Notes: A Yucatan Job Side Story - Interlude IV
A rough draft of this part of the story was written during NaNoWriMo 2017. It was inspired by the fictional/pseudo-mythology surrounding the kawaii metal band BABYMETAL. Except in this story the band member analogues and the Fox God are aliens. (The original idea was that they would be demon hunters but that's not how it worked out.).
In case there is any confusion, this is not a RPF (I don't write RPFs, for assorted reasons.). The characters don't remotely resemble real people and should not be confused wtih anyone living or dead. Hopefully the PTB agree.
Timeline: This takes place over several years covering the same time period as Book IV "Yucatan Job: Ancient Aliens". Several characters from that and earlier parts of the story will appear in later chapters in a supporting capacity.
Chapter Summary: In which we find some surprising things out about a small corner of the world previously unvisited.
Chapter Word Count: 5,555
Standing on the steps of the temple, Master Xio watched the novices training under the bright autumn sun. The Fox Clan families had been sending fewer and fewer of their daughters to the temple every year. She could not pinpoint the exact moment in time when the people lost faith in their God but after centuries in hiding she suspected it was inevitable. The freedoms of the modern world were just too attractive. The daughters of the Fox Clan could do many things, and live lives in the outside world that were only dreamed of when they first came to this place and learned of its dangers.
When they had originally come to this land, attracted by one of the local deities that looked favorably upon their patron the Fox God, they had tried to fit in. And now they were just seen as eccentric worshipers of the kami Inari. This allowed them to pursue their own lives amid the mountains and stay hidden from those who would take advantage of their presence. All her clan wanted was to live peacefully amongst nature, free from the pressures of living in a land of constantly evolving tech.
But now the time had come to send out messengers to assess the coming of the Serpent Clan. The emergence of the Serpent Clan had come as a surprise to the Elders. After so long they'd thought they were alone in this sector. The Fox Clan was not one of the original Thirteen clans. But sharing some of the same history, preferred to avoid contact with the Clans.
Master Xio would need to select several priestesses to be Clan messengers who would journey and request an audience with the the elders of the Serpent Clan.
Xio loudly clapped her hands, gaining the attention of all of the Clan in the courtyard. Everyone stopped and silently turned towards her. She could see the questions in their eyes.
"Come, we must meet to discuss many things," she said, gesturing towards the temple. "The time of prophecy is almost upon us." Stepping to the side, she watched her clan flow into the temple, some eagerly, some with frowns upon their faces.
Once they had all entered, she followed, the towering doors closing silently behind her. Nodding at her fellow elders and the novices, she gracefully walked towards the center of the brightly lit chamber. Sitting down on the steps below the dais, she waited for the other elders to join her.
"We have all heard and watched as the Serpent Clan has made itself known to the world," she began. "The Elders have discussed long and hard for many weeks what our response should be. They are not our Clan. We have always avoided contact with them. They work in the light and we hide in the shadows. But they are preparing this planet for something and we can no longer remain idle. We have made this place our home and it will be defended."
Senior Trainer Yetsui stood up. "What would you have us do, Eldest?" she asked. "I have watched this so called clan. They bring all of the things we came here to avoid. In their zeal, they will turn this into another spiritless planet, stripped of all that is good."
"Their culture bears some resemblance to the Mayans of the Americas," Elder Yusif said, slowly standing. "Not all of the Clans worship technology above all else. It will be our task to show them a better way forward."
"How will we get their attention without losing ourselves?" Trainer Olin asked. "Our skills and being do not flow well in the cities. We must protect ourselves from contamination."
"Messengers shall be selected and trained," Xio said. "They will have our full support as they go out into the world and meet this Clan. The selection and training will begin tomorrow," she said. "We shall all have our parts to play. Survival of all that we hold dear depends on it."
Xio stood and watched the others leaving the temple, some to go back to their training and others to disperse out to the villages of the clan.
"You have a plan," Yusif said, taking her usual place at Xio's side. "We have discussed all of the possibilities, read the tea leaves, and sprinkled ashes. The signs are not encouraging. This may be the end of us. We have not agreed with any course of action that hastens that."
