Chapter 683

Chapter 683

Kukku.

Burying my face in Mama Buns soft, silken fur, I sullenly ignore whatever Monk Happy is trying to say. It just takes too much effort to parse through his words, probably because hes almost always smiling. His body language indicates patience and forbearance while his expression is one of blissful contentment, and neither one matches with what hes trying to say, which throws a wrench in the works when it comes to understanding his verbal message. Songs expression also rarely matches her words, but her body language speaks volumes, as does her Aura, which she uses almost without thinking. Then theres Lin-Lin, whose words, expression, and body language all match, alongside something that feels similar to Aura, but isnt really Aura. My sweet wifey just projects her feelings all the time, and I suspect the reason is because she never bothers hiding her mood, like the rest of us are wont to do.

And I could learn something from this, because Im tired of my demands being ignored. I want the rooster, and I want it now.

Kukku, I say again, interrupting whatever explanation Monk Happy is trying to give and adding a measure of stubborn insistence alongside the verbal demand, even though I know its childish. I just want to see Kukku. Is that too much to ask? Its been... well, I dont know how long its been, but at least a day since I got it into my head to cuddle up with Kukku, because I bet hed be all soft and snuggly like a nicely feathered bed. This time, Song takes over and simply shakes her head telling me the rooster is unavailable, but I will not be denied again, not today. I want to see Kukku, and nothing will stop me, even if I dont really know why I so desperately need to cuddle him. I mean, hes cute and all, especially when he does his little happy dance or has the laughing birds all nestled on his head, but I have Mama Bun in my arms, Ping Ping and Guai Guai snoozing beside me, and Aurie curled up around me, so I should be all good to go for my now customary mid-morning nap.

And yet, something in me stubbornly refuses to sleep until I have the rooster in my lap.

Well, maybe not my lap, as hes pretty big. Dont think hell fit, but well make something work. Where theres a will, theres a way, and Ive got a hankering for some rooster snuggles. How does Kukku sleep anyways? Does he lie down on his side, or does he sit and rest his head on his own feathery floof? I cant say Ive ever seen a sleeping chicken, though I know the laughing birds just settle back on their haunches and lean against one another for support. Adorable is what it is, and I kinda wish they were more willing to cuddle, though I suppose theyre just worried Ill roll over and crush their hollow bones, which I admit is a pretty good reason to sleep elsewhere. I mean, there are times when I worry about whatll happen if Mila has a nightmare while snuggled against me, but Ive just accepted that sleeping next to my beautifully freckled red-headed wife is totally worth the risk of inadvertent death through crushing.

Mila. Wait. No. Well, yes. I do want to see Mila, and Yan, and even Luo-Luo kinda, as its wrong to creep on Song and Guard Leader always snorts when I eye Lin-Lin with pervy intent, but thats neither here nor there. Focus Rain, you have a mission and you need to keep to it: cuddle the fluffy rooster while you both nap. Simple enough, right? Kukku. Yes. Tell them. You want Kukku. No, you need Kukku. Make them understand. Kukku."

Yes, that should do it. The rooster should be here any time now. Any time at all...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

True to form, my stubborn sleep strike fails again as my outer self dozes off long before my demands are met, but in my defence, Ive been denying myself sleep for about four days now. I havent really figured out why, but visiting my Natal Palace is no replacement for sleep, even though theres a disconnect between my body, mind and soul. I suppose all three facets of my existence require downtime, so even though my body and mind are technically asleep, my soul being active here in my Natal Palace means Im not getting the full benefit of a good nights rest. I dont know why they wont bring me to see Kukku, or why the rooster never comes to visit, but I need the roosters help to recover and Monk Happy just doesnt get it. Alas, my outer self lacks the ability to explain or even understand why he needs to see the rooster, so all I can do is act like a spoiled child and refuse to do anything else before my demands are met.

Patience is a virtue, so they say, but only a real Saint can deal with me when Im at my most stubborn. Now I just have to keep whispering in my ear and avoid falling asleep in my Natal Palace, else Ill have to start back at square one.

