When Toru approaches Megumi, he is terse, almost angry, in his greeting. "Kakita-san," he says shortly, bowing only as far as etiquette requires, then straightening at once. He takes his stance - almost the mirror of Megumi's - but she can see the lines of tension, carefully checked fury, in his limbs.
Toru's Assessment roll, calling one Raise for information - TN 10 (4k2=24)
Ryuko is smug when she enters the dueling ring opposite Ume. "Nice work there," she says, "showing the Phoenix what a real warrior can do. Not sure what ever made him think he deserved a spot here in the first place, let alone made him try his hand at dueling. Best to send him on his way, so the real bushi can do our thing." She bows deeply, then takes her oddly two-sword stance.
Ryuko's Assessment roll, with one Raise for info - TN 10 (3k2=12)
Megumi approaches Toru still elated and she offers him a courteous bow. Her voice comes out smoothly but the joy she is feeling now is impossible to hide.
"Best of luck to you Kakita-san."
Megumi approaches Toru still elated and she offers him a courteous bow. Her voice comes out smoothly but the joy she is feeling now is impossible to hide.
"Best of luck to you Kakita-san."
Toru's hand comes to rest lightly above his sword hilt, as though about to offer Megumi a gift. His eyes slide slightly out of focus as his whole body becomes still.
Staring at Toru blankly does little to aid Megumi, though she easily takes her stance and concentrates upon the matter at hand.
Staring at Toru blankly does little to aid Megumi, though she easily takes her stance and concentrates upon the matter at hand.
Again, the crowd is treated to a display of this, the highest of Crane arts.
Megumi maintains her concentration but she knows this contest can't last much longer. She begins to feel the fatigue from her bout with Amiko and barely remains on task.
Megumi maintains her concentration but she knows this contest can't last much longer. She begins to feel the fatigue from her bout with Amiko and barely remains on task.
Toru Focuses, burning Focus Pool for Free Raise - TN 25 (5k3+5=49)
If anything, Toru becomes even more focused, though - somewhere beyond his awareness - his lips almost seem to move in a word, a word that is a name...
Megumi strains to continue the contest pushing herself beyond her normal limits. Somehow she holds on and even feels some of the stress melt away taking much of the burden off her shoulders. She visibly relaxes and allows the Kami to guide her.
Megumi strains to continue the contest pushing herself beyond her normal limits. Somehow she holds on and even feels some of the stress melt away taking much of the burden off her shoulders. She visibly relaxes and allows the Kami to guide her.
Toru Focuses, spending Void for Focus Pool and another for +1k1 - TN 35 (6k4=49)
Toru. Does. Not. Move.
Toru Focuses, spending Void for Focus Pool and another for +1k1 - TN 35 (6k4=49)
Megumi's intense concentration does not falter one iota and she maintains her stance in perfect harmony with Toru.
Abruptly, something seems to distract Toru - he twitches, as though a thought long suppressed has come to the fore, but before he can even register what the thought might be, Megumi's katana is in motion.
The breath stolen from her completely Megumi is reacting on instinct alone. Her sword issues forth in one smooth but violent motion her hopes and prayers on the outcome of this attack.
A loud crack can be heard throughout the Academy as Megumi's wooden sword meets with Toru's chest. The severity of the blow doesn't become obvious to her immediately but when she sees the splintered wood it is plain to the samurai-ko. She turns from Toru, her voice crying out with deep concern.
"Shugenja! Shugenja, please he needs aid!"
Ghosts from the past rise to the fore in Megumi's mind with frightening rapidity.
The breath stolen from her completely Megumi is reacting on instinct alone. Her sword issues forth in one smooth but violent motion her hopes and prayers on the outcome of this attack.
A loud crack can be heard throughout the Academy as Megumi's wooden sword meets with Toru's chest. The severity of the blow doesn't become obvious to her immediately but when she sees the splintered wood it is plain to the samurai-ko. She turns from Toru, her voice crying out with deep concern.
"Shugenja! Shugenja, please he needs aid!"
Ghosts from the past rise to the fore in Megumi's mind with frightening rapidity.
Toru drops like a stone, and blood spatters the ancient wood of the dojo floor as Megumi's wooden blade shatters, sending jagged points into her cousin's chest. A terrible hush falls across the room while shugenja rush forward, bending over him, scrolls that record prayers of healing already in their hands.
