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

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Horsemanship Event:

@ Kojiro's Run...

Kojiro would be the first brave soul to mount one of the ponies, as he was drawn to one mare that seemed to call to him. An unnatural bond seemed to form as soon as he mounted the animal, and as a team, they would turn to face the trials before them.

With surprising ease, the pony would leap one log after the next after the next, not missing a single step and carrying Kojiro safely to the second section.

As they got to the low faux-branches, Kojiro hugged low to the beast and bore through them as best he could, getting little bumps as he went! But nothing to see a Shugenja about...

The third section was more difficult, with footfalls and pitfalls scattered about. Would his newfound friend be able to guide him through without falling? Yes, yes it would; it would be a bumpy ride, but a safe one regardless!

The next section was full of dangerous daidoji with wooden swords. The pony would guide Kojiro through the mob as best it could, and surely, they couldn't get THAT many blows in bef-WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK!

... ow.

Covered in small welts now, with the Daidoji guards laughing nigh-hysterically, Kojiro would dismount for a few moments to check the horse's equipment, ensuring that it is a dudette horse rush the steed forward, galloping at full tilt as it crossed the finish line!

After scoring 10 points, a battered Kojiro would dismount, and his newfound ponyfriend would seem to be watching him, almost expectantly.

HORSEMANSHIP SCOREBOARD
Bayushi Kojiro 10 points

Kakita Zanzen
Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Isawa Sosuke
Horiuchi Sayoko
Ujina Denbe  

[Plainsfox]

@The Athletic Competition

"After the contest." Kojiro whispered to ume-chan. "Then I'll give you what I promised!"

Kojiro sat down somewhere to watch the other competitors do their run.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Horsemanship Event:

@ Denbe's Run...

Denbe would take the second choice of steed, though he apparently chose not to regard his so... intimately, as his predecessor had. Struggling to mount it, he would soon be ready. Watching Kojiro made it look not quite so bad. How bad could it possibly be?

Snapping the reigns, Denbe would be surprised as the horse began galloping full tilt at the hurdles! HOOOOOLLLLLYYYY SSSSHHHey it was doing it! Leaping log after log, it made quite easy sport of the entire endeavor. Hey, this wasn't so bad!

Denbe would feel pretty confident about his chances all of a sudden, but was almost caught off guard at the incoming 'low branches'! He was able to keep his head low and let his arms take most of the blows. That kinda sucked, but he made it through still mounted!

The third section was probably somewhat disorienting; Denbe could see the logs before, but had no sign of the ditches before he and his pony was practically upon them. Still, he did his best for being a novice at this at keeping his horse from recklessly faceplanting, which was an awesome thing!

Crap! Denbe almost forgot about the Daidoji! But horsemanship seemed simple enough and he was riding like a pro. Surely, he could navigate the 'invaders' much better than Bayushi KoWHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK!

... ow.

The Daidoji cheered as soon as Denbe made it through the gauntlet, and he was faced with the final straightaway. He attempted to get the horse galloping at a decent clip so he could do something impressive, but those bokken hurt at the steed seemed somewhat bored now, as it practically trotted across the finish line.

Also scoring 10 points, Denbe would get his opportunity to dismount, the horse wandering off to the more familiar stablehands of the Crane.


HORSEMANSHIP SCOREBOARD
Bayushi Kojiro 10 points
Ujina Denbe 10 points

Kakita Zanzen
Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Isawa Sosuke
Horiuchi Sayoko  

[Agent Sinistra]

@ Shogi Competition

While Kyumi would wince at the sound of Maru's nails, the smile would still remain.

She would then take advantage of Maru's last move and would proceed to place her in check.

"Your move."

((3k3, using 6 raises to put Maru in check and using one of the +5s for her roll, 21 +5 = 26, 26 vs TN 5))  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Shogi Competition:

Kitsu Kyumi has 1(7) banked raises.
Soshi Maru has 5 banked raises.

Maru would double take at the declaration of Check. There's... no way! But it was true. How did she even get tricked into leaving such an opening? How did she even get tricked?!

But it was a simple trap to escape, as she would simply maneuver her King to a nonthreatened position. She held her delicate hand on the piece for a few moments, looking(?) back and forth from the game to Kyumi, before taking her hand off. {Last void point spent, raising once to lower her TN, 26 vs TN 30. Kyumi gains a free raise!}  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Horsemanship Event:

@ Zanzen's Run...

Zanzen would be the next to brave the course. Picking the calmest, gentlest soul he could find amongst the remaining steeds, he would carefully climb upon its back, ready for the two to become the paragon of teamwork.

Little did he know, the horse he had chosen was actually the embodiment of Osano-wo, given flesh and blood so it could once more walk this mortal coil.

