When Miya Shikan asks her the question it seems too easy at first and Megumi does not know exactly how to answer. After a brief moment the words come from her mouth easily and softly.
"When a samurai is offered a gift it is proper to refuse twice. The refusals of course must be polite and clever, one would not wish to insult another for being offered a gift. Any who offer the gift once were not sincere in their presentation while denying a gift a third time is a grave insult." She stops here but wonders if it is enough, the Crane does not want to risk losing such an easy point. "The more personal a gift is the more favour shown to the recipient as well." Again she stops and begins wondering if that is enough.
Shikan tilts his head to the side for a moment as though weighing Megumi's response, before nodding once. "Very well, Kakita," he says to her.
Kuni Heihachi:
How does one deal with matters of commerce?
Sits in quiet contemplation for a moment thinking on the question
"Commerce has many aspects, from the value of the koku being valued at 1 bushel of rice.""True labor is performed by Heimen, while artistic labor, such as weaponsmithing, is done by samurai."
"Farming is done by peasants on their lord's land, in return for the food they eat."
"A farmer may only ask a ronin for payment for food at a farm. Though merchants may ask for payments at an inn."
Heihachi then waits for results of the test
Ume paused a moment, tried to best collect her thoughts on the answer. After the last defeat, this she just could not afford throwing away such an easy point over a matter of philosophy.
"Bushido demands that the lower classes be treated with compassion and mercy. The Samurai are their betters in many ways, and hence should not need to prove themselves by dominating those beneath them. At the same time, it is the Samurai's duty to uphold the order of things, so when the lower classes go wrong, they must be corrected as quickly as possible. Here, sternness and compassion need to be carefully weighed."
She waited for the answer, and hoped sincerely to have caught the gist of it.
Shikan's mouth twists slightly. "Spoken like a Lion," he says, in a voice not wholly approving of such an idea, "but sufficient."
Kuni Heihachi:
How does one deal with matters of commerce?
Sits in quiet contemplation for a moment thinking on the question
"Commerce has many aspects, from the value of the koku being valued at 1 bushel of rice.""True labor is performed by Heimen, while artistic labor, such as weaponsmithing, is done by samurai."
"Farming is done by peasants on their lord's land, in return for the food they eat."
"A farmer may only ask a ronin for payment for food at a farm. Though merchants may ask for payments at an inn."
Heihachi then waits for results of the test
Before Shikan can finish, Heihachi opens his eyes and adds....
Intelligence(Etiquette)3k2+5=34
Before Shikan can finish, Heihachi opens his eyes and adds....
Intelligence(Etiquette)3k2+5=34
"...The creation of swords and armor are the only crafts worthy of being performed by samurai; all others are relegated to the lower classes. Samurai do not concern themselves with material goods, so the practice of commerce is distasteful, even when necessary; exchanges between samurai are gifts, not petty comparisons of value, and when commerce must be performed, it is best to allow peasant servants to handle the actual transaction, to avoid having to deal with money directly."
Shikan, about to critique Heihachi's answer, closes his mouth, then sighs. "...Very well," he says sharply, and waves a dismissive hand.
In addition to your successes, the Crane dominate this exam, as one might expect. Kakita Amiko, Kakita Toru, and Doji Keitomaru all earn points here. Matsu Nimoro does as well, but Matsu Chigitsu seems oddly unfamiliar with some aspects of cultured society, and misses several key points in his reply.
The ronin Kenji does surprisingly well, earning a grudging acknowledgment from Shikan, but Maeda Oroko does not; nor, in fact, does anyone else. Chorotaku, Kagetora, and Tsuto, in fact, answer quite miserably, though most of the rest of the group is able to provide at least partial answers, if not enough to earn them points.
After the last contest, dinner is served, and then the crowd slowly disperses across the village. Chorotaku and his fellow Crabs descend upon the Poisoned Water Sake House, along with Yoritomo Kagetora and - surprisingly - Kakita Toru. The rest of the competitors retire to the House of the Laughing Carp, taking over the inn's common room for their own use, more or less.
The Shiba, having finally earned himself a point in the contest, is once again his jovial self, and heads back to Laughing Carp hoping to meet up with the Matsu that defeated him this morning. He leaves his katana with the inkeeper, sits at a table facing the door, and waits to see what the evening brings...
