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.]

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Last time I checked, I wasn't dead.

[Ascension? Shifu can buy that, but he expected a little less disagreement on their state. He hears it and an ear twitches as he gathers himself and some sage knowledge together.]

Death is not the only end to one's journey. [A steady breath and a serene nod of his head.] Those who have obtained inner peace can ascend long before their bodies reach their end.

[This is by far one of the weirdest things that's ever happened to Hawke. He thought being caught 'in between' would entail being stuck in some kind of Fade limbo.]

I didn't have that to worry about. I like keeping my soul in its original packing.

[A beat. Another ear twitch. One more breath.]

Then you had nothing to worry about? [Yes. Good.] This means you had nothing attaching you to your world. Those with earthly concerns are burdened by them and those that have released them are freed.

That's the problem with being immensly popular. I have plenty of world attatchments.

[Most he had to leave behind when the Mage/Templar war started, but that's not the point.]

Besides, who's gonna feed my dog?

Your dog will undoubtedly feed himself. [Said with the certainty of a red panda that has interacted with dogs in the past -- only, they walk and talk where he's from.] Surely you advised him that ascension is a possibility for one once they have attained the status of master?

Edited 2012-08-01 05:20 (UTC)

[Oh Hawke has faith that Dr. Thunder can fend for himself. Mabari are smart and Dr. Thunder certainly won't allow himself to starve.]

Of course I did, right after I served him tea and cakes.

[Shifu suspects this is sarcasm, but he's going to take it at face value. Kung Fu masters: What am humour.]

Then he understands.

[Onto more pressing issues:]

And even the most popular of masters have ascended. My own sifu held world renown, but this did not burden him to the physical world.

Well if I'm going to be ascending, a little warning would've been nice.

[But Hawke won't complain. Too much. It's nice to get away from Thedas for a while. At least he won't have to keep hiding.]

So what're we supposed to do here? Sing hymns with Andraste? Knit the Maker a sweater?

I-- [Pause. What does one do once they have been freed of their earthly bodies? Shifu contemplates this a moment.]

I will meditate and, through that, learn my purpose here.

[...maybe?]

There is another that may have more answers to this. Master Oogway is very wise and ascended long before I did. Perhaps he can shed light on this.

[A pause, then a dry addition:]

I have also learned that there are as many tasks which still need attending, even for those of us at peace with ourselves.

Edited 2012-08-01 21:33 (UTC)

[Great. Just what Hawke needed. More stuff to do. Wasn't ten years in Kirkwall enough? Or did the Maker just love making him squirm? Probably the latter. Bleh.]

A hero's work is never done.

So you do that whole meditation thing and let me know what you find out. Since you're the expert and all.

No, but it is the completion of each new task and the safety that brings others that rewards a hero most.

I am Master Shifu. [A slight emphasis on the master part of that statement. Not expert, merely a master.] What is your name, hero?

Garrett Hawke. Just Hawke will do.

[A bowing of his head -- not a full, formal recognition, but an acknowledgment.]

001 [video] console café

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