[LM9] Test of the Warrior Observation

[Seppun Urusai]

For his part, Urusai raises an eyebrow. The voice in his mind mentions something about Dragon gonna Dragon.

"Indeed," he says.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru's comment manages to produce some lines on the corner of Aya's eyes reminiscent of a smile. "That is a noble thought, Kakita-san.", she says with an approving nod. "You did receive training with the sword as well, then?", she asks with some interest. "I didn't know it was a common practice among the Crane, but it's a very commendable practice", she says with a direct voice that leaves little room to interpret it as anything other than an honest remark. "Um. I had little chance to practice with any of the Kakita here. I know there's little time left before our time here is over, but... would Kakita-san be interested in practicing together, later today, or maybe even after the duels?"

"I would not be a Kakita if I did not have a modicum of knowledge of the sword," she said though there was a small tension to her smile as she spoke, but it eased as she laughed softly behind her fan. "And it wouldn't have been a good idea to attend the Topaz Championship without enough skill to stand in the finals if I had been so lucky to make it there. Alas, this year's batch of attendees are simply too remarkable for me to compare with."

Aya's offer to practice did surprise her, as her eyebrows rose to reflect that. "I... would be honored, Ikoma-san. Perhaps tomorrow after the duels? While I trust us both to not fumble in practice, I would be beside myself if something did happen before the duels that could ruin your chances."

[Togashi Shinko]

Apparently before Urusai could respond a wild dragon appeared. The Lion turned her head to face them and offered a bow in return. "Togashi-san is generous", she answered respectfully. "I feel your movements on the course were worth attention, as expected of one who grew in the mountains."

Shinko is oblivious to any lapse in protocol, her excitement too great. "I'll say that a the obstacle course was alright...but it was the chance to hold a blade again that lit my soul. But your work on that" Shinko kisses the tips of her fingers. "It was a work of art"

[Ikoma Aya]

"I would not be a Kakita if I did not have a modicum of knowledge of the sword," she said though there was a small tension to her smile as she spoke, but it eased as she laughed softly behind her fan. "And it wouldn't have been a good idea to attend the Topaz Championship without enough skill to stand in the finals if I had been so lucky to make it there. Alas, this year's batch of attendees are simply too remarkable for me to compare with."

Aya's offer to practice did surprise her, as her eyebrows rose to reflect that. "I... would be honored, Ikoma-san. Perhaps tomorrow after the duels? While I trust us both to not fumble in practice, I would be beside myself if something did happen before the duels that could ruin your chances."

The Ikoma nodded, somewhat serious and apologetically. "Ah, of course, Kakita-san! I would expect no less from one from your family." That was followed by a slow shake of her head. "And... ano... your words are too kind! I'm sure all of the participants could be in the finals had the tests gone slightly differently. That, and... well, I suppose some skills are more valued than others each year?"

She takes her hand to her head for a moment, as if to scratch it while thinking, but refrains from it. "Tomorrow after the duels sounds good to me, Kakita-san.", she says, and a spark of excitement seems to shine in her eyes. "Although... I trust us both enough if some training in the early morning would be more agreeable to Kakita-san, really!"

Ahiru's words about her chances get no direct comment... although they don't go unnoticed. My... chances? I will do my best, of course, but...

She shakes her head slightly again, almost imperceptibly. She had to do her best, but... could her best ever be good enough for that? Surely not...

[Kakita Ahiru]

The Ikoma nodded, somewhat serious and apologetically. "Ah, of course, Kakita-san! I would expect no less from one from your family." That was followed by a slow shake of her head. "And... ano... your words are too kind! I'm sure all of the participants could be in the finals had the tests gone slightly differently. That, and... well, I suppose some skills are more valued than others each year?"

She takes her hand to her head for a moment, as if to scratch it while thinking, but refrains from it. "Tomorrow after the duels sounds good to me, Kakita-san.", she says, and a spark of excitement seems to shine in her eyes. "Although... I trust us both enough if some training in the early morning would be more agreeable to Kakita-san, really!"

Ahiru's words about her chances get no direct comment... although they don't go unnoticed. My... chances? I will do my best, of course, but...

She shakes her head slightly again, almost imperceptibly. She had to do her best, but... could her best ever be good enough for that? Surely not...

"If it suits Ikoma-san, early in the morning is fine too." She hoped nothing bad would happen, of course, but she also looked forward to it.

