[Cabin] Monkey Say, Oluse Do (Zygaud)

[Oluse]

511 Winter, 25

They two had been silent for some time. Oluse's eyes had observed and documented ever foot of the gigantic winter cabin. It was cozy, and even had it's own book shelf. He had felt silly not recognizing it as part of the warrens before leading his new friend all around Avanthal. Though, he supposed it was a good introduction to the city, even if it was still a bit awkward for Oluse to get so many odd looks from those not accustomed to giant apes.

Drawing the quilt closer around him for warmth he looked up at his furred companion, sipping at his pitcher of tea, which took three times the herbs of a normal mug to brew, but should put the beast at ease. Oluse smiled at that thought. As if the beast needed be any calmer than he already was. In fact he seemed to always only be a minute or two from deep contemplation, or perhaps it was meditation. He did in fact remember Zygaud mentioning meditation some time earlier in their conversation, and decided to pursue the avenue.

"Zygaud." He inquired quietly, not wanting to derail his obviously entailed thought pattern to jarringly. "I was wondering what you knew about meditation. My father never had much patience for the topic when I asked, so it wasn't really something I ever had," he gave a short pause, "Instruction, in." He was unsure is one could even be instructed in meditation. He figured all things could be instructed upon by those that knew how to teach, but he really wished he knew more about what he was about to ask. "If there is any was to teach meditation. Do you think perhaps you could mentor me?" He then took a sparing sip from his own chamomile tea, and set the comparably small mug down on the heavy wooden coffee table between them.

oocDo you think you could describe how you see the cabin a bit more? Its where your Jammy says hehe. Oh and Chesh said this one was made specifically for Jammy visitors from the south, so it's good and Jammy sized, and the Vantha crafters had Jammies in mind when they crafted it's finer points."

[Zygaud]

Zygaud allowed himself to release a contented sigh as his emerald optics drifted aimlessly about the Jamourian-styled cabin. He had to give credit to those who built it, it was certainly close to Jamourian in terms of size and even stylization. The wood used to construct it had obviously been dead before it was used to craft the structure, and it was mostly slotted together in Jamourian fashion rather than nailed and... butchered. Though some would call the general craftsmanship of the cabin primative, they would be sorely mistaken. It was crafted with the nature-oriented species of ape-men in mind, and they were rather particular about what went into the things they created. The furniture was similarly crafted from materials that would have been accepted in Spires, and sized appropriately to suit a Jamoura. It had been almost thirty years since Zygaud had felt so... at home. As with the rest of the cabin, the mug in his hand was carefully crafted from clay in a style similar to the pottery that could be found in his homeland, and it contained an interesting brew of tea. Zygaud hadn't previously had the chance to experience this kind of tea, it must not have been common among the Jamoura. He usually drank coffee with chocolate and honey when the chance was presented to him, it was of course a popular beverage in Spires.

The voice of his human companion snapped the mighty Jamoura from his analysis of cabin they currently inhabited. The question presented to him brought a smile to his face, showing off his long rows of bestial teeth that appeared almost to be tusks. "Why, Oluse. I didn't know you were interested in meditation... it's something that all of my kind partake of, and those who visit the Spires often do as well. Meditation is a wondrous thing, with it you can calm yourself after even the most savage of horrors. You can relieve yourself of stress through nonviolent means, and learn so much more about yourself than you would believe possible. Actually... now that I think about it, I think you'd benefit greatly from some lessons in meditation. You may be human, but some of your ways remind me of myself," the gargantuan being explained calmly to the young human that sat adjacent to him in a chair crafted from delicately selected pieces of wood, slotted together rather than forced with nails as was all too common among many races, particularly those of human nature.

After taking a sip of tea from his clay mug, Zygaud placed it upon the smooth wooden table that sat between those present. He took a moment to admire the beautiful carvings that had been painstakingly engraved into the tabletop, they appeared to be distinctly Jamourian... perhaps it had been imported? Ah, but he was forgetting himself and becoming lost in contemplation once more. Snapping away from his train of thought, Zygaud turned his powerful yet oddly calming gaze upon Oluse. "I'd be more than happy to teach you how to utilize meditation, but are you sure you'd like to undergo this journey? I will teach you as my father did, and that will require a promise. The promise that you will dedicate at least an hour each day to relaxing your body and mind and engaging in meditation. It may seem... a hassle to one so young as yourself, and I understand that you only have so many years to live... but if you do this, you will find many benefits. As to what they are, I'll let you find out for yourself. Can you promise me this?" Zygaud's gaze changed from his generally calming demeanor, now expressing a seriousness that could rarely be seen from him. "Ah, and one more thing," he added, "You must realize that meditation is something many practitioners of magic use, and this could bring you closer to your own magical self. That is not something to fear, mind you."

[Oluse]

Zygaud assured there was nothing to fear, but even so Oluse worried. The hour a day did not bother him, despite the time he spent at work he always seemed to find extra time each day to accomplish something, and meditation couldn't be any different. However, the magic talk was rather alarming for the Denvali child.

