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Post by Utaku Ryouko on Jan 15, 2018 12:10:09 GMT -5
As expected, the day had felt incredibly long. The Unicorn felt like she'd been thugged around from one place to the next all day. Sleeping only an hour the night before obviously hadn't helped... She knew Tarik had even more plans for diner, and honestly, Ryouko needed to hit something. She hadn't had the chance to train all day yesterday, and the only kenjutsu class that had been up on the schedule was the first year one for beginners.
The moment class 3 had ended, Ryouko had therefore decided she would find the dojo, and train until she couldn't think. That would do her some good before she got stuck socializing again. It hadn't taken her very long to located the various dojo. She changed quickly, before walking in the first empty one she found. She carried her own personal bokken, which was in the share of her scimitar. The Utaku knew how to use a katana, but as it wasn't the weapon she would be using for a real fight, she saw little point practicing with one, hence the specially-made wooden sword.
As tempted as she was to rush the first dummy and whack at it, she knew she wasn't in the right frame of mind at the moment. So, instead, she sat down in the middle of the room, crossing her legs and taking a deep breath. A few minutes of meditation would help center herself... Hopefully she wouldn't fall asleep.
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0 
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 15, 2018 12:33:20 GMT -5
For the second time today, Akodo Seijuro finds his way into the dojo. He had practiced his iai plenty in the past few days, and it felt like a good long while since he had participated in a good round of basic kenjutsu. Already dressed in brown and gold hakama and gi, he removes his shoes and steps into the dojo. He pays all of the proper obeisances, to the various banners and pictures of the many sensei who had come through and trained in these very spots.
Next, Seijruo sets down his peace tied daisho onto a stand and pays them even more reverence. The blades of his many ancestors deserved only the utmost respect. After the twin swords found their place of honor, the AKodo finds the usual bokken and takes it once more into his grip. There was nothing like a good workout to beat out the frustrations and the noise of school's first day.
When he finds the floor, he finds a Unicorn on it kneeling in meditation. An Utaku... but not just any, the same one as yesterday. His golden eyes narrow ever so slightly, but only for a moment. Seeing as not to disturb the young woman's focus, he begins to stretch quietly.
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Post by Utaku Ryouko on Jan 15, 2018 17:07:43 GMT -5
Ryouko exhaled, slowly opening her eyes. She stared ahead for a moment, before the softest sound of footsteps brushing against the tatami makes her look behind her. She stared at the Lion for a split second, vague recognition flickering through her mind. She was sure she had seen him around before, but couldn't quite place it. Raising, the Unicorn offered the young man a bow, noting the bokken in his hand. "Good afternoon."
Should Seijuro look at her more closely, he might notice the bags under her eyes, and the strained look on her face. The girl tilted her head slightly, gesturing at the wooden weapon. "Would you happen to be looking for a sparing partner?" She asked, her tone clearly offering.
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 15, 2018 17:26:03 GMT -5
"Ohayou-gozaimasu," Seijuro greeted flatly, squat down on the grown in a butterfly stretch. He takes a few moments to finish, not answering her for now, just looking towards her with an even expression. He waited to finish before bowing to Ryouko, and taking up his sword.
"You seem tired, and I'd hate to take advantage of an opponent's weaknesses when they are on display so vibrantly. It seems yesterday, after you stormed off at the stables, you forgot both your sleep and your Courtesy, Utaku Ryouko-san." A pause. "Unless I am mistaken, and you have been practicing while your enemy rests. And that that is the reason why you looks so tired.... but enough of that. If you want a partner in kenjutsu, I'll be your foil."
No more words, only action. Seijuro raises the sword beside his head, perpendicular to the dojo floor.
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Post by Utaku Ryouko on Jan 15, 2018 17:53:03 GMT -5
Understanding flashed accross her features. Ah, he had been at the stable. She bowed more deeply. "I apologize for my actions yesterday, Akodo-san. I will make no excuses for my poor behavior." Her own weapon snaps up as his does, almost more by reflex then anything. "I hope you will find it in you to forgive me in time." She nodded once, before taking a step forward, wooden weapon striking downward in a slightly angled strike that aimed for his left side. [ Roll to hit: 7d10ro1o10k3 22 Dmg if hit: 2d10k1 6] |
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 15, 2018 18:07:50 GMT -5
"Forgiveness is earned, Utaku-san. Through actions alone. That is what it means to be sincere." The Akodo says those words as if he has said them a hundred times before; perhaps to himself. Rather than move out of the way of the blow, Seijuro remains standing in his stance. The wooden scimitar makes a resounding CLACK, slamming into his left shoulder... yet he seems unphased. Tougher than you average teenager. For he was a Lion. In an instant, Seijuro roars a kiai shout. This was not the practiced, methodical, surgical strike of the Akodo. The was the Fury of a Matsu. (Attack Roll 22. Damage 21.) |
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Post by Utaku Ryouko on Jan 15, 2018 18:22:58 GMT -5
"Indeed." She agreed, taking a step back as the strike connected. She brought her weapon back up just in time to attempt to guard against his own furious charge. Her right foot slid on the ground as she shifted her stance, but not fast enough. His own bokken slammed against her side, right into her ribs. She gritted her teeth, but uttered no sound just as he had. Ryouko studied his movements carefully, cirling for a few steps before sliding forward, this time swinging her weapon at a lower angle, the strike aimed for his right leg. [ Attack roll: 7d10ro1o10k3 20+6=26 Damage roll: 2d10k2 9] |
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 15, 2018 18:35:58 GMT -5
This time, Seijuro did not stand there and take the blow. After all, he could only handle so much punishment. Even if his gempukku required him to take a series of blows from his elder Matsu without crying out in pain. He tries to dash out of the way from Ryouko's attack, which comes in low and catches him slightly off guard. Just enough to give him a good WHACK! in the leg. His knee buckles slightly, yet the Lion is undeterred. Rather than back off and reposition, he steps up and into her guard. Seijuro raises his bokken, and brings it crashing down on the Utaku's shoulder with all the strength he can muster. (Attack - 32 Damage - 38) |
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Post by Utaku Ryouko on Jan 15, 2018 18:46:50 GMT -5
Ryouko was taken aback by the speed at which the man closed in the distance between them. She saw his weapon raise from the corner of her eye and reflectively tried to dodge it by bending forward. Unfortunately, she wasn't fast enough and that meant that a blow that was meant for her shoulder instead found her head.
The wooden weapon met the side of her head with enough strength to make her head snap back. She was sent flying to the side with a pained shout, crashing to the ground and rolling sideways. Head ringing, the Unicorn tried to stand again, only to crumble back almost instantly. The room was spinning, and she couldn't hear anything but the loud thumping of her heart. Fingers brushed against her hair and she could feel blood seeping between the black strands.
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 15, 2018 18:54:40 GMT -5
For a moment Seijuro stood there, watching as Ryouko collapsed and fell to the side. Only for a moment. Only until he noticed the blood on his bokken. He had meant to teach her through the match, a lesson about the day prior. But not like this. He had let his anger overcome him. Again. The pain of failure, of a lack of control swelled in him as he let the wooden sword fall to the floor.
Instantly, he knelt down to Ryouko's side. For a moment, he swore is it was not Ryouko but his mother on the ground at his side. "Ryouko-san! Ryouko-san, are you alright?" he asks, worry in his voice.
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