Jihen walked the outer circle of smaller shrines in the afternoon methodically.

It was no surprise that Benten and Emma-O wouldn't have noticeable structures dedicated to them alone in an Ikoma province, but it forced Jihen to have to center himself on their image within his mind without other visual prompting.

As he knelt in front of each marker for the two deities he worked his mind through the mandalas he had spent so much time memorizing in his meditations at the temples. He thought of their connection to the elements... to the deeper truths of the universe hidden beneath the exterior trace encapsulated in the human understanding of these deities. To seek beyond the shallow understanding of the fortunists... and more deeply comprehend the truths that these entities protect and embody.

He spent the afternoon thinking on what phrases would encapsulate these truths... What would honor them in a way acceptable to a being beyond their understanding... And with those thoughts... he began creating lists.

----

D2 Making Sacred Calligraphy, Meditation 4 Raises, VP | 10k6 ⇒ 55 (TN: 35)

Restore 2 VP

Kiuchi was praying to Benten today. He was lost. Was he just flailing around in prayer praying to a different Fortune every day? He needed a solution. But he had no idea how to get it. So, he prayed.

Monks seem to have a sense when someone isn’t all that familiar with what they are supposed to be doing at a temple… It’s one of the things they see the most in their day to day.

Jihen decided to shift gears a second from his internal meditations and lend a hand to someone in the real world.

He drew close to the man, not seeking to distract from his prayer, but ready to answer a question should it arise.

Kiuchi finishes his prayers when he sees the monk. He nods* and says, "I'm sorry. I hope didn't disturb you."

“Of course not. I tend to be rather difficult to disturb.” He said with a soft smile.

“I am called Jihen. I could not help but notice that you looked a little lost… But then I saw you start praying and figured you must have found your way.”

"Ah. It's more that I don't what I'm even praying for." Kiuchi hoped that made sense.

“Are you aware of who you are attempting to pray to?” He asked warmly.

"I've been praying to the Fortunes, but I don't know who among them have answers I seek."

"What are the questions?" He asked.

Kiuchi thinks long and hard. "I wish to help a friend. But I don't know how to help a friend who does not whether or not they need help and if they do realize it, they'd reject it. How do you stop someone's pain that never stops?"

“The unfortunate reality for mankind is that pain never stops… The kinds of things that help reduce that suffering take time, however.”

He replies gently, “What kind of pain is your friend having to endure?”

"Pain of their existence." Kiuchi looks towards the shrine. "It fits nicely into a play. Bayushi says to my ancestor, 'But you do not love me.' But we live with it. They say my Curse has been fulfilled. But at the same time, I always fear to love someone else. My sister died for my Curse. What if they're wrong? And she's not the one I loved most? But at the same time, I can't stop myself from caring for others."

Kiuchi was not the friend he was talking about. But he would use himself as an example. He dared not name the one he sought to help. It's not like he was lying though. He had those that's. He just did what most Yogo did. Desperately try to ignore them.

'La la la. I can't hear you,' was an effective, if not particularly healthy, tradition to deal with generational trauma.

“That is a burden to bear… I could see how that would affect one’s willingness to open themselves to others.” He replied with a warm tone to his voice.

“Shinsei has said, ‘You cannot live while hiding from life.’ Sometimes it feels better to try and avoid the worst outcomes… But in many cases I find it more helpful to do what good you can. Helping combat the pain of others is often the best way to find healing for yourself.”

Kiuchi isn't sure how to take that advice. "I think I understand what you're saying, I just don't know the practicality. To try to avoid the Curse will always make the betrayal worse." Kiuchi considers the second part. "I think I understand. But it is one of those pieces that are much easier in theory than actually doing." Kiuchi considers. He suspects that his friend would find such advice unconvincing.

He nods, “It is the way with most things. The words are simple, but applying them are complex. The important matter is to not let ourselves be preoccupied with our fears. To think we are something is to become that thing. To fear betrayal is to become it one day.” He replies.

He adds, “Moreso than a Fortune… I might suggest your friend read the Tao and ponder on its applications…”

Jihen wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2025 10:58 pm

He nods, “It is the way with most things. The words are simple, but applying them are complex. The important matter is to not let ourselves be preoccupied with our fears. To think we are something is to become that thing. To fear betrayal is to become it one day.” He replies.

He adds, “Moreso than a Fortune… I might suggest your friend read the Tao and ponder on its applications…”

"I see." Well, he would read the Tao. He wasn't sure how he would approach his friend about reading the Tao. "Thank you Jihen-san. You have given me much to think about." A look of horror appears in the Yogo's eye. He nods/bows as appriopate to Jihen's station in apology. "I do not think I have introduced myself. I am Yogo Kiuchi."

Jihen bows deeper than the samurai, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Jihen. I assume you are here for the Winter Court?"

"Hai. I am here to serve the Scorpion Clan. Are you here to represent the Brotherhood or is this your temple?"

“I am here with the Abbot of the Four Temples, Master Chou-sin. I serve as his aide and pupil.” He replies.

“Is this your first Imperial Winter Court?”

Kiuchi chuckled. "Is it that obvious? Hai. This is my first time at the Empress's Court. Though last year, I was at my daimyo's court." Oh. Kami. The drama.

"Is this yours?"