After the last contest, dinner is served, and then the crowd slowly disperses across the village. Chorotaku and his fellow Crabs descend upon the Poisoned Water Sake House, along with Yoritomo Kagetora and - surprisingly - Kakita Toru. The rest of the competitors retire to the House of the Laughing Carp, taking over the inn's common room for their own use, more or less.
Nagatsuna pauses outside the Poisoned Water hearing the great cheers and bellows coming from within. Later. We have more pressing matters to attend to and the night is young. Plenty of time to stop by here and celebrate later. He continues past to the Laughing Carp and takes a seat awaiting either Oroku's or Amiko's return.
Ume had put on some new clothes, taken a bath and prayed to her ancestors, giving thanks for their guidance so far. This of course had cut off some of her dinner time, and when Shiba Utsuru looked for her, she had just finished her dinner. "Ah, good evening, Shiba-san" greeted him, with a short, courtous bow. "I am glad to see you."
She remembered having asked the Unicorn contestant to meet with her as well. Yet instead of mentally beating herself up over making two appointments for the evening, she decided to treat it as a chance. "Would you mind another contestant joining us?"
"Would you mind another contestant joining us?"
"Not at all, Matsu-san. After all, the reason we are all staying at this inn is to *ahem*..." The Phoenix straightens his posture and begins speaking as though reciting from a scroll, "... foster understanding and comraderie among the future leaders of the Empire."
"However, in all of the day's activities, I do not believe we've been formally introduced. I am Shiba Utsuro. I was sent to this tournament as an alternate, and it is only because of a Scorpion's illness that I was your first competitor of the day." Utsuro has a playful light in his eyes as he rubs the shoulder that was injured earlier, and laughs, "Although I'm not sure if maybe the Scorpion had the right of things..."
After her dinner and her usual check-in on the stables, Yukari heads to the Laughing Carp. As she enters, she looks around to see who is already here - it seems many of the competitors have set themselves up here for the evening. Spotting Ume and Utsuro conversing together, she wonders whether she should approach the Matsu or leave her to her conversation for now. The night was still young after all, and there was plenty of time.
Heihachi heads to the inn, get a nice cup of tea and a pair of rice balls.
With a point under her belt finally Megumi will return to the Laughing Carp for a fair-sized dinner. Upon entering she will take a glance around the common room attempting to find somebody to chat with. She looks a bit upset that most people have already paired off and her frown grows more when she notices the Shiba occupied. Finally she sees a guest who intrigued her earlier in the day.
Megumi approaches Tamori Ryuko and bows. "Ah, Tamori-san do you mind some company for dinner? Your verse just before your riding competition was quite lovely. You must have a passion for poetry."
"Matsu Ume, as you indubitably noticed during the formal introductions earlier. I'm glad you followed through on your promise. I would have detested only getting to know your wrestling in this tournament."
She smiled as Yukari approached them. Things were working out relatively well. "Have you met Utaku Yukari yet? She has shown quite handsomely why her clan will always remain the masters of cavalry."
She ordered some tea for the group of them. Just the right way to conclude a high-tension day. Her prayers earlier had relieved some of the rampant tension that had characterized her earlier, and the fact that she was in the leading group, with just one point missing for her Gempukku was certainly a good bit of reassurance as well. She seemed fully intent to have a civilized, but quite entertaining evening.
"Matsu Ume, as you indubitably noticed during the formal introductions earlier. I'm glad you followed through on your promise. I would have detested only getting to know your wrestling in this tournament."
She smiled as Yukari approached them. Things were working out relatively well. "Have you met Utaku Yukari yet? She has shown quite handsomely why her clan will always remain the masters of cavalry."
She ordered some tea for the group of them. Just the right way to conclude a high-tension day. Her prayers earlier had relieved some of the rampant tension that had characterized her earlier, and the fact that she was in the leading group, with just one point missing for her Gempukku was certainly a good bit of reassurance as well. She seemed fully intent to have a civilized, but quite entertaining evening.
Yukari bows to Ume and Utsuro, smiling as she straightens up. The Lion seemed a lot more relaxed now, which was good. "Unfortunately, I don't believe we have met properly. It is good to meet you Shiba-san. And thank you Ume-san - you honour me."
