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Post by sekar on Nov 21, 2008 16:06:34 GMT -5
The breezy afternoon was warm and inviting in Yin Rei. Sekar was in the small down from the Capital to help out young man’s clinic. He had been friends with Tomo in Hokage and moved to Yin Rei a while ago to apprentice at clinic with a very interesting healer. Sekar was enjoying traveling and was happy to be out of the busy city. However he had plans to return to Hokage to resume his medicine there. But there as idea of pursing Jericho, that fell through.
Now working again and keeping busy. Sekar still felt the pains of loneliness, Jericho was kind and smart young women but she was too high society for him. Most other young ladies had no interest with an old bird like Dr. Praaghi that was for sure. Still Sekar couldn’t help but smile at sweet girl in the market places. He hoped some day he could at least find, a companion, instead of a lover. Trying again in love was hard work.
Finishing up with one of the young man’s patients he sat in a garden over looking a wonderful hillside with a cup of tea. Maybe this afternoon he would go for a walk.
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Post by zhen on Nov 21, 2008 17:08:34 GMT -5
Age gave Zhen much entitlement. Respect and honor came with the whole package, but the fact that she could cancel her firebending classes anytime she wished was reason enough to enjoy her twilight years as much as she did. She was still at peak fitness, maybe even more so than some half her age, but it sometimes came to her as a hassle to teach others. They didn't share her same mindset, and any mention of the actual meaning of firebending would raise a few red flags across the collective minds of the entire class.
No, to them, fire was to represent something akin to the ardorous march so lead by Fire Lord Ozai, much like that of Azulon and Sozin, the latter of which served as the nation's sovereign ruler at the time of her birth. The nation proper may have lived in great peace during that time onward, but they never knew the truth. There were many other reasons why making mention of fire representing life wouldn't bode well with her pupils. It was like a heartbeat of creation to the enlightened, but to those who thought differently, an oppressive flame that ate up anything else.
An afternoon spent much like the rest of her relaxed day would doubtless be enjoyable to one who was thankful the gods allowed her to enjoy such a long and fulfilling life, as was most any day she spent as a living, breathing human being. The garden she walked through was admired as well. Merely the smells and colors around her were enough to make her smile, as was the warm sun bearing gently over her pale skin and white hair. Zhen knew it would be foolish of her to simply walk by without enjoying things further. She was in no hurry, much like the rest of the world thought themselves to be.
The bench in the middle of the hillside garden, where a man was also sitting, would be a fine place to seat herself and contemplate all things around her - and a good conversation could be enjoyed as well. Her walk was slow and relaxed before she reached the seat, where she lifted her petite body and sat right beside the man. She hadn't time to take note of his identity before she greeted him serenely, in the voice of a calm and loving grandmother. "Good day to you, fair sir."
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Post by sekar on Nov 22, 2008 21:54:39 GMT -5
Sekar regarded the old woman with a lift of his eyebrow. “And a good day to you too.” Sekar said quietly watching clouds with a bored exhale. It would be nice to go for a swim too, Sekar though absently. He missed swimming he use to do it in his youth. Now with work constantly on his back. Swimming and other leisurely activities have gone absent.
He took the time to turn his head to look at the kind woman. He did recognize her for some reason. But were did he seen her? Sekar bit his lip and try to think where on earth have he seen her? In Hokage? No. In the Earth Kingdom? Naaah. She had a familiar face and he swore he seen her somewhere in the Fire Nation, but where? Then it hit him.
“You’re that woman with her great-grandson in Lun Yang. That lady who broke my window!”
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Post by zhen on Nov 24, 2008 2:23:34 GMT -5
She recognized the man immediately once she gazed upon him and heard his voice, tracing his weathered (yet somehow respectable) appereance and cranky demeanor back to the day in Lun Yang during the Kite Festival, where she visited her grandchildren and their child, Taotu. She was unsurprised when he brought up the account, considering his personality probably wouldn't have granted much leeway for a 'forgive and forget' attitude, but she was rather confounded at how she happened to run into him that day. Still, trying to set an example that hoped to influence the man's mood, Zhen smiled. "Yes, you're not mistaken."
Zhen wasn't going to take this lightly, though. He had every reason to feel upset that his personal property was destroyed, but she too had a valid excuse. She had no qualms about explaining her circumstances at the time, how she was playing with her great-grandson and accidentally threw his ball too far, but sensed this was a prime opportunity to let her age give way to entitlement. It wasn't a resource she got to tap into that often, truth be told. She commanded respect by her mere presence most of the time, not her age. "I am deeply sorry for my accident. I assure you, I did not mean to destroy your personal property."
