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]

"Like when L drops sugar cubes into tea?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

A smile teases Kusuriyuri's lips. "Yes. Though the sugar is small, the ripples fill the cup, do they not?"

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

A nods. "And then he drops in more and there are more ripples."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Actions are like the sugar cubes, deshi. What is done is not just limited to where it is dropped into the tea."

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

A thinks the analogy through, then nods again.

"And when the surface is stilled, the sugar cube remains underneath?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"And it continues to influence the tea, does it not? Even when it cannot be seen anymore." He knows A works well with analogies and it does seem he is understanding this one, taking it the step farther.

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

"The tea is sweet, even when the cube is dissolved and cannot be seen." He smiles faintly. "But L adds more anyway."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri permits himself a small smile at A's addition. "That is so."

He squeezes A's hand lightly. "Deshi can be wiser than a sugar cube. The sugar cube does not know that it's fall will cause ripples, therefore it cannot take action to reduce ripples that may slosh the tea out of the cup. Understand?"

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

"If you lower a sugar cube in on a spoon instead of dropping it in, it won't ripple. Like, like that?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri thinks a moment. "There is still ripples in the tea, and the sugar still sweetens the tea, but the ripples are more controlled," he allows. "But, it requires knowing there will be ripples and knowing how to control them."

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

"Can a sugar cube know all the ripples?" It seems unlikely to A.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri considers the question. "Not all, but the larger ones can be known and predicted before. Observation of the past will reflect the future because truth remains, deshi. Though, you should not linger in the past."

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

"So," A frowns a little, "So, before I am dropped into tea, I should think of ripples?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri nods. "That is so, deshi." He hopes that, even if not now, A will understand and be able to temper his actions to minimize the 'ripples' he creates.

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

"So... so, so you think, with. With B. I should try to find things that will cause less ripples?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"With all, deshi, but B is a place to start, yes." He does believe that when A understands, his actions will be naturally tempered. "If you are uncertain what the ripples are, then seek out L or Kurama or myself. We can help you understand them."

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

"But," A looks a little concerned, "If I am always thinking of ripples, won't I be too concerned with them to do anything?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"At first, perhaps. But, with experience and practice, you will be able to understand the ripples faster and then be able to act." He tilts his head a little. "Deshi should be able to predict already. Begin simple. If a seed is watered and cared for, what will happen? And, if it is not, then what will happen?"

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

"A seed that is nurtured may flourish. Wild seeds are less likely to."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Nourishing causes ripples, deshi. You asked Kurama about the results of what he is teaching. The same applies outside of plants as well." He knows that A can take plant metaphors and apply them to interactions with people. "It will take practice, though, deshi, because the big ripples are not always immediately obvious."

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

"But if I don't know, if I can't know... how, how can I do anything, if it might, if the ripples might..."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri frowns slightly. "It is a very large lesson, deshi. Not for one sitting. It is enough for now that you understand there will be ripples. We will work on predicting them in our sessions. It is very important that you understand, especially now that you are learning to coax plants to your will. Understand?"

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

"I will be wary of plant ripples," A says with great solemnity.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"If A is uncertain of ripples, A should ask. Even Mello or Matt or Near could help." That Kusuriyuri is listing all the possible resources for assistance should help A to understand that this is possibly the most important lesson he has to offer.

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

"I, I will be careful," A says in a small voice.