Finish what I started (D13, LA)

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

After finally getting some sleep, Chihaya came at last to the Dojo.

She had taken time to think about her technique, and now, hoped to finish making sense of it, before returning to the road for her long journeys home... if home was even where she would be headed.

After praying to the shrine, she entered the dojo, claiming a clear spot, drawing her blade, and proceeding with a steady tempo... warming up through her favorite kata - the Dance of the First Sparrow.

Blade in hand, she flowed through the forms, letting the stress of the last few weeks fade, and her body work through the flaws she still felt in her technique. After her idea that morning... she finally felt like she'd made a breakthrough.

She was close, she could tell.

This time, she altered the kata, just slightly, the motions more concise, her blade defending even while on the attack, each blow striking through another - attack and counter all in a single motion.

Yes... it was... simple. It was just leverage. Strike in the right sequence, and you could disrupt the enemy during his own attack.

Almost giddy, though outwardly emotionless, she worked through the kata again.

And again.

At last, it was coming together.

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

OOC:

Kata complete!

The First Lesson
Ring/Mastery: Air 3
Schools: Suzume Bushi
Effect: If you utilize the Sparrow Technique All Things in Time: until the start of your next turn, all combat maneuvers which target you require an additional raise.

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

Meanwhile, a young Yasuki woman entered the dojo and went over to the rack with the practice swords on it, looking them over thoughtfully before looking over at the Suzume practicing. She wasn't sure what the woman was doing, but it looked much more graceful and advanced than what she'd been doing, whether with Maiya or Touki.

She hoped the woman didn't mind her just watching for now from a distance.

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2020 6:35 am

Not long after, Mei enters the dojo and bows to the front of it before stepping out onto the floor. She begins to stretch when she spots Yukarin.

"Oh, hello Yasuki-san. Here to practice as well?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Though she seemed quite engrossed, Chihaya did notice the newcomers.

If they felt like watching, she wouldn't stop them, after all, it was a dojo. This was the purpose of the place.

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

"Hm?"

As engrossed as she was in the Suzume's form, Yukarin barely noticed Mei come in. But the voice directed at her got her to turn and bow, "Hai, that's right, Miya-sama. Perhaps once last time as a refresher before I leave back to the south."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 12:17 am

Mei nods.

"What is it you are looking to practice then? I am happy to be a partner if you wish"

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

"A partner? Oh! Um, well... you see... I was going to practice with the dummy a bit, since I was taught how. But I'm sure practicing with a person would be much more fruitful, hai!"

She seemed to perk up a bit, "Well, what did you come here to do, Miya-sama?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya finished the kata, holding blade before her, breathing in a steady, measured way.

She had it. Finally.

It was impossible not to smile, and so she simply sheathed her blade, bowing quietly to the dojo shrine, and then striding out of the way of young Lion students who were training.

Moving aside, she ended near the other two women, but did not intrude.

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 12:58 am

"I had come to practice my draw after getting some stretches in. I usually try to be in the dojo every day to keep the skill sharp, as often duels are issued in the courts to settle disputes. Though of late I have been quite busy. "

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

"I always hear winter is the busy month for such things."

As Chihaya ended up closer, Yukarin turned and bowed to her, "That was a wonderful display, Suzume-sama. I've not seen the like ever, actually. Not that I've been in many dojos to observe their practicing. It was most certainly quite different from Akodo and Matsu practice exercises though."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya smiled faintly. "Hai, well in part, it is because I only finished polishing that technique today - I imagine I'll be working on the details for months to come, but the core idea is there."

A bow of greeting to both women. "Suzume Chihaya, Shoi and Sensei." An introduction for the Miya.

"I've found that the core concepts of many schools are similar, even though we teach them in different ways. Often practice, and individual skill, will make the difference."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 1:44 am

"Creating a new technique is impressive, Suzume-san. You must have worked some time to gain the insight into it."

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

Yukarin glanced at Mei then back at Chihaya, nodding in agreement.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Indeed... though the last clues were provided by house sparrows this morning."

She smiled cryptically.

"It should help leverage the strengths of the Suzume school - which is all a sensei can hope for, ne? To improve the art they pass on to their students."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 4:47 am

Mei looks surprised.

“You are a sensei?”

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

Yukarin had to blink at that one, "I know you said so earlier... but, a proper sensei with students and everything? You can't be much older than me, if you are at all, Suzume-sama. Unless I'm well and truly mistaken."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"I'd normally demure, and claim a maiden can't share her age... but I am a mother with children, so no excuse. I'm 25."

She smiled faintly, "And yes, I am a sensei. The Suzume are not always at war, so I am able to share my military duties with preparing future generations of samurai. I have the experience of several campaigns and dozens of battles - so I teach what I have learned the hard way, hai."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 5:55 am

“I am surprised then that your lord allows you to leave the dojo unattended. Who teaches while you are away?”

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"I am not the only teacher."

She smiled faintly. "We have few dojo in our lands, so we share our instruction - I am the youngest, but I lend my experience to the traditions passed on by my seniors."

If there was conflict caused by that arrangement, she did not say.

"It is not the way of all clans, but we find having more than one teacher to be useful, whenever duty calls one sensei away. Over the winter my students will spend time studying oratory, etiquette, and the basics... when I return, I will give them more advanced martial training, and so the pattern continues."

Yasuki Yukarin · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:22 pm **Posts:** 802

Yukarin hadn't really considered the full life of a dojo here in the Empire. What little she knew of such things was with the Unicorn, and their dojos had been very different on the long journey, the more experienced passing on spur of the moment lessons to the less experienced. Coupled with tales and stories of past battles and such.

Finish what I started (D13, LA)

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