~ Perfect Blossom Tea Room ~

[Malaclypse 666]

The kimono-clad waitress was used to seeing' robed figures. After all, this was Kusari. Both Shosho and Shinto Buddhism were still practiced; and monks often passed through on pilgrimage or temple business.

However, this one was... different. Under his cowl, he appeared to be gaijin. She bowed politely, expecting an order for tea and rice cakes in one of the quiet alcoves. Instead, this one silently pointed to a corner, and then gestured towards a bottle of Four Winds saki behind the bar. She bowed again, and discreetly watched as the man unfurled a worn tatami mat on the floor, and assumed za-zen as fast as she could blink.

From his robe he produced a small dog-earned and weathered book, and a small silk bag .

As she approached with the monk's saki, she observed that the bag had contained three tarnished coins.. actual money! She had heard of such things.

And now, she was certain the person was gaijin.. instead of ceremonially warming and sipping from the small ceramic cup, he had grabbed the bottle and.. well, it was disgusting.

"Yesh.. c'mere babies, 'n speak to ol' Fool. My previous oracle took a powder. Go with what ya got, eh? Gimme some breadcrumbs.."

He cast the tarnished coins six times.. noting the result from top to botton.. two changing lines.. nines in the third and fourth places. So.. two judgements for the price of one. "My lucky day..heh!"

He then opened the book to read the first Hexagram, and began to chuckle.

Hexagram 56 ~ The Wanderer

He grabbed the saki bottle and downed the contents in a single gulping swallow. He sobered a great deal upon reading the changing lines:

The third line

The fourth line

"A 'stranger in a strange land', eh? That's what I am?"

Following the moving lines, the Fool turned to the second Hexagram. A quick glance, and he threw the book down, shaking his head.

After a few moments, the man rose and removed his dirty robe, revealing a garish oversized "Hawaiian" shirt which almost covered his baggy tan shorts. He threw the robe onto the mat, along with the coins and book, and strode purposely towards the entrance.


He didn't even need to read the second 'gram. He knew it by heart.

Hexagram 23 ~ Splitting Apart

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