@all (during the week everyone's in nocwich)

[takeatrip]

I know everyone's a little preoccupied at the moment, so I'll keep this short.

I didn't think it'd be a problem to wait a few weeks to visit the Horizon for the first time, but obviously that was a mistake, so I'm hoping someone can help me out with getting there sooner rather than later. I've heard you lose your memory the first trip, and I get that people might not be interested in babysitting right now, so I don't care if you just abandon me there; I'll figure it out.

[Is this a terrible idea? Probably, but it still seems entirely worth it at the moment. He isn't a total idiot, though, so he also adds--]

And if there's anything in particular that might be good to know about the whole thing, I'd be interested in hearing it.

Thanks.

Comments

[takeatrip]

Sure, I'm willing to try whatever might work.

[Shepard had gone over one breathing technique with him, and he knows another variation or two from other experiences, but he's never found any of them particularly helpful for any of the things they were supposed to be useful for. But he's too determined to get this figured out to be deterred by that, and who knows, maybe Castiel knows something that will work.

Especially since that last comment is news to Jayden.]

It isn't? I thought you're supposed to just be blank.

[unwings]

Emptying a human mind of all things is incredibly difficult. For an advanced practitioner, perhaps, but attempting to force the mind into doing anything is certain to backfire.

It's more a method of observation, acceptance, and letting go. A thought comes, you note it, recognize it, and let it pass. Your mind becomes a stream, but you do not allow the current to carry you along.

[takeatrip]

[Although that sounds a lot easier than trying to quiet his mind, it also sounds... Worse. The idea of letting whatever comes to mind just do so, and then accepting it and letting it pass is almost painful to even consider attempting, let along actually doing so.

However, he's certainly not about to admit that, but he doesn't want to be dismissive either. Fortunately something Castiel's said a few times now has stood out to him, and while he'd been willing to ignore it as a turn of phase, asking about it provides a perfect deflection.]

Okay, I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

I've got to ask though, you've been specifying 'humans'; are you used to talking to people who are not human?

[Of all the weirdness in this place, some people not being human has been one of the least difficult to get used to for Jayden, but it's still pretty novel and so he's curious.]

[unwings]

I'm an angel of the Lord.

Though more recent years, I've had more contact with humans than angels or other superhuman beings, but for most of my life, yes. I've been more used to angels than men.

[takeatrip]

[Although he isn't necessarily surprised to hear confirmation that Castiel isn't human, he certainly wouldn't have guessed angel. But that's more because angels wouldn't have even crossed his mind as a possibility than anything to do with Cas; in fact, this revelation is... Strangely fitting, perhaps? It's surprisingly easy to just accept, at least.

Normally he would have so many questions, but after everything they've all been through, it feels better to wait on all of that. At least when it comes to the big questions, anyway, and so he stays on topic instead with--]

Is this sort of thing easier for angels? Or just different?

[The meditation stuff.]