The New Winds

Prashant had heard some people mentioning a possible games tournament coming up, and as he had little experience with games other than having observed people playing Go or Shogi now and then and some memories from his childhood, he had meant to go after one of the Sensei to see whether they could learn at least 'something' about them.

But somehow, he felt... changed after the last lesson with Tai Yu, He couldn't really put his finger on what was different - and he couldn't really know what exactly he would want to learn about games... But somehow, he felt he should do it.

He made his way through the dojo, his mind involuntarily wandering to the sounds and feelings around him as he looked for the Ikoma Sensei he had seen some times before. He had heard he knew some things about different games, so he sounded like the right person to talk to.

Ikoma Ikehata sat near the bath area, staring intensely at some frogs

Prash approaches the Ikoma slowly, bowing when he comes closer.

"Ikoma-sensei. Good afternoon." He looks at the frogs as well, curiously. He has seen them before, but never from up close such as this.

"Might this one take a bit of your time?"

"What do you need, Iuchi-san?"

He says without looking up from the frogs.

He answers also looking at the frogs.

"This one has heard some of the students mentioning some training in games, and even a championship were to occur during the next days."

He takes another slow step forward, looks at the Sensei, then down at the frogs again.

"I... haven't had much experience with games except for watching some playing now and then, and I heard Ikoma-sensei is an expert in them. So I was wondering if Ikoma-sensei could give me some guidance. I mean... about the meaning of games, as well. Their significance."

"Why, to match wits with your opponent of course! But each game has its own subtle flavor. Kemari is all about grace and dignity. Shogi and Go are that of a battlefield commanders skill. Letters are all about mystery and word play, and Fortune and Winds is about well, fortune!"

He reaches out and pokes a frog, causing it to jump away.

The Unicorn boy takes some time to answer again, instead taking another slow step forward and kneels, looking at the frogs.

"Hai... I think I understand", he finally speaks. "They are... contests of skill, then". He seems to be stating the obvious, but somehow it doesn't seem as obvious to him.

"I remember playing some games as a kid, but I felt them more as ways to bond than actual contests", he says. "Maybe... you could think of them as ways to improve your own wit, or test them?"

He extends his hand towards one of the frogs, as if trying to draw it nearer.

"Ikoma-sensei... do you have a preferred game? I'm wondering if I should try to learn some more about one of them."

"Hmm. It really depends on my mood. Today I am feeling...playful. So perhaps Kemari?"

"Hm. I'm afraid I have barely any experience with it, Ikoma-sensei. But if you wouldn't mind me taking some of your time, I would be happy to learn some about whichever you feel would be more to your liking", he says, looking at the sensei and smiling.

"Do you have a ball?"

He pokes another frog, watching it hop along.

He thinks for a while.

"I... don't. Sumimasen, Ikoma-sensei. Should I go and fetch one?"

"I'll go. Don't worry."

With that, he springs to his feet and saunters off.

"Hai, doumo arigatou gozaimasu Ikoma-sensei." He says, bowing respectfully but with a smile on his lips, then stretches, then stands looking at the frogs again while he waits.

A short while later, the Ikoma comes back, toss a ball and catching it with his hands.

"Have you played before, Iuchi-san?"

The Iuchi turns towards the sensei again, looking at the ball. "Not seriously, sensei. I have played with balls along with some of my colleagues a long time ago, but I don't think it was Kemari."

"The rule of the game is simple. We are not in the proper attire for it, but that doesn't matter much for just learning. It is a game between courtiers when they are in formal court wear. The must keep the ball from touching the floor, using only their feet, and without making themselves look foolish."

"Hai... I understand", he says, nodding and looking at the ball. "I'm... unsure whether I will be wearing very formal attire often, so... would Ikoma-sensei tell me whether I'm doing it properly, onegaishimasu?"

"Of course!"

And with that, the game begins.

The Unicorn boy tries to go along with the Ikoma, keeping the ball from hitting the ground.

After some time, he even seems to find some enjoyment with the game. He wasn't so sure about his posture and performance, but it was somehow fun!