Shrine Prostitute mini-update
Plugging along on the newest chapter, which is coming along decently. So, to keep myself motivated, here's the next completed scene:
It took Kagome a couple weeks to work up the courage to ask Jinenji if he’d be willing to meet one or even possibly two more of her friends. There was just so much more that could potentially go wrong with this introduction.
At least with Professor Hirohito he'd been actually interested in meeting hanyou and learning about them, looking forward to it even. The worst she’d worried about with him was that he’d be too pushy, too callous with emotion, relegating them to the realm and status of ‘research subject’, especially since while he was interested in hanyou psychology, he was much more interested in their physiology.
He’d already been clear that he wouldn’t do anything to place them at risk, postponing his findings at great personal loss considering all the potential fame and accolades such publications would likely garner. But for all that he was a researcher, so determinedly focused on his goals he could well be negligent and less than careful of things, people, and feelings outside it, he would never have intentionally lashed out at Jinenji.
With Yuka, however, she wasn’t so sure. She’d never had any interest in hanyou, let alone desire to meet one, and was only going to possibly do so at Kagome’s request. She had no doubt her friend probably had some hard feelings toward hanyou, given that they were at the root of what had caused their foursome to fracture, and worried they would redirect the blame onto Jinenji’s shoulders, as he acted as a representative for his race.
She explained all her misgivings to Jinenji, giving him every opportunity to say no, but he agreed to her request anyhow. Regardless, she was still conflicted about the whole thing. On the one hand, she felt she was taking advantage of Jinenji and his kindness. How high a probability was there that he'd actually tell her 'no'? On the other, she needed to respect his decision, otherwise what kind of example would she be setting? There would be plenty who saw it as her valuing her own opinion more than his, or just simply thinking her own opinion inherently better than that of a hanyou.
She took a deep breath. No, even if she was treading on Jinenji's gentleness and inherent good nature, she needed to go ahead with this. After all, the point of all of this was hanyou integration into society as a whole. Facing unfriendly, uncomfortable, or suspicious people was likely the mildest of what they'd face.
So yes, the meeting between Jinenji and Yuka would happen. After all, if they were both willing to go out of their comfort zones to meet the other, she could certainly deal with her own worry and discomfiture. All she could do in the meantime was pray to any kami that would listen for things to go well.
Next one coming soon!
It took Kagome a couple weeks to work up the courage to ask Jinenji if he’d be willing to meet one or even possibly two more of her friends. There was just so much more that could potentially go wrong with this introduction.
At least with Professor Hirohito he'd been actually interested in meeting hanyou and learning about them, looking forward to it even. The worst she’d worried about with him was that he’d be too pushy, too callous with emotion, relegating them to the realm and status of ‘research subject’, especially since while he was interested in hanyou psychology, he was much more interested in their physiology.
He’d already been clear that he wouldn’t do anything to place them at risk, postponing his findings at great personal loss considering all the potential fame and accolades such publications would likely garner. But for all that he was a researcher, so determinedly focused on his goals he could well be negligent and less than careful of things, people, and feelings outside it, he would never have intentionally lashed out at Jinenji.
With Yuka, however, she wasn’t so sure. She’d never had any interest in hanyou, let alone desire to meet one, and was only going to possibly do so at Kagome’s request. She had no doubt her friend probably had some hard feelings toward hanyou, given that they were at the root of what had caused their foursome to fracture, and worried they would redirect the blame onto Jinenji’s shoulders, as he acted as a representative for his race.
She explained all her misgivings to Jinenji, giving him every opportunity to say no, but he agreed to her request anyhow. Regardless, she was still conflicted about the whole thing. On the one hand, she felt she was taking advantage of Jinenji and his kindness. How high a probability was there that he'd actually tell her 'no'? On the other, she needed to respect his decision, otherwise what kind of example would she be setting? There would be plenty who saw it as her valuing her own opinion more than his, or just simply thinking her own opinion inherently better than that of a hanyou.
She took a deep breath. No, even if she was treading on Jinenji's gentleness and inherent good nature, she needed to go ahead with this. After all, the point of all of this was hanyou integration into society as a whole. Facing unfriendly, uncomfortable, or suspicious people was likely the mildest of what they'd face.
So yes, the meeting between Jinenji and Yuka would happen. After all, if they were both willing to go out of their comfort zones to meet the other, she could certainly deal with her own worry and discomfiture. All she could do in the meantime was pray to any kami that would listen for things to go well.
Next one coming soon!