Tochi no Beeru (Land of the Veils)

V

V

After leaving Goose's apartment, I decided to go to the shrine to pray to Kami for forgiveness and safe travel. This was a ritual of mine. From a young age, Mama taught me the importance of prayer. I know I wasn't the most "holy" individual out there, but I be damned if I didn't pay my respects when necessary. Matter of fact, I think prayer and the power of my ancestors and their mercy are what have gotten me through all the shit I've experienced.

For some particular reason, this afternoon is the coldest I've ever known it to be in Tsuki City. Thank Kami it stopped snowing. However, the bitter wind-chill wasn't anything to fuck with. I trudge on the left side of the road, swiftly trying to get myself to the temple before I freeze to death. The wind whistles through my ears like an endless melody, taking up bits of snow as it goes. The leaf-bare trees sway along with the song, the snow slightly clothing it. Feeling the wind pick up, I sprint towards the shrine.

Somewhat warmed up and out of breathe, I finally arrive at the top of the stairs in front of the temple door. Like always, I bow my head and then ring the bell three times. I walk into the temple and quietly kneel in front of the Saisenbako. I sit in the silence of the temple at first, feeling my body become one with the cold, stone floor. Today is the first time that I have ever come to this temple and there were no other people praying, nor were the monks out and about. I simply just allow the silence to engulf me. I reach into my pocket and pull out 50 yills. Usually I only put in five smackers. However, I can't afford to be a cheap ass, especially when I could use all the positive, divine intervention I can get.

I throw the pieces into the box and begin the prayer process. I pray for possibly everything I can think of, my family, friends, Nana and Yasu, my house and success. I also pray for this score to go well and that Goose and I return to Tsuki City in one piece. After finishing up my prayer, I pick up my bag and regretfully head out into the cold and over to the gate so that I can meet up with Goose.

***

Damn I'm shocked. Goose got here before me, and it seems as if he has been waiting here for a minute.

"Yeoo!" I bellow as I trudge through the snow.

"Yeoo!" Goose responds as he takes a puff of his cigarette. Man, what is it with niggas these days and tobacco?

"I see you're not running late this time around. Usually I would have to wait a lifetime before your ass decides to show up," I say. Goose sucks his teeth and continues to take a puff of his cigarette.

"My G, there's a first time for any and everything." I nod in agreement. We chop it up for a few more minutes so he can finish his cigarette, and we decide to head out to Sanzu.

Traveling from Tsuki City was and still is always a bitch. You gotta walk about ten or fifteen miles to get to the nearest carriage station that traveled out of prefecture. Yes, we all know that Tsuki City is the capital of this prefecture. However Kyouryokuna Prefecture isn't necessarily known for using money correctly. After getting into a carriage, you gotta ride all the way to the edge of the prefecture and then take a ten-hour train ride to the coast where you then take a three hour-long ferry ride to Sanzu prefecture. I've done this trip maybe a couple times, and it's honestly not my favorite. However, Goose has never done this trip, and I know his ass complains when it's anything long.

"We gotta do all this shit to get there?" Goose whines. The snow is coming down full force now, and I know he definitely hates this so far.