Chapter 539
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Chapter 539
I live a blessed life.
I have a powerful and respected grandmother, a wealthy and ferocious grandfather, a famous and influential father, an earnest and indulgent mother, a doting and devoted sister, and a supportive and encouraging brother. I have three blushing, affectionate women who love me, multiple loyal and trustworthy friends, hundreds of staunch, dependable comrades, and the most adorable niece and nephew in the world. Throw in the sweetest giant turtle around, a whole legion of adorable floofs, and my significant personal fame and wealth, its clear I am better off than most miserable inhabitants unlucky enough to have been born in this death world.
Yet even with all this and more, I manage to be utterly miserable.
Its too bad I cant blame my gloom and doom on occult factors anymore. The Spectres went silent after I figured out how to Devour Heavenly Energy and turn it into Chi, and I havent heard a peep from them ever since, which means this latest bout of depression is all one-hundred percent all natural with no ghostly or occult additives. This means theres no easy fix because I cant just Devour and Cleanse all phantasmal party poopers before moving on with my life. Sadly, thats just how depression is, a pervasive burden which clings to your metaphysical self and refuses to let go despite your best efforts to free yourself.
People who dont understand might say things like what do you have to be depressed about or do something that makes you happy and cheer up, because theyve never been depressed and make no distinction between depression and sadness. Depression isnt just feeling a little down in the dumps or needing to cry. Depression is waking up in the morning and still feeling tired, not because you didnt sleep well or long enough, but because the mere thought of getting out of bed is exhausting. Depression is having an empty stomach and plenty of food, yet lacking the will to walk into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Depression is seeing all the great things you have going on in your life and feeling guilty because you truly believe you dont deserve any of it.
Depression isnt sadness. Its indifference. Its apathy. Its crippling numbness. Id love to cheer up, I really would, except I cant, and Id love to know why, even if only so I can explain it to my loving family and future wives.
It sucks knowing I can use Chi and having no idea how I do it, but contending with my baffled but well-meaning loved ones might actually be worse. There was a time when Id go through one of these depressive episodes with everyone remaining none the wiser, or at the very least keeping quiet about it. Thats how Alsantset and Charok handled it, largely leaving me to my own devices while keeping an eye on me so I dont fall to pieces, and it worked. Mostly. Okay, it didnt really work, but still. I liked it way better than what Yan, Mila, and Lin-Lin are trying, which can only be described as a concentrated effort to overwhelm me with affection and attention so I have no time to be depressed. Now, Im not exactly complaining about their... enthusiastic distractions, except at the end of the day, thats all it is. A distraction. My depression isnt going to melt away due to love and affection, because if that was the cure, then I wouldnt be depressed to begin with.
All this and more goes through my mind in response to Talis innocuous question as she sits atop sweet Nuno, her adolescent quin-in-training. Instead of unloading all my inner turmoil onto the poor kid just because she asked if I was okay, I just smile and say, Im fine sweetling. Sorry, I wasnt paying attention and missed your turn. Could you please run through it again, just for me?
Okay Rainy, but you gotta watch carefully this time, ya? All sugar and smiles, Tali brings Nuno around for another run at the obstacle course, and this time I make sure to pay attention and not let my mind wander off.
Smile Rain. Dont ruin Talis fun or make her think you dont care, because you do. You watched Tate do this without breaking down, so just do it again. Focus on the moment and nothing else. Tali looks cute as a button in her colourful riding clothes, her bright smile a balm for the soul as she frantically waves to make sure Im watching. Then its off to the races, or rather the obstacle course, one Lin-Lin put together for the express purpose of playing with the animals. My sweet wifey never pulls her punches when it comes to fun, and this obstacle course is no different, though it does start off easy with a series of agility poles. These present no obstacle to lithe Nuno as she snakes in and out around them, winding about like the furry, bipedal snake she is. Next up are the hurdles, and while the quin can blow straight through them, she knows her rider needs her to slow down and so she does. Moving at a brisk walk, Nuno ambles forward as Tali comes to her feet, quin and rider working in tandem to get past this second obstacle. While Nuno slips underneath the hurdles, Tali hops over them, her arms stretched out to either side for balance as she wobbles precariously in place.
Though shes no doubt Lightening for all shes worth while Stabilizing to keep steady, truth be told, its mostly natural dexterity and Nunos steady gait allowing Tali to keep her balance, but its still impressive as hell. I still have trouble standing on quin-back sometimes and Tate passed this part on all fours, but give Tali a year or two to practice and shell be zipping through and hopping over these hurdles like my sweet wifey Lin-Lin.
Which is kinda concerning. Impressive as it is, some of this stuff is really dangerous, like the triangle jumping section which comes next. Nuno cant even do them on her own, still not quite athletic or coordinated enough to jump from one near vertical wall to the next without tumbling off, so in the interest of safety, Tali isnt even allowed to try, nor are any of the other kids. Truth be told, I doubt there are many Sentinels willing to try either. Although Lin-Lin makes it look easy, I know for a fact Mila cant do it, mostly because shes too heavy for Atir to pull it off, and every time the twins ask Dad to show them how its done, he always finds some excuse or another to slip away, and I cant blame him.
