(D1, MA) The Art Of The Blade (Expecting but Open)

[Kakita Sakura]

Sakura doesn't look offended by the comment, simply tying the blindfold over her eyes once more. "It took a great deal of effort for me to reach this point, Shiba-san. There is no need to apologise, truly."

Pacing herself slowly, Sakura raises her bokken, listening closely for the sound of Tomoe's footsteps. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

TN1 Tactics/Air roll; 1 success, 1 strife, 1 Advantage, using advantage to remove the strife gained from the check.

(Taking Air stance for first round, TN3 to hit)

[Shiba Tomoe]

"Well, Kakita-san, if you're sure. But yes, let's begin."

Tomoe readies her bokken, watching for any weakness in Sakura's stance. She remains fluid, prepared to react at a moment's notice to any attempted attack.

Sparring with Kakita Sakura: Round 1 Initiative (TN1 Tactics/Water) | TN: 1 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1
(using opportunity to remove strife)
(taking Water stance for first round)

[Shiba Tomoe]

Seeming that the Kakita has an intent on waiting, Tomoe steps forwards with swift decisive action, closing into Sakura's space. She attempts to anticipate a graceful defence, and cut in at an awkward angle, taking advantage of her natural flexibility to turn her advance into just as quick of a retreat away.

Sparring with Kakita Sakura: Strike! (TN 3 MA Melee/Water) | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1
(using opportunity to negate the gained strife)
(move in, move out with Water stance)

[Kakita Sakura]

Sakura responds quickly- indeed, she reacts almost as quickly as Tomoe moves. Her own bokken sweeps outwards in a precise movement, deflecting the Phoenix's strike- and further, she follows Tomoe's footwork, her own swift and certain as Sakura sweeps her practice sword downwards in a quick- but still solid- blow.

Sparring with Shiba Tomoe: round 1 strike! Martial Arts (Melee)/Air | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1


(4/8 Endurance, 1/8 Composure, using action to pursue Tomoe, 5 Fatigue dealt)

[Shiba Tomoe]

Adapting to the blow, Tomoe leads the force behind it away as she rounds Sakura, moving into her backstep to have another strike at the Crane. Her footwork shifts as she sweeps back again to her reactive stance, staying in constant motion.

Sparring with Kakita Sakura: Round 2 Strike! (TN 3 MA Melee/Water) | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

(using opportunity to negate gained strife, 2 handed grip, Water Stance)
(3/8 Endurance, 0/12 Composure)

[Kakita Sakura]

And that's Sakura's Endurance topped out, so Critical Strike of Severity 3- Sakura rolls to resist…

Skirmish Spar vs Shiba Tomoe; resisting Critical Strike, TN1 Fitness/Air | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0


And reduces by one to a grazing wound. First clean hit, however, and I’d count that as one)

Crack!

Sakura blinks as the blow catches her on her left side, striking against her kimono- the Crane stops at that instant, smiling as she bows- and takes the moment to catch her breath. “Haaaah… that was well-fought, Shiba-san.”

She breathes for a moment, a hand touching her side- it may bruise, but only lightly- before she looks at Tomoe. "You are quite skilled."

[Shiba Tomoe]

Tomoe looses a hard exhale as she drops focus now with completion of the spar, grinning crookedly, clearly having enjoyed herself. "I agree! That was excellent."

She stays free on her feet as she returns the bow. "Your technique is quite something, Kakita-san."

[Kakita Sakura]

Sakura smiles. "As I said, a great deal of effort went into it. Learning to judges the movements of others by the sounds of their footwork and their clothing, the sound the blade makes as it moves through the air..."

She hums. "But the effort was worth it. Is worth it each day, for a swordswoman is never done improving her skills, ne?"

[Shiba Tomoe]

"Never at all. You can spend a lifetime in practice and there will always still be something to learn. It's why I always prefer to spar, rather than run katas alone. Experience against another is the best way to improve."

She counts on her fingers. "Adapting on the spot, keeping rooted against a heavy assault, anticipating how to redirect and take advantage of openings. All skills I've learned through sparring."

[Kakita Sakura]

“Quite so, Shiba-san. The kata are certainly important as a foundation, but they cannot be all that one practices.”

Sakura smiles. “I can practice the draw all I like- but without a partner to practice against, it will merely be motion.”