"I refuse to entertain that idea," Xio said. "We came here to escape, but we are not helpless. We have many talented clan who can make a difference."
"We are not warriors like this Serpent Clan," Yusif said. "They are preparing for a war and we are pacifists. We will have no place in the world they are creating."
"But a war with whom?" Xio asked. "The Thirteen have protected all who lived in their sectors with ferocity. The signs say something is coming but we gave up all of our tech centuries ago. We are blind. All we have left are ourselves."
"Rumor has it that they know where all those of Clan blood live," Yusif said. "Why not wait until they come to us?"
"You know why," Xio said. "We are not of the Thirteen. Our blood is different. Our ancestors were fellow travelers but not of the same clans. They will not be able to find us unless we come forth. They do not know we exist."
"Is that your real plan?" Yusif said. "Messengers? I would not fall for that."
"Yes, messengers of the Fox God," Xio said. "Them!" She pointed at a handful of novices out in the yard. "What do you see?"
"Nothing special," Yusif said, looking back at her.
"Look again, this time with your third eye," Xio said. She waited while he muttered a few words to himself while gazing at the novices.
"How did we not know this?" Yusif asked, gazing fearfully at the novices. "They reek of power."
"The Fox God provides," Xio said, Yusif automatically echoing her words. "Though I suspect it is not that simple. We no longer have the ability to predict the appearance of those favored by the Fox God but our ancient histories claim they will make an appearance when needed."
"They are novices," Yusif said. "They are not ready to go out into the world. They may never be ready. Power is not enough."
"No. But they will become ready," Xio said. "They must be trained in all of the ancient ways of the Fox God."
"Very few have the ability or will to survive it," Yusif said. "And how will we be able to get them ready in time?"
"There will be enough time," Xio said. "We will begin tomorrow. You shall guide their training."
"Yes, Master Xio," Yusif said reluctantly, nodding in agreement.
"I don't like the way they are looking at us," Yuki said in a whisper to the others gathered near the well. "Like something to be tied up and thrown in the river."
"We are strong," Sita said. "Did we not come here on our own when everyone in the village told us we would die? They said we would never succeed."
"Yes," Mika said, looking up, with faint glee in her eyes. "We came when no one expected us to. We came because of the visions you had."
"The visions have started again," Yuki said. "It is like one of the shows my brother likes to watch. Giant robots. Space ships, soldiers fighting."
"Why don't I get those kind of visions," Mika said, pouting. "All I get are crumbling ruins."
"Ruins have treasure," Sita said.
"And monsters," Yuki added.
"I'm hungry," Mika said.
"You're always hungry," Sita told her. "The mystery is where does it all go? You eat more than the both of us but always look starving."
"Efficiency," Mika said.
"Efficiency?" Sita said. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know," Mika said. "That's what Doctor Lee said. She said my heart is very efficient."
The bell began ringing, signalling the next meal.
"Come on," Mika said, pulling on Sita and Yuki. "Don't wait."
"Don't be so pushy," Sita said. "There will be plenty of food. The Eldest in training are on a training trip. You might even get seconds."
"Yeah!" Mika said, jumping up and down. "Seconds."
"Not if you keep that noise up," a shrill voice coming from their right said. "What are you twigs talking about?"
"Nothing," Sita said, Mika and Yuki nodding in agreement.
"Just lunch," Mika said. "And she gets to go first," she added in a whisper.
"I will be going first," the voice said. Steps receded into the distance.
"Now there won't be anything left," Mika said, pouting.
"We still have the 'magic' mushrooms," Sita said.
"Didn't we give it a different name?" Yuki said. "And they taste like week old banana peels."
"So you should like them," Mika said, muttering under her breath. "Just like that stinky cheese you forgot to put back. My clothes will never lose that smell."
"Maybe if you washed them?" Sita said, dodging. "A little soap and water does wonders."
"Mika is allergic to soap," Yuki said.
The dinner bell rang for the second time, interrupting their argument. Shaking her head, Sita turned and headed towards the dining hall.
