ellectrical | June 2007, Meiji Shrine

Mid-June at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo means the tail end of the seasonal bloom of irises in shrine's gardens – bright blue-purple blossoms still remain throughout the complex, though the crowds that come to view them have thinned out since the height of the season. The shrine is tucked into a forest that remains apart from the otherwise urban Shibuya ward, the entrance of the path through the trees marked by a high arch that visitors are meant to bow beneath before continuing onward toward the shrine.

It's quiet – quieter than anywhere else Elle has been in the city so far. She hadn't wanted to visit a museum, and the weather today was amenable; sunny, but not too hot. Enough wind that the leaves rustle in the tall trees that shade that path, but not so much that one would need a jacket. There are still enough visitors for voices to be heard throughout the woods, especially as they reach the main yard of the shrine, and there's an occasional buzzing or flurry of wings above them, but still – it's quieter.

Elle figured X would prefer that.

The main yard opens onto the shrine complex, paved by rectangular stones, the large building of cypress pillars and copper gabled roofs spread over the square beneath the camphor trees. To the side there are desks where visitors can write prayers on small pieces of paper to be left in the walls and shelves set up around the shrine.

Now, with no definite path to follow, Elle hesitates as they reach the open space of the square.

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X hesitates.

But --

"There is somewhere you want to stand?"

Aesthetics are not X's strong suit. At all.

It takes Elle a minute to figure out what X is asking.

That uncertainty hasn't abated when she says, "You'll have to take it."

"If I'm in it."

"I know," X says.

Because she does.

"If it is okay."

Now she is uncertain, too.

Before saying anything else, Elle hands the camera over to X.

Then, "Do you want anything else in it?"

Elle may be measurably better at aesthetics, but in this case it's limited to knowing a photo should maybe have a person and a thing in it.

(Her father's, after all, is him and a fish.)

"The tree is okay," X says, after another moment of silence.

"I like it."

Then she gets in position to take the picture.

Elle nods, her eyes following X.

She's slightly more fidgety, but manages to still herself with one hand at her side, the other on her purse strap.

When the time comes (which she guesses at X settling on a position), Elle even smiles.

X takes the picture.

She seems pleased.

And when (if) Elle approaches, X will tilt the camera to let her see.

"Thank you."

This is important, too.

Elle waits until she's sure X is done before approaching. That smile for the photo slips away on command, though something of it seems to return when she looks at the camera screen.

"I'll - give it to you."

Beat. "When we're in the Bar."

"That will be good," X says.

Again, her response is prompt.

"You do not mind if I put it on the wall?"

In her apartment, that is.

That takes her a moment to answer.

"No - I - I don't -"

There may be a few moments of fumbling with the camera, before she shuts it off, and meets X's eyes again.

"You can do that," she answers, clearly.

"Okay," X says, studying Elle.

She might -- almost -- smile.

A little.

"That is good."

Some things X has no intention of losing.

Ever.

She nods again, slipping the camera back into her bag. This time, she pulls out a small tourist map of the shrine, and holds it out far enough that X can see it, too.

It's a little tentative, but she asks, "Do you want to go there -"

She points to the main shrine building on the map, and the motions slightly back toward it.

"Or..."

Eventually, she points to the iris garden.

X flicks a sideways glance at Elle, then looks toward the shrine.

She is silent for a few very long moments, then --

"You do not mind going inside?"

Beat.

"We do not have to stay. Long."

"Okay."

She lowers the map, and moves slightly to the side, though this time she seems to wait for X lead to lead the way.

X only hesitates a second before doing so.

All she really wants to do is stand quietly for a while.

Inside.

It is like meditation.

She remembers.

Inside, the shrine is made of large, wood paneled halls and rooms, largely open air with sunlight spilling in through wide windows, some of them hung with decorative blue and orange drapes. A few ornamental lanterns are set at the open doorways.

Elle stops short at a threshold to a room where a small group are facing into the sunlight, standing in what must be silent prayers.

She might be thinking a little of one of the stops she made on the way here. It's not too different a feeling now.

X's breathing deepens, just a little.

And after making a quick survey of the room they are standing in --

She, too, closes her eyes.

And remembers.

It only takes a minute.

And it is something she will not forget.

Elle waits, also silent.

She doesn't look away from X, but she doesn't move toward the other woman, either.

The only movement there is at all is when she slightly shifts her weight to lean into the wall a little.

It is not long after that when X opens her eyes again.

She breathes out.

Then her gaze flicks to Elle.

"There is something here you want to see?"

X got what she came for. From this part, anyway.

Elle doesn't look away, just shifts from the wall so she can shake her head.

"I'm okay."

"Okay," X echoes, half-turning toward the way they came in.

"We can see the flowers. Now."

Beat.

"If you want."

Elle nods, and takes a step to move in stride with X.

She also slightly bump X's hand with her own.

It's not a distant walk from the main shrine to the iris garden. The number of other visitors recedes slightly as they walk farther out.

X lets her own fingers brush against Elle's hand.

(The only reason she does not take Elle's hand entire is that people would pay attention. And she does not want to be problematic.)

But the quiet is nice.

And the company.

The path in the garden forms a large oval around it, a small shelter on one side. The irises are still in bloom, dotting the grass with vibrant white, purple, and blue. Without hesitating, Elle begins to follow the path into its loop.

"The book was right."

It takes her a moment to think to add, "They're pretty."

"Yes," X says.

She walks the path, too. And after a few moments of silence --

"Thank you."

Beat.

"For bringing me. Here."

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