Long moments pass.
Finally, the sound of rough, agonized coughing echoes through the room, and there is applause as the shugenja carefully help Toru back to his feet. Saburashi raises Megumi's flag, indicating her victory, but he shakes his head disapprovingly at her at the same time. Toru bows unsteadily to his erstwhile opponent before limping out of the room.
Across the room, Amiko watches with utter disinterest as Toru hobbles away.
Ume bowed deeply, and smiled. "Don't ever underestimate her. She was good, and counted on that to see her through." She returned to her duelling stance, but something had entered her stance that had not been there before - some element of deceit.
Ume bowed deeply, and smiled. "Don't ever underestimate her. She was good, and counted on that to see her through." She returned to her duelling stance, but something had entered her stance that had not been there before - some element of deceit.
Ume, still somewhat drunk on her success in the previous round, moved towards her opponent. She still smiled, although the excertion of the last duel was visible in her entire stance.
Ume, still somewhat drunk on her success in the previous round, moved towards her opponent. She still smiled, although the excertion of the last duel was visible in her entire stance.
Ryuko assumes her sideways stance with barely a thought, right shoulder forward, front knee slightly best, both hands on sword hilts.
Ume, as she had learned, moved to the side, to force her opponent to turn as well. Gain control of the motion.
It was a decent idea. She moved with precision and conviction. Yet for some reason, maybe just bad luck, maybe the lingering effects of last night, she did not have quite the strength in her left thigh, and was off balance for just a heartbeat.
Ryuko Strikes, using Free Raise for extra damage so she can keep low - TN 10 (4k3=20, damage 3k2=3)
That heartbeat is all Ryuko needs. For all her arrogance and aggression, her strike is clean and quite well-controlled, barely raising a red mark on Ume's right shoulder.
Ume bowed, stunned. At first she tried to reason with herself, come up with some way to still win. No. She had no chance anymore. No saving grace to the Lion Clan. Just unmitigated failure and disaster.
She would not be able to contain her tears for long, but unlike last night, she had no desire to purge herself of the shame. She now deserved to live in shame.
Still, she could not allow anyone to see her. Doing so would make the Lion seem weak, and if she was a failure, then at least she would not be a traitor. So she brushed aside the talk, and headed for the nearest exit.
Megumi remains standing in place her body limping visibly with her head hanging just as low. The colour of her hair evenly matches her now blanched face and a little quiver can be noticed in her lips. She does not look over to see the results of the match between the Matsu and Tamori but when it comes time to face off in the final iaijutsu duel she weakly grabs another bokken and bows to her new opponent. Finally it seems Megumi takes notice of who the other person is and seems startled.
"Tamori-san, I... That is. Well." There is no strength in her voice and the Crane seems to choke on her words. Not knowing what else to do Megumi bows, quickly and perhaps a bit curtly, and takes her stance. Reluctantly.
"Tamori-san, I... That is. Well." There is no strength in her voice and the Crane seems to choke on her words. Not knowing what else to do Megumi bows, quickly and perhaps a bit curtly, and takes her stance. Reluctantly.
Ryuko seems supremely unconcerned about the previous goings-on as she bows to Megumi settles into her stance. On the other hand, Megumi can see that Ryuko's eyes continually flick to the slate resting near Miya Shikan that describes the current point totals.
Ryuko's Assessment, with one Raise for info - TN 10 (3k2=15)
The Crane settles easily into the Kakita dueling stance. Though her body suggests she is ready it is only the training under Saburashi that manages to keep her steady; her face reveals a mind racing in thought.
The Crane settles easily into the Kakita dueling stance. Though her body suggests she is ready it is only the training under Saburashi that manages to keep her steady; her face reveals a mind racing in thought.
Ryuko Focuses - TN 10 (4k3=18)
Where Tsutakito was the flowing breeze, Ryuko is the patient mountain - steady and waiting.
Perhaps the expression Megumi wears is a ruse; her stance does not fail and indeed she manages to move into better positioning despite the worry etched on her face.
Perhaps the expression Megumi wears is a ruse; her stance does not fail and indeed she manages to move into better positioning despite the worry etched on her face.