Before they could reach the dining hall, they were stopped by Master Xio, whom they had not spoken to since becoming novices three years ago.
"Su, Yuki, and Mika," she said. She gazed piercingly at them for several long moments. "You will report to Elder Yusif in the morning. She will guide your training until you are told otherwise."
Expressionless, Sita bowed slightly. "Ye, Master Xio."
"Go," Master Xio said, waving them on.
From the shadows, Xio watched as the Elder took the first steps in preparing the Messengers for their task. If she had not seen the spark of the Fox God in their eyes, in their very movements, she would have picked someone else. They looked too young to her ancient eyes.
"Things will change," Yusif said, looking at the three young novices sitting on the grass in front of him. "You are no longer learning for the glory of the Clan. Before, you would have been ready to go out into the world as full fledged walking priestesses of the Clan, versed in the basics of our art in another year. If you passed your trials."
"If?" squeaked Mika.
"There is no guarantee," Yusif said. "No matter how blessed a novice may be by the Fox God, the trials will show their true metal. Not all pass. But we shall see. You have been picked for an important task and will take the trials soon."
"Us?" Yuki said faintly. "Why us?"
"I do not need to tell you, isn't that correct Sita?" she said.
"No," Sita said. "Most novices do not receive visions and gifts from the Fox God. Though I do not think it is meant to be a blessing."
"Correct," Yusif said. "It has been a long time since the Fox God picked among us for a special task."
"Do we have to?" Mika said. "I like things the way they are."
"Change is coming," Sita said, poking Mika. "You knew this. Both of you."
"Yes," Yusif said. "You will take the trials at the next moon. We shall begin preparing today so that you can be ready."
"And then what, Elder Yusif?" Sita asked.
"You have no doubts?" Yusif asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Should I?" Sita asked. "I have seen the trials in my dreams."
"Dreams do not always come true," Yusif said.
"That's what I keep telling her," Mika said, grumbling, pulling at the grass nervously. "She sees so many things that don't happen."
"Because we took steps to avoid them," Sita said. "Did not my dreams protect us when we first journeyed here?"
"Yes," Yuki said. "But we could have gotten away from those bandits anyway."
"Once the trials are over, we shall discuss these visions," Yusif said. "Like all gifts from the Fox God they can be improved with training."
"Of course, Elder Yusif," Sita said.
"We shall be very busy until the trials," Yusif said. "You must complete your novice training by then."
"We had a year left," Mika said. "How will we do a years training in less than a month?"
"We have techniques for speeding training up," Yusif said. "We don't use them often, but in this case we shall take the risk. There is much else you must learn following the trials."
Mika poked Sita, hard. "See what you've gotten us into?"
"Can I go home?" Yuki asked. "I don't want to take the trials."
Yusif frowned at them.
"We will be ready to take the trials," Sita said to Yusif. "Ignore them. They prefer to be contrary."
"We were going to that concert," Mika said. "My younger sister is trying out for the Maestro Team afterward."
"She can do that without our help," Sita said. "She will understand."
"No she won't," Mika said. "She wants to be an idol. She thinks we are doing strange boring things."
"Enough," Yusif said. "We begin now. To pass the trials your form must be perfect. Going to concerts and becoming idols will not help you with the trials."
"You haven't explained how we're going to pass them," Sita said. "Perhaps you should begin."
Yusif sighed. Gracefully standing, she gestured for them to stand. "Come. We shall start."
"What is this?" Sita asked, as the door closed behind them.
"You are aware of the history of our Clan," Yusif said. "That the Fox God guided the Prophet to this planet and land, leaving behind all of the trappings of tech our people had immersed themselves in to lead a simpler life."
"Yes," Sita said.
"Well, it isn't quite true," Yusif said. "Although we only use the tech of the land we live in, we have not completely given up all of the advancements of the outer worlds. This is one of the things we have kept."
"Are those traveling pods?" Yuki asked excitedly, looking at the six long object in the center of the room. "Do we get to go into space?"
"No," Yusif said, frowning. "They are not. The Clan abandoned our travel pods when we settled here."
