One-Two Millennia Isn't Very Different than Before

Chapter 23: The Shrine (part 2)

Jessica's POV

There are many people who inhabit the shrine, and they all are kind. Most people can afford everything they want here. It's an easy lifestyle.

Many people here would give anything to meet with the dragons. I can't go and gather all the generations though because the gods above only wish for the dragons to show themselves here with their master.

Picky gods.

Anyway, it's been about a week since I arrived here, and starting today is the beginning of our annual Dragon Festival.

Everyone dresses up in vibrant clothing of any of the five dragons of legend. Except me. I wear my ceremonial violet dress with a black sash that is tied with a brighter purple weaved belt. Over that I wore a maroon haori (A/N: the jacket thing. I figured it out >.<) that has a dark purple border. Around my neck I wore the pendant given to me by Hiryuu-sama (that's a story for another time though).

Along with my pain-in-the-butt attire, I wore golden earrings and a golden headdress. My hair was braided back into a bun of some sort. I also carried around a golden staff adorned with the five dragons.

Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my attire, a shrine maiden came in, "Jessica-sama, there are people who wish to speak to you at the gate."

I blinked, then smiled and rose, "Alright, thank you very much. I will be on my way then." I soon left the room, my gold colored heals leaving a trail of clicks behind.

Many people were still setting up booths and decorations for the five day festival. One of those out setting up were Soo-min and Luca. I gave a small laugh and they turned to me, "Lady!"

Luca came and gave me a hug, "Looks like you're enjoying yourself, ne, Luca?"

He nodded, "Hai!"

"He's been the sweetest," Soo-min said. "Charmed my wife immediately."

"That's good to hear, but I must be on my way, I'll see you at the festival," I said waving.

As I got closer to the gate, I seen some familiar faces talking with Jun-ji, "Ara," I said catching everybody at the gate's attention, "didn't think you'd make your way over so soon."

I could see Yona's eyes widen with happiness from under her hood, but Yoon took the initiative to speak, "Weren't you supposed to be at the wind tribe, Jessica?"

Jun-ji blanched at Yoon's informality, but I just laughed, "That may be, but I also have to be here for the festival. Did you bring everyone?"

"Of course we brought everyone!" Yoon exclaimed, annoyed.

"Good." I turned to Jun-ji, "I'll be taking these guys with me." He nodded as I motioned for the others to follow me.

As we made our way back to the shrine, many people stopped to admire the newcomers. Hak was seemingly bored, but still asked, "Why are they staring at us?"

I smiled, "We don't get many newcomers, if we do, it's usually while the normal citizens are asleep."

He sweat dropped, "Did we come at a bad time?"

We began to ascend the steps to the shrine, "No. To be honest, your timing was quite impressive. You couldn't have picked a better time."

We made it to the top and inside of my room in the shrine before Yona spoke up, "What's the festival for?"

I smiled, gesturing for them to take a seat, "Why, to celebrate the coming of the dragons."

"Eh?" Kija questioned. "If that's true, why haven't the previous generations come to celebrate?"

I looked down with slight sadness, "They would be welcome to if they came, but," I paused, "I am not allowed to bring any of the generations without their master."

"So you would have had to leave for here anyway?" Yona asked.

"Yes. Its tradition, and kind of implied that the head priestess would have to host the event."

Jae-ha spoke, "Then would you have brought us with you?"

I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Why wouldn't I? Yona's here, there'd be nothing to stop me from bringing you all." Everyone looked to each other before I sighed breaking the silence, "Now, since you're here and I have to stay, why don't we get you guys ready for the festivities? This'll be the first time that all of the dragons have ever been together for the festival since the dragons chose their first dragon warriors."

I could see a look of nostalgia wash over Zeno's features before he brightened up, "Do we have ceremonial clothes like you, Jess-chan?"

I smiled and stood up making my way over to a shelf I hardly ever touched. On the shelf were beautiful silk kimonos in the colors of their corresponding dragons. I picked up the four and handed each to their respective representatives, "You can wear whatever, but you should wear these to tell the people who you are." I looked over to the remaining three, "I have one for Yona as well, but it's a pain to put on by yourself, so I'll help." She nodded as I addressed the other two, "I've already sent for the shrine maidens to bring you each a kimono. They should be in the room where you six will change."

Hak nodded before leaving with the dragons, Yoon, however, stayed and spoke, "Is there anything we need to be ready for? A ceremony?"

I shook my head, "Nah, most of the ceremonies are just standing or sitting, nobody really has to do anything other that that and introduce themselves."

Yoon nodded, "Kija's real excited."

"I'm sure." I looked at Yoon, "You know, it's okay to be excited. If you really want to know specifics, I'm sure one of the shrine maidens will show you to the library when you're finished changing." With that he lit up, and soon left.

Yona and I smiled after him, "Yoon's so cute."

I moved over to the shelf again and grabbed Yona's silky red attire and asked dramatically, "Are you ready to begin this painstaking process?

She giggled and stood up using the same dramatic effect, "I believe so. I'm in your hands, Miss Jessica."

We laughed as we began to get her into the ceremonial outfit. This would be one of the best dragon festivals yet!

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Yay! I'm sorry, I like festivities. -.-'

Anyway, I hope you like!

Thanks for reading,
~Ashley