D8 LA - A Time to Practice

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

After an eventful interaction at the Blue Tile Palace earlier this afternoon, Iko made the effort to head towards the dojo.

She was certain in her abilities against any duelist, especially against any the Crab might find in the requisite time frame. But it never hurt to be careful.

Draw....Strike...Sheathe
Draw....Strike...Sheathe
Draw....Strike...Sheathe
Draw....Strike...Sheathe

A hundred strokes she practiced before she paused for a break.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

One was supposed to let sleeping Dragons lie. But what was said about angry Dragons?

Touki entered very near to the end of her routine, bowing as he entered the dojo. He paused a moment then, dark olive eyes narrowing, as he studied Iko. Another few moments, and he looked politely away.

"Togashi-sama." He said, giving her a bow, before walking to the rack of practice weapons.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Iko finished her last few repetitions before turning and acknowledging the new entrant.

"Akodo-san, my apologies for my rudeness in not immediately greeting you, but my sensei would have my hide if I let anything interrupt my practice."

Picking up a broom, she started to sweep up the straw she had knocked out of the dummy, she knew there were servants for this sort of thing, but surely they had better uses for their time in this current climate of war.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Smiling slightly, Touki shook his head. "No apology is necessary, Togashi-sama. My sensei was much the same. But it does mean that I am better able to perform my strikes, no matter the distraction I face."

He bowed again. "This one is Akodo Touki." He straightened, frowning briefly, his usual script thrown off by the unfamiliar location.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Returning the Lion's bow, Iko spoke in reply.

"Togashi Iko, Gunso in the Dragon armies, second legion, fourth company. Did I hear correctly that you helped protect the gates of Toshi no Omoidoso, Akodo-san?"

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"You did." Touki acknowledged the acknowledgement with a nod of his head. "I am honored to be recognized."

He looked at Iko. "I confess, I have already heard the name Togashi Iko several times. Your fellow Dragon spoke highly of your skills, as did one of my fellow Lion, Ikoma Homura-san."

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

"Ah yes, Ikoma-san is....unique. In my experiences with the Lion at least. She shows the beginnings of a fine duelist and is comfortable in court. She will serve her Lord well for many years I think."

"I fear the Empire will have need of a great many exceptional samurai over the coming months." She adds a little sadly.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Unique. Indeed." Touki's lips quirked, just a little. "Yes, I think that she has a bright future." He said, completely unaware that she was currently undertaking a suicide mission. "I look forward to seeing her career progress."

"Oh?" Touki's voice, already a monotone, became even more neutral. "May I ask what you foresee, Togashi-sama?"

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

I see nothing more than any other samurai with any sense." She replies, with no insult intended. "I do not have the gift of foresight, but I have seen the army marching down the path, I have heard the arguments in the halls of debate."

"Surely you have seen the signs of war and death as well?"

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"I have." Touki nodded. "Recently, as well as any number of times over the last several years. The Empire seems to have experienced a great deal of turmoil lately." He grimaced.

His chin tilted up. "But I assure you, the Lion stand ready to defend the city. Alongside any other brave samurai who wish to join us."

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

"Ever since the War of Burned Wings, it seems there is bloodshed almost every season." Iko laments sadly.

"Far too much, we need to find peace before all the violence tears the Empire apart."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Slowly, Touki nodded. "Unfortunately, it seems that there must be a little more bloodshed. The Emperor was slain, and now there are two who seek to take his place. One of whom killed him." Touki grimaced. "It is not a sustainable situation."

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

"No, it is not." Iko agreed as she resumed her sweeping. "One can only hope that we can keep the bloodshed to a minimum, as much as is possible. Although it's beyond my ken how we can do so."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"One can hope." Touki echoed. He didn't sound hopeful. He sounded glum.

Gently, he shook his head. "Togashi-sama, you needn't do that. Or..." He frowned. "Let me assist you, at least. You are a guest in our city, and a samurai of some importance." He moved closer, ready to take the broom, if it was offered.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Iko shrugged in ambivalence. "I won't tell if you don't." She replied with a rooked smile. "Truth be told it's calming, takes me back to my time sweeping out my mother's shrine when I was a child. Therapeutic if you will," she adds before leaning the broom against the wall.

"But if it causes you concern, I will acquiesce."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki considered this for a few moments.

Finally, he half-smiled. "Well. Perhaps it shall be our secret." If it was her preference, well, he would leave it up to her.

He tilted his head, regarding Iko curiously. "I hope you don't take it as an insult, and it's not intended as such, but you Dragon are an eclectic bunch. I don't think I've seen any of the two of you here with the same style. Unless you and Mirumoto Wasako-sama use the same style, and I'm certain that you do not."

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

"Our Clan definitely values individualism more than most. One destination, many paths, as the Little Teacher said."

Iko's hand whips up to cover her mouth. "Am I even allowed to quote the Tao in a Lion dojo?"

"And as for Mirumoto-san's style, since I'm Kakita trained, I would expect there to be a great variance in our techniques and approaches to our respective Ways."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Well," Touki said, folding his arms over his chest with a half-smile. "That can be our secret, too."

His eyes lit with understanding. "Ah. You married in to the Dragon?" That wasn't wasn't the only possibility, just the most likely one. "Togashi Tsukimi-san said that she was trained in part by monks, but mostly by life experience, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear a stranger tale." Touki said, his tone mild.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

"There are many different tales to be told of those who come to the Togashi. A simple marriage is probably one of the least interesting. What of you Akodo-san, are you married?" Iko asks in genuine curiosity.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Pain briefly flashed across Touki's features, the most expressive his face had yet been. "I was." He said shortly. "She died about a year and a half ago."

He took a deep breath. "The Lion has not seen fit to arrange a new marriage for me. So I am presently unmarried."

D8 LA - A Time to Practice

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