Rather than leap over the logs of the first section, the steed attempted to kool-aid pony its way through, an action that was so violent that by the end of the first segment, Zanzen was clutching the beast's side in an effort to not fall off and get trampled!

As he just barely was able to climb back upon the steed when it began galloping again, he lifted his head just in time to see CRACK! Even Raicho winced at the fact that Zanzen just broke a bo staff with his face, and was sent tumbling to the ground behind the horse.

After a short recess, he was able to round up his horse, worrying about the ability to use his sinuses later. Osano-wohorse seemed to be less hyped up on adrenaline this time, as the Kakita was able to maintain his grasp on the beast's torso... for now.

He was over halfway there! Zanzen had to persevere a bit longer, and he would... that was a lot of bokken. Apparently, Osano-wohorse had a deathwish as it rushed forward, and Zanzen was barely able to focus himself for the upcoming pain. Luckily, the Daidoji were a bit more merciful upon their fellow Crane. Only a bit, though. WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK!

Ahh, that probably brought back memories. With a final stretch before him, Zanzen tried to think of something clever to do. However, Osano-wohorse would not have it, as it was in a major hurry to finish the course. Upon crossing the finish line, it would proceed to buck Zanzen off and ride off on its own, Crane stablehands chasing after it in a panic!

Kakita Zanzen would score only 6 points this round, and Kuni Raicho would be waiting for him whenever his senses would return. "Are... you alright, Zanzen-san?"

HORSEMANSHIP SCOREBOARD
Bayushi Kojiro 10 points
Ujina Denbe 10 points
Kakita Zanzen 6 points

Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Isawa Sosuke
Horiuchi Sayoko  

[Agent Sinistra]

@ Shogi Competition

As easy as it had been for Maru to maneuver out of the trap, it was just as easy for Kyumi to swoop back in with yet another check.

While she won't dare to say anything, her grin and posture likely give off the feeling that she's fairly certain that Maru won't get out of the check this time.

((Using 6 raises to place Maru back in check and using the last +5 for Kyumi's roll, 3k3 + 5 = 18, 18 vs TN 5))  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Horsemanship Event:

@ Sosuke's Run...

Isawa Sosuke would be the next one to brave the obstacle course, intentionally picking a pony that had the least resemblance to Zanzen's. "I am a simple yojimbo, I am a simple yojimbo, I am a simple yojimbo..." he repeated to himself as he snapped the reigns, ready to go.

At the first stretch, Sosuke seemed to have full control of his pony, as it masterfully evaded each log by leaping over them. It nearly stopped at each hurdle, but whether that was the fault of the horse or the rider, it was uncertain. {19 vs TN 10, pass}

The second section of the course was those horizontal poles that Zanzen had cleared an opening towards the beginning of the area. Sosuke managed to persevere as he got thwumped upon his shoulders, keeping his head low. {20 vs TN 10, pass}

Next came the ditches, which seemed to be as difficult as the logs were. However, Sosuke's horse was apparently acrophobic, because at the first sight of a pit, it reared back and threw him from its back! Shrugging off the embarrassing fall, he would climb back aboard, only to be thrown from the horse again about 10 meters away! Silly phobiahorse! {10 vs TN 15, fail}

Next came the gauntlet of Daidoji. "Fortunes protect me, and Shinsei guide my path!" he announced as he attempted to barrel his way through the soldiers. He managed to endure the assault with minimal injuries, though the all-too-familiar sound of WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK could be heard. {20 vs TN 20, pass (barely)}

... ow.

Spending a void point for a brief flash of insight, now that the finish line was in sight. He would rush his pony across the final stretch, having time to show off twice; before rushing, he would pull the reigns tightly, causing the horse to rear back on its hind legs, staying mounted. As the pony charged down the lane, he would sit up straight, arms at his side, the wind in his face and through his hair as he crossed the finish line! {Void point for a rank, 2 raises, 20 vs TN 15, pass}

As he hopped down, he would have a big smile on his face. "And I am a humble servant of my Clan." He would end with a final score of 10 points!

HORSEMANSHIP SCOREBOARD
Isawa Sosuke 10 points
Bayushi Kojiro 10 points
Ujina Denbe 10 points
Kakita Zanzen 6 points

Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Horiuchi Sayoko  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Shogi Competition:

Kitsu Kyumi has 2(8 ) banked raises.
Soshi Maru has 5 4 banked raises.

Frustrated, Maru tried to figure out what pieces to move to intercept. But her ranks were scattered, and broken. Despite her best efforts, there was nothing she could do to stop Kyumi's 4th victory over her. {1 banked raise spent to lower TN by 5, 20 vs TN 30}

Slamming her hands on the table, Soshi Maru would stand up, leaning forward, her face mere inches away from the Kitsu's. "I despise you..." Growling for a bit, she would storm out of the competition.