Turning her face ahead, she looked at the flowers and sky again before taking a deep breath. If the man wanted an argument, he wouldn't get it, despite how well Zhen could defend herself verbally - and she would make sure physical violence wasn't involved even if she had to call the authorities. Like an arrow shot in the dark, she proceeded to assume the man's title simply by where she remembered seeing him. "Pardon me, Good Doctor, but I haven't introduced myself. I am Sifu Zhen of Yin Rei, grandmaster of firebending. You haven't told me your name yet."
With a smile, she hoped to banish all the hostility he felt with her own kindness. Behind her kind eyes lay a distinctive caution, though.
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Post by sekar on Nov 25, 2008 12:10:52 GMT -5
Sighing the woman seemed not to be offended by Sekar’s shouting. Good to know, especially since he realized he was being a little too loud. Being that woman, Sekar took a deep breath and leaned back. What are the odds? However he was no long upset at the old woman. It was passed and the window as repaired.
"I am deeply sorry for my accident. I assure you, I did not mean to destroy your personal property."
“It’s repaired now, fortunately so the incident has passed no use dwelling on it.” Sekar said his voice gave away that he was tired. “I am sorry for being so harsh prior I was over worked that day.” Sekar admitted though he mumbled under his breath. “Like I am everyday.” He felt so much older than the woman next to him, but then again she wasn’t working for three straight nights.
Sekar shook her hand and introduced himself. “Doctor Sekar Praaghi of Lun Yang.” As she mentioned that she was a grandmaster of firebending, Sekar had to smirk to himself. Well that’s where she got her surprising vitality. “I am firebender myself, however it’s been years since I had a good lesson.”
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Post by zhen on Nov 26, 2008 14:42:13 GMT -5
It was fortunate the doctor chose to be friendly enough to introduce himself, saying his name and shaking her hand, as well as mentioning the fact that he was a firebender. She understood the thought fully, herself knowing of many firebenders who had gone decades without lessons. It was hardly the case with Zhen, whose skilled were honed and sharpened to tip-top condition, and stayed so for a good long time. She was a force to be reckoned with if violence was ever a resort. The day would not bring her in that direction, fortuitously.
"Ah, you don't say? Well," she moved a bit in her seat, shifting her position to face more toward Sekar while smoothing out a few folds in her mulberry-tinted ao dai. "I had spent years at Fangguo Temple in the farthest west Hengkai Mountains. I'd say that qualifies me to give a 'good lesson', don't you think?"
Leaning back again on the bench, her petite body was once again shifted to face forward. "After a year of intensive meditation, I felt a true inner calm like never before. I was one with creation."
Smiling, she turned her face to Sekar again. There were many more things she could say, mainly about the top-secret life she led aside from being a firebending master, but she would keep it at that - a great secret to be guarded with her life. She did realize how often she threw around the highlights of her life story, though, and felt the need to explain a few things. "Pardon me, I don't mean to bore you with personal details. You didn't even ask," she ended with a soft chuckle, fading into a fond sigh. Again, her tawny eyes looked to the sky above.
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Post by sekar on Nov 26, 2008 15:22:10 GMT -5
So she was well trained, that was obvious. Sekar noted, he smiled and replied. "Well of course, I don't have great credientals myself, I was mostly trained by my-" Sekar stopped and wondered if would be ok to admit to her that he was adopted, seening no harm he continued.
"By my foster father, Toya Praaghi of Hokage, and Fire Sage Lao Ming, though Lao Ming only stayed with me until I was ten and then my father taught me excusivly. He didn't want me to go any of the local schools for firebending."
Sekar had reason to suspect it was because Toya didn't want his ward to be brain washed into the propaganda which was just as strong 20-22 years as it is now. More so after Sekar was eleven or twelve he was exclusivly homeschooled, mostly to prevent Sekar from being recruited into the armies once he became of age. And thus all the years of medicinal training, wasted in battle. Toya reasoning was to keep Sekar from making medical decision based purely on cultural bias.
However it still effected Sekar, you can't escape the Fire Lord's propaganda.
She continued about the intense meditation and focuse, giving her the power she has now. Creation. That is powerful word for Sekar. He understood it, and respected it. Creation was something Sekar strived to maintain.
"I realized that to understand firebending you need to understand it's purpose and nature. Is fire purely distructive? or is it recreative? When the fire devours the forest does not the seeds that survive, benifit from the ash? Does not the forest become reborn through the ash?" Sekar rambled on, waxing sophisms. Sighing the doctor said, "I would like to return to my studies some day and master firebending fully."
