Where Else? [Day 2, LA]

[Doji Yuma]

"As long as you're doing some good in the world and living a life she would be proud of, is it really important that you're as good, worse or better than her, whatever that means? And would she actually like that you put her on such a pedestal instead of following your own way?"

[Yoko]

"Didn't expect that kind of response," she says, laughing a bit. Shaking her head, "No, she might not. Not as much as I do sometimes, eh? Still.. good to have someone to look up to, to live up to, eh?"

[Doji Yuma]

He nodded:

"As the Tao says, we need heroes to remind ourselves than we can be great.

As a kid, I wanted to be like Asahina Hira the blind seer, minus the blind part, for the facility with which he seemed to unravel supernatural mysteries, just by metaphorically looking at them. Growing up I understood that doing so required to be born with some specific gifts that I did not have and I switched tracks."

[Yoko]

Yoko looked to him as he spoke, she could maybe be commended for that much. When he stopped there was only one response she could manage:

"That's- neat."

[Doji Yuma]

"We all have our heroes. And our dreams that did not survive the cold truth of reality.

If you had full control over your destiny, what would you want to be? As for myself I'll be fine with having a small tattoo workshop and dedicating myself fully to that art instead of playing the game of courts. Or maybe tending to a library. Or exploring the world. There are a few mysteries I would like to unravel before settling down."

[Yoko]

Yoko gave pause for only a moment, looked to Yuma and lay her arms open. "I'm right here, right now. That's all there is to it. Maybe we'll see what I'm supposed to be someday, why I'm here, but I don't know and I've not given that much thought. Why make plans for the future when you can just keep living in the present, eh? I'll figure it all out as I go, just gonna keep trying the best I can."

[Doji Yuma]

"Ichi-go ichi-e, eh? Enjoy the present to the fullest, as once the moment is passed it will never go back?

Once again the spontaneity with which you live by the advice of the Tao humbles me. Did you contemplate joining a religious order, if only as a layperson? Most monks have a hard time putting into practice principles which appear to be a second nature for you."

[Yoko]

"Glad you approve," she says, chuckling awkwardly as she shook her head a little. "Not really the intent, but- well, let's just say that life experiences like mine make it real easy to learn, eh?" she waved off the thought with her hand.

[Doji Yuma]

"I'm sure there is a quote somewhere about enlightenment always being within easy reach and yet very few people extending their arm to grab it. Do not undersell yourself."

[Yoko]

Yoko smiled, gave him a nod, "I- well, it comes easy when the world tells you how you come up short, eh?" she said, chuckled a little as she shook her head. Waving off the thought with her hand, "But no- I'll try to take that to heart, eh?"

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma nodded, pensively looked at the sea, then at the position of the sun in the sky:

"For fascinating as our conversation might be, I fear time waits for no one. I must go back to the inn to prepare if I want to be ready in time for my next social obligation."

He bowed:

"Fare well Yoko-san. It has been a pleasure."

And departed.

/exit

[Yoko]

Yoko gave him a quick bow, for what it was worth. After he left she took another gander at the beach and made her way wherever else she was headed next.

/scene