Kyuden Shika

Murato stands ready to face his opponent. He looks solemn in the moment. Not intense or aggressive. He awaits Raizo and bows when the Phoenix approaches.

Raizo walked up, a half-smile on his face as he returned the bow.

"Remind me to thank the Deer for letting us use bokken for this. It's much cleaner. I'd ask you to try not to spoil my good looks, but that'd involve my having some."

He absently popped the knuckles on his left hand as he got ready (and his player grabbed the rulebook to figure out what the hell was going on).

"It's a much safer option," he says with a nod. "And I will do my best not to hurt your best features. Hopefully you can return the favor."

With that Murato closed his orange eyes for a moment, then settled into a stance that wasn't really a stance... it was a presence, an acceptance of the world around him. When he opened his eyes once more there was only focus.

----
D12 MM, Duel vs Raizo, Initiative, Meditation [Void], Void Stance | TN: 1 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3

3 bonus successes, 0 from Void Stance, 2 to offset 2[/strife

Init: 7 (3 focus, 1 init success, 3 bonus)
Strife: 1 / 8
Enters Void Stance after Initiative

Raizo's own stance wasn't one he'd used a lot during his time in Kyuden Shika- a very stable, grounded one, with less of the lfuidity he customarily employed.

[Initiative- WOW. THANKS, Sakkaku.
Day 12 duel vs Murato, Initiative, Water plus meditation | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 0

Focus value: 3.

Initiative is therefore 4
Strife: 1/12 once the staredown begins.
Enters Earth Stance after Initiative]

Murato was remaining as calm as he could.

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Turn 1
Staredown Phase

Staredown bid posted in PF

Raizo was likewise perfectly still. He seemed... curiously distant.

[Turn 1- Staredown Bid in PF]

Murato prepared his weapon, and continued looking to his opponent's own. He began taking steps in a counter clockwise direction to Raizo.

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Turn 1
+2 strife (1 from round, 1 from bid)
Strife: 3/8

Action: Ready weapon

Raizo remained quite still.

[Turn 1-
1 strife (from the round, he bid 0 because Murato's rolls is really good and if he bids anything, Raizo can merely match it )
Strife: 1/12

Action: Fuck if I know, none of it makes much sense I'll... Predict. In PF.]

A moment passes...

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Murato's stance would be remaining Void unless it was predicted.

And passes.

[You can't Predict Void, so no fear there.
Raizo will stay in Earth]