Mastering the Complexity (D1, LM)

[Jihen]

After arriving with the imperial entourage the special aide to the Abbot of the Four Temples had quickly seen to the preparations of his master's arrival at the local temple. Having adequately seen to those preparations and attending to his master as he was shown to his residence, Jihen found a spot outside his master's quarters to begin his preparations for the day.

In a soft but clear voice he began his repetitions of the writings of Shinsei and the former masters of the Four Temples.

"Mu-jou Jin-jin Mi-myou-hou hyaku sen man gou-nan sou-guu ga kon ken-mon toku-ju ji gan-ge nyo-rai shin-jitsu gi..."

He had been blessed by the heavens with a clear and powerful voice, which he kept in perfect control as he centered himself and waited for his master to emerge and provide instruction for the day.

[Chou-sin]

He does not have to wait long, nor abuse his voice with too much prayer, as Chou-sin emerges from the chambers assigned him--in clean robes, it might be noted, and of fine cut and cloth.

"Brother," he says, giving a shallow bow. "What do you make of our surroundings so far?"

[Jihen]

“It is as the scrolls describe. The vitality of the Ikoma is evident in their surroundings and their conduct. They are earnest and confident servants of the throne.”

He turned his head slightly towards the rest of the complex. “I look forward to spending some of my time in their libraries… and understanding their practicality a bit more.”

He then straightened back to his centered posture, “And you master?”

[Chou-sin]

"Quoting the Little Teacher would be apropos, of course," Chou-sin replies. "But he might remark that the student can only understand the words they are willing to hear."

Chou-sin shrugs slightly.

"The libraries are extensive, to be sure," he continues, "and there are things in them not duplicated elsewhere. But then, so much is true for other libraries, as well. And having many things does not mean having much, as is known."

Another slight shrug.

"I am concerned, of course, for how the strain of travel and the, shall we say, divergent accommodations will affect some. Not all flowers respond well to being transported, even when the soil is tended well, and whether that is the case in this pot..."

Yet another. The man must have exceptional traps.

"But it is as you say. They are as they are, and very much so. They could not be otherwise, and they should not be. But discerning what each of us is," and he lifts a finger, waggling it a little, "that is the work of lifetimes."

[Jihen]

Jihen replied with a quote from the teacher as he observed the humble temple around them.

“In the strangest places… seek yourself.”

He then took a quiet and deep breath.

“What would you have me do to see that the potting is sufficiently nourished?”

[Chou-sin]

"It would be well to see what cutting will be grafted onto it," Chou-sin replies. "Alas that it never did yield fruit of its own! But no amount of tending brings fruit to all branches, and all things pass away in time.

"Even with that, though, some cuttings have already shown they yield to the harvester, and among them, one already shows the flower that some see fade upon the main branch. And that cutting comes from close to us both, I believe."

Another of his shrugs.

"Whether that means it will grow well in a new setting is unclear. It may be that the combination ruins the soil or breaks the pot, whether on its own or because the gardener is inept who effects the graft."

Chou-sin puts a hand to his chin, thinking.

"It might be well to look at what gardeners tend each cutting. For while grafts can grow in unexpected ways, their gardeners always have intentions for them."

[Jihen]

“And unfortunately… there are very few who are aware of their ineptness before they mutilate the tree.” He replied with a thoughtful nod.

“I will be sure to check the state of all the various clans’ grounds.”

[Chou-sin]

"One benefit of our station, Brother," Chou-sin says.

"What do you know of the cuttings so far? And what do you make of them?"

[Jihen]

“I am well versed in your argumentation on the matter master. And I know you to be a well-reasoned and intelligent man.” He bowed slightly in deference.

“And I know you have asked me to come and observe for myself. And so that I shall do.”

He paused for a moment, “I am concerned for the imbalance I see in the world. The proper Way subverted by Desire. The future looks increasingly uncertain should the wrong branch be grafted to the tree. Those who would listen to the teachings of the Little Teacher and restore the tree back to its roots… Who reject wanton Desire and will support the ministry across the Empire… I wonder if one such branch as this exists.”

He then waited a moment to think, “I will hope that it does… and act as if only I can single-handedly make it come to pass.”

He smiled softly before finishing the jest, “I do everything single-handedly of course… so it is not a noticeable difference.”

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin returns the smile.

"You can but do as you can do, Brother," he says. "Yet it would not be wisdom, either, to turn away the help of those who would labor honestly to ensure the garden is weeded well, that the branch might have its best chance to grow.

"And," and he looks around, "it might be that other plants yet might be transplanted and take root in new places. Not lofty flowers, perhaps, but humbler things that yet pervade and make it possible for other things to grow and flourish."

He looks at Jihen.

"Such would need gardeners to tend them, too."

[Jihen]

“I will do my best to lay the best roots possible in all the most fertile places.”

He nodded and smiled softly, “Please root for me in my efforts.”

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin chuckles at the continued punning.

"I shall pray for your success, of course," he says. "And I think you will join me in praying for Her Majesty's continued health and good fortune?"

[Jihen]

“Of course.” He replied and bowed.

“I remain your aide and will be available for anything you may require while here.”

[Chou-sin]

"Do not confine yourself, Brother," Chou-sin says. "You are also you."

And then he falls into prayer.

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded in affirmation and sat quietly as his master turned towards contemplation.

The words of the Tao came to him as an echo of his master’s wisdom…

Every day of his life a man has only one judge, and that judge is himself

[Akodo Kenji]

Elsewhere in the library a young Lion bushi was getting nowhere with his investigations. He was not going to let that deter him though. There had to be something about Lord Gorobei in here somewhere, just not HERE where he was looking.

"Perhaps I've been thinking about this the wrong way? Well, can't give up now." So he soldiered on.

Roll
D1. LM. Consulting the Ikoma libraries. Looking into the history of Lord Gorobei. Lore: History. 1 called raise for extra question. Prodigy bonus. | 6k4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 25)

[Chou-sin]

Only a slight turning of the head changes Chou-sin's attitude of prayer. The incantations do not change.

[Jihen]

Having begun his prayers before his master, he finished them even as Chou-sin continued on in his meditation.

Jihen quietly bowed in deference (knowing well that his master would not see) and slipped out of the room towards the rest of the complex.

He decided to give the library a good looking over and walked to the entrance of the Temple of Tengen to head inside.