Nagatsuna pauses outside the Poisoned Water hearing the great cheers and bellows coming from within. Later. We have more pressing matters to attend to and the night is young. Plenty of time to stop by here and celebrate later. He continues past to the Laughing Carp and takes a seat awaiting either Oroku's or Amiko's return.
Oroko appears first, but she is once again in the company of the other ronin, the thin man named Kenji. The two take a table in a corner of the room, Oroko's recent defeat in the horsemanship contest at Kenji's hands not seemingly dissuading her from quietly doing almost all of the talking in their conversation. She orders them some strong tea, and the two of them proceed to ignore the rest of the room.
Amiko comes in several minutes later, alone and looking quite alarmed to see Nagatsuna seated by himself in the common room. She gets control of her expression in just a moment, though, and slowly approaches him, bowing. "Hida-san," she says quietly, "I did not think to find you here. I would have expected you to join your cousins at the... sake house... celebrating your good fortunes so far in the tournament."
Heihachi heads to the inn, get a nice cup of tea and a pair of rice balls.
As Heihachi seats himself, the young Isawa, Tsutakito, approaches him. "Ah, good evening, Kuni-san," he says. "May I join you?" After he sits and orders some tea brought for himself as well, he turns back to the Crab and asks, "Have you experienced any further... occurences... like the one you felt last night?"
With a point under her belt finally Megumi will return to the Laughing Carp for a fair-sized dinner. Upon entering she will take a glance around the common room attempting to find somebody to chat with. She looks a bit upset that most people have already paired off and her frown grows more when she notices the Shiba occupied. Finally she sees a guest who intrigued her earlier in the day.
Megumi approaches Tamori Ryuko and bows. "Ah, Tamori-san do you mind some company for dinner? Your verse just before your riding competition was quite lovely. You must have a passion for poetry."
Ryuko looks up, frowning as though Megumi has said something potentially insulting. After a moment, though, she relaxes into a smile, and stands to offer a bow. "Thank you for your kind words," she replies. "And no, I would love some cultured company at my table." She notices Tsutakito approaching Heihachi at the next table, and adds, in a much colder voice, "Especially since I must suffer the company of those without culture whether I wish it or no." Her voice is pitched to carry, and both Heihachi and Tsutakito hear it easily, but to Megumi's surprise, she seems to be directing her statement toward the Phoenix rather than the Crab.
As Heihachi seats himself, the young Isawa, Tsutakito, approaches him. "Ah, good evening, Kuni-san," he says. "May I join you?" After he sits and orders some tea brought for himself as well, he turns back to the Crab and asks, "Have you experienced any further... occurences... like the one you felt last night?"Heihachi heads to the inn, get a nice cup of tea and a pair of rice balls.
"Konichiwa Tsutokito-san, no, I have not had any more visions" Heihachi thinks for a moment..."Perhaps I've been too focused on the contest."
Amiko comes in several minutes later, alone and looking quite alarmed to see Nagatsuna seated by himself in the common room. She gets control of her expression in just a moment, though, and slowly approaches him, bowing. "Hida-san," she says quietly, "I did not think to find you here. I would have expected you to join your cousins at the... sake house... celebrating your good fortunes so far in the tournament."
He stands and returns the bow, "Amiko-san, the people and customs of those who celebrate are familiar to me, I would be doing a great disservice if I did not try and learn some of the ways of the Crane while I am here. I have just come from a contemplative walk amongst your gardens and feel refreshed." Getting the attention of one of the Inn's servers, "If you would do me the honor of selecting a tea that tells the story of this land, Amiko-san." Pausing for a moment,"The fortunes are fickle. To celebrate now before victory is achieved is to invite folly. I will try not to keep you too long from sharing the stories of the day with your own clansmen."
"Unfortunately, I don't believe we have met properly. It is good to meet you Shiba-san. And thank you Ume-san - you honour me."
"Greetings, Utaku-san. When Ume-san suggested another contestant join us, I had thought to see her clansman. With no disrespect intended to the Lion, I am glad to see I was wrong. It is an honor to meet such a talented rider. You looked as though you were flying on your steed this afternoon - it was truly a sight to behold!"
