[LM1] Test of the Body Observation Thread

[Suzume Rin]

"Well, I would say it's fair to assume that it's not simply enough for the arrow to know the way. After all, from my studies I know the directions to many places in the Empire, but I'm certainly not about to run off to the capital in the middle of the tournament." he said with a small smile. "You have to spend a lot of time with the arrow before it will make use of it's knowledge. If you would care to learn with myself, or perhaps Shiba-san, we can help you practice your fluency in arrow."

Rin bows here head"Gosh, everyone's just been so nice since I arrived. I was worried folks wouldn't want to work together. Guess it says something about the people that get invited that they want everyone to learn. I reckon you're right though, it's just about practice, practice, and more practice. Maybe I'll take one of you up on that, though I'd feel real guilty using up your time.

"I am still very much a novice at combining the two disciplines but I love to try new things. As such, having never seen a sling in actual use before I hope I get a chance to see you in action Suzume-san. I will say that horse archery is really demanding on your legs and core to hold you steady. I need to find a new workout just for that I think. My stomach and lower back ached for two days after my first time trying it."

"Oh now I feel I've gone and set myself up for failure, just promise you won't duck unless it looks like the rock is really going off target. I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one really sore after practicing riding while doing something else. Funny how much work letting a horse do some of the work is."

[Shiba Haru]

Rin bows here head"Gosh, everyone's just been so nice since I arrived. I was worried folks wouldn't want to work together. Guess it says something about the people that get invited that they want everyone to learn. I reckon you're right though, it's just about practice, practice, and more practice. Maybe I'll take one of you up on that, though I'd feel real guilty using up your time.

"I'm actually glad you brought up teamwork Suzume-san. My personal goal this week is to try and build as many connections as possible, not just with myself but between others as well. Forgive me if I sound less than humble for a moment but I want to make what I say clear. Everyone one of us is here because our clans see something in us, a bright future. So if we here are potential the future leaders and influence makers of our clans why don't we try something bold and different.

There are many many traditions within the empire but in my opinion the worst of those is our constant need for warfare. I became a duelist in part because I think it is an important last step before the road to war as a duel prevent them from happening. We could do so much good for our future children and descendants if we can forge some sort of large scale alliance or at least an agreement to make a serious effort to talk to one another and work things out when our clans squabble in the future. Imagine al lthe good we could do if we could eliminate inter-clan war, we could unit and march south to aid the Crab. Innocent heimin would not have to worry about bandits because there would be so many more to patrol the roads and villages.

Too often our parents and ancestors, heavens bless them, had to resort to violence but I think we can do better and break the wheel. Words, words shared with honesty and friendship can solve things far faster and cleaner than any war could and if words truely fail then a first and final strike can settle it with as few deaths as possible."

Haru took a breath when he finished and glanced over at his nearby brother to see if he heard his tirade before looking to see how the Crane and Sparrow would react.

[Shiba Ichiro]

Ichiro was a figure of cold focus as they joined the other observers but, as the adrenaline surge faded, they warmed up and looked very pleased with the results of their efforts on the field.

[Suzume Rin]

"I'm actually glad you brought up teamwork Suzume-san. My personal goal this week is to try and build as many connections as possible, not just with myself but between others as well. Forgive me if I sound less than humble for a moment but I want to make what I say clear. Everyone one of us is here because our clans see something in us, a bright future. So if we here are potential the future leaders and influence makers of our clans why don't we try something bold and different.

There are many many traditions within the empire but in my opinion the worst of those is our constant need for warfare. I became a duelist in part because I think it is an important last step before the road to war as a duel prevent them from happening. We could do so much good for our future children and descendants if we can forge some sort of large scale alliance or at least an agreement to make a serious effort to talk to one another and work things out when our clans squabble in the future. Imagine al lthe good we could do if we could eliminate inter-clan war, we could unit and march south to aid the Crab. Innocent heimin would not have to worry about bandits because there would be so many more to patrol the roads and villages.

Too often our parents and ancestors, heavens bless them, had to resort to violence but I think we can do better and break the wheel. Words, words shared with honesty and friendship can solve things far faster and cleaner than any war could and if words truely fail then a first and final strike can settle it with as few deaths as possible."

Haru took a breath when he finished and glanced over at his nearby brother to see if he heard his tirade before looking to see how the Crane and Sparrow would react.

