Bearclaw Valley kashikoi kawa

@Ancelin

It seemed the travelers who had entered the valley weren’t travelers at all. Keiko had discovered the sojourners had begun to mark the entrance of the valley, much to the Miko’s dismay. She believed this was a place no mortal could claim because it was the Kami’s garden.

How could she make them understand? Her usually clear mind became clouded with insecurity and she felt woefully unprepared to act as a diplomat. After all, those sorts of things weren’t handled by the temple members at all! Rather, the ruling house would protect the sanctity of any Eden.

Keiko sat by the mountain stream where she worked strips of pale birch bark into geometric tassels, mind lost in a river of thought.

thanks for starting! is the gif in her profile from kimi no na wa? <3

the white wolf who spoke in lyrical tones and had offered them meat was still around. ancelin didn't know why, as she hadn't joined he and ameline with the kids or anything.
but she'd provided a meal and so that evening he took her a catch of two fish, pausing awkwardly and standing back from the space she had showed him before. the hunter set down his fish and called politely, wondering if she would show.

Yeah it is!

The call of a wolf broke the Miko away from her endless thoughts. She set down her work, brushed the shavings from her fur, assumed a formal posture, and slowly approached where her visitor waited. She did not rush nor meander, but maintained a brisk ceremonial-like stride to honor her guest.

She was surprised to see it was the man from before… and even more surprised to see a catch of two river fish beside him. She wondered about his intentions.

“Konnichiwa,” she said with a small bow. =“It is good to see you again. Welcome back to the temple of Hokkyokusei-sama.”= She said politely. =“Have you come to ask the Kami’s blessing?”= she asked with a tilt of her head.

a beautiful movie

the only form of language gap there had been in the rise was between those who spoke and those who did not. and even without verbal words, many things were conveyed all the same
all of this was very different, starting with the way she greeted him. "uh, konnichi... wa," ancelin grunted, dipping his head as she spoke more of her cascading words. he tried to pick out their tone; inviting, and a question? 
"i came to bring these," he said, "because you gave us stuff of yours." ancelin nosed them closer and stepped back. "thank you."
simple enough, he supposed.

The hunter echoed her greeting in a roughhewn way, but the effort made Keiko smile pleasantly in appreciation. He pushed the fat fish towards her and retreated. An offering? His words were foreign, but it was not difficult to parse their meaning.

The Miko touched her front paws together and dipped into a lower bow thank before conveying her gratitude. “Hokkyokusei-sama no jiin wa kansha sa rete imasu,” she said. “Thank… you…”

When Keiko lifted her head, her gaze sparkled with connection.

She received the fish and picked them up. Then, she motioned for Ancelin to follow her deeper into the temple. “Onegaishimasu,” she said.

there, some progress made. as the white wolf accepted his offering, ancelin took the time to look around at the curious space it looked like she had inhabited for at least some time. 
ancelin followed, feeling distinctly discomfitted by the newness of the place, but he devoted his attention to her and their walk all the same, biting his tongue each time he almost asked her a question!

Keiko led the hunter through the mossy gardens she had begun to tend towards the humble shrine made of cedar. The wood was arranged in perpendicular slabs and at the top was a red-stained gatepiece from the mother, Akai-Ki. Beneath it, a flat stone of empty river rock waited.

Keiko took the fish to the side. Quickly, she worked to filet it. Upon a broad, evergreen leaf she placed a square of fishmeat. She picked up the parcel, with formal gestures, and put it beneath the shrine.

She looked over to Ancelin and gave a small gesture to let him sit at her side.

Keiko turned her attention to their offering. She bowed deeply twice, clapped her paws together twice, and then fell into a silent prayer.

She gave her thanks to Hokkyokusei-sama and the many Kami of the forest for their protection. For this food. For the life in their bodies. Then, she said a prayer for this hunter and the new wolves in the valley.

the green moss and hues of red did a great deal visually to soothe ancelin. he watched in open curiosity at keiko's quick, deft movements. when she suggested she join him, the bearclaw hunter did so.
ancelin may have not understood her words, but he comprehended that this was a time of reverence, and so bowed his head beneath the ancient overhang of the trees as her voice went on.