Shrine Shenanigans

Garan. Garan. The chimes tolled as the President shook the rope. They would've offered a few five yen coins first, but they were rarely used in the cities nowadays.

"Everyone bow!" she called out, taking the lead.

Bow. Bow.

"Clap!"

Clap. Clap.

"Pray."

Silence...

"And bow once more!"

Bow.

The Mountaineering Circle finished their prayers in front of Kibuneiryu Shrine -- a half hour walk from their campgrounds. Even as time and advancements wore away tradition, shrine praying was still commonly observed, though most had some new-tech features to match the modern era. Even the personal assistants respected the tradition, performing a prayer alongside their masters.

Well, most of them, anyway.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Microwave asked, standing in front of the Torii gate marking the entrance. Normally, it would join the group with its own prayers; unfortunately, it was busy with another matter. A Creator-sized one.

"Yeah, I'm good," she responded.

"Then why are you lying on the ground again?" The Creator in question was inconveniently using the stone road as a bed, blocking both humans and deities from passing. Her voice strained as she spoke, only raising a single thumb as she lied through her teeth.

She was completely exhausted after walking up a small incline, even with a physical enhancement spell. That wasn't to say the spell failed. In fact, it succeeded, as Microwave was the one who cast it. However, compared to a nearly limitless pool of mana, hers had a much higher potency than its -- nearly a hundred times. What would've supported everyone else just fine wasn't even close to helping her.

"It helps me feel connected to the earth." Not that she would admit that.

"On a man-made road?"

"With some moss on top."

"And not because your legs gave out."

"Definitely not," she agreed.

"Okay then," Microwave rolled its eyes. Its master being unreasonable was nothing new. It was better to just let her be.

"Um..." The two turned towards the new voice. Well, Microwave did. She glanced over without moving her head.

There were two women standing there, both wearing befuddled expressions. The first an elderly lady using a wooden cane, wearing a loose fitting kimono. The other was a young businesswoman with unusually pink hair, purse over one arm, an opened umbrella in the other. A pair of mother and daughter, though they looked quite different.

"Excuse me..." the young woman spoke again, her eyes wandering in every direction. The Creator was clearly blocking the path.

"Ah, my apologies for my... companion," it said, choosing its words carefully. "Give me a moment." In one motion, Microwave grabbed the Creator by one of her legs, dragging her off to the side.

"Oww!!!" she cried in pain. While the moss filled in some of the divots by the Torri gates, the rest of the road was barren, leading to a rough and painful ride. "Why'd you have to do that?!? I can stand up and walk myself!!!"

"No, you can't," Microwave bluntly stated, well aware of her current condition. She let out a slight grunt as it turned back towards the pair. "After you, ma'am. And apologies once again."

"A-ah. Thank you," the young woman responded, looking at the two like a bizarre festival comedy. The elderly lady meanwhile gave a slight nod.

"Why are you calling her ma'am??? What about me?!?" Neither of the two noticed, however.

"Why would I ever call you ma'am?" Microwave retorted.

"Because I said so!" the Creator exclaimed.

"How does that make any sense?"

"Why does it need to make sense?!?"

"Um... I'll just get going now," the young woman muttered, shuffling the past the arguing pair. The elderly lady had already proceeded up the steps.

"I'm just saying you could respect me more! Is it that hard to understand?" the Creator yelled.

"But I am respecting you?" Microwave stared back in exasperation. She could easily give it an order to change its personality, but she wasn't going to. This kind of banter was what she wanted, even if it was the wrong place and time.

"No, you're not! See, you're even turning robotic! That means you're totally lying!"

"What in the world are you talking about now...?"

"Huh? Can't you see your... arm... huh."

"What?" Microwave asked.

"I thought your hand looked a bit more metallic than usual. Well, maybe it does."

"Does that really matter?"

"Not at all. But--"

"What are you two doing?" The Vice President showed up, her voice soft yet cold. "This is a shrine. You can't be yelling at the top of your lungs here. Even Chiruno is more well-behaved than you two."

"Hey!" the President quietly retorted.

"My apologies," Microwave responded.

"It's fine."

"I don't think you're the one who should be saying that Charlotte."

"It's fine," the Creator repeated.

"..." The Vice President wasn't amused, but she let it go. She would just leave them far away from any other shrines they visited. For this one though, "Okay then. Do either of you want to pray before we continue?"

The Creator answered before Microwave could.

"No thanks!"