Ryuko Focuses, spending Void - TN 20 (5k4=20)
For the barest breath of a moment, Megumi thinks there is an opening, but even as she sees it, it is gone. Ryuko seems aware of how close she came, however, a new tension visible throughout her stance.
The Crane maintains her cool exterior and even her face seems to relax, but only by a small margin. Fingers twitch slightly above the weapon from nervousness, perhaps eagerness as well, but aside from that there is little movement in Megumi's tense frame.
The Crane maintains her cool exterior and even her face seems to relax, but only by a small margin. Fingers twitch slightly above the weapon from nervousness, perhaps eagerness as well, but aside from that there is little movement in Megumi's tense frame.
The Dragon shugenja-ko attempts to adjust her stance and regain her calm...
Ryuko Focuses, spending Void - TN 30 (5k4=25)
...but instead, it shatters entirely.
Ryuko Focuses, spending Void - TN 30 (5k4=25)
Megumi's stroke is swift. Solid. Merciless. It catches Ryuko on her exposed right elbow hard enough to draw a trickle of blood, even as the Tamori begins to pull her own weapon up. The bokken she held drops to the mat and clatters across the wooden floor to lie at Saburashi's feet.
For a moment, there is silence.
Then the crowd erupts. The audience, mostly Cranes, roars out its approval as one of their own claims the Topaz Championship and victory in the iaijutsu tournament both. The sound is almost a physical thing, washing away - for a moment, at least - the darkness of last night in a brilliant explosion of joy. In the viewing box, the twins smile - Hatsu actually laughs aloud - and the Emperor himself nods in appreciation.
Happy with his own performance Nagatsuna is completely unsurprised that a Crane has taken a tournament so obviously set up for them to succeed. Still, the duels with Amiko and Toru were truly breathtaking and he felt Megumi earned her victory through those. He waits for the young Crane to look his direction and gives a bow of respect. Now hopefully all the Crane would loosen up and at least celebrate a little. He looked forward to leaving this tournament and all it's courtliness behind him.
Amid the din of celebration a sheepish Megumi does little more than blush a bright red and promptly hide it under her sleeve. Uncertain as to what she ought to do she makes a bow to Ryuko then merely looks to the crowd.
Then the crowd erupts. The audience, mostly Cranes, roars out its approval as one of their own claims the Topaz Championship and victory in the iaijutsu tournament both. The sound is almost a physical thing, washing away - for a moment, at least - the darkness of last night in a brilliant explosion of joy. In the viewing box, the twins smile - Hatsu actually laughs aloud - and the Emperor himself nods in appreciation.
From the sidelines with the other competitors, Utsuro cheers for Megumi's victory, and gives a look of pure vindictive glee to the Dragon Samurai-ko as she is being treated by the healers.
He turns momentarily to Yoritomo Kagetora, and says something that causes a look of exaggerated despair to cross the Mantis youth's face before they both return to cheering.
Ume had retreated, and only heard the cheers muffled and from a distance. She did not much care right then, just needed some time alone without interference.
Did it really matter if she had come in second or third? No. Second place in a real duel was just as dead as fourteenth.
"only a fool duels a crane"
Yukari watches the rest of the matches with interest. She was a little disappointed about going out so early in the first round, but it was unsurprising considering her opponent. Megumi's defeat of Toru was somewhat shocking in its violence - it seemed that all of the Crane were striking hard in their duels. From the samurai-ko's expression afterwards, however, it seemed that she certainly hadn't intended to strike her clansman with such force. Yukari had to admit, she was glad it wasn't her on the receiving end of that strike. Had she beaten Toru in the first round, it could well have been her, afterall.
As Megumi's victory is finally announced over Ryuko, Yukari followed the crowd in applauding the winner. The battle maiden might have failed in the iaijutsu tournament, but at least she had enough points to earn her gempukku, and she was in a comfortable position in the listings. Nobody could accuse her of disgracing herself or her clan, at least.
After the crowd begins to quiet, the contestants who reached five or more points in the Championship are brought before the Emperor. He stands, leaving the viewing box set aside for him and making his way down to the floor. He looks, you think, a little more tired than he did when he arrived, and none of you can ignore or forget the simple white band he wears on his right sleeve, the band of mourning.
