If you're looking for a quiet retreat, this is the place. Run by devout monks, you will be welcomed with generous hospitality. You can even take the time here to achieve some spiritual enlightenment of your own, with the sounds of the rainforest as a backdrop. (+2 Precision)

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A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 9:15 PM

Naria

5:30 AM: Time to wake up.

5:45 AM: Time I actually wake up.

6:00 AM: Morning stretches in the upper courtyard.


Breathe in.
Breathe out.
And in.
And out.

This was all routine to Naria as she stood among the monks of the temple to stretch. In another world, they called this tai chi. As she moved fluidly between the different poses, the girl glanced at the head monk who stood separate from the group. She thought about how many times she had seen him lead these very exercises and couldn't help but notice how much he had aged. Yet still he still moved through the steps with the strength and agility of a much younger man. She was analyzing his leathery face when his ice blue eyes looked sharply into hers. Looking away in shame for letting her mind wander, she focused on her breathing, bringing herself back into the gentle rhythm and letting her mind melt away into nothing.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


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Jaden Wolf
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Re: Avoiding Destiny (Open)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 9:27 PM

6:15 AM: Morning prayers.

6:30 AM: Chores.

7:00 AM: Breakfast.


Climbing back onto her feet, Naria rotated her shoulders, and as she did every day, gave thanks for the stretches she had to do that morning. Washing the floors was a difficult task, though soon she'd likely get to hand off that chore to newer monks. Grinning at that thought, she picked up her materials and put them away. Just as she finished, a monk called out to her from behind. Turning to walk, she smiled at him and for a while they chatted about things like the weather and joked about the problems with the latest monks. As the two of them reached the eating area, she inclined her head to him in respect and then proceeded to get her food.

The friendly monk who handed her her usual bland food winked and discreetly added some berries on the side of her plate.
"From the garden, picked them this morning," he whispered. A glint in her eye, she thanked the good monk and sat at the back of the room so as to eat her treat in peace.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


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Jaden Wolf
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Re: Avoiding Destiny (Open)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 9:47 PM

7:30 AM: Meditation.

8:00 AM: General Combat lessons.


Rah!
Unh!
Oof!

...ugh.

Naria glared up at the monk before her, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I don't see why I have to learn to use a sword. I already know 6 different types of hand-to-hand combat and I am more than adept with 3 other weapons!" she protested as she hauled herself up off the ground. The monk merely tilted his head in curiosity.
"You can use so many different things because of your training in Shinto Muso Ryu yet you cannot handle any sword aside from a katana. It amazes me."
"But isn't all that other stuff enough? she asked with a frown. The monk smiled patiently.
"The fact that you cannot use such a weapon despite your training proves that there is something you are lacking. This is not about learning to use a sword, but discovering the reason why you can't."
Naria glared at the ground and picked at it with the point of the sword.
"Don't you ever get tired of being wise?" she muttered, and the monk laughed. Raising his own sword, he motioned for her to follow suit and they started again.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


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Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 10:01 PM

9:00 AM: Math and Language lessons.

10:00 AM: History and Demonology lessons.


Naria glared at the paper in front of her. She could feel the kind eyes of her instructor boring into her face but she simply could not remember. Yeah, so her father might be some important Demon dude but why did that have to mean she had to remember the names of all of the demons in his realm and all of his enemies.
"Naria, we've been over this," the monk spoke gently in his rasping voice. Turning her eyes to his hunched and withered figure, she drew her lips together. He sighed and lowered himself carefully onto the cushion on the other side of the low table.
"This may not be the strongest or the most evil of the Demons but it holds a special place in their King's court."
Naria couldn't help but notice no one ever referred to the Demon King by name, and absolutely no one would ever mention that he was her father. But they knew. They knew what kind of destiny she was supposed to have, and despite their refusal to acknowledge his existence, they still tried to give her the best chance at survival they could. Sighing, she looked the monk in the eyes.
"One more time."
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


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Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 10:11 PM

11:00 AM: More prayers

11:30 AM: Free time


Entering one of the general rooms of the temple, Naria approached the group of younger monks who were kneeling around an elder and a chess board. Noticing her approach, the elder sighed and gave her a crooked smile.
"Pe'fect timin', Na'ia, I shwear these 'ere young 'uns jus' keep gettin' dimmer e'ry yea'," he called out, his almost toothless grin explaining his terrible speech. Used to it, Naria understood every word though, and laughed.
"Maybe you're just getting smarter," she responded and laughed again as he winked back.
"aye bu yo' gots to be gettin' brihteh too, yuh?" he laughed, slurring out his words. Sitting across the board from him, Naria looked around at the young monks with a glint in her eye.
"Why don't we show them how it's really done, huh?" she challenged, and with a deep cackling laugh, the monk gestured for her to make the first move.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 10:59 PM

12 Noon: Lunch

12:30 PM: Meditation

1:00 PM: More chores


Stepping out into the lower courtyard, Naria took a deep breath of the muggy summer air and squinted in the sun. She waited for a group of travelling monks to enter the temple, and then with her broom in hand, began sweeping the worst of the dirt and debris off of the stone path. Before long, she found herself finished and leaned on the broomstick in relief. While sweeping wasn't one of her most tiring chores, it was exhausting at this time of year. Heading inside, she put the broom away before heading out the east garden. Once there, she set herself to work pulling out the weeds and cleaning around the pond. Thankfully, the garden had plenty of shade, and Naria was grateful for a break from the sun. Finally she sat down by the bridge over the pond and threw in some food for the koi.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 11:18 PM

1:30 PM: Perform rituals with elders

2:00 PM: More combat lessons.