After the triangle jumps is the balance beam, the pit vault, and the ring jumps, which Tali and Nuno navigate with ease before finally coming to the stairs. Oddly enough, this is usually the hardest part of this obstacle course, bar none. Give a quin a steep slope and theyll run straight up without a care in the world, but stairs are a real challenge. Its not that quins cant walk up stairs, but they have trouble doing it quickly because of how theyre built, with their feet so far back and away from their eyes. It makes it difficult for them to tell how high they need to lift their feet, so quins tripping over a step is a more common sight than youd think, but Tali and Nuno have run this course a hundred times before and have figured out the best way around it. Lowering her head and tucking her paws against her chest, Nuno launches herself over the final obstacle like a low-altitude missile, her round, furry belly a hand-span away from the stairs and eyes firmly locked on the horizon. Landing softly on the other side, Nuno stamps her feet and squeaks in victory while Tali beams with delight and guides her back over towards us, where I greet my sweet niece with a genuine smile and a hefty round of applause.
Great job Tali, Im so proud of you. As I open my arms wide for a hug, Tali squeals and leaps into my embrace, all too happy to roughhouse with her healthy uncle Rainy again. Twirling her about with a smile, I toss her up into the air and cherish her screams of laughter before catching her on the way down, then toss her once more just for the hell of it. Beside us, Tate crosses his arms and scowls because he thinks hes too grown up to be thrown about like a child but is still jealous of all the fun his sister is having, so after setting Tali down, I ignore his protests and lob him into the air as well. Ending the fun with a big kiss on Tates cheek, I laugh along with him while hugging him tight, wishing we could go back to the days when he was just a wide-eyed little scamp who liked to chew on my sleeves. You both did great out there, I say, dropping to one knee and giving them both one last hug for good measure. I bet you guys worked hard, yea?
Ya! We were here every morning, with Daddy, or Grandma, or... So excited to share his efforts, Tate launches into a long list of caretakers and babysitters who brought him to the obstacle course, while Tali chimes in with a few he misses, much to his annoyance. While Tali thinks nothing of it, Tate sees her as his biggest rival and is always trying to one up her, but the sweet girl has too much talent and Tate doesnt work nearly hard enough to surpass her in most areas, whether it be riding quins and Demonstrating the Forms or mathematics and calligraphy. Its not that Tate is bad at anything, but Tali is just too good, near top of the class in any subject she enjoys and better than most at everything else.
Its alright little man. Inferiority is nothing to be ashamed of. Give it your all and do the best you can do, and thats all anyone can ask for.
When Tate and Talis list comes to an end, I give them both another hug just because before sending them on their way. All right now. You know what to do. Bring your quins to... over to be inspected, so you can make sure theyre not injured.
Okay Rainy.
Running off with their quins in tow, the twins bring their animals to the new quin-trainer, a woman whose name Ive yet to learn. Its hard seeing the twins hand over their reins to an unfamiliar face, because before, they wouldve handed them over to cheery, red-faced Mengu who wouldve then taken them through the inspection with him. The portly quin-trainer isnt around to take those reins or guide the twins today, because he died in Sinuji last week. He died fighting to protect me from Demons and Defiled even though I was perfectly capable of protecting myself.
Or, put another way, he died for nothing and Im to blame.
Will do. When Tali and Tate return, they add almond paste and roast duck to the mix, so I enlist them as helpers and we all go home to prepare. Making steamed buns is as simple as can be, with most of the time spent waiting for the dough to rise, but with so many varieties, our work is cut out for us. While I tend to the grill preparing meats and boiling cane sugar, Lin-Lin, Tali, and Tate grind away with their mortars and pestles turning beans and seeds into paste. All three wear similar adorable expressions of intense concentration while going about this most important work, and it is a sight which soothes the soul. As for everyone else, they keep the animals distracted with games and music so they dont sneak in and steal the fruits of our labours. Blackjack is the sole exception as he lazes on my shoulder, giving me soft kisses whenever he feels he deserves a treat. Voracious though his appetite might be, thats only in comparison to his size, so I let it slide and keep him around instead of chasing him away.
I know I shouldnt play favourites, but Im not. This is just pragmatism. I would love to spoil the cats, bears, and bunnies too, but theyre all bottomless pits of gluttony which can never be wholly sated, whereas Blackjack can only eat about a half-kilogram of meat before falling into a food coma. Thats still like half his body weight, so its pretty damn impressive to watch, but its not much in the grand scheme of things.
With so much to be done, theres barely any time to think until the first batch goes into the steamer, and I use this much needed break to take in the surroundings. Out in the courtyard, Luo-Luo continues plucking away at her zither while Song and Aurie listen intently at her side, but the other animals are wholly uninterested in any music besides her original piece, Rise to Glory. Why that might be, Im not entirely sure, but Im 99% certain its because the animals dont care for music in general. While I dont feel a thing when hearing her play, I made Mila, Lang Yi, Bulat, and Rustram sit down and detail what they remember regarding their experience while Condensing their Auras. In the days after the battle, I even asked Luo-Luo to play a concert for the soldiers of Sinuji and made every literate soldier in my retinue write down what they felt during each movement of the musical piece. It didnt help, so I made them do it again the next day, then again the day after. I wouldve kept trying, but the day after Luo-Luos third concert, we left Sinuji to head back to the citadel and our schedule was too packed for daily concerts.
My recent interest in Luo-Luos zither has nothing to do with enjoying her music and everything to do with trying to understand how it works, because I think it can help explain how I work, or at least part of me. I think what makes Rise to Glory so special isnt its scales, harmonies, or composition, but rather the emotions Luo-Luo feels when playing the piece, emotions she then conveys to the crowd through her music and Chi, which is pretty much Aura, only better. Like Dastan said, Heavenly Energy is bound through emotion and utilized through intent, and what better combination of emotion and intent than music?
