[D1LA] Facing the Heart of the Wind (Open)

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

For their part, the Scorpion noted knives appearing from sleeves without making any fuss.

A bow and assuming basic stance, Hikimasu began drills.

[Kitsuki Kiyonobu]

"We could spare or exchange tips..."

With a sudden arm movement she made a second wooden dagger drop from her sleeve into her free hand:

"Because I'm pretty sure you have things to teach me. Using a second dagger at the same time it's definitely not a style I'm used to, even if I sometimes – rarely – do, when I need to double down on the gambit.

But that might depend on what Shosuro-sama here wants of us."

"I am not so skillful as to give Moto-san any 'tips'," Kiyonobu said modestly. "But I would welcome a bit of friendly sparring." He readied his wooden practice sword and faced Mitsuki in a wide, low stance.

[Moto Mitsuki]

Mitsuki assented with a nod, and shifted back to using only one of the short wooden weapons, holding it in one hand, the other flowing freely on the opposite side of her body, quite light on her feet as if about to jump.

---

No roll since the day has flipped, but I think it's safe to assume prestidigitation tricks with knifes just won't work against a Kitsuki... Especially since at the end of the day Mitsuki is Air 1, Skulduggery 0.

[Kitsuki Kiyonobu]

Kiyonobu maintained a balanced, solid stance, keeping an eye on the Unicorn's center of gravity. He held his sword poised to instantly counterattack should she dare to strike, relying on his superior reach to keep her dagger from reaching him.

[Moto Mitsuki]

If that was a real battle, Mitsuki would never have played fair against such odds. She would have tried to circumvent the enemy to force them on the aggressor role, or even retreat until she could retrieve a better weapon or her horse.

But the advantage of the training is that you could at least try something that would have killed you in real life.

So she attempted a feint on the upper left side, immediately followed by a tentative leg sweep and an actual attempt at hitting by the right side.

[Kitsuki Kiyonobu]

The Kitsuki's keen eyes seemed to recognize the feint for what it was, and he managed to step aside to avoid the leg sweep. Kiyonobu extended his sword in an attempt at a low counterattack on Mitsuki's forward hip, but this move left the Dragon unprotected against the Unicorn's attack, which connected with his forearm.

[Moto Mitsuki]

Mitsuki came from a line of ruthless warriors. If the attack had connected, it was likely the end of the match as she would have struck with everything she had. Not a lethal blow since she was using nothing more than a glorified stick, but still way enough to leave the poor Dragon with some big hematoma.

[Kitsuki Kiyonobu]

The Dragon let out a grunt as Mitsuki's blow landed on his arm with crushing force.

"Well struck," Kiyonobu commented, as he lowered his practice sword, making a conscious effort to maintain his composure. "Your technique is indeed ferocious, Moto-san. Thank you for the match." He bowed.

[Moto Mitsuki]

"To win with a single strike is a strategy shared by almost all clans. How we put it into practice is where the difference lies."

She looked at the Dragon's arm:

"Do you know who's in charge of treating wounds here actually? Training bruises should always be cared for properly. To be bedridden from an infected minor wound one had previously disregarded is a failure of duty to one's lord."