Not Out Of The Woods Yet (D16, EN. Open)

[Togashi Saruko]

"Really?" she said somewhat neutrally. "And what makes you say that?"

[Nanzi]

“Nanzi knows many including the Dragon and Imperials are fond of him but he has offered nothing that seems wise to Nanzi. The desert and mountains are filled with wise old ascetics who eschew the niceties for a simple life and then people flock to them for their grand wisdom.”

He continued, “In the specific he espouses the divinity inherent in man, to which Nanzi can agree. This ascetic believes that all should be free to seek their own destiny… which is chaos and inimical to building a just society. He decries tyranny and lording over others and yet when it came time to decide who would descend it was one man that made that choice based on what? His insights? In one fell swoop he denied the very premise of the philosophy he espoused to Nanzi.”

“He took their destiny from them and told them what their fate would be. Thankfully Hantei and myself would not be judged by him,” Nanzi said.

“On top of nearly getting the Spider child killed by his Hubris made manifest, Nanzi sees no value in the wisdom of a hypocrite unless they admit to their own hypocrisy.”

[Togashi Saruko]

"Uh huh..." Saruko didn't sound very convinced of what Nanzi was saying, but she did have the benefit of having known Shinsei for years compared to most and had learned much more of his philosophy than most.

"Destiny and fate are not the same, this much I have learned in the past years of my own studies... but, I know my friend Shinsei well enough to know that he is not infallible, and has never claimed himself to be. Those who claim to be so themselves are surely lying. Would you say yourself that you have never committed an act that put others in danger as a consequence of your actions, brother?"

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi never claimed to be perfect but to espouse that people should find their path and then choosing it for them is contradictory in the extreme," Nanzi replied.

"If you find him wise and great then continue to do so, Nanzi finds him loathsome and there is little to be said that can change that. It is a minor thing, and if Nanzi can go the rest of his days without being in his presence he will be better for it."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Ah," ever the philosopher, Saruko continued, "but you are mistaking destiny and fate for being the same, as well as saying that a person's chosen path is the same as well. Would you say that the light of Lady Sun is the same as the light of Lord Moon?"

In another world, where celestial bodies were not divine entities who literally did exist, Saruko would've been surprised at the answer.

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi don't do riddles, what are you driving at?" he responded.

[Togashi Saruko]

"I am saying, that destiny is not fate. Fate is not destiny."

She took a deep breath, as philosophy seemed to be a lost subject with Nanzi. "We were both there at the meeting, and saw how many wished to volunteer for the most dangerous of all tasks. If we put aside the matter of fate and destiny for the time being at least. If we sent everyone who volunteered into the deep, then we wouldn't have had enough defenders up top; Reiko would've been killed, and it would've all been for naught. Had we sent someone who were not truly prepared for the task ahead, then it would've failed and we would've lost two of our divine bond-brothers."

"It was not a decision that could easily have been made, without seeing the potential within each volunteers' spirits, because a decision needed to be made anyway. It wasn't a matter that could've been decided purely through strength, magical power, or wits, or who volunteered the loudest. Shinsei saw the potential that each person had. And while they were not chosen for the mission, his insight can provide great growth towards their destiny, if they heed it."

[Nanzi]

"As you say, perhaps there was value there," he said.

[Togashi Saruko]

"If you are willing to listen, and not let past experiences cloud your judgement, then you can find much wisdom in the teachings of others, brother," she offered kindly in return.

[Nanzi]

Nanzi nodded, "He is of value to you, Nanzi sees that now. I give him Courtesy for what he has achieved but know that as long as Nanzi draws breath his words mean nothing to me and never will."

"Nanzi is sure the feeling is mutual, there is nothing else to gain."

[Togashi Saruko]

"I am saddened to hear that," she remarked solemnly, but didn't specify which part.

[Nanzi]

"I am saddened to hear that," she remarked solemnly, but didn't specify which part.

Nanzi petted the Raven and then said, "Nanzi trusts your judgment if you feel this Shinsei has something of value, Nanzi will speak with him once more. Nanzi promises nothing, perhaps there will be more of the man you respect and less of whatever it is that he currently sees."

"It is at least the Courteous thing to do."

[Togashi Saruko]

"If you believe it best for you, and your own growth as you tread your path," she nodded. "But don't feel forced on my behalf."

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi does not believe as you do, but he does trust that you see the good in people," he said honestly.

[Togashi Saruko]

Saruko felt it was a touch condescending, but decided not to continue that way. "I see what I see. That's all anyone can do."

[Nanzi]

Nanzi did not like the topic so he offered, "What will you do now?"

[Togashi Saruko]

"Return home. I've missed my family terribly." She sighed, struck with home-sickness even more than usual today.

"After that... I intend to become more active as a leader to those who look to me for leadership. Not quite sure how yet, but I'll figure it out when I get there."

[Nanzi]

"You'll find your way," he offered. "It's nice to have a future to consider."

[Togashi Saruko]

"It is. And it looks... well, with this task accomplished, it will be better."

She looked for a moment in the direction of where the pit had been.

"What about you? Any great plans going forward now?"

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi is always planning," he said thoughtfully.

"In the immediate future he will find out just how much Hantei can drink before he pisses himself."