[D6, EA Expecting] Trotting along

[Shiba Haru]

Rin frowns, clearly feeling this is dredging up painful memories for Haru, but she decides listening closely is the best way to honour that.
"Right! So, make sure it's what I want. But if it is something I want, then I should take a hold of it with both hands, knowing that it still won't happen overnight."

Sitting up straight
"Then what I'll do! And I guess the rest of it is just up to the fortunes."
There's another slightly smaller frown...did he just chan her and Mitsuko?...Nah, Rin didn't want to be assuming things.

"Gosh, you've really thought this through, and all just to give me some advice. Ain't you just the kindest."

"Seeing my friends happy makes me happy, there are few joys in life greater than seeing someone you care for thrive. In this I hope two see two people I care for enjoy one another."

Haru decided that his statement may come off as a bit dirty and hastily continued.

"I mean...you know what I mean. But that is between the two of you and I just hope all goes well."

He increased the pace of his horse a bit so he could collect his thoughts as the one he was having wasn't fit for conversation.

[Suzume Rin]

"Seeing my friends happy makes me happy, there are few joys in life greater than seeing someone you care for thrive. In this I hope two see two people I care for enjoy one another."

Haru decided that his statement may come off as a bit dirty and hastily continued.

"I mean...you know what I mean. But that is between the two of you and I just hope all goes well."

He increased the pace of his horse a bit so he could collect his thoughts as the one he was having wasn't fit for conversation.

"Oh, I feel the same way! I have definitely enjoyed Mitsuko-san and I think she has enjoyed me...well I hope at least."
Rin smiles behind her sleeve and allows Haru some space, instead taking a few moments to fuss with Ikki.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru adjusted his position in the saddle and coughed a bit before speaking again.

"So how do you feel about the tests? I was surprised a Lion didn't judge todays event."

[Suzume Rin]

Haru adjusted his position in the saddle and coughed a bit before speaking again.

"So how do you feel about the tests? I was surprised a Lion didn't judge todays event."

"Hmmm, well they've been a bit varied haven't they? Sometimes I feel like I really know what the judge is huntin' for...and sometimes I feel real foolish looking around and seeing everyone doing something else."
Rubbing her nose
"I really enjoyed today's event though, those Ashigaru were so friendly and hard working, and Dragon-sama was really interesting...though you make a good point, ain't the Akodo meant to have never lost a battle?"

[Shiba Haru]

"If you ask the Akodo they will say so, if you ask some they have battled however they will point out that on a number of occasions an Akodo general has had to retire from a losing battle early due to things like suddenly falling ill. Which just happens to allow them to continue the claim that an Akodo has never lost.

I enjoyed today's test as well, I think I finally understand why my parents sent me to study with the Akodo as it really helped me today. I didn't do as well as Mitsuko-chan but I'm perfectly happy with that, she has spent her whole life learning how to lead soldiers and I spent a summer doing it."

[Suzume Rin]

"If you ask the Akodo they will say so, if you ask some they have battled however they will point out that on a number of occasions an Akodo general has had to retire from a losing battle early due to things like suddenly falling ill. Which just happens to allow them to continue the claim that an Akodo has never lost.

I enjoyed today's test as well, I think I finally understand why my parents sent me to study with the Akodo as it really helped me today. I didn't do as well as Mitsuko-chan but I'm perfectly happy with that, she has spent her whole life learning how to lead soldiers and I spent a summer doing it."

"Ah...that explains it. One of them 'technically' correct things."
Rin wasn't a fan, it smacked of a lack of honesty.

"Mitsuko-san did great..." there he was, channing again "But I saw you out there as well, reckon you were extremely impressive yourself."

[Shiba Haru]

"Thank you, I think you did well as well. I found the story you told interesting, I had never considered using story to inspire ashigaru before. If I knew any inspiring stories i might have tried to emulate you but most of the stories I know are..."

Again Haru had to stop speaking and change the subject.

"Any thoughts on the remaining tests? Test of the Ancestor, Test of Piety and of course Test of the Warrior."

[Suzume Rin]

"Thank you, I think you did well as well. I found the story you told interesting, I had never considered using story to inspire ashigaru before. If I knew any inspiring stories i might have tried to emulate you but most of the stories I know are..."

Again Haru had to stop speaking and change the subject.

"Any thoughts on the remaining tests? Test of the Ancestor, Test of Piety and of course Test of the Warrior."

"Hmmm, not really sure. Ancestor seems obvious, probably all about history, right? Piety..probably about the futures and the Tao. Warrior is...hmmm, maybe a mix of all fighting styles? Or maybe it's what it means to be a warrior? Oh, that'd be a good twist. Everyone turns up ready to whack and the sensei sits you down and asks you to explain what being a warrior truly means."

[Shiba Haru]

"I sure hope that isn't the case, not because I can't discuss Bushido but because I worry I will never get to draw a weapon while I am here. Today's test will help me but I don't think it will be enough on it's own to get me into the dueling and that is probably my only shot at getting face to face with you."

