voidtreckerexpress | those who practice the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore see no more obstacles in their mind

Who: Devero, Koumyou Sanzo
Where: a locked room in the Quiet Car
When: Kazoo 26
What: Koumyou has been teaching Devero meditation to build his focus for a while now, preparing to teach him how to use his chi. This is one of those lessons, and they finally push a little further than just regular meditation.
Warnings: I can't see it needing any! But I will add them in here if something comes up.

This lesson has thus far gone the same as their previous lessons. Sitting in front of each other on the floor in a locked Quiet Car room, Koumyou holding Devero's hands, his voice quiet and rhythmic as he talks Devero through a series of meditation exercises.

In full lotus, if Devero was able to manage it, or partial lotus if not. Back ramrod straight.

"...Now," Koumyou's just finished one of the exercises, and continues in the same quiet voice, "gently hold onto the quiet, the stillness of your mind. Picture holding it in your cupped hands, like a glass bauble. Not too tightly, not too loosely."

Koumyou gives him a moment to try to envision that fully, and then, "And now, continue to hold it, and open your eyes. Observe the world without letting it change what you're holding. For as long as you can. If you have to shut them again, and return to the exercise, that's fine."

Now that he has the focus established, he has to start being able to maintain it outside of a full meditation.

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It goes without saying that Devero hadn't even been aware of how he was forcing it, and he startles a little when Koumyou's hands wrap around his. He looks up at priest, wide-eyed-- and then laughs softly at himself.

"Right," he says, taking the gentle correction well, as is usual for him. "Re-center, okay."

He closes his eyes and lets Koumyou lead him back to that quiet, still place inside of him, the place he'd never even known was there until Koumyou had unlocked it for him. He's breathing easily, loose and still when Koumyou speaks next.

"One more time," he murmurs, quiet and even, eyes still closed.

Noticing in the last attempt how hard Devero had grabbed onto the physicality of his own hands, Koumyou actually re-positions first one and then the other into a basic mudra. "There, try it like this. Hold the stillness inside your chest, this time."

"Hold the stillness inside my chest," Devero repeats, calm and even. "Okay."

He sits for a moment or two more, making sure he'll be able to be physically still-- to keep his hands where Koumyou put them-- before getting back to metaphorical stillness. He visualizes himself, sitting so precisely on the floor, envisions each exhale as carrying away a piece of his banked frustration and agitation until he's empty inside. He focuses on how that feels, in his body and in his mind, and only then does he open his eyes again.

This time he looks up, over his teacher's head, staring at and through the unadorned emptiness of the wall of the cabin. Nothing to see there. So far, so good.

And Koumyou continues to be very pleased with his progress. Look at him! Even if it doesn't last for long, he's already managing this much!

"There you go," as before, Koumyou keeps the energy in his voice peaceful and serene, lest he pop the bubble. "When you start to feel it slip, just shut your eyes and re-center. It's okay."

Inhale, exhale-- inhale, exhale-- Devero continues to imagine every cycle of his breath as carrying away distraction, a wind literally catching up creeping invasive thoughts and whisking them out of his mind and body. For several long moments he manages to maintain it-- but then the voidlight flickering through the window pulses with particularly strength and he glances over automatically to see what it could be--

Damn.

He closes his eyes and turns forward again with a sigh.

And Koumyou doesn't miss a beat, guiding him back through the exercise.

And then, once everything's calm and quiet again, he reaches out and takes Devero's hands, and gives them a gentle squeeze.

"That was really, really good, Dev!"

Devero shakes it off like a hound climbing out of water, raking his hair back from his face and smiling uncertainly at Koumyou. "You think?" he asks shyly.

Koumyou's moved both his hands to one of Dev's, and gives it another squeeze, beaming, "Absolutely! You're progressing way faster than I did!"

As a toddler, but still. If anything, starting older makes it even more impressive! Adult minds are a lot less pliable, like when learning a new language.

Dev uses the other hand to scratch at the back of his neck, looking away shy and pleased. "Thank you," he says. He chuckles ruefully. "I'm not sure I believe that part, but it's kind of you to say."

"I really mean it, though!"

Koumyou goes up onto his knees so he can lean in and smooch Devero on the cheek, for good measure.

Well with a smooch like that, what choice does he have but to believe it? "Thank you, my dear," he says again.

The smooch makes him beam, but he becomes more serious as Koumyou sits back again after. "This shit is not easy," he sighs.

"Of course not," Koumyou laughs softly, "did you expect it to be?"

He goes ahead and climbs up to his feet, offering his hands down to Devero.

"But right now, we're building the foundation for everything that comes after. You'll see."

Devero takes his hands and lets himself be helped up. "Not after our first lesson I sure didn't," he says wryly. His first attempt to meditate with Koumyou Sanzo's guidance had been illuminating, to say the least.

"I know," he continues. "I know it'll be worth it. I just have to remind myself sometimes why we're doing this."

Koumyou goes up onto his toes to plant another little cheek-kiss on Devero, squeezing his hands.

"Learning to use your implant couldn't have been easy, either... I rather imagine it to be similar. Only, instead of interfacing with something outside of your body, your hardware self, you're having to learn how to interface with what's inside."

This is accompanied by Koumyou lifting a hand -- still holding Dev's, and poking him lightly in the chest with a finger.

That's a connection he hadn't drawn, and he blinks as he considers it. "You know, there is always a learning curve when you network a new piece of tech into your system, implants included. I guess it's been so long since I was a neotek I don't even remember how it was."

He's poked! Leaning in, he nuzzles his nose against Koumyou's. He's only somewhat teasing as he says, "You're so wise, Sanzo-sama."

"I have my moments," Koumyou admits cheerfully, returning the gesture while Dev's nice and close. "My big handsome neomage."

"Koumyou!" Devero protests. He can't decide whether he wants to push the priest away or hide his face against him, tries to do both at the same time, and just ends up klonking heads with the other man. What can he do but laugh as his brain and body get on the same page and he backs up. "Sorry!"

"Hey! What was that for?!" Koumyou rubs his bonked forehead with one bony hand, laughing with him, "Maaaah... did I fluster you, I wonder?"

He totally did.

And he knows it.

And Devero knows he knows it, which is why his only response is a forced-serene, "Look into your heart and you will find the answer to that question."

Then he puts his palms to his cheeks, feeling the heat there. "--But you can look at my face if you need a hint."

Koumyou reaches up his hands to cover Devero's, and squishes him with them.

"You're too precious, Dev-chan!"

Devero laughs, delighted. "You bring it out in me, I can't help it!" he says, mock accusatory.

those who practice the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore see no more obstacles in their mind

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