(D2, LM) Wrath of Heavens (Open)

[Seppun Yuzu]

The boy assumes his silent combat stance and gets ready to perform his kata strikes against Hikimasu's. Only his breath is heard coming out of his lungs as he closes his eyes and focuses.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the Seppun unsheathes his blade in a cut that drives his blade up to the Heavens, splitting the imaginary shadow enemy in half.

--
Phase 1
Spar vs. Hikimasu, Initiative, void/tactics | TN: 1 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Stance: Void
Initiative: Focus 3 + Successes 3 + Speed of Heaven 1 = 7
Gained no strife due Void Stance

Phase 2
Shadow Kata Strike with Bokken vs. Hikumasu using Rising Cut with Void/Martial Arts [Melee] | TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 3

Stance: Void
Initiative: Focus 3 + Successes 3 + Speed of Heaven 1 = 7
Gained no strife due Void Stance

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Even in serene motion, he still doesn't actually relax.

Hikimasu performed his kata as well, switching to a more adaptable method than being tricky. He knew if he'd been truly facing the Seppun, he would have just been beat there, but that's samurai things.

His method wasn't great for performance, but he did seem to feel a little better, this was training, and he'd have a lot of time to figure out how to achieve peace of mind while striking.

Hikimasu bowed. "A well-trained hit, Seppun-sama."

OOC
D2, shadow sparring with Yuzu, Water/Martial Arts | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Failed attack, not splitting shadow opponents in two, but -1 strife.

[Seppun Yuzu]

The precocious boy bows to Hikimasu. "I am grateful for my sensei to have taught me well. After all, my sworn duty is to protect the Emperor at all costs. No matter the circumstances, I must be ready to the defend the Heavens."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

He scratched his chin. He wanted to say something completely irreverent but the dojo just wasn't the place for it.

"Good", he said finally. "Can you show me that again though? We'll strike the same target, whoever gets there first uh...protects the Emperor. I'm sure you imagine this moment several times a day so it should be easy...but don't approach it by extending your nothing into everything like that", he said making a waving motion with his hand. "Filling yourself with the emptiness to clear all doubt is good, but in the end, struggles are what lead us to overcome bigger things. Try feeling more when you attack, not just being aware but enjoy the motion as you take it. From that state you can see things very differently, maybe even see them how an opponent might, and that's value to a guardian. What do you think?"

(OOC, Hikimasu is suggesting we both try the water approach this time and not rely on the void)

[Seppun Yuzu]

He narrows his eyes and mentions, as something strikes a cord, "Protecting the Emperor, and even training to do so is not a game to me. Shouldn't be to Shosuro-san as well."

After a moment to digest he says, "When Shosuro-san says enjoy the motion and feeling more, he means like... dancing around?"

[Nekoma Jae]

Jae makes her way to the Dojo quietly, still replaying her discussion with the Shika matchmaker in her head, trying to figure out what to make of the whole thing. She was hoping to take her mind off of things in the dojo, thinking it would perhaps be quiet at this time of day. She figured many may have gone to eat after their own meetings with the formidable Pei-Pei. As she entered though, she saw two others already there, seemingly in the middle of something already. She bows quietly, looking them over. An Imperial was hard to miss, and... a Shosuro, she recognized that mon, though Hikimasu didn't look like he was likely of the acting variety.

Jae pauses for a moment, looking between them. She could have sworn as she came in the Seppun just mentioned the two of them dancing.

[Seppun Yuzu]

The young Seppun notices the arrival and instantly fixates eyes on her to get a proper measure. Since she doesn't say anything, he simply nods the acknowledgement and looks back to Hikimasu. He does, though, think she should follow protocol at some point.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

He narrows his eyes and mentions, as something strikes a cord, "Protecting the Emperor, and even training to do so is not a game to me. Shouldn't be to Shosuro-san as well."

After a moment to digest he says, "When Shosuro-san says enjoy the motion and feeling more, he means like... dancing around?"

"No, it's only a different form of awareness", he said. "A different method of thought. You struck, struck well, but honestly I feel better about my failure and you're still tense."

Jae pauses for a moment, looking between them. She could have sworn as she came in the Seppun just mentioned the two of them dancing.

Is that a Cat? is that actually a Cat? Adorable.

Good, I didn't say that out loud. >.>

[Nekoma Jae]

Waiting a beat to make sure that she wasn't interrupting the two when they were about to begin again, and noticing the Seppun eyeing her, she looked down slightly sheepishly, "Nekoma Jae, sorry," she says, perhaps a bit awkward given the circumstances and uncertainty of the moment but well meaning. She takes the opportunity then to pay respects to the dojo. "Just didn't want to interrupt." she says softly. She takes the opportunity to also take off her hat; a dojo was no place for hats, after all.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"Shosuro Hikimasu", the Scorpion bowed. "This is lord Seppun Yuzu, the governor of Chisei district."