D8 LA, Reflecting Upon A Flower

[Jihen]

"Anger? I am sorry if it comes across as such... I am not angered Master." He replies.

"I am concerned with the events we have seen in these past eight days. My concern perhaps turn my mind to wondering how things got this way and how we can avoid a worse future... But it is not anger. It is concern for the future we will all have to experience as a product of the way we act today."

He continued, "I have spent my days and nights in search of a potential source or path forward... And unfortunately there is no clear answer that I have come to. You seem so convinced of your choices regarding Otomo-sama... but I see very little to be confident in that particular ally. While it is true that Destiny has no secrets, it would seem our current situation is a mystery to me. And I would like to rectify that as soon as I can, so I may act without hesitation."

[Chou-sin]

"The Lady Adviser stands high," Chou-sin says. "She and her House have been beacons to the Empire for many years--centuries, even. She is, as it were, closer to the source of things than the rest, worthy though each may be in their own right and for their own role. Yet she commands, and she is obeyed, and that would seem Imperial."

[Jihen]

"So, because she has the appearance of a ruler... she is best suited to rule? There were those among the clans who commanded the Emperors not long ago... They appeared more like a ruler than the children who sat the throne. Was it right for them to do so?" He asked as monks are wont to do. There was no aggression in the voice, just asking a question to elicit a response by posing an extreme case.

[Chou-sin]

"Their misdeeds were rebuked," Chou-sin replies. "And if hers are rebuked by as good an authority, then they will have been shown wrong. Yet it is often only after the fact that right and wrong can be known, unless, as with the wife of Usan, some more extreme challenge yet is made. But even that refers to those same authorities."

[Jihen]

“Are not all things known to the elements? Why is truth dependent on our post-facto interpretation? And can we not intuit from the messages the world provides us the best way forward?”

He asks each question with earnestness but in a calm manner.

“It may be that through each of their actions the winds are showing us just how in tune with those voices they are. It lets us see through the veneer of the outside form and see deeper into the future we face.”

He pauses, “I’m not sure we would wish for an Empire where honorable service and Duty is punished for personal gain…”

[Chou-sin]

"The Empire will be as it will be," Chou-sin replies, "whatever we may wish, or not. But if you wish for things to be better, how are they to be made so?"

[Jihen]

“If you will excuse me master, the Empire is us… with our wishes and everything.”

He pauses, “And my simple wishes are for greater harmony with the Way.”

He adds, “It is hard to live in harmony with the Way if people cannot hear or see it from their exemplars. One cannot understand that which has not been presented to them.”

Then finishes, “So what can we do? Or… what can I do? I can present the things that will help people know the truth of the Way and thus create a possible future where people choose to follow it. However, if we will not live up to that duty… we may find people looking for that guidance from others. And there are plenty of less deserving voices waiting to tell people how to behave.”

[Chou-sin]

"And is your own so worthy to be heeded?" Chou-sin asks, his voice gentle.

[Jihen]

“My voice is of little importance or impact… but the Four Temples’ voice? That should continue to be a voice of guidance to as many people as possible for as long as there are people left to guide.” He replies.

[Chou-sin]

"And it will," Chou-sin replies. "As long as the Temples stand."

[Jihen]

“Is there concern they won’t stand soon?” He asks.

[Chou-sin]

"All things end, Brother," Chou-sin says, "and the Heavens' time is their own."

[Jihen]

If we don't rush that timing along with our own short-sightedness...

"So it is Master." He said with a bow.

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin nods, then rises and dusts off.

"I will leave you to your meditations, Brother," he says. "Follow the Way."

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded and turned his mind back to the flower.

/scene