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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 4, 2015 20:25:35 GMT
Somewhere ahead of her, driven by the wind, was the smell of incense. A little closer, she could hear a faint murmuring incantation. Then around the bend, she saw the curious pair. The shorter of the pair was Asian and clearly older, judging by white hair slicked back and thick moustache. He wore a black kimono, and was kneeling to before a makeshift shrine marked by incense and a small figure of a Buddha. Behind him, standing with his head bowed, was a tall Caucasian man in a suit of a 20th century cut. He wore wire glasses, and appeared to be in his 30s.
The shrine looked over the valley and Elize could see the whole of the city beneath them. They were apparently praying in the direction of the city in what was clearly a Buddhist ceremony of some sort. The white man looked up and saw her coming out of the woods. He gave a pleasant smile, before bowing his head again.
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 5, 2015 16:38:04 GMT
(Sorry, minor retcon, but they would both be wearing white, not black.)
The younger man nodded with a finger to his lips. The mantra continued for another few minutes. When it had been repeated it enough times, the old man in the white kimono merely bowed his head in silence and rested before the shrine. The white man approached Elize.
"Good day, miss. I hope we weren't disturbing your meditations." Definitely English, with the air of a countryside school teacher. His smile was warm and forgiving, and when he cleaned his glasses to see her clearly, there was just the slightest hint of shyness.
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 5, 2015 18:45:34 GMT
"Ahh... my sensei favors the Shingon tradition lately, though he was raised in a Zen household. Curious blend of martial transcendentalism, typical of old samurai households. I myself merely dabble. Too much in this world, I fear." He held out his hand. "John. It is my pleasure to meet you, Elize." His hand was surprisingly coarse, but still very gentle, as though he had been raised in hardship and brought out of it.
His sensei remained in silent prayer. "My apologies, English is not his first language, and this is a very solemn occasion for him."
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 5, 2015 19:44:35 GMT
"England, yes. Once upon a time. I have only seen Johannesburg and... well, forgive my impertinence, but your government is rarely lauded for its tolerance. That was before I met my sensei, though to be fair, our first meeting had little to do with inner peace." He sat down on a large rock and beckoned her to sit as well. "As for his beliefs, well, he converted to Shingonshu during the Reign. He realized that Buddhahood was indeed attainable in this lifetime, and not in some distant future. The Vriskae, the Starborn, the Source... what were these but scientific evidence of tantric wisdom? That was almost twenty years ago now..."
He turned his head to look in the direction of his sensei. "As for the occasion, well... prayer and white clothes are traditional for Buddhist funerals."
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 5, 2015 21:24:39 GMT
He gave her a sad expression. "Look again."
Elize Groeneveld INT: 19
Below them, Elize could make out the slums of Starcrown. There were entire blocks still missing from the Reign, now converted into shantytowns. Just beyond it, the rest of Ambrosia may as well have been on another planet, so stark was the contrast.
The old man finally stood up and joined them. He gave her the same smile an old man gives a grandchild whose name he can't quite recall. "We mourn... for everyone." His voice was still strong, and sounded like distant thunder under the Japanese accent.
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 6, 2015 2:02:56 GMT
The old man laughed. "You have good heart, girl." Then he said something in Japanese to John, who coughed and said. "I actually run the Starcrown Heights Welcome Center. We assist local residents in finding employment, housing, education alternatives in a society that does not see them as human. I can confirm that you will be climbing a very steep hill. But if you are truly interested in assisting Starborn and their families..."
He pulled a card from his inner pocket and a pen. "We are always looking for a new friend." He traced a circle on the back before handing it to her.
"We are always looking for a new friend." He pulled out a pen and traced a circle on the back before handing it to her. 'John Wick, Director, Starcrown Heights Welcome Center' with an address and number.
Elize Groeneveld INT: 12
It takes a moment to recognize this particular circle as an ensÅ, signifying 'perfection' and 'enlightenment'.
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 6, 2015 9:02:35 GMT
"Ahh... Chronos." He and his sensei shared a look that suggest both familiarity and disdain. "You will get nothing from him. It is not that he despises Starborn like his investors do, nor is he at all ignorant. But his pride is much like the Christian God in His Heaven... if the world must prosper or know peace, it can only do so under his guidance. For you or I to take any other path to enlightenment would only offend Alexander Chronos. I would suggest you leave his company with the utmost haste, and above all, avoid entering his presence. He is as much your enemy as God was Job's."
He accepted her card regardless.
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 6, 2015 19:57:09 GMT
"Call on us. Anytime." He looked at her card again, before placing it in the inner pocket of his white suit. "If I may ask... why do you care so much for the Starborn? What is your interest in their well-being? Is it simple altruism, or is there some connection you're hesitant to share?"
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