Spirit War
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Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
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Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
Never one to rest or relax for too long, he had gotten enough in with the bath in the morning. Back to work. Kin bowed to the dojo before entering and finding a bokken to begin going through katana practice repetitions.

They did not have an equivalent of the Naga scimitar, but that was something he expected. He had only seen a practice version in Piranha lands anyway. In his own home. He knew how it looked... incredibly strange and possibly insulting to some that fought against the Naga, which counted quite a few Lion. So he did not bring it here, leaving it in the quarters he had been assigned.
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
Wet thumps of sandals in rocky mud, then the scraping along the wood outside the dojo. In walked a Scorpion, mempo for mask, top knot a bit loose, like his kimono. He took off his sandals before stepping into the dojo, bowed and nodded to the...er...

He just nodded, the guy was a samurai obviously. Didn't matter what clan.

He places his daisho down on a stand and then went to look at bokken. If the Ryuuta regarded him, the Scorpion certainly acknowledged it, but he wasn't there to disturb anyone...not yet.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
The Scorpion did get a nod, recognizing that he had entered. Then he tilted his head in such a way that seemed an invitation to join him if he wished, for sparring or just conversation as they did repetitions. It did not matter to the Piranha how he did so, as long as he got his practice in for the day.
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
With a polite enough invitation as that, even Norikami could be enticed. He approached and bowed.

"Good afternoon, samurai-san. Bayushi Norikami's the name. Looking to stay warm and thought a workout was in order."
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Glad to meet you Bayushi-san. Ryuuta Kin, magistrate of the Piranha," he offers in response. "I am just trying to keep my mind keen and sword arm limber if it becomes needed in the coming days."
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"It'd be foolish to say I've never heard of your clan, but might be a bit insulting to assume I know anything about it. So, mind me asking what duty brought you here, Ryuuta-sama?"

He selected a bokken, bent it a little and looked down the edged side, he didn't look too skeptical about its condition.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Well, my duty took me to Morikage Toshi, so protecting survivors is what brought me here to Toshi no Omoidoso. But I was at the imperial winter court representing the Piranha, to provided answers to questions of legal issues between Tausha's Legion and the Piranha and the Empire at large. I am reasonably versed in both systems of law so as to ease any concerns that might arise between them." His reply did not halt his repetitions. "And what of yourself?"
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"I was traveling back home, Morikage Toshi was on the way", he said. "I hadn't even arrived when I came across those Matsu and the Kitsu Daimyo, they ordered me in line with them and we marched here over a day or two", he answered. "Pity I didn't spot Shosuro-ue until we got the city, I'd have stuck out the trip with my own clan."

He took his stance, likely much the same as Kin's, the basics of Kenjutsu for repetition and muscle training. He began in a similar way, focusing on the movements.

"What kind of legal issues are there between the Naga and Rokugan, anyway?" he was suddenly curious after a few strikes.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
It was actually much more similar than Norikami expected, as his form looked like he may have picked it up by observing Scorpion samurai.

"Well, it is rather complex as the Naga society is far more merit based and less structured. There is more of a flow to it rather than a hierarchy. As such, how they handle criminals and what they consider the worst or least of their crimes varies. For the most part there is not as much of an issue as one might think. Most overlapping concerns crop up about control of ancient Naga buildings and abandoned holdings within the Shinomen. Which, since it concerns potential border concerns I imagine there will always be a Piranha versed in both sets of laws and imperial winter courts moving forward. Most of the issues will have diplomatic resolutions, but such things nearly always have legal underpinnings. Not a glorious duty, but one that helps with easing any potential tensions and concerns."
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
You what? Underpin who? Fu Leng's Beard that sounded like a bunch of nonsense.
And he said it all while doing exercises, he must get asked that a lot...

Norikami grunted like a good boy who understood everything.

"At least it doesn't sound dull."

He changed position to practice a wider, longer strike, as if he is attacking something larger than a person.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Well, I imagine for some it would be. But the fact that I get to regularly visit a city of Naga and have made allies among their higher ranking members is something I've been very glad for. I've learned to understand their speech, to wield one of their blades, and to attend some of their ceremonies," he replies with a nod.
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Well, seems you went pretty far in the name of diplomacy...the war wasn't exactly fun, but glorious for some. Not many of those great heroes, solving problems and cutting off heads such as like, stuck around to do the hard work like you are now, huh?"

he gave the Ryuuta an appreciative nod at that.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"The war was hard work too. And not all the Naga that the empire fought are with Tausha's Legion. Fortunately fighting has been minimal and mostly between their factions. But yes, sticking around and supporting the work of building relations has required effort, but it's also allowed us to open our eyes to each other and see how the samurai of the Empire and the Naga are similar."

Still he continues his swings, trying to further reinforce his basic technique as best he can with muscle memory.

"So you traveled with the Kitsu Daimyo on your way here? She seemed like she had seen some of the worst of things at court," Kin replies, with a hint of sadness at that thought. "I hope she did not have to suffer any more assaults from attackers on the way."
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
He finished a set of strikes, then changed to thrust techniques.

"By the time I was picked up by their retinue, they'd been past the point of being actively chased by more than a day. I don't know what she was carrying, didn't seem to be a kubi bukuro to me", he said to infer it likely wasn't a relative's head she'd recovered...or the Emperor's.
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"I had been in a second floor room, recording documents for the court at the time of the murder, so I don't even know what happened to the emperor's body. But I agree, the parcel she held didn't look like that either," he replies. "Whatever it was was certainly important to be carried by a family daimyo in such a dire situation, but it's likely far above most of our stations to know."

Finally, after mentally counting somewhere around 100 strikes he shifts his form to a side slash that could be used more defensively.

"Which also means you were spared the brutality of the assault. Just remember that hesitation is death against those creatures. They will not pause to consider your concerns as a descendant. They will simply attack until one side falls. The only intent I saw in them once they began the assault was malicious."
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"I'm used to that kind of treatment. Crab don't hesitate, naga not much either. Haven't had a gaki wonder what my motives were yet...most enemies just try to kill you."
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"True enough, but most enemies also prefer efficient kills. Those spirits can be mean bastards preferring the painful kill," Kin says, acknowledging the realities of war but knowing these things were something else.

"All I know for sure is that I wish I knew more of how to put them down. Some didn't seem to care at all when they were slashed and just kept going. Knowing weaknesses of such enemies has never been my forte. Never had to fight anything that wasn't human or naga, and while naga are strong, they're not otherworldly."
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"You want to know how to kill spirits, Ryuuta-sama?" He smirked. "I can help with that."
Author:  Ryuuta Kin [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Definitely can't hurt to know in this situation, with a spirit army likely bearing down on us," Kin replies with a nod.
Author:  Bayushi Norikami [ Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preparing for the Worst [D1 LA]
"Where are you staying? I can set up a meeting with my associate for tomorrow if you'd like."
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