"Well, that is disappointing," Mika said. "I wonder if the Serpent Clan would let us have a ship? They look like anime warriors, they must have tech."
"What the Serpents have is not relevant to our task at the moment," Yusif said. "These are training pods. They will increase your learning ability many times and prepare you for the coming trials."
"Why didn't we use them until now?" Mika asked. "Why do we spend so long as novices if we have these?"
"Because it is Thirteen Clan technology that we borrowed," Yusif said. "The Serpents may be able to detect our usage of it and we are not ready to reveal ourselves to them. If this was not important you would not have been told of their presence until you became elders. Also, we are not a perfect match to the ones they are designed for. Long term use may not be healthy."
"Long term?" Yuki asked, running her hands along the smooth sides of the nearest pod.
"The Thirteen are able to spend many months without interruption in the pods. We cannot," Yusif said.
"What happens if we do?" Yuki said.
"You will lose your connection to the heart of the Fox God," Yusif said, "if you are exposed for more than a real day at a time."
"Aren't all days real?" Sita asked.
"The pods are different," Yusif said. "Time in them flows differently. You shall see."
"How do we use them?" Sita asked.
"You must wear pod suits," Yusif said. "You will find them over there. She pointed at a door. "Put them on and come back out here."
Going through the door, the three novices found themselves in a room similar to the changing rooms in the bathhouse. Three piles of cloth sat on a low bench.
"Do you feel that there is something she isn't telling us?" Yuki said, picking up one of the piles and shaking it out. "How do we put this on?"
"There is a lot the Elders aren't telling us," Sita said.
"What do your visions say?" Mika asked.
"Nothing helpful," Sita said, also picking up one of the garments. "Just that we go along with this and learn new things. Some of them strange."
"Strange how?" Yuki said, stripping off her training gi. "It's like wearing nothing," she said, after pulling it on.
"I think we become idols," Sita said, frowning down at herself after pulling on her own. "I am not sure why the Fox God needs us to become idols."
"My sister is going to be mad if we become idols and she doesn't," Mika said. "She's been going to idol school for the last year to learn how to sing and dance."
"We have a higher purpose," Sita said. "If we become idols it will not be to become famous."
"I can't see us as idols," Yuki said. "None of us can sing."
"Maybe that's what we learn after the trials?" Mika said.
"We'll see," Sita said. "We can talk about it later, after the trials. Until then there is no point."
"Have you seen if we all pass the trials?" Mika asked, as they trooped back out to the pods.
"It doesn't take a vision to predict that you will pass," Yusif said, looking them over. "You have been blessed. You cannot afford to fail."
Sita shook her head at Yuki and Mika, silently telling them to leave it alone. "Are you joining us?" she asked Yusif.
"No," Yusif said. "The pods have been programmed and will teach you what you need to know. Now pick a pod and get in."
"How?" Mika said, standing next to the furthest pod. She jumped in surprise when the top half slid open.
"You get in and lie down," Yusif said. "The tops closes and a fluid fills the pods. You must not panic, just continue breathing. In a minute you will find yourself in the training area. You will be guided from there."
The three novices cautiously climbed into their pods and lay down. The pods closed and there was a low humming sounds before it was quiet.
A dark masked figure separated itself from the shadows, joining Yusif in watching the pods.
"Half truths and lies?" the figure said. "I thought better of Master Xio."
"They will be ready for the trials," Yusif said. "Even you cannot deny us our place in the coming war."
"No, but your way may cause more problems than it solves. You are like the mythical Jedi in hiding from the Empire. The Serpent Clan may not trust you if you suddenly appear claiming moral superiority and ask them to follow your lead."
"We shall see," Yusif said. "When will you reveal yourself?"
"There is no need," the figure said. "The pods will provide the training you have requested for your novices. Do you really wish to risk them with this venture?"
"They are blessed by the Fox God," Yusif said. "They will survive."
"We shall see," the figure said, before disappearing back into the shadows.
"Do we know who that is?" Master Xio said, joining Yusif.