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Post by zhen on Nov 27, 2008 2:54:07 GMT -5
Oh pooh. Zhen found herself in a bind when Sekar started to mention the true philosophy of firebending, wanting desperately to tell him what he was saying held much truth amidst the propagandistic lies of his and her people. The keepers of the flame, the Sun Warriors themselves, would have smiled on what he said. Zhen certainly did. It showed he was thinking more than the average citizen, or at least considering more aspects of firebending than just simply shooting flame from his fingertips.
She almost felt like biting her tongue on what she said next. Surely the spirits would forgive her for telling a lie to preserve the truth, which was really the only thought about the matter that soothed her soul enough to keep forgiving and respecting herself. The Order must be kept a secret at all costs, lest she lose the one thread that kept her hands free from all the blood shed by her home nation's warlike march. Sighing, her words seemed so empty and hopeless. "Yes, but the truth of fire is zeal. To consume, destroy, and purify all that is unclean. Praise be to Ozai...!"
A fool could tell the reasons why she was cursing at herself mentally, but she had to blend it. It was especially difficult, when one such as she lived in a heavily enculturated land such as hers, to keep her mind from falling victim to corrupting influences. Luckily, she was able to sneak under the radar like the other members of her fold. Getting back on track, she smiled warmly and sincerely when he mentioned his own firebending advancement. "But tell me, what is preventing you now? Reaching fulfillment should never be last on your list. You only live this life once."
Ever the caring grandmother, she was...
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Post by sekar on Dec 3, 2008 19:22:16 GMT -5
The woman seemed far beyond the reaches of the purists and over reaching zelots he met in his hometown and the capital but Zhen's words suprised and challenged his orginal thinking. "Yes, but the truth of fire is zeal. To consume, destroy, and purify all that is unclean. Praise be to Ozai...!"
Sekar blinked and even turned his head to her. Surprised by her statement. So much for thinking she was beyond the jagged claws of propaganda.
Sighing he just nodded and looked away. If she was really one of those he decided to avoid conversation about firebending philiosphy. The last thing he needed a was grandmaster, wondering if he was Nation-traitor.
"But tell me, what is preventing you now? Reaching fulfillment should never be last on your list. You only live this life once."
"Circumstances in life prevented me from achieving anything beyond my skill as a physican. I am healer before firebender. That is simply my nature as a man. But I do feel a sense of loss that I haven't at least try the next step. However, my job makes training still difficult. I practice what I remember but I never got a chance to go beyond basic ."
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Post by zhen on Dec 4, 2008 17:23:05 GMT -5
Zhen could respect the man for taking his important works so seriously, but she had to feel for the man who missed out on acheiving such a satisfaction, something to rouse his confidence and heighten his humility. It was a shame that she, although from humble beginnings, had the blessed fortune to train her whole life as a firebender, whereas this man had fallen to a similarly fulfilling lifestyle, but one that surely demanded a great lot of his time, endurance, and patience. It became no wonder to the aged master why the doctor was so cranky on the day of the kite fesitval. He was simply facing more stress than Zhen had experienced in decades. The poor, poor man - though he was probably thinking much of the same about her, as her halfhearted ruse likely made him assume she was among the indoctrinated masses and shared no opinion like his enlightened statements before.
"Where there is desire, all things are possible." Zhen had said the same thing in too many variations too many times before (and that was just what she remembered!), but as with every other time before, she meant it with her whole heart. She knew with clarity just what she was talking about, and knew almost for certain an educated man such as the good doctor would figure things out. Although, soon the motherly figure within her would not let her keep from explaining. Eyes to Sekar again, Zhen folded her hands on her lap calmly. "Surely a man with your position could reach his goal if it was his true wish."
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Post by sekar on Dec 8, 2008 14:26:27 GMT -5
Hearing her proclamation, Sekar sighed and scratched his head. The old ‘If there is a Will there is a Way’ line was older than his grandfathers, and he knew that was a half truth. Though he desired to master, opportunities for him to do so were limited. Most masters prefer to teach younger students then ones pass their prime, and of course Sekar’s schedule made it difficult for any lessons to be recorded at set dates. Sekar of course was rationalizing and making excuses but Sekar biggest concern wasn’t time, but who would teach him.
"Surely a man with your position could reach his goal if it was his true wish." True, Sekar had a lot of money and very good reputation, but finding a teacher that would match his ethics and philosophy was going to be like finding a silk thread in a large barn. Most sages and learned masters are zealots and are more concern about reaching full power than achieving harmony and peace. They want to train warriors not to train men looking for enlightenment. So with that, Sekar asked to Zhen. “But Sifu, who would train me? I have no desire to burn down and destroy anything, I am a pacifist by nature, I prefer to heal than harm. My philosophy in life goes against the mainstream principles. No Man would want to teach me.”
