Originally posted October 28, 2011
((This is a kickoff post to an open thread regarding a purification ritual for Druidess. In the original post, I included additional information about the Misogi Shuho. You can read the complete thread here.))
It's not unusual to see Ernesto del'Scafidi at his restaurant, Boheme. Millennium City knows the master chef and restaurateur for his flamboyance and talents, equally. Ernesto will put on a show, a flourish, which will leave his patrons entertained. Seeing It's not unusual to Chance Thomas sitting as the bar of his restaurant, Kori's, chatting amicably with friends and staff, often inviting a patron to sit with them for a while, share a bottle of wine and a portion of conversation. It's a different experience. People go to Boheme expecting good food and entertainment. People come to Kori's to share an excellent meal with friends.
"Drinking the good stuff, I see," Paz Delgado remarked as she picked up the wine bottle resting between her boss and friend. She pulled herself a glass from behind the bar and poured herself a measure. "Our young friend is entering a period of abstinence," Eddie Alejandro told her, a look of mock solemnity on his face. "It seemed appropriate. ¿No?"
"You've stopped drinking?" Paz asked incredulously, one perfectly penciled eyebrow lifting on the Latina's face. "No sexo, tambien," Eddie added. "¿Verdad?" She asked, jaw dropping in mock shock.
"Honto," Chance responded cautiously, continuing the mix-mashed use of English, Spanish, Japanese, and Dutch pervasive throughout the restaurant. Paz set down her glass to press together her hands in front of her chest, as in prayer. "Gracias, Dios mio! The quiet! The neighborhood will be able to sleep, again!"
The dark cabernet he held up could not hide the crimson blush on Chance's face as his friends, and a few passing servers and hostesses, laughed and giggled. El Jefe's lightened mood over the last few weeks had rejuvenated the spirit of the bistro. MacKenzie O'Mally frequently joined her boyfriend at the bar for a drink and a small plate. The two of them commonly retreated to their apartment when the pace of business slowed. Tousled hair and flush looks upon their returns drew more than a few smiles from employees.
Paz's laughter settled enough for her to pick up her glass and take a drink. "Lent is a long way off, Jefe. ¿Que pasa?"
"A few weeks ago," Chance explained, "Mac and I rescued her sister Emma from the Cabal." Paz and the lieutenant nodded. Their friend had briefed them on the group out to cause trouble for his paramour some time ago. Should the Cabal try to attack couple at Kori's, the assailants would likely face one or two superheroes, a cop, or a master chef who wields an iron pot as a deadly weapon. "During the operation, Mac touched a grove of trees tainted by chaos and decay." The young man took a sip from his wine. "I can't explain the feeling adequately." He shook his head, trying to loosen the words. "A dark coldness."
"Mac felt it more deeply than the rest of us. It's tainted her abilities. Someone offered an idea of a purification ritual. I contacted the Shinto shrine at Sakura Park and it turns out they conduct a Misogi Shuho, a purification rite using water, publicly, every Monday at sunrise. Mac and I are going to give it a try next week."
"The Misogi Shuho requires you to stop drinking?" Paz asked, her wine glass shifting as she swirled it beneath her nose.
Chance shook his head. "To show the spirits our extra effort, Mac and are trying to avoid the rokujiki no kinki, the six types of taboos. We're not eating meat, visiting the sick, mourning, handing out a death penalty, prosecuting criminals, or engaging in impure activities for three days before the ritual."
"Impure activities?" the bald policeman asked.
"Sex, music, acting," Chance answered. "It's a little vague."
Paz lowered her eyelids and cast a sideways look at Eddie. "Any other habits we want to suggest are impure, socio? This is our chance." They smiled.
"Will it work," Eddie questioned. Chance took a long drink before answering. "I'm not sure, socio. But we hope it will help us focus and prepare for whatever's going to happen on her birthday."
"Jefe," Paz leaned over the bar, resting her elbows upon it. "I have just one question for you. The restaurant is almost closed, this bottle empty, and at sunrise tomorrow, you're swearing off sex for three days. What are you still doing here?"
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