[D4, LN] It's D5 for Me, Slackers (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

Michi entered the dojo in darkness, ready to continue improving her technique. When she returned home, wearing the Topaz armor or no, she would show her father he would never win against her in all the rest of his days.

The prideful sneer was...impressive.

[Shiba Jiro]

The sound of someone approaching could be heard. They were speaking quietly to themselves. The voice would likely be familiar when it could be made out. It paused outside the door, not coming into view. "It's one of the few places we could talk, really. Wonder how he'd feel about that stupid stunt yesterday."

[Akodo Michi]

Being that the voice was familiar, but the speaker not readily visible, Michi called out to someone she supposed she knew. Despite the nature of their previous meeting, she at least knew Haru to be one who would stand before her openly. She respected that, even if she didn't believe in his ideals.

"Shiba Haru-san! You are a greater man then one who would not stride into a room that lay open before him," she said quite boldly. "Show yourself and train your mind and body, or have you lost your edge in wayward thought?"

[Shiba Jiro]

The voice had surprised him a bit, he hadn't been paying attention to sounds from the room and had assumed he was alone while thinking on memories of dojos past. He peeked around the opening, and put on a friendly expression. "Haru is that kind of man, isn't he? I imagine that he'd be as hesitant entering my domain as I am his though."

He then fully stepped in. "Martial dojos are... not comfortable places for me, Akodo-san."

[Akodo Michi]

"I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko, student of Akodo no Shireikan Gakkō-ryu", the Lion said with a bow, holding her bokken down at her side, sweat still visible on her face and her arms where her hakamashita was bound. "If you are not Shiba Haru-san, then perhaps you could introduce yourself."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods and bows, offering a greeting. "Shiba Jiro, son of Jun and Renjiro, and student of the Shiba Artists school. It's an honor to meet you Akodo Michi-san. I didn't mean to interrupt."

[Akodo Michi]

"It is no interruption, members of our houses have spoken well to one another for many generations", Michi said politely. She placed her bokken down on a rack. "The hour is quite early, however, if Shiba-san was seeking solitude, I would not rob him of it."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Actually, I was seeking to avoid interrupting others by visiting this early. So, while I have already failed, I would not wish to keep you from your practice any further."

[Akodo Michi]

"I invite you to stay if it is your wish, then", she replied with a slight bow. "I am no master of the conversational art, but I offer my limited skills if Shiba-san wishes. Regardless of the discipline studied, a dojo is best used for practice, is it not?"

[Shiba Jiro]

Jiro nods. "I appreciate it. Are you usually here so early?"

[Akodo Michi]

"I am", Michi confirmed with a nod. "I may go into the cold rather than the dojo going forward, however. Despite Spring thaw, it is quite chilling in these hours and may aid me in bringing focus." She sat down in seiza, legs properly folded beneath her, due to said cold, most of the sweat shown prior had faded. She tugged the pleat of her hakama as she got comfortable to be certain it sat rght. "And you, Shiba-san. Are you an early riser?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Depends on the task of the day. I've done some work that called for making the use of all available daylight granted by Lady Sun. Those days were long and difficult, but rewarding."

[Akodo Michi]

"It is the same for myself", she nodded in return. "When Lady Sun offers you a greater length of day, I plan to seize it. A few more hours able too see clearly is more practice, more reading. It is commendable to not squander it, and just that it feel rewarding."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I am a big fan of making use of my time. It may not always be the most efficient or effective use, but I don't like sitting around doing nothing," he says with a nod. "We've been given it, I plan on using it."

[Akodo Michi]

"And so Shiba-san is an artist, as you say, but keeps busy as is proper" she seemed unoffended by this. "I have struck down the pride of many who lack diligence, it is fortunate to meet one who self-motivates and understands the value of a day. Does your school require projects in a timely fashion?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Not particularly. The school teaches art as more of a social skill. Teaches us how to express on other's behalves and help them find calm in difficult moments, or understanding in peaceful ones. So, it's less about what you accomplish artistically and more about what you accomplish socially, meaning you fall on the schedule of interactions," he explains.

"I understand that. But it doesn't make me any less focused on accomplishing things that I can with time that I have. I had originally come here to meditate, but interaction tends to prove more enlightening to me."

[Akodo Michi]

"Oh, has this discussion been enlightening, Shiba-san? For me it has, there are few arts studied among the Shireikan Gakko that do not involve battle, so your words are matters of learning fo rme", she said politely. "And so there are ideas I have learned from you, but what have you gained?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I have gained a better understanding of you personally and found that we have some similar views and beliefs. A greater understanding that there are people here from clans that are so very different that still hold values that are not exactly standard among the empire like Bushido is, but also is not defined by our clan's drives and motivations. Further evidence of the strength and uniqueness of the individuals, and a person that can understand some of the concerns and cares I have," he says with a slight smile.

"In other words, I found the first few steps on the path of a potential friendship. There isn't much that is more valuable in a world that revolves around interaction."

[Akodo Michi]

"Perhaps so", she said simply, sitting still as a statue. "Though you are of a greatly different culture than my own. It stands to reason here are many obstacles known, and unknown along that path."

[Shiba Jiro]

"The interesting thing about social and mental obstacles is that they don't have the potential to kill you the way a physical obstacle might. So you can keep ramming yourself against them until you break through if that's what you wish to do," he says with a smirk. "Not that it won't hurt in it's own way, but you won't be instantly crushed by them if you fail to overcome them."