Find Kukku, I tell myself, whispering it like my new mantra. Cuddle Kukku. Fall asleep with Kukku in your arms. You can do this. You need to do this. There are wives to reunite with and quin pups to snuggle.

Also an Empire to lead, but thats best left out, as Im trying to motivate my outer self to get his ass in gear, not discourage him into stubborn procrastination. Sometimes, I hate myself, and the rest of the time, I loathe me, but it is who I am, and I have no choice but to live with it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Waking up and feeling no more rested than before, I rub the sleep out of my eyes and take stock of my surroundings, if only so I dont roll onto any floofs while stretching. Mama Bun is still fast asleep in my embrace, while Ping Ping is snuggled up beside me with Guai Guai splayed out on her shell, but the rest of my floofs are gathered around Song and Lin-Lin as they beg for the scraps of their lunch. Greeting me with her bright, cheery smile, my wifey leans to one side to touch her head to mine while offering me a bite of her dumpling. Despite knowing shell pull her chopsticks back before I can chow down, I make an exaggerated lunge for the delicious bait and collapse against her when I inevitably fail. Her melodic giggles reminds me of happier times back in the village, of simpler times when my greatest ordeal was changing diapers for the twins, making lunch for Taduk and Lin-Lin, and learning how to write with a calligraphy brush.

Truth be told, I never really got the hang of using a brush, and I pretty much gave up on it after ordering a set of custom crafted metal pens, but having seen the beautifully artistic renderings done by Luo-Luo and the monks of the Brotherhood, I have the urge to go back and try my hand at it again. I never really understood the point of stylistic calligraphy before, but now I see it for what it is, a way to take a known constant and add your own personal flair to it. Everyone who sees it will recognize it for what it is, writing that denotes a specific term or phrase, yet if done correctly, your version will be uniquely different from what anyone else has ever done. It could be something as simple as changing the order of brush strokes, or drastic as stylistically altering the curvature of the lines, but even if the end result is instantly recognizable as your written name, itll be done in a way thats entirely your own. Sure someone mightve done something similar before, and others can copy you in the future, but thats not important. The important part is that youve now left your mark on the world, because even if no one ever sees your work or knows it was you who created it, theres no denying that its yours.

The monks consider this one of the Three Desires, a craving for existence in the form of self-identity and permanence. Life is suffering, and we suffer because of the Three Desires, so their end goal is to forsake the Three Desires and ascend to another plane of existence. Thats why they burn their works of art whenever theyre done with it, whether it be scrolls, canvases, carvings, or even sheet music, because this ensures everything theyve created will disappear once the people who remember those works of art re-enter the cycle of reincarnation. I dont know why, but it saddens me to see their incredible works of art destroyed each and every night, probably because the world is ugly and depressing enough that going out of our way to destroy beauty almost seems like a crime. Theres a lot I agree with regarding the monks and their Noble Eight-Fold Path, but theres a lot I dont agree with either, but then again, I never intended to become a card carrying member anyways.

Even if I agreed with everything they were laying down, I will never willingly become a eunuch. No thanks, not for me, I like my twig and berries very much. No homo.

Right, I actually forgot about that. Even GangShu was nervous when travelling here with Jorani and Daxian, to the point where he would rather inflict pain and hardship on his sons than take it easy. The only reason our journey here was so easy was because we had Kukkus Talent to protect us, his almost unique skill of sending his foes into a pleasant dream state with a single crow. I should figure out how he does that and try to replicate it, because that seems like something that would come in handy, especially if I can fine tune my targets like Aura, because then I could put whole armies to sleep with a single word. Or maybe a lullaby. I should learn an instrument, so I can study the whole musical Aura thing more closely, but Im not a big fan of the zither or pipa. Flutes arent my thing either, but the only other option would be some type of horn, which also doesnt really appeal. Where are the guitars, pianos, and saxophones? Now those are cool instruments, not like the weird ones they have here in the Empire.

