[Day One, Late Afternoon] Studying with the Seven Dragons

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kodama remained at the temple long after his conversation with the Isawa couple at the entryway. Studying always took time and if he was not patient, how could he ever entreat others to be.

Likely it was best he talk with those who served directly here, rather than hope to stumble on the right scroll at the right time.

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"Do you find yourself meditating or without a path? You have lingered long."

A short distance away stands an older woman wearing a monks robes.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A deep bow, "Hai, sama. I do not know where to begin. Grand events occur and I hope to be ready to help those who come to the Brotherhood for advice."

"I do not wish to steer those seeking to act rightly wrong and hoped the Temple's histories might give lessons I can extend onwards to those who seek blessings from the Fortune of Heroes."

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"You seek to put those who come asking for a path on the correct path. Perhaps you should find those on a path and correct it?"

She points to where Kodama is standing. "You are on a path now, even if you are not moving. You think there may be wisdom here, and yet, this one came to you. Where does your foot go when you move it?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A brief furrow along his forehead as he thinks on that.

"One hopes it is further along the path, still at the end of my leg."

A look to his fellow monk. "Is it then our way to change the path, not the traveler?

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

Despite the somewhat stoic nature of her face, Kodama can see a smile in her eyes at his response.

"Are not the path and the traveler one and the same? A path without a traveler is not a path at all, and any way a traveler walks must be a path."

She thinks for a moment. "This one does not believe it is our way to change things, but rather to help allow for the change to come about. If this one hung lanterns in the woods at night, many would likely follow even though this one cleared no path nor asked anyone to follow the light."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"Now that is a fine way to lead others into a trap. Strange lanterns in the dark attract the wary like little else."

He looks to the heavens a moment, "We've got some lanterns to make, one way or another. Hanging them above hidden pits or on safer ground is knowable if we've already trod upon the path, and it is that sort of wisdom I seek. To know which sort of lantern it is that I'm hanging."

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"A worth path. Lanterns of different shapes and sizes create different lights."

She considers him for a moment.

"What sort of light do you wish to cast? Or do you first need a lantern yourself?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"I think I need a lantern to know which I should there after make." He answers, after a moment's thought.

"Part of me wishes to act as the Fortune did in life, to waylay another force and buy others time. But this path isn't so clear as the foes he faced. And this seems like the calm where one prepares and decides."

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"Perhaps you think you need a lantern now because the one you have is merely behind you, out of your gaze."

She moves close to Kodama and peers at him intensely.

"Do you know much of this temple? It has a long history, but perhaps the most important is that the first Oracles were chosen here by the Elemental Dragons.

"Many who come here for more than prayer and contemplation do so to try to find one of the Oracles, believing that the wisdom we keep inside will aid them.

"You, though, are on the other end of that scale. You are not seeking an Oracle, you come here because of one."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"I know it is important and that it holds wisdom from those who have sought or become heroes in the past." He answers the first.

To the latter he blinks.

And bows.

"I hope you'll pardon the confusion. But. What?"

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Iko would have preferred to visit the temple earlier in the day, much earlier was her usual routine. But if ever there had been a day and a reason to break with it, today was it.

Noticing a conversation, she politely offered a bow and whispered prayer before entering the Temple, while trying hard not to disturb the occupants. Glancing around she soon saw what she was looking for, she took a place before the representation of the Void Dragon, lit some incense and settled into a lotus posture and tried to meditate.

Whether it was her active efforts to try so hard, or the recent events that left her too uncentred, she did not know, but her goal eluded her this afternoon.

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

Kodama wrote:

"I know it is important and that it holds wisdom from those who have sought or become heroes in the past." He answers the first.

To the latter he blinks.

And bows.

"I hope you're pardon the confusion. But. What?"

"Confusion needs no pardoning. It is the mark of a mind still at work.

"This one speaks of the lantern behind you that you cannot see. It was set there by an Oracle, and you now trod the path it shows. You did not know, but this one now feels the reason its light led you here was so that you would learn of it."

She talks a few slow, deep breaths.

"Concentrate. See if you can see the lantern. Try to feel for its subtle light."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He nods at that, eyes half-closing as he tries exactly that.

Finally he lets his brow settle. To relax and let himself step out of his own way.

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"This one holds a mirror to the past. Where does your foot go when you move it?"

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

As Kodama entered meditation, Iko gave up on hers. A small sigh escaped her lips, but it was not of regret or disappointment, but understanding and acceptance.

She cracked her neck and stretched her legs before rising smoothly to her feet. Noticing the attending monk, she offered a smile and started to approach, before noticing the pair were still engaged.

She smiled, remembering similar style of instruction she received after joining the Togashi. Backing away, she found a spare broom and started to sweep out the temple of the small amount of mud and snow that was inevitably blown or tracked inside.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kioka wrote:

"This one holds a mirror to the past. Where does your foot go when you move it?"

At the question, he lifts his foot, moving it around while keeping his balance with the other.

He thinks on the koan. "Where I will it."

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"Where does your other foot stand?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"On the ground." He responds easily.

How did one see a light that was behind him.

Opening his eyes more fully, he looked for his shadow. It was possible he was too focused yet on the physical. But if he did not look, he did not rule it out...

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

Kioka smiles at him. "You will see it, in time. This one has been learning of the Oracles for most of her life. It is no surprise you don't feel it easily. But make no mistake, an Oracle has marked you, and that mark has led you here."

[Day One, Late Afternoon] Studying with the Seven Dragons

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