[EA10] - Iai Semi-Finals - Ikoma Aya v. Akodo Michi

[Ender]

Kakita Toshimoko has moved in to position to judge the highest seeded of the semi-finalists.

"Ikoma Aya-san, ready!" He looked over to her, then to Akodo Michi, "Akodo Michi-san, ready!"

His hands stood in the middle of the field. "Utz!"

[Ikoma Aya]

Having seen Rin and Masaru move to the other duelling grid just a moment earlier, Aya walks this time with slight lines on the corner of her eyes and mouth slightly changing her usual more neutral face. Her steps were slow this time, and less direct - but as they took her to stand before Michi and Toshimoko, a neutral on is back to her face. Her hands instinctively seek something on her obi, and she closes her eyes for a moment, whispers something just before starting as in the previous duel. That takes only a split second though - opening her eyes soon after that, she she bows especially low to Toshimoko, then to Michi, takes three deep breaths.

"It is a great honour to face you here, Akodo-san. Shall we both do our best, as always", she says with a nod, then slowly slides into a starting stance.

Her stance this time is much less aggressive, perhaps a bit more laid back. Her eyes scan Michi's stance as much as they did Hirame, though - perhaps even more, as she seems not only to pay attention to the Akodo's movements, but also to sense any feelings she might let on while focusing on the match.

OOC:
Aya declares init first! (we actually rolled this on Orokos XD)
Aya Init: Air stance

Init roll:
D10 EA - Iai Semi-Finals v. Akodo Michi. Init roll! Air(2)/Meditation(2) vs TN1 | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

1 success, 1 Opp
Opp used to "Add a kept dice set to an Opp result to your next Martial skill check."

Strife before bid (and after round 1 staredown): 3/8
Fatigue after init: 1/8

Link to this duel's thread on my PF!

[Akodo Michi]

Michi was waiting for the Ikoma as she approached. The bow was returned, very deeply, as she had respect for the other Lion's efforts. Her bow to Toshimoko was as it had been previously.

"Our way is by the sword, we shall both speak through it, Ikoma-san."

She knew Lord Tutori was watching. She would need to show her strength, the technique of the Akodo. Her stance lent itself to shifting waves, she was ready for anything.

OOC
Water Stance
D10 Duel vs Aya. Init, meditation/water. Distinction. | TN: 1 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

3 success on init.
Using Water Opportunities to cancel the strife.

6/12 Composure
6/10 endurance

Link to PF

[Ender]

Bids are in

Aya - 11
Michi -9

Aya goes first!

[Ikoma Aya]

Aya moves in slow, graceful steps around Michi, almost as in a dance, her breathing soft for a change. A few seconds in, she feels, more than
sees, what she thinks is slight hesitation in Michi's shifting stance. It's a hunch, more than anything else, but one she's quick to react to - swift as river rapids, powerful as a waterfall.

"Thwack!", the bokken resonates on Michi's left leg as it connects after the Ikoma moves in a fast-paced, zigzagging course to meet her as a tidal bore in the confluence of two rivers.

The strike completed, she retreats the bokken slowly, blinking slowly as she goes back to breathing more slowly, and it takes a moment for the scene to actually dawn on her.

One, two, three long breaths. She takes a step back, bows low to Michi, then to Toshimoko.

"... you are a powerful opponent, Akodo Michi-san.", she finally says after a moment of silence, almost not long enough to be awkward. "As expected from one of Akodo-no-kami's family, of course", she adds after a moment, nodding to the girl again. "Ah... thank you for this match!", she adds, bowing slightly to her again as her eyes seem to scan around, a bit jittery, before finding peace on the ground.

"Nee-chan... I feel your guidance. Thank you so much. I wish you could be here... I wish it could be you here., she whispers in an almost inaudible voice - Michi or Toshimoko might have heard it if they were particularly perceptive. The others would probably only see her praying again.