Rin's mouth had fallen open and the Sparrow was rapidly blinking
"G-gosh!"
Looking between the two and realising a slightly lengthier replied was needed.
"That's an awful lot Haru-sama. You're like the hero at the start of all those stories where they set out to change the world. I dunno if that's all possible, but I kinda hope it is? I mean, no reason not to try? You're right about there being lots of talented samurai here, if they all understood one another than there'd be less understandings. And less understandings mean less war I think."

[Kakita Yuji]

Rin's mouth had fallen open and the Sparrow was rapidly blinking
"G-gosh!"
Looking between the two and realising a slightly lengthier replied was needed.
"That's an awful lot Haru-sama. You're like the hero at the start of all those stories where they set out to change the world. I dunno if that's all possible, but I kinda hope it is? I mean, no reason not to try? You're right about there being lots of talented samurai here, if they all understood one another than there'd be less understandings. And less understandings mean less war I think."

It was quite the speech. Yuji had heard it before the previous night, and while it made sense for the Phoenix to start with those most likely to be receptive (and after all, the Sparfrow weren't very warlike) he wondered how this unstoppable force was going to react when it met the unmovable object of the Lion competitors.

"Very well spoken, Shiba-san. Tsuma is, after all, a gathering of the finest and brightest of the Empire. If you can garner the support of all those gathered, you will have taken a rather large step towards your goal. I hope your final poem for the compilation reflects your progress to your vision."

He rubbed his neck a bit.

"Ah that reminds me, did you happen to mention my project to Suzume-san?" he said with a glance towards her.

"Nothing so grand as Shiba-san's efforts, of course, but I did want to ask for your aid in it Suzume-san. I'm trying to collect two poems from each of the competitors, one reflecting their initial impressions of Tsuma and the tournament and one their final impressions. Can I rely upon your aid with this matter, Suzume-san?"

[Shiba Haru]

Rin's mouth had fallen open and the Sparrow was rapidly blinking
"G-gosh!"
Looking between the two and realising a slightly lengthier replied was needed.
"That's an awful lot Haru-sama. You're like the hero at the start of all those stories where they set out to change the world. I dunno if that's all possible, but I kinda hope it is? I mean, no reason not to try? You're right about there being lots of talented samurai here, if they all understood one another than there'd be less understandings. And less understandings mean less war I think."

Haru looked a bit embarrassed by the Sparrows compliment.

"AH, thank you for your kind words Suzume Rin-san but I think that isn't fair to the heroes in those stories. "he laughed. "Most people who hear that just tell me I am an child with dreams too big for my own good. I don't know if it is possible either but I think we should at least try.

It was quite the speech. Yuji had heard it before the previous night, and while it made sense for the Phoenix to start with those most likely to be receptive (and after all, the Sparfrow weren't very warlike) he wondered how this unstoppable force was going to react when it met the unmovable object of the Lion competitors.

"Very well spoken, Shiba-san. Tsuma is, after all, a gathering of the finest and brightest of the Empire. If you can garner the support of all those gathered, you will have taken a rather large step towards your goal. I hope your final poem for the compilation reflects your progress to your vision."

He rubbed his neck a bit.

"Ah that reminds me, did you happen to mention my project to Suzume-san?" he said with a glance towards her.

"Nothing so grand as Shiba-san's efforts, of course, but I did want to ask for your aid in it Suzume-san. I'm trying to collect two poems from each of the competitors, one reflecting their initial impressions of Tsuma and the tournament and one their final impressions. Can I rely upon your aid with this matter, Suzume-san?"

I am terribly sorry Kakita Yuji-san the opportunity to bring it up hadn't presented itself and I have been selfishly rambling.

[Suzume Rin]

"I mean, ain't much point in dreaming small Haru-sama. A samurai has a duty to be the best they can be. Oh, and I was definitely doing most of the talking, so it's my fault I didn't hear Kakita-sama's proposal until now."
Shifting slightly on her feet
"I don't think any poem of mine while come close to a Kakita trained samurai's works. I always write about simple boring stuff. But if it doesn't have to be any good I'll definitely compose two poems."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Seeing one of the others who seemed like a courtier, or similarly trained, Ahiru approached and bowed. "Good morning, Shosuro-san. I'm Kakita Ahiru."

"Kakita-sama."

Kaoru bowed:

"Good morning. This one is Shosuro Kaoru, daughter of Shosuro Nagisa.

I must say your throw demonstration demonstration was impressive: Simple, efficient and elegant.

