Dinner is delicious as always. Charok ca ho early to cook, but the dishes Alsantset makes are just as good, in my opinion. Baatar sits on one side of , Alsantset on the other, with their respective spouses sitting next to them, each holding one of the twins. That Sarnai had ti to co for dinner was a surprise. She rarely visits, being busy with running the village single-handedly. She's like the mayor, lawyer, clerk, city planner, and judge all rolled into one, the villagers going to her for anything they can't agree on, and she browbeats everyone into submission. She's a real firebrand.
It's so sweet seeing her with Baatar though, she acts so girlish, shy, and reserved, around him. They're a cute pair, although I get a little sad thinking about it. Demi-humans have a much longer lifespan than humans, between 400-500 years. Ancestral Beasts and their pureblood children can live even longer. Humans have a natural lifespan of up to 80 it seems, but that is extended to about 120 for people who are able to reach the State of Balance. Sarnai was in the latter group, but also already in her 70's. Better to have loved and lost, and all that, I guess?
Sarnai looks like she's in her mid 40's. Crazy for a 70 lady. I guess the Energy of the Heavens does a body good. Is that why everyone in the village is so good-looking? Am I going to be sexy? I want to reach the State of Balance even more now.
The seven of us eat in silence, other than the happy sounds of the twins, crunching away at their fried noodles. Charok and Sarnai had tried to keep so conversation going, but Baatar and Alsantset were in no mood for it, gloomy and taciturn.
I have to admit, it's my fault things are like this. It seems that, while she was happy for when I told her I found Enlightennt, Alsantset takes it as a personal failure that she couldn't help , and her father had such progress in a single day. Her pride is hurt.
Baatar, on the other hand, is deep in thought. After he helped find Enlightennt, we had lunch with Taduk and i Lin, after a quick healing session. Taduk had made a fuss over my bruises, but after I assured him several tis I was fine, and that the bruises were worth it, he relented. He was happy for though, and i Lin gave a hug to congratulate . Afterwards, They both followed and Baatar out to help reach the State of Balance.
It did not go so well. Taduk and i Lin ca along for moral support, they claid. That ant that I had an audience of three, watching try to relax and ditate. It was less than helpful. They didn't have any exercises or tips for , besides just close your eyes, and beco one with nature. They tried to show by example, but that was just aggravating. Baatar just sits down cross legged, and closes his eyes like everyone else in the morning classes. Taduk and i Lin don't even sit up when ditating. They look like they are literally sleeping. I have a suspicion that i Lin actually fell asleep during her demonstration.
With that failure hanging over him, Baatar is currently racking his brain for so thod to help . It makes for an awkward dinner, with only Charok and Sarnai actually ntally present, but they were busy feeding the twins. I eat quietly, thinking about my failure to ditate. Well, at least I reached the State of Enlightennt.
I have been trying to attain Enlightennt for a year. Just a few words from Baatar, and I got it. I was trying too hard, thinking too much. The worst part is, Alsantset had been telling the sa thing more or less, for months. It just never clicked. I thought she ant I was overworking my body. What she ant was I was overworking my brain.
Such a simple thing. Previously, I would have to deliberately plot out my actions, a few steps in advance. For example, if I wanted to grab soones moving arm, my thought process was like this: Full extension of the right arm, ending in a twist of the wrist, throw out my fingers, stopping their movent. Then, I can flip my wrist, and grab. Then I would execute it. Now, I do the sa thing, but on the fly, without the planning. It just happens. I think of what I want to do, and my body takes care of the steps. Before, I was too engrossed in the movents, focused on the doing, that I didn't have ti to really comprehend what I was doing. Couldn't see the forest for the trees.
Now, sotis, while doing the movents, I can get a flash of inspiration, and suddenly, I realize how the arm wave I've been doing can be used to cripple an opponent. An 'Insight into the forms'. It was like a forgotten mory, returning to . An 'I know kung-fu' type deal. No mories of who I used to be though. An 'Insight' into the forms is aweso, but that doesn't really teach you how to fight. Just how to do massive bodily harm to soone. It requires analytical thought and practice to go from Demonstrating the Forms, to using them in real combat. Or so I'm told.
