Blast to the Past / Lamp Of Mihoshi: A test of mastery [Episode 55501]

by Kevin Michael Schultz

Taking a deep breath, Soun lowered himself into a traditional karate stance. Find the void, Soun. Ignore the ache in your heart. Find solace in the Art. It didn’t help much, but after several moments he was able to let his training distance himself from the emotional trauma of the last few days. Soun felt a portion of his confidence return as the scent of the hardwood moved over him and as he felt the cool breeze of the late spring morning meander through the room. A sparrow chirped in the distance as, after finding his center, he opened his eyes.

And then he lost.

It was just a little thing, really. Just a slight shining in her eyes. In that relaxed, casual ‘I’m so innocent butter won’t melt in my mouth’ stance that she had, in the slow rhythm of her breathing, in the scent of her sweat. He had last seen it in his hated Master, mocking him and his comrade with leering insinuations. Here, it was simple knowledge. Then, it had been promises of petty humiliations. Now, it was solace for the bereaved. Then, his reaction had been despair. Here, it was relief.

In a moment. For now, she just stood there, looking him up and down, Her gaze holding him rooted to the floor. Critiquing, as one would a pupil. Examining, as one would a scroll. He didn’t know how long they both stood, eyes meeting across the floor, until she spoke.

“It ain’t honorable to challenge the wounded.”

Soun didn't dare blink.

“I’ll hang around ‘till you get better, though.” She smiled, and wiggled her eyebrows. "I've been told y'got a dojo sign around here, somewhere."

And the moment was broken, and Soun collapsed back into his stance, too tired for anything more than a nod.

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(Posted Mon, 30 Jun 2003 15:32)


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