[LM1] Test of the Body Observation Thread

[Suzume Rin]

"Perhaps you have a future as a sensei then, it sounds like you've already begun training the next generation." He laughed. "Is this your first time outside of Sparrow lands then?"

"Sensei? Oh that's a lot to think about. Then you're teaching folks you don't even know so you'll get into trouble if you threaten to send them to bed without supper...Even if they deserve it."
Cocking her head at the question.
"Well I went to the coast to visit some of my cousins in the Crane a couple years back, but that was really just for family. Still can't believe how big the ocean is though, it's strange not being able to see the other side of something. It's definitely my first time meeting so many people from other Clans though. I met a Mantis"

She imitates Hirame by broadening her shoulders and deepening her voice...although maybe not as much as the Mantis would have liked
"Avast! Thar be a Sparrow!"
Switching to her own voice "He was really kind and so interesting, it was like he'd sailed the whole world but didn't want to make a big deal of it. Also he really liked wrestling, reminded me of some of my brothers."

Dropping her voice and making it more considered and slightly detached
"Then I even met an Isawa in the woods! And she said to me 'where is the honour in poverty?' and looked at me with eyes as bright and blue as the noon day sun! So that was wild and then lastly there was a fearsome Kuni."

Rin stands straight and looks intimidating...at least by her stands.
"Her face was all covered in war paint and she asked me if she were an eagle or a sparrow and I thought that was the end for me. But then it turned out she was also real friendly and a big fan of learning. Not like some of the Crab stories at all."

Switching back to her usual persona
"So it's been wonderful, so many new people, so many new stories. I'm making sure I don't forget anyone for when I tell the story back home."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru took great delight in the Suzume's antics.

"I hope to be around when you start telling stories, the Sparrow are considered peerless at it. I find it interesting that we seem to be flying in the same circle, despite all the people here we have met the same people. Isawa Natsuko is a delight, Mantis-san is very charming and Kuni Mitsuko is, like you said, is far more approachable then I ever expected a Kuni to be.

For my part just remember when you tell stories about this trip that I'm the handsome one, Jiro is the pretty one."

He grinned and winked at his brother who probably wasn't even looking.

"I am curious, is it true that people are allowed to visit the lands the Sparrow protect as your duty to the Emperor? I would very much like to see what untouched perfection looks like."

[Suzume Rin]

Haru took great delight in the Suzume's antics.

"I hope to be around when you start telling stories, the Sparrow are considered peerless at it. I find it interesting that we seem to be flying in the same circle, despite all the people here we have met the same people. Isawa Natsuko is a delight, Mantis-san is very charming and Kuni Mitsuko is, like you said, is far more approachable then I ever expected a Kuni to be.

For my part just remember when you tell stories about this trip that I'm the handsome one, Jiro is the pretty one."

He grinned and winked at his brother who probably wasn't even looking.

"I am curious, is it true that people are allowed to visit the lands the Sparrow protect as your duty to the Emperor? I would very much like to see what untouched perfection looks like."

"Huh, what are the odds of that? There's me telling stories to folks who have actually lived it. I hope I got the voices right, they're the hardest part, particularly when a story gets exciting."
There's a very undignified snort at his comment on the brothers' appearance
"Of course Shiba-sama, I'll remember that, promise."

She nods at his question
" 'Course, so long as you write and ask for permission and leave things as they were when you arrived. The Golden Plains really are something, it's obvious why the Son of Heaven declared them sacred. That and you get a nice contrast between them and our lands which really makes 'em shine better."

[Shiba Haru]

"Huh, what are the odds of that? There's me telling stories to folks who have actually lived it. I hope I got the voices right, they're the hardest part, particularly when a story gets exciting."
There's a very undignified snort at his comment on the brothers' appearance
"Of course Shiba-sama, I'll remember that, promise."

She nods at his question
" 'Course, so long as you write and ask for permission and leave things as they were when you arrived. The Golden Plains really are something, it's obvious why the Son of Heaven declared them sacred. That and you get a nice contrast between them and our lands which really makes 'em shine better."

