Natural Consequences (Closed RP: Kusuriyuri, A)

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

((OOC: the day after))

Kusuriyuri needed to talk to A. While the growing confidence was encouraging and the progress was most encouraging, A still lacked an understanding for the results of his actions. He still focused on the immediate to the detriment of the long term, as B's mounting paranoia showed.

He sat in his office in silent meditation for the better part of the morning, trying to sort out what the best way to speak with A about the incident. He wanted A to continue to grow and develop, didn't want to discourage him. But, A must also be made aware of the results of his actions and begin thinking about them.

With a sigh, Kusuriyuri penned a note and asked a house elf to deliver it to A and then bring him lunch.

The contents of the note:

Deshi,

If you are free, please join me for lunch in my office.

Comments

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A had just come in from working in the greenhouse when he got the note, and he paused to wash his hands and change his shirt before answering his teacher's summons. Still, it was very little time at all before his knock came on Kusuriyuri's door.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

The door opens for A. "Come in, deshi."

The food is on Kusuriyuri's low desk. He has convinced the house elves that raw fish is not harmful, or at least they'll humor him enough to allow him sushi. He has taken care that any vegetables are cooked, thus reducing the chance they'd react if A did lose control.

"Join me," he says, gesturing at the cushion across from him.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A kneels readily, and gives Kusuriyuri a smile.

"I was pleased to get your message."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"There is much to discuss," Kusuriyuri murmurs. "How is your garden? And the grove?" he asks while serving them both.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Tending them keeps me busy, but it is a good busy. The plants are flourishing." But Kusuriyuri's words have made him wary, and he gives his teacher a cautious glance.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri sees A's caution. It is probably better not to delay much more. "It came to my attention what occurred with B," he says softly, leaching all emotion from his voice, making it as non-judgmental as he could.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"He asked me," A says at an equally low volume. "He, he had a knife and he asked me."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri nods. "Please, tell me of it."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I was on my way to the garden," A tells him, sounding almost dreamlike, "And a, a knife slid across the floor, it, it bumped into my foot. And then he was there, B, B how he is now when I am there. And he said. Said I should put something, oh, should carve something on him."

A giggles, just a little.

"The knife, the knife he had, it was wrong, it, it was a stabbing knife. But I had, yes, my boxcutter, small and sharp, yes, so sharp, and I had him lie down, and I cut on his back, I, I didn't make him watch, and I didn't make it hurt more than it needed to. It needed to hurt later, not then."

This time he giggles in earnest. "I was careful, yes, so so careful to keep the lines straight."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"As I have seen," Kusuriyuri murmurs. He takes a piece of sushi and holds it between his fingers.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Oh, oh, you saw?" A presses his fingers to his lips and giggles again. "Are they still straight, oh, are the lines still straight?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

And, now, the difficult part. "Indeed. However, did deshi take into account how the other would react?" he softens his voice, trying to take the sting out of the reprimand.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I knew it would hurt," A says proudly. "And oh, oh, I wanted it, wanted him to hurt and know it was me."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri frowned. "And, please tell me, what a frightened and in pain B does to those around him?" He knows if he mentions what occurred, that A would most likely seek revenge again, resulting in a brutal cycle that now had more dangerous possibilities for a larger number of people.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"B does what B always does. B does what amuses B. B does what pleases B. But now B knows that it can be done back."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"A frightened B attacks those who approach, deshi," Kusuriyuri corrects, his tone slightly harder than before.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A looks at him in confusion. Yes, B attacks people, of course he does, he's cruel and violent and not safe to be near. Why did he need to be told this?

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri sighs inwardly. "To others, deshi, B is only an annoyance, rude, sharp of tongue, unpleasant. However, frightened, he attacks blindly."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A stares at him.

"No, oh, oh, people should know, he's filthy, he's dangerous, he doesn't, oh, he doesn't care if it hurts, likes..."

It's not a subject A is likely to be rational on.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"And if he attacks someone who cannot defend themselves, A, what then?" Kusuriyuri's voice is still soft. "If A punishes, marks B, then B will become more frightened and attack more people. Deshi, he cannot be contained in such a manner." He reaches across the table to touch A's arm. "Deshi, do you wish to stop him or merely punish him regardless of who else is hurt?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I want..." A closes his eyes, takes a deep breath. "I want him to not be able to hurt anyone, not ever."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

The relief that fills Kusuriyuri at that statement almost surprises him. "Good, deshi. Very good." He squeezes A's arm and then sits back. "As with plants, it is important to know what a person will likely do before acting on them, do you understand?" He knows A will remember their lessons and his lesson with Kurama and he knows A can apply his analogies, but this is a very personal matter for A.

"Deshi, can understand. This I believe, as does L and Kurama." he says with some warmth in his voice. "It is very important. More important than anything else I have taught you, understanding the consequences of actions."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"If..." A looks thoughtful. "If I cut his hands off, and not just his fingers, he would not be able to hurt anyone."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Relief gives way to something like despair. "And, he would be unable to care for himself and much more frightened. Hands are not required to cause harm, deshi."

Kusuriyuri frowns slightly. "We have not much spoke of mononoke. Mononoke are formed when spirits that are naturally part of the world and harmless are combined with regret, with pain, anger, strong emotions. They are dangerous, deshi, very dangerous to those who have nothing to do with the original encounter." He looks at A, willing him to understand without having to mention that he wasn't alone when he encountered B.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"He should be frightened," A murmurs with no real defiance. It's only right after all, after all the pain and fear B caused him for so very long.

But he listens to Kusuriyuri, and tries to decipher where spirits come into this.