Well... maybe better is the wrong word. Im sure painting, poetry, calligraphy, and all that other artsy shit is just as good, but Ill be damned if I understand any of it. Anyway, this is probably also how I accidentally Orated in Sinuji, and it seems like itd be easier to figure out compared to reaching some instinctive state of Balance I have no frame of reference for. I have some other ideas, but I wanted to rest a few days before putting any of them to the test, and until then, Ill ponder over the mysteries of the Musical Path. Luo-Luos not the only example I have to draw on either, because my quirky, Medical Saint slash Runic Craftsman of a teacher also uses music to convey intent, always humming and conducting when studying and crafting. I figured that if Runes are the written language of Heavenly Energy, then music is a shared experience of sorts, like how math is universal, in a fashion. Or not. I dont really know. If emotion and intent are the driving forces behind understanding the Martial Path, then there really isnt much room for logic and reasoning.
Hubby, the next batch is ready to go in. Slipping under my arm to steal a quick hug, Lin-Lin stares up at me with her limpid, autumnal eyes, so bright and beautiful I never want to look away. Right now though, theyre also tinged with worry, and she studies me closely before asking, Are you tired? You go lie down and Ill ask Char-Char to finish up.
Im fine, sweet wifey of mine. Stealing a quick kiss from her soft lips, I touch my forehead to hers and say, Thanks for making me do this.
Silly hubby, I should be thanking you, ya?
Dont pretend. Pinching her rounded cheek ever so softly, I hold her close and reveal her devious plan. You knew I needed something to do and a reason to do it, which is why you asked me to make something to eat. Bringing the twins in to help was a neat trick, means Im more focused on getting things done right than fixated on my thoughts.
Maybe. Sticking her tongue out in girlish provocation, she adds, Or maybe I just wanted something to eat, ya? You think too much hubby. Breaking free from my embrace, she shoos me back into the kitchen with a smile. If youre not tired, then get back to work before Mi-Mi gets hungry and stomps over to ask where her buns are.
I heard that, Mila growls, ironically stomping across the courtyard. Ive been slandered by you enough today, and I wont stand for it any longer! Yelping in mock fright, Lin-Lin scurries off with a grin and leaps up onto the veranda roof where Mila cant reach her, and the two set off on a merry chase while everyone else laughs along. Walking back into the kitchen with a smile, I shake my head and wonder how I could ever be so lucky to have not one, not two, but three beautiful women who love me.
Maybe four. Luo-Luos motives are still suspect, but lets be real. Even if she doesnt truly love me, shes loyal, else she wouldve left with Jixing, and shes stuck with me for the rest of her life, so at the very least, her interest in my affections are pragmatic. Relationships have been built on less, so I guess its time I stopped keeping her at arms length. Besides, all of Milas talk about shared wedding beds got me thinking, not to mention Yans constant innuendo about bringing someone else into the bedroom. I mean, if my good health is temporary, I might as well make the most out of it while I can, if only so I wont have too many regrets when whatever is keeping the worlds pressure off my back runs out and I go back to being a cripple again.
Not that my only interest in Luo-Luo is sexual...
Yan either...
And I cant help it if Im attracted to Song. I havent acted on it, so doesnt that count for something?
No, brain. Stahp. Leave me alone. I am not a horrible person for wanting sex with multiple people, including Mila and Lin-Lin.
Sigh... fine. You win brain. Im a terrible person. Happy? No, you arent, because youre me and Im fucking depressed.
Honestly, a lobotomy doesnt actually sound so bad anymore. Maybe itll teach my brain not to be retarded, but I doubt it. Itd be too easy, and nothing in life is ever easy.
Nothing.
Chapter Meme
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Chapter 539
I live a blessed life.
I have a powerful and respected grandmother, a wealthy and ferocious grandfather, a famous and influential father, an earnest and indulgent mother, a doting and devoted sister, and a supportive and encouraging brother. I have three blushing, affectionate women who love me, multiple loyal and trustworthy friends, hundreds of staunch, dependable comrades, and the most adorable niece and nephew in the world. Throw in the sweetest giant turtle around, a whole legion of adorable floofs, and my significant personal fame and wealth, its clear I am better off than most miserable inhabitants unlucky enough to have been born in this death world.
Yet even with all this and more, I manage to be utterly miserable.
Its too bad I cant blame my gloom and doom on occult factors anymore. The Spectres went silent after I figured out how to Devour Heavenly Energy and turn it into Chi, and I havent heard a peep from them ever since, which means this latest bout of depression is all one-hundred percent all natural with no ghostly or occult additives. This means theres no easy fix because I cant just Devour and Cleanse all phantasmal party poopers before moving on with my life. Sadly, thats just how depression is, a pervasive burden which clings to your metaphysical self and refuses to let go despite your best efforts to free yourself.
People who dont understand might say things like what do you have to be depressed about or do something that makes you happy and cheer up, because theyve never been depressed and make no distinction between depression and sadness. Depression isnt just feeling a little down in the dumps or needing to cry. Depression is waking up in the morning and still feeling tired, not because you didnt sleep well or long enough, but because the mere thought of getting out of bed is exhausting. Depression is having an empty stomach and plenty of food, yet lacking the will to walk into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Depression is seeing all the great things you have going on in your life and feeling guilty because you truly believe you dont deserve any of it.
Depression isnt sadness. Its indifference. Its apathy. Its crippling numbness. Id love to cheer up, I really would, except I cant, and Id love to know why, even if only so I can explain it to my loving family and future wives.