The playful glint in Utsuro's eye is replaced by something a little more.. wicked ..when he catches the words from the Dragon at the other table. "It is a shame someone tried to upstage you by *actually* flying from her horse," the Shiba quips, loud enough to be heard by anyone actually listening, but not shouted over the other conversations.
Fairly surprised that the Tamori would direct venomous words toward the Phoenix the young Crane simply stands mute for a second. "I do not think," She begins but stumbles over the words. "That is, Tamori-san." Megumi takes another moment to compose herself before continuing. Finally she decides it is not worth arguing with the Dragon, Megumi knows nothing of the Isawa. Besides the two clans had a history thick with strife perhaps it was just a meaningless jab.
"Let us forget the presence of others for now." Her words come out in the casual way now. She takes a seat and orders some tea for the two of them. "I am curious to know how you are enjoying yourself in Crane lands. Have my clansmen treated you well?" Megumi pours some tea for the two of them while awaiting the response.
"Konichiwa Tsutokito-san, no, I have not had any more visions" Heihachi thinks for a moment..."Perhaps I've been too focused on the contest."
Tsutakito is about to reply, when the Tamori's words cut across their table.
She notices Tsutakito approaching Heihachi at the next table, and adds, in a much colder voice, "Especially since I must suffer the company of those without culture whether I wish it or no." Her voice is pitched to carry, and both Heihachi and Tsutakito hear it easily, but to Megumi's surprise, she seems to be directing her statement toward the Phoenix rather than the Crab.
Tsutakito reddens, but - though he turns and glares at the Dragon shugenja for a moment - he resolutely faces back toward Heihachi. "Indeed, the competition has been a great distraction," he says.
Fairly surprised that the Tamori would direct venomous words toward the Phoenix the young Crane simply stands mute for a second. "I do not think," She begins but stumbles over the words. "That is, Tamori-san." Megumi takes another moment to compose herself before continuing. Finally she decides it is not worth arguing with the Dragon, Megumi knows nothing of the Isawa. Besides the two clans had a history thick with strife perhaps it was just a meaningless jab.
"Let us forget the presence of others for now." Her words come out in the casual way now. She takes a seat and orders some tea for the two of them. "I am curious to know how you are enjoying yourself in Crane lands. Have my clansmen treated you well?" Megumi pours some tea for the two of them while awaiting the response.
Ryuko watches to see what Tsutakito's reply is, but when none seems to be immediately forthcoming, she looks back toward Megumi. "Ah... yes, Kakita-san," she says, picking up the thread of the discussion. "Most well. The beauty of my mountain home is without compare, but truly, the Crane have much to offer as-"
The playful glint in Utsuro's eye is replaced by something a little more.. wicked ..when he catches the words from the Dragon at the other table. "It is a shame someone tried to upstage you by *actually* flying from her horse," the Shiba quips, loud enough to be heard by anyone actually listening, but not shouted over the other conversations.
Ryuko breaks off, turning her sharp gaze on Utsuro, before looking directly back at Tsutakito and saying, again, loud enough to be easily heard at the nearby tables, "How typical of the Isawa. They have to find others to fight their battles for them." She snorts. "Last time, they had to steal an entire family just to get anything done. Makes you wonder how they even get away with calling themselves a 'great' family, as weak as they all seem to be."
He stands and returns the bow, "Amiko-san, the people and customs of those who celebrate are familiar to me, I would be doing a great disservice if I did not try and learn some of the ways of the Crane while I am here. I have just come from a contemplative walk amongst your gardens and feel refreshed." Getting the attention of one of the Inn's servers, "If you would do me the honor of selecting a tea that tells the story of this land, Amiko-san." Pausing for a moment,"The fortunes are fickle. To celebrate now before victory is achieved is to invite folly. I will try not to keep you too long from sharing the stories of the day with your own clansmen."
Amiko flushes, as if he has said something embarrassing or insulting again, but her voice is level as she orders a particluarly sharp green tea, from the "northern part of the Doji lands, very near Golden Sun Plain." When the tea is served, she pours herself a cup and one for Nagatsuna as well. "Be careful, Hida-san," she says. "The tea is too bitter to drink too much at once. One sip, only, to catch the spiciness and flavor; the rest is wasted." She stares him full in the face, as if defying him somehow. "One drink, only, is all that we require."
