The New Winds

Please conduct your match here

When Ginkarasu was called forward to be her opponent, Nobuko's face lit up. The little raven had grown so much and the course of the last few days had not made it easy to find time to speak with him. But now here he was!

"Gin-kun!" she greeted him with a cheerful wave and then a more appropriate bow as they got settled at the starting line.

"You look very well," she whispered loudly to him, her grin not budging. "And you've grown so much, too! I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw you yesterday!"


Whatever he answered, she was unable to give further reply to, because once they were set: the race was on!



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OOC
Ring selection: Void
Strength: 3
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Initiative: 4d10o10k3 9

D3; LM; Obstacle Course; First Sprint; Athletics (Running)/Trait
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; First Sprint; Athletics (Running)/Trait: 7d10o10k4 49

Will NOT Be attempting to cheat! That would be dishonorable!

Edited to add first Obstacle roll:
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Bridge; Athletics/Trait: 7d10o10k4 31

"Nobu-chan!" He waves back. "The crowds here are just giant!" He bows deeply back to her.

"Thank you! I thought I should grow my hair out. You look great! Stay out of the mud friend!" He grins widely before becoming more serious as they start waving them forward to begin the race.

Nobuko bolts out ahead of him though he does manage to catch up a little across the bridge.

*******************
Ring Choice: Water
Strength 3
Not pushing my friend in the mud!
D3 Obstacle Course: Initiative: 6d10o10k5 26

D3 Obstacle Course: Sprint: Athletics (Running) / Strength: 6d10o10k3 15 = 0 Topaz Points

D3 Obstacle Course: Bridge: Athletics/Strength, 1 Raise TN 20: 6d10o10k3 22 = 3 Topaz Points

(Nobuko 7 TP? - Ginkarasu 3 TP?)

He really had to run his darnedest to keep up. None of his ability to read the terrain or practice running up and down hills seemed to give him much of an advantage.

At the rope swings across the pit, Ginkarasu swings mightily. For a second, it seems like he almost glides through the air, the transition between land and rope being perfectly smooth.

Once he gets back to running however, it's back to a slow and steady pace. Maybe he should've spent some time yesterday praying to Bishamon.

He climbs up the wall impressively again, but only manages to keep the same earlier speed.

************
D3 Obstacle Course: Sprint 2: Athletics (Running) / Strength: 6d10o10k3 20
D3 Obstacle Course: Swing: Athletics/Strength, TN 20: 6d10o10k3 53 (+4 TP)
D3 Obstacle Course: Sprint 3: Athletics (Running) / Strength: 6d10o10k3 17
D3 Obstacle Course: Wall: Athletics(Climbing)/Strength, Void for +1k1, TN 25: 7d10o10k4 37 (+2 TP)
D3 Obstacle Course: Sprint 4: Athletics (Running) / Strength: 6d10o10k3 20

(9TP for Ginkarasu unless Orokos is cruel to Otomo-sama?)

The words of the sensei reached her but Nobuko had been finding strength in listening to something inside her that made her feel connected to the world. She took no risks in this. Nor did she really pay attention to Ginkarasu's position near her. She simply let the universe guide her - with the exception of the final obstacle, where she dug just a bit deeper.

Fortunately, the universe did not guide her into a mud pit, and though she was not nearly as fast or skilled as Ginkarasu on the obstacles, she did get pulled along to a rather shining victory. One she was surprised to have gotten when she finally came to a stop and let herself pay attention to the rest of the world once more.

"Oh... Gin-kun... That was exhilarating wasn't it?" She looked rather more full of life than usual, the activity 'agreeing with her' as it were.



