[D1, EM: Training Grounds] A Strike is a Strike (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

Akodo Michi has risen hours ago.

The Lion had already practiced, her routine was complete. She had eaten breakfast and bathed. Now it was time for more training, and so to the dojo she returned. She did not see herself as a teacher, but some things were necessary. She could not call herself a true competitor of the Topaz Championship if there were those who did not know how to properly fight a duel. The shame of facing someone who knew nothing of tradition was too great.

This did not mean she saw Yukikaze no Kasumi as a shameful person. In fact, as one from a clan so different from her own, she found the girl acceptable. However much remained to be seen, much remained unlearned. There was no hope within Michi that she would be dazzled by the Mantis' deep love of Bushido, but that did not mean she lacked any honor. Righteousness was it's own power, it could be followed by instinct if you were exceptional.

And Topaz competitors must be exceptional.

She sat with a pair of bokken before her, watching the Kakita train as she awaited her companion.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

For her part, Kasumi had awoken well before dawn, only to realize she had literally no duties as she understood them.

This had resulted in the young Mantis trying to climb the roof of her lodgings (to keep her hand in), resulting in an awkward conversation with a very surprised Crane watchman, then trying to go for a swim in the river (only there was nobody else doing it, and anyway, the fresh water smelled and felt weird, so she'd barely gotten a toe wet), and finally throwing up her hands in exasperation and just kind of... stewing in her room until breakfast.

So she was actually thrilled to make her meeting with the Akodo, trotting up with a grin and a wave.

"Mornin', Akodo-san! Hope y'haven't been waitin' long, still gettin' used t'not starting my day in the ratlines..."

[Akodo Michi]

Michi bowed to the approaching Mantis from her seiza.

"Greetings to you, Yukikaze no Kasumi-san", she said as she was lowered. Rising she gestured for the girl to sit and join her. "I pray Inari-no-kami has blessed you with a bounty this morning, as we will be busy."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Inari-no... right, right!

"The Crane're makin' sure none of us go hungry unless we choose it, an' I'm unlikely t'choose it. I figure you've made sure t'fortify yourself as well?"

Kasumi took the offered seat with more agility than grace.

"And thanks for takin' the time for this."

[Akodo Michi]

A silent nod answered her words, but the Lion moved the conversation on rather than being caught up in frivolity of further greeting. Michi picked up a bokken and handed it over to Kasumi.

"You say you know little, so I will begin where most basic form matters most. Handling the blade is a samurai's right, but not all make the most of such. This is proper, as weapons of war are varied by their use, and though the emphasis on katana is important to my people for reasons of tradition, we are not without the understanding to see relevance in other methods." She picked up her own bokken, still seated and ran her fingers along it, examining it for any imperfection she may have missed before. "And so, we train the quick draw, a swift blade strikes first. And thus, a strike is a strike. Iaido is a valued technique, and the ritual has it's importance, but it is simply another tool for a warrior. Here in Crane lands...you may hear different."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, I figure everyone has their own ways, but... the use of a katana is... somethin' that samurai should know at least a little about, I figure..."

[Akodo Michi]

"Yes, as I said", the Lion seemed confused slightly at first, but it was gone quickly. "Since you understand, we can begin. Allow me to see your form when attacking from the draw, and we will go from there." She gestured for the Mantis to stand, while she would still sit and observe.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi took the bokken- and while the katana wasn't a focus for the Mantis, it was plain she at least understood the basics, including which side of her obi to draw from.

Her draw wasn't polished, though- she was plainly used to drawing shorter weapons- and after the initial cut- a rising one which might well have been deadly to any foe she'd managed to hit with it- she didn't seem too inclined to get both hands on the weapon, instead keeping her off-hand free.

[Akodo Michi]

"When you attack, you strike through", the Lion explained. "In motion you are harder to hit, in motion you gain more power. Do it at least twenty times, until you know you can do it the same way each, your training will take over, your body will relax, do as it should, and you will find the closest, quickest distance to cover."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi didn't speak.

Instead, she got right to doing as she'd been told.

The Lion had offered her guidance, and she wasn't about to piss on that with a lot of idle chatter.

Draw, strike, repeat. Draw, strike, repeat.

[Akodo Michi]

"Very well, that is enough", the Lion said without compliment or reproach. She stood up, bokken flicking into her hand. "the motion is there, but what do you feel when you attack? You have spoken many times of trouble at sea. Is it to mean you have been in combat for your life many times?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Not many times. Only three."

Which didn't seem to strike her as a particularly high number for a pre-gempukku trainee.

"Well, unless y'count ship to ship fights wi'out me bein' in boarding actions. Then it's more like eight."

[Akodo Michi]

"Battle is part of training", Michi agreed. Though she wasn't one to speak of her experience. "In some ways it can spoil us, however. You have fought on a ship deck, but there are matters of a samurai's life that are more meaningful than simply spilling blood. In practice, the technique of iaijutsu is useable, it is the ritual the Crane constructed around it not everyone agrees with."

Without further comment on that, she moved on. "Your butterfly swords may be small, but they waste movement on the draw. In battle this is not always a hindrance. A ship sees a ship from a great distance. You will have your blades in hand long before you see your enemy's eyes."

She slipped the bokken into her obi and stood straight. "However, despite it's larger size, the katana can be a much faster weapon. The idea of the technique is you are ready to kill even in a relaxed state. Immediate action, dismissing doubts and hesitation, is key to using it properly."

She took a stance, lowering into it with a flowing motion.

But...

In having done so, the bokken was already drawn and had flashed past Kasumi's eyes.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Huh. Quick."

Kasumi nodded.

"Could ya hit that stance even in a scrum, though? Think that's the part would give me trouble..."

[Akodo Michi]

"The method of iaijutsu covers this", she replied and placed the bokken back in her obi, standing up straight. She took two steps closer toward the Mantis and looked into her eyes quite intensely. "Two hands take the sword, but not both on the grip." Her rear foot shot back, right hand drawing as her hips twisted, left hand pressing the blade side of the bokken toward Kasumi as it came out. She fell back to the side a step, pantomiming the follow up, sword in two hands now.

"In a tight space, one does not strike freely, the killer is always the blade, never great arm strength. Slashing wildly will just as likely break your sword."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Hm. Seems like a good trick... Think I need t'work at it more. My quickest draw's a tanto, an' I'm only so-so at throwin' it."

[Akodo Michi]

"A tanto is not a weapon to be thrown at sea, the same technique used with katana is employed in making them", she informed. "Take better care of your knives, and fire arrows like a proud samurai."

It sounded like orders, not suggestions.

Maybe.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi shrugged.

"Obviously a yumi's t'be preferred if y'get a choice, but they're a bit tricky t'bring along on a boarding action "

Or into a sake house or warehouse in port

[Akodo Michi]

"If you only think about attacking other ships, that will be the extent of your service. Is there nothing more noble to you?" she asked, still very much standing close in strike range.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Tell me, Akodo-san... what do you know of my clan?"