweiss or other mountain flowers after them - mourning was mostly done at home in a family altar. A nods to the one who offers his respect to the dead, returning to undusting the way to the catacombs - and at the same time being a warden against intrusion, as if the guards at the entry to the temple grounds were not enough.
Solace should just leave well enough alone, perhaps, but curiosity takes him away from his contemplations and towards Tsunetomo. "Greetings," he says, standing close by but out of way of any sweeping. "Are you on some sort of punishment detail?" He nods to the sweeping.
Tsunetomo shakes the head, the wings ruffling once as he assumes a stance other egalrin might notice as one of honor. "I ward the entry and do my duties in keeping the doors that separate the realms." he answered in a voice that carries the sounds of the beak closing. "Why you ask, grey one?"
"Just curious. I've been to see the places where the sleepers are kept, once upon a time. I'm surprised that they require additional protection up here," Solace says, lifting his hands in a non-threatening sort of gesture. "And my name is Solace. I apologize if my query caused offense."
"It is less to keep the passed by in but the living out. It is not protection, but a statement that someone is here." The egalrin turns the broom once. "Tsunetomo does his duties."
Tsunetomo nods slowlyas Solace begins to leave "Keep your feet on the right side of the wall or leave instructions where and how to bury your corpse when you step over."
Solace stops, for a moment. He turns around and gives Tsunetomo an amused look. "Do I /look/ like a corpse thief to you?"
Tsunetomo shakes the head slowly "It can't harm to have your will with you all the time. We live in dangerous times."
Solace laughs. "Yes, but I hope that once I am dead, assuming I am past resurrection, that I will no longer have to contemplate such things as the disposition of my body. And having no one to pass on my meager possessions to, I suspect a will is more of an indulgence than a necessity." He grins, briefly. "And what of you, Chord? Do you have a will?"
Tsunetomo nods slowly "Even if you have nothing to leave behind, a will is good. It tells where you want to get placed and how. How shall a wnaderer know if you want to be burned or sunken in a lake, thrown over a cliff or your skull made into a mask if you have none?" The tune in which he speaks shows no sign if it was a joke, but his wings might tell someone who can read them more...
Tsunetomo's Wings tell "I did just tell some things I encountered" <auran>
Solace laughs. "I don't want to think too much about what terrible things happen to my corpse after my spirit has fled for the last time," he claims. "Although that mask part does sound entertaining, at least. Bone starts to smell after a while, though. You'd have to lacquer it, I imagine." He's also perfectly deadpan, as if this is something to seriously contemplate.
Tsunetomo nods once more "Bones have to dry, carefully carved and then laquered with deep colors. You should write it in your will."
"Perhaps I will, one day," Solace says, with a wave of his hand. "Although for now, I suspect the only thing anyone really needs to know is 'raise me, immediately'. And that's already standing orders at the Guild, so." He shrugs. "What about yourself, then?" --- Tsunetomo just shakes the head "Raising someone might fail. If your soul has been consumed for example. And You might include who pays the bill." he tells slowly, returning to cleaning the stairs.
"All good points to keep in mind," Solace agrees, his lips twisting a bit about the mention of the bill. "Perhaps I will look into it. Good day, Tsunetomo." He turns and walks out, leaving the monk to his duties.