Meditation Retreat - RPLOG
Participants
Date
3/10/476
Log
A warm morning out on the southern borders of Drytongue, near the top of a mountain. A small camp of beings stands out near a field of bright red blossoms, a tea house off to one side and the faint warm smell of hot springs from far off - but here and now, a small group of about twenty beings stands out amongst the locals. The latter are clothed in red robes or work clothes, all of them sporting fur, feathers or skin in warm colours, and a few of them tend to the group of visitors, seemingly unbothered by the heat as they do so.
Angus fumes as he is attended to, the guard sitting beside him in the colors of the Solacious house recieving a glare that would melt iron. "You're telling me that My own House, want me to learn meditation. Because I'm hothead?" He still couldn't wrap his mind around it, he was forced here just to learn how to meditate just because his he was supposedly reckless and hothead....the nerve.
Ranawhin just shakes her head as she overhears Angus and his comment, glancing about at the locals and the camp around them. Her eyes skim over this and that, thumbs resting in her pockets as she waits for the actual lesson to start.
Alef smiles lightly, true to the discussion she overheard between Sveta and Selena, getting here was not easy, but looking at the surroundings and the view is quite worthwhile. smiling at Angus and Ranawhin as she looks to get comfortable.
Dio wasn't particularly interested in mediation or learning about it, but exploring an area he's never been to and talking to various new and old faces seemed prime to derive some entertainment from the norm. Heading up with the others, the bullet-hole plagued coat wearing feline chugs down a liquid contained in a container close to a canteen of sorts, stopping only to take a large breath. "Alright," he exasperates, wiping his lips with a long, exaggerated movement of his fuzzy arm. "When do we get started?"
Being the type to study new things and maybe take new treasures, Tzerya had made her way, figuring even if there was no gain of material treasure, she would at least be able to gain in another way. Which is why she was almost surprised to see the fuming fox and chuckled as she gave him a small wave, then noticed Dio with another wave. Not recognizing the others that seemed to make making themselves known to some, she gave a light nod as her left ear drooped in the heat.
At length, everyone is seated on the flower field in a small circle. The scent rising from the crimson blossoms is strangely spicy and invigorating - there's little wonder as to why the seminar is being held here. One of the red-robed ascetics detaches herself from the others, an avian of indeterminate species and clan thanks to the clothing obscuring her features, and she gives everyone a small bow before settling dow in the circle next to Angus.
"Welcome. Welcome, everyone, to our session here. Our apologies for having delayed this once, but there was a rather vicious plant blocking the mountain trail up and we had to have to removed. Thankfully, everyone seems to have arrived just fine, and we can resume our bimonthly sessions. Without further ado, let's begin - why not everyone introduce themselves, and tell us why they're here and what they hope to get out of this session? I, for one, am the elder of this camp, and I do enjoy these little sessions, even if they are also part of my duty. Oh, and it does get me away from watching the path to the mountain's peak where the phoenix glyph is," she finishes with a chuckle.
Angus rests his chin in his hand and scowls, but his ears perk up as he notices people that he's familiar with. Giving a nod to them all in greeting he turns to avian as she sits down. "Well...I was forced here by my elders really. Seems they think I fly off the handle to much, and that I need to learn meditation to calm myself, before I cause more trouble for them..." The Guard sitting beside him, a grizzled old Skunk with an eye missing just shakes his head before helping the fox along. "He's to reckless, acts without thinking and has nearly gotten himself killed on more then one occasion. Lord Solacious thought this would help him."
"Ranawhin." The fox in question introduces herself with a flourishing bow. Then she settles in to the forming cirlcle, settling her tail in her lap. "I'm here to learn these meditation techniques, in the hopes of it helping focus and enhance my spellcasting and combative abilities - achieving that kind of state has all sorts of benefits, after all, especially if one can maintain it in the middle of doing something else." She waves a paw lazily, almost as if to shove the conversation 'ball' to someone else.
"My names Alef. and, well, honistly I heard about a few years back in School, my Master, Bleu talked about it but I couldnt attend before now." nodding softly. "I just hope to have a good time." nodding gently
"Goooooooo..." A long, powerful yawn bellows into the open sky, contagious as the common cold if some were unlucky, as Dio stretches into the air. "...oooood mornin' lass." He gives a few friendly waves to the bunny and promptly slams himself down upon the floor, joining the circle and crossing his legs one over the over in a fine cross. As everyone begins to introduce themselves, he begins to get a little curious of the flora around him. Would it taste as wonderful as the smell swiming about his nostrils? There was only one true way to figure it out. Pluck! Followed by a timid chomp. He chews and chews, until it seems to arrive upon his turn. What an awful bit of timing! The lion starts to cough, until he finally spits it out upon the floor he derived it from, chasing down the taste with swig of his container.
