The Noble Sport (D5, Mid-Afternoon OPEN)

[Isawa O-Washi]

It was by now tradition that someone hold martial training upon the Moon in the afternoon hours. Today, it just so happened to be the ship's junior gunso, stripped down to his hakama and with both hands carefully wrapped in long strips of cotton, that waited for those recruits who had chosen to stay with the ship to assemble.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The day was cooler than the last, and all the rain that had come out that morning had left the air a little less sticky than before. The clouds still spotted the sky, threatening more small showers. Still, it made the air refreshing compared to the thick moist air of the day before.

The Half Moon was still slow, but Itsuho wished to keep her duty by being on the Aftdeck at her appointed time. As always, she brought her wooden daisho to practice. The deck was a little slick, but she kept her movements tight, precise. Her sleeves on her uniform were tied back again today as she practices. Even without the hot muggy air of the day before, it was still too hot for a girl that had lived her life high up in the mountains.

As usual, her training was off in her own little world. She had grown accustomed to the sight of polearm training at her duty hour, but there seemed to be none today. She stopped her training long enough to spot O-washi, whom she'd met at breakfast, giving him her customary low, slow bow.

[Rixy]

The bow was returned by the tensai who, being water-aspected, didn't seem to mind the rain in the slightest. Still, recognizing focus when he saw it, O-washi didn't try to disrupt her practice...yet, anyway.

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

Having returned especially for the planned training, Kiyo could also be found on deck. Weapons only got in the way during a scuffle up in the rigging and she could definitely use a bit more practice when it came to defending herself up close and personal. Dressed as usual in light pants and top, her hands are likewise wrapped in cotton wraps when she bows to the other two samurai.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi arrived. The Yasuki's lessons had been intriguing, and he believed that he was ready for the next step. Besides, he didn't want to be a burden if the situation in the city went south. He bowed to O-washi before sitting primly on the rail.

[Togashi Kazuma]

I almost wanted to run to make sure I'd get there with plenty of time. I heard about the training and I wanted to get there before anything started. I arrived at the ship and looked at the people assembled. I looked at the ones that were going to be training. At last I had an excuse to relax. I try to look at the rank of those assembled and I spot an Imperial Gunso. "Togashi Kazuma, reporting for training Isawa-gunso." I say with a loud voice. I'm getting excited. Yesterday I was constantly interrupted.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"You're new, Togashi-san." The Gunso, who was a veritable mountain of a man by Phoenix standards, smiled pleasantly at the stranger on his deck even as keen blue eyes studied him from top to bottom. "I assume you're one of the pair Daidoji-Chui sent over, neh? A pleasure...I'm Isawa O-washi, second gunso of the Half Moon."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho took a few more swings before she slipped her wooden blades into her obi. She bowed to the newcomers, both in her usual slow, low way, holding it a moment. She said nothing as she made her way closer, not wishing to interrupt the ise zumi.

[Kakita Sugita]

Kakita Sugita kept to his duty hours even if he didn't need to. He leans against the mast, watching everyone get ready to tussle. The furls sails shelter him some, but he is still soaked. Just something that happens.

"You come to wrassle too, Daidoji-san?" Sugita glances over with appreciation.

[Togashi Kazuma]

"Yes, Isawa-gunso. Mirumoto Tomoe-san and I are happy to be part of your crew." Invoking Tomoe's name might be odd, but I know she has a tendency to distance herself from others. I don't want her to have to constantly remind people that she's on the ship.

I am surprised to see another Dragon. And a Mirumoto at that, though they are the voice and back of our clan I suppose. If there were Dragon, most would think they'd be the first to come.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Kakita Sugita kept to his duty hours even if he didn't need to. He leans against the mast, watching everyone get ready to tussle. The furls sails shelter him some, but he is still soaked. Just something that happens.

"You come to wrassle too, Daidoji-san?" Sugita glances over with appreciation.

He chuckled, which was pretty much giggling from any other throat. "I suppose so, Kakita-san. Yasuki-san's lessons were effective, but I believe that I could use some more instruction."

[Kakita Sugita]

"Fair enough! I'm probably a spectator myself."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Back on the ship to make sure his young charges are doing ok, especially after seeing the dark clouds that have been gathering. He wasn't sure what sort of training was going on, but he heads up to the deck anyway, wearing only simple pants and his collection of good luck charms around the neck. He offers a polite bow to those gathered as he moves to join them.

[Isawa O-Washi]

'Right, then, welcome to you." O-washi smiled and then got to the business at hand. 'Today, we're going to cover some of the finer parts of unarmed fighting. How many of you have any skill in this matter?"

[Kakita Sugita]

Sugita idly raises his hand.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

In response to O-Washi's question, Choukichi takes a step forward.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho waits patiently for the discussions to end. To the question, she raises her hand a little.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded--but just a little. He was a beginner after all.

[Togashi Kazuma]

I'm a little disappointed, I thought we'd be studying kenjutsu, but I raise my hand. I try not to let it show. It's still training, and I'm supposed to be blending my jujitsu with my kenjutsu anyway.

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

Sticking to the side Kiyo listens to the conversations and raises her hand when the gunso states his question.