[Suzume Rin]

"I sure hope that isn't the case, not because I can't discuss Bushido but because I worry I will never get to draw a weapon while I am here. Today's test will help me but I don't think it will be enough on it's own to get me into the dueling and that is probably my only shot at getting face to face with you."

"Well, that's probably the more likely result I reckon."
Looking a little saddened

"So many folk coming from all around to compete, and most of 'em doing even get to the tournament. It seems harsh, but maybe that's the point eh?"

[Shiba Haru]

"It is disappointing but at least I will get to cheer you and Mitsuko on, either one of you will make a fine Topaz Champion. Just remember to come visit me on your tour of the empire."

[Suzume Rin]

"It is disappointing but at least I will get to cheer you and Mitsuko on, either one of you will make a fine Topaz Champion. Just remember to come visit me on your tour of the empire."

"Oh you!"
A waving away motion

"I ain't gonna be champion. But duties permitting I'd still come and visit. Winning or not don't matter to me. And it's the same for you Haru-san, whether you are champion or not I'm expecting letters and stories."

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh you will get that, it's a promise. I will never forget you, never."

[Suzume Rin]

"Oh you will get that, it's a promise. I will never forget you, never."

"Now you're just-"
Rin's face continues turning pink
"-Just being too kind. You're gonna leave the tournament and have a great life and I hope it's exciting enough that you gotta struggle to remember little 'ole me."

[Shiba Haru]

"No, you have left a mark on me that will remain for a long long time, you and Mitsuko both."

He looks conflicted and hurt at the same time but smiles none the less.

"And the letters will share will only help make sure of that."

[Suzume Rin]

"No, you have left a mark on me that will remain for a long long time, you and Mitsuko both."

He looks conflicted and hurt at the same time but smiles none the less.

"And the letters will share will only help make sure of that."

"Well...sometimes marks can sting a little. But then they remind you of how it happened, and if it was a happy time...maybe it was worth it? Sort of think you end up telling your kids about."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well...sometimes marks can sting a little. But then they remind you of how it happened, and if it was a happy time...maybe it was worth it? Sort of think you end up telling your kids about."

Ah yes, gather round kids and let me tell you of the time I developed feelings for two girls at the same time but they fell in love with each other.

"It is hard to feel this way now but I think in time even if I fail everything here I will have fond memories of this time because of you, i consider myself lucky to have met you. But I still intend on winning this damned thing."

[Suzume Rin]

Ah yes, gather round kids and let me tell you of the time I developed feelings for two girls at the same time but they fell in love with each other.

"It is hard to feel this way now but I think in time even if I fail everything here I will have fond memories of this time because of you, i consider myself lucky to have met you. But I still intend on winning this damned thing."

"That's the spirit!"
Pause
"You know, I don't actually know much about your honoured family's fighting style. I am not sure what to envisiage when I try to picture you whacking everyone in the test of the warrior or for the duels."

[Shiba Haru]

"well, my fighting style tends toward the defensive since my goal is always to protect either my charge as a yojimbo or the soldiers alongside me.

When the Phoenix must go to war we always try to minimize deaths on both sides, we take a lot of hostages. As soldiers we fight a lot with polearms, keeping the enemy as far from our true strength; the shugenja. We don't like going to war but when we do the Isawa can bring great destruction if they don't restrain themselves, that's why people don't want to fight us.

In a duel it is different, speed and certainty are key and my style takes a lot from Kakita's teachings though one of my ancestors from long ago developed some...secrets I guess that have been passed down to me. I hope I can succeed where he did not. He lost both the Topaz and Emerald Championships to the same Crane and I hope to avoid that fate with a victory here.

I would be happy to spar with you some time, does the Sparrow style carry any traditions over from your Crane roots?"

[Suzume Rin]

"well, my fighting style tends toward the defensive since my goal is always to protect either my charge as a yojimbo or the soldiers alongside me.

When the Phoenix must go to war we always try to minimize deaths on both sides, we take a lot of hostages. As soldiers we fight a lot with polearms, keeping the enemy as far from our true strength; the shugenja. We don't like going to war but when we do the Isawa can bring great destruction if they don't restrain themselves, that's why people don't want to fight us.

In a duel it is different, speed and certainty are key and my style takes a lot from Kakita's teachings though one of my ancestors from long ago developed some...secrets I guess that have been passed down to me. I hope I can succeed where he did not. He lost both the Topaz and Emerald Championships to the same Crane and I hope to avoid that fate with a victory here.

I would be happy to spar with you some time, does the Sparrow style carry any traditions over from your Crane roots?"

"You had an ancestor who competed in the Topaz and the Emerald Championship? Bet that was an amazing story. Were they unlucky? Or was the Crane just too skilled? And what happened afterwards? Lotta folks would be sore after losing twice to the same samurai like that."

Rin shakes here head, trying not to get too story carried away.

"Our style? I reckon it's definitely got some Crane roots. But it's also a lot slower, all the Crane seem so graceful, like they're gliding around. We tend to plan our feet a bit more, be a little more defensive."