"Ah, umm... Yes!" The lion springs onto his feet with the grace and splendor only a feline could truley bring and uses his arms as if he's trying to sell a product, perhaps himself. Noticing that Angus never said his name, he decides to have a little fun. "Name's Angus, a traveler, with luck his greatest skill. I'm interested in learnin' some of those meditation techniques I've 'eared so much 'bout. I tried it once an' ended up fallin' asleep though." With a soft chuckle, Dio flops down upon the floor once more and waits for everyone else to speak their portion.
Tzerya blinks a few times as she bows politely, "Everyone mostly knows me as Tzerya. This is my first session, I look forward to seeing what it is like. I personally like finding and discovering things, so we'll see how this plays into that and whats not."
One by one, all of the beings finish their introductions, and "Indeed, it seems that many have come here for different reasons. Whatever your calling, I am glad you are here with us today.
"Do not worry too much if what you learn here is different from what is practiced somewhere else - for example, in Shalresta meditation is often associated with trances, use of mind-altering incenses and walking in slow circles as a group. Of course, space constraints do not permit that here up on Firebough - essentially, there are many valid forms of meditative methods, and what is important are the final benefits you reap from the session. Without further ado, let us begin. The first vital thing about meditation is adopting a proper posture that will help one relax, enter a proper state of mind and avoid aches and pains from being in one state for too long."
With that, she assumes a simple cross-legged posture, her hands interlinked and lying just before her lap. The other ascetics fan out amongst the group, easing upright those who slouch, keeping spines straight, and generally correcting postures all around.
Angus wasn't really worrying about his posture, his eyebrow twitching as he glares at Dio. "Dio....don't be stealing my name please, I'm not in the best mood at the moment." He would of gotten up, if it wasn't for the hand on his shoulder, or the Ascetic mesing with his spine to foce him to sit perfectly straight as he mutters and interlinks his hands in his lap.
Ranawhin's posture is pretty fine, though she accepts the adjusting hands easily enough. Her legs shifts a little into a more comfortable cross, tail shifting slightly beneath her joined hands. She takes a few deep breaths, and lets her gaze roam around their varied group, nodding to anyone who meets it.
Alef sits without complaint, not resisting the fixing of her posture, but not much is needed. Listening to the speeking as she remains respectfully quiet for the lessons.
"Oh, lighten' up a little fox-kit," Dio chuckles, flopping backwards against the flowery field. "If yer here, ya might as well enjoy it." It takes awhile for Dio to notice everyone else getting into position for some lovely meditation, causing him to promtly spring up and attempt to immitate with little effort.
Tzerya finds herself a position as she takes a moment to find the correct posture and look among the others, snickering softly at the sight of seeing some of her more battle hardened friends here. Taking in a calm deep breath, she did her best to relax, using the pattern of her breathing to help her focus. "Indeed, this is such a beautiful place. It's so easy to relax when you let yourself", she mutters after Dio had finished speaking.
"Now that everyone's in position, I'd like to start with some basic breathing exercises," the elder continues, bowing her head so her gaze is directly on her navel. "Slow, deep breaths, now, like what our showshoe rabbit friend is doing. Fill your lungs, relax your muscles, clear your mind and focus on your breathing. Closing your eyes is not strictly necessary, but it helps beginners free themselves from distractions. Try this for a while, and tell us how you feel. It is important that you find something that is comfortable for yourself, after all."
Angus rolls his eyes at Dio as he takes a deep breath. He closes his eyes....then one peeks open as he looks at his Guard, and he recieves a glare in turn. "Alright, alright!" He throws his arms up in the air before he links his hands once again and starts taking slowy, steady breaths, trying to mimic both Tzerya and the Elder.
Alef breaths in slow, deep, letting her lungs fill in a slow steady manner, holding it for a few seconds and breathing back out, counting to 10 breathing in, counting to 10 breathing out. eyes closed as even her ears dont twitch in responce to the noise around her. a soft smile on her muzzle as she counts in her head, In through the nose, out through the mouth.
Ranawhin closes her eyes, letting those know that, yes, the silver pattern does continue on her eyelid. She deepens her breathing, focusing on the in and out of her breath is a slow, steady rhythm. The count isn't her oncern, just the even flow. She does try to maintain posture while relaxing, though, which is a little odd and focus-breaking...