Heihachi avoids the unpleasantness by staring into his empty teacup
The young Matsu, quite surprised by the sudden change in the Shiba's behaviour, raised her eyebrows. She had not finished the race on horseback either, so the insult might as well have been directed at her. Besides, the Phoenix had just made it a point to challenge the dragons, a challenge these had all too gladly took.
This promised to be very interesting, but not the kind of interesting she'd like to be directly involved in. There would be plenty of duels on the third day, no need to conduct any by night.
So for the moment, she pointedly faced the Utaku, and continued the conversation. "Your trip was significantly longer, I would suspect. How fares the empire further from the crane lands?"
Amiko flushes, as if he has said something embarrassing or insulting again, but her voice is level as she orders a particluarly sharp green tea, from the "northern part of the Doji lands, very near Golden Sun Plain." When the tea is served, she pours herself a cup and one for Nagatsuna as well. "Be careful, Hida-san," she says. "The tea is too bitter to drink too much at once. One sip, only, to catch the spiciness and flavor; the rest is wasted." She stares him full in the face, as if defying him somehow. "One drink, only, is all that we require."
"Perhaps you are right. Small doses for an acquired taste." He could be refering to the tea but she doesn't think so. Holding up the tea to take in the aroma, "Ah, to honor Keitomaru-san for todays successes. Is it the harshness of those lands that have forged the competitor we face today, then?" With a slight smile he meets her defiant stare as he takes the opportunity to study her features appreciatively while taking a sip of the tea, showing no distaste of the drink. "In the tournament, do competitors from the same clan ever get paired? I imagine two from Crane dueling would be quite impressive."
Yukari smiles at the Phoenix. "Thank you, Shiba-san, although, it was my companion Arashi who did the actual flying today." There is a marked tone of warmth in her voice as she mentions the steed's name - it is clear that she thinks a great deal of her horse.
As Utsuro makes a quip about the Dragon shugenja, Yukari looks a little puzzled at first, before briefly wondering if he was referring to Ume and then realising who he was actually talking about. Ah.. this was probably some private fight she shouldn't get involved with. She wasn't quite sure what the best way to respond to this should be. However, Ume's change of subject gave her an escape of sorts.
"From what I saw, all seems well. Of course, I only travelled along the main roads to here, stopping at the wayhouses along them. Most of my journey was through my own Clan's lands and those of your Clan, Matsu-san. I may well have travelled along the same roads as you, for at least the last part of the way."
Hearing the venomous words issuing from the Tamori's mouth makes Megumi hesitate once again. It seems she wants to say something to the Dragon but instead the samurai-ko swallows whatever it may have been. Instead she takes another few sips of tea quietly watching her companion across the table.
"Perhaps we ought to introduce ourselves?" She begins hoping to curtail any further confrontation. "I am Kakita Megumi." Another awkward pause, the Crane is searching for something else to say. "Why don't you tell me a little more of the Dragon lands Tamori-san?"
Ryuko breaks off, turning her sharp gaze on Utsuro, before looking directly back at Tsutakito and saying, again, loud enough to be easily heard at the nearby tables, "How typical of the Isawa. They have to find others to fight their battles for them." She snorts. "Last time, they had to steal an entire family just to get anything done. Makes you wonder how they even get away with calling themselves a 'great' family, as weak as they all seem to be."
Seeing that his companions did not find his response to the Dragon's insults to be as humorous as he had intended, he bowed to them both, and in a soft voice said, "I apologize for my part in this spectacle, and for any that may yet occur. It is my family's duty to protect the priests of the Isawa, and I had hoped to refocus Tamori-san's attention upon myself. Please enjoy your conversation, and I hope to have the opportunity to speak with you both again in a more.. relaxed ..atmosphere soon."
Utsoru then rose from his seat at the table, and with a second, deeper bow, turned towards the table where the Tomori and the Kakita were seated.
"Please forgive me for intruding on your conversation, Kakita-san," he said as he bowed the two women. "The volume of your voice suggested that you were inviting others to participate, Tomori-san. Allow me to apologize by refilling your tea, and we will all return to our own discussions."
Utsuro waits for the Dragon's response before straightening, or even meeting her gaze.