"I don't feel comfortable with magic." He stated clearly. He thought a moment about sharing his reasoning behind it, but didn't feel like getting in a discussion about it. It was obvious the ever tolerant Jamoura had learned in his years to accept mages and their magic as 'natural.' Be it ignorance or wisdom but Oluse did not share the opinion.

"I do still want to learn meditation, however. And I gladly promise that in return for your tutelage I will dedicate at least one bell of my life each day toward the study." It didn't seem like too much of an obligation to Oluse, really. He then set his mug side, and looked receptively up to his friend.

[Zygaud]

Nodding thoughtfully, Zygaud contemplated what reasons Oluse might have to fear magic. Perhaps he had once gone through a traumatic experience in which a mage caused harm to the human child or those he cared for? For now, at least, it didn't really matter. Getting up from his seated position upon the gigantic chair fashioned from wood, the impressively large Jamoura stretched his long arms out behind himself and hooked his plump fingers together. In a swift jerking motion, he pulled downward into a leisurely stretch that caused a series of pops and cracks to emit from both his back and arms. A happy sigh escaped him, he then turned to face Oluse with an excited expression set upon his rugged features.

Motioning for Oluse to follow, Zygaud strode into the center of the large cabin, taking a seat upon the floor-rug that was decorated with signs of nature. Intricate vines could be seen covering the expanse of the tapestry-like rug, interwoven with delicate flowers and majestic animals. "First thing you'll need to know is that you should be seated when you begin meditation. Keep your back straight, if it isn't your mind can become sluggish and sleepy." Zygaud demonstrated by visibly straightening his back, and taking in a deep breath of air. "You must sit motionless when meditating. Become still like a rock so that you can feel the flow of nature around you. Close your eyes and focus upon your breathing. Listen for the tune of the energies that surround you. Feel the vibrations that flow through the air. It is never still, though you may think it is. In every place there is a tune, a breathe. The rhythm of life. You must become one with this. And so, we will begin by practicing these things."

Motioning once more for Oluse to follow along with him, Zygaud closed his hazel-flecked green eyes and slowed his breathing. He was already attuned to the flow of things, but he took his time now that there was a pupil at his side. Soon he was breathing incredibly slowly, his body entirely motionless. He could hear the tune of nature, though nature wouldn't be the right word for it in a place such as this. Nevertheless, the flow of life was present in all places. One just had to learn to become more a piece of it than they would usually be.

[Oluse]

Oluse, face a grin, settled himself onto the woven portion of flooring, doing his best to mimic the ape's stance. He attempted to straighten his back, and thought not resolutely stiff, his chest did roll out slight, and his shoulders back. It was a start, though extended time in the position would put unneeded strain on his lower vertebrae.

He then closed his eyes in a relaxed fashion, at least one of the commands coming easily to the boy. His arms set awkwardly to his side, he tilted his head back slightly, to better face the baritone voice of the soothing beast.

Once in position he began to ponder what it was like to be a stone. Stones were hard, and cold. The corner of his lips drew taught a moment in clumsy contemplation, then he forced them to relax, for rocks did not have faces. He thought of how heavy rocks were, and his body began wanting for the ground. He couldn't believe that he was already tired, that his body was already becoming sore. Stress immediately began to build in his neck and lower back, and his head tilted forward slightly to compensate. This improved his stance slightly, but by the accompanied squirm of his base it was obvious the child was not comfortable throughout the rest of his form.

Less obvious was why. He did not understand which attributes of a stone he was ought to adopt. Being a very physically oriented person, reinforced further by his past training in the tending of the human body, he found the concept of applying the attributes of a stone to a metaphysical subset of personality traits to be completely counter intuitive. Thus, his mind busied itself with the riddle his friend supplied him, distracting him from any further progress toward relaxation.

[Zygaud]

Zygaud allowed a contented sigh to escape him as he sat in the familiar meditative position. Something seemed off, though... his pupil didn't seem to be in-tune with the rhythm of life as he was. 'Perhaps that's to be expected, he is but young and this is his first lesson...' the gargantuan Jamoura thought just before opening his eyes and taking a careful look at his student. It was obvious that the child was struggling, he appeared to be making some very uncomfortable facial expressions.

"Alright, Oluse. Don't try so hard. Just sit still, relax. I didn't mean that you actually had to turn into a rock... which is what you seem to be attempting, unless you're evacuating your bowels." He allowed himself a small chuckle as he spoke, humor wasn't his strongest point but he'd found his latest words to be wholly amusing. "Allow your muscles to become soft, and don't focus so hard on any one thing. It looks as though your back is going to snap. I said to straighten it, not to condense it into a slab of stress and pain. Take your time, you'll get it."

[Oluse]

Oluse laughed out loud at the Jamoura's joke, finding it as entertaining as Zygaud did himself. "No I'm fine! I'm actually quite house trained, believe it or not. Us humans aren't that bad!" He gave another chuckle, taking the advice and resettling his position.

