The Road Less Traveled [OPEN]

Oh, the winds had taken him far today, all the way to the icy tundra of the Land of Snow, where Akash trudged against the frigid breeze, holding a cloak around his thin body. This was a place he had never been, and while he was ever grateful to discover new places in his travels, he might admit that he was partial to fair weather. Which this was not.

The monk shivered and rubbed his arms, looking for a place to shelter out of the wind, at least temporarily. In the distance he could see a rocky ledge with a bit of an overhang. It would have to do, for now. Making his way toward it, he tucks himself against the underside of the rocks, breathing into his hands. Surely there was a town nearby... all roads led to a town, yes? He would just have to find it after the wind died down a bit.

For now, Akash seats himself in a meditative posture, closing his eyes and focusing on his breath. He could feel the way the wind whipped around him, could hear the way it howled, but he was more able now to exist peacefully within it, and not be distracted by the cold. It was merely a sensation, and his consciousness could rise above it.

This went on for about an hour, and when Akash could sense no change in the wind, he sighed calmly and began gathering twigs. If the weather wasn't changing, he should probably build himself a small fire. He may consider himself a master of transcending the physical, but exceptions should be made when there is a real threat of death involved. In this case, acute hypothermia. His numb fingers worked tirelessly to create friction in the wood, sighing with relief when a small smolder began, and he shifted his body a bit to protect the small flames from the worst of the gusts. Holding his hands over the heat source, Akash sighs warmly, soaking in every bit of comfort it offered him. He had decided that once he had warmed up a bit, he would continue on the road to try and find whatever town this region had.
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WC: 367

Akash had nearly fallen asleep beside the comforting warmth of his small fire. But perhaps it was the encroaching chill now that the fire had gone out, that had snapped him back into his surroundings. Rubbing his arms, Akash peered out across the tundra. The wind had stopped gusting so fiercely, now. In fact, visibility had greatly improved. He decided that now would be the best time to continue on the road. Covering the remains of his small campfire with a bit of snow, the monk rose to his feet, clutching his cloak about his body and walking further along the path, where he could just make out massive, icy gates in the distance. "So it seems my destination has appeared before me," he said, chuckling airily. "Onward we trek, where new discoveries await."

[EXIT]
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WC: 134 / TWC: 501
WC Claims: +5 Vigor, 500 WC towards Art of Atman (1600/2000)

Akash wrote:

[EXIT]
______________________________________
WC: 134 / TWC: 501
WC Claims: +5 Vigor, 500 WC towards Art of Atman (1600/2000)

Approved!

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