A/N: Hello! I know, I know, it's been forever. And ever. And ever. And i'm sorry, but I just have no time anymore :/ Stupid school. I have nothing serious to say, so just continue your merry way, unless you haven't been reviewing, in which case, review por un grande favor (for a big favor AKA PLEAAAAASEE)! R&R!
A second after Hanuman speaks, we are gone.
Not like tired, gone.
Like, in Tibet, gone.
It was different.
"Well," Ren says, the first one to rid himself of the dizziness, "that was different."
"Hmm," I moan. "That was not fun."
Ren quickly kneels beside me and starts rubbing my temples. "Are you okay?"
"I will be," I manage. "Give me two minutes."
Ren sits against a tree and pulls me between his legs so he has better leverage, and starts rubbing my shoulders.
"Is everyone else okay?" I ask.
"I'm good," Kishan says. "I'm just not standing yet."
"I'm getting through the dizziness, but I can't stand," Sunil says. "Nili is the same."
"But not bad enough to not hit you for speaking for her," Nilima says, though not up to her usual vigor.
"Aww, you have a nickname," I tease Nilima. "Oh, that felt good, Ren," I say when he rubs a spot right between my shoulder blades.
"Don't even think about calling me that, Kelsey," Nilima says, still laying on the ground.
"Hey," I say, trying to stand up, but leaning heavily on Ren. "You called me Kelsey."
"I suppose I've been getting more comfortable around you the last few days," she shrugs, leaning on Sunil to get up, even though he isn't any steadier than she.
"All you ancient Indian men are the same," I sigh. "Ren, go help Nilima. I'm fine."
Ren looks me over twice, and trots over to help her. Once Nilima is steady, Ren helps Sunil, and soon, Kishan stands up.
I notice that we are in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees with deep green needles.
"Well, I hope we never have to go through that again," I say, leaning on a tree when dizziness spins my head again.
"Agreed," Ren, Kishan, Nilima, and Sunil chorus.
"Excuse me," a voice says from the bushes. "Who exactly are you?"
"Umm," I stutter. "Ren? You can take this one."
"We are... travelers looking for... guidance... in the next step of our journey," Ren says slowly as an elderly, but healthy looking, man in red robes emerges from the foliage.
The man stares suspiciously. I honestly can't blame him. We literally just materialized out of nowhere.
Kishan looks at the man thoughtfully and inches closer to me.
"Tell him that we come seeking the Ocean Teacher and then show him your tattoo," he whispers in my ear.
I step forward to Ren's side and hold out my hand to the man.
"We come seeking the Ocean Teacher," I say, summoning my fire power to make my henna swirls glow like embers.
His eyes widen, and he steps back.
Then he bows to each of us in turn. "Why did you not say so sooner, goddess?" he says incredulously.
I look back at Kishan and he shrugs.
"It is not of import," Ren says majestically and I suppress a giggle at his seriousness. "What is, however, is that we meet with the Ocean Teacher as soon as possible. Can you take us to him?"
"Yes, yes, of course," he says very quickly, kneeling on the ground to worship us, I assume.
I step forward and help him up. "There is no need for that. We are but humble servants of the goddess and deserve none of your praise. We simply ask for your help in carrying out her will."
"Yes, yes, of course, mahana eka," the man says, stumbling over his feet in an effort to move quickly.
I smile gently. "While this is a matter of some urgency, there is no need to harm yourself in hurry." Even though all I want is Nik back in my arms, I know that he is safe with the Silvanae.
Ren grunts behind me in disagreement and I frown. "He is safe where he is, Ren."
"Very well," my husband says softly. "But please move as quickly as is comfortable."
The man scurries ahead of us, taking no notice of the twigs and bushes scraping his ankles. We trot behind him silently.
~TR~
When we finally get in to see the Ocean Teacher, he does not look familiar.
"I have heard that you have conferenced with the Ocean Teacher once before, yes?" the man says. Kishan answers.