"I suspect a rouge clanswoman with her own agenda," Yusif said. "This planet is visited more often than the Galactics think. Their precious Serpent Clan are not the only ones here."
"The Serpents have official backing," Master Xio said. "We are what they would consider illegal immigrants."
"As long as they don't mistake us for those pirates," Yusif said.
"We are civilized," Xio said. "The pirates are an annoyance."
"They will do something to provoke the Serpents and get themselves wiped out," Yusif said.
"And we shall help them along that path," Xio said. "As we have done in the past."
"Yes, Master Xio," Yusif said. "How do our other plans progress? Su's visions have shown her some of what is to come."
"Visions are unreliable without years of training," Xio said. "It is an interesting idea. What better way to give them the freedom of movement they need."
"We know nothing of that world," Yusif said.
"But we will learn," Xio said. "How long will they be in the pods?"
"This first time? A day in real time. A month in pod time."
"And you did not warn them?" Xio said, frowning. "Our mysterious assistant has a point."
"They were told that time moves differently in the pods," Yusif said.
"I will leave you to your watch," Xio said. "We will need to discuss a schedule for guards. We cannot leave them unprotected."
"All taken care of," Yusif said. "Only we can enter this chamber while the pods are activated."
"Good, good," Xio said, nodding. Hands behind her back, she strolled out of the chamber deep in thought.
"We shall see," Yusif said to herself, seating herself between the pods and the door.
"Where are we?" Mika asked, looking around.
Sita hummed to herself, turning in a circle. "It looks like the temple grounds."
"When did they look like this?" Yuki asked, frowning.
"When the clan first moved in it was an old ninja temple dojo," Sita said. "It's cleaner than the old pictures show it but it's clearly where the temple will be."
"Oh," Mika said. "What kind of training do you think this will be?"
"What we were already doing," Sita said. "Just faster somehow."
"It's what some call virtual reality," a female voice said. "Fans of the Star Trek video show might call it a holodeck, though it is really neither."
The novices turned towards the voice. A flickering, vaguely female figure stood in the door of the building that would become the temple.
"Who are you?" Sita said, stepping forward and partially shielding the other two smaller novices.
"Many things," the figure said. "Here and now this one is your trainer."
"What are you?" Yuki asked. "Are you in one of the pods like we are?"
"In one of the pods? No," the figure said, coming closer. "What do you think of the training grounds?"
"Looks like our temple," Sita said.
"A superficial resemblance," the figure said.
"What do we call you?" Sita asked.
"You may address me as Ka'nsah," she said circling them.
"You look odd," Yuki said. "You flicker."
"The pods are old," Ka'nsah said. "The software has been upgraded but there isn't enough mana to run everything at full power."
"What if it breaks while we're in here," Mika asked, looking around nervously.
"If containment starts to fail you will be released from the pods," Ka'nsah said. "Enough questions, we have a lot to cover."
"Isn't this just more of what we were already doing?" Sita asked.
"That is the expectation," Ka'nsah said, "but you have a long way to go. We shall start from the beginning with the first forms and once you have proven proficient we shall move to the second and third forms. And then we shall take a break."
"The first, second, and third forms?" Mika said faintly. "Today? We just started the third forms yesterday."
"As I said, miles to go before you sleep," Ka'nsah said. "Did not your Elder explain? Each day on the outside will be a month in the pod."
"Oh," Yuki said. "But we didn't bring any food. Can we eat in here?"
"The pods will provide," Ka'nsah said. "Come." She gestured towards the temple door.
"This does not look like the temple," Sita said, stepping inside, followed by the others. They found themselves in a large hall with a ceiling several dozen feet above. The walls were decorated in mosaics of mythical creatures.
"No reason for it to be," Ka'nsah said.
"Is that the Fox God?" Mika asked, pointing at a large canine figure at the other end of the hall.
"No," said Ka'nsah. She pointed at a large woven mat in the center of the hall. "You shall demonstrate your knowledge of the first forms."
"There are only three of us," Sita said. "How do you wish us to proceed."
"The pods have provided training partners for each of you," Ka'nsah said. "Shall we begin?"
