Armour of honour - week 1 - An unusual prize

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

(Say you are here and we can begin. 2 days to join - until Tuesday!)

It was an unusual prize - a silver and gold vase, surely ceremonial only as water would rust the valuable metals?. It sat atop a red cloth on a dark wooden chest, a single green stone glittering off its centre.

Why was an odd vase being offered as the prize for the iaijutsu competition? That was the talk of all those who assembled in the cleared out and now dusty field to the side of the town.

The wind was low, the sun was high and it was hot and stiffling. The ronin town watch leader, a well muscled man with a perfectly groomed beard, was chatting to each of those who would take part. He introduced himself as Kuroi - surely a nickname - as it meant black. None of his clothes were black though, nor his saya. Even his hair was more of a brown colour. That only added to the puzzlement of the guests. Had this man chosen the prize? How odd.

With the help of an aide he made sure there were 16 contestants so that the knock out competition would run smoothly. He personally apologised to the two students - a tall Kakita and a young looking female Shinjo - who were last to arrive until they withdrew their demands of entry. The sensei watching the event did not seem bothered. They should have come sooner. This is about being fast afterall.

The competition was simple enough - first contact or blood, no attempts to seriously injure opponents, live blades could only be used if both opponents agreed otherwise wooden swords and sheaths were provided.

The first round was between a Matsu and another Kakita. Some of the guests could even be heard betting on the match! The two agreed to use live weapons, the ronin captain providing a katana to each. It was to be to first blood. The two both adopted the center stance and calmly assessed each other, their hands over their weapon handles. To the surprise of the majority of the crowd the Kakita then stept back and bowed to his opponent before walking to the sidelines and returning his weapon. The Matsu bowed back impeccably, causing even more surprise, before heading to the side of the field for those taking part to watch from. The air was very quiet now. The day was becoming more and more unusual. Both known Kakita were now out of the competition and it wasn't even the second stage.

The second match was between a Mirumoto and a Shiba. They both elected to use wooden weapons. For the first time in the day the unusual result did not happen and the Mirumoto won smoothly, a bop to the Shiba's wrist as the Shiba went to strike ending the round.

[Yasuki Chad]

Bayushi Shinra watched the ceremony begining the Iajutsu contest with barely restrained eagerness. He did not know who would have the misfortune of coming against him, the ronin had only given the match number to him. The gold vase would make an impressive trophy one day, and a great conversation piece. No one would think it was a trophy for Iajutsu. It would go well with all his other ones.

His surprise when the Matsu won was audible along with his disapointment, and drew a hissing criticism from his Sensi. A dueling Matsu? The idea was ridicoulous.

He barely paid any attention to the secound match. He turned to his Sensi and asked, "Ryuta-sama, who is that Matsu? Do you know anything about him?"

[Toku Hirotomo]

Ikoma Arami counted his coins before storing them in a secure place. Ah, dear cousin, how they underestimate us, our might is not measured in armies alone.

He heard someone show surprise, ah, a Scorpion no less. Perhaps he could build upon that surprise. "An exquisite match, if I must say." he said turning to a courtier near the Scorpions. "I must say, if I were going to face such an opponent, I may allow my youth to allow me to feel a tinge of fear. Most unexpected, at least for those that think the Lion are only soldiers and not masters of the blade as well."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Arisu entered the contest, properly late as it would be for someone to watch but not compete. She was certainly no duelist, but Iaijutsu competitions were the center point of most multi-clan gatherings and so those who were important would be here. She wore a revealing summer kimono that depicted a tsunami scene, showing off just enough of herself to be temping, but not enough to cause a scene except among the older women who were just past their prime but unwilling to accept it. She carried a small intricately engraved metal fan, which she used to fan herself.

She winded her way through the crowd, meeting a few people before she found herself overhearing the conversation between the Scorpion and the Lion. Never being one to pass up a chance to meet people, lest someone be something important, she walked up next to the Lion, keeping her focus on the tournament in front of her, but speaking to them.

I have found in my days at court, that the Lion possess quite many more talents then the other clans give them credit for. She paused for effect. Then again stereotypes are not made if a majority of those clan members did not exhibit those traits. She hoped that would draw them in, sometimes it was best to start by alienating people, then drawing them back through conversation, a time honored technique.

[Kitsune Poxo]

Shosai stood in the edge of the crowd that gathered to watch the iaijutsu completion. Some would approach him to start a conversation but he would turn them away his attention clearly focused on the competition going on. Some would even try to start a wager but he would promptly decline that without so much as a thought. As he was not as practiced as he should be in the duel he found this to be his best and current opportunity to pick up no points to add to his own. While the prize was rather unusual he did not hold much interest in it at the moment. Maybe we will have to ask the winner if he could examine it once the completion was over but for now that would wait.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

(This is a trial week so expect a few of these oocs. Chad please note that unless someone important is explicitly there and named then nobody important is there. As such Ryuta would ordinarily have been absent. I'll add them to make this make sense though. Ryuta is the shugenja sensei though so... well, you'd have been better off asking Himeji right?)

Ryuta shook his head without looking at the inquisitive young Scorpion "I do not know any of the Lion students. It's not unheard of for them to study iaijutsu though. A few of the greatest Lion champions were able practicioners but... a Matsu?". He coughed lightly "It is a little odd". A smirk appeared on his face "but so is this whole event." Ryuta ignored the gossiping Lion, waiting for the next match.

