Patterns (D11, ME)

[Jihen]

Jihen bowed again.

“I am available whenever the Lady Seppun would like to continue her practice.”

[Seppun Sadako]

"Let me try again now," Sadako replies, and she resumes her earlier attitude, counting beads.

[Jihen]

Jihen smiles gently at her earnestness and nods his head in acknowledgment.

He watches her quietly… pressing his finger to the ground as he did before. He breathes with her, but guiding to hold the breaths just a little longer.

His heart beat pressing the flames of life through him and into the ground beneath his legs… Beating perhaps just a little faster than normal… Something only he realizes as he watches Sadako press on in determined silence.

[Seppun Sadako]

At length, a flush creeps up into Sadako's cheeks, and her eyes open.

"I did not expect that," she says. "I felt something, but I'm not sure what."

[Jihen]

Jihen asks, “How would you describe what you felt?”

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako flushes a little more.

"The closest word I have for it is warmth spreading through me," she says. "But it wasn't warmth, exactly. That is, it moved through me like the warmth of a hot soup in the belly on a cold day, but it was not a sensation of heat."

[Jihen]

"Oh no... That's concerning..." He replies with a pensive tone that he lets hang in the air for a few seconds.

He then smiles to reveal his tease.

"I kid of course... That sounds correct. I'm sure in your studies you have come across discussion of what is often called the Void. It is the combination of all the elements and none. Warm and not warm. Wet and not wet. Loud but not loud. Touching that source is what allows us to see, hear, feel, sense... Be aware of all things that are part of it. It is what gives life to all reality... and heightens our sensory understanding of what life is."

[Seppun Sadako]

"Right," Sadako replies, nodding.

"So I should focus on and through that sensation, then?"

[Jihen]

"It depends on what we mean by focus." He replies.

"If one thinks too much of a thing... they stand outside of it. The action of overtly deliberate thought will lead to distinction between the thinker and the thing."

He continues, "So in essence we must think of how to not-think... We do not completely disengage our minds to think of not thinking. But how does one think of not-thinking? It is simply opening within your mind the Way-gate of repose and bliss. It is the awareness of presence of things as they are without affirming nor negating, without accepting nor rejecting, without believing nor disbelieving."

He finishes, "It is an easing of distinction and a centering on nothing... the true center of all things."

[Seppun Sadako]

"So very much something to practice diligently," Sadako says, nodding.

"Thank you, Jihen-san," she adds. "I will remember your kindness."

[Jihen]

"I have done nothing but return the kindness that has been shown to me... And what I do is only a small fraction of what I have been granted." He replies with a bow.

[Seppun Sadako]

"Jihen-san," Sadako says, "what are your plans for after Court is done?"

[Jihen]

"It is something I am thinking on currently." He replied.

"I have my duties at the Four Temples of course... but members of our sect are often placed out into the world to help with any number of things. I have spent most of my life within the confines of the Four Temples; studying, teaching, meditating, and administrating... This Winter Court has shown me the world beyond the Temples that in greater detail. And I find the details of the world to be rather beautiful... even if fraught with difficulty and trial."

He then asks in return, "What are the Lady's plans following Winter Court?"

[Seppun Sadako]

"Return to the Capital," Sadako says. "Oversee the funeral rites. And the other funeral rites. Preside over a gempukku. Maintain the security of the Heirs until the Will of Heaven is made manifest, then protect the Emperor or Empress and their family, as have them.

"I suppose I will need to see about delineating my own succession, as well."

She takes and holds a deep breath, releasing it slowly. Then she grins just a little.

"So, not much at all."

[Jihen]

He smiles, "When we begin thinking of the things we need to do... It's hard to stop thinking of more and more things to do. Particularly so for one with a keen intellect like the Lady Seppun."

He then expounds, "I was speaking just this afternoon with my master of the nature of intellect and how it can sometimes enliven our minds... or left unwatched can burn us out at our core."

He smiles, "This is why is is good to share these things with others. The funeral rites have been set out by generations before... you can share some of that burden with them and those who will assist in their enactment now. The gempukku you will share with the child and their family. The Hidden Guard stand ready to help you protect the imperial family as they always have..."

He pauses for a moment, "And for succession... you are still young and... exceptionally beautiful. There will be any number of quality suitors who will help you as you rear children who will one day grow to fill your place."

He picks up the bead from his childhood from off of the ground in front of them.

"Taken all together it may seem overwhelming... But taken one task at a time... with people at your side to help you..."

He pauses, "It is like the Little Teacher says: Two men can brave what one man cannot."

[Seppun Sadako]

"It would be a comfort to have more trusted people at my side," Sadako says. "And it would be an honor to have you among them. As a trusted advisor, of course."

[Jihen]

Jihen's eyes widen slightly. He was pleasantly surprised by the invitation... even if the internal source of the pleasantness of the surprise was a point of some minor internal quandary for the young man.

"I... I of c-course would be honored by such an invitation." He replied followed by a deep bow.

"I would be more than honored to assist the Lady Seppun for as long as she would have need of my support."

[Seppun Sadako]

"I'll speak with Chou-sin," Sadako says, returning the bow. "Until the end of Court, you remain his, insofar as you already are his. But after, I think you will come to the Capital with me.

"But it is not so far from the Temples, after all."

[Jihen]

"In this world all of us our bound to others in one way or another..." He replied will allusions towards Shinsei's teachings to Hantei.

"And while I will always remain an agent unto the dictates of my own conscious... It would be my most sincere honor to be bound to your service for whatever length you require."

What would it mean to be... hers...

He then smiled, "I hope you won't tire of my jokes and opinions too fast... I look forward to life in the capital and all the people to serve."

[Seppun Sadako]

"You'll find no small amount of fodder for your wit, Jihen-san," Sadako replies. "The parade of seeming jesters is a long one."

She rises.