Flames

After a rough awakening, Kazuki sets about preparing for the busy day ahead. Every day, he assists Tian-Han with household chores and chores at the temple. As he grabs his gray kimono, he notices that it is slightly soaked. He then searches for the source of the moisture in the cabinet, to no avail. Then he turns to the ceiling, but there seems to be no source for this slight dampness. He blames the humidity in the air. He hesitates for a moment whether to put this one on or to take another. Tian-Han's voice calling impatiently to him from the floor below puts an end to his thoughts and, without hesitation, he puts on the gray kimono and hurries to his master. He joins the old man in the kitchen. A kettle sits on the stove and diffuses the scent of tea infusing in boiling water, filling the atmosphere with a sweet and powerful scent of plants and flowers. Tian-Han turns to Kazuki and expresses his displeasure in a reproachful tone. 

"Ah, there you are, boy! Come here, I need you. I'm preparing the breakfast. Can you take care of setting the table while I finish?" 

Kazuki listens intently to his master while following his every move. He watches as the old man places the fish on the work board, the meat spreading gracefully on the wood, and cuts the pink flesh into generous slices. Tian-Han then hangs the slices on hooks in the fireplace above the flames. A good smell reminiscent of the sea mingles with that of the plants in the infusion. The smell is reminiscent of nature as a whole that he has been able to observe, smells that remind him of the world around the estate. Kazuki then imagines a forest, with tall trees, and, not far away, a cliff overlooking the sea that then mixes the scents of the forest with its powerful iodines. The flames dance wearily in the chimney and lick the fish that hang above them, like a fox jumping up and down trying to catch a small bird. The Youngling finds himself mesmerized by this spectacle. There's something familiar to him but he doesn't know what. The forest he imagines then begins to burn. He looks at this image with fear and admiration. Tian-Han puts his hand on the young boy's shoulder, and the image of the burning forest fade, giving way again to the chimney flames. Startled, Kazuki turns his head towards his master. Tian-Han doesn't look directly at the young man, but he observes the flames with him. The old master then opened his mouth:

"What do you have in mind, my boy? Are you intrigued by the process of cooking fish?" 

He asked this question aimlessly , but it was clearly addressed to Kazuki. The boy seemed to ponder this question, but no logical answer came to him. He only answers what comes into his head. 

"The flames... They're dancing... They seem to want to catch the fish. Why are they doing this?" 

Tian-Han looks at his student with one eye and puts his other hand to his goatee after hearing his answer. He wonders about his protégé, if this is just a curiosity about the flames or if his curiosity extends to more than that. After a moment of thought, he shifts his hand from the boy's head to his shoulder and says:

"You see, my boy, everything has a use. The knife is used to cut food. The water is used for washing and drinking, which is important for living. And fire is used to heat, light and consume."

The young boy brings his hand to the fire, but the old man stops him by grabbing his hand. Kazuki looks at him questioningly. 

"I'm not allowed to touch it, master?

- No, Kazuki. 

-But why?

- Because this fire, which helps us so much, can also hurt us. If you put your hand in it, your hand will cook like that fish and you'll get hurt. You'll be burned. Do you understand, my boy? 

- Yes, I understand.

-Ok. Now set the table please. I'm finishing preparing the food."

As the old man returns to prepare food, the young boy takes two plates and two cutlery. He adds two wooden cup and takes it all from the dining room. He places the cutlery on the small table which throne in the center. As usual, he puts his place in front of his master's. Once the table is set, he sits on his knees in front of his plate, waiting for his master to bring the food or ask for his help. 

After a short while, the old man finally brings the dish and kettle to the table. The smoked fish gives off a thick cloud of steam and the tea fills the room with its sweet scent. Tian-Han takes place in front of Kazuki. The master clasps his hands in front of his face and remains silent for a few seconds, honoring the meal that was brought to them by the earth. The young boy imitates him, knowing the ritual almost like the back of his hand. Once finished, the old man begins to garnish Kazuki's plate with the tender flesh of the fish and fills his cup with hot tea .The young boy smiled at the old man

"- Thank you, Master. Bon appetite!

 - Eat your fill, Kazuki. Enjoy."

Hungry, Kazuki eats quickly under the startled gaze of old Tian-Han, who can't help but smile while he sips hot tea. 

"- Don't eat too fast, my boy. It's bad for digestion. 

 -Yes master! I'll be careful!"

The young man smiled to his old master, nodding his head, before quickly returning to eating. But when his master clears his throat at him, Kazuki gives him an annoyed smile.

"Excuse me, Master..." 

Kazuki slows down. The teacher and the student enjoy their breakfast before getting ready for the day.