Keeping in Practice (Day 7, Early Afternoon, Open)

[Jayant Utpal]

Despite a few odd looks, Jayant has taken the opportunity to take some much needed practice with his blades again. Especially since fighting looks to be breaking out soon again. The gaijin has opted to at least keep part of his shirt on and is wearing shorts as he moves through stances in a large clearing in the garden. His forward facing, deadly looking black steel knife flashes through the air with speed and precision. Unlike most who focus completely upon their katas, Jayant seems to be completely aware of his surroundings as he moves with a deadly power.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

Tomoe was wandering the embassy grounds when she came upon the gaijin. She hadn't seen him before but had heard enough talk from others and servants to guess he was the Rhumaali acting ambassador/aid of sorts. She wasn't really quite sure how it all worked. She did know he was at least a guest here and had been the same man who had been saved from the shipwrecks a few days before.

She watched his flowing practice with interest. Mostly because it was the first time she had seen one of them practice, let alone with these weapons, but also because it may provide some insight into how to fight others if it ever became necessary.

She did not want to be seen to be rude, choosing to stand in an obviously visible nearby place - though not too nearby to get in the way of the practice - so she could observe. She had heard the man was injured but he seemed to be quite competent with the blades. If it looked like he might stop she would say "good evening" in Rhumaali to him.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Weapon practice was not something Kaito spent a lot of time involved in usually thinking the best way to learn was battle but today apparently was different. Arriving on the training field dressed in his normal sailing attire of sleveless vest and pants added to it was some seemingly new additions to his normal clothing. Visible under his vest was a cord of well made silken rope fairly thin as such things went but strong and wrapped around his belly and at his side bounced a grappling hook alongside the kama usually found there.

Bowing to the two already present in the training area he pulls the Kama from his belt and moments later steps into the movements of kata seemingly not too interested in conversation.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant finished his forms for the moment and looked over to both samurai, bowing slightly with his hands clasped in front of him. Jayant's careful eyes are studying the Yoritomo as he practices his katas as well. He glances over to the Mirumoto though. "Good afternoon." He says in only slightly accented Rokugani.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

She smiled, noting his use of Rokugani. That was unexpected but welcome nonetheless.

"Do you mind if I join you? I would like to learn about Rhumaali martial arts" I say simply, giving him a formal bow.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant looks the samurai over for a moment before he nods. "Of course you may. I am always eager to learn more. Though I do not have any practice equipment, and I understand that your people prefer to spar with such weapons."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"That is fine. I intended more observation and practice rather than sparring. Still, I am game if that is what you would prefer... erm..." she pauses, realising she only knew part of the man's name. "Mirumoto Tomoe. Hohei now aboard the Half Moon" she said. There. Now I will find out.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

As Jayant spoke in Rokugani no less Kaito turned towards the man a slight frown crossing his features. Since when had the Gaijin know their tongue?

[Jayant Utpal]

"As you prefer, then." Jayant takes a step back to give Tomoe plenty of room to display her style. "I am Jayant Utpal, Ward of House Pandavah." Jayant glances at Kaito once he feels the man's eyes on him, he offers the Mantis a polite nod.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito returned the nod and went back to his practice involved as the gaijin and the dragon were he didn't want to interrupt with questions that could wait til later.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"Thank you Jayant Uptal-san" I say before drawing both my blades and adopting the fourth position. I emulate a strike to the torso of an imaginary opponent but it is a feint - I twist my wrist and it becomes a cut to the head instead. I nod at the end at nobody in particular, pleased with the movement. I then adopt the third stance

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant watches carefully as the Mirumoto went through her stances, studying her movements, but not saying anything until she shows she is done.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

A few more steps, cuts and feints and I am done. I did not move at full speed, merely practicing precision and form for the moment. In Rokugani I turn to Jayant to explain a key point in Rhumaali "Most samurai fight with only one sword. My Clan, the Dragon, has a school from my family, the Mirumoto, that has always fought using both our swords. The family founder after who we are named wisely pointed out that he had two swords in his belt that were both dedicated to serving his Lord. It is a difficult style to master but it affords us many advantages..." I stop there. I won't let pride get the better of me and continue. Single sword styles can be worthwhile too. "What of the styles taught here?" I ask him with mild interest.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant smiled. "As varied as the clouds. Kalarippayattu shows speed and precision, the Maravar master their bodies and use their fists as weapons. The Kathakali are swift and their style is as dangerous as it is beautiful. The Gurkha are perhaps the most brutal however." Jayant's smile grows into a grin. "They focus on use of the knife and making it a weapon as deadly as the greatest sword. They use sharp, quick, powerful movements."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"Your many schools of thought sounds surprisingly similar to those in Rokugan itself. Some schools practice with one sword, others emphasise a heavier weapon or smaller blades. You have likely heard of the Wasp and their supreme skill with the bow? There are others from the other Clans who master fighting with different weapons on horseback..." I could go on but stop there. There is a more important question. "What style do you practice then Jayant Uptal-san?". The san sounds unnatural when spoken in Rhumaal but it is a habit I cannot stop. I wonder if he knows more than one style?

[Jayant Utpal]

"The basics stay the same across the world, I would guess. There will always be knives and swords, and so there will always be ways to use those weapons. The Tsuruchi have some fame here in the Ivory Kingdoms, it was one of theirs that all but ended the war by himself. A feat the equal of any dedicated Ivory Kingdom bowman." Jayant smiled.

"I am a student of the Gurkha, the kukri is their weapon of choice." Jayant holds up the blade in his hand, it looks unlike anything Tomoe has ever seen, and it looks like a good blow could take a man's head off.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I agree" I say as he muses. When he shows me his weapon and explains that I nod while inspecting it "I see, I see". It's good to learn what the enemy may use. What did they definately use. "What about this enemy I keep hearing about. Do they all use the same weapons?". I do not want to sour the conversation or prevent myself learning anything so I ask cautiously, willing to wave my hands to dismiss the question if it caused the man any pain to remember or if he seemed put off by the query. Still, it would be nice to know and he did see them attack did he not?

[Jayant Utpal]

"Jayant shook his head. "Does the Elephant only use it's tusks in battle?" He pauses, perhaps realizing using an example animal that the woman has likely never seen before might not work. "That is to say, no. Many may use a talwar, but there are many weapons they have to chose from to use."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

So, those huge tusks the elefantsu things had are weapons!? Oh my! "Ah, apologies. I meant the same weapons as you use here in the Ivory Kingdoms". Still, you did answer my question. "Still, thanks". I dip my head to the man in courtesy. He doesn't seem so bad.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant nodded. "My apologies for not understanding the question. Some times the amulet does not work perfectly."