deercountry | Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

Who: Iroh & Open
What: End of March catch all
When: Last two weeks of March
Where: Catacombs, Gaze, & Salt Lake

Content Warnings: Mentions of war and death likely, will update as needed

A: Careful what you wish for
The catacombs were a very tempting place, ones in which it was very important for one to stop and look inward least they become lost or caught in the many different traps that were there. The patience to ensure that the water was safe to drink and traverse. Fire was an unforgiving thing, even in a spirit in which the flames of courage roared, but those flames gave off no heat compared to the ones of Iroh's past or that he commanded now. Materials goods held little meaning when they were devoid of sentimental value, and so the temptation was fleeting and easy to ignore. Through each of these challenges, Iroh would offer his assistance and guidance to those who might have faltered, or who were searching for a way through the catacombs.

Now he stands before the warning, 'THE KINDNESS OF THE WORLD IS BEHIND YOU: HELL IS AHEAD. AS ABOVE, SO IS BELOW. THAT WHICH HAS BEEN, WILL RETURN AGAIN.' and feels the darkness that stares at him. The shortcomings and transgressions of his past weigh heavily on his shoulders. But he refuses to turn back and simply stands there, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"If you look for the dark, it is all you will ever see."

B: A game of intuition and speed, but slow methodical strategy
After the adventures in the catacombs, Iroh was in need of some time to relax and gather his thoughts. There had been much of trench that had been rather worrying, and yet just as much that was fascinating. The people of the city were just as varied and it was strange seeing so many different backgrounds and cultures collected in one place, something which pleased him quite a bit. Still, though there were some familiar comforts of home which he had come to long for a bit, Jasmine Tea and his own bed being among them. But there was another which now was laid out on a table before him.

Among the various tables that littered Gaze and the school sat an old man with a board and array of tiles before him. Setting them into place seems to bring a small grin though there was only a handful that he knew of that had any knowledge of the game in this world. Still, Iroh was more than happy to teach any who were interested.

C: Spirits are not to be trifled with.
Iroh had heard stories of amazing things that occurred, those that came to pass beneath the full moon. Of course, Iroh was the kind to need to investigate such things on his own, to see the spirits of this world at world and marvel at their splendor. So as the full moon began to rise, he made his way to the salt lake. No light other than the small flame conjured in his hand as he left the lights of the city and ventured out into the wilderness, finding beneath the light of the moon that the flame was barely necessary. The lake which had always been black and devoid of light, beneath the silver tendrils of light from the moon, now glowed pink. It seemed to be brimming with life and energy, almost as if it were a portal to another world or a time before the corruption.

"Such a magnificent sight. It is truly the work of the spirits."

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Iroh did not mind in the least that the boy seemed to have been studying him, perhaps he was simply too nervous to venture over and say hello. It was about that time that the boy seemed flustered enough that books go flying. Of course, Iroh was sympathetic, getting up from the table and helping him to gather the tomes that he had dropped.

"Are you alright? You have quite a few books, you must be a scholar."

Oh no- he did not mean to be so clumsy, and even interrupt the man's game. Kaneki is embarrassed: he is well aware he is a bit awkward and that can be off putting to a lot of people, and he really does not wish to bother other people.

"It's alright- I'm sorry, I was too distracted." he offers a smile, gathering the books, but shakes his head. "I can't say I'm one. I mean, that's the title they give us: Arcane Scholar. But I just enjoy reading."

It's familiar, and it quiets his heart and fades away his loneliness. If he is reading a book, he feels like he is in a different place, and he is not terribly scared or lonely.

"There is no reason to apologize, and enjoying reading is a very suitable past-time for a young scholar. There's much knowledge to be found in books and scrolls, knowledge from times long ago that otherwise might have been forgotten."

Picking one of them back up, he set atop the stack of others,

"Though they can also contain magnificent tales that take you to another world, and there is no shame in enjoying those texts either."

Kaneki certainly agrees; kaneki has learned most things from books himself since he didn't have parents to teach him, so naturally he agrees with those words, smiling in response to them.

"And given everything... I think it's important to have a place like that." another world, where things don't really have to hurt him, and he can just let his imagination go.

Kaneki glances back at the game Iroh was playing once all the books have been gathered. "I'm sorry I interrupted you. What were you playing?"

"I wasn't playing yet, it's a little difficult to so on your own. But it's called Pai-sho, a game of strategy and intuition that has been passed down through the ages."

A game that is as much philosophy as it was anything and was certainly far more than a simple game to be played. Though it was certainly that as well, especially when one was new to the game and did not yet know of the deeper meanings.

"I was simply laying the tiles out and admiring them, hoping that someone might be familiar with it."

"Oh... it's not checkers?" Kaneki glances back at the game again. On a first glance, that's what it looked like, but naturally he believes what Iroh says - naturally. It's not like Kaneki is familiar with all the board games that exist. "I never heard of it, although it seems interesting." Ken smiles afterwards.

"I'm sorry, I probably won't be a good companion for it, you'd have to teach me the whole thing." kaneki laughs, waving his hand afterwards.

"I'm not familiar with such a game, perhaps the two are similar though. I wouldn't mind teaching you if you were interested and had the time to humor an old man."

After all there wasn't much else that Iroh had to do, but from the looks of it the young man had a lot that he was planning to study, so Iroh wouldn't keep him from his books if he was no interested in learning.

Kaneki hates being a bother, honestly. But since Iroh mentioned he wouldn't mind teaching him, Kaneki hums and eventually nods. Actually, it would be nice to learn something new not from books but through games, right? "If you don't mind an apprentice, then I will be in your care." He nods politely, smiling after.

"I'm Kaneki. Thank you for teaching me." he still has books in his hands, but he approaches the game and gently sets them down nearby.

[ooc: I apologize for the delay, a housing emergency came up. Feel free to drop this thread if you would like.]

"I wouldn't mind at all. I quite enjoy teaching others the wonder of Pai-sho, there is much more to it than just a game though. And if mastered the way that one plays can tell you much about the person."

Iroh began with an explanation of the board, and the goal. Explaining each of the tiles and the flowers that were depicted on them.

Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

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