With the relaxation the position of his back improved, though not perfect. It was much more relaxed, but erred on the counter side with a slight slouch. "Ok, lets try this again." He gave a reassuring smile to Zygaud, to assure him he hadn't been discouraged of given up. Being Denvali he was accustomed to bold instruction, and wasn't at all turned off by what he felt was a very gentle suggestion of the Jamoura.

His eyes closed, and his mind drifted a moment along the noisy sea of his thoughts, like distracting white noise caressing his consciousness. He thought of his breath, but didn't change it, and put some energy into remaining still. This time he didn't force anything, and allowed his mind to naturally move through his instructor's check list.

[Zygaud]

Zygauded nodded approvingly as Oluse adjusted to the instructions he was given with admirable swiftness. Reaching out with a massive hand, Zygaud placed it upon the head of his pupil and closed his eyes, trying to gauge whether or not Oluse was successfully grasping the teachings. It seemed, after some time, that Oluse was progressing admirably. He hadn't entirely attuned himself to the flow of energies, but he most certainly was grasping it at a much more impressive rate than that of a Jamourian child. 'As expected of a human child, they make up for their short lives with quick adaptation.' Zygaud thought as he removed his hand from atop Oluse's head.

"You seem to have grasped the first steps well enough, young Oluse," Zygaud said in the Common tongue, a hint of pride evident in his rumbling tone. "The next step is to successfully pacify your thoughts. Imagine that throughout your body there flows a stream. The life essence that flows through all things is of course within yourself, and to properly utilize my method of meditation you will need to learn to control it. Focus, though not so much that you become uncomfortable. Try to grasp the natural flow of your own power, and gently shape it. Like a leaf fluttering against the gentle tug of the wind, that is what you must accomplish. You must become one with your own rhythm before you can attune yourself to the rhythms of life."

[Oluse]

Oluse wasn't yet sure what the goal of meditation was. He knew his own personal goal was calm himself, to find a level of confidence within. Zygaud seemed confident in Oluse's eyes, and was obviously calm. So Oluse laid that thought to rest, assuming that they had an unspoken understanding upon the purpose of their meditation.

He understood there must be a unifying element of life that did in deed comprise the whole of the universe, or at least accompany it. This he did not doubt. What he doubted was that he had the sight to recognize such a power. He couldn't figure out what sense would be used for such an endeavor. Zygaud had mentioned to feel the vibrations of physical things, and listen to their sounds. Perhaps that was the energy, he deliberated, movements. Movement was not physical, nor truly quantifiable. He could not see movement, but it was always there. In the beat of his heart, and the thoughts in his mind. A sense of movement and change. He smiled slightly at this, feeling that he might have begun to grasp what the Jamoura was trying to teach him.

He allowed the smile to slip from his lips, stilling them again as he went to imagine this stream. He imagined each vein of his body was a calming string of water, not crimson but clear and refreshing. That river was to represent life itself, that element of change and time and all unsealable truths of his mysterious body. It thrilled him, but with that excitement came a tranquil and satisfied calm. He began to grow aware of his body, of how big it was, and multifaceted. He had studied bodies before, but rarely felt that he was truly within his own. That distance between him and the rest of the world seemed to collapse effortlessly onto itself, freeing him from some unawareness that had plagued him.

This epiphany, however, found resistance somewhere within him. His mind saw the clear water running through him, fish jumping, and sun gleaning off of its surface, and playing light tricks upon it's rich rocky bottom. But, with a horrifying jolt he heard a crashing sound around him, the roaring of a mighty river, reverberating through the unforgiving walls of a rocky inclosure. The depths of the stream grew vast, then the surface froze within a single horrifying moment, letting out a horrible crack. A blast of malicious snow and cold threw him down onto the ice. He began to slide, as the roar of the river morphed into the guttural roar of a beast. His eyes snapped open, and he let out a scream. His heart pounded like the hooves of an Avanthal sled horse his body unannounced to him began to scramble backward away from the spot he had been sitting.

oocDid I mention he has some issues?

[Zygaud]

The sudden reaction of his new pupil had surprised him, and so the large Jamoura rocketed upwards from his spot, a roar of warning escaping from him before he realized that they were in no danger. With his emerald optics, Zygaud gazed curiously down at Oluse. He seemed to be in something of a frenzied state... but what had caused it? Perhaps some past trauma had worked itself into the boy's mind and set itself up as a shield against enlightenment. That didn't seem very likely, but Zygaud didn't know much about Oluse just yet. 'Perhaps for now I should comfort him...' he thought as he stared at the panic-stricken Oluse.

Stepping forward, Zygaud motioned with his palms outward to show that he meant no harm to his young friend. "Calm down, Oluse. You are in no danger. It's just in your head." the mammoth ape-man said in his most soothing tone, though even that was akin to the growling of a large dog in terms of audible depth. After a time, Zygaud decided that Oluse seemed to have calmed down some. He continued forward and stopped just before Oluse, encircling the boy in his arms and giving him a gentle hug. "You did well, there is no shame in your troubles. Each of us have dark things hidden inside, and sometimes you must face them before you will be able to progress on the path to enlightenment. Are you going to be alright?"