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Post by Mirumoto Noboru on Jan 31, 2018 16:38:24 GMT -5
Noboru noticed where their blades were and saw something in Uetani he hadn't seen in any of the other students, either this year or in his previous two years at the school. His eyes flit up to meet hers, a different kind of excitement filling the Dragon. Certainly there had been more skilled duelists than he, even Kakita Ibu had more skill when they dueled last year, but skill alone was never enough to claim victory.
A samurai had to know he could never be defeated.
The Mirumoto could still see into her soul so when he saw her desire it surprised him. For a moment he could feel it as well. Perhaps it was the challenge that he'd not had in three years? Perhaps it was the fact he found someone that was clearly his equal in the blade just as he'd found Hoshiko, his equal and possibly superior with the guitar. The Dragon stepped forward, licking his lips as he continued to look into Uetani's eyes and offered his soul to her. As a warrior. As an equal...
Then he remembered his Doji and lowered his blade. Noboru bowed respectfully. "It seems I am bested, Kakita-san. Your blade has found my throat. Were this a matter needing resolved, clearly the Heavens would have found favor with you."
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Post by Kakita Uetani on Jan 31, 2018 16:47:07 GMT -5
"You are kind to say so, but my life would end that day also." she confesses "A meeting of skill like our forbears I fear"
She saw the hate in him, felt it burning, but she saw the passion there too. He hated her, but not the true her. She could not deny that it was flattering in a way, vindicating to know that the sin was not hers to carry. She would not disrespect him by trying to accept it either. She trusted that those who hurt him, he would strike back.
"Your skill has been a lesson to me Mirumoto-sama. One that I will take with me"
Her breath is still heavy, as she feels the bloodlust unsated in her
"I hope, Flower-san. You are able to see, why I do as I do. I would give my life to make sure that a villain would fall, rather than walk free. Our system is not the same as some others, but it has the weight of our ancestors behind it. It is our duty to make sure that if it does not change, it still works"
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Post by Horiuchi Nadeshiko on Jan 31, 2018 16:47:54 GMT -5
Nadeshiko blinks and almost misses the strikes... almost misses the perfect lightning fast movements that leave both duelists at each others mercy. Each strike would have been a killing blow had they desired it. It left her slightly breathless as she focused on her notebook, switching to a new page as she swiftly sketched the scene before her before scribbling notes in the margins and all over.
"I am sorry for causing this anger" she starts, pulling off the wall to take a step closer to the pair "but I must admit... it has led to something beautiful. You are both... fantastic to behold. Your movements, your skills, everything comes together into a masterpiece. I thank you both for allowing me to witness this... even if I am the cause due to my poorly chosen words."
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Post by Mirumoto Noboru on Jan 31, 2018 16:57:18 GMT -5
"Words are why I struggle in this world," Noboru offered honestly, even if it left him a weakness Uetani could exploit later if she wished it. He looked away from them both even as he still breathed heavily as he felt his own rage still boiling within him, demanding it be fed in some way. Never sated, only fed and left to grow.
"You need to be more careful, Flower-san. Kakita-san and I were more forgiving than a Lion or even other members of our own clans might be. Because, in the end, words are more powerful than steel."
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Post by Kakita Uetani on Jan 31, 2018 17:51:15 GMT -5
She bows to him, and then to her
"Tradition is the core of our culture. To do things the way that they have always been done. We have to try and perfect that, but there are those that cloak themselves in it as a shield. Those who would abuse servants or act with impunity because of their skill with a sword. I understand why you feel the way you do Flower-san, but I hope that what you have just wtinessed. The strength of our training, my passion for justice and Mirimoto-sama's righteous anger. There are those who would coak themselves in Tradtion to cause pain... Those who use if for good must strive to be stronger."
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Post by Mirumoto Noboru on Jan 31, 2018 18:12:12 GMT -5
"One could also argue that progress is what keeps traditions, both the ones that define a civilization and ones that stagnate it, alive. Progress and traditions are neither inherently evil nor good, it's how they're wielded that makes them so as Kakita-san says. Those who wish to use tradition and progress to harm our people and our way of life live in constant fear of the righteous and the just, those who have the Will of Heaven on their side."
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Post by Kakita Uetani on Jan 31, 2018 18:14:57 GMT -5
She bows to him again, smiling. He had seemed a little objectionable to begin with, and the anger was so much... but underneath it all was the wisdom and the honour. People like him, and hopefully her would be the ones that would put the feuding aside.
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Post by Horiuchi Nadeshiko on Jan 31, 2018 20:43:35 GMT -5
"I do not doubt the veracity of your words or your actions... either of yours. Nor do I doubt your motives. I will think about what you've told me, what you've shown me today. I thank you both." she murmurs, offering the pair a full bow that lets her 'blonde' hair cascade down around her face before she stands and works studiously to put it all back into place.
"I believe though I will leave you both to your sparring and meditating. I do not think I am very conducive to that process. However if you wish to ... complain, or talk, or vent. I will leave my card here by the door just in case. I even do birthday parties." and with that she turned, pausing at the door to leave a pair of business cards on the bench before continuing out the door.
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Post by Mirumoto Noboru on Feb 1, 2018 0:32:01 GMT -5
Noboru bowed to Nadeshiko, offering her a simple, "Carry the Fortunes, Flower-san," then watched as she left to do her thing.
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