"Perhaps you are right. Small doses for an acquired taste." He could be refering to the tea but she doesn't think so. Holding up the tea to take in the aroma, "Ah, to honor Keitomaru-san for todays successes. Is it the harshness of those lands that have forged the competitor we face today, then?" With a slight smile he meets her defiant stare as he takes the opportunity to study her features appreciatively while taking a sip of the tea, showing no distaste of the drink.
Amiko looks down, a bit of her edge gone. "Doji-san has indeed performed most impressively," she says quietly. "It is clear that the Fortunes have favored him so far in the tournament... but there is still much left to test ourselves on."
"In the tournament, do competitors from the same clan ever get paired? I imagine two from Crane dueling would be quite impressive."
Amiko looks up again, and this time her smile is all bared blade. "Oh, indeed, Hida-san," she replies, "I have no doubt you will see several Crane-versus-Crane matches during the dueling tournament. It is, after all, single elimination."
"Perhaps we ought to introduce ourselves?" She begins hoping to curtail any further confrontation. "I am Kakita Megumi." Another awkward pause, the Crane is searching for something else to say. "Why don't you tell me a little more of the Dragon lands Tamori-san?"
"Forgive me, Kakita-san, you are right to correct me on the courtesies," Ryuko says, bowing her head. If she feels any shame for her behavior so far, she does not seem to show it. "I am Tamori Ryuko, student of the Tamori Shugenja School, and I am honored to make your acquaintance."
She pauses for a moment, thinking. "The lands of the Dragon would no doubt seem very strange to your eyes. The majesty of the mountains is quite different from the plains or seashores you have here." She pauses for a second, then says,
"The roots of the earth
Grow up to heaven, white leaves
brushing snow from sky."
She starts to go on, but pauses as she notices Shiba Utsuro approaching.
"Please forgive me for intruding on your conversation, Kakita-san," he said as he bowed the two women. "The volume of your voice suggested that you were inviting others to participate, Tomori-san. Allow me to apologize by refilling your tea, and we will all return to our own discussions."
Utsuro waits for the Dragon's response before straightening, or even meeting her gaze.
Ryuko chuckles, not a particularly pleasant sound. "Your willingness to act as a servant becomes you, Shiba-san. Your great Kami ancestor did the same, did he not? The Tao teaches that one is never so tall as when one stoops to help another. Shiba-kami was truly enlightened." She smiles nastily. "It is a pity that his wisdom did not include foreseeing the nature of those to whom he knelt. Purveyors of heresy and cultists of corruption. Weaklings who require others, such as yourself, to fight for them. Cowards who insult all the rest of us as competitors by shaming this tournament with their unworthy presence."
Heihachi avoids the unpleasantness by staring into his empty teacup
From Tsutakito's expression, Ryuko has just crossed a line. "Forgive me, Kuni-san," the Isawa says quietly, his expression grim. "I fear we will need to continue our discussion another time." He rises and approaches the Dragon's table, coming up next to Utsuro.
"Forgive me," Tsutakito says in a tightly controlled voice, "would you perhaps care to repeat your last words for me, Tamori-san?"
"Forgive me," Tsutakito says in a tightly controlled voice, "would you perhaps care to repeat your last words for me, Tamori-san?"
"She has the most fascinating view on the history of our clan, cousin..."
Ume's chin dropped as she heard the latest exchange, and stayed there for several long moments. She tried to explain she misheard something, but no. That Shugenja had just insulted the whole Phoenix Clan, and their founding Kami to boot. Or at least, she this was how she heard it.
She knew that she'd not brook such an insult, but the Shiba seemed remarkably controlled in the face of the insult. Too much control, or just enough. Hell, her insides were clenching up with rage at the smug Tamori now. But she had just subtly told Utsuro to be quiet...
Was he trying to start a duel on purpose? He was a Shugenja, so... not likely, but why else?
Amiko looks up again, and this time her smile is all bared blade. "Oh, indeed, Hida-san," she replies, "I have no doubt you will see several Crane-versus-Crane matches during the dueling tournament. It is, after all, single elimination."
A look of surprise crosses Nagatsuna's face, "Are you saying, unlike the other tests, that their is only one winner of the duels? That does indeed make things very interesting. I suppose I should hope that those Crane-versus-Crane matches happen early then." The altercation catching his attention across the floor he nods toward it and says to Amiko, "It seems as if there may be some unsanctioned duels here shortly."