"Please, you need not call me -sama, none of us are true samurai yet and I do not consider myself above anyone here. You can just call me Haru or Shiba-san if you are feeling formal.

While his smile was warm his eyes held a touch of sorrow.

I have heard of the...difficulties your lands present, it is a testament to the strength and resolve of the Suzume. I hope one day that fortune turns in the favor of the Sparrow and your lands become as bountiful as those you protect."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Kasumi- still not sure what the point of all this horseshit with a leather ball could possibly be- ambled over to find a comfortable place to rest.

She didn't appear to be paying any of the competitors any attention whatsoever.

Kasumi may then be surprised to hear "Good morning, Mantis-san" from relatively close beside her as a winded but fairly pleased looking Kuni takes a seat.

"We didn't meet quite formally last night. I am Kuni Mitsuko, daughter of Kuni Etsumiko and Kuni Adorai and honored student of the Hida Battle Leader dojo." She bows her head respectfully if informally. "I thought I should learn your name and stop referring to you as the 'pretty-eyed Mantis' all the time."

[Suzume Rin]

"Please, you need not call me -sama, none of us are true samurai yet and I do not consider myself above anyone here. You can just call me Haru or Shiba-san if you are feeling formal.

While his smile was warm his eyes held a touch of sorrow.

I have heard of the...difficulties your lands present, it is a testament to the strength and resolve of the Suzume. I hope one day that fortune turns in the favor of the Sparrow and your lands become as bountiful as those you protect."

"Of course Shiba-sama...Shiba-san...Haru-san. Uh, you can certainly address me in the same manner...I mean, not as Haru-san. But Rin-san is more than enough."

Her face falls every so slightly at the topic of her own lands but she nods all the same.
"Hai. Some in the Clan say that the bareness of the land is the point, that it helps us focus our mind away from earthly pursuits. Others feel you can still do that while feeding our children. I'm a bit too young to think I know the answer yet, but I don't think them becoming bountiful would hurt at all; in fact it's a real nice image."

[Shiba Haru]

"Of course Shiba-sama...Shiba-san...Haru-san. Uh, you can certainly address me in the same manner...I mean, not as Haru-san. But Rin-san is more than enough."

Her face falls every so slightly at the topic of her own lands but she nods all the same.
"Hai. Some in the Clan say that the bareness of the land is the point, that it helps us focus our mind away from earthly pursuits. Others feel you can still do that while feeding our children. I'm a bit too young to think I know the answer yet, but I don't think them becoming bountiful would hurt at all; in fact it's a real nice image."

Well done idiot you've gone and upset her


"Every corner of the empire holds its own beauty and I have no doubt that Sparrow lands are the same. Your lands are..."

Haru closed his eyes for a moment while he searched his memory.

"Surrounded by cliffs I believe? I imagine that makes for some beautiful sunrises and sunsets as Lady Sun's light play off them. My home is on a rise in southern Phoenix lands. The views are not spectacular but if you make the walk to the watchtower our village serves which overlooks northern Otomo lands the sunsets turn the whole valley golden. What colors does Lady Amaterasu paint Sparrow lands?"

[Suzume Rin]

Well done idiot you've gone and upset her


"Every corner of the empire holds its own beauty and I have no doubt that Sparrow lands are the same. Your lands are..."

Haru closed his eyes for a moment while he searched his memory.

"Surrounded by cliffs I believe? I imagine that makes for some beautiful sunrises and sunsets as Lady Sun's light play off them. My home is on a rise in southern Phoenix lands. The views are not spectacular but if you make the walk to the watchtower our village serves which overlooks northern Otomo lands the sunsets turn the whole valley golden. What colors does Lady Amaterasu paint Sparrow lands?"

"I'm impressed Shi- Haru-san, not many folk could find our lands on a map, let alone know anything about them. You're right though, lots of hills and rises and when the sun sets in summer all the hills are this bright burning orange. It's usually a good time to come in from the fields so everyone will be heading home in that light."
Pausing for a moment
"Kinda miss it now, only been away for a few weeks. Home is always home I guess. But your village sounds swell! What was it like growing up there? Did you have to move away to attend training?"