OOC:
Aya's turn on round 1!
Stance shift to: Water
Action 1: Prepare item - ready bokken!
Action 2: Strike!
D10 EA - Iai Semi-finals, Aya v. Michi, Aya turn 1. Strike! Water (3)/Martial [Melee](2) v TN 2; 1 Opp added from Opp in Init (Air) roll. Akodo Soldier's Drilled precision used in Step 4; remove 1 Strife (to 7/8); add 1 fatigue (to 2/8); add 1 Opp (for a total of 2 Opps). VP to Seize the Moment! | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

Recapitulating a bit although it's in the roll description:
1 Opp added from Init (Air) roll
Akodo Soldier technique: remove 1 Strife (to 7/8); add 1 fatigue (to 2/8); add 1 Opp (for a total of 2 Opps added to the roll)
Total: 2 Sux, 3 Opp, 2 strife
2 Sux = Hit!
2 Opp spent to: Crit!
1 Water Opp spent to: Remove 2 strife from herself (asked Ender: this happens before the Strife from the check kicks in, she doesn't get compromised! Although I could use this to negate 1 strife... so I guess it doesn't matter? )

Composure after roll: 7/8
Fatigue after roll: 2/8

Michi takes 5 (2H) - 2 (clothes) = 3 Fatigue!
Michi takes a Severity 3 Crit and can roll to reduce it!

[Ender]

The Grey Crane watches with the eye of a master, a Kenshinzen. Every moment observed and judged, every step a question, every little movement an answer.

It happened quickly. His hand rises to announce the victor. "Ikoma Aya-san wins." He bows to Akodo Michi, deeply, and then to the young Ikoma.

Before the two Lion depart, Akodo Toturi, Emerald Champion, approaches the pair.

"Well done. Both of you." His tone is stoic and level. There is a hint of pride in his voice. "I will have to give my regards to Kitsu Masaru-san as well. But... I wished to congratulate you both." His head nods, bowing slightly to both, before departing to see to the Imperial retinue.

[Ikoma Aya]

It takes longer than usual for Aya to reach back to the ready position as she steps back - each step thick, almost as if her otherwise quick feet were melting into the ground.

Her eyes kept shifting from one part of the duelling grid to another as she first bowed to Michi again, deeply and respectfuly. "Thank you again for the honour of this match, Akodo-san!"

Then to Toshimoko, just as he had announced her the winner. She felt her head lighten, images and faces coming to her head. A deep breath and she could feel the ground and listen to the noises around again, as she silently thanked the one who had taught her that trick. She completed the bow, a very deep one. "Th...thank you for the honour, Kakita-sama!"

Then... she saw the Emerald Champion approaching. She had heard of him often, of course, but never seen him before here. And now he was there, before Michi and her, congratulating them.

It was all a bit surreal. Her mind went straight to her sister's smile again, of course. To her fierce technique with a sword. To her teaching Aya how to improve her footing, just a few years back as she visited the village.

And now... she was here, instead of her sister.

She bowed deeply to the Emerald Champion, of course. The reveries wouldn't prevent her from doing so. She felt her eyes becoming soggy, blinked heavily, squinted - all while bowing, so it shouldn't be too obvious.

"It's an incredible honour to hear these words from you, Akodo-ue!", she said slowly, almost piecemeal, each word deeply felt - and probably fighting its way through the emotion she managed to hold inside, just barely. "I... We hope to always do our best. To honour the Empire and the Lion Clan.... and... to make our ancestors proud!"

It was just a moment, as the Champion was soon off. But it might as well be etched into her memory forever.

[Akodo Michi]

The tension had been high, but Michi was used to that. She had trained countless duels at the dojo, many in row. This was not new.

Despite her preparations, and her tactical assertion of how the duel would go, knowing Aya would require an uncomfortable risk to seek victory, such assurance was not enough.

The gods literally spoke on Aya's behalf, and though Michi moved to strike, it was not in time. She closed her eyes and smiled slightly as she checked the stroke of her bokken. The blow had been hard and fast, but she would recover soon. The injury was documented and would be dealt with.

Hearing the Ikoma's words she stepped back and returned the bow.

"Well struck, Ikoma-san", she replied. "Losing to one of my own is it's own honor, I wish you even greater fortune in the coming final." She had meant those words, very sincerely. She did not seem troubled by her loss. Defeat is simply another chance for glory.

When Toturi approached she fell to her knee. "Lord Toturi, I am Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. He sends his regards. On my life, I will present to you Kyuden Kyotei and final respite for the souls of the Damasu family."

He spoke and she smiled, raising her head. It was a great thing to be congratulated by your champion, who also was second of the Emperor. She noted though he was Lion through and through, he had an edge of pride for them showing. It made her smile more genuine, that he also had trouble showing his truth. She thought him a sincere man in his kindness, one who must also suffer as she does, and it gave her some solace.

"A kind man, him", Michi said, mostly to herself, but Aya certainly would have heard.