WINNER: KITSU KYUMI



But how will Kyumi fair against the calculating mind of a Kaiu smith?  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Horsemanship Event:

@ Susumu's Run...

"..... well, jigoku..." Susumu spat, staring his gift horse in the mouth. Literally. Taking a swig from his gourd bottle, he would take one of the larger ponies, deciding if he was going to play, you might as well play big. "Yer better be like m' ship, or I'm gonn' be sooo pissed atcha," he warned the horse, patting it on the side of its thick neck. And then he would be off.

Out of the gate, he was doing fine. Susumu and company would maneuver around each log, making sure he didn't crest any dangerous waves by leaping over it, with alcohol in his system. {18 vs TN 10, pass}

He even managed to get past the staves, simply taking any blows to his head and torso unflinchingly. He was a strong, sturdy man, and could take a few bo shots to the body. Surprisingly, he made it through that jungle with only minor bruises. {22 vs TN 10, pass}

Like Sosuke, however, his horse didn't care for the trenches that were dug out. It would rear back and throw the surly Mantis off its back, sending him sprawling into one of the pits he tried to cross. So much for making the ride less bumpy! Upon managing to calm his horse down, he got it to leap over the small crevices that seemed to frighten it so. {11 vs TN 15, fail}

Next up, Susumu would have to face the Daidoji gauntlet! "I'M NOT 'FRAID OF YOU!" he boasted suddenly and unexpectedly. "YOU C'N NEVER OPPRESS TH' MANTIS!!!" he called out as he tried to ride past them... at a more casual pace. Surely, he could weather anything they threw at him. WHACK WHACK! "Hey! Stop 'at!" WHACK WHACK! "Watch th' face, jerk!" WHACK WHACK WHACK! "Yer swinging those kinda hard! Lay up, will ya?" WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK! "Hey, let me by! I can't get by!" he called out alarmed. But his bravado had allowed the Daidoji to surround him and his steed, which was unable to break through. There were a few more verbal complaints as the Daidoji continued to beat him, pulling him from this horse and pummeling him with the practice weapons. {10 vs TN 20, fail}

One mass beating later...

A half conscious Susumu, now with Hurt wound penalties, kind of lay slumped over the horse. The Daidoji had to help him back upon the mount, for the beatings seemed to leave him unable to do so. The horse kind of trotted along at a casual pace, as Susumu lay dazed and drooling upon it. Shortly after the horse crossed the finish line, he would simply fall off and land on the ground with a thud. {14-10 = 4 vs TN 5, fail}

So far, Susumu is trailing everyone else with a measly 4 points.

HORSEMANSHIP SCOREBOARD
Isawa Sosuke 10 points
Bayushi Kojiro 10 points
Ujina Denbe 10 points
Kakita Zanzen 6 points
Yoritomo Susumu 4 points

Yoritomo Hisashi
Horiuchi Sayoko  

[Raganui Minamoto]

@Athletics Competition

He just laid there a moment before waving for a guard to help him up. "I... think... I will prefer... to walk for awhile... and hopefully the world will quit... looking like canvas... after a child got into a painter's things." With help, he went back to line, leaning on a wall to watch it out.  

[Plainsfox]

@The Athletics Competition

As Susumu's run became too painful to watch, Kojiro would go over to a servant and see to obtaining the treats he promised ume-chan. Kojiro would then scratch behind the horse's ear in thanks for her effort during his run.

OOC:
Awareness/Commerce Roll (Untrained)
Results: 8  

[Agent Sinistra]

@Shogi Competition

Kyumi would stay sitting at her table, almost basking in her victory over Maru. Even if she were to lose this next match, she'd be okay with it. She'd defeated that terrible woman once again, and that was what really mattered. For the moment anyone.

She would start to set the board back up as she waited for her next opponent to arrive.  

[Mongooseh]

@Shogi competition

Kagae watched as Maru left and chuckled slightly at how immaturely she was acting. He stood from where he sat in the waiting area and was directed to Kyumi's table and he made sure his appearance was as good as it was going to get this evening before he arrived. Sitting down in front of the lioness he cleared the pieces previously off the board before greeting her,

"...Evening... Kyumi-san wasn't it?.. We've only met once before and we never did introduce ourselves to each other... I am Kaiu Kagae of the Crab... Pleased to meet you."  

[Agent Sinistra]

@ Shogi Competition

"That's right. I am Kitsu Kyumi of the Lion. It's nice to meet you, Kaiu-san."

She looked a bit more pleased than usual that he had actually remember at least part of her name. "You're the one who won the Lore Competition, aren't you?" She would flash him a friendly smile before getting down to business.

"You can go first you'd like. "