Coming out of my thoughts to stop Guard Leader from bringing us directly over a pit of terrifying worm things, I convince her to go another way even though she still cant sense the danger. Pragmatic as always, she simply accepts my warning without question and circles us around the worm things, which I somehow just know are bad news and dont want to deal with. I dont even know how I know theyre there, because I can just sense the bad juju emanating from their nest, but I also sense theyre full and sleepy, so we dont have to go far to avoid them. Soon after the close call, Guard Leader brings us to a gated archway built into the side of a sand dune, or maybe the archway was here first and the dune formed around it. Its the first sign of civilization Ive seen since leaving the monastery, but the doorway puts me in mind of the Northern Wall and the concrete districts, as its made from a similar material. There are no markings on the archway, or the sturdy steel-reinforced doors barring our path, leaving no clues as to who might have built these. The architecture is completely different from anything Ive seen in this world, though they put me in mind of a nuclear bunker from my past life, albeit one with a low tech wooden door instead of the customary steel vault ones Id come to associate with that sort of thing.

Rather than knocking, Guard Leader kicks the door open and heads inside to clear the way before signalling for me to follow. Once were in, Lin-Lin clambers off my back and directs me to close the door behind us, her smile conspicuously absent as she peers around the dark interior with unvarnished curiosity. I doubt she can see a thing, but she isnt missing much, as the room is empty and unfurnished save for a second set of doors on the opposite wall, a man-made cave that might fit ten people comfortably at best. Before Guard Leader can barge through the second set of doors, they creak open to reveal two spade bearing monks, aged no-nonsense types standing with weapons at the ready. The candlelit hallway outlines their lean frames as they stand with polearms pointed towards myself and Guard Leader, but with one free hand closed in a fist save for their index fingers pointed forward at the ground towards us. A warning, one I only recognize thanks to my improved ability to read body language, which raises questions as to why the monks learn these hand signs in the first place. Is it because theyve met others like me, who have trouble understanding language, but can read body language perfectly? Now I feel better about coming to the Brotherhood for answers, though Im a little miffed its taken this long to see progress.

While I muse over their hand signals, which I belatedly remember are called mudras, the two monks utter something and issue a powerful Aura of warning, one devoid of anger or reprimand. Before Guard Leader can escalate by saying something curt and rude, I butt in with the only thing I can really say. Kukku.

Caught off guard by the request, the monks share a silent exchange without taking their eyes off Guard Leader. Again, I somehow sense their Sendings flitting back and forth, and I feel like I can almost hear them, like a radio tuned into the wrong frequency and getting muffled noise over static. Sensing Guard Leaders rising vigilance, I turn to her and pat her arm in quiet request to calm down, and to my great surprise, she does so after shooting me a begrudging look. Though her veil covers her expression, her eyes speak volumes and I can tell shes saying she hopes I know what Im doing, and I hope so too. These are definitely friendly monks of the Brotherhood, because even though I dont recognize them, I can sense that they have no ill-intent. Theyre just miffed that were here, because we shouldnt be, but so long as they let me leave with Kukku, Ill be happy to get out of their hair.

The monks say something out loud and gesture for me to follow, which I do without thinking because it just seems right. One of them stops me almost immediately and points at Lin-Lin beside me, who scrunches her adorable features into a pout before grudgingly letting go of my hand and crossing her arms in pique. Even her tantrums are adorable, so I give her a quick kiss on the forehead and hand her the picnic basket too, because if she has to wait here with Guard Leader, then they shouldnt have to go hungry. Ever the thoughtful wifey, she pulls out a steamer of buns which are somehow still warm and hands them over to me, her smile coming back so quickly its as if it never slipped.

Honestly, I love the vegetarian cuisine here. From the smell, these buns are chock full of garlic, chives, and chili peppers, with a splash of soy sauce for extra flavour. Biting into one reveals its packed full of vermicelli and dried tofu as well, adding even more substance to the soft, moist buns that is simply out of this world. As the doors shut behind us and we move down the dark hallway, I notice the monks studying me with open curiosity, and I offer them both a bun as well, but they politely decline. At least one monk was won over by my efforts though, while the other is still on the fence, but so long as they arent openly hostile, then I dont really need them to like me. I would like it if they did though, because I dont see any reason they shouldnt, as I am nothing if not pleasant and likeable.

