The New Winds

Saburo, privately, was glad that it was not Sasaiko. Taryu-Jiai made him more nervous than he wanted to admit to almost anyone. Unlike the precision of the Iai strike, which could be directed more easily in such a fashion as to demonstrate skill in a duel of the appropriate venue and thus not draw blood, the raw force of Isawa's method in settling disputes of a mystical nature was far less easy to control. These powers were devastating and, while he trusted that she was a stalwart and difficult person to truly hurt, the idea wasn't exactly high on his list of things to do on any day.

Then again, he was also rather fond of what he would call a friend within the Mantis, so his nerves were still there. Still, this was an opportunity... He bowed to her low and smiled as he rose. "You know. I have been looking for an opportunity to see the force of the crashing wave for over a year now. I didn't expect it would be today, but I'm not displeased by that. Let us see what they have taught you on the high seas, friend." As he assumed his stance and directed his gaze at her, the slowness of his body was nothing compared to the clarity of his vision into the truth of things.

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Initiative: 12

(Awareness-Spellcraft is rolled already, but will wait for you to roll Initiative before entering Assessment)

Mai bows to her opponent. "Well, I look forward to this. If I win, I can claim that I am the winner from last year's dojo by besting you. If I lose, well, I still technically one." She gives her opponent a sly wink and prepares for the duel. She looks him over.

((Exceptional success, so please PM me your Earth and Void Rings.))

Initative: 4d10o10k3 17

Assement: 4d10o10k3 28

The smirk that he wore on his face when she said that spoke volumes. He really didn't mind that much if Mai was going to be cocky. She knew how to do it properly. As he set himself and began to prepare for the conjuration, his eyes focused in on her with almost terrifying acuity. It was as if he pierced into her very being, hunting for everything.

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Assassement 7k4, Void for 1k1, 2 CR assuming TN 15: 39

(If you're counting exceptional successes, he has one: (Please PM me Water, Void, Earth, Affinity))

Saburo has +1k1 in the Focus Phase in addition to Center Stance bonus.

Mai considered the situation. It would be close, he probably had the advantage. But taryu-jiai was dangerous. Rather than risk seriously injuring or even killing Saburo, she bowed. "Good luck, Asako-san. I hope you get the match you want. I will root for you."

Saburo blinked. Nobody else in the stands blinked. Nobody anywhere near the stands blinked. A Mantis trained shugenja bowing to an Isawa just looked on the surface like an almost expected result. The difference between those in the stands and Saburo was that he'd seen what he'd seen. He knew exactly what she was capable of as a shugenja. However, when she bowed he was compelled by the rules of the engagement, and so he bowed right back with only a moment's hesitation. "Mai-sama," he said as people began to speak and a few sighed sadly at not getting to see the match play out. He walked towards her and spoke, motioning and gesturing. "I appear to have time before my next match. Walk with me a moment? Assuming you are going to see the Iai tourney?"

He... kind of wanted to know why she had bowed, but not make it a public matter.

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Recovery: Drawing the Void (TN 10): 21, +1 Void Point

Asako Saburo Wins +10 Topaz, proceed to next stage.

"Well, I am heading over there, but I can spare a few moments."

He nodded and, once they were free of the prying ears of others, he glanced over towards her. "May I ask why, Mai-sama?" He had changed the honorifics for a reason. "You had as likely a chance of emerging victorious as I, and we both knew it." He was keeping the pitch of it low enough that absolutely nobody could possibly hear without magical intervention, much less read lips at this range. It wasn't the sort of thing you asked the person who bowed before you. Yet, he wanted to know.

Mai thought about it. "Taryu-jiai is not iaijutsu. We can't hold back the same way bushi can. It is dangerous and really should only be used for battles to the death. I could see we were probably closely matched. But... well, I made a choice. My point total isn't high enough to be a serious contender. So, I made a simple decision and chose what I wanted more." Mai worried he would be insulted. But she didn't see it as insulting. She actually didn't think taryu-jiai should be treated like an iaijutsu battle to first blood. The risk, even a minor one, of Saburo's life wasn't worth a slim chance at the title of Topaz Champion to her.

Etiquette/Awareness: 5d10o10k3 20

A year ago, he would have bridled at the insinuation that he couldn't take it o the chin. Anything that would have implied he couldn't handle himself well enough. But that was a year ago now. He'd spent the year learning a great many things. When he tapped his lips, he simply nodded. "I am still a child, and so I am permitted to say certain things that I would not be able to in but a few scant hours, so I will... take advantage of this, while I still have that ability." A small breath. "I would not have looked at you unkindly for completing the tool, but your concerns are not unfounded. Taryu-Jiai is inherently dangerous. The potential harm it can unleash when you or I wield the kind of raw power I know you possess could shatter stone. Our kin? They will wield bokken. You are no bokken. I trust your judgment in this, and I fight in both our stead, and be doubly careful should I face my fiance."

He was unconcerned about the Topaz Championship, though he took on a wry look. "And since I am a child I am permitted to say that I agree with you... but tomorrow, we will likely say something very different if asked by our fellows again. There are expectations of adults, and it is the law of the land."

Mai is relieved. He understood. "Thank you, Asako-san. Good luck in the tourney. I am going to try to get to Hitoshi's match. He has been through a lot, so I figure I should be there to root for him. If he loses, I'll come back and see you win the shugenja division."

"He has. I haven't involved myself much, but it's been very obvious to anyone that something is not right there. It would be good if people were there to watch," he said, bowing to her. "And do not worry. I have little intention of failing in the coming contest. You can rest assured of that." Honestly? He barely thought about Tanshin, but when that man had suggested he bet on Sasaiko's match, he had privately decided that maybe his cousin needed a good drumming to remind him to take life or death maters more seriously.

"Go with the fortunes, Mai-sama."

Mai returns a proper good-bye, bows, and then

/exists

Mai is eliminated (+ honor for recognizing superior for)
Asako Saburo advances, earns 10 points, and has a new total of 222