Risen early Kiyo dressed in her usual breeches and top and entered the yard to set up a straw practice dummy. There was definitely something in the air today and she'd resolved to remain at the embassy on-call just in case someone needed a hand or an extra pair of eyes.

Damn Scorpion getting all up in arms, I thought they were supposed to be subtle. Next time they can solve their own damn problems, instead of making a fool out of the lot of us. And then that damn storm hit, where in Jikogu did that come from? she lets her arrow fly at the straw dummy, sending her frustrations with it.

I'd been sleeping in the embassy for the last few days. It was starting to be quite familiar to me. Some part of me longed to be back at sea but after transferring ships another part of me was hesitant to board the Half Moon. I wasn't used to it or its crew. A weakness on my part.

Wandering the grounds, trying to be helpful, I came across a young woman setting up... a straw dummy? Bemused I walked over.

"Good morning" I called out. Not that it was too good thanks to the miserable unnatural weather the day before and the less than pleasant weather today.

Another arrows leaves her bow and plants itself in the dummy before the Wasp lowers her yumi and turns towards the newcomer, "Ohiyo," she greets the other woman with a bow, her mismatched eyes studying her, "You're one of the Dragons that got transferred neh? I'm Tsuruchi Kiyo."

I admire her shot. She has good form.

"Ah, you are also from the Half Moon?" I bow once formally to the woman "I am Mirumoto Tomoe. Hohei. A pleasure to meet you Tsuruchi-sama". Bowing again I then stand up straight, stiffening slightly as I inspect the woman head to toe twice over. I play back her words and tone of voice in my head. I note the way she carries herself. I try to gleam as much as I can about her. Finally I finish by analysing her eyes. I almost recoil at first, the different coloured eyes surprising me, but my years of this habit condition my response and I continue to stare into her eyes for a good few seconds to see how she will react.

"Hai, I also sail on the Half Moon as hohei. Nice to meet you," Kiyo responds in a friendly tone, but that quickly changes as those mismatched eyes stare right back, daring the Dragon to say something about them, "Can I help you with something?"

I smile back, happy to see someone with a bit of defiance. Even if her eyes were possibly the result of some curse. I reaise she seems to feel strongly about it though, as her voice becomes sterner. I continue smiling "I have not seen anyone practicising kyujutsu yet. I could use some practice with my yumi myself. That is if you would let me join you Tsuruchi-san?"

The tension broken for the moment, Kiyo shrugs, "Hai of course Mirumoto-san," she tucks an errant strand of black hair back under her makeshift headwear, "I've not seen many that prefer the bow either, but I guess a ship isn't the best place to practice archery. Close quarters and all."

"Well, an enemy still has to close before they can enjoy close quarters. One can remove some of their number in that time" I reasoned back and dipped my head in gratitude at being allowed to join in. "I will be back shortly. I must fetch my yumi from my room" I informed her before giving her a wave as I left in a jog towards the main Embassy building.

---

It only took me a few minutes to get the bow, arrows and their holster before running back and then stringing the weapon. I also looked forward to perhaps gaining some insight from a Tsuruchi archer. "I am back Tsuruchi-san. My apologies for the delay". I looked towards the training dummy to see how busy she had been

"Hai, I only meant that firing a bow at a practice dummy on a ship can be dangerous with all the people running about," she replies, a light smile even touches her lips again, "Of course."

-----

Three more arrows have joined the previous two, and she was lining up another. She was obvious taking her time on each shot, training as much on form, accuracy and breathing. The arrow is released and plants itself into the target next to its brothers, all grouped nicely together, "Welcome back."

I her misinterpreted her words by taking them too literally. I begin to get a feel for the woman as quite easy to be around as I depart.

...

"Thank you... you have wonderful form" I say sincerely while admiring the shot. I take my stance two arm lengths away from her. I practice pulling the string taught and loosening it a few times before I take one of my arrows and string it.

"Domo," Kiyo replies, her hands already methodically moving to fire another arrow while the Dragon warms up. Her breathing growing slow and steady as she lines up her shot, she doesn't as much aim as simply sets the arrow loose as soon as the shot is lined up. She pauzes a moment to study the Mirumoto's form, but keeps silent.

I ready the bow into a raised position and adjust my feet until I have a solid and wide stance. I do this while looking ahead to the target. Instinctually I draw the rear of the arrow back past my neck by pulling on the string around it with two fingers and thumb. My eyes still set on the target I loose the arrow. It flies into the target with an audible thunk, slightly above the centre. Perhaps somewhere the neck or sternum may be. I had intended a little lower but am content with the shot

The archery activities, being so close to the Embassy, inevitably bring the Kakita calling. He's already prepared with yumi, quiver, and bowyer's kit. "Looks like you two have the right idea."

I turn to inspect the newcomer. Another face I haven't seen. He seems friendly, likely he knows Kiyo. I can only stare unamusedly as I realise he is a Kakita. I wonder how arrogant this one is? Wait until he finds out I am a Mirumoto bushi. At least he has his archery kit on hand. Perhaps he is an archer instead? "Good morning" I reply, perhaps a little sternly. "Mirumoto Tomoe. Nice to meet you". I keep my words to the minimum and wait to see what transpires.

"Hiyo! I'm Kakita Sugita." He replies genially. "Pleased to meet you. Mind if I join in?"

I shake my head to say I do not mind before glancing at Kiyo. It is her training dummy and her decision. I think she'll be fine with it though, she seems quite pleasant. As does the Kakita, surprisingly. His hiyo was kinda cute.

"OK. I'll just set up another target. Probably with less limbs." Sugita sets his stuff down and starts walking off. "Would you like one too?" He asks Tomoe over his shoulder.

"... please" I reply. The Kakita's laid back attitude is disarming after encountering so many others who weren't that way at all. My expression looks stiff as I think about it. It'll take me a bit to regain my focus

"Righto!" Takes a little while to get things, but Sugita comes back with random bits of board and sticks. "Now we just need to prop these boards up sturdy like and let fly. Got some limestone so we can make circles on them."

((ooc: sorry to leave you guys hanging)

"Ohiyo, Tsuruchi Kiyo," the young Mantis greets the new arrival between shots at her straw dummy. She takes a short pauze while she watches the Kakita set up his wooden targets. Shaking her head as she draws another arrow, "Pad them with some straw or cotton, it'll save you on arrows."