Three fox headed figures appeared on the mat, silently waiting for them.
Ka'nsah circled them as they began, providing commentary as the morning wore on.
The training partners disappeared. The novices tiredly collapsed onto the mats.
"You have done well," Ka'nsah said. "If you continue as so, you shall not need to relearn the first form."
"How long?" Sita asked.
"And when can we eat?" Yuki said. "I'm starving. I didn't think I would be hungry."
"Pod training is not just a mental activity," Ka'nsah said. "As your mind learns so does your body. Otherwise there would be no value to physical training."
"Oh," Mika said. She frowned. "I don't know what you mean."
"Really?" Yuki said excitedly. "I understand, I think."
"I believe I also understand," Sita said. "The pods train both mind and body, correct, Old One?"
"Correct," Ka'nsah said, "but this one is not an Old One. They no longer exist on this plane."
"Apologies, Ka'nsah," Sita said. "I did not mean to offend."
"Accepted," Ka'nsah said. "This one is just a simple teacher."
"So we keep all of these bruises?" Mika said, grimacing.
"The pods heal such damage at a normal rate," Ka'nsah said. "Your Elder warned you that you cannot stay in the pods? Yes?"
"Yes," Sita said. "She said our Clan was not compatible with long residence in the pods."
"That is a rough approximation of the truth," Ka'nsah said. "The physical changes are stressful but it is the juxtaposition of the mental and physical changes that are dangerous for your kind with long exposure. The ones the pods were created for are different in ways your ancestry lacks accommodation for."
"But we are fine in short doses," Sita said.
"Yes," Ka'nsah said. "Enough idle chatter. You shall partake of nourishment. I believe you will find this enlightening."
A low table appeared before them. Three large bowls and spoons appeared on it. The novices eagerly moved to the table, each sitting in front of a bowl.
"What is it?" Yuki said.
"It has an interesting smell," Mika said.
"This is a traditional soup of the Serpent Clan," Ka'nsah said. "It is served to those about to go into battle."
"There is no meat," Sita said, stirring her soup.
"They are a space faring clan," Ka'nsah said. "Meat is rare on the long ships."
"I like it," Mika said, cautiously sipping from her spoon. "Better than temple porridge."
"Will we be able to try other Clan foods?" Yuki asked.
"Yes," Ka'nsah said. "Knowing the cultures of those you travel among is important."
"Pizza?" Mika asked. "We never get pizza in the temple during training."
"Pizza?" Ka'nsah said, sounding puzzled.
"It's a common food on this planet," Sita said. "A large flat bread with may possible ingredients."
"This one is not familiar with that dish," Ka'nsah said. "It does not resemble any of the Clan foods."
"We'll have to introduce them to it," Yuki said. "I'm not giving up pizza. The Fox God would never demand that of us."
"The Fox God is not a cook," Sita said. "But I'm sure you can put your powers to good use and introduce them to pizza."
Ka'nsah silently observed them as they finished their soup. Once they were all done, the table and bowls disappeared.
"Let us continue," Ka'nsah said. The training partners reappeared.
"Are we done?" Yuki asked, as the training partners disappeared.
"For the day," Ka'nsah said.
"I need a shower," Yuki said. "I stink!"
"It's just virtual stink," Mika said. "I'm sure the pod can make you smell better without a shower."
"I would like a shower also," Sita said. "Even if it isn't real."
"The bathing room is behind that door," Ka'nsah said, pointing to an arch in the far wall. "The evening meal shall be provided shortly."
"Enough time to get clean?" Yuki asked.
"Yes," Ka'nsah said. "Go and refresh yourselves."
"I hope the water is hot," Mika said, eagerly walking to the arch.
"It's virtual," Yuki said. "It should always be hot."
"Unless the Ancients who designed the pods liked cold water," Sita said.
"Don't give them any ideas!" Yuki said. "Just because you like cold showers and ice baths doesn't mean we do."
"It toughens you up," Sita said, following them through the arch.
"It's not fun," Mika said. "And if you ever turn off the hot water again while we are in the showers we shall not be happy and you will regret it."
