VOICE.

[veryhuman]

This rabbit saw a body flee. That means there is still life within them, right? Right? Yes... the life within that person still wishes to ...

[ Silence.

A softer, warmer voice -- but still sounds very much like the one that was just talking, only slightly muffled -- comes over instead. ]

I apologize. A person got a little excited and now he has gone to sleep. That is... for the best, I think.

Life is much better when we are smiling with one another, but the way that he smiles...

Anyway, why don't we talk about what makes us smile? Joy is best had when it is shared with others, isn't that how that saying goes?

Comments

[veryhuman]

Of course, of course, it would be easier.

It's much easier to talk about blood and screams and all that comes between... it's much harder to talk about what we truly love and what we truly feel safe in.

I'll answer that, however. This humble monk... he wishes to see a garden flourishing and beautiful. He wishes to see that more than anything. Something created rather than destroyed. Yes, that is what will make this one smile.

To seek only destruction... that other person... he finds great joy in it. Please be careful if you meet him.

[yakiniku]

Of course. The latter is associated with vulnerability and weakness. A man can be destroyed easily if his joys in life are taken from him or used against him.

There is a garden here. It is different than anything I have seen at home, but it is beautiful and a nice place to meditate. It does not bring me joy particularly, but perhaps you may find joy there for yourself.

I want to say there is a healthy middle ground there somewhere. I may bring that up if I do ever cross paths with him.

[veryhuman]

They can, indeed.

The joy that someone has in themselves... can easily destroy a person... can easily turn them into something they do not wish to be... can easily drive them away from the light into something else.

[ He chuckles. ]

A middle ground, hm? I believe there would need to be a third face if ever a middle ground is to be found. I do not think I can find it myself. This person that you speak to loves peace and creation. That other person loves destruction and blood. A middle ground between us does not exist.

Does it exist within you?

[yakiniku]

Too easily.

[Hanzo makes a humming sound like he's giving this serious thought before he makes his response.]

I am the middle ground. Though in practice I tend to lean more toward blood and destruction than peace and creation, though not by much. It has a lot to do with how I was raised.

[veryhuman]

How you were raised?

[yakiniku]

To be an assassin. To inherit an entire criminal organization.

[veryhuman]

To be a warlord.

[yakiniku]

That is certainly one way to look at it. I walked away from it, in the end.

[veryhuman]

A very wise decision.

[ He breathes out a small sigh. ]

There is a little lord I know. He has not ever seen ... the true banquet. For that I am grateful. For those who see it... those who witness it... it changes something inside. It breaks something inside. The wrongs of the present may become rights in the future... depending on how a person looks at it...

That is what the banquet can do. So, it is good that you stepped away from it, and knew that the feast was not worth staying for...

[yakiniku]

Yes, we had our differences.

[Hanzo won't go into further detail than that. Instead he listens closely, deciding that this man certainly has a unique way of speaking, and his view of the world is interesting to say the least.]

I stepped away but not until helping myself to the first course. My wrongs of the past are still very much there, but I will not be actively adding to them, at least. It is better than nothing, but certainly not enough to erase those wrongs.

[veryhuman]

[ Tenkai hears the "period" in the statement. He hears that he cannot ask anymore about what differences there were between father and son.

Familial ties. Those ties that are wrapped in blood and barbs. The kind of connections that hurt the most, because those wounds never really heal.

A family is a place one calls home, after all. It's a place that says, "You belong, and you have somewhere that wants you." To tear oneself away, to rip clean from one's family, the wound bleeds and bleeds.

He closes his eyes and nods to himself. Yes, he hears the "period" in the sentence and he cannot ask anything more. Because, he, too, set fire to his old home and left it. ]

The first meal is always the most difficult to get through. But ... congratulations on finishing. It is good that you will not add to the wrongs... it's good that you still feel the weight of them...

That middle ground that you are walking... it will make the weight of the past feel much, much heavier with each step you walk. It will certainly make the future see so much more distant than those that tread only in the light.

But ... it will be fulfilling when you get there... when you get to your new home. [ A new place where someone will accept him. No matter how many wrongs, no matter how wrong on the inside that they are. To be accepted... not necessarily forgiven... but acceptance ... it is worth the long, long journey. ]

[yakiniku]

[There's a hum as he considers the other's words very carefully. This analogy that they have going is strangely appropriate, and he can't help but feel like perhaps he's shared too much information. Still, there is relief that someone appears to understand his struggle.]

Thank you. I hope that some day I reach that place as well. I have appreciated this talk. I wish you the best. It is nice to be reminded that there is a goal and it is attainable. It makes the journey seem less... impossible.

[veryhuman]

You're welcome.

[ A warm smile coats his words. ]

I'm grateful that I was able to help you, even a little bit. Indeed, your goal is attainable. It is still possible. You're someone ... yes, you're someone that will have another waiting for you. I'm sure of it.

[yakiniku]

Perhaps we can speak again some time.

[A pause.]

You or the other one, if that one is interested.

[veryhuman]

I would like that very much.

[ Hmmmmmmmm!! ]

The other may be... but he's a troublesome person. I hope you don't mind trouble.

[yakiniku]

Either way, I hope this is not the last I hear from you.

[veryhuman]

That would be heartbreaking.

Can I send you messages, then? I heard that is possible. Sending messages to a specific person...

[yakiniku]

Of course. Feel free.

It is possible. Text, voice, or video messages. Unless you would prefer to meet in person.

[veryhuman]

[ Oh honey, you have a storm coming. ]

I would love that. Let's meet, let's meet.

[yakiniku]

[Oh no. What has he done?]

Pick the time and place, and I will meet you. You seem very interesting.

[veryhuman]

[ FRIENDSHIP IS WHAT HE'S DONE! ]

I do not know any place here yet. I can choose the time? I have all the free time in the world, but what about you? But I should not be so ... myself...no, I should not. So, why don't we meet in the garden that you mentioned. And why don't we meet now?

[yakiniku]

[UH OH. CTRL + Z ]

The garden is fine. Yourself is fine. I suppose now is fine too. Give me 10 minutes.

[veryhuman]

[ TOO LATE. ]

I will give you ten minutes. If you're late, I'll punish you. [ UfufufuahahaHAAHA! ]

Just kidding...

[yakiniku]

[This man is funny. Hanzo has not been punished since he was a child, and he doesn't suspect there are many capable of it around here. So it clearly must be a joke, right?]

I will see you shortly.

[veryhuman]

I look forward to it.

[ ooc: Action here, or log?? ]