It sucks knowing I can use Chi and having no idea how I do it, but contending with my baffled but well-meaning loved ones might actually be worse. There was a time when Id go through one of these depressive episodes with everyone remaining none the wiser, or at the very least keeping quiet about it. Thats how Alsantset and Charok handled it, largely leaving me to my own devices while keeping an eye on me so I dont fall to pieces, and it worked. Mostly. Okay, it didnt really work, but still. I liked it way better than what Yan, Mila, and Lin-Lin are trying, which can only be described as a concentrated effort to overwhelm me with affection and attention so I have no time to be depressed. Now, Im not exactly complaining about their... enthusiastic distractions, except at the end of the day, thats all it is. A distraction. My depression isnt going to melt away due to love and affection, because if that was the cure, then I wouldnt be depressed to begin with.
All this and more goes through my mind in response to Talis innocuous question as she sits atop sweet Nuno, her adolescent quin-in-training. Instead of unloading all my inner turmoil onto the poor kid just because she asked if I was okay, I just smile and say, Im fine sweetling. Sorry, I wasnt paying attention and missed your turn. Could you please run through it again, just for me?
Okay Rainy, but you gotta watch carefully this time, ya? All sugar and smiles, Tali brings Nuno around for another run at the obstacle course, and this time I make sure to pay attention and not let my mind wander off.
Smile Rain. Dont ruin Talis fun or make her think you dont care, because you do. You watched Tate do this without breaking down, so just do it again. Focus on the moment and nothing else. Tali looks cute as a button in her colourful riding clothes, her bright smile a balm for the soul as she frantically waves to make sure Im watching. Then its off to the races, or rather the obstacle course, one Lin-Lin put together for the express purpose of playing with the animals. My sweet wifey never pulls her punches when it comes to fun, and this obstacle course is no different, though it does start off easy with a series of agility poles. These present no obstacle to lithe Nuno as she snakes in and out around them, winding about like the furry, bipedal snake she is. Next up are the hurdles, and while the quin can blow straight through them, she knows her rider needs her to slow down and so she does. Moving at a brisk walk, Nuno ambles forward as Tali comes to her feet, quin and rider working in tandem to get past this second obstacle. While Nuno slips underneath the hurdles, Tali hops over them, her arms stretched out to either side for balance as she wobbles precariously in place.
Though shes no doubt Lightening for all shes worth while Stabilizing to keep steady, truth be told, its mostly natural dexterity and Nunos steady gait allowing Tali to keep her balance, but its still impressive as hell. I still have trouble standing on quin-back sometimes and Tate passed this part on all fours, but give Tali a year or two to practice and shell be zipping through and hopping over these hurdles like my sweet wifey Lin-Lin.
Which is kinda concerning. Impressive as it is, some of this stuff is really dangerous, like the triangle jumping section which comes next. Nuno cant even do them on her own, still not quite athletic or coordinated enough to jump from one near vertical wall to the next without tumbling off, so in the interest of safety, Tali isnt even allowed to try, nor are any of the other kids. Truth be told, I doubt there are many Sentinels willing to try either. Although Lin-Lin makes it look easy, I know for a fact Mila cant do it, mostly because shes too heavy for Atir to pull it off, and every time the twins ask Dad to show them how its done, he always finds some excuse or another to slip away, and I cant blame him.
After the triangle jumps is the balance beam, the pit vault, and the ring jumps, which Tali and Nuno navigate with ease before finally coming to the stairs. Oddly enough, this is usually the hardest part of this obstacle course, bar none. Give a quin a steep slope and theyll run straight up without a care in the world, but stairs are a real challenge. Its not that quins cant walk up stairs, but they have trouble doing it quickly because of how theyre built, with their feet so far back and away from their eyes. It makes it difficult for them to tell how high they need to lift their feet, so quins tripping over a step is a more common sight than youd think, but Tali and Nuno have run this course a hundred times before and have figured out the best way around it. Lowering her head and tucking her paws against her chest, Nuno launches herself over the final obstacle like a low-altitude missile, her round, furry belly a hand-span away from the stairs and eyes firmly locked on the horizon. Landing softly on the other side, Nuno stamps her feet and squeaks in victory while Tali beams with delight and guides her back over towards us, where I greet my sweet niece with a genuine smile and a hefty round of applause.
Great job Tali, Im so proud of you. As I open my arms wide for a hug, Tali squeals and leaps into my embrace, all too happy to roughhouse with her healthy uncle Rainy again. Twirling her about with a smile, I toss her up into the air and cherish her screams of laughter before catching her on the way down, then toss her once more just for the hell of it. Beside us, Tate crosses his arms and scowls because he thinks hes too grown up to be thrown about like a child but is still jealous of all the fun his sister is having, so after setting Tali down, I ignore his protests and lob him into the air as well. Ending the fun with a big kiss on Tates cheek, I laugh along with him while hugging him tight, wishing we could go back to the days when he was just a wide-eyed little scamp who liked to chew on my sleeves. You both did great out there, I say, dropping to one knee and giving them both one last hug for good measure. I bet you guys worked hard, yea?
Ya! We were here every morning, with Daddy, or Grandma, or... So excited to share his efforts, Tate launches into a long list of caretakers and babysitters who brought him to the obstacle course, while Tali chimes in with a few he misses, much to his annoyance. While Tali thinks nothing of it, Tate sees her as his biggest rival and is always trying to one up her, but the sweet girl has too much talent and Tate doesnt work nearly hard enough to surpass her in most areas, whether it be riding quins and Demonstrating the Forms or mathematics and calligraphy. Its not that Tate is bad at anything, but Tali is just too good, near top of the class in any subject she enjoys and better than most at everything else.