[Shiba Haru]

"No I did not thankfully as I too miss home. Because we are so near the border our village feeds and garrisons may bushi so our dojo is rather large and houses several sensei, thus I was able to train locally. Grow up there was...good mostly."

He demured slightly.

"While I would never try to dishonor the Sparrow by comparing my difficulties with your my family is not as well off as most which meant meant for some creative solutions to problems growing up and our parents did an incredible job making sure my brother and I wanted for little and had every opportunity to learn the lessons we needed and those things we wanted to learn. Not that I learned much, Jiro is the talented one I am just a duelist though we both play the koto."

Under close examination one would notice that despite being clean and new the quality of Haru's clothes were little better than the Sparrows if at all and the netsuke he wore looked about as old as a mountain; it had clearly been used by his family for a long time.

[Suzume Rin]

"No I did not thankfully as I too miss home. Because we are so near the border our village feeds and garrisons may bushi so our dojo is rather large and houses several sensei, thus I was able to train locally. Grow up there was...good mostly."

He demured slightly.

"While I would never try to dishonor the Sparrow by comparing my difficulties with your my family is not as well off as most which meant meant for some creative solutions to problems growing up and our parents did an incredible job making sure my brother and I wanted for little and had every opportunity to learn the lessons we needed and those things we wanted to learn. Not that I learned much, Jiro is the talented one I am just a duelist though we both play the koto."

Under close examination one would notice that despite being clean and new the quality of Haru's clothes were little better than the Sparrows if at all and the netsuke he wore looked about as old as a mountain; it had clearly been used by his family for a long time.

Rin's expression softens noticeably at that, clearly seeing Haru as something of a kindred spirit.
"Hey now, just because someone else is doing it hard doesn't mean your challenges ain't real. I won't speculate, but when everyone is struggling it can be easier than when just a few families are having to deal with stuff like that. Parents are amazing though ain't they? Sounds like yours really made it work and not one but two of their kids get invited to the Topaz? Bet they're real special."

Shaking a fingers side to side
"And I know you're just being modest, the two of you are definitely talented. The Koto isn't something you just pick up and play one day. I bet you impress people wherever you two play."

[Shiba Haru]

Rin's expression softens noticeably at that, clearly seeing Haru as something of a kindred spirit.
"Hey now, just because someone else is doing it hard doesn't mean your challenges ain't real. I won't speculate, but when everyone is struggling it can be easier than when just a few families are having to deal with stuff like that. Parents are amazing though ain't they? Sounds like yours really made it work and not one but two of their kids get invited to the Topaz? Bet they're real special."

Shaking a fingers side to side
"And I know you're just being modest, the two of you are definitely talented. The Koto isn't something you just pick up and play one day. I bet you impress people wherever you two play."

Haru returned the warm smile thankful to have someone who understood.

"We haven't actually preformed for anyone, not formally at least. We had to share an instrument to take our lessons, we've only just been able to get a second one so our harmony with each other is still a bit of a work in progress as I have a bad habit of playing too fast at times. To be honest I am much more comfortable on a horse or hunting for dinner than I am doing things one would consider artistic or courtly. If I do end up a yojimbo I have a lot to learn in those arenas."

[Suzume Rin]

Haru returned the warm smile thankful to have someone who understood.

"We haven't actually preformed for anyone, not formally at least. We had to share an instrument to take our lessons, we've only just been able to get a second one so our harmony with each other is still a bit of a work in progress as I have a bad habit of playing too fast at times. To be honest I am much more comfortable on a horse or hunting for dinner than I am doing things one would consider artistic or courtly. If I do end up a yojimbo I have a lot to learn in those arenas."

"I reckon you'll be fine. I mean, you just gotta nod at the right time and remember to be polite, right? Well, maybe there's a bit more to it I guess...gotta talk about the weather and fashion and stuff. But I bet that'll come quick."
How hard could it be?

"I'm definitely with you on being more comfortable going out and doing things. Never rode a horse until half a year ago and then I got one and suddenly it was like having another brother who ate more than the rest put together. Still, I can see why the Unicorn love riding so much. Although I think an Utaku would think me real quaint with my little pony."

