[Day 0, Late Afternoon] A Touch of Class (Open)

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well then!"

Kasumi had another sip of tea.

"What should we move on to? Don't let the clothes fool you, I know just about nothing about fashion, talkin' 'bout the weather is boring, and I don't know any of the boys around here well enough to talk about any of them..."

[Akodo Michi]

"I was raised to be a righteous person, my subjects of conversation regard morals, history, and bugei matters. Perhaps it should be my companion that chooses our course.". She poured herself more tea.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Okay, so, allowing that the katana is the symbol of what it means to be a bushi, y'got any other weapons y'like?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Knives, the bow, the spear", she mentioned easily. "In rare moments, one can make use of a fan or kiseru. My preference is bows and blades. I feel the use of the bow tactically is sound, allowing more flexibility in battle. The blade is one's sidearm, to be fallen back upon when needed, or when challenged in battle, but defeating armor is not it's profile, and that is needed in true battle."

She sipped her tea.

"Though anything can kill, if applied properly, and a Lion stays aware of this at all times." She placed her cup down between her hands. "If challenged to personal combat, what does a Mantis prefer?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Generally speaking, whatever's handy. Shipboard combat bein' what it is, we favor cheap weapons- kama, tonfa, nunchaku, and simple knives all see some use. So do belaying pins. Armor's less common at sea, as well, so it's less of a concern. Sending an armored opponent over th'side is a surer way to beat them than by actually penetrating it."

She paused. Sipped.

"And in a sea-fight, one-handed weapons are favored in case y'need to grab hold of a line or a stay t'keep from going over the side. I expect it's a bit different on land, but my training hasn't given that much of a going-over yet."

[Akodo Michi]

"My ancestor Akodo Takuan once attacked the Crane lands", she said after listening. "He did well, taking the border village Kaisho Mura and quickly consolidated, then reorganized his forces to spread over the land and force his enemy to chose what holdings they would lose uncontested."

She sipped more tea, and even took a moment to enjoy the warmth, while it was still there.

"From Kaisho Mura he communicated through riders and messenger birds, guiding his forces. One day, Daidoji Hatsu, a personal enemy of his, leaped from the shadows and tried to put her tanto between his ribs. Despite being weighed down by armor, he managed to evade, rolling off his shogi shogi stool, which Daidoji Hatsu crashed into and destroyed. The woman was quick, and unburdened, so she came at him again, slashing with her dagger. Takuan knew he could not fight her unarmed and his sword was too far away. He picked up a shattered piece of the stool and opened her throat with it, giving her a grizzly and undignified end. He was likewise injured by her tanto, but not severely."

She placed the cup back down.

"When his soldiers asked him if he felt shame for not killing her with his sword, or even his bare hands, he replied that The weapon that kills is perfect for the task. Thusly, some Lion do not balk at the creative use of tools or other objects as weapons when necessary." She bowed her head slightly.

"However, it seems a shame to fight with the tools of farmers."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi- who, after all, favored butterfly swords- shrugged.

"It'd also be a shame to lose a fine, purpose-made blade over th'side in a scrap. There's some who use yari, an' they're dead handy, but they can make keepin' balance on deck tricky."

[Akodo Michi]

"As you've said before, it would be", she said evenly. "That misses the mark, in my mind. A method needs no defense other than the result it provides. Arguing it is a small thing, bushi do not settle matters with words."

"And so tomorrow, after our exercise with the quick draw, I would be considered privileged if you would reveal the strength of your technique, forged by battle at sea."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, I'll have to hope they have some practice butterfly swords hereabouts, 'cause I only have the genuine article with me."

[Akodo Michi]

"It is of no matter to me, I fear no blade", the Lion said emphatically.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Yeah, but cuttin' you up on the first day of the tournament wouldn' be right or fair."

[Akodo Michi]

The Lion merely smiled, a slight dip of her head seemed to appreciate the consideration.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Might be I can use a pair of practice wakizashi for the same ends... reckon we'll see!"