[D11LM] An Old Challenger Appears

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

(expecting)

The dojo was a large one. This was good. Touki preferred to be alone, or at least distant enough that he could pretend to be alone.

His weapons were already on the stand, far from his reach. He knelt down, near the far corner of the room, carefully going through his stretching routine.

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Touki-sama!" And like that, the bliss was over. "You cannot escape our legendary duel!"

A pause.

"Except we cannot use our blades today. I have other important duties to attend to, ones that cannot have me wounded!"

---

Choosing to autofail the composure.

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

Touki's eyes closed, and he groaned. Slowly, he rose to his feet. He turned...

With an effort, he managed a blank look on his face. "My apologies, Bayushi-sama. Are you talking to me?"

The teasing glint in his eyes, and the twitching of his lips made it pretty obvious, though.

....

D11LM, Sincerity: 3d10o10k2 8

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Who else is Touki?!" Setsuna grumbled, crossing their arms, "Why do you mock me so? Is that a challenge in itself?!"

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

Touki sighed. "Perhaps I do, but I should not. Not after the what you did, alongside so many of my fellow Lion. I should honor you." He bowed to her, low and respectful. "I heard the tale from Matsu Tani herself."

His expression darkened as he remembered the predicament that Tani was in. "So. I shall not deny you your challenge. But it must not leave either of us wounded. Too many heroes have lost their lives. We cannot risk injury slowing our sword-arms when we need them the most."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Matsu Tani is a true warrior. I... Miss her already. If there is something to be done, I hope it is soon.

"Indeed. We will have to test our skills otherwise. After all, samurai is more than his blade, even if that is important." Setsuna coughed.

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

"I as well." Touki said, inclining his head. For a moment, it looked as though he were about to say something, but then he grimaced, shaking his head.

"Yes. That is true." Touki frowned thoughtfully. "What did you have in mind, Bayushi-sama?"

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

Setsuna crossed their arms in a flamboyant pose. "Have you heard of..the Game of Sadane? A game of wits!"

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

Touki folded his arms over his chest. "I've... heard of it. It's a court game of some sort, isn't it?"

His frown deepened, but then he shrugged. Well, he used to play Go, didn't he? Before Sugimoto died... "How is it done?" He asked, his frown more thoughtful than doubtful.

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"I've seen it done before. I'll start." Setsuna crossed their arms and thought. Then, a brilliant idea came to their mind.

"If your ancestors were half as good as you are, we'd already be dead!" That was insulting his ancestry... right?

---

D11 LM Round 1 Sadane: 3d10 8

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

"Uh... thank you?" Touki said, his eyebrows going up. "I respect your skill as well. But do I misunderstand how this game works?" No, he was pretty sure he had it right.

Okay, his turn. Touki cleared this throat. "You're so plain looking, that when that one actor, what's his name, Degarashi. Right, when Degarashi doesn't want to be recognized, he disguises himself as you!"

----------------------

D11LM Round 1 Sadane: 2d10 9

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"I'm not plain, I'm unique!" Setsuna then rubbed their masked chin. "Curses, my outburst means that you win."

The Bayushi looked around. "Perhaps you are better at coming up with words but what about another mental task? Where is a Go board..."

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

Touki spread his hands. "I used to play with Akodo Sugimoto-sama. He never returned from a mission, a short time ago." He sighed. "Another casualty in this war our ancestors have brought to us."

He rolled his eyes, although there was a smile on his lips. "Bayushi-sama... you cannot just keep changing the nature of the challenge. Can you not pick something?"

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Indeed. We have faced many losses and will continue to."

Setsuna interlaced their fingers behind their head. "Eh, Touki-sama? This is a challenge of every facet of ourselves."

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

Touki grimaced, but didn't contradict the grim suggestion.

"I... suppose." Touki said, frowning. "And yet, there are certainly areas where you can defeat me. If you find one, shall you be satisfied?"

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"No," Setsuna stated plainly, "It is only enough if I overcome you in a majority of situations."

They then tilted their head. "And not just now but forever and ever. Further challenges must be done later."

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

Touki glared at her, arms crossing over his chest. "Are you keeping count? So far I've won in practice and at Sadane? Next comes Go?"

Touki sighed, shaking his head. "Bayushi-sama, you can't build your life, your sense of worth, around a single person. What happens if, before you defeat me... something happens?" Touki frowned, blinking, a strange look on his face. How much of his life, even now, was built around husband to a dead wife?

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Won practice once! We shall another day, yes." Setsuna scratched the back of their head. "I am not sure who has won at being the best in the field during these trying times. We need an impartial judge."

The Bayushi shrugged. "Do your best not to die before I achieve victory then," they remarked, completely missing his point.

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

He bowed. "I think, going on a mission with Kitsu-dono, that your deeds have exceeded mine so far."

Touki chuckled, shaking his head. "Well. Tell you what. Once all this is over, I shall give you one full day, for as many challenges as you can think of. But after that..." He spread his hands. "You must let it be. I cannot always be receiving your challenges, alive or no."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"If that is the case, then that is one more point for me." Setsuna tapped their mask. "Are all of these deeds equivalent?" So much thought put into defeating Touki and none about the logistics.

"But certainly we will improve from there!" Setsuna dipped their head. "A full day challenge. It could be like a championship, but between us."

[D11LM] An Old Challenger Appears

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