Faces of Truth
11th of December 2006 A.D.
"That was the context in which they came to mind," you asnwer, the truth if not the whole of it, in hopes that she will reciprocate.
In the silence that follows there is a tap, just the one as her left hand starts to play nervously along the armrest of her chair before it is reigned in. Eyes less observant than yours might have missed it, but something tells you the woman across from you is used to speaking under eyes just as sharp."This context, memories experiences, the language of our thoughts it shapes what those thoughts are wouldn't you agree?"
"To an extent, that is why it is so important to know one's self. That really does sound like a cliche doesn't it? But I'd say there is enough of me to give a pass on it," you say motioning out the window with a smile. "It is less a destination I would say as a journey, more literal in parts than that metaphor usually is. There is much of this world I have not yet seen with my own eyes and know instead with flashes of insight, the lands of ice washed by rivers ethereal, the steaming jungles, the Labyrinth from which much was recovered and in which much is hidden..."
Abruptly her dark eyes widen with suspicion, with fear so deep she cannot hope to hide. Though you do not recognize the words spoken under Wu Min's breath the tone is one Harry might use to curse by Empty Night. Before you can ask what's wrong, mind already whirling with the question of how one deals with a panicking wizard a soft crackle cuts the silence though the air, for the merest instant you see a delicate silver bracelet around her left hand holding a single charm that might perhaps be mistaken for a tuft of red fur save for the way its edges shimmer like flame.
At this, whatever it had been her body language shifts, a faint flush of embarrassment upon her cheeks. After it becomes clear you intend to politely ignore the moment Wu Min collects her thoughts to continue:"I believe you previously named it a dream, born of memory and desire, colored by your values and among those values free will has pride of place?"
You nod carefully.
"How much control do you have over this Labyrinth, this Ancestral Prison?" She uses a translation of one of the most common scholarly terms for it.
"Less than any other part of Sanctuary. The people there they do not answer to me and I know them not. Something tells me I could make my way towards the heart of it, but it wouldn't be a picnic... that is it would not be easy," you add when her expression starts to look queasy.
"No no," she waves a hand, the one with the now unseen talisman. "I understand. The arts for binding SUTRAs they also come from thence, from tomes and tablets of power?"
Another nod, not you really want to know where she is taking this.
"I fear you may not like that you find at the heart of that place Your Majesty. The Yama Kings are for all their power rebellious functionaries, wretched in their disharmony. They war with each other that in the din and slaughter they might even for a moment forget the hollowness at the heart of their beings. I had not considered until this realm and its history gave me cause to do so what would happen if one of them were sealed away unable to act out their hungers upon the world. I think they would wither and die and yet their domain locked against other dark things would endure, a gear in the mechanisms of heaven, now a prison without a jailer. How you could claim that empty throne I do not know Ms Carpenter, but it is yours, all of
this is yours. Behold most of the bars have rotted to dust scattered into the soil that it may birth new life."
"Here me well Empress of the Realm That is and Shall be, You are more than the Lords of Yomi Wan as a baleful star is more than a guttering bonfire," Usum proclaims, his voice like molten brass.. What does it say about you that you so readily believe a
demon's word on this? Behind an expression frozen into polite shock you listen.
"It is not unheard of for the eldest of the Jade Court, the Arhat to achieve such poisonous 'advancement', though from the accounts and studies of the Wu Lung who came before me there is little to recommend such creatures compared to their dark kin. Fools, would-be Akuma, whisper words of false wisdom..." Wu Min trails off. "It would be best for you to speak to my teacher directly than for me to speculate. Regardless this advice I can give, I fear some shadow of your predecessor lingers in the heart of the Labyrinth. Do not seek to solve it until you know far more of yourself, travel first to less perilous places."
Speculation, the word echoes tantalizingly in the mind. Almost you offer her knowledge, riches, power if only she will share the rest of her thoughts, but you stop yourself. That would be the 'Demon Queen' thing to do wouldn't it? Plus she is not right, of that you are as sure as Usum. But there is something there, a thread to pull on. For his part Usum heard quite a bit about the Arhat, curses and words of yearning both from demons of Lanka and Kakuri, but little that is of use to you. They are seemingly elders but not leaders of the Wan Kuei, sages and philosophers, enlightened beings near to shedding their curse. For one of them to claim a throne of Yomi Wan... well you can see how that would ruffle some feathers.
"It is one thing to leave a seeker upon the path blindfolded that they not by their own fear or the treachery of others fall into a chasm, another thing entirely for a blind pilot to steer a ship in the midst of a storm. There's a lot of passengers behind me. If there is anything more you can tell me... please."
Lost 1 Willpower -> now at 7/9
Sometimes the simplest entreat cuts the deepest to those accustomed to deflecting subtle sophistries and perilous temptations.
"Bao Zhong," she sighs. "Master of the Hell of Never-Dying Sorrow. Certain scrolls which the Ancestors of the Jade Court have worked assiduously to see destroyed name him among the last of the Wan Xian at the turn of the age, he alone who did not ascend to Heaven but descended. If there is any truth to my speculation and if those texts are true and not the ravings of the mad and the desperate he might have more answers for you as to how you could become as you are."
"And those texts...?"
"My teacher's teacher Elder Mai possesses many such scrolls. My master once read the Descent of Bao Zhong, though she mentioned only the barest details of them to me. I suppose she never thought I would need to know more on such a grim subject." From her tone it is clear her master is beyond asking, another victim of the Red Court perhaps, or some other foe. If she read the book she has to understand how well you know the paths of Yomi Wan, Wu Men has to know you are able to find your way before the throne of any Yama King and yet she trusted you with the name.
"Thank you," you say simply.
She nods and returns her gaze to the bustling skylight of the city against the glare of the Ring.
What's next on the tour of Sanctuary?
[] SUTRA investigations with Carlos.
[] Wu Min studying spirit bindings.
[] Weapons inspection with Harry.
[] Split up, delegate, what is what you have all these people working for you right?
-[] Write in how
OOC: New Research Option Unlocked: Descend into Hell... or you can contend yourself with the scrolls I guess. 
