D4EA, Open Practice

[Seppun Urusai]

"To an extent," Urusai replies, setting up for the next pass. "We receive training in the Exquisite Art, mostly to speed reactions. Those who will be seconded to Otomo usually receive additional instruction, but I'm not in line for that work at this point. Still, some training...though my performance so far does not suggest it will be a concern for me.

"That might change, though."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"We have yet to go through the most traditional trials indeed. Heraldry, poetry, strategy, and, of course, mastery of the blade.

And I wouldn't be surprised if not all trials weighted equally in the final decision of the judges of who's going next. For example, if they were to decide between someone who has only excelled at the Mantis contest and someone who has only excelled at the Lion contest, I don't feel they would be much of a discussion."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai presses into the next set of motions.

"I can see that specific point, yes," he agrees. "Although I think the weighting might be more of a concern among peer-sponsors. Would our hosts value the Right Hand more than the Left? Or than what the Phoenix might propose? Or your own Clan? That, I would not venture to say."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"I would say the judges wouldn't be there if they weren't political behemoths in their own right, both adept at championing the virtues they hold dear and at accepting reasonable compromises so things may move forward.

They'll find a path everyone will be satisfied with for lack of being pleased by it."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai chuckles as he completes one set and prepares for the next.

"That's an interesting way of phrasing it," he says, "and doubtlessly correct. You'll go far in the courts, I think."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"I have had good teachers that have prepared me thoroughly to be at court as at home.

As for success, only time will tell."

[Seppun Urusai]

"True of us all, I suppose," comes the reply as Urusai presses through another evolution.

"You do seem to be handling this exercise well."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Sensei was adamant that you couldn't hope to understand a bushi's heart if you didn't practice the sword yourself. So I did.

I think they also had planned for me to join a pilgrimage so I could understand the monk's heart better, but there had been a conflicting schedule issue."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods, setting up for the next pass.

"It's sensible," he says. "And many major courts have monasteries nearby, so that might ease some travel arrangements."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Some courts even have their own resident monks, that remain every year while the samurai courtiers come and go.

Really, monks are quite the wild card, as around their core of spirituality, they can be anything. Some are the strongest warriors in the empire. Some the most cunning courtiers. Some plow the land all day.

I'm kinda surprised the tournament doesn't have a Togashi sowing confusion by their simple presence actually."

[Seppun Urusai]

"But there is a Togashi here," Urusai notes. "We've not met, but you don't need to meet to see."

He sets up for another evolution.

"And maybe that's the...Dragon thing this time around."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"A Togashi monk? I must have missed them indeed. Apparently, people wearing no shirt in winter don't stand out as much as I would have thought.

I would be surprised if the Dragon trial didn't bring puzzlement to a few faces. Heck, as you said, it could be as straightforward as it goes and we would trick ourselves into searching the weirdness.

The advantage of having a reputation is that you can play with it."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods to that. "That was something the sensei said, yes. They added, too, that the reputation has to be maintained."

He braces for the next set of motions. It is an easy rhythm and a pleasant one for him.

[Shosuro Kaoru]

While Kaoru clearly put great efforts on getting the movements right, her endurance? Not on par. So her reaction time is getting worst and worst.

"Definitely. If the snake never bites, people start to forget how potent its venom is."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods.

"Are you good to continue?" he asks. "Overtraining can be a danger, in itself."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"It's probably a good idea if we stop at the end of this series yes. Thank you Seppun-sama.

Building up a soldier's stamina was beyond the point of my own training with a blade."

[Seppun Urusai]

The series ends, and Urusai steps back, returns his bokken to a carry position, and bows.

"You've done well," he says. "Your yojimbo will have an easier time of it, which will be appreciated."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Kaoru dutifully caught her breath before answering:

"I'm not sure I'll be assigned a full-time yojimbo actually.

As an advisor, you're often to follow someone of higher rank, with their own yojimbo, servants and all. And having a lord's retinue owns its own retinue can quickly become messy.

Not to say I don't have one when I'm sent on missions on my own. Just that I am not to take for granted I will always have someone to watch my back for me."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods.

"Then more practice might help," he suggests. "Another day."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Another day definitely. I'm going to move to pre-break stretching exercises for today if you don't mind."