Keep Kama and carry on

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura had gathered all the tools required to make the weapon that Kokyou had asked for. The forge was fired up, ready to melt the steel and the silver.

The tiny Crane sat nearby, studying the designs that kokyou had prepared for her, thinking as she did.

[Kokyou]

Kokyou has both his hands on his waist. He looks to the forge with such intensity, one could say he was beating the goal with his gaze.

Nodding, he says, “ Har! Ye’re definitely going t' create the most powerful weapon this dojo has ever seen! Yer skills, me magnanimous presence. This will be the stuff o' legends 'n chanties o' glory fer many years t' come.”

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura bowed to Kokyou as he arrived, smiling.

"I'll do my best Kokyou-san. I must also insist that you either put on the protective equipment" she motioned to the gloves and apron to the side "or stay away from the forge. The heat there is hotter than a Matsus temper and would deal more damage too."

She moved to collect the steel and silver, then went to the forge to begin melting them down for the work.

[Kokyou]

"I like it hot." Kokyou wiggles his eyebrows and dons the protective gear. He's a fan or armor.

Closer to the fire, he looks at Sakura and starts to laugh to himself. Then shakes his head, holding his though.

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura was focusing, making the mould for the weapon while the steel was being prepared. Her tongue poked out as she carefully took out the mould to cool. There was a frown.

"What's so funny?"

[Kokyou]

"Jus' wondeerin' if I help ye wit' the..." He starts to laugh hard, and takes a moment to say, "bangin'."

Kokyou holds his stomach from the laughter and then shakes his head. "I beg yer pardon. 'twas jus' too good t' hold it t' meself."

[Doji Sakura]

"Do you have experience in this?" Sakura, who clearly missed the joke, just looked confused "shaping the mould is extremely important. If I do it wrong the weapon will be badly weighted and cause many issues."

[Kokyou]

His smile fades out. "I... don't."

Noticing she actually didn't get the joke, he smiles. The blush was definitely due the heat of the forge. Kokyou says, "Jus' tell me wha' t' do, 'n I'll follow yer lead."

[Doji Sakura]

"Oh, you don't have to do anything. It's ok" Sakura smiled warmly at Kokyu "this is pretty tricky work. Do you want some mochi? I've got some in my bag."

She turned back to the forge, adding "if I go quiet please accept my apology. This is where it's going to be really careful work, I have to carefully shape the metal in the mould while melting the silver, then I can add it to the weapon before cooling it."

[Kokyou]

"Definitely pretty!" He says, looking at Sakura, then at the bag and back at her. "I thank ye fer the offer, but I a nah much o' a mochi eater meself. I rather 'ave some salty grub, instead."

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura went silent, just nodding at that, as she focused on her work. Despite looking like a pretty little thing, she was extremely talented with her hands. The weapon begun to take form quickly as she prepared the silver, and over the next hour awful fumes came from the melting of metals that didn't seem to bother the girl.

After what seemed to be hours, she took a step back, wiping the sweat off her brow.

"There. It needs to cool down, but it looks done. What do you think?"

In front of her sat a pair of beautiful kama.



D3 Dog weaponsmith/Strength. TN15: 6d10o10k3 28 (exceptional success FR for quality)

[Kokyou]

While she was working, Kokyou secretly adds his mother's Mantis-made mochi (double the sugar and spice) into her bag without her noticing. Her focus was on the blades, after all.

As Sakura shows him the weapons, his jaw drops. The boys drops to his knees and extends his arms up to the Heavens, exclaiming theatrically, "By the Orochi's twirlin' mustache! This be the work o' the Kami. They surely guided yer wee hands into shapin' that crude 'n hardened metal into a deadly 'n majestic work o' art!"

Another thunder rolls outside, and he nods, looking proudly at the Doji, to say, "Osano-wo be proud!"

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura looked confused as the boy fell down and again got confusing. She then started to look worried.

"A-ano...is it ok? Did I do something wrong?"

[Vutall]

From outside, a sensei comes rushing in and looks at the two students.

"What has happened, is the Mantis boy hurt? I could hear yelling, so I came to check on you."

[Kokyou]

"Ye did perfect. Let's get it out 'n show it t' Osano-wo's thunderous laughs!" He mentions, looking outside.

"What has happened, is the Mantis boy hurt? I could hear yelling, so I came to check on you."

"Hurt? Nay. I be thrilled wit' joy. Look at how great that work o' art be!"

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura immediately looked relieved, but then looked worried when a teacher came running in. She bowed deeply.

"N-no! Nobody hurt! Kokyou-san apparently was excited by the kama I made" she motioned to the weapons sat on the table. The handles were carefully wrapped, and the silver over the steel glistened in the light of the furnace.

"They're not ready for that yet Kokyou-san. If you tried to wield them now you would burn your hands so badly that you might never wield a weapon again. You'll be able to have them tomorrow."

[Vutall]

"Ah, very good then."

The sensei walks over to where the two sickles were cooling.

"Very impressive, Doji-san. I have never seen a more pleasant looking peasant tool."

[Kokyou]

Kokyou lifts himself up and looks to the sensei with a deadpan expression. He remembers his mother's wise words and keeps his mouth shut.

[Doji Sakura]

Ano...thank you?" Sakura was confused, the praise felt mixed to her "Kokyou-san requested them and got the materials, so I made them. The silver on the blades I think is really cool."

[Vutall]

"It is a fine piece of work, Doji-san. Your school sensei would be proud"