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Post by zhen on Dec 10, 2008 14:30:03 GMT -5
Zhen. although convincing in her claims to be a total loyalist, realized she had to stop being so overt lest her ploy become obvious and Sekar start to suspect things. Not even an average citizen, astronomically proud of their nation and people, would say half the things Zhen was willing to say to preserve the truth. Aside from that, if Sekar had been born and raised in the Fire Nation or its colonies, he would have absolutely no reason to suspect anything from the elderly woman. For now, she foresaw just how much she was in the clear. Since the man wasn't about to point fingers, it was like she'd be walking leisurely across an open field without any obstacles.
The last thing the doctor said though, brought a smile to Zhen's face. It was like he was setting her up for a classic joke without realizing it, but her reaction would play right into it without fail. Thus, smiling and placing a hand delicately on her chest below the white jade pendant she always wore, Zhen spoke. "I am no man."
With a faint chuckle, she looked to Sekar again. It did make her wonder if he'd already forgotten the words she first said. Then again, he could have easily assumed she was too busy to help him, much as he claimed to be too busy to train. However, her presence right there on the bench beside him proved she at least didn't teach people twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Again, Zhen thanked all the entitlement she earned with age.
"You strange man. Have you forgotten already? I am a grandmaster. I am sure I can suit your 'nontraditional' ways perfectly well." Too perfect. She could give way to traditional firebending phiosophies, Sun Warrior style, without being too obvious.
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Post by sekar on Dec 10, 2008 18:00:45 GMT -5
Sitting among the serene landscape among the quiet breezes and birdsong, Sekar was sitting pondering about how he will continue his training. Then of course the obvious jumped out at him.
Zhen. She touching the jade pendant around her neck reminded the doctor who she was. Of course, she was grandmaster. She would teach him. Which made perfect sense, and she seemed to be more that willing to teach the healer and his more to his own methods which seemed postivly perfect. Sekar had crack a grin, she seemed like the right choice for a good teacher now the hard part. How in hell is going to make time for all of this. Sekar puzzled over this as the grin faded and pensive frown came over next. He could take a vacation, Agni knows how bad he needs it and Yin Rei was beautiful city.
"I think I can take time off to train, Sifu, I am sure my attendants could take over for a while....unless you can return back to Lun Yang where I can study by my clinic?"
Yes this will work out nicely
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Post by zhen on Dec 12, 2008 13:38:32 GMT -5
"That will be lovely," Zhen said, smiling calmly and pleasantly back at the doctor. If he was willing, she would teach him everything within his power and if time permitted, he would be her student. There was only so much one woman could do when time was a factor, and if he were as renowned a doctor as he claimed, he would be too busy to take off a good amount of time to train. Whatever she could squeeze in that window of opportunity, though, she would try her best. Sekar would be in for a lot.
"Please," Zhen hopped off the bench, turning to the man as she dropped to her feet, dipping from her erect posture to a bow of respect. He was no doubt sincere, so she would set up everything that was needed. "Meet me in one hour's time at my dojo." It occurred to the aged master how she had no means to write down the address, but it was also a good test of the man's actual desire to train. If he really wanted, he could find her dojo. It wasn't that hard in this city, where many people knew who she and her dojo were. It was all too clear just where those lightning bolts shot into the air most every day came from. It was a common feature to those in Yin Rei. "There will be no trouble finding my dojo, I trust. Please, Good Doctor, feel free to ask around. It will be hard to miss."
At that, Zhen was off, walking leisurely toward her place of training. Everything had to be prepared.
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Post by sekar on Dec 12, 2008 14:45:58 GMT -5
So that was the plan. Sekar had to find Zhen's dojo, that was going to be an interesting challenge. Getting up himself he returned to the clinic to talk to his attendants.
This surprised Tomo the most who thought Sekar gave up on mastering Fire Bending. Everyone else seemed pleased that Sekar was going to try Fire Bending again and mastering. "We can stay around here as much we can Master...good luck." Sekar waved good bye as he looked at the sun-dial outside he had fourty-five minutes until he reached the dojo. Deciding it was time to play "Get lost in a strange city" Sekar got a satchel with some food and waterskin since it was hot out and headed out to find the dojo.
Twenty mintues late her was stuck in the city wondering if the got the directions wrong. He asked around of course but Sekar had the worse directional memory. Finally after asking some else again, Sekar found it. He crossed the threshold and called out. "Sifu Zhen?"
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