shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

[The way his voice sounded...]

Of course I'm here, Takeru. You can come over whenever you like.

What's wrong?

[....................]

Well, is it okay that we meet in the garden or somewhere different? I just don't want to be in the house right now.

[That must have been a big something. If he wanted out of the house, then...]

Wherever you like. Does this mean you're not grounded anymore?

[She didn't want to get him in trouble on top of what was already bothering him.]

No, I'm not. Not anymore now that I'm all better! But I'll go over to where you are right now!

You're at home right?

[Normally he would ask if she was feeling better but...he just wanted to get out as soon as possible!]

[It just so happened she was better. Her voice was stronger, and there were no aural signs of exhaustion or soreness to her throat or coughing or even a yawn.]

I am.

I can leave the door open for you.

Okay um...I'll just go to where you are.

[Although, based on how he sounded, he didn't sound too happy to see her. Or rather, he just sound tired. He just exhausted and wanted someone to talk to right away.

Which was why when he walked over to her door? He bit his bottom lip and started to have second thoughts.

While Iris wasn't here when Patamon got seriously hurt, he really didn't have a repeat of having someone see him cry. He was suppose to be strong here wasn't he?]

Alright, Takeru. I'll wait.

[She didn't take his tone personally. For him to have contacted her with such a request...she knew something was wrong. What she didn't know was what. And either he would choose to tell her or he wouldn't. Either way, the fact that he was asking for some meditation techniques would still help him, so she wouldn't feel completely useless.]

[At least, she hoped she wouldn't.]

[For a moment or two, he just waited by the door wondering should he go in or not. Right now, his eyes were threatening to leak out tears once more and he didn't know what he would do if that a happened!

After his friends saw him, he really didn't want another friend of his to see him cry again! He didn't want to be seen as a cry baby!

So he lingered around the outside for a bit until he took in a huge breath. Well, he can go in or not but it would still be rude to just tell her he was coming when he wasn't!]

I-Iris-san? Are you there...?

[She glanced up towards the door at the sound of Takeru's voice.]

I'm here.

Come on in.

[With his head still down, he still attempted to put on a bright smile regardless!]

I hope that I didn't keep you waiting for long!

Do you need any help before we get things settled?

[And trying not to think about Leia right now]

[She shook her head, and motioned for him to come to her. She was sitting in the main living room area, legs tucked beneath her as she sat on what looked like a bamboo carpet. There was a small pillow opposite from her for the young boy to sit on, should he choose.]

I have a small pot of water boiling, if you'd like some tea.

Otherwise, we already have everything we need to get started. Whenever you're ready, of course.

[The moment that he and Patamon entered into the room, he had to admit. He already felt calmer already. It certainly reminded him of one of those traditional homes that he would see in books. Not to mention just having Iris around just made him happier]

I wouldn't mind some tea but I'm ready whenever you are! What's the first thing I need to do first?

[How does this meditation work??]

[There was a faint scent in the air. Fresh herbs that were laid out on the table, some of them already crushed in a small bowl, awaiting the water.]

[At his confirmation, she went over and took the crushed herbs, placing them in the two cups. If this had been a formal tea ceremony, she would have gone through several procedures and steps, but this was meant to be an informal meeting between friends...so she kept things simple. Giving the leaves some time to properly seep after she poured the hot water in them before bringing the two cups back to the small living room table.]

This might help. The herbs in this tea are meant to bring about a state of relaxation.

[All natural, of course. She would never consider giving anything dangerous to a child.]

Otherwise, you can take a seat. Find a position that's most comfortable for you.

[Yup, Takeru felt much calmer all right. He might not know much about herbs or tea ceremonies but it made him smile. After all, it did remind him a little of home back in Japan. But at the same time though...]

Oh right! Um...

[He said before shifting around to be comfortable. Although, he did attempt to sit on his legs. That was how they sit wasn't it? And especially in something as formal as a tea ceremony right???]

The tea looks pretty hot though. I think it's going to take a while before we can drink it.

[The heat never bothered Iris, but she could understand why it might be too much for a child still.]

Of course.

In that case, once you're settled, you can close you eyes and start focusing on your breathing. In and out. Try to think of nothing else but the feel of the air through your nose and out your mouth. The sound that it makes each time.

[As the boy and Patamon looked at the tea waiting for the smoke to die down, he just gave Iris a curious look]

So all I need to do is just think about breathing and nothing else? I think I can do that, it seems a lot easier than I thought. I thought meditation would be about doing a lot of other stuff too!

It is.

But this is only your first lesson. We're focusing on getting you to relax and clear your mind.

Well...all right then.

[Once the smoke seemed to cool down some, Takeru took the cup and took a small gulp. Although, the heat did burn his tongue a little he was able to swallow it]

So...um...breathing in and out... [He said before closing his eyes and doing exact that. Was he doing it right??]

[Iris' own cup was left beside the table, still steaming, as she too closed her eyes.]

[Her voice normally carried a sweet, soothing tone to it, but now...it somehow softened even more, to the point where it came out just barely above a whisper. Even and calm. Almost hypnotizing, as she continued offering her verbal instructions.]

You don't need to worry about talking. It's not about whether you're doing it right by anyone else's standards but your own. If it feels calming to you, then you are doing it right. And you can take comfort in that feeling.

[As he listened to her words, the blond slowly started to breath in and out. It wasn't before Patamon attempted to do the same as he did. Trying his best not to think about anything else in his mind, he focused only on his breathing and filtered anything else out.

As of right now, he was starting to feel much calmer. With his shoulders relaxed, he was feeling as if his anxieties from before slowly drifting away...

Or at least he hoped so.] R-Right...

[For a brief time, his breathing seemed to increase. Deepen. Ironically, when one so inexperienced in breathing techniques--especially someone who was already tense--first tried to calm down, the act of concentration led them to tighten even further.]

[Then...gradually...it began to slow. Shallow. She could hear from where she was, and knew he was relaxing.]

Very good.

You're doing wonderful, Takeru. Keep breathing. In...and out... In...and out... allowing your arms to relax...your shoulders to fall...your body to sink into the floor.

[His body should sink into the floor? Then did that mean he wasn't doing it right? In that moment, that's when he opened his eyes and gave Iris a worried look]

Wait, does that mean I'm suppose to go to sleep then? If my body is supposed to be on the floor, I don't think I would be able to listen to what you're saying!

I know sleeping is suppose be good for you but I don't want to fall asleep!

[/blunt]

[She let out a small chuckle at his questions, neither surprised nor upset. A single eye peeked open, hardly letting the interruption disturb her currently peaceful state of mind.]

[She'd had nearly a lifetime of experience with this sort of thing, after all.]

Some people can fall asleep their first time, and that's alright.

But the idea is to find a serene state of mind between being awake and falling asleep. That's the trick to meditating.

That sounds kind of hard to do. But I can try it.

[He said before attempting to close his eyes once more. Although now, he was afraid he might end up falling asleep! As he continued to breath in and out slowly, it was clear that this time?

He wasn't doing it quite as well as he did. He just doesn't want fall asleep in Iris's house! That would be embarrassing!

Don’t mind him mumbling a little!]

[Which is precisely why she said it would take time and practice.]

...were you saying something?

[She heard him mumbling to himself, and wondered if it had been meant for her.]

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