Kyuden Shika

Nesshin may be released from regular duties for the moment, but that does not mean he will always be so--and he will have to be ready to resume them at a moment's notice. So he continues to train, even if the schedule is somewhat...off.

After bowing himself in and warming up, he takes a practice spear from the racks and begins performing kata. They must be practiced diligently.

The dojo was Shika Zang's second home (the first one could argue was the sake bar rather than his quarters, but not within earshot).

He grinned broadly as he caught sight of one of his students warming up.

"Evening, Neeshin-san! A good night to train, yes?" he said in his booming voice.

The spear whirls around as Nesshin does, the point snapping up behind his shoulder, and he bows sharply. "What night isn't a good one, Zang-sensei? And since it seemed I'd not be advertising too much to do it now, I thought I'd take advantage of it!"

His own voice does not have the Blessed resonance of the instructor's, of course, but his smile is every bit as ready.

Zang grinned.

"We train, we fight, we drink sake to celebrate the win, and then we train again for the next fight!" he offers as his wisdom. "So, how are you feeling about your training and your upcoming fight?"

"Like I've done well in electives but not as well in the core curriculum," Nesshin replies, grinning somewhat wryly. "Not because my instruction is lacking, of course," he adds. "Rather, because I've been distracted at times. And I'd not be able to do that as a magistrate, certainly," he muses.

"But I will face the opposition before me, and I will prevail. There is no other way!"

Zang nods with satisfaction.

"Truly, when the stag charges, none can oppose him!" he says, pleased with his students determination.

"And when does a stag charge hardest but for his mate?"

A grin spreads across Nesshin's face. Not wry, but pleased; a sensei's praise is valuable.

"Perhaps I might have another lesson?" he asks. It is the place, after all, and Zang the man.

Zang's grin threatens to split his face.

"Of course!" Zang said. "I'm always up for the thrill of combat, practice or no."

Zang studied the weapons rack.

"You're still looking for a magisterial appointment, right?" he asked while perusing the weapons.

"I've hopes that way, Sensei," Nesshin says, referencing rolls made in private. "And I know it's a thing to be earned; I just want to be sure the chance is there."

He adopts a rested stance, practice spear not ready but held upright, butt against the floor.

Zang nodded.

"Good good!" he said "I'm sure you'll be a fine magistrate. Let's focus tonight's training on some of the meaneuvers you mighty need to call on in such situations, neh?"

Rather than grabbing a spear, he picked up a very short practice blade.

"Knives are a popular weapon for a lot of reasons. They're concealable and cheap." he explained. "The spear has the initial advantage when fighting against a knife. You should be able to keep them away from you with ease. However, if they can get past your reach you'll need to back off to bring your weapon to bear...which an experienced opponent will be loathe to let you do. So, let's see if you can keep me off you, ne?"