Revision as of 15:56, 17 March 2010

Background

Mai Tsuchiya (土屋 舞) is a priestess at Seichi ("Sacred Earth") Temple (Seichi no Miya (聖地宮)) which belongs to her family. She is the intended heir and will become its kannushi some day. Her parents are currently on a pilgrimage to Japan leaving her and her older brother to mind the temple and the family dojo.

Aether

Mai has powers to manipulate the elements of nature, air, fire, water, and earth, and after meeting The Guardian, who found her for her ability to communicate with the earth thus making her the Omnipath, she honed her skills as one of the Prime. Considering herself the fifth element of Japanese philosophy (sky or spirit (空)), the power underlying the other four elements, she developed the identity, Aether. She also has minor training in martial arts from her father and opts to fight with war fans when faced with hand-to-hand combat.

Seichi Temple

Located on the three-and-a-half acre formal Japanese garden, located within the Washington Park Arboretum, Seichi Temple is a traditional family-run Shinto shrine. Originating in Japan’s prehistory, Shinto is the natural spirituality or the practice of the philosophy of proceeding in harmony with and gratitude to divine nature. The shrine is an enriched environment where people can feel deeply refreshed and renewed. The Tsuchiya family welcomes everyone to make an omairi (visit) and they can conduct the oharae (purification ceremony) as well as many types of shinto ceremonies for individuals, families, groups or businesses. The shrine is also affiliated with the karate dojo just outside the arboretum.

Seichi Temple

Temple Grounds

Tome of the Omnipath

6月30日1995年 Weather: Clear

My name is Mai Tsuchiya. I am 14 years old. My family runs the Shinto shrine in Seattle located within the UW Arboretum. I have a 20-year old older brother, Jun. A little while ago, I realized that I was special. Whenever I got scared or angry, my body would react on its own and cause strange things to happen. One time, someone had flicked a cigarette still burning onto the ground and a patch of dry grass caught on fire. I ran down to the pond, but because I was in a panic, I didn't think to bring anything to carry the water. My body just took over though and as soon as I stuck my hands into the water, I was able to channel a wave to splash directly onto the flame, extinguishing it.

I could also sometimes hear a voice when I touched the ground and it kept telling me that the world was in danger and to look out for a man, The Guardian, coming to find me to be my protector. I met this man earlier today.

It was around 3 o' clock and having just gotten out of school, I changed into my robes and was about to start my daily task of tidying around the temple. I noticed a man staring at me nearby so I went over to welcome him. Sometimes people get a little uncomfortable, unsure if they're allowed on the grounds. He looked like he didn't quite know what to say to me and started by muttering under his breath "but you're so young...", introduced himself as William, and that he was here to protect me. He knew that I was special and that's when I knew he was the one the Earth was referring to for I hadn't told anyone about the things I could do, not even to Jun, who I thought was special too. He said that he had been around for thousands of years, protecting people like me who could hear the Earth's voice. Given the circumstances of me being so young, he seemed to think that this time, the danger to the Earth was real and will probably come within my lifetime, so he would be around to protect me at all times and be a part of my life. Just as I told him about my family, Jun came home from school.

William and Jun got into a conversation that felt a bit prickly. Jun's always been very protective of me so I'm sure he didn't much care for a stranger coming in and saying he was going to be a part of my life. William's voice changed ever so slightly when he said that this was the way things were going to be and Jun immediately got defensive. William looked a bit surprised too and apologized right away. He seemed really confused and asked again if we shared blood and that there was no question of our relation. Of course, Jun answered yes. He wanted to feel William out so he invited him to spar with him. The exchanged blows for a while, gradually increasing in intensity. Jun had been practicing karate with our father since he was a young boy so I knew he was very skilled, but when I saw that he was really starting to put in effort, I got a little worried. Just then, William struck him with a punch that laid him out! I got scared that he was going to jump on him so before I knew it, I dove onto the ground and caused a wall of dirt to rise up between them.

William was really at a loss for words now. Jun got up and told me it was okay so I got up and the wall crumbled into a pile of earth. I told both of them about what I discovered about myself and William said that throughout history, he had never had an Omnipath, one who communicates with the Earth, who had other powers. He took this as a sign of grave danger and suggested that we train together so that I could better utilize and control my gifts for the time to come. He went and had a short chat with our parents and arranged for the three of us to leave for Japan to train for a few years. It was a bit surprising at how accepting our parents were. He gave me this book, the Tome of the Omnipath, and said that it was mine to write in and to share my experiences. I haven't read through my predecessors' entries yet, but I hope most will list out living long and happy lives.

10月5日1998年 Weather: Light Rain

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4月12日1999年 Weather: Cloudy

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