[D1, EE] Preparing for the Inevitable

Daidoji Tetsuko · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:41 am **Posts:** 391

Training was one thing. Watching a Kakita-trained bushi demonstrate the art was another. Tetsuko finished a longer drill and gestured to her cousin that the floor was his. She sat cross legged. Watching. Waiting.

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

"I tend to prefer the candid observations instead," Setsuna mused. They looked to the Daidoji briefly and then focused on the Mantis' reaction.

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

'' There's nothing to apologize for, Doji-sama. '' She waved her fan. '' I would be deeply honored to watch your skill.''

Then she turned towards the Scorpion.

'' Not obliging, no. Ceremonial, i don't think so, since that would involve the watch of the Heavens... '' She shrugs as she said to the Scorpion. '' Hmm, perhaps i should demostrate my skill first, minna-sama. If you don't mind? '' She reached for a compromise.

'' Perhaps you can give me some advise to correct myself or if you notice anything wrong in my form, minna-sama?'' She asked to them.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi stepped back to allow Nagiko her space. "By all means, Mantis-san."

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

The Scorpion whipped out their fan, a moot point for concealing facial expressions. They held it daintily in front of where their lips would be, very similar to the Mantis' own pose.

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

Nagiko offered a smile to the Doji as she approached. She closed her fan and put it on her right side of the obi, while slowly reaching for the handle of her shikomizue.

She stood still, first she began to slowly breath, calming her inner thoughts as she tries to reach into the void. Her eyes are closed, and her right arm is just a few centimeters above her sword.

Slowly her breath was less and less apparent, as she started to enter into the void and harmony with the elements...

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[OOC - Rolls]

Iaijutsu/Awareness; Assesment Demonstration - 48

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi can hardly find fault thus far. He relaxes onto his heels and watches with a weather eye.

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

Nagiko centered herself, she was all alone, she and the elements. There was nothing else around. She was a sword, nothing and everything at the same time.

Or so she though. Maybe there was a slight distraction in her form, perhaps the image of a naked hero she met earlier came to her mind, or the hips of the mysterious Scorpion, made her soul waver...

Her rhythm became shaky and her emotions invaded her mind, which caused her form to become misaligned with her soul.

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[OOC - Rolls]

Iaijutsu/Void Focus demostration - 28

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

For his part, Koushi saw the potential. An interesting misapplication of...no. No, I am mistaken. A costly error. A fluke, really, and nothing more.

He frowned slightly, formulating the critique, should one be sought.

Daidoji Tetsuko · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:41 am **Posts:** 391

Well that was interesting. The Mantis had clearly learned how to perform iai correctly. Perhaps she had lost her nerve a little this time, but she had a lot of potential.

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

Setsuna remained perfectly still. Perhaps that was a reaction of its own.

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

Her sword flashed as she quickly slashed an imaginary opponent. Certainly there was a distraction to her final form, since there was no much energy behind the strike.

Nagiko finally draw a deep breath and performed the chiburi and nōtō movements before bowing to what appeared to be the dojo itself.

'' Well, how did it look, minna-sama?'' She asked as she turned towards the spectators waiting for their critique.

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[OOC - Rolls]

Iaijutsu/Reflexes 7k2; +1k1+3; - 24

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi inclined his head. "Your stance and form are excellent, Mantis-san. My contemporaries at the Academy would have been pleased to perform as you did in the first phase."

A pause.

"I hesitate to assert...but if I were pressed, I would say a momentary distraction led to a slow draw. The lapse was a fluke, I suspect. But with regard to speed, practice is the only remedy."

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

'' I see. '' Nagiko takes a look at her shikomizue. '' I'm honored that you made such a comparison, your words certainly brings honor to the teachings of my father, Doji-sama. Arigato'' She bowed deeply to the Doji, showing a lot of respect

'' I'm afraid that i had not practiced enough to correct the drawing speed. That is something that i should certainly solve in the future.''

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

"Do you see yourself in many duels then?" Setsuna chimed in. They shrugged. "Or perhaps on the battlefield?"

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

'' I'm a courtier. But i'm also a samurai, Bayushi-sama.'' She turned towards the Scorpion. '' One must be prepared for any obstacles or situations lying in front of one's destiny.'' Nagiko adds.

'' One day maybe i will be on a battlefield. Perhaps never.''

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nodded slowly in agreement. Well said. Of course, we may all be on a battlefield sooner than you think.

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

"A courtier who champions herself then?" Setsuna shrugged. "Not the first time I've seen such a thing. Certainly is prudent, especially if the need is there."

Daidoji Tetsuko · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:41 am **Posts:** 391

"Ten thousand days of sword." Tetsuko smiled politely and rose with her bokken. Her Doji cousin was better placed to comment on the technique but some things were universally true. "If you do not reach a battlefield in this life Mantis-san, perhaps the next?"

She began the next series of drills. The main focus of these was footwork.

Nagiko · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 310

Bayushi Setsuna wrote:

"A courtier who champions herself then?" Setsuna shrugged. "Not the first time I've seen such a thing. Certainly is prudent, especially if the need is there."

'' Well our clan is also small, so i guess we must maximize our assets. Also once you are in a ship and you are attacked by sea monsters, storms or pirates, not fighting means death.'' She said, explaining a bit of her clan's culture.

[D1, EE] Preparing for the Inevitable

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