His right hand hovering close to the hilt of one of the two bokken, the Sparrow slowly drags one foot back, positioning himself in a strong, steady pose. A moment later, his left hand slowly moves towards the hilt of the other bokken as well... tentatively, but it does.
"I... remember my great uncle said a friend of his in his youth had learnt from a traveller. Now I think of it, it was one who was known to use both swords, now and then." He smiles. "My great uncle described his friend as having 'learnt from one who was a former ronin' from the northern lands, but now I think of it... it was most likely the story of a Dragon, turned Sparrow, ne?"
He smiled as he tells her the story... and the telling of the story seems to help him focus - just as he had told her before.
(OOC: Do we roll for duel init, then?
Assuming Composure = 2/10 at the start for bookkeeping. Might be less, but I'll make sure it doesn't get higher than that in earlier slots)
Haruhi nodded, and assumed the Niten dueling stance, with both swords in hand, but both pointed away from the Suzume.
Sparrow should roll init and then give me his secret strife staredown bid, if any.
Like in the story he had told Haruhi some days back, just 'telling' the story helps Senseki focus. His reaction is just as quick as hers, and the moment seems to give him some confidence as he smiles again and keeps his hands close to both bokken's hilts.
Sparrow Clan * Woodsman * Herbalist * Wicker hat * Disheveled hair * Clothes never fully clean
Not a penny to his name * A simple life is a good life * Life is sacred * The truth is always simple Status: 25 * Glory: 31 * Honour: Is the ideal * CP: 27 Carries: Common clothes, Wicker hat, Daisho, Knife, Sling, Daisho (as allowed), Medicine Kit, Pillow books. In the field: Ashigaru armour, Wicker hat, Daisho, Sling, Knife, Bo, Hunting Yari, Travelling pack, Rations, Pillow books.
(I assume this means you bid 0 strife in the staredown, in this case, lowest honor goes first!)
(Whoops. got logged out of sakkau. On gm's honor, she rolled 1/1 and 1
Haruhi let the world slide away as she centered upon the thing to come.
The Suzume focuses on Haruhi's movements and, with his feet still steadily planted on the ground, takes a deep breath as he tries to anticipate her movements.
(OOC: Keeping in Earth stance, Predict action! Prediction noted in PF. Sorry for the delay, was a bit busy here and still double-checking duel rules to try and get them into my head!
Also - yep, 0 strife bid in the staredown for round 1 )
Sparrow Clan * Woodsman * Herbalist * Wicker hat * Disheveled hair * Clothes never fully clean
Not a penny to his name * A simple life is a good life * Life is sacred * The truth is always simple Status: 25 * Glory: 31 * Honour: Is the ideal * CP: 27 Carries: Common clothes, Wicker hat, Daisho, Knife, Sling, Daisho (as allowed), Medicine Kit, Pillow books. In the field: Ashigaru armour, Wicker hat, Daisho, Sling, Knife, Bo, Hunting Yari, Travelling pack, Rations, Pillow books.
(I assume this means you bid 0 strife in the staredown, in this case, lowest honor goes first!)
(Whoops. got logged out of sakkau. On gm's honor, she rolled 1/1 and 1
Haruhi let the world slide away as she centered upon the thing to come.
The Suzume focuses on Haruhi's movements and, with his feet still steadily planted on the ground, takes a deep breath as he tries to anticipate her movements.
(OOC: Keeping in Earth stance, Predict action! Prediction noted in PF. Sorry for the delay, was a bit busy here and still double-checking duel rules to try and get them into my head!
Also - yep, 0 strife bid in the staredown for round 1 )
Round 2!
The raindrops seemed to slow as Haruhi studied her opponent's eyes.
Staredown!
2 Strife to each person
Secret strife bids for those not compromised.
Haruhi is set.
Non-Human * Gamemaster * Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy * Mastermind
Sparrow Clan * Woodsman * Herbalist * Wicker hat * Disheveled hair * Clothes never fully clean
Not a penny to his name * A simple life is a good life * Life is sacred * The truth is always simple Status: 25 * Glory: 31 * Honour: Is the ideal * CP: 27 Carries: Common clothes, Wicker hat, Daisho, Knife, Sling, Daisho (as allowed), Medicine Kit, Pillow books. In the field: Ashigaru armour, Wicker hat, Daisho, Sling, Knife, Bo, Hunting Yari, Travelling pack, Rations, Pillow books.
Haruhi lashed out with her blade almost faster than the Sparrow could follow. But follow he did! He barely managed to turn aside from the blow, though the effort did pull heavily on him. Still, her other sword was ready to ward off his attack!
Haruhi lashed out with her blade almost faster than the Sparrow could follow. But follow he did! He barely managed to turn aside from the blow, though the effort did pull heavily on him. Still, her other sword was ready to ward off his attack!
(Senseki takes three fatigue, but Haruhi did not land a critical strike)
The effort takes its toll on Senseki indeed, but, managing to step away, it's his turn to let the sounds and movement around fade as he centres his attention on the Mirumoto only...
...as he does so, he chants a story, of sorts. A very short one, with a particular rhythm as he lets his movements carefully follow each verse.
"a lonely leaf falls
the drizzling rain follows it
home - fragrant earth calls"
OOC:
As mentioned on Discord, the TN of her Iai roll should be his Vigilance, so 2... That means she causes 4 damage instead of 3!
I'm assuming the clothes' resistance of 1 applies, ne? So final fatigue taken to defend is 3
Focus Action triggers Mind's Edge... D11 EE - Duel vs Haruhi - Round 2 - Mind's Edge triggered by Focus on Martial (Melee). Sparrow tech + short story to roll Performance/Void, TN 1 | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1 1/2/1
ignored due to Void Stance!
: "next time you would receive strife, reduce the amount you receive by 3"
Void (from Mind's Edge): This effect applies each time you would receive strife before the start of your next turn instead
Void : Choose a ring other than Void. Reduce the TN of your next check by 1 if it uses that ring. - Choosing Earth!
At the end of round 2:
Composure: 3/10
Fatigue: 3/8
Sparrow Clan * Woodsman * Herbalist * Wicker hat * Disheveled hair * Clothes never fully clean
Not a penny to his name * A simple life is a good life * Life is sacred * The truth is always simple Status: 25 * Glory: 31 * Honour: Is the ideal * CP: 27 Carries: Common clothes, Wicker hat, Daisho, Knife, Sling, Daisho (as allowed), Medicine Kit, Pillow books. In the field: Ashigaru armour, Wicker hat, Daisho, Sling, Knife, Bo, Hunting Yari, Travelling pack, Rations, Pillow books.
Composure after staredown: either 3/10 or 6/10, depending on ruling above!
Sparrow Clan * Woodsman * Herbalist * Wicker hat * Disheveled hair * Clothes never fully clean
Not a penny to his name * A simple life is a good life * Life is sacred * The truth is always simple Status: 25 * Glory: 31 * Honour: Is the ideal * CP: 27 Carries: Common clothes, Wicker hat, Daisho, Knife, Sling, Daisho (as allowed), Medicine Kit, Pillow books. In the field: Ashigaru armour, Wicker hat, Daisho, Sling, Knife, Bo, Hunting Yari, Travelling pack, Rations, Pillow books.