Snippet #1857155

He would hear the soft rustle of fabric as the shrine maiden stepped out of the candle and paper-lantern lit gloom. Casting dark eyes over the boy who entered the temple, she stopped just a few feet from him. He could see the white socks almost hidden beneath her red hakama, divided by the wood sandals she wore. She glanced to either side and bowed in greeting, folding both hands covered by fingerless gloves with flawless stitching, loose ends of black hair cascading around her, revealing the outline of a red and gold sheath at her back and the shape of a slender staff.

"Konnichiwa. Can I help you?" she asked, her tone polite, but cold, and though she held his gaze, it was clear by the way she did not further approach she remained wary of the newcomer.