An Ide walked towards the centre, bowing to the audience. He was not a large man, more a boy. He looked quite young. Scrawny too. A Hiruma bushi was then nudged by a comrade. She seemed to have been lost in thought. Trotting over to the ring she took a wooden weapon and sheath for herself and bowed to her opponent as he did likewise.

The match went very quickly, with two loud blows ringing out and both students stepping back in pain. A kharmic strike. The Hiruma had hit the Ide on the shoulder as she had been hit in the side. In the crowd, a few ronin began to argue about how to treat their bets only to be quietened down by other audience members.

Kuroi strode over to the ring and informed both that they had done well but would be out of the competition. This brought a mixed reaction from many in the audience. However, when Kuroi then went over to the small Crane group and said that the late Kakita had arrived before the other student and could therefore proceed to round 2 a few in the crowd grew very quiet. Had he been bribed to accept the Kakita while they had been watching the matches?

The fourth round was started very quickly, a Kitsuki man trained as a Mirumoto opting for live weapons begrudingly as a quiet Yoritomo picked up one and stared at him - daring him to accept the challenge. It was a mistake. The Kitsuki left with a bleeding gash on his nose, the equally sized Yoritomo flicking the blood away in an over the top gesture.

[Yasuki Chad]

Turning to Ikoma Arami with an incredulous look on his face, Shinra says, "Fear? Friend Lion I am exited! I came here to test myself against the most worthy young students of the other clans. And A Matsu good enough to force a Kakita to withdraw?" He laughs. "Ikoma-san, I can't wait!"

He nods at the Yoritomo after he scars his opponent.

"I suppose a Matsu duelist is no more unusual then a Yoritomo one. Friend of yours Moshi-san?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

No she put on a sour face under all her make-up, a rival of my family. It is good to see ones rivals fall, if this is an omen, it is a good one, wouldn't you say Bayushi-san?

She shifted slightly to face them, holding her fan now down by her side so that they might look upon her face, which now was graced with a hauntingly beautiful smile. The hours she spent in front of a mirror with her sensei would hopefully pay off.

Bayushi-san, you say you intend to compete, well then I shall watch, and cheer for you. I hope that you would remember me with kindness when you claim your victory prize. She let her gaze drift up to the jewel on the stage. If only I had something nice to wear once and a while, oh well. She sighed.

[Yasuki Chad]

Shinra caught her "subtle" gaze at the jewel and smirked. He knew she was trying to manipulate him. But then again, he didn't care. What use did he have for a random jewel. An up and coming courtier for a friend, well, it was always good to cultivate your alliences.

"Indeed it is good to see a rival fall. Tell me, what is the Yoritomo's Name? Perhaps I have heard of him."

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

(Yoritomo Kentsuta)

As the Yoritomo left the centre, some money exchanging hands in the crowd, the ronin captain turned to face the students. It was now Shinra's turn as well as the turn of a rather large Daidoji. At least he did not have a Kakita mon.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

(Slight retcon, I misread the original post, but we can wing it and make it all work with a nice bow on it).

She nodded, please that a rival would have to endure longer. The fall would be all the more sweet with the rumors that she had begun to spread about his.... love for Kakita women? No that was too easy. Perhaps his overconfidence could be spread.

His name is Yoritomo Kenstua, and his fall may not be as apparent as it might seem. Yes he won this round, but that means it gives him hope, hope that will make his defeat all crushing, especially considering his lack of.... skill at judging opponents. Especially such as to yourself, Bayushi-san. I'm sure you possess great skill at dueling. She flashed him a look that said, "All could be yours if you but win...." but then quickly looked away again.

[Yasuki Chad]

"Finally! Your Pardon, Moshi-san. This shouldn't take too long."

Shinra makes his way up to the dueling area."Would you honor me with steel? Or Bokken?" After taking the appropriate weapon He takes a long look at the Daidoji, then Bows the appropriate amount and drops into center stance.

(I take one raise on the assessment and I'm trying to get his Iajutsu Skill and Reflexes. As long as he does not possess better skill then me at both of those I will procede to the strike phase)

The murmer of the crowd fades to nothing. Only himself and this daidoji exist in Shinra's awareness.

[Toku Hirotomo]

"Good fortune, Bayushi-san." Arami murmured as he saw the man head to the ring. He then faded back to look for a good bet. He would bet on the enthusiastic Scorpion. He would then let it trickle down to the Bayushi that he had that much faith in him. A few bu for buying a friendship? A good trade.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

"Bokken. I have no feud with you Bayushi-san" The student replies with a serious face.

The two settle into their stances. Shinra is able to gleam some useful insight from the student's body language and compose (reflexes 3, iaijutsu 2, you beat them by 9! Sorry, 1 short of 1k1 for you!). Neither seems to back down, they remain intent on each other. It comes down to the draw...

[Yasuki Chad]

Shinra considers his opponent. His form is good, though not on Shinra's Level of course. For what seemed an eternity, though in reality it was only a few seconds, the two stared at each other.

Then Shinra struck.

In an impressive burst of speed he draws the bokken and leaps forward. His weapon hits the Daidoji in the ribcage as he moves past him. The Daidoji's strike was fractions of a second too slow, and missed the Scorpion Completely.

"This is the Start." Shinra thought to himself. "All will know my skill soon enough."

"Perhaps next time, Daidoji-san. It was an honor." Shinra bows low, concealing his smirk. When he straitens his face is impassive and serious.

He walked back to his place and awaited the next match.