Its alright little man. Inferiority is nothing to be ashamed of. Give it your all and do the best you can do, and thats all anyone can ask for.
When Tate and Talis list comes to an end, I give them both another hug just because before sending them on their way. All right now. You know what to do. Bring your quins to... over to be inspected, so you can make sure theyre not injured.
Okay Rainy.
Running off with their quins in tow, the twins bring their animals to the new quin-trainer, a woman whose name Ive yet to learn. Its hard seeing the twins hand over their reins to an unfamiliar face, because before, they wouldve handed them over to cheery, red-faced Mengu who wouldve then taken them through the inspection with him. The portly quin-trainer isnt around to take those reins or guide the twins today, because he died in Sinuji last week. He died fighting to protect me from Demons and Defiled even though I was perfectly capable of protecting myself.
Or, put another way, he died for nothing and Im to blame.
Will do. When Tali and Tate return, they add almond paste and roast duck to the mix, so I enlist them as helpers and we all go home to prepare. Making steamed buns is as simple as can be, with most of the time spent waiting for the dough to rise, but with so many varieties, our work is cut out for us. While I tend to the grill preparing meats and boiling cane sugar, Lin-Lin, Tali, and Tate grind away with their mortars and pestles turning beans and seeds into paste. All three wear similar adorable expressions of intense concentration while going about this most important work, and it is a sight which soothes the soul. As for everyone else, they keep the animals distracted with games and music so they dont sneak in and steal the fruits of our labours. Blackjack is the sole exception as he lazes on my shoulder, giving me soft kisses whenever he feels he deserves a treat. Voracious though his appetite might be, thats only in comparison to his size, so I let it slide and keep him around instead of chasing him away.
I know I shouldnt play favourites, but Im not. This is just pragmatism. I would love to spoil the cats, bears, and bunnies too, but theyre all bottomless pits of gluttony which can never be wholly sated, whereas Blackjack can only eat about a half-kilogram of meat before falling into a food coma. Thats still like half his body weight, so its pretty damn impressive to watch, but its not much in the grand scheme of things.
With so much to be done, theres barely any time to think until the first batch goes into the steamer, and I use this much needed break to take in the surroundings. Out in the courtyard, Luo-Luo continues plucking away at her zither while Song and Aurie listen intently at her side, but the other animals are wholly uninterested in any music besides her original piece, Rise to Glory. Why that might be, Im not entirely sure, but Im 99% certain its because the animals dont care for music in general. While I dont feel a thing when hearing her play, I made Mila, Lang Yi, Bulat, and Rustram sit down and detail what they remember regarding their experience while Condensing their Auras. In the days after the battle, I even asked Luo-Luo to play a concert for the soldiers of Sinuji and made every literate soldier in my retinue write down what they felt during each movement of the musical piece. It didnt help, so I made them do it again the next day, then again the day after. I wouldve kept trying, but the day after Luo-Luos third concert, we left Sinuji to head back to the citadel and our schedule was too packed for daily concerts.
My recent interest in Luo-Luos zither has nothing to do with enjoying her music and everything to do with trying to understand how it works, because I think it can help explain how I work, or at least part of me. I think what makes Rise to Glory so special isnt its scales, harmonies, or composition, but rather the emotions Luo-Luo feels when playing the piece, emotions she then conveys to the crowd through her music and Chi, which is pretty much Aura, only better. Like Dastan said, Heavenly Energy is bound through emotion and utilized through intent, and what better combination of emotion and intent than music?
Well... maybe better is the wrong word. Im sure painting, poetry, calligraphy, and all that other artsy shit is just as good, but Ill be damned if I understand any of it. Anyway, this is probably also how I accidentally Orated in Sinuji, and it seems like itd be easier to figure out compared to reaching some instinctive state of Balance I have no frame of reference for. I have some other ideas, but I wanted to rest a few days before putting any of them to the test, and until then, Ill ponder over the mysteries of the Musical Path. Luo-Luos not the only example I have to draw on either, because my quirky, Medical Saint slash Runic Craftsman of a teacher also uses music to convey intent, always humming and conducting when studying and crafting. I figured that if Runes are the written language of Heavenly Energy, then music is a shared experience of sorts, like how math is universal, in a fashion. Or not. I dont really know. If emotion and intent are the driving forces behind understanding the Martial Path, then there really isnt much room for logic and reasoning.
Hubby, the next batch is ready to go in. Slipping under my arm to steal a quick hug, Lin-Lin stares up at me with her limpid, autumnal eyes, so bright and beautiful I never want to look away. Right now though, theyre also tinged with worry, and she studies me closely before asking, Are you tired? You go lie down and Ill ask Char-Char to finish up.
Im fine, sweet wifey of mine. Stealing a quick kiss from her soft lips, I touch my forehead to hers and say, Thanks for making me do this.
Silly hubby, I should be thanking you, ya?
Dont pretend. Pinching her rounded cheek ever so softly, I hold her close and reveal her devious plan. You knew I needed something to do and a reason to do it, which is why you asked me to make something to eat. Bringing the twins in to help was a neat trick, means Im more focused on getting things done right than fixated on my thoughts.
