The Die Is Cast (Day 2, Early Evening)

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:13 am

The explanation was becoming a bit too much, so she focused herself on copying and emulating. Learn by doing as the teachers would say.

Either Mogami was an excellent teacher, or Tsukimi was a talented student. Her stance was rough and unpolished still but it bore great promise. "I see... I think I understand what you mean, sensei. Be like a willow there - our roots will keep us steady and balanced, and our bodies may still bend and remain flexible."

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D2 EE fluff Kenjutsu roll. Untrained.: 3d10 24

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:50 am

“Yes, that is a good way to picture it.”

She checks on the form.

“Very good. Now how to draw. Hold the bow in your off hand, around the lower third of the bow. Put place your main hand on the string at the same spot as your off hand. Then raise the bow above your head so your main hand is at your ear and your off hand above your head, pointed to the sky..”

She demonstrates.

“Take a long breath, and as you inhale, bring down your off hand, stretching it out so the string is drawn. Both arms should be level. Look at your target and Channel your will into the bow focusing on what you wish for the arrow to do, and empty then your mind. You should think of nothingness. When you feel complete emptiness, exhale and let go of the strong, swing your arm put in front of you and ending your swing in line with your shoulder. “

Again she shows what she means.

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Example:

Linky

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:34 pm

The monk breathed easily, quite used to the exercise of breathing and thinking of nothing at all. Like the waterfall-training, or similar, she thought not of the snow, the people, or the target... merely of herself becoming one with the weapon in her hands, even if it was an unusual one.

She went through the motions once, slowly, finding the breath and rythm to balance her movements. And then one more time. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Let the breath fly like an arrow when the time would come.

Even if she knew that she could easily do this if she allowed herself to tap into the harmony of the wind around them, or let the divine blood in her veins guide her actions, she once more resisted the temptation of making the task too easy. Learn by doing, she recited the phrase to herself, and this time went through the routine in one swift motion; letting her arrow fly from the bow towards its target.

It wasn't a solid hit, but it was promising.

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D2 EE Second fluff kyujutsu roll: 3d10 17

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:47 pm

Mogami watches and nods.

"Good. There is much improvement you can still do with your form and your breath, but still very good. Especially for this being your first time holding a bow."

She looks to the men gathered.

"See here? Do you know what Togashi-sama succeeds where many of you have failed tonight?"

A few murmurs pass through the men, but no one directly speaks up.

"It is because she believed she could succeed. The arrow is brought to life by your thought. It knows the way once release your bowstring. In that moment, you are bringing a new life into the world, and it knows the way. You infused it with that instict when you focused on where you wanted it to go, and when you then cleared your mind."

"Many of you are unable to hit the target because you are thinking too much. Look at the target, breathe in. Draw. Think where you want it to go. Stop thinking. Release. Breathe."

Then Mogami turns around and picks up her yumi. She is elegant in her movements, fluid like water. She closes her eyes and seconds go past. After ten or so seconds, she lets the arrow fly.

It hits dead center.

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Kyujutsu/Ref+Prodigy+Akodo1 Free Raise+Center, 5 raises. Roll=43

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:52 pm

"A good sensei makes all the difference as well," she offered kindly to the girl, and stepped back to observe Mogami's demonstration.

Truly, the young Lioness had found a higher purpose with the bow, and she admired the fluidity of the movements, with no energy wasted in their execution, and the final moment of zen as the arrow found its destined way.

"Matsu-sama truly is a prodigy of the bow," Tsukimi nodded respectfully, looking to the gathered folks, "have faith in Matsu-sama's training and guidance. The future might be uncertain, but under her care, the certainity of triumph is closer for all of you. It will be hard as it will certainly not be easy, but it will all be worth it."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:57 pm

The men all bow their heads in respect. Mogami sets her yumi aside and gives a bow to Tsukimi.

"Thank you for your kind words, you honor me greatly. "

She steps aside and motions for the men to return to their drills.

"Would you care to share company for a time in conversation?"

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:05 am

She looked to the men who returned to their drills, hoping they found their focus again to practice hard. They would have to become much better in a short amount of time.

"Of course," Tsukimi turned her gaze back to Mogami, nodding as she put aside the han-kyu and her now freed up hands adjusted her cowl to hide her birthmark once more.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:13 am

"I was wondering if you could tell me about the tattoos you bear. Almost everyone in your family has at least one. Is it some sort of tradition?"

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:16 am

"Ah." It wasn't the question she expected, but it was not unwelcome.

