Sapphire Ambassadors

On her fourth completion of kata four, it's emphasis stances 12 and 92 the hanging horse and flowing dragon, Ameiko took a short break and decided she should meditate. Slowly the perspiration her diligence built cooled away and with it her thoughts began to bleed from her mind, leaving only-

the undead.

a sinister man in a mask, wreathed in an aura of blood.

two siblings in a duel for the fate of the innocent.

Ameiko opened her eyes and picked up her bokken once again. There was no point in relaxing.

About that time Doji Minori enters the dojo. The young Crane is dressed in a grey hakama with a blue gi. She offers a bow to the banner of the dojo and the shrine, if there is one, and a third one to the Scorpion samurai.

"Blessings of the fortunes, Bayushi sama." She greets the other woman and goes to pick a bokken which she does after she has checked the handles and the weight of nearly every bokken available at the dojo.

Ameiko returned the bow smoothly. "Good morning Doji-san", she returned brightly. Standing straight she seemed quite pleased to have company. "It is a fine day of spring for Inari's blessing, neh? I am Bayushi Ameiko, yojimbo to Otomo Gaitsu. It's a pleasure to meet a bushi if your clan."

"I am honored to make your acquaintance, Bayushi sama. This one is Doji Minori, duelist and poet of the Left Hand." The Crane replies with a polite, small smile. "It is a fine day for training, indeed! I hope that I didn't interrupt your focus. I wasn't sure that I would find warriors amidst the many artists that have arrived at the village." Another smiler, broader this time. "I am really glad to meet you!"

"Likewise", replied the Bayushi happily. "What method were you schooled in, Doji-san?". She could make the easy assumption, but it was more polite to ask.

Minori tilts her head and smiles politely. She's a duelist in the dojo, but perhaps the Scorpion knows that dueling is only the most prestigious branch of the Kakita Artisans and not a school on its own per se. "The method that you learn to make an accurate assessment of your opponent's weaknesses, focus on them, draw your blade first and strike right at the right place. All in one perfect cut. The schooling of the Kakita Dueling Academy in short."

"Iaijutsu", she said. "As expected of a Crane." a slight bow. "I have also been schooled in the techniques, though the various dojo I have attended also afford other methods. Have you ever heard of the One Hundred Stances?"

"No. Do tell me! And show me even!" She exclaims. "I was once betrothed to a Bayushi samurai and we used to meet every other winter while growing up, but he was trained as a courtier. Unfortunately he is not in this realm anymore." She explains and her excitement is mostly gone.

"Would you like us to spar perhaps?" She asks in the end.

"I would like that", she said politely, perhaps amusedly. "I came across a Lion yesterday, but she was not worth asking for a match...but a Crane trained in the Kakita dojo", she smiled. "That is a different matter. The Hundred Stances Dojo is run by a collection of great and minor clan samurai, even some ronin, all of them contribute to it's upkeep and the passing down of it's technique, though not entirely well known, it's very prestigious among those who train with a blade."

The Scorpion strode smoothly across the dojo floor to face the Crane.

"How shall we practice then? I leave it to you", she said confidently.

There is a subtle creaking of the floor as another enters, bowing to kamiza.

Seeing others engaged, he steps to joseki and waits, watching.

...sometime after their match, Ameiko bowed to her opponent (certain that victory was hers, even if it wasn't) and then to Takei.

"Ah, Doji-sama, a wonderful day for training, wouldn't you agree?" she asked with a bow. "I am Bayushi Ameiko and my sparring partner is Doji Minori. Being that this village is hosting such a competition of art, do you enjoy theater? I heard Shosuro Otoko is in town. Wouldn't it be a thing to see her perform?"

OOC
chatty for the Scorpion, 2 raises called supporting Otoko, TN 30: 43

"Every day is a good day to train, Bayushi-san," Takei replies, nodding his head in return and adding, "Doji Takei, local magistrate.

"And I gather you are of the Bayushi bushi school, rather than, say, Nigai Uso no Anken?"

She shook her head. "My uncle has a friend who is said to have mastered that technique, but it not my interest, Doji-sama", the young Scorpion replied evenly. "I was granted leave from the Bayushi dojo in my last year of study to go learn from the sensei of the One Hundred Stances, have you heard of it?"

"I have," Takei replies. "Unpleasant business, that. It's good that you've emerged from it.

"But what brings you to Teitaku?"

"My charge has brought me this way, Otomo Gaitsu-sama seemed interested in this manor town, and when we discovered the happenings here he was open to my participation", Ameiko informed, the young girl's lip curled slightly. "I play the flute, though I don't feel as though I am a master of it lord Gaitsu urged me to be confident about it."

Takei nods slowly.

"Did Otomo-sama speak of his mission here?" he asks. "Perhaps assistance could be rendered him."

"His business is his own", Ameiko replied with a bow. "I believe we are simply on our way back toward the capital. Though if Doji-sama would inform this one of any particular sites or activities one must partake to do the village justice I would be certain to pass along your words."

"Ah." Takei says to the first part of Amieko's response.

To the second, he says "The flower gardens are, of course, lovely. And the four teahouses are each well worth attention."

After their match, Minori goes on with her training.

/please, forgive my tardiness. I don't seem to have the free time I thought I would when I joined the thread.