Posted March 31, 2023, 10:43 a.m. by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) (Lindsay B)
Posted by Civilian Dorma Fen (Governor’s Assistant) in You Won, But Did You Really?
Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in You Won, But Did You Really?
Posted by Civilian Dorma Fen (Governor’s Assistant) in You Won, But Did You Really?
(snip)
Dorma said “It is a small village in the mountains between the cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Kōya, it is called. It is located on a wooded plateau atop Mt. Koya in Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. There are only around three thousand people in the village, but we get many visitors because of the many temples. It is…serene. Peaceful. Many of the children born there say ‘boring’-” and she laughed slightly, “- but as we get older, most of us learn to appreciate the tranquility.” She took a drink and then said “Thoughts on the gazpacho?”
Dorma Fen
“You know, regardless of the technical stuff, I always thought the best foods for any one person were the ones that evoke pleasant memories. In this case, it reminds me of a summer side trip in Seville, Spain while visiting family in France. But… it needed more salt or something. I’m not sure what but it was decent for what it was and I was glad for the memory,” he said before taking another sip of wine.
“Invoking pleasant memories is a sign of a good dish, but thus fell short.” Dorma said. “It lacked the punch and bite if a true gazpacho. Salt would have helped, yes, but I think he de-seeded the peppers. That is a costly mistake.”
Cort nodded, taking in her feedback, happy to learn as he went.
Cort studied her for a moment. “I hear that a lot from people, that when you’re younger people want adventure and excitement and then as you get older you wish for more quiet, more peace. I think you can have both, though maybe not always doing our jobs,” he said with a grin.
~Cort Belanger
Dorma nodded and said “Our jobs tend to favor one side far more heavily. That is why I asked the Governor as part of my hiring if he would have a Shrine built here. It is in a small park on the far southwest side of the city. They used wood from my village to make it. There are a few people who practice Buddhism and Shinto on Oed, so we all share the shrine. It helps me find that balance… especially with the Vren arrival.” and she sat back heavily and opened her eyes wide. “I mean… what was the Federation thinking? Dropping that on all of us at the last minute? I tell you… our bosses were not happy when that meeting was over.” Dorma never spoke of work with people from outside the staff; but Cort was her counterpart, so the talk was not out-of-bounds.
Dorma Fen
Cort snorted. “I know what you mean. I’ve dealt with a lot of bureaucratic nonsense over the years but that was a new low. The Council really can’t have been that surprised when they were read the Statement. And if they were? Well, I hope they’re more awake now,” he said with a tiny smirk.
He leaned back in his chair and sipped a little more of the wine. “I think I envy you your shrine. I just hit the gym more often, especially this last week,” Cort said, shaking his head.
~Cort Belanger
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