"Oh, the tests change in nature frequently. The general theme carries on, but the actual challenge varies year to year. A reflection of the times, really - some darker periods in history had young contestants maiming themselves in the Test of the Warrior... thankfully such uncivilized tests have been abandoned for good reason. Same with having contestants being given unruly horses to show their skill with horsemanship." Judging by her tone it was probably quite a dark time in history indeed that people who were still technically children were killed or maimed during such trials. Still she turned it a bit more upbeat to focus on more positive parts of the conversation."But they don't just change to improve, but also to keep the contestants guessing. If we all knew that the Test of Piety would require flawlessly reciting certain sutras, well, then it wouldn't be much of a challenge then if we all just needed to memorize the same text that had been used again and again for generations, hm?"

[Ikoma Aya]

"If it suits Ikoma-san, early in the morning is fine too." She hoped nothing bad would happen, of course, but she also looked forward to it.

"Oh, the tests change in nature frequently. The general theme carries on, but the actual challenge varies year to year. A reflection of the times, really - some darker periods in history had young contestants maiming themselves in the Test of the Warrior... thankfully such uncivilized tests have been abandoned for good reason. Same with having contestants being given unruly horses to show their skill with horsemanship." Judging by her tone it was probably quite a dark time in history indeed that people who were still technically children were killed or maimed during such trials. Still she turned it a bit more upbeat to focus on more positive parts of the conversation."But they don't just change to improve, but also to keep the contestants guessing. If we all knew that the Test of Piety would require flawlessly reciting certain sutras, well, then it wouldn't be much of a challenge then if we all just needed to memorize the same text that had been used again and again for generations, hm?"

"Ah... morning or after the duels are done - whichever suits Kakita-san best is fine by me! But it's settled, then", she says with a nod.

Hearing the stories of years past got Aya's mind racing. Stories of such overly hard training were not uncommon among the Lion - even if only as cautionary tales. Her parents were never the kind to make Yumeko and her actually worried about that - the stories were told, but their father always had a joke or witty comment to add at the end, which made the whole thing much more lighthearted. They would never meet a fate such as that, they thought then.

And then...

She started breathing faster and more heavily as the thought came to her mind, then did as she had in the test.

One long breath.

Two.

Three.

"Ah...", she finally said, her mind trying to work out the last part of what Ahiru had said. "Of course... having the same tests every year would end up testing rote learning more than actual performance, ne? Although... I suppose there are some years when courtiers generally do better than bushi, for instance?"

Her voice still sounds a bit... exasperated, maybe? But it might be just an impression...

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Ah... morning or after the duels are done - whichever suits Kakita-san best is fine by me! But it's settled, then", she says with a nod.

Hearing the stories of years past got Aya's mind racing. Stories of such overly hard training were not uncommon among the Lion - even if only as cautionary tales. Her parents were never the kind to make Yumeko and her actually worried about that - the stories were told, but their father always had a joke or witty comment to add at the end, which made the whole thing much more lighthearted. They would never meet a fate such as that, they thought then.

And then...

She started breathing faster and more heavily as the thought came to her mind, then did as she had in the test.

One long breath.

Two.

Three.

"Ah...", she finally said, her mind trying to work out the last part of what Ahiru had said. "Of course... having the same tests every year would end up testing rote learning more than actual performance, ne? Although... I suppose there are some years when courtiers generally do better than bushi, for instance?"

Her voice still sounds a bit... exasperated, maybe? But it might be just an impression...

She could sense that there was something troubling Aya, but with so many people present she figured she wouldn't call attention to it. Instead she flagged over the one serving refreshements to bring some to herself and the Lioness. In case she needed some water!

"It does happen, yes, that a courtier, or a shugenja even, has won the Topaz Championship. Not nearly as often as a bushi taking the title, but it has happened. But the tournament has always had a martial element to it, so for someone who is not a bushi to win, it requires some additional training. " She had an amused smile as she watched some of the other contestants, namely Kitsuki Jun and Kitsu Masaru who were both courtiers too but had done pretty well in the tests. Well, some of the tests.

One of the servers came over and offered both water and tea for the two girls.

"The Topaz Championship is the place for the most exceptional samurai, so it makes sense that whoever wins must be exceptional in their own right. A scholarly warrior, or a pious courtier... or a martially-inclined shugenja. We have seen quite the diverse showing this year."

[Akodo Michi]

Shinko is oblivious to any lapse in protocol, her excitement too great. "I'll say that a the obstacle course was alright...but it was the chance to hold a blade again that lit my soul. But your work on that" Shinko kisses the tips of her fingers. "It was a work of art"

"As you say, Togashi-san", the Lion replied politely again, lowering her head slightly. "Coming from one who feels as you do about blades, the compliment is well-taken. Though do not allow me to keep you with idle chat, I am certain you have many matters to attend, and I am keeping Seppun-sama waiting, much to my shame."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai, meanwhile, waits patiently.