Okay, thats a lie. Im an infuriating person to be around, and I have no idea why people like me, but still... these specific monks dont know that yet.

At the end of the hallway, two more armed monks stand at the ready, but I already knew there were more people from the Sendings I sensed. The first two monks stand aside while their comrades open the door for me to pass, each of them making a mudra that offers me hope and good wishes, though I do not understand why. Mentally shrugging instead of stopping to think things through, I head into the unlit room and immediately regret my decision as the doors slam shut behind me. Waiting for my eyes to readjust to the darkness, I can sense at least one other living thing in here with me, but not through any supernatural means. No, I know theres something here because I can hear it breathing, deep, heavy snuffling sniffs as it takes in my scent. Long seconds pass in tense silence before I can finally see again, and I find myself face to face with two, fathomless orbs of darkness, looming at me from overhead and full of promised threat and violence.

To which I respond by holding out my steamer to offer him a bun.

The change is immediate as those eyes soften in delight. A giant paw reaches in to carefully grasp one steamed bun between two deadly talons, and then another paw follows suit. Pleased with my offering, the big guy settles back on his haunches to savour the treats with relish, while I munch on another bun and study him. Though its difficult to make out colours in the darkness, my mind is already filling in the gaps, because I know who Im looking at and it is taking all my self control not to launch myself towards him for a hug. That might spook him, and I dont want that, because as adorable as this panda might be, the missing operative word is bear, and hes a big, nearly feral one at that, with white, glossy fangs that glimmer in the darkness despite the complete absence of light.

So this is the Abbots Spiritual Panda Bear complete with Spiritual Fangs, a hulking, heavy-set chonker of a specimen thats a bit bigger than your oversized minivan. With his bandit eye markings and big, floofy belly, he looks remarkably adorable without losing any of his fearsome bearish features, namely the Spiritual Fangs, razor-sharp claws, and massive body just rippling with muscles. Though not quite as advanced as Ping Ping was before her ascension, the panda isnt too far off, or at least I dont think he is.

I wonder what his name is. Something stupid I bet, since the Abbot has terrible naming sense. His panda fur is probably crazy soft. And theres so much of it too, what with him being so big and all. Oh man, I could sleep on that belly with all of my floofs, so long as he doesnt move too much. Wouldnt that be something?

Bwak-bwak? Kukkus curious clucking draws my attention away from the panda and I offer him a steamed bun as well, an offer the rooster is more than happy to accept. Wrapping my arms around him in a hug, I sink into his soft feathers and sigh as he hugs me back, wrapping me in his wings and neck. Almost falling asleep on my feet, I stumble when Kukku moves back a step and realize he wants to bring me somewhere, so I follow him to the corner where I see the whole reason hes here.

Its the Abbot, looking far too thin and older than I remember, his body slowly wasting away as he battles against his sickness. Clucking again in hopeful suggestion, Kukkus gaze goes from me to the Abbot as if asking me to help him, but I wouldnt know where to start. Lumbering over with a huff, the panda watches me from above and makes ready to strike if I should even show a hint of threat towards the Abbot, who Kukku and the panda both love dearly. Assuring them through Aura that I mean no harm, I seat myself beside the Abbot and finish the rest of my steamed buns, though the panda takes a third without asking. Just like Pong Pong, who thinks all shrimp belong to him. Rude, but hes cute so Ill allow it.

I dont know whats wrong with the Abbot, and I cant figure it out either, but maybe its because Im too tired to stay awake any longer. Snuggling into Kukkus feathers, I make myself comfortable and take the Abbots hand, because somehow, I feel like this is important, so important my brain is still telling me to hold his hand even though I already am. Whatever it might be that ails him, the Abbot has held onto life for this long, so I suppose another night wont hurt. Ill figure it out first thing tomorrow, but right now, Ive done what I came here to do.

I finally found Kukku, and now its time to snuggle him and sleep. I did it guys. Wooo, go me. A small victory, but one I find immensely satisfying to the extreme.

Chapter Meme