Maybe. Sticking her tongue out in girlish provocation, she adds, Or maybe I just wanted something to eat, ya? You think too much hubby. Breaking free from my embrace, she shoos me back into the kitchen with a smile. If youre not tired, then get back to work before Mi-Mi gets hungry and stomps over to ask where her buns are.
I heard that, Mila growls, ironically stomping across the courtyard. Ive been slandered by you enough today, and I wont stand for it any longer! Yelping in mock fright, Lin-Lin scurries off with a grin and leaps up onto the veranda roof where Mila cant reach her, and the two set off on a merry chase while everyone else laughs along. Walking back into the kitchen with a smile, I shake my head and wonder how I could ever be so lucky to have not one, not two, but three beautiful women who love me.
Maybe four. Luo-Luos motives are still suspect, but lets be real. Even if she doesnt truly love me, shes loyal, else she wouldve left with Jixing, and shes stuck with me for the rest of her life, so at the very least, her interest in my affections are pragmatic. Relationships have been built on less, so I guess its time I stopped keeping her at arms length. Besides, all of Milas talk about shared wedding beds got me thinking, not to mention Yans constant innuendo about bringing someone else into the bedroom. I mean, if my good health is temporary, I might as well make the most out of it while I can, if only so I wont have too many regrets when whatever is keeping the worlds pressure off my back runs out and I go back to being a cripple again.
Not that my only interest in Luo-Luo is sexual...
Yan either...
And I cant help it if Im attracted to Song. I havent acted on it, so doesnt that count for something?
No, brain. Stahp. Leave me alone. I am not a horrible person for wanting sex with multiple people, including Mila and Lin-Lin.
Sigh... fine. You win brain. Im a terrible person. Happy? No, you arent, because youre me and Im fucking depressed.
Honestly, a lobotomy doesnt actually sound so bad anymore. Maybe itll teach my brain not to be retarded, but I doubt it. Itd be too easy, and nothing in life is ever easy.
Nothing.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 539I live a blessed life.I have a powerful and respected grandmother, a wealthy and ferocious grandfather, a famous and influential father, an earnest and indulgent mother, a doting and devoted sister, and a supportive and encouraging brother. I have three blushing, affectionate women who love me, multiple loyal and trustworthy friends, hundreds of staunch, dependable comrades, and the most adorable niece and nephew in the world. Throw in the sweetest giant turtle around, a whole legion of adorable floofs, and my significant personal fame and wealth, its clear I am better off than most miserable inhabitants unlucky enough to have been born in this death world.Yet even with all this and more, I manage to be utterly miserable.Its too bad I cant blame my gloom and doom on occult factors anymore. The Spectres went silent after I figured out how to Devour Heavenly Energy and turn it into Chi, and I havent heard a peep from them ever since, which means this latest bout of depression is all one-hundred percent all natural with no ghostly or occult additives. This means theres no easy fix because I cant just Devour and Cleanse all phantasmal party poopers before moving on with my life. Sadly, thats just how depression is, a pervasive burden which clings to your metaphysical self and refuses to let go despite your best efforts to free yourself.People who dont understand might say things like what do you have to be depressed about or do something that makes you happy and cheer up, because theyve never been depressed and make no distinction between depression and sadness. Depression isnt just feeling a little down in the dumps or needing to cry. Depression is waking up in the morning and still feeling tired, not because you didnt sleep well or long enough, but because the mere thought of getting out of bed is exhausting. Depression is having an empty stomach and plenty of food, yet lacking the will to walk into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Depression is seeing all the great things you have going on in your life and feeling guilty because you truly believe you dont deserve any of it.Depression isnt sadness. Its indifference. Its apathy. Its crippling numbness. Id love to cheer up, I really would, except I cant, and Id love to know why, even if only so I can explain it to my loving family and future wives.It sucks knowing I can use Chi and having no idea how I do it, but contending with my baffled but well-meaning loved ones might actually be worse. There was a time when Id go through one of these depressive episodes with everyone remaining none the wiser, or at the very least keeping quiet about it. Thats how Alsantset and Charok handled it, largely leaving me to my own devices while keeping an eye on me so I dont fall to pieces, and it worked. Mostly. Okay, it didnt really work, but still. I liked it way better than what Yan, Mila, and Lin-Lin are trying, which can only be described as a concentrated effort to overwhelm me with affection and attention so I have no time to be depressed. Now, Im not exactly complaining about their... enthusiastic distractions, except at the end of the day, thats all it is. A distraction. My depression isnt going to melt away due to love and affection, because if that was the cure, then I wouldnt be depressed to begin with.All this and more goes through my mind in response to Talis innocuous question as she sits atop sweet Nuno, her adolescent quin-in-training. Instead of unloading all my inner turmoil onto the poor kid just because she asked if I was okay, I just smile and say, Im fine sweetling. Sorry, I wasnt paying attention and missed your turn. Could you please run through it again, just for me?Okay Rainy, but you gotta watch carefully this time, ya? All sugar and smiles, Tali brings Nuno around for another run at the obstacle course, and this time I make sure to pay attention and not let my mind wander off.Smile Rain. Dont ruin Talis fun or make her think you dont care, because you do. You watched Tate do this without breaking down, so just do it again. Focus on the moment and nothing else. Tali looks cute as a button in her colourful riding clothes, her bright smile a balm for the soul as she frantically waves to make sure Im watching. Then its off to the races, or rather the obstacle course, one Lin-Lin put together for the