Chapter 24- Meditations on Control
Behind the counter was a stair case that went down for what felt like a mile before coming to a tunneled platform that continued on for some ways lined with magical lights. Riku fell into step with Master Rikyu, his eyes adjusting to the dim tunnel.
"As you well know, time is limited," Master Rikyu said, tucking his hands into his pockets as he strolled in a leisurely manner (the opposite of someone in a rush). "So I'll answer some questions you may have already to save us both the effort, eh?"
Riku nodded.
"Gabriel is here, so you don't need to worry about him. He arrived a bit before you and was concerned about your arrival, until we noticed Solita was one of the attacking soldiers. I sent him ahead, just in case things went south and to help prepare your room. As to your question related to how I could know you were coming: Ultear sent word through some reliable avenues a while ago. Of course, no one is guaranteed entrance into the Kingdom of Seven or our tea house without some form of trials, so I wasn't sure exactly when to expect you, but I will admit I'm impressed at your speed of accomplishments. I especially enjoyed your ingenuity at using materials to create a fire and warm the water, though technically blasting the stove with the correct amount of dark energy would have likely started a fire as well."
"Wha-" Riku began, then he paused in surprise. "You mean all those events were planned trials? The old man and his tea plant, being attacked by that troll-man, Gabriel being sick, and Anya and Solita attacking me?"
"Well, I wish I were clever enough for four out of four, but no," Master Rikyu said with a smirk. "We'll take credit for the two villages including the old man and Gabriel's sickness, but the troubles you ran into with the Soldiers of Seven was your own bad luck. Of course, I have heard that Fairy Tail mages tended to cause trouble."
"But you knew Solita," Riku said as they reached the base of another staircase, this one going up towards a distant light.
"Ah yes," Master Rikyu said continuing his walk up the stairs, his voice holding no strain or effort, even despite his age and the angle of the incline. "Fascinating story for her to share with you, though based on your meeting she may never do so. In summary, Solita is one of the mages who works for the Kingdom of Seven."
"I get the impression they don't really care for mages," Riku said, remembering the discussion between Anya and Solita, as well as the shot fired at him.
"People who rule with an iron fist like when power of any kind is on their side and hate it when it is against them," Master Rikyu observed. "While the supreme ruler did force many mages to flee or to be executed, he also recruited some young ones to join his side, like Solita. Of course, most young people don't want to go around killing and hurting people and that's how Solita came to know us."
"And you can trust her," asked Riku. His legs were beginning to ache a bit from the walk, but he did his best to hide it since Master Rikyu seemed unperturbed.
"I trust her as much as I trust you," Master Rikyu said with a smile in Riku's direction, but Riku got the distinct impression that he should never ask such a question again.
They finally reached the top of the stairs and entered into a backroom, almost identical to the one they had left behind in the back of the tea shop. They moved through the store room and out into a warm, sunny kitchen with a delicious smell wafting about that made Riku's stomach growl loudly.
"I think I covered it all, but I have the distinct feeling I'm forgetting an important detail," Master Rikyu said thoughtfully. He counted on his fingers, mumbling the points he'd made on their walk, but Riku barely paid attention to him. His eyes were focused on a small, sandy brown haired figure standing on a stool and cooking at the stove. Well, haired was the wrong term. More like sandy brown furred cat figure.
The cat on the stool turned, his hand over the frying pan sprinkling in salt as his familiar eyes lit up at spotting them. A smile broke across his face, revealing the same gap in his teeth as his human form.
"Gabriel," Riku asked, mouth falling open in surprise. Next to Riku, Master Rikyu snapped his fingers in acknowledgement.
"That's it, about Gabriel! He's not all he appears..." Master Rikyu noticed Riku's astonished look and followed it to Gabriel beaming at them both. "Oh good, you already know. I was worried you'd be surprised."
"I'm an exceed," Gabriel agreed. "And lunch is ready!"
...
Riku followed the routine set out by Master Rikyu every day. In the morning, he helped Gabriel make breakfast for the three of them, plus any visitors who stopped by (which seemed to be a new person every few days). The visitors normally appeared at breakfast, stayed a few days to train and drink tea with Master Rikyu before disappearing again. After breakfast, Riku helped Gabriel clean the restroom, bedrooms (which there were five), the meditation room, tea room, and the kitchen. The rooms were all arranged around a center courtyard which enough room to fighting along with a koi pond. After cleaning, it was time for meditation- though Riku found the hour practice a bit boring. He was suppose to clear his mind of all thoughts and distractions in order to absorb ether from the air and build strength of body and mind, but more often Riku found his mind wandering.
What is Erza up to right now? What about now? What about now?
If fish could talk, what would they say? Probably just that they wanted food... still, that's what half the humans I know talk about as well...
If Fairy Tail had a most talented Dragon Slayer competition, who would win? What would be Wendy's talent?