"I have, as has my sister, but not my brother. This was several years ago."
"Ah," the wise man nods. "My teacher passed away many months ago, most likely soon after you saw him. After you came, his life's work was complete and he was at peace with his life, so he moved on."
I remember eating with the monk and his words of his mother making breakfast and his wish to live a long life. I wish it had been longer.
"But you didn't come to reminisce," he says. "I assume you are those from the Prophecy?"
"Yes," I say. "We came before to gain wisdom from the Ocean Teacher, and we also received a blessing that allowed us to enter paradise," I explain. "Our son has been taken," I force out, taking Ren's hand, "and while we aren't concerned for his safety, we wish to have him returned."
"Of course you do, my dear," the Teacher says kindly, sounding remarkably like Mr. Kadam, "and I will do everything in my power to aid you in that goal. I had begun my training long before you arrived so I know the proper procedure so that your eyes may be opened. I belive it was Durga's chosen one and the black tiger who had their eyes cooled previously, yes?"
"Yes," I answer. "Does that mean we don't need to do that again?"
"Yes," the old man says kindly. "I wish to speed you on your quest as much as I can."
"Thank you so much," I say gratefully. "I-I don't mean to be rude… but we do want to get our son as soon as possible," I say shyly.
"Of course! Pardon me for rambling on about this. Please, sit, sit," he says, gesturing for Ren to sit in the chair behind his desk, and he sits down nervously.
The wise old man retrieves the same vial of green oily liquid that we saw last time. Ren obediently closes his eyes as the Teacher spreads the cool goop over his eyelids.
Ren's lips press together almost unnoticeably, but I know him too well.
"Calm down, Ren. It just feels like gel."
Ren relaxes, and the wise man smiles gently.
"Your tiger prince cares for you," the Ocean teacher says amusedly.
"Yes," I say warmly. "And I, him."
"That is good. Your love can overcome many things, as can your love for your son. Remember that," he says seriously, removing his fingers from Ren's eyes. Ren gets up, kind of confused by the thin green film decorating his eyelids.
"I love you," I say, giving him a tight hug as I realize that I've been neglecting him. "I love you so much."
"Mujhe tumse pyarhai, iadala" he says warmly, holding me close and resting his cheek on top of my head.
Kishan clears his throat, and I blush. "Sorry," I laugh, holding Ren's hand and stepping as close as I can to his side. Ren moves his hand away from mine to wrap his arm around my shoulder.
First Sunil climbs into the chair, all arms and legs, looking at odds in the sedate, calming office. Not to say that he's a toothpick, he is strong, but he's lean. And gangly. But as soon as he closes his eyes and the Ocean Teacher begins anointing his eyes, I can see Sunil in ancient India, the General of the army against Mahishasur. He looks so at peace and grown up, and he's usually so… not childish, but… goofy, I suppose. I realize he belongs in ancient times, but I'm not sure what to do about it.
The Teacher murmurs to Sunil at a volume none of us can hear, but Sunil comes back to Nilima with a smile on his face and kisses her softly. "You're turn," he says with a grin. She walks over and closes her eyes, and again, the Ocean Teacher murmurs at a level none of us can hear. When Nilima is finished, the Ocean Teacher smiles, seeming very satisfied.
"I am so please to have been able to serve those who serve Goddess," he says giving us a deep bow.
I want to ask Kishan if it's weird to have people refer to his wife as a goddess, but the moment is too solemn to joke.
"Thank you very much, Teacher," Kishan says seriously. "We know that there are much more important things you could be doing."
"Not at all. This is the most important thing I will ever do."
I smile, in awe of this man who says that we are his most important thing.
"Teacher," Ren says reverently but carefully, "we would like to get going…"
"Yes, yes, yes, of course! I wish you well and the best of luck on your quest," he says excitedly, opening the door for us as we exit the office, one step closer to getting my son.