tushanshu | 001 [video] console café

[The backdrop? One of the console cafés private rooms, with the door open to show a hall crowded with locals, but this particular room seems empty save a pair of large, rounded ears that are twitching minutely to catch the many sounds going around him. Seconds later, half a head peers into the video and a furry brow furrows.]

This is not anything like what I expected once my time came. There is much and everything is complex and-- No one can see me, can they. [A mutter as one elderly red panda holds onto the edge of the console and tries to look at the camera.

This? Is not working. He abandons that technique and kicks back the chair, performing a perfect flip to land balanced on the crux of his staff, the base of which is resting on the floor. Now centered in the video, he smoothes out his robes and clears his throat.]

I understand this is a realm for those who have completed their journeys. [A pause, a steady breath, and a nod.] I am at peace with this.

[The murmur of crowd in the background surges briefly and an ear flicks in irritation. Shifu decides it is better to finish his message before more people arrive.]

If you can just direct me to Master Oogway, I... [A pause as he glances around, borderline frazzled by all the people here.] -ah, I will confer with him and resume my meditations.

[A marginally graceful nod to the camera, then he descends the staff onto the console, searching for the command to kill the feed.]

There are many, many more people than I expected to have achieved the inner peace necessary to attain this state.

[It's one more perplexed mutter before he finds the command and ends it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, I know for certain. I was speaking metaphorically.

[the smirk is gone and he's back to casual, condescending disdain to contrast with the judging tone.]

There would have been no challenge, anyway - there never is in fighting an old man.

[Chase Young, you are quickly becoming an enemy of Kung Fu in his scrolls.]

Have you or have you not defeated your master in combat?

[but how can you be an enemy of something you've already mastered?

-- don't answer that.]

I have not. He died before I got the opportunity.

Then you will never know whether you could have truly defeated him. [AH-HAH!] When it comes to a master and pupil, the only truths are what has happened, not what might have been.

You have not done as you say you could have, therefore it cannot be said what would happen. Do you not think he would have continued to better himself? That you are the only one that can learn?

Given his age, his position, and his predilection for wandering above training ... no, I don't think he would have gotten much better. Nor would any of the other masters - and I defeated a number of them, who were stronger than him.

[there's a faint twitch of irritation at the corner of one eye. all this talk of what has been and what could have been is putting him on edge.]

What exactly is your obsession with my lack of obedience to a dead man?

[These comments are worrying to a master of Kung Fu and, on a personal not, reminiscent of Tai Lung. These harden his expression and resolve to be careful of this strange creature shown on his console.]

It is because the respect that a student shows his master is a great measure of character.

[He looks the video image up and down.]

I can measure very little in you.

[he snorts derisively and leans back in his chair, giving shifu as judgmental a look as is being dealt to him.]

Yes, that's not the first time someone's told me something similar. Feel free to measure as you like. It means very little to me.

Besides, you've never seen me fight. Save your judgment for that, and then possibly I'll consider your opinion.

[but probably not. pride's a hell of a thing.]

Combat is but one aspect of Kung Fu. When you have mastered all aspects, perhaps then you will hear others speak differently to you.

[Shifu reaches to disconnect the feed, quite finished with this deplorable display of pride.]

[he almost laughs at that.]

I've heard that before, too, old rat.

[he doesn't try to keep the conversation going, but lets shifu be the one to cut them off. oh, how many different times he's heard the same thing, in so many centuries, and how many different times he's proven them all wrong.]

[Shifu does this, with a LINEFACE being his last visual message to Chase -- a promise that he will be watching him.]