Sapphire Ambassadors

Choudai scowled at an obvious error, pulled up short- and started his entire routine over from the beginning.

While he took no particular joy in his martial training, there was little denying he'd gotten rusty during his time as Kanbei. He hadn't even carried his katana most of the time, and damned if it didn't show.

My draw is atrocious. My footwork stands out by actually being acceptable.

Sloppy, sloppy.

Sensei would work me over witha bokken, and I would deserve it.

From the top. Again.

If Hatsuki needed him, he intended to be ready.

Dressed simply in well-worn uwagi and hakama, jitte and wakizashi in his obi, Doji Takei bows at the door, enters, bows to kamiza, and proceeds to the racks of bokken.

He gives the visitor space to practice, of course, but that does not mean he is inattentive. Or unapproachable.

Choudai noted that he had an audience.

Well that's just perfect.

But there was little sense in hiding it.

So he began again.

In truth, his form wasn't that bad... it just seemed woefully pitiful for how much time had passed since his gempukku.

Takei begins his own set of forms, bokken spending as much time thrusting as slashing. Careful attention will note that he seems to target low and inside before rising into rapid diagonal blocks.

There's a man who likes his opponents gutted. Sound.

The high blocks were interesting, to say the least.

Of course the last thing I fought in actual combat was a shadowspawned nightmare masquerading as a traitor.

Choudai managed to complete his form and was able to dedicate his full attention to the Crane.

Choudai will notice that Takei's blows are lower than gut-level, in the main. Knees and thighs, places where armor is less likely to be in place.

He completes an evolution, a few beads of sweat breaking out on his brow.

He bows.

"Bayushi-san."

"Doji-sama."

Choudai bowed as befit the Crane's station.

"I am glad that the dojo has someone more skilled than I making use of it..."

Takei returns the bow.

"It is a place of learning and study," he says. "And there is always improvement to be made.

"But, let me guess, Bayushi-ryu? Rather than, say, Nigai Uso no Anken?"

"Very much so- the techniques of the Bayushi Bushi dojo are all that I've studied with any... depth."

Especially since playing at being a Yasuki didn't mandate many Crab-related fencing lessons.

The corner of Takei's mouth lifts in what could be taken as a smile.

"I've had to...encourage one of the Nigai folks to calm," he says. "It takes some doing.

"But rumor has it you're a cook?"

CHEF, dammit!

"I've got some culinary aptitude. I started learning as a child in my grandmother's kitchen, and have kept up the practice."

Takei nods.

"It's important to keep the elders' skills alive," he says. "Is your grandmother yet with us?"

Choudai sighed.

"No longer. But she lived a long, long time, and achieved a great deal. There is much to aspire to in her example."

Takei inclines his head in respect for the departed.

When he lifts said head, he remarks "I gather you are one of the more popular people in your unit when on campaign. Good food is always a comfort."

"At times." He made a bit of a face. "Although sometimes quantity is preferred to quality. Still, one does one's best."

"It is to be hoped, and in all things," Takei confirms.

"Care for a bit of practice, then?"

Choudai chuckled.

"I think it would be more instruction than practice, Doji-sama, but this one ever strives to improve..."

"Two of three touches, then?"

Takei comes to a good distance.

(Narrative will probably be better than diced, given how late in the IC day this is.)

"Let us see if I reach the third."

Choudai smiled and found his mark, so to speak.

He knew he was outclassed, but he determined to do his best, come what may.

[Rolling his dice for combat would be sort of depressing anyhow ]

Takei raises his bokken in a brief salute, assumes his stance for a moment, and, seeing that Choudai is in his own, attacks. The first one is the thrust for the inner thigh he has shown before.