A look of surprise crosses Nagatsuna's face, "Are you saying, unlike the other tests, that their is only one winner of the duels? That does indeed make things very interesting. I suppose I should hope that those Crane-versus-Crane matches happen early then."
"Indeed, Hida-san," Amiko replies, clearly savoring the expectation. "The iaijutsu tournament includes all the competitors - all those who are willing to stand up, at least - in a single-elimination tournament, with the winner moving on to later rounds. Each winner earns two points toward their gempukku and the Championship, so - based on how many of us there are - the winner could earn 8 or 10 points. I'm sure the iaijutsu tournament will end up deciding the final victor in the Championship."
The altercation catching his attention across the floor he nods toward it and says to Amiko, "It seems as if there may be some unsanctioned duels here shortly."
Amiko looks at the spectacle, then deliberately away. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Hida-san," she says evenly.
"Indeed, Hida-san," Amiko replies, clearly savoring the expectation. "The iaijutsu tournament includes all the competitors - all those who are willing to stand up, at least - in a single-elimination tournament, with the winner moving on to later rounds. Each winner earns two points toward their gempukku and the Championship, so - based on how many of us there are - the winner could earn 8 or 10 points. I'm sure the iaijutsu tournament will end up deciding the final victor in the Championship."
A frown crosses his face, "I.....would have to agree. Do you feel other than your clansmen that anyone here poses a threat in the iaijutsu? I have heard that some Dragon are reknown for their skills."
Amiko looks at the spectacle, then deliberately away. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Hida-san," she says evenly.
Nagatsuna smiles coldly and shrugs, "Of no importance, perhaps I was mistaken."
It was all Yukari could do not to stare in disbelief at the Dragon shugenja after her comments to the Phoenix, especially after the Shiba's apology. She knew that if it had been herself on the receiving end of such an insult, she would certainly not have taken it as calmly as Utsuro did.
The Unicorn watches as the Isawa approaches the table. With every passing second, it was seeming more and more likely that a clash involving more than just words was going to happen. She had a feeling that the first day of the tournament was not going to end on a high note for everyone now.
"She has the most fascinating view on the history of our clan, cousin..."
"... Would you like to discuss this with her, or shall I?"
Those who are watching can see the muscles of the Shiba's back and shoulders tensing under his kimono, and the tips of his ears were turning the same deep shade of red. He had tried to keep this from escalating, but it seemed the Tamori held some ancient grudge against the Isawa, and was actually *trying* to shame herself by calling him out.
Struggling to maintain an air of nonchallance, Utsuro awaits the response from the Dragon.
Ryuko smiles brightly up at Tsutakito as he stands beside Utsuro. "'Discuss' something, Shiba-san?" she asks, her eyes still fixed on the Isawa's. "I was not aware that there was anything to discuss. I am merely stating facts, which all the Empire knows to be true." She lowers her voice then, and the fake smile disappears, replaced by a very sincere glare. "I am saying that an Isawa air shugenja has no business here, claiming to know the way of the sword," she snarls in a low tone, "and that his presence is an insult to all those who claim to follow the way of bushido or to understand honor."
"I do, indeed, understand the way of the sword, Dragon," Tsutakito replies, "and if you cannot find it within your honor to apologize to me and my Clan, I will demonstrate that understanding for you."
Megumi smiles inwardly as the Dragon seems focused on their conversation, if only for a moment. As the poem is recited the Crane sits attentively though her face drops when she notices the Shiba approach. The confrontation has reached a high point she assumes, but when Utsuro offers an apology all seems well.
"Do not-" Megumi begins addressing Utsuro but is quickly cut off by the shungenja-ko. When the exchange is given and Tsutakito has arrived it seems that Megumi can not take anymore.
"Enough!" She shouts rising from her seat, the pretty face of the samurai-ko a harsh red. "I can not sit idly any longer while you insult the most honored Phoenix clan and the kami. Your petty squabbling is unbecoming of a samurai, Dragon!" It is hard to ignore the distaste for that last word in Megumi's voice and it is even easier to see the insult she intended. "Our conversation is ended and should you persist you will not only be making an enemy of the Phoenix guests here."
With this Megumi's eyes are leveled squarely on Ryuko, her hands clenched so the knuckles go white.