I'll be the watcher of the eternal flame [Eachdraidh IC Contact]

[zerotohiro]

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Letter; August 2701; Final Week

[raavashing]

To Hiro, Fire Wizard formerly of The Station,

Of course I believe you that you aren't at the Station. Have people questioned your honesty about where you're traveling to? I don't understand why anyone would, but if they have, I'm sorry. I know that that with the fairy rings not working like they did when I first arrived, it's been difficult for most people to travel as they used to. I get by fine with cloudwalking, but everyone else doesn't have that option. Though if you've learned any magic that uses air or wind, I might be able to teach you how to cloudwalk. It's easier than using the power of fire to fly. Fire is great for quick bursts of speed and to launch you upwards, but it's not really good for anything longer.

I should be able to see you in September. Maybe the second or third week to give you time to arrange a ride?

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with meditation. But it really isn't about blocking out everything and getting away from your thoughts. Meditation is about finding the spaces between all the things in your mind so they don't overwhelm you. Not to escape from them, but to be at peace with them and allow you to see your own possibilities with more clarity.

There is a path within you that exists in the spaces between your thoughts. It exists within everyone. It's okay to let your thoughts wander, they're supposed to. What you have to do is not to let those wandering thoughts pull you along with them. When you realize you're focusing too much on one or following another too closely, pull back and focus on your breathing, on how the air fills your lungs without trying to control it's pattern.

It's difficult, but if you are at the point that you can block out other sounds, then you should be able to focus on the more natural rhythms of your own body. It will take time and it won't last for long the first time you do it, but you will get there. Peace is always hard at first when you aren't used it.

萬

Letter; August 2701; a few days later

[zerotohiro]

To Wan the giver of mostly accurate titles,

You'd be surprised the things people question me about, but I guess that's to be expected when everything's not what it seems lately. What's cloudwalking (exactly what I think it is)? I'm going to bug Lemina to start teaching me wind magic soon, I think, but we've all been pretty busy lately. I'll keep that in mind for when I get that far though, that sounds awesome! I don't know about that though. Fire helps hold up some stuff in my world for pretty far distances .

Sounds good. Let's say the third and if somehow it's longer I'll send a message ahead.

That's the part I'm not sure I can ever really do? It's kinda complicated but I know how to master my own thoughts and get them to a place I want them to be. It's not quite meditation, but I get by. I hope that makes sense.

So what you're saying is that I need to not get distracted on this mysterious inner path. I guess that makes sense, too, but...I mean don't take this the wrong way, but what makes you think I haven't found peace or that I'm not used to it?

I've never thought about it that way. But we can wait to talk about it in September if that's easier. Until then, letters are always going to find me.

-Hiro

Letter; September 2701; First Week

[raavashing]

To Hiro, Fire Wizard,

I'm sorry if my assumptions are wrong, but you said you were having trouble meditating and how. I can only explain what I know based on that. That's not to say you aren't at peace with yourself, but there's a difference between being at peace with yourself and finding peace in meditation. The first is a great thing that everyone should strive for. The second is something that helps you on a day-to-day basis when the problems you encounter cause you stress and confusion. A moment of meditation can bring things into perspective as well as drain away tension that can cloud your judgement.

It's probably easier to discuss it in person, though. I'll see you in a couple weeks.

萬

Letter; September 2701; the next day

[zerotohiro]

Wan the wanderer,

I never said that either. It's...pretty complicated, too. The whole thing is complicated but it'd be a lot easier to explain in person. I want to get better at it, but there's a lot that gets in the way instead.

But if anybody's going to teach me, may as well be an expert, right?

A few weeks. I'll be there.

-Hiro