(D3, MM) Love on the Sidelines (Event Observation)

[Kaikoga Koi]

"Ah, nee-sama. I... I just need to take a break, I think." She looked to the side, to a beautiful lady who also fell down on a pillow, clearly as out of it as she was. "What were they thinking, with that test? Look around you, it looks like an infirmary at the edge of a battlefield, not the waiting room for a miai."

Koi frowned at her cousin, her physical self was not capable of such endurance based tasks and watching her struggle was hard. Koi nodded, and held out a napkin.

"Do you need anything? Do you want me to help get you back to our rooms?" Koi asked.

Inspecting her cousin only made her worry more. "Fu-chan your breathing is hard, I need you try and catch it okay? Take deep birth. OK?"

She offered her cousin her fine fan it either fan herself.

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

“Oh, of course! These are Candy Caps, so they’re a bit sweeter than most. They’re kind of like a mochi, but also a mushroom! They’re great for taking away hunger on a trip or a snack. That’s why I keep them. And plant them. They grow so well! I hope you like them too!”

She bows happily.

Is that right?

With a bow, the Kitsu accepted the offering.

"Thank you."

He popped the mushroom in his mouth - it did remind him of mochi, just as she described it.

"Hmm, these are nice - as you say, kind of like mochi."

He made a note that, as she seemed knowledgeable with mushrooms, she very well could poison him. Best to avoid her ire.

"As I was saying, excellent work with the Kemari, Agasha-san. Where did you learn to play like that?"

[Agasha Inoshishi]

"As I was saying, excellent work with the Kemari, Agasha-san. Where did you learn to play like that?"

“Thank you, Kitsu-san, I appreciate the compliment!”

She’s thinking fast, weighing the benefits of attributing her success to Togashi-sensei, denying it’s how she was taught, and claiming something else entirely.

“Well, Togashi-sensei taught me the basics. I don’t think what I did was really…you know…in line with his techniques. Although I suppose the first hit was almost that way? I kinda…accidentally went a bit sparky. Togashi-sensei did say I was always quite creative, heh.”

She’s clearly embarrassed but pleased at the same time.

“I’m glad you liked the mushroom! You did well yourself too!”

[Shiba Raizo]

"Hm. Tests of strength are often such," Aimi murmurs quietly, "Not only does one have all the fears and stress of public failure, but the burning of lungs and the ache of muscles. Together, such things compound upon one another."

She shakes her head. "I think... offers of reassurance would be poorly taken at this time, ne? Better to look away, and let them get their breath back."

"Agreed."

He sighed. The rules they all lived by definitely had a way of needlessly complicating things.

"I'm sure my turn will come to walk out of one of these feeling like I've been beaten with a tetsubo. Maybe tomorrow they'll have us doing ikebana or something..."

[Shika Zang]

Sakura… is not taking part. The Crane simply bows to Shika Zang apologetically as she enters to spectate, approaching him. “Gomen, Shika-sensei. In this, my lack of eyesight would simply lead to embarrassment for no purpose for this one.”

Zang inclined his head and listened to the Kakita's words.

"It takes wisdom to know how to choose one's battles, and courage to face the ones that are unpleasant, but necessary. You could have gone out there and forced others to play around you. You could have slipped away without a word. That you chose this path does not speak to me of how well you can play kemari, but it would be a great fool indeed who mistook your strength for weakness." he offers.

He laughed a bit.

"I look forward to seeing more of your strength during the course of the miai, Kakita-san. You should too." he concluded.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Good morning Shika sama I hope Inari has blessed you today."

"I've eaten, yes," Nesshin replies, "as I hope you have."

She smiled. "Hai... And thank you for the compliment I expected far worse. The earth kami tend to call my name from time to time."

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Thank you, both of you. That's probably a good idea," all the better to remove herself from this public embarrassment.

[Kakita Sakura]

Sakura… is not taking part. The Crane simply bows to Shika Zang apologetically as she enters to spectate, approaching him. “Gomen, Shika-sensei. In this, my lack of eyesight would simply lead to embarrassment for no purpose for this one.”

Zang inclined his head and listened to the Kakita's words.

"It takes wisdom to know how to choose one's battles, and courage to face the ones that are unpleasant, but necessary. You could have gone out there and forced others to play around you. You could have slipped away without a word. That you chose this path does not speak to me of how well you can play kemari, but it would be a great fool indeed who mistook your strength for weakness." he offers.

He laughed a bit.

"I look forward to seeing more of your strength during the course of the miai, Kakita-san. You should too." he concluded.

Sakura smiles warmly, tilting her head in acknowledgement. "My thanks, Shika-sama."

[Usogawa Emiko]

Tanabe saw his struggling clanmate and moved over to them "Emiko-sama you're as like to trip on something and the both of you ending up hurt. How would that look on the yojimbo who failed to protect not only his Charge but his clanmate as well?" He asked with a bit of mirth

"In all seriousness if you need anything Narumi-san just ask. We look out for eachother."

There was a rare look of disapproval on Emiko's face, which melted away eventually to determination.

"A leader helps her kin Tanabe-san. I can do this."

"Thank you, both of you. That's probably a good idea," all the better to remove herself from this public embarrassment.

"Hai, let's go. You can lean on me Narumi-san" Emiko moved closer to help the girl stand. She wasn't the strongest, and she was tired too, but she let her determination to help her kin lead her.

[Shika Nesshin]

She smiled. "Hai... And thank you for the compliment I expected far worse. The earth kami tend to call my name from time to time."

"I can hardly blame them," Nesshin replies. "You've a good flavor on the tongue, with your name, and no few would stand to have you approach."

He grins. "Or would seek to embrace you."