[D4 EA] Better Late Than Never (Open)

[Asahina Asano]

She nodded in agreement, "I am just here to learn and watch as well, Togashi-san. You're never too busy to learn, I always say. Even if you think it's something you won't practice yourself, learning about how it's done and such can be a great help in understanding other people."

Asano beamed a small but warm smile.

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

Yoshiaki nodded "I never turn down the chance to learn something new. Some of the other monks practice archery but it is likely different than how the Crane teach it."

[Doji Yoshino]

"I wouldn't be surprised, but even so, some rudimentary knowledge may serve you well one day. Also, we're both awfully weak samurai-ko and the targets are heavy." She claps her hands together toward Yoshiaki as she looks at him hopefully. It was cheeky, but she tried to be amusing about it.

[Asahina Asano]

"I am not so sure about that, Togashi-san; I have heard my Family practices archery that is much like the meditative and calm style practiced by certain sects of the Brotherhood. Though I know my cousin here learned a more northerly style than what I might have seen back at the monasteries. As for the targets... I will do my best to help, of course."

Asano started moving over towards one, her tall thin frame moving gracefully across the dojo floor.

[Doji Yoshino]

The Doji moved to assist her cousin. Both of them could manage one target without too much trouble.

Would Yoshiaki try to do the other on his own?

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

"I'm also nothing f not helpful." He said chuckling softly at her cheeky request. He wasn't a big burly guy but he worked out plenty and the target was likely a little awkward but he would manage on his own.

[Asahina Asano]

The awkward part for Yoshino and Asano was their difference in height, Asano having to stoop a little to make sure they were carrying the thing at an even level. Not that she complained or indeed seemed at all discomforted. But it wasn't the most lady-like stoop.

[Doji Yoshino]

"Thank you Asahina-san." She says once they lower the target into position. "This is great."

A quick glance toward the Dragon confirmed he was managing just fine too.

"I can start with stringing a bow. I remember asking why bows weren't left strung so they could quickly be used, but my Sensei was quick to answer why. The constant tension would weaken the bow. So, bows are only strung when they are expected to be used." Yoshino explains informally as she heads toward her waiting bow.

[Asahina Asano]

Asano nodded her head and followed; Even if she was mostly watching and not shooting anything, she did want to be up close for this part at least. She didn't imagine she'd be in the way or in any danger watching Yoshino string a bow.

[Doji Yoshino]

A short demonstration of how to hold the bow, how to place and draw an arrow and how to release followed. She repeated it twice more. Her shots were consistently accurate. Her third struck reasonably close to the centre even.

"There are two targets so you can both give it a try."

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Rolls: 23, 22, 27

[Asahina Asano]

The tall young Asahina took up the bow and curiously tried it out, copying what Yoshino did a little bit. Getting a feel for the string and the draw, she was mostly worried about form. She looked over her shoulder at Yoshino, "Any chance you could show me first hand quick? Adjust my stance or such as needed?"

[Doji Yoshino]

"Yes, if you don't mind?" Yoshino unstrung her bow smoothly and set it down. "I may need to touch you here and there." She points out.

[Asahina Asano]

"Very well, Doji-san. If it is in aid of the instruction, I have no objections."

Truthfully it's something she'd wanted. Unlike others with their scandalous rumors or such, Asano didn't think Yoshino's "curse" was contagious. Not to mention she was a pure and honorable priestess. Either way, she wanted to feel Yoshino's touch for the first time in a while, something she justified to herself by reasoning that Yoshino must be starved for such things with her reputation and the rumors and such.

[Doji Yoshino]

Being both Doji trained and in company, Yoshino naturally kept things entirely proper and polite. In private she might have given her a hug or even an encouraging shoulder squeeze. They were cousins and close friends. However, public perceptions were rightfully very important.

"Please excuse me."

She kept her touches light and minimal to shift Asano to a better foot position and hold of the practice bow. To show her how to pull it she moved to the shugenja's right side. The height was a little challenging so she had to tiptoe. "Pull it back to here. By your ear." She says quietly, encouraging Asano to draw the string back.

"Try with an arrow when you're ready."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano wasn't all that strong; Sure she was tall and athletic in many ways, a sort of wiry toughness about her from all her time running around and exploring Asahina lands. But exploring and hiking were very different kinds of strength, and she found herself surprised by the draw on the bow after Yoshino got her into position.

"...this is very hard to hold back. Doesn't your arm get tired quickly?"

[Doji Yoshino]

"Yes." Yoshino didn't sugar coat it. "Bushi practice a lot and do a lot of strength building. I mostly draw only two thirds of the way when practising. I'm just teaching you the proper way to draw and how far so you know." She goes on to explain. "Most of the time the full power and distance of the bow is unnecessary."

She mimed to where she'd often draw it to instead.

"Try this next, but do release an arrow first."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano nodded, nocking the arrow like Asano had instructed her to. She'd heard that some Unicorn practiced something where they'd carefully line up the arrow with what they wanted to shoot at, and that was very tempting. But whether it was the Asahina archers or what Yoshino had just talked about, she knew it was more about a general feeling and the practiced motion of everything. So she instead let the bow loosen to slack then tried again, pulling back and letting loose at about two-thirds draw. Fortunately, it wasn't really the worst shot, not hitting the target but neither veering off nor dropping limply to the floor. Instead the practice arrow went a bit wide and hit the wooden wall behind the target, about three meters to the left of the thing.

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

The Togashi while this was a happening had set up near by in lotus position and watched as Yoshino explained things to Asano. He was merely there to observe and knew little of the subject anyway so her had nothing of value to add. His silver eyes simply followed the two Crane as they talked and shot.

[Doji Yoshino]

It ought to have hit. Perhaps if Asano stood a little closer?

Yoshino was impressed with her form however. The arrow hadn't come off the string or bounced harmlessly off the target or the wall. It had some force to it, even at two-thirds draw.

"Well that. You have grasped the basics quickly Asahina-san. Try a few more, ne?"

She moved to slightly adjust Asano's stance. "Excuse me. If you widen your stance ever so slightly it should be... yes, like this. Better."

With Asano taken care of she backed away and turned to Yoshiaki. "Is there anything you'd like to learn Togashi-san? I may be able to answer or demonstrate." It wasn't exactly a firm promise, but she was no kyujutsu Sensei.

[Asahina Asano]

Asano accepted the adjustments more than readily; Even if the Togashi wasn't an archer himself, she didn't like missing like that in front of a stranger. If she'd thought about it rationally she'd know a lot of people practiced and trained in front of others, of course...

Either way, it seemed to help; This second practice arrow hit and buried itself in the soft target. It wasn't at all a bullseye, but it was a solid enough hit. She found herself smiling widely, turning to the two Yoshis, "On my second try! Not bad I think!"