express purpose of playing with the animals. My sweet wifey never pulls her punches when it comes to fun, and this obstacle course is no different, though it does start off easy with a series of agility poles. These present no obstacle to lithe Nuno as she snakes in and out around them, winding about like the furry, bipedal snake she is. Next up are the hurdles, and while the quin can blow straight through them, she knows her rider needs her to slow down and so she does. Moving at a brisk walk, Nuno ambles forward as Tali comes to her feet, quin and rider working in tandem to get past this second obstacle. While Nuno slips underneath the hurdles, Tali hops over them, her arms stretched out to either side for balance as she wobbles precariously in place.Though shes no doubt Lightening for all shes worth while Stabilizing to keep steady, truth be told, its mostly natural dexterity and Nunos steady gait allowing Tali to keep her balance, but its still impressive as hell. I still have trouble standing on quin-back sometimes and Tate passed this part on all fours, but give Tali a year or two to practice and shell be zipping through and hopping over these hurdles like my sweet wifey Lin-Lin.Which is kinda concerning. Impressive as it is, some of this stuff is really dangerous, like the triangle jumping section which comes next. Nuno cant even do them on her own, still not quite athletic or coordinated enough to jump from one near vertical wall to the next without tumbling off, so in the interest of safety, Tali isnt even allowed to try, nor are any of the other kids. Truth be told, I doubt there are many Sentinels willing to try either. Although Lin-Lin makes it look easy, I know for a fact Mila cant do it, mostly because shes too heavy for Atir to pull it off, and every time the twins ask Dad to show them how its done, he always finds some excuse or another to slip away, and I cant blame him.After the triangle jumps is the balance beam, the pit vault, and the ring jumps, which Tali and Nuno navigate with ease before finally coming to the stairs. Oddly enough, this is usually the hardest part of this obstacle course, bar none. Give a quin a steep slope and theyll run straight up without a care in the world, but stairs are a real challenge. Its not that quins cant walk up stairs, but they have trouble doing it quickly because of how theyre built, with their feet so far back and away from their eyes. It makes it difficult for them to tell how high they need to lift their feet, so quins tripping over a step is a more common sight than youd think, but Tali and Nuno have run this course a hundred times before and have figured out the best way around it. Lowering her head and tucking her paws against her chest, Nuno launches herself over the final obstacle like a low-altitude missile, her round, furry belly a hand-span away from the stairs and eyes firmly locked on the horizon. Landing softly on the other side, Nuno stamps her feet and squeaks in victory while Tali beams with delight and guides her back over towards us, where I greet my sweet niece with a genuine smile and a hefty round of applause.Great job Tali, Im so proud of you. As I open my arms wide for a hug, Tali squeals and leaps into my embrace, all too happy to roughhouse with her healthy uncle Rainy again. Twirling her about with a smile, I toss her up into the air and cherish her screams of laughter before catching her on the way down, then toss her once more just for the hell of it. Beside us, Tate crosses his arms and scowls because he thinks hes too grown up to be thrown about like a child but is still jealous of all the fun his sister is having, so after setting Tali down, I ignore his protests and lob him into the air as well. Ending the fun with a big kiss on Tates cheek, I laugh along with him while hugging him tight, wishing we could go back to the days when he was just a wide-eyed little scamp who liked to chew on my sleeves. You both did great out there, I say, dropping to one knee and giving them both one last hug for good measure. I bet you guys worked hard, yea?Ya! We were here every morning, with Daddy, or Grandma, or... So excited to share his efforts, Tate launches into a long list of caretakers and babysitters who brought him to the obstacle course, while Tali chimes in with a few he misses, much to his annoyance. While Tali thinks nothing of it, Tate sees her as his biggest rival and is always trying to one up her, but the sweet girl has too much talent and Tate doesnt work nearly hard enough to surpass her in most areas, whether it be riding quins and Demonstrating the Forms or mathematics and calligraphy. Its not that Tate is bad at anything, but Tali is just too good, near top of the class in any subject she enjoys and better than most at everything else.Its alright little man. Inferiority is nothing to be ashamed of. Give it your all and do the best you can do, and thats all anyone can ask for.When Tate and Talis list comes to an end, I give them both another hug just because before sending them on their way. All right now. You know what to do. Bring your quins to... over to be inspected, so you can make sure theyre not injured.Okay Rainy.Running off with their quins in tow, the twins bring their animals to the new quin-trainer, a woman whose name Ive yet to learn. Its hard seeing the twins hand over their reins to an unfamiliar face, because before, they wouldve handed them over to cheery, red-faced Mengu who wouldve then taken them through the inspection with him. The portly quin-trainer isnt around to take those reins or guide the twins today, because he died in Sinuji last week. He died fighting to protect me from Demons and Defiled even though I was perfectly capable of protecting myself.Or, put another way, he died for nothing and Im to blame.Will do. When Tali and Tate return, they add almond paste and roast duck to the mix, so I enlist them as helpers and we all go home to prepare. Making steamed buns is as simple as can be, with most of the time spent waiting for the dough to rise, but with so many varieties, our work is cut out for us. While I tend to the grill preparing meats and boiling cane sugar, Lin-Lin, Tali, and Tate grind away with their mortars and pestles turning beans and seeds into paste. All three wear similar adorable expressions of intense concentration while going about this most important work, and it is a sight which soothes the soul. As for everyone else, they keep the animals distracted with games and music so they dont sneak in and steal the fruits