The actual ceremony only took so long. The ritual began with one of the older monks reading from an old and tattered scroll, the devout listening to the words they could not quite understand. Many of the words resembled modern language and the two Phoenix could pick up that the old man was preaching them about the virtues of humility and non-violence. How fury and anger led to death of soul - and how one should seek peace through mediation.
The shrine maidens and other assistants carried large lanterns suspended on sticks, swaying them up and down as the old man spoke, causing the lights to dance on the massive statue on the alter. The audience was quiet enough to hear the insects buzz outside the temple, the creatures drawn to the light.
When the old an was done, he stepped back, Saneyuki folding his hands in his lap as if on the cue.
The young priest spoke next, thanking everyone for coming and reminding them how grateful the sect was of their presence and their donations. He would mention the ritual that had been performed few days earlier, asking everyone to remember how good they had felt after receiving the blessings. He would suggest that the ceremony would take place soon again and that just as before, everyone would be invited. Saneyuki also noted that, if anyone had friends they thought might be interested in spiritual journey, they should be invited as well. Shinri would welcome all earnest seekers with open arms.
The young priest would eventually finish, the visitors clustering to discuss with each other, quiet murmur filling the well lit room, the shrine maidens still holding the lanterns high. Spying the twins, Saneyuki would beckong them to follow him as he headed through a door, the sect members giving the two samurai a wide berth.
______
OOC: Both you please roll raw Stamina against TN 20 as you ingest Water of Life or suffer -1 Willpower for the duration of this thread.