One-Two Millennia Isn't Very Different than Before

Chapter 28: Festivities; Final Day ~ Hiryuu

Jessica's POV

I pushed Yona with my foot to wake her up. I was standing and fully dressed at the moment whereas she was still fast asleep, "Yona~"

"Mm?"

I sighed and took her foot and literally pulled her from her bed, "Get up."

"Jessica~" she whined.

"Up! Today's important!"

Her eyes snapped open, "Today's my day, right?"

"Yep," I said walking over to the door where're screen was slightly open and shut it. I then grabbed the red dress and threw it over her, "Here."

~~~~~~

We walked briskly through the halls as I began to explain what Yona had to do today, "This year's 15 year olds are going to approach you and I with wishes for happiness. We will smile and thank them. Then, we will take some paint, which is already there, and draw a squiggly line, it's supposed to look sort of like a dragon, and then a circle around that. I'll have their left hand, you'll have their right."

She nodded, "Is that a kind of blessing?"

"Yes," I said smiling. "Here we consider 16 year olds as adults, so the year the children will turn 16 is the year they are blessed."

"Wow!" Yona exclaimed. She then looked to her hands, "Is it really alright for me to take part in this ritual?"

I stopped and turned to face her taking her hands in mine, "You make this really special, Yona. As Hiryuu's descendant, it's a dream come true for these kids." She opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off, "Don't try to deny it either. I can feel the presence of the red dragon within you, there's no other explanation for this phenomenon!"

"Sorry," she said finally meeting my eyes, "It's just hard to believe."

I sighed before looking down, "No, I should be sorry, and I shouldn't have raised my voice. I just hear you told Kija otherwise, so I wanted you to know the truth."

She smiled before continuing forward pulling me along, "Let's get the ritual started then!" She then whispered, "It's okay, I'm glad you raised your voice, it made me come to my senses."

I nodded before coming to the front of the shrine. I then pulled Yona inside the main building that's usually used for extensive prayer, "It takes place inside with the children coming in one by one to offer their wishes and get their blessing."

She nodded before taking her place on her knees on the red cushion whereas I sat on the violet cushion. We looked to each other before nodding and I called out, "Send in the first!"

~~~~~~

A shrine maiden showed in our guest and bowed to us before announcing, "This is Andy. He is first of the group."

"Thank you," I said dismissing her before turning to the boy, "Come closer, Andy."

He walked forward and stopped a foot from us, "Hello, High Preistess, Yona-sama." We nodded and he continued, "I come before you to hopefully get your blessings." He took a deep breath to calm himself, "My family died of a disease and I've been working for a while. I, however, could not bring you a physical offering for happiness other than my hand made talismans. I know the others have more extravagant gifts, but–"

Yona smiled before speaking, "We don't need anything extraordinary."

I nodded before continuing where she left off, "The blessing doesn't have to do with how expensive a thing you bring, it depends on your sincereness. I can tell you're worthy. What type of blessing would you like?"

Andy smiled before speaking clearly, "I only wish to be able to live a healthy, happy life."

"Then you shall," Yona said.

We stood up moving behind the table that sat between the two cushions as I said clearly, "Andy, please step forward and present your offering so that you may receive your blessing."

"Hai."

~~~~~~~

Although there were a few more like Andy, most of those who came for their blessing were from a 'well off' family.

By the end of the day, we had seen more than twenty kids, and we were exhausted.

There was one more event though that everyone was to attend.

~~~~~~

The six of us (me, Yona, Kija, Shin-ah, Jae-ha, and Zeno) stood in a circle in the middle of the lantern-lit courtyard surrounded by Yoon, Hak, and the citizens of the shrine waiting for the first beat of the music.

Once Yona and I were free this afternoon, I grabbed the others so we could practice.

At the strike of the gong, we each moved into the first position. The music then began to play quickly and the whole group (citizens as well) began dancing to the beat.

Halfway through the song, everyone partnered up. Everyone except Zeno, me, Yona, and Hak were partnered up with a citizen. Yona and I lucked out. We were lifted up every time the gong was struck (the girls anyway) and we moved in a circular direction.

Everyone's laughter filled the air and I was glad to have everyone together again. It had never been this lively, and it was one of the best feelings yet.

___________________________
Before you all explode, I'm sorry! T.T

I was having a hard time coming up with an idea for this chapter. It's a little short, but I wrote more than I thought.

Anyway~

Thank you all for reading,
~Ashley