But what else to expect of a Kakita?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"I mean, ain't much point in dreaming small Haru-sama. A samurai has a duty to be the best they can be. Oh, and I was definitely doing most of the talking, so it's my fault I didn't hear Kakita-sama's proposal until now."
Shifting slightly on her feet
"I don't think any poem of mine while come close to a Kakita trained samurai's works. I always write about simple boring stuff. But if it doesn't have to be any good I'll definitely compose two poems."

Yuji simply did not get the reluctance that people would express in this matter, but at least she didn't say no.

"As long as it comes from your true feelings, Suzume-san, it can only be good." he assured her.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"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!"

The Crab nods. "Excellent." She nods again. "Yes, friends are good. And cutting past the fluff to get to what matters is important." If it's possible, Mitsuko's face looks even sterner than it did under the heavy makeup.

"What do you think of the competition so far, Kasumi-san?" Mitsuko asks, raising her eyebrows toward the nearest other competitors.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

The Crab nods. "Excellent." She nods again. "Yes, friends are good. And cutting past the fluff to get to what matters is important." If it's possible, Mitsuko's face looks even sterner than it did under the heavy makeup.

"What do you think of the competition so far, Kasumi-san?" Mitsuko asks, raising her eyebrows toward the nearest other competitors.

"Well, think some of 'em understood it a hell of a lot better'n I did, even the ones who ain't as fit. I found the whole thing kinda weird."

[Hiruma Hiyaku]

After his trial, Hiyaku joins the others in observing the remaining competitors.

[Akodo Michi]

Somehow, somewhere, some person spoke of a future without samurai as their goal, but the Akodo did not overhear the words, she was busy watching people play kickball like a good child.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

Jingyi found a place to sit with the other observers. She had none of her animals with her. Hopefully, Odoruhonō was behaving himself.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Well, think some of 'em understood it a hell of a lot better'n I did, even the ones who ain't as fit. I found the whole thing kinda weird."

"It felt very much like home to me," the Crab says with a grumble. "Be big, be strong... Hida priorities aren't especially subtle, though none from my clan really are." The Kuni girl ponders a moment. "If it were a Mantis-run test, what would we have been doing?" As much as possible through the wall of makeup, Mitsuko looks genuinely very curious.

[Hiruma Hiyaku]

""If it were a Mantis-run test, what would we have been doing?"

Hiyaku raises an eyebrow and glances over, to his clanmate's conversation. It would be rude to cut in, though, so the Hiruma refrains from speaking what is on his mind: Boats or boasting, most likely.

His attention goes back to the competition.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"It felt very much like home to me," the Crab says with a grumble. "Be big, be strong... Hida priorities aren't especially subtle, though none from my clan really are." The Kuni girl ponders a moment. "If it were a Mantis-run test, what would we have been doing?" As much as possible through the wall of makeup, Mitsuko looks genuinely very curious.

"Likely something to do with sailin', shoutin', or scr.... er, maybe scrimshaw?"

[Suzume Rin]

Yuji simply did not get the reluctance that people would express in this matter, but at least she didn't say no.

"As long as it comes from your true feelings, Suzume-san, it can only be good." he assured her.

"Well then, here goes."
Rin scrunches her face up for a few moments.

"THE stranger who has travelled far,
The friends with welcome smile,
All sorts of samurai come and go
Meet at this Wooded stile,—
They meet and rest awhile."

Rubbing the back of her neck
"Hope that was okay, not sure how the other one'll turn up, but I guess I'll get some inspiration over the next couple days."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Well then, here goes."
Rin scrunches her face up for a few moments.

"THE stranger who has travelled far,
The friends with welcome smile,
All sorts of samurai come and go
Meet at this Wooded stile,—
They meet and rest awhile."

Rubbing the back of her neck
"Hope that was okay, not sure how the other one'll turn up, but I guess I'll get some inspiration over the next couple days."

Yuji had not been expecting a longer form from the Suzume. Was that Tanka? Waka? It didn't seem to neatly fit into either, but only a pedant cared about that. He focused his attention on what was being conveyed and thought about it in silence for a moment.

"It is simple, straightforward, and earnest, Suzume-san." was his evaluation. "These are admirable qualities, Suzume-san. I think it will be a fine addition to the project."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

Kuroneko just sat and watched people compete. He knows he wasn't the most gracious one but he did his effort and that was what counted. He is just here to strengthen allies and make friends outside those he had made in the Kitsune lands.

//Quote if approached