Are plants farming us by giving us oxygen until we eventually die and turn into mulch which they can consume?
Did the first person who drank tea just decide leaves looked tasty? Was he laughed out of the building?
After each thought, he would hurriedly try to refocus, scolding himself mentally and attempting to clear his mind again. More than once he fell asleep in his sitting position, almost falling over in fright when Gabriel found him for lunch.
After lunch they would practice fight, Master Rikyu providing instructions and interruptions for Riku and his opponent, who seemed to rotate based on who was visiting. For the first day or so he fought Solita, who was a bit too excited to participate, nearly blasting Riku into the pond before he'd even started to fight. Gabriel was surprisingly agile in his fighting and managed to give Riku a swollen eye for a whole afternoon before it healed. After sparring was tea, then he and Gabriel worked on dinner, then after dinner there was time to relax before bed.
It wasn't at all an unpleasant way to spend the days, but it was significantly different from going on jobs with Mystogan or his early training with Acnologia (except fighting Solita, she definitely tried to kill him about the same amount as Acnologia had).
After about two weeks of this, Riku found himself sitting, as usual, with Master Rikyu on one side and Gabriel on the other as they all sipped tea. Riku's was a strong, almost pungent smelling, green tea that had an after taste that reminded Riku vaguely of his guild's beer.
"How can you drink that stuff," Gabriel asked with a face. "I can smell it from here."
"It's good," Riku shrugged. "Besides, your tea smells too flowery."
Gabriel looked offended and was about to retort, but Master Rikyu chuckled as replied, "tea is like magic, some people like one specific kind and master it, others can taste many types and get power from them. There isn't any wrong tea, just like there isn't any wrong magic. It is just about what you need, personally."
"Our tea enhances our own magic," Gabriel added, sticking his tongue out at Riku. "You're just mad because your magic's tea is disgusting."
"Master Rikyu," Riku said, carefully. "Why do you use tea magic? It's not the only magic you have, right? I can't imagine a tea mage earning the title of Master of Chaos."
"Why not," Gabriel asked insulted, but Master Rikyu held up his hand, turning his attention to Riku.
"There are a few other forms of magic I possess, yes," Master Rikyu said taking another sip of his tea. "But I prefer the tea magic the most, it is the most social magic and can be used to heal, to entertain, or to fight."
"I guess it does take some ability to read people's magic and their preference," Riku admitted. But how does all of this help me control my magic?
"You want to control the chaos your dragon slayer magic gives you, but this is the wrong philosophy," Master Rikyu said calmly. "A need for control always comes from someone that has lost it. That is why you insist on sparring with that sword, is it not?"
Riku touched his sword protectively. "It's the easiest way to make sure I'm controlling myself until I get stronger. Bad things happen when I lose control..."
"Yes, you've said that before," Master Rikyu nodded. "Bad things that you relate to chaos and Acnologia, the destroyer of all things."
Riku blinked. He hadn't mentioned Acnologia at all. Had Ultear mentioned it? How long had Master Rikyu known?
"There is a power still buried deep within you in which you can fight as your most powerful self, but this isn't about control, it is about accepting this side of your self, even when it seems to contradict who you are and hope to be," Master Rikyu said.
"So I have to just give in to destruction, even if it kills innocent people and destroys innocent places," Riku snapped, a bit more harshly than he intended. He corrected himself hurriedly. "Sorry."
Master Rikyu didn't seem bothered or surprised by the response. "Acnologia became what he is because he could not accept his full self, including his weaknesses and limitations. He was swallowed by his power and ambition and fell into imbalance. You will need to find balance through accepting your powers for better or for worse, only then will you have the sort of control that you are actually seeking.."
"Acnologia is able to eat all types of magic in order to become more powerful because dark energy is a part of all magic," Riku said. "But, even when I see the dark energy in magic, I can't eat anything except pure dark energy."
Master Rikyu took the kettle and refilled Gabriel's cup, then Riku's, then his own. Placing the kettle back in its original spot, he sipped his tea before replying. "Some magic is incompatible: like fire and water. But many overlap and all magic is made of energy. For Acnologia, the ability to consume any magic came from bathing in the blood of dragons and his enemies. If you change your perspective, then you can consumer any magic to break down to its essence. It will come from the balance we were discussing." He motioned to Riku's tea cup and then to Riku's sword. "This is trying to help you do that, while that is holding you in place."
Master Rikyu finished his tea and stood, gathering the tea materials and putting them away. When he returned, Riku and Gabriel had also finished and were moving to leave. Before they did, Master Rikyu's voice made them pause.
"An old friend will be visiting a few days from now. He is an emperor and a powerful mage. He is especially interested in sparring with the two of you and may provide some insightful discussion." Master Rikyu looked at Riku. "I recommend you practice without your sword before he arrives as it will not help you in any fight against our friend."
Riku nodded before exiting with Gabriel, who was excitedly trying to guess who this emperor might be.
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