Breath in, breathe out. Dio repeats as instructed, taking long, drawn out breaths while linking his hands together. Hey! This wasn't so bad at all. However, the lion was an expert. There was no need to close his eyes. But he had to wonder, were all of those flowers really so bad tasting? Maybe it was just that one singular flower and the rest are wonderful bounties of decadent delight? Perhaps there's a lesson in all this. A true classic: You never know until you try. And then, Dio reached true understanding. At least for a little while.
Her ears drooping, Tzerya continues her breathing pattern, her eyes open as she finds herself after a few moments able to start clearing her thoughts at the sight of the flowers. A small wiggle from her nose, she seems to maintain her focus, the beautiful things she sought after disappearing from her mind for a moment as she seemed completely calm.
The phoenix elder doesn't take offense at Angus' outburst, instead getting up with a small smile and padding across the flower fields to him and setting his posture straight. "Relax, young one. As you youngsters down in the city say, as I'm given to understand, don't knock it until you've tried it." Ranawhin is next, the elder gently easing the fox's position so that her spine supports her torso naturally. "And the importance of posture is highlighted. This would be easier if we had cushions to elevate your rear relative to your knees. Alas, Reynar has purloined all of them for his tea house, but I hope this makes you more comfortable." With that, she moves on to the other beings in the group.
"Good. It seems that some of you have already grasped the idea of having something to concentrate on while meditating. Some of you simply count, which is a form of a mantra, others focus on shapes and patterns. The core idea to be grasped is a state of mindfulness - that is, heightened awareness - something as simple as sweeping the floor in a repetitive motion to as complex and dangerous as focusing on the state of battle will do. But let's try this for a little while longer - say, maybe half an hour to a full one - and we'll field any queries, as well as continue."
Angus sighs, not really fighting her this time as she fixes his posture. "I...never said I wouldn't try it it's just...I'm not that great at focusing sometimes." When she leaves he closes his eyes again and trys to think of something he con concentrate on. He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he goes through a few mental calculations for mathemagics, before he just switches to going through the many defensive moves that one can employ with a Rapier....nothing complex at all ya...
Ranawhin nods softly after her posture is corrected again, and then continues to focus on her breath, for the moment. More complex foci will come later, she's sure, but for now she tries to lose herself in the cycle of her breath, letting herself relax. Her tail flicks absently in her lap, beneath her hands, but it's a casual, involuntary action.
Alef smiles softly, continuing to count slowly, eyes closed as she listens to the elder talk, calm and collected, sighing a breath out slowly, her tail wagging very slowly behind her as she holds her posture and breathing easly.
Time to find something to concentrate on. One, two, three, four... Wait, half for a full hour? How can... How is it even possible.. No, now it was time to prove his powers of focus. Prove that he was on the level of the divine up above, making them quiver in their ships as they gaze down upon the steel mountain that is Dio. His breathing starts to become more deep, spaced out between longer intervals as his posture once rigid as stone flounders and hunches over like a wet sponge. And then, a snore...
Tzerya seems to lose her focus for a moment as she glazes over and zones out briefly before blinking, returning to focusing on her breathing and taking in the scent of the flowers with a wiggle of her nose. "If nothing else, my lord, focus on something that is pleasing to you.". Having said that she seemed to return to her cleared thoughts without missing a beat. At least until she blinks to the snoring of the lion, "Dio, wake up before you're the ball next time. You're interrupting my searching of the universe for shinies."
Time ticks by, and the sun climbs higher in the cloudless sky by the hour. No one else seems to notice the sleeping Dio yet, though - perhaps he's just that convincing. Eventually, the elder drops her position, allowing her hands to fall to her sides, and claps twice. Ascetics drift in from the other end of the camp, bearing small, steaming trays, and on these are clay teapots with cups for everyone. These are set down in the middle of the circle, and a cup of strong, spicy-smelling tea is poured for everyone and set before them in small plates.
"This is fireblossom tea," the elder explains. "It's brewed from a combination of the petals and root nodules of the flowers we're sitting on, and it's mildly psychoactive - it promotes clarity, wakefulness and concentration, and we often have a cup or two an hour or so before meditation exercises. Reynar serves it in his tea house, although I wouldn't have too much at one go. Go on, give it a try." With that, she downs her own cup, the boiling liquid going down the phoenix's throat easily. It's probably not recommended that those not of that particular sacred family follow suit without cooling it a little, though.
