Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Rain Yupa]

@ Crane Shenanigans:

Whether it was meant as an arm for an escort, or he wanted Kaori to make a called shot to the arm with her no-dachi, she declined both offers.

She would leave her large weapon at the entrance to the tent, in case she needed it. There was supposed to be no such aggressive actions during the tournament, but sometimes, a lady just needed to be sure.

"Honestly? Not well. I haven't even placed second in any of them yet. The best I've done so far was yesterday in the Lore competition, and that's not even what I'm good at." As much as it seemed she was really putting herself down, she seemed to be at terms with all of this.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Shogi Competition:

Kaiu Kagae has 6 0 banked raises. TN 5
Shosuro Naizen has 4 banked raises. TN 30

As it stood, there would be no way for Naizen to even possibly get out of this. Instead, he would pick up his King, and offer it to Kagae, standing up.

"Shows how little you know, doesn't it?"

Even if Kagae would not take the piece, Naizen would simply leave it in the center of the board and walk away.

WINNER: KAIU KAGAE!



When Kagae looked around after his long game, he would notice the gaming board. It seems that Makoto and Jiro had been done for quite some time, as they were simply chatting amongst themselves. A look on the board behind them that one of the players had defeated the other with very few pieces lost for either side.

Soon, noticing that Kagae was alone and Naizen had left without their notice, Jiro would bid a farewell before making his way over. "Guess it's you and me now, Kagae-san!"  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

There would be no response from Maru while she was praying. Though, eventually, Kojiro would happen to turn around and notice that Naizen was sitting quietly, patiently, upon his bed, simply watching the two other samurai.  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Shenanigans

"Good news, Naizen-san? We could use some of that..."

Kojiro would get up and stretch. "Either way, I thought it may be best if we went to a tea house tonight. Relax and refresh ourselves before the bloodbath that is called tomorrow."  

[Raganui Minamoto]

@Crane Shenanigans

He chuckled a bit. "I understand the feeling. I lost to the Matsu during the martial competition, though I believe I'll pay him back for that if we face in Iaijutsu. The other competition I did well in was placing second in the Juijutsu competition. I knew absolutely nothing of it before then. Of course, the Hare won with his feet." Zanzen absently rubbed his chest, wincing.  

[Mongooseh]

@Shogi Competition

"I would guess so Jiro-san" Replied Kagae taking Naizen's king before resetting the table.  

[Plainsfox]

Plainsfox

@Scorpion Shenanigans

"Good news, Naizen-san? We could use some of that..."

Kojiro would get up and stretch. "Either way, I thought it may be best if we went to a tea house tonight. Relax and refresh ourselves before the bloodbath that is called tomorrow."

OOC: Courtier check in case I forget ><
Awareness+ Courter: 5K3 (+3 dice to handle explosions, +3 for nicked modifier)
Two raises called
Results: 36  

[Psychofish]

Later in the night...

Denbe had mixed luck with his being productive. Upon bathing he'd realized that he felt exhausted, and retired to the shade of his tent to read his book, only to wake up some time later to discover that he had fallen asleep with Leadership open on his stomach. From there he'd had a great deal of time to think, and to do some small work on being productive.

It had grown dark, but thanks to his bit of a nap, the Hare feared he would be retiring late this evening.

Restless, he got up and decided upon a stroll across the grounds, quietly observing the others out and about, or by fires relaxing to chat and relax, as he debated if he should think about finding the Kakita he'd had three run-ins now again, or simply dismiss the idea until at least tomorrow evening when he could be sure, and get some candles to read by until sleep was ready to take him again.  

[Plainsfox]

@Late Night Shenanigans

The Scorpion thought that he may as well try to track down Kan tonight. If the monk were up to something, today or tomorrow would be the day to do it and Kojiro didn't want that to happen.

As the Scorpion walked casually through the grounds, he ran across someone with a similar intent it seemed. "Good evening, Ujina-san!" Kojiro cried out. "A shame about the tournament today. Tell me you won at least!"  