[Shiba Haru]

"I reckon you'll be fine. I mean, you just gotta nod at the right time and remember to be polite, right? Well, maybe there's a bit more to it I guess...gotta talk about the weather and fashion and stuff. But I bet that'll come quick."
How hard could it be?

"I'm definitely with you on being more comfortable going out and doing things. Never rode a horse until half a year ago and then I got one and suddenly it was like having another brother who ate more than the rest put together. Still, I can see why the Unicorn love riding so much. Although I think an Utaku would think me real quaint with my little pony."

"If the stories I have heard about the size of their steeds is true they must this us all quaint and I don't blame them." he said with a laugh. "Perhaps we should go for a ride some time, I want to explore the forest around here and check out the river that runs through it."

[Suzume Rin]

"If the stories I have heard about the size of their steeds is true they must this us all quaint and I don't blame them." he said with a laugh. "Perhaps we should go for a ride some time, I want to explore the forest around here and check out the river that runs through it."

"That'd be swell! And I'm sure it would count as good training for the events ahead, right? I already went out into the forest briefly and it is just fullof food. I found more yams and mushrooms than I knew what to do with. I guess Crane lands really are like that."

[Kakita Yuji]

Another thing Crane lands were full of was Crane. Having completed the test of the body, Kakita Yuji took himself off the field, and saw Shiba Haru in covversation with a Sparrow. Despite his desire to join the chat and meet the Sparrow, courtly training dictated he simply position himself nearby to allow Haru the option of brining him into the conversation, or allow other to grab him instead. Perhaps Haru wanted more people to talk to, perhaps not, it was up to him.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru giggled a bit and smiled triumphantly as she saw her betrothed's performance. Maybe she'd have to make sure he got some nice powder-blue outfits to wear soon.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi may then be surprised to hear "Good morning, Mantis-san" from relatively close beside her as a winded but fairly pleased looking Kuni takes a seat.

"We didn't meet quite formally last night. I am Kuni Mitsuko, daughter of Kuni Etsumiko and Kuni Adorai and honored student of the Hida Battle Leader dojo." She bows her head respectfully if informally. "I thought I should learn your name and stop referring to you as the 'pretty-eyed Mantis' all the time."

Kasumi glanced over and smiled.

"Aw, y'think my eyes are pretty? Thanks!"

Then she remembered the protocol.

"Er... Yukikaze no Kasumi, of the Mantis Clan. Mother is Kaga no Ryoko, captain of the same, father is Gotei no Jin, harbor pilot of the same. Good t'meetcha!"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Kasumi glanced over and smiled.

"Aw, y'think my eyes are pretty? Thanks!"

Then she remembered the protocol.

"Er... Yukikaze no Kasumi, of the Mantis Clan. Mother is Kaga no Ryoko, captain of the same, father is Gotei no Jin, harbor pilot of the same. Good t'meetcha!"

The Crab smiles a little in response to Kasumi's smile, then it fades and she blinks thoughtfully at the string of words and names that only mostly make sense to her.

"Er, right." Leaning slightly closer to the Mantis to allow for a quieter remark, she says, "Look, if it'll save a lot of time for both of us, you can call me Mitsuko-san and I'll call you..." She raises her eyebrows to ask the question. "Just like we're old friends, hm?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

The Crab smiles a little in response to Kasumi's smile, then it fades and she blinks thoughtfully at the string of words and names that only mostly make sense to her.

"Er, right." Leaning slightly closer to the Mantis to allow for a quieter remark, she says, "Look, if it'll save a lot of time for both of us, you can call me Mitsuko-san and I'll call you..." She raises her eyebrows to ask the question. "Just like we're old friends, hm?"

"Kasumi-san- Yukikaze's the ship I serve on. Nice, trim kobune- Capn' Kaito doesn't stand for any slackness at our tasks, so..."

She trailed off, figuring a stonebound Crab probably wouldn't really grasp what she was saying if she went into detail.

"An' y'can never have too many friends, so I'm all for it!"

[Akodo Michi]

Michi rested after her turn. She did not appear thoughtful, nor disappointed. She watched closely the techniques of others, a slight mark of interest in her focus of each moment.