"We shall see," Sita said. "We will not always have hot water for bathing."
"That better not be a vision you had," Mika said. "Or I'm quitting."
"You can't quit," Sita said. "Once we entered the pods there was no going back."
Yuki stuck out her tongue, and then started stripping. "It's a good thing they didn't pick any of the sons of the Fox God for this. They couldn't handle it."
"We don't know that," Sita said. "They could be training somewhere else. We aren't the only Fox Clan temple on the island."
"If there are I hope they are cute," Mika said, stepping into the steaming shower.
"As long as they are well trained it doesn't matter what they look like," Sita said, following her.
"Some of us have an aesthetic appreciation for the appearance of the Sons of Adam," Yuki said.
"Sons of Adam?" Mika said, puzzled. "Who are they?"
"My sister was reading about worshipers of a Lion God the last time I was home," Yuki said. "They were the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve."
"It sounds like something from the Christian God's Bible," Sita said.
"I have never read that," Yuki said, before rinsing her hair. "It's possible. The natives of this planet have so many different ideas about their gods."
"I prefer the simple life of a Fox God priestess," Mika said.
"We are not priestesses yet," Sita said. "We must pass the trials first."
"And then what?" Yuki asked.
"We will find out what the Elders wish us to do then," Sita said. "We know it will involve the Thirteen in some way."
"I don't think the Thirteen need Fox God priestesses," Mika said. "They have their own gods."
"I wonder what their gods are like?" Yuki said. "Do you think we will learn about them?"
"Possibly," Sita said.
"Refreshed?" Ka'nsah asked as they once more joined her in the middle of the hall. She patted the training mat. "Please sit." A table appeared in front of them.
"What's for dinner?" Yuki said.
"All you think of is your stomach," Mika said.
"Food is important," Yuki said. "We need to keep up our strength."
"Yes," said Ka'nsah. "Training requires energy." Bowls appeared in front of them as they had earlier in the day.
"Not soup?" Mika said, peering into her bowl. "What is this?"
"A dish favored by the Tiger Clan during their naming ceremony," Ka'nsah said. "It is supposed to impart great wisdom."
"You can have my share," Mika said, pushing her bowl at Yuki. "You need it."
Sighing, Yuki pushed Mika's bowl back, before taking her own and poking its contents with her chopsticks. "What is it made from?"
"Protein and plant matter," Ka'nsah said.
"No mushrooms?" Yuki asked.
"No fungus," Ka'nsah said.
"Good," Yuki said before sampling the dish. "It's okay."
"Protein?" Sita asked.
"It is similar to your soy bricks," Ka'nsah said.
"Tofu? It doesn't taste like tofu," Mika said. "And it's chewy."
"Not my favorite Thirteen dish," Sita said. "But edible."
"Doe that matter?" Yuki asked. "It isn't real."
"It is as real as anything here," Ka'nsah said.
"So, not at all," Yuki said. "Do we get dessert?"
"When do we get to go back to the temple?" Sita asked, putting down her empty bowl.
"You shall sleep here," Ka'nsah said. Pallets appeared against the opposite wall. "We shall continue with the forms in the morning."
"I'm bored," Yuki whispered from her pallet.
"Sleep," Sita said. "You need to be rested for tomorrow."
"I'm not tired," Yuki said. "I need something to do."
"We can review the second forms," Mika suggested.
"That's not what I had in mind," Yuki said. "I don't need to review the second forms."
"Run around the compound?" Sita said. "That should tire you."
"No," Yuki said.
"Then sleep," Sita said, pulling her sheet over her head.
"Sleep." Yuki muttered to herself. "I'm not tired. And it isn't real."
"It's real enough that some of us need sleep. So sleep," Mika said. "You heard what Ka'nsah said."
"You two are no fun," Yuki said. Flopping back, she closed her eyes. "Sleep. sleep. sleep. I'm not tired yet!"
"If you don't go to sleep, I will make you," Sita said, growling at her. "Now!"
"Yes, Sita," Yuki said softly.