Everyone in the village learns to fight just from these structured movents. It's incredible. I had wondered why there hadn't been any guided teaching, but sharing insights is difficult. Just showing them off doesn't always work, and explanations tend to confuse more than help. Baatar trying to explain so of his movents felt like he was trying to explain nuclear physics to a cat. Not everyone has the sa insights either. Two people can do the sa form, and co to different ass whooping conclusions. It makes for an eclectic and varied bunch of fighting styles.
Baatar let spar with him a little, and he just told to just try to hit him, no defense. After a bit of practice, I was throwing combinations at him, left and right. Even after we stopped, I just kept thinking up different avenues of attack. I can't wait to try them out. I'm going to be a martial arts master.
Ah, enough is enough. Sarnai speaks out, shocking out of my thoughts. Alsantset and Baatar are the sa. It's rare enough for us to have a family al. You three mule headed fools aren't even here.
The three of us mutter apologies. Even Baatar looks sheepish.
Daughter, you are an excellent teacher. The boy just needed soone to drill the lesson into his stone head. He's just like you, in that regard. As for you, Husband, the matter of the failure to teach the boy to seek Balance is because of your dog shit instincts. Man, Sarnai does not pull punches.
Mother! Language! Alsantset glares at her, and Sarnai glares right back.
Pei! I was worse when you were a child, and you turned out fine.
Dog shit! Dog shit! Dog shit! The twins take up a chant. I burst out laughing. I can't help it. Little kids swearing is my kryptonite.
Sarnai and Alsantset look horrified, while everyone else starts laughing as well. Sarnai admonishes the twins, and elicit a promise from them to never say 'those words' again.
Ahem. As I was saying, the two of you have not failed the boy. Daughter, without you, he would not have the high level of mastery over the Forms he currently possesses. Your father just approached the situation from a different perspective. She shoots a look over at Baatar. Even though we didn't say anything about it, I think she knows about the rocks throwing. She does not seem to approve. It is a little 'child abusey' but, I want to say, results matter.
As for Rain's issue with ditation, it's obvious that neither of you are qualified to help him, Taduk even less so. You are both Demi-humans with a strong bloodline. Seeking Balance was almost as easy as breathing for both of you. Of course you don't understand his difficulties. But have neither of you thought to ask soone who once had the sa problems as Rain, and managed to overco them?
Alsantset perked up at that. I didn't think of it like that. Of course I couldn't help him, I never experienced those sa difficulties. Mother, do you know soone as you describe? I'll go personally ask for their help in the morning.
Sarnai glanced incredulously at her. Then she looks at Charok.
Charok coughed. Alsantset connects the dots. Beloved, you never told you had difficulties reaching Balance. You used to brag in class about how skilled you were.
Charok gave a defeated smile. I may have exaggerated. I didn't want you to know, when we were younger. You made everything seem easy. It gave quite the inferiority complex. It took a long ti to reach Balance.
Alsantset gave him a sad look, and leaned over to place her head against his. I'm surrounded by loving couples. It's nice, but I wonder when I can find soone like that for myself. Soone like Cierna. Beautiful woman. Half-Cow.
Charok pointedly looks at and asks, Would you like my help, Rain?
Of course, Brother! I would be delighted. Why didn't you help earlier? I give him a grin, to ease the sting of my words. I don't really an it. Not 100%.
Charok looks stern. Never seen him like that before. Because, little Rain, a man needs to learn to ask for help. If I went to you, my words would fly in from one ear and out the other, much like when my wife speaks to you. Charok isn't smiling for once. He's serious about this. I reflect on it, somberly, and realize why he's so upset. With good reason.
Sister Alsantset, I wholeheartedly apologize for my behavior and stubbornness. Had I only listened to you, I would have reached my Enlightennt months ago. Failure lies not with the teacher, but with this foolish student. Brother Charok, I humbly ask for your aid and guidance.
Flattery will get you everywhere, little Rain. Just rember that. I accept your apology. Alsantset gives a peck on the cheek.
You will always have my help, little Rain. Always. Charok grins at .
It's nice to have people looking out for you. We continue our al, more lively this ti.
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