Kakita Toshimoko Comes - Prepare Yourselves (Open)

[Asako Saburo]

Again, he returned the bow, his eyes straying briefly to the Toritaka before he spoke to Sanzo. "I am learning that, to an extent, all the practice in the world is not the same as simply doing the thing. Since it is a test of skill to cut an article of clothing or a token, it is a good way to avoid overburdening Asako Himeya-sama's abilities and at the same time for the two of us to see a duel in practice, though I still have a ways to go before next year." And a ways to go before tomorrow even, though he was reasonably certain he'd be ready for that at least.

[Kakita Kenji]

"Our sensei preferred to wrap our shinai in some cloth. However, this kind of excercise is also good for precision training," Kenji said after bowing to the other phoenix.

"I don't think we've really gotten to know each other yet? My name is Kakita Kenji, a pleasure.

[Asako Sanzo]

Sanzo nods along with Kenji's words. "Yes, my own training used the cloth as well. This whole paper thing is really quite clever, though. I'd hate to burden our sense with every little cut and bruise."

Sanzo returns the Crane's bow. "Ah! This one is Asako Sanzo, a pleasure to meet you!" He seems rather enthusiastic.

[Kakita Kenji]

"Saburo-san had good words for you, I'm pleased to meet you too" he said with a smile

Kenji had never thought that two people from the same family could be so different.

[Asako Sanzo]

"Ah, glad to share he didn't share anything too embarrassing!" Sanzo gives a good laugh at that.

"So how does this work? I mean, the iaijutsu demonstration was nice, but are we taking turns?"

[Asako Saburo]

Saburo glanced over his shoulder. "I wouldn't say that I could give any embarrassing stories without taking too much license with the truth, cousin." It almost sounded like a joke. Almost. "If you wished to pair up with someone, you're welcome to. I intend to take what I saw into account in my kata for a few moments."

[Kakita Kenji]

"Let's not forget our classmates, Asako Sanzo-san." Kenji looked at Quian and Sasaiko.

"Any of you want to practice Iaijutsu?" he asked.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko steps forward.

"I'm game for the paper-cutting bit."

And she attaches a paper as Saburo had.

"Who else?"

[Asako Saburo]

Saburo was tempted, but thought better of it. After a couple days ago, he was reasonably certain that he might have a little trouble centering himself against Sasaiko compared to when they met. Smiling, he nodded over to her. "I'll be interested to see this." Whoever it was that went up against her. Of course, he was similarly hoping she'd do well, even if it was just a friendly match.

[Asako Sanzo]

Sanzo shrugs. "Sure, I'm up for it."

He attaches the paper the same as Sasakio and gets prepared.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko bows to her opponent and assumes a centered stance, assessing her opponent.

(Assessment roll 12, https://orokos.com/roll/827411. Will need your Reflexes, please, assuming I've got the TN right.
Center Stance applies next round.
Armor TN currently 15; needs 1 Raise for the paper, per precedent in the thread.)

[Asako Sanzo]

Sanzo mirrors the bow and likewise proceeds to assume center stance and assess his opponent.

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Assessment: D9 Serpent, Iaijutsu/Awareness, TN10: 5d10o10k3 13
My Reflexes are 3! Also curious about your Ref.

Focus: D9 Serpent, Iaijutsu/Void + Center: 7d10o10k5 33 + 4 = 37

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko focuses herself on her opponent.

He seems to be just a bit better today.

(Reflexes 3
Focus roll, incl. Center Stance 32 https://orokos.com/roll/827417
Looks like you get the Strike
TN on the paper should be 20

Edited: Reflexes 3 means base Armor TN is 20, so paper should be 25. Apologies.)

[Asako Sanzo]

Sanzo is just a moment quicker than Sasakio, so close that it was almost a karmic strike! Sensing the moment upon him, the young bushi strikes. It is is swift and true and quiet, cleanly slicing his unfamiliar opponent's paper.

Sanzo bows to Sasakio. "Well done! You form was great, and I feel that I just barely got my strike off before yours!"

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Strike: D9 Serpent, Iaijutsu/Reflexes + Center, TN20 +1 raise = 25: 6d10o10k4 35 + 4 = 39

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She returns the bow.

"I am glad to have proven a challenge. Perhaps next time it will be otherwise."

She looks to their fellow students. "Surely ours cannot be the last pass today."

[Asako Saburo]

He nodded to the two of them, having watched their techniques. Respectively, it was the same basic level of ability, at least from his minimal understanding. But it was increasingly informative, to see each of these pairings in preparation. "Well done, both of you. I am looking forward to Kakita-donno's lesson tomorrow, if the rumors whispered are true. I hadn't expected another figure so august to be here, but to learn under their eye... will be something."

[Asako Sanzo]

"I will look forward to next time, then." Sanzo says to Sasakio with a nod.

He turns to the others. "Ah, thank you, cousin. Yes, I too am looking forward to tomorrow's lesson with Kakita-dono. I am sure it will be very informative, though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous."

[Kakita Kenji]

"Nervous is an understatement." Kenji said pretty serious. "He is the Master of all Kakita Students, so I must not fail before him"