nexus_sages | (no subject)

Without warning, someone emerges into the Nexus through a swirling portal of light.

The smartly-dressed young man, one-handedly adjusting a pair of dark-framed glasses on his nose as he walks, appears to be quite involved in paging through a book of some sort, hence not noticing that he is most likely not where he was actually intending to be. It's only when he finally looks up from the book--

"--I can't be sure as of yet, but it appears...that it...might..."

Yes, this is definitely not where he meant to end up.

He blinks slowly - once, twice, three times, absently taking a bookmark from his pocket so he can close the book and take a very good look around.

A brochure from a nearby table finds its way quickly into his hands, and while it doesn't really explain things to his satisfaction, at least it gives him a bit of an idea to work with. Now...a question. Which involves picking one out of the multitude swirling round in his head.

"...How - hypothetically, mind you - would one go about showing their appreciation to someone who was kind enough to take them in? Without overstepping their boundaries," he hurries to add the last bit, looking sour.

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"No offense taken, truly." Kazuma's pretty mild-tempered. "But think of it this way. It is...hm, how shall I - ah, yes. A stray shinki, serving many masters, is like a person dating multiple other people at the same time, stringing them all along. Stray shinki, having many masters, have no true allegiance to any of them, and may betray them at any time. A god who still names a stray is...rather desperate."

"Have we not all been desperate, at some time?" the lizard points out gently. "As for the simile of one who maintains many lovers, can we say with certainty that such love could never be valid? It is one thing to keep each in secret, deluded with the conceit that they alone hold the wanderer's heart, but if all parties know--and consent in knowing? I at least would not be prepared to pass judgment upon their character."

Kazuma nods slowly; he has to admit Shade-Seeker is indeed talking sense. "Yes, I suppose you may be correct. And perhaps at some point - there was, is, or could be a stray with only good intentions. But it is my experience that multiple names simply degrade the shinki's sense of morality, turning them into little more than simple monsters. The gods, as well, I suppose - they are not blameless."

"No one is blameless of the choices they make," he concedes, "but my choice is to refrain from judgment until the whole is known, whenever possible."

"Understandable. And honestly, you've made me think a little harder about this than I've been inclined to." Let it never be said that Kazuma is not at least a bit reasonable.

"Some might call that the duty of every teacher, whether with students or not," he answers with a grin. And he certainly wouldn't call someone who's gotten this far into the conversation without drawing blade or spell and lunging at him unreasonable.

"Yes, that is true. Does that make me a student, then?" Kazuma can't resist the teasing question. It's been literally centuries since he was in that sort of situation.

"We are all students of life," Shade-Seeker asserts, "even if you are not formally my student."

"I think I rather like that way of looking at it."

Shade-Seeker smiles, flashing a row of very pointy little teeth. "Then I am pleased to have shared it."

"I believe I know others who will be pleased when I share it with them." Kazuma returns the smile.

"Elation compounded, then. May the thought serve you well."

"I'm certain it will. Thank you."