(D0, LM) Reaching Out Pretty Far (Open)

[Seppun Yuzu]

Yuzu follow Akihiro's every move with extreme attention. He smiles, greatly interested and amazed at the mention of the older man having had several duels.

Then, he repeats the Crane's movement as a precise synchrony, with a steady and low unsheathe to finding solid ground with a two handed grip in a defensive stance. "So, Kakita-san applies solid stance to prevent raging opponents. Is this to find opening –– how does Kakita-san move to strike?"

[Kakita Akihiro]

Yuzu follow Akihiro's every move with extreme attention. He smiles, greatly interested and amazed at the mention of the older man having had several duels.

Then, he repeats the Crane's movement as a precise synchrony, with a steady and low unsheathe to finding solid ground with a two handed grip in a defensive stance. "So, Kakita-san applies solid stance to prevent raging opponents. Is this to find opening –– how does Kakita-san move to strike?"

Akihiro nods at the Seppun's guess. "There are many reasons but yes. I am not a sensei..." here he stops to blink a few times while thinking about his mask.

"But yes, as I was saying...most duelists who lean into a single explosion are trying to win before you can draw your breath. Once your breath has been released they will be extinguished and they fear it." He stepped to the side as if dodging and then raised his hands above his head. His forearms bulge a second later and swipes a white flash to the ground to bisect a ghost.

He reverses the sword and slowly slides it back into place at his waist. Akihiro looked the Seppun over to see if he got that. "It is best for a novice duelist to avoid the burst of flame. You will win more often playing your strengths against your opponents weaknesses. That requires buying time to find a weakness."

[Seppun Yuzu]

Yuzu repeats the same moves with extreme accuracy and cuts another unseen enemy. "Strike when weakness is found, and avoid burning oneself too short."

The boy provides a short bow to the Crane thankfully, "I am honored to be inspired by a Kakita in making my art better."

[Kakita Akihiro]

"Please, I do not deserve any compliments." Akihiro bows as his face flushes. The edge of his mask tingled as he considered what would not be rude to say. "As a final thought on the art of dueling...often the duel begins well before you step into the ring. A true master would say it began when your opponent was born, but that..." sounds like bullshit "is beyond my understanding. I tend to stir the fire of my opponent's soul when they make their challenge. They either waste energy putting it out or burn too bright when they get into the ring."

The Kakita considers saying more but pontificating on the art of dueling further when half his face is covered by metal is beginning to irritate him. And losing his cool in front of a young Seppun governor would be even more shameful than his normal behavior. Time for a distraction. "Despite the obvious superiority of the Kakita schools, other clans have their own methods of getting by. Scorpion-san!"

Akihiro calls out to the Scorpion who walked in to practice with a spear. The white paint glitters as he waves him over. "Would you do us the honor of speaking on your bushi tradition?"

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Dead eyes glanced at the pair. A Kakita using a Seppun to pull him in.

He should have expected that.

Hikimasu checked the practice spear and strode over. He bowed.

"Shosuro Hikimasu at your service", he greeted them. "What is this about?"

[Seppun Yuzu]

Yuzu provides a short bow to the Scorpion, “Seppun Yuzu, Governor of Chisei. Please, treat me well. Care to show us a glimpse of your Clan’s fighting style?”

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Yuzu provides a short bow to the Scorpion, “Seppun Yuzu, Governor of Chisei. Please, treat me well. Care to show us a glimpse of your Clan’s fighting style?”

I don't, but you're a Seppun, and apparently a bigger deal than most.

Hikimasu could also see the lordling wasn't particularly nefarious and seemed eager to learn. It was the Crane that concerned him. He'd killed Daidoji before, and though he'd met a Kakita in the past when he traveled through Shiro Matsu a few winters ago, he didn't trust to show them much.

Still, refusing would be unfortunate. He cleared his throat. "Hai, Seppun-sama. The Bayushi style distracts and confuses the opponent." He took an open stance with his spear, unguarded. "When your enemy moves", suddenly he stepped back and to the side, in the swift motion the spear end lashed out at thigh level. "Be out of his way, but leave him a gift."

He took a more proper stance, spear extended out. "When they shore up their defense", and he reared his arm back to plunge the spear forward, but instead moved diagonally, the blunt end flicking out to catch an enemy under the chin. "Do not give them what they expect."

[Kakita Akihiro]

The Kakita watched with interest as the Scorpion moved to focus on what Akihiro considered the way of the wind. Distraction, deception, and sharp deadly force. This was all expected and he didn't bother to hide that from his face.

"As Seppun-sama can see, Shosuro-san is very fast and uses that to his advantage. He does not turn aside blows but avoids them altogether." It wasn't quite right to judge another who was using a spear versus a sword but the Kakita was certain that the poisoned tail of the samurai was quick either way. "He would leave an opponent on the defensive for a while if allowed to control the flow of battle."

[Seppun Yuzu]

"Interesting indeed, and quite visual." Yuzu nods, and provides a thankful bow to the Scorpion for the display.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

He returned the bow.

"An honor." That's what you're supposed to say, right. He regarded the Kakita. "I'd heard that Emperors often learned the Kakita style, I did not know the same was true of the Seppun. How long have you been training the young lord?'