Chou-king on your Ambitions (D11, MA)

[Jihen]

“And what of curiosity? I must admit there are times I wonder what somethings would be like were life were different.” He asked.

[Chou-sin]

"Some curiosity is good, of course," Chou-sin replies. "It drives us to learn more. But some curiosities cannot be sated, and it is a challenge to release them after they have been long indulged. I have seen many fall into it, sat with them as they rehearsed their regrets at it. Sad, really."

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded.

“Fire does not just enlighten… sometimes the fire of intellect burns if not tended closely.”

A lesson Jihen often needed to remind himself of as his mind would wander.

[Chou-sin]

"So it is with many tools," Chou-sin replies. "The saw cuts those who use it unwarily, even if its use with proper oversight is a good."

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded in acknowledgement of his Master's wisdom.

"Any 'carpentry' projects on the immediate horizon that I should be aware of?" He asks.

[Chou-sin]

"If there are," Chou-sin responds, "I am not aware of them. But that may be for the best. After all," and he smiles wryly, "nobody wants a clumsy man swinging a hammer."

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded and smiled softly, "Yes... I think it is good if you put your hammer aside for a season."

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin chuckles.

"How can a monk retire?" he asks. Then he grins. "Perhaps I shall rest so that I can, in fact, tire again."

[Jihen]

"I believe the way we retire is to expire... And I believe that day to still be very afar off for you Master." He said with a soft smile.

[Chou-sin]

Another chuckle.

"It may be," Chou-sin says. "But then, I am not so young as I might look. I can tell the weather in my knees, for one thing."

[Jihen]

"You'll have to talk with the monk Bokushi who was here a few days ago... Get his secrets on how to stay so wry as the years mount up." He replied with a smile.

[Chou-sin]

"He has been elusive," Chou-sin replies. "Almost annoyingly so."

[Jihen]

"I had heard vaguely of this man before... Do you know him well?" He asked.

[Chou-sin]

"I do not," Chou-sin replies. "Partly because he is from Seven Thunders, and partly because he is a retiree rather than a lifelong devotee."

He shrugs.

"But he seems to have the favor of the Miharu, at least, and that is not nothing."

[Jihen]

"I see..."

Something to keep in mind...

His gaze turns back to the mural on the wall.

"Well... I suppose there is not too much purpose in sitting here and waiting for the images to move on their own."

[Chou-sin]

"I'd have to think there's something wrong if they did," Chou-sin replies. "Although with whom or what would be an open question."

[Jihen]

Jihen smiles and nods his head.

“Thank you for the conversation master. I hope you know I am truly appreciative of your tutelage.”

He bows deeply in respect.

[Chou-sin]

"And I am grateful for having such a student as you," Chou-sin replies, bowing and rising.

"Walk the Way."

[Jihen]

“Walk the Way.” He replied in kind.

He then bowed and allowed his master the privilege to depart first.

[Chou-sin]

Which he does!