un: cpt andor [posted at 0324 december 19]

[ouzel]

What waits for you, back where you came from?

You can be as specific or nonspecific as you like, really. A person, a place, a thing, a concept, a task. A belief. A dream.

Nothing.

I'm just curious, I guess.

Also, for those who don't wish to give out even vaguely personal information to unknown strangers in an unknown place: how many of you are from pre-spaceflight planets?

Comments

[straycloud]

You could pronounce it "Koumyou Sanzo" if you'd like.

Monks have a bad habit of sounding alike, don't they? We should be more careful about that, though I can't mind so much if I sound like a friend.

[ouzel]

Very well, Koumyou Sanzo. Nice to meet you.

Yes, and a good one. What is the nature of your faith, if you don't mind my asking?

[straycloud]

This and that. Life and death. Light and darkness. The nature of being, more or less.

I don't mind talking about it, but I've never had any talent for teaching. You might learn something interesting if you asked the other Sanzo here.

[ouzel]

Things that occupy all monks, one would presume.

That's all right, I'm not looking for new faith, merely curious.

[straycloud]

It occupies most all living things equally. Being is very consuming work.

Now that I think about it, not being is even more so.

[ouzel]

Not being sounds impossible.

[straycloud]

But does being? They're matched, so one can't hold meaning without the other.

But, then, maybe the truth of being is in holding nothing.

[ouzel]

I have been, am being, possibly will be.

An interesting ideal.

[straycloud]

To hold nothing would be the most free kind of being. One could simply live life as it is.

What do you hold, Cpt Andor?

[ouzel]

Responsibility.

[straycloud]

I'm glad someone does. It isn't in my nature.

Aha! I just realized! There's no more "Master Sanzo, come lead our temple" while I'm here. I will keep nothing. It suits me better.

[ouzel]

I've been at it for a while.

How long have you been a monk?

[straycloud]

Not long at all. Just a single moment. It's easier that way. You can't get lost on the path if you don't have an origin or a destination.

And you? How long have you carried responsibility?

[ouzel]

For most, if not all, of my life.

[straycloud]

So a single moment for you as well? I'm glad we get to share it.

[ouzel]

Exactly.

I'm comforted by the idea of monks being here. Probably because of that friend I mentioned earlier.

[straycloud]

You are not without your friend.

But if you find a need for more friends, you won't need to be without those either. We're all bound by common threads.

[ouzel]

[ He mumbles to himself: I am one with the Force, the Force is with me. ]

No, I suppose not.

We'll see. Friends are useful, at the very least.

[straycloud]

I'll have to be sure to watch for it. I think I'd like to know you. (o˘◡˘o)

[ouzel]

Thanks I think.

[straycloud]

[ There's a disproportionate delay of a few hours because he had started pestering Ukoku.

But now he has his communicator back. ] Even if you haven't decided, you're welcome.