The sound of wood hitting flesh as well as grunting and groaning could be heard all up and down the western corridors. In the sparring pit, Naria stood blindfolded with a staff as several monks attacked her, some with staffs, others with bamboo swords and the rest bare-handed. The elder stood with her instructor to the side, watching quietly as she defeated every monk who came at her. She had a few close calls, but was doing very well...until one monk managed to get in a lucky blow with his staff and knocked her off her feet.
"That's enough," called out the instructor calmly. Naria whipped off her blindfold and looked at him to see that he had a smirk on his face and a glint in his eye. Taking the offered hand from the monk who took her down, she bowed to her opponents before approaching her instructor and the head monk.
"How did I do?" she asked, still somewhat breathless from the training. For a moment, the head monk just stared at her with a stern face. Just as Naria started to fear she might get scolded, the monk's face broke into a grin and she smiled back in relief.
"Wonderful, Naria. I think you can certainly call yourself a master of the staff. We are running out of things to teach you," he said heartily. She shook her head and bowed to him.
"I doubt that very much, Master Tuon. You still know much more than I."
The monk shrugged.
"Oh, perhaps."
Grinning back at him, Naria raised her head and turned to her instructor only to bow again. He bowed his head in return and retreated back into the temple halls. Behind her, Master Tuon turned and headed towards his rooms.
"Come then, Naria. It is my turn to drill some things into your head."
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 11:26 PM

3:00 PM: General lessons.

4:00 PM: Assist monks with whatever.

5:00 PM: Bathe.

5:30 PM: Help prepare dinner.

6:00 PM: Dinner.


Finding a seat at one of the long tables in the eating area, Naria clasped her hands in prayer before digging into her food. However bland it may be, once dinnertime rolled around, she was always too hungry to even care. That, and she had been eating the same kind of food her whole life. Once she finished her food, she offered up a quick prayer again and replaced her plate at the end of the room. Coming back to her seat, she struck up conversation with the monks around her. Most of them had been around almost as long as her and she considered them family. Behind her, some of the youngest monks started to get loud and playful before an elder came along and reprimanded them. With a knowing smile, she looked at the elder who smirked at her.
"That used to be you, didn't it? Our little troublemaker," he said in a teasing tone. Naria just shrugged innocently and laughed at the incredulous looks the young monks gave her. Moments later, she rose and followed the others to meditate.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 11:35 PM

6:30 PM: Meditation.

7:00 PM: Evening Prayers.

7:30 PM: Free time.


While Naria didn't much mind the work and praying and meditating and lessons, she knew they didn't teach her much about the outside world. Which was why during her free time in the evenings, after the evening prayers, she would excuse herself from the presence of the monks and retreat to her rooms. Once there, she would get out the books the Lady Chime had snuck into the temple for her. They were old and worn from having been read so many times but Naria just couldn't get enough of them. It was so different from reading the books for her lessons or prayers. She just soaked up every word and by now she could almost pick a book and recite it word for word. Tonight was no exception. Checking the hallway first for any wandering monks, she lit a candle and sprawled out on the floor to read. Master Tuon would scold her for such improper posturing but in this hour, she didn't care.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
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Joined: 10/20/2007 1:46 PM
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Re: A day in the temple. (Self)

Postby Jaden Wolf » 07/05/2014 11:46 PM

8:30 PM: Prepare for bed.

8:45 PM: Check seals in the room.

9:00 PM: Lights out.


Checking the seals in her rooms was the most boring thing about Naria's bedtime routine. There were so many hidden away behind the walls and tapestries that she would really rather not to check them at all. But she knew they were there for her safety, so every night she complained, and every night, she checked them anyway. Only once did she ever discover one had been destroyed and that was only because it got shredded by a poor mouse who'd somehow gotten himself trapped between the wall and the floorboards. At the time, she was too small to do much but run to one of her masters and watch him free the mouse and replace the seal. These days, Naria was more than capable of replacing the seals herself.

Checking the last of the seals, Naria sighed and stretched out on the floor before crawling over to her bedsheets. Wrapping herself into the material, she sighed in contentment before glaring at the sharp rap that came from the door.
"I know, I am!" she called out before lifting her head and blowing out the candle nearby. Her head had hardly hit the pillow before she was out.

And tomorrow she'd have to start the whole day over again.
You can pretend that when you hear my voice, darling, it's your choice not to fall in.

But it's all an act, 'cause I know exactly what you're wanting. You know it's what I'm wanting

Boy I know what you desire, oh, you're such a bad, bad liar

This could be perfection, or venom dripping in your mouth

Singing like a Siren, love me while your wrists are bound


User avatar
Jaden Wolf
Ultimate Specialist
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