06 [Location: Central | Open] I am not yours....

[threelivesdown]

Selina Kyle has a new hat.

She's sitting outside of a cafe sipping at a cup of coffee. Wrapped up inside a shawl, she's warding off the brisk chill of the day. It is trying to creep up into her bones, even with the sun shining down on her. Keeping her hands wrapped around the cup, she watches all of the people, or 'people', if you will, walking by.

This place is strange and she doesn't entirely know what she thinks of it.

Comments

[threelivesdown]

"I'm a survivor which sometimes makes me a pragmatist - most of the time. I'm also something of a thrill seeker."

[imperial_long]

"Survivor and thrill seeker-- two pursuits that are often at odds, in my experience," Long answers with his smile broadening. "But as you are obviously alive, I suppose I cannot argue as to your overall efficacy."

[threelivesdown]

"They sort of feed each other, I've found. I was a survivor first and that led to the thrills since I refused to die," Selina takes another sip from her mug, sharing a smile with the man.

[imperial_long]

"Ah, survival born of stubbornness. I am familiar. But it's a mug's game to try and cheat death forever, you know. Or at least, all the stories have dire consequences for the audacity to attempt such."

[threelivesdown]

"Well, according to rumor, I've died a few times, so I don't cheat death, so much as let it win from time to time."

Selina continues to lean back in her chair.

[imperial_long]

"Ah, but death always wins in the end; our victories are only forestallments. Unless, of course, one manages to achieve enlightenment, but that is not the immediate goal of most individuals."

[threelivesdown]

"I guess that depends on how you define enlightenment. Most of the people I know who use the word are looking in some very odd places and looking for forcibly bring everyone else along with them."

[imperial_long]

"I define it as the transcendence of the cycle of death and rebirth. I suppose in this latter era it has come to acquire many meanings," Long admitted. "I use the Buddhist sense, not others. And an enlightenment that strives to force others to follow is doomed from the start."

[threelivesdown]

"What does that mean, exactly? Transcending of the cycle of death and rebirth would be... what? Non-existence or continual existence forever?" Selina actually seems to be curious about the answer.

[imperial_long]

"Nirvana," Long responds, a little pleased smile on his face at what seems to be genuine curiosity on Miss Kyle's part. "It is... uhmm.

"It is not non-existence. It is not existence. It simply... is. A state defined by what it is not: it is not suffering, it is not pain. It is not struggle. ...Stillness. Peace. Freedom from all chains, both self-inflicted and otherwise."

Long waved a hand as if to summon up all the difficulties of conveying such a concept with only words.

"I am only a student. I cannot define enlightenment perfectly. You would need the Buddha for that, and Guatama would not answer you in a way that satisfied anyway, most likely."

[threelivesdown]

"Hrmmmm."

Selina looks thoughtful, "Sometimes by the fact that I can struggle and fight is the only way that I'm still certain that I'm alive at all."

[imperial_long]

"I think it is that way for most people," Long concedes with a lift of both shoulders. "Most of us are quite far from enlightenment."

[threelivesdown]

"I think I even have a problem imagining it as a concept or as something that I would want," Selina says as she rolls the idea over in her thoughts.

[imperial_long]

"Perhaps in a few lifetimes," Long says with a diffident smile.

"And besides, you are young. The thoughts of the young do not turn to philosophy, but to action and excitement."

[threelivesdown]

"I have six more or so I understand it," she says lightly. Selina chuckles at him, "As much as I seek action, it finds me even more often than that."

[imperial_long]

"Like draws to like," Long says with a shrug. He sips at his tea.

"I myself am content to be sedentary."

[threelivesdown]

"Mmmmm. I get bored, unfortunately, so sitting around isn't all that entertaining." She gives him a small smile as she nods understanding.

[imperial_long]

"You might need to learn to meditate," Long says with a mild tease. "I was less patient in my youth, to be sure."

[threelivesdown]

"I've never been able to manage that for very long but I'd be interested in trying to learn how to do it," Selina says with a small smile.

[imperial_long]

At that, Long laughs aloud.

"I am unsure you are of the temperament for it," he admitted. "Nor am I altogether sure it can be taught, much to my chagrin. But I can try and share what little I know, if you are amenable."

[threelivesdown]

"I'm unsure I'm for the temperament for it, either, but you never grow unless you try new things."

Selina chuckles softly, "It would at least be interesting."

[imperial_long]

"Spoken like a philosopher," Long said agreeably. "I am at the city's library, most days. I have endless time there in which to discuss the finer points of meditation, should you wish to swing by."

[threelivesdown]

"I'll take that as a compliment, thank you."

Selina smiles at him, "I'll come and find you soon and we can give this a try."