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OOC
Sprint 1: (49-15)/10=3.4; +2 for higher roll; +3 for Exceptional (5)
Bridge: (31-15)/10=1.6; +1 for pass; +1 for Exceptional (2)
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Second Sprint; Athletics (Running)/Trait: 7d10o10k4 41 (41-20)/10=2.1; +2 for higher roll; +2 for Exceptional (4)
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Ropes; Athletics/Trait: 7d10o10k4 23 (23-20)/10=0.3; +1 for pass; No Exceptional (1)
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Third Sprint; Athletics (Running)/Trait: 7d10o10k4 25 (25-17)/10=0.8; +2 for higher roll; No Exceptional (2)
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Wall; Athletics/Trait + Void: 8d10o10k5 55 (55-25)/10=3 +1 for pass; +3 for Exceptional (4)
D3; LM; Obstacle Course; Final Sprint; Athletics (Running)/Trait: 7d10o10k4 37 (37-20)/10=1.7; +2 for higher roll; +1 for Exceptional (3)

Total before winner bonus: 21
Total points before ring reveal: 31
Orokos no Kami has been kind to Nobu-chan at this point in the day.

He finally catches up when she stops running past the finish line.

"You're really fast! And went up that wall like it was flat! That was a lot of fun! Any yojimbo you ever have is going to have to work hard to keep up, should there be any running!" He bows, honoring her victory.

She laughs at that, "I think the yojimbo should be more worried about ensuring I can run away if need be, than in keeping up with me."

Sure it was dishonorable to run from a fight, generally speaking, but the fact was that some people might have to. And being that she was no bushi, she would more than likely be expected to follow any orders telling her to.

"Oh, but you passed me on the ropes, did you not?" she asked, not really certain of that now that she was trying to focus. Losing herself to the universe was not something she had a lot of experience with and though she'd probably remember perfectly later, in the current moment her head wasn't quite as clear.

She grinned at him, her tone teasing, "I can't be sure, I think I saw some wings spreading wide."

"No no, didn't pass. I just caught up a little. You had the lead the whole way!" He laughs a bit. "And the big danger about running ahead of a yojimbo, is that if there's an ambush, suddenly you're that far ahead and alone!"

That was true and it struck a cord because that's basically how she almost died to the mountain goblins. Calling for Kenji to defend her and then running ahead...

"Well, I suppose if I'm ever in such danger again, I shall have to remember to slow down," she said, suddenly very serious.

He sombers as well. "I'm sure you'll do what's wise for that situation."

A look around. "Are you feeling as confident about your horsemanship?"

"More, actually," she said, brightening. "I have spent the last several months getting as much practice in as I can."

She stepped close and spoke in a loud whisper that would not carry, considering that they were relatively alone at the moment, "I have not yet told Moto Ichiro-kun, but his family gifted mine with several riding horses of Unicorn stock... and I was allowed to pick one to take as my own. "

He nods. "What an honor! I bet you're going to be really good! I practiced with a saw horse, remembering what we did back with the Ruby Champion."

"I am certain you were able to maintain your form, but I wonder how you learned to adjust to the movement of the beast beneath you if it... did not move?"

"That was easy! I put it in the ocean and rode it in the waves." He nods firmly. "Tied one end to shore so it wouldn't go out too far."

"Oh." she looked rather shocked for a moment there before laughing, "How ingenious! That means you must be very good in the saddle to be able to stay on something much less predictable."

"Oh! Well. I didn't say I stayed on. Much." He laughs a bit. "Got really wet though!"

"If you stayed on at all, then you learned more than most would have from the experience, I would think," she said, giggling at the thought of him being soaked to the bone in the waves while sitting astride a wooden beam and failing about trying to stay afloat on it. Of course, she pictured him much shorter and more childlike, because that was more comical.

"Do you feel you will do well in the competition?"

"I don't know. If the Kakita students are as good as Toshimoko-sama when I assessed his stance, then I doubt I've got any chance at winning the bushi tournament." He shrugs, "But everything else is going well! Yesterday, I managed to come second among bushi, just behind the Matsu."

"I'm hoping Kenji-sama enjoys our match though."

"I am... pleased(*) to have done so well against my fellow courtiers. It speaks well of my training, which was primarily through the Sensei of the Kakita Academy. So yes, I agree that when you reach the final tournament, you shall have a challenge ahead of you."

She smiled at Kenji's name, eyes going sad, "I hope he does, too. Yesterday, the fortunes were not kind to him. I should hope they have mercy on him today."



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OOC
(*)D3; EA; Sincerity/Aware: 8d10o10k5 46 just so pleased to have done so well

He nods, fully believing her. "His pride would be hurt if I go easy, but hopefully he's had some practice with horses."