As Jin sits and stares at the offering, a smile on his lips as he recalls putting his own little efforts into it as a child. His eagerness had marked him out from the beginning as one who may be able to continue the traditions on into the future and is one of the reasons he was selected to take extra studies. He was special, and the elders knew it. They could sense that he was more interested in things more and more children didn't seem to have a care about, each generation getting further wrapped up in their own lives, their own studies, their own problems, the idea of being a guardian seeming less of an honor and more of a burden.

But here now, years later, Jin is just as humbled by the task as he was as a bright eyed little boy near free of markings watching the then guardian vanish into the ancient forest.

His head suddenly comes up, snapping out of his memories by something he's never heard before. His heart begins racing, he recognizes it, he thinks, and if he's right then something is about to happen. [i]'I've only heard stories of people getting replies. No one around here has had a reply in. . .In several generations!'[/i] He remains still, not wanting to disturb the moment or upset whoever is answering his call. He closes his eyes, trying desperately to understand the song, however it is over quickly and his eyes open once more. He feels a little dejected that it didn't last longer, convinced that he'd have been able to understand it if only. . . .

Blink. Out of nowhere this little rodent comes skittering over and without so much as a glance it mounts the offering box and turns to sit on it's haunches to stare at him. Now, Jin is no expert, butt hat doesn't seem normal. He knows that the animals in the forest don't run away from him any more, but running right up and. . .He shakes his head lightly, could it be? He looks back at the critter just as intently as it studies him and after a moment he realizes that that is exactly what it's doing. It's [b]examining[/b] him. On impulse he slowly scoots back on his knees a few inches, then drops into a kneeling bow. Raising his head he once more looks at the critter and murmurs softly, “Are you a Seraas, an ancient spirit?” His tone is soft end respectful, just in case he's guessed correctly. He knows full well he could be bowing to simply a very bold little rat thing, but even if he's wrong, no one is there to see him so who cares? His heart is still racing in excitement, hoping against all hopes he's right about the little critter.