Sapphire Ambassadors

Ameiko, eyes closed and sitting in the dojo among a few Crane students, tried to meditate. It wasn't the manner of task she normally put herself to, but it was a worthy one nonetheless. Her journey had landed her in this place the previous day, this small manor town with an unlikely event. She had heard it was a boon granted by the Empress to the Crane, but then why was it not held in the capital for all to see?

Extraneous thoughts, frivolity, foolishness.

She let out a breath. She had not felt tense until a moment ago. One of the Crane was watching her, perhaps. It didn't matter, that was an unneeded thought as well. She stood, with a hop, already in her stance, hand on the bokken she held at her side now. Eyes still closed she began a slow, meditative draw exercise, focusing on her movements and breath.

This was not how she was taught, but Ameiko always sought something else.

Funny how she always ended up back here. Whenever she felt restless or did not know what to do, Inori's feet led her back to the Dojo.

Old habits die hard, she thought. Even now.

She bowed as she entered, just a glance over the other visitors and Crane Samurai at the Dojo. Nothing that really stood out to her. Which was just as well to her - as much as she was confused, in a strange unfamiliar place again, the Matsu was not sure she wanted any kind of confrontation right now. Not even with cowardly Kakita. The long stick that would serve her as her practice weapon lay in her slightly calloused hand with old familiarity.

Not the only thing familiar to her. Wait a second. I think I recognize this one. Do i? she thought as she watched another girl, only a little older than her, go through her exercises.

Loath to interrupt she waited until it looked like the other had reached some break in the flow of the exercise, and announced herself with a cough.

"Good Morning....Bayushi-san, I think?"

The slow and steady draw fluidly rose to a snapping quick strike and Ameiko resumed her stance, bowed to the dojo's place of honor and then faced the other young samurai.

"Matsu-san", she greeted and bowed. "It has not been so long a time that our meetings could be forgotten, I hope.". A coy look marked her face.

"Not so long, no" Inori replied, bowing in return.

"And yet we meet again". She looked around "In Crane lands again, no less."

She considered several things to say. Discarded them after a moment's hesitation. Too forward. This one's also no good, can't show any sign of weakness.

"And another event for the empire's best and brightest"

I really, really wish I was actually one of them Inori thought.

"Quite so", the Scorpion replied. "This must be a treat for you." she seemed to think it was clearly not.

"Are you here to lean, then, Matsu-san?" she asked as she adjusted her garments just so, to keep them fitting just so, perhaps emphasizing how much she'd grown in a short few months. Her question a bit bluntly inferring the Lion wasn't here to compete, but leaving the door open to answer otherwise.

Inori frowned a bit. "It is a big opportunity" she answered, trying to be diplomatic. It did not sound like her heart was in it

"And some of the most promising upcoming Artisans in the empire are attending"

Wish I cared about that anywhere near as much as I should. Or as I care about....this she thought, looking at the staff in her hands. Flexed her hands to feel the grain against her palms. The familiarity was bittersweet.

"I assume in your case you are accompanying Otomo-dono"

"That isy duty, yes", she replied, now sounding a bit cheery and not the least superior. Then she regarded her broken much like Inori did her own training weapons. The look was gone quickly and her smile returned though.

"And though he has decided to take an interest in the events, it seems he has decided I should be allowed to compete as well.". The Scorpion took a thoughtful gaze, tapping her chin with her finger. "I wonder if they'd let me tabi skate."

That one took Inori aback.

Tabi skating?

It did make her smile though. "Who knows? I have a feeling a lot of this depends on...fashion" she said with the conviction of someone who considered fashion an inexplicable, alien and potentially hostile force. "I will be competing as well."

That hardly sounded enthusiastic.

"Although what they'll make of it....who knows"

"indeed who knows", she said, a bit annoyed at that. "Art is as technical as it is aesthetic, and competitions are about relations as much as they are talent. Think on that a bit."

Relations? It's not like I'm a Crane....or even worse, Scorpion

That thought made Inori smile crookedly.

"Relations, huh? Well..." the Matsu said, wiggling the practice spear a little "That might just be so. Some things, luckily, are not."

" Aren't they, though?" She asked. "What someone thinks of another can affect how they will deal with you, even in a match."

"It might" Inori said "It might. But ultimately words won't stop a spearpoint. There's clarity and honour in that"

Flexed her fingers "Soujutsu and Kenjutsu were not invented for matches. Or competition. They're arts of war"

"This is a competition", Ameiko reminded Inori.

Which is exactly the problem with it she thought to herself.

"They might be missing the point, then. Whether it's bujutsu or art"

"Go on", Ameiko pressed. If the Matsu wanted to criticize their betters, she could at least know why before deciding anything about it.

"Bujutsu is practiced to fight. Crafts are used to make things. Art is used to entertain, delight or express things. All of these things are there to be used in the world"

Inori shrugged "Of course those with the power and the taste for it are free to run competitions and tournaments to seek out the most noteworthy, or those they deem the best."

A more serious expression crossed her face "The spear coming at you on the battlefield is real though, and chances are the wielder has never seen a tournament. Just as the man who made my hairpin, or the ones who made the boat I came down the river on. It is fine to exist in this mundane world"

She yawned. "Ah, how rude. My apologies. So you are saying what, exactly?"

I think I have just made it. At least to myself

"Then you should probably go do whatever it is you want to impress judges with. I wish you the best of luck with that" the Matsu said, nodded, and started to walk off to do her drills and calisthenics.

Ameiko smirked. "I am here for myself, my clan and my charge. That is why I study bujutsu", she said as the Lion walked away. "When I practice the Shakuhachi it is the same. I do greatly enjoy praise, but few do not. One more spear on a battlefield though is meaningless. Just another possible casualty. Here though, is a place to make a difference, an opportunity. Squander it at your own discretion."

A bow, either allowing the Lion to leave or to engage again.

Ah! And there it is, the ambition and the cynicism Inori thought, irritated. I'm probably no match for her, and it would also be useful to befriend this Scorpion....I suppose.

she thought, while she continued to walk to another end of the Dojo

But I do not think the two of us will get along well. Inori looked irritated, and suspected that whatever exchange had happened she had probably lost for those keeping score, but....no. She'd have to work off the nervous energy. Well, that was one thing Matsu training had prepared her for.