"Togashi-Kami himself had tattoos said to possess great power; is it not natural to wish to emulate the founding Kami of one's clan?" Tsukimi asked in return.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:18 am

Mogami tilts her head in curiosity, her eyes focusing on the left arm of the monk.

"Is there truth to the tale?

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:32 am

She looked at Mogami for a moment, as if to ask 'what tale', but after a moment's silence she answered instead. "That he was powerful, perhaps the most powerful of all the Kami, and that he had tattoos? As far as I know, that is true. If his tattoos gave him power or not, only one truly knows that."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:37 am

"To have a tattoo be able to gift some kind of power is surely wondrous. I wonder what sort of things they would bestow?"

She pauses for a few moments of contemplation.

"If I could have one, I think I'd like a scene of the Eastern Plains under a sunset that used to belong to the Lion. I have a fan painted with the scene in mind I found some time ago. It was truly majestic. An endless see of grass and rolling hills as far as one could see."

"Was the process difficult?"

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:48 am

She smiled fondly as Mogami spoke of her dreams. "What you wish for and what you get do not always coincide, but the most important is that it is something that shows your nature."

Of course, she felt more conscious about her tattoos now. "Yes, and no. Remaining completely still for a length of time is both easy and very difficult at the same time."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:54 am

"How does it stay? I mean, cuts and bruises heal, many times without a trace left on the skin that it happened in the first place. I've gotten ink from calligraphy on my hands many times when I was training, but it always washed off...Yet everyone from your family I have seen leaves it exposed to the elements and it looks the same every single day."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:02 am

"... Oh, you are not familiar with how tattoos are done?" she asked with some surprise, realising she had taken it for granted within her own clan that everyone knew how a tattoo was applied.

"It uses ink, yes, but it is not merely painted onto the body with a brush like a painting. By using sharpened bamboo, as small as needles, ink is applied to the tips. These bamboo needles pierce the skin - just deep enough to allow the ink to set in." As she spoke, Tsukimi poked her exposed skin with her fingertips in a way to demonstrate how it might be done. "It takes much practice to learn to do this correctly, and even in the most skilled hands, it can be a painful process for many."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:05 am

"Fascinating. Do you know of any artisans who would be willing to work on someone not in your clan? I imagine if it's a family tradition, your own clansmen keep it inside the family only."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:07 am

"Art and beauty can be appriciated by everyone, Matsu-sama. It doesn't belong to just any one person or group," Tsukimi assured her kindly. "Perhaps speak with Togashi Mai-san? She is a much more talented artisan than I - speak with her, and I'm certain she'll be inspired to bring out your greatness in art."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:16 am

"Thank you for the recommendation. I will, if duty permits it."

She walks over to the edge of the wall and gazes out over the early night sky.

"So many still out there"

She mutters.

"What do you think they all must feel, being so close to hope only for me to slam it shut in front of them? Like a cat, playing with its prey..."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:20 am

Tsukimi turns her green gaze towards the walls and the boundaries beyond.

"I can't tell you that they understand your reasoning, or that they have forgiveness in their hearts. Fear is a powerful emotion, and it leads to many regretful feelings and actions..." she remarked solemnly as her hands pressed together for a brief moment. "I don't think they curse your name specifically, Matsu-sama, for they probably do not know - but rather I believe they curse us all. It is an unfortunate state, as those who perish like this will linger in this realm to seek vengeance."

Hopefully, they could do something about that.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:26 am

"Ever since I was a child, I have been groomed to one day take the place of my father, a general in the Lion armies. He had hoped to be able to pass the title directly from him to me, which is why I have my two budoka. He thought if I could exceed in training, outfitting, teaching, and caring for them, eventually he could trust me with more duties, working all the way up until the time came for him to set the title aside and live a new life as a monk."

She looks over at the gates, coldness in her eyes

"He was there, in Morikage Toshi. We were just speaking days ago. I was sent there from here to demonstrate my school's archery as their top performing student in a century..."

"If he or my mother are out there, I have just killed them too. And he will never be able to see his dream for me come true."

She turns back to Tsukimi.

"If what you say is true, hen he won't even be able to look down on me from the other realms. Or, if he died fighting during the tactical withdraw, he may be watching now and will have seen my dishonor with the Seppun. I was only appointed this position today, Togashi-san. When the Seppun reports my actions, I may not hold it tomorrow."

The Die Is Cast (Day 2, Early Evening)

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