Angus frowns, his ear twitching as he hears soft snoring. He takes a deep breath as he starts focusing once more, and then has a steaming cup of tea shoved in his face and his eyes open as he blinks. "...Why thank you." He comments as he takes the cup, his gaze shifting to his guard as they both try to enjoy their tea.
Ranawhin opens her eyes, as the next stage of things is called. She looks rather relaxed, the time to practice letting her settle into a gentle, drifting rhythm. She carefully takes up her cup, blowing softly along its surface to help it cool, before taking slow, measured sips of the contents. She takes the time to examine the taste of it before swallowing, on the first, before nursing at the 'medicinal' draught.
Dio snaps 'awake' and looks around after hearing his name being called. Sleeping? Who was sleeping? What a clever fellow this lion was, making everyone fall for his dastardly ruse that simply made him appear as if he were resting! After a heavy cough, he takes his cup of tea and gives it a firm sniff. Yes, this does indeed smell like the flowers he's sitting upon, one of those flowers he'd already tasted beforehand! The odds weren't stacked in his favor for this one, a risk of his taste buds contacting what once caused a rejection just earlier. And yet, he found himself curious. After many a blow upon the liquid's surface, the lion gives it a solid sip and tenses up a bit. Spicy! But strangely satisfying. "Not bad," he mumbles under his breath.
Blinks a few moments as sniffs the tea a few times and begins to sneeze for a moment, after her fit is over, she pauses and nods briefly, "Thank you.". Giving it quite a bit of time to cool, she eventually begins sipping it before giving it a proper drink, fully waiting for the resulting effects, though not the incredible burn as her eyes went wide and her ears perked, "ohh...wow...oww.". Deciding to suffer through as fast as possible, she finished the cup in a few quick, painful drinks.
The ascetics don't seem particularly worried by the choking and unease from some of the being more accustomed to cooler climates, like Tzerya is - they must be used to it already from participants in their little seminars. Nevertheless, one of them offers the poor snowshoe rabbit a thump on her back as they begin to clean up the cups.
"And that will wrap it up for this morning," the phoenix elder says, rising to her feet. "We'd better adjourn and get under cover before the desert sun reaches its zenith and the heat becomes unbearable for you. Reynar's tea house is a little ways off to the west - he has refreshments waiting, and you may use the baths for a small fee. The transport back to Firmament will arrive in the evening when it's cooler, and I bid you an enjoyable time until then, and hope to see you again, perhaps as a dedicant to the sacred family in earnest."
Angus didn't expect it to be so hot! He had drank the tea almost fully when he was given it, and now his mouth felt like it was on fire! He coughs, wheezes, and thumps his own chest as he tries to get his lungs to breath nonsmoldering air again as his fur frizzes out. "...Molten Rock...love drink." He finally manages to crock when he calms down a little, his eyes watering a bit as he smiles.
Ranawhin breathes out a spicy breath, shivering a little at the burn on its way down her throat. "Oooh. This has /kick/ to it." Sips turn into gulps, the dark fox apparently enjoying the spicy, heated burn. Good thing she took that first sip slowly to test the strength of it. She's still sweating a little, though, from the heated tea and the sun beating down on her dark clothing. "... Where would I find a white cloak, perchance?" She asks one of the locals curiously.
Dio puts the cup down and brings out his container once more, gulping down its contents like a drought infested piece of land. "Right then!" The lion tucks in his knees and rolls onto his back, soon rocking forward, then back, and finally, he springs forward onto his feet. "This tea ain't bad, but I could use somethin' black instead, if at all possible," he says, brushing off his coat. "Thank ya fer the lesson. Perhaps I'll use some o' these techniques in the future."
Alef has waited abit for the tea to cool, and sips slowly, face screwing up at the spicyness, growning and coughing, but taking sips still till the cup is empty. her cheeks red with the heat as she pants and coughs softly. "V..v.ery good..i.i.ts been many.." Cough "many months sense I had this blend to fee." Coughing and blushing "It was nice to attend, I hope to again." coughing still and trying to keep her eyes from watering.
Tzerya gives a gesture of thanks for the pat as she finishes coughing for the most part aside from continued stiffled small coughs. Waiting a few moments after the phoenix finished speaking, she stood up, not fully feeling anything from the tea as she stared at the sky, "Thank you for the lesson, it was very pleasing and I think I may attend another...at some point". Looking around briefly, she debated what to do with the rest of the time before they would have a ride back, "Ice will be my find in this heat I think...Anyone want to go find something nice and cool to drink?", gesturing to the others, she wasn't going to tolerate the heat all day without something to cool her.