[Psychofish]

Denbe had not been expecting anyone to cry out to him in the dark, and startled a little to turn around and see...

...he blame the dark, but it took Denbe a moment to be certain enough to reply.

"Good evening, Bayushi-san," the Hare replied.

"I'm afraid I cannot say I did. Yoritomo-san took us to a climbing contest after you left. Fetching bells atop trees. I was close to remaining in at least another round, with one bell left and... I beat the rest there, and tore up the tree, and very nearly thought I had it in my palm when the bough gave out under me."

The Hare shook his head at his ill-luck.

"From how they were holding up, I suspect Horiuchi-san or he won. The Phoenix was struggling, but... not quite as much as myself, apparently."

That was accompanied by a sheepish grin, not quite apologetic as the Hare held an arm out, inviting him to walk with him while they spoke.  

[Plainsfox]

@Late Night Shenanigans

Kojiro would walk with the Hare. "Ahh...just as well. It's a shame that I can't live up to my ancestor's proficiency." Kojiro nervously tapped his family mon on his left sleeve, a scorpion swimming down a river.

"What keeps you awake at this late hour, Ujina-san? I think that most of the contestants are in bed. Tomorrow is going to be one fierce day."  

[Psychofish]

[Night Stroll]

"Ah," Denbe smiled a bit, "the old story."

He had forgotten that one. It might not have been the best choice for Kojiro to endear himself to him, but Denbe was at least certain that the Scorpion was less threat to him than the people he spent his life hunting for. He didn't need to be too wary, as long as he made sure to never show off his back too much. A good reminder.

"Soreness. Two sour falls in a row," the Hare joked, leaving his accidental nap unmentioned. "And thought. This will sound scatterbrained, but it's only just occurred to me that I've taken the first place twice, in only five days of competitions. I can't take tomorrow for granted, but I supposing I should move on..."

Denbe looked rather pensive about the matter- not bragging or jumping in excitement.  

[Plainsfox]

@Jade Tournament Grounds during the Night

"Yeah. That old story. At least we know that Susumu's never heard of it." The Bayushi chuckled. "You should advance to the Iaijutsu tournament, but there is too much honor at stake. You should still give it your all regardless!" Kojiro chided.

Kojiro looked up at the evening sky for a moment, worry clouding his face slightly. "So, tell me, Ujina-san, are you married?  

[Psychofish]

[Night Stroll]

"Yes, I would. Which is what troubles me," but he waved it off. "I intend to speak to Kakita-san about that later. I believe I may be able to convince him to help me refresh my skills. I am very rusty."

Denbe thought on that. Maybe it was revealing a little too much. Then again, the Crane would be very likely among the first grabbed up to champion any without a katana whom advanced, and it might not be ideal to show let him find Denbe's doubtless much more obvious weaknesses ahead of time. A downside either way. He only nodded in response to the suggestion for the next day- Denbe meant to take it with the utmost seriousness, even though advancement seemed assured.

Denbe was a little too stuck on all this- enough so that the next question took him by surprise.

"Married?" The Hare mused, resuming his conversational cheery tone, masking his more serious thoughts. "I am not, as a matter of fact. But if I do well in the next two days, I could well find out I am the next time I arrive home!" And laughed... not entirely sure himself how much of it was nervousness at the idea and how much was genuine mirth.

"Hare's often travel, and as I am a second son, with nothing remarkable in my inheritance or lineage..."

He shrugged.

"And you? Marriage on your mind?"  

[Plainsfox]

@Jade Tournament Grounds during the Night

"My marriage is, yes. My wife is Bayushi born and Bayushi bred, they say. Her beauty is compared so often to the fabled Yuki no Onna's that she took the name Koyuki upon her gempukku. We are expecting our first child soon. It ...has been an experience. I would rather be with her, but duty demands that I be here. She practically shoved me out of the door!"

OOC:
Awareness/Etiquette (Sincerity) 4k3 w/ 2 additional dice (Just feels natural to roll it right now)
Two Raises: +3 for nicked status
Results: 35