"Each of you," he says, "has proven yourselves worthy of our recognition. You are, from this day forward, samurai of the Emerald Empire, and we acknowledge your deeds before all here assembled." He bows to you, and a low gasp sweeps the stands. As he straightens, a servant approaches with a number of carefully wrapped bundles - they are your swords, collected this morning and held for this moment. "Offer now your oaths of fealty, and I will receive them in the name of your daimyo."
He begins with Kakita Amiko, and then proceeds along the line, in order of the points each contestant earned. At every stop (save for the Crabs, to whom the Emperor whispers a blessing instead), the Emperor listens carefully while you swear the oaths of fealty to your lords and then, ritually, offers you your swords three times. Each time you refuse, until the fourth, the number of death, wherein you accept that your death is the final and ultimate service you can offer your daimyo. That time you reach for the sword, taking at last the weapon you have carried but not truly earned till now. When at last it is done, the Emperor steps away from Megumi and says, "Rise, samurai of the Emerald Empire. Rise, warriors of Rokugan!"
All of the contestants step back then, with one exception: Megumi. As protocol demands, she remains where she is, standing but still bowed, awaiting the final piece of the ceremony.
The Emperor makes another gesture, and Kitsuki Arisu - last year's Topaz Champion and now a renowned Emerald Magistrate - approaches, an exquisite set of armor bound into a bundle as though for travel. It gleams in the afternoon light streaming through the windows, a pale yellow-gold shimmer seeming to surround it.
"You above all, Kakita Megumi-san," the Emperor says, and the crowd murmurs again to hear the honorific bestowed upon her, "have proven your worthiness, talent, and dedication to the ideals of bushido. You have earned our respect, and we shall reward you appropriately.
"As a symbol of our recognition, we present to you the Armor of the Topaz Champion, a treasure of the Crane Clan with a long history of honor and glory. Wear it in the knowledge that what you have done here today shall be remembered in the tales of our heroes, and that it nevertheless pales in value to your own soul. From this day forward, let all acknowledge this accomplishment! Let all acknowledge Kakita Megumi, Topaz Champion!"
Heihachi watches the proceedings with intense interest, while his gempukku in the Shadowlands proved his worth, competing in this competition proved his worth to the court, and specifically to the Emperor.
Heh,
Heihachi learned how to Iaijutsu duel during the competition...LoL
that's how I'll be spending 1 XP...(or is it 2?)
"Revenge and honor
Worn in an obi, like death,
Until drawn at last."
He drives the point of his wakizasahi into his stomach hard, jerking it sideways with a twist. His face contorts as he twists agai, his mouth falling open in agony, but Akodo Gintaku, standing over him, slices downward so swiftly that no sound his heard. The head rolls free and stares blankly into the spring night sky.
Some months later, after Ume has returned to her home, she receives a letter:
"Ume-chan,
I know that you do not, in all likelihood, look back on our time together with fondness; nevertheless, I hope the memory is not entirely unpleasant either. I myself treasure that memory, and though I have no hope or expectation that anything like it will happen again, I rejoice that I am spared the sin of regret when it crosses my mind.
It may have occured to you to wonder, on the basis of my Clan's reputation, whether I intend some misfortune to befall you, as what I know could prove a weapon to my hand against you. If such thoughts have struck you, set them aside. It is, indeed, in the nature of the scorpion to sting, but we an, if we choose, withhold our venom.
Yours sincerely,
Bayushi Tenmaku."
"Oh, very well done," the ancestor snaps irritably. "You managed indeed to not completely embarrass our family - I suppose I should be grateful for that. You were outshone by a pair of Crabs, you lost in the tournament in the first round, but oh yes, you did actually manage to complete your gempukku, so I really should be grateful."
"Except that now you will have so many more chances to embarrass us."
The old woman flickers and wavers for a moment, then waves her hand dismissively. "Go home, child. Rest. It will only get worse from here." And then she is gone, the only sound that of Arashi placidly lapping at the stream.
"If you will accept my recommendation, continue to develop your meditation techniques, and learn all you can of the Fortunes. Perhaps that way, you will know next time what they are trying to tell you." He bows deeply once more. "Congratulations on your success here, Kuni-sama."