of our labours. Blackjack is the sole exception as he lazes on my shoulder, giving me soft kisses whenever he feels he deserves a treat. Voracious though his appetite might be, thats only in comparison to his size, so I let it slide and keep him around instead of chasing him away.I know I shouldnt play favourites, but Im not. This is just pragmatism. I would love to spoil the cats, bears, and bunnies too, but theyre all bottomless pits of gluttony which can never be wholly sated, whereas Blackjack can only eat about a half-kilogram of meat before falling into a food coma. Thats still like half his body weight, so its pretty damn impressive to watch, but its not much in the grand scheme of things.With so much to be done, theres barely any time to think until the first batch goes into the steamer, and I use this much needed break to take in the surroundings. Out in the courtyard, Luo-Luo continues plucking away at her zither while Song and Aurie listen intently at her side, but the other animals are wholly uninterested in any music besides her original piece, Rise to Glory. Why that might be, Im not entirely sure, but Im 99% certain its because the animals dont care for music in general. While I dont feel a thing when hearing her play, I made Mila, Lang Yi, Bulat, and Rustram sit down and detail what they remember regarding their experience while Condensing their Auras. In the days after the battle, I even asked Luo-Luo to play a concert for the soldiers of Sinuji and made every literate soldier in my retinue write down what they felt during each movement of the musical piece. It didnt help, so I made them do it again the next day, then again the day after. I wouldve kept trying, but the day after Luo-Luos third concert, we left Sinuji to head back to the citadel and our schedule was too packed for daily concerts.My recent interest in Luo-Luos zither has nothing to do with enjoying her music and everything to do with trying to understand how it works, because I think it can help explain how I work, or at least part of me. I think what makes Rise to Glory so special isnt its scales, harmonies, or composition, but rather the emotions Luo-Luo feels when playing the piece, emotions she then conveys to the crowd through her music and Chi, which is pretty much Aura, only better. Like Dastan said, Heavenly Energy is bound through emotion and utilized through intent, and what better combination of emotion and intent than music?Well... maybe better is the wrong word. Im sure painting, poetry, calligraphy, and all that other artsy shit is just as good, but Ill be damned if I understand any of it. Anyway, this is probably also how I accidentally Orated in Sinuji, and it seems like itd be easier to figure out compared to reaching some instinctive state of Balance I have no frame of reference for. I have some other ideas, but I wanted to rest a few days before putting any of them to the test, and until then, Ill ponder over the mysteries of the Musical Path. Luo-Luos not the only example I have to draw on either, because my quirky, Medical Saint slash Runic Craftsman of a teacher also uses music to convey intent, always humming and conducting when studying and crafting. I figured that if Runes are the written language of Heavenly Energy, then music is a shared experience of sorts, like how math is universal, in a fashion. Or not. I dont really know. If emotion and intent are the driving forces behind understanding the Martial Path, then there really isnt much room for logic and reasoning.Hubby, the next batch is ready to go in. Slipping under my arm to steal a quick hug, Lin-Lin stares up at me with her limpid, autumnal eyes, so bright and beautiful I never want to look away. Right now though, theyre also tinged with worry, and she studies me closely before asking, Are you tired? You go lie down and Ill ask Char-Char to finish up.Im fine, sweet wifey of mine. Stealing a quick kiss from her soft lips, I touch my forehead to hers and say, Thanks for making me do this.Silly hubby, I should be thanking you, ya?Dont pretend. Pinching her rounded cheek ever so softly, I hold her close and reveal her devious plan. You knew I needed something to do and a reason to do it, which is why you asked me to make something to eat. Bringing the twins in to help was a neat trick, means Im more focused on getting things done right than fixated on my thoughts.Maybe. Sticking her tongue out in girlish provocation, she adds, Or maybe I just wanted something to eat, ya? You think too much hubby. Breaking free from my embrace, she shoos me back into the kitchen with a smile. If youre not tired, then get back to work before Mi-Mi gets hungry and stomps over to ask where her buns are.I heard that, Mila growls, ironically stomping across the courtyard. Ive been slandered by you enough today, and I wont stand for it any longer! Yelping in mock fright, Lin-Lin scurries off with a grin and leaps up onto the veranda roof where Mila cant reach her, and the two set off on a merry chase while everyone else laughs along. Walking back into the kitchen with a smile, I shake my head and wonder how I could ever be so lucky to have not one, not two, but three beautiful women who love me.Maybe four. Luo-Luos motives are still suspect, but lets be real. Even if she doesnt truly love me, shes loyal, else she wouldve left with Jixing, and shes stuck with me for the rest of her life, so at the very least, her interest in my affections are pragmatic. Relationships have been built on less, so I guess its time I stopped keeping her at arms length. Besides, all of Milas talk about shared wedding beds got me thinking, not to mention Yans constant innuendo about bringing someone else into the bedroom. I mean, if my good health is temporary, I might as well make the most out of it while I can, if only so I wont have too many regrets when whatever is keeping the worlds pressure off my back runs out and I go back to being a cripple again.Not that my only interest in Luo-Luo is sexual...Yan either...And I cant help it if Im attracted to Song. I havent acted on it, so doesnt that count for something?No, brain. Stahp. Leave me alone. I am not a horrible person for wanting sex with multiple people, including Mila and Lin-Lin.Sigh... fine. You win brain. Im a terrible person. Happy? No, you arent, because youre me and Im fucking depressed.Honestly, a lobotomy doesnt actually sound so bad anymore. Maybe itll teach my brain not to be retarded, but I doubt it. Itd be too easy, and nothing in life is ever easy.Nothing.Chapter Meme
