Pony Sticks [Day 1, Early Evening]

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"But not yourself?" Rinzuki raises a curious eyebrow. "Personally, I find the custom just a little bit barbaric."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Only occassionally do I eat it, Rinzuki-chan." Qulan shrugged. "I prefer tako..."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"And possibly clams," she teases.

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Quite possibly!" Qulan grinned as she was 'teased'. "I'd have eat one first."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki smirks as she pulls away from Qulan and climbs to her feet.

"How about tomorrow evening for our fishing trip? Sunset seems like a good time to catch octopus, don't you think?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Ah! H-hai!" Qulan also stood, smiling. "I look forward to it!"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

She folds her arms behind her back and sways just the slightest bit.

"So do I, Qulan-chan."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"So, sunset tomorrow?" Qulan re-confirmed.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki nods in confirmation.


"Assuming the weather is nice. If not, we'll just work something out then."

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan, also, nodded.

"Ah! Yes, then we could try for whenever we get the chance."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki gathers up her book and smiles once again. "I shall let you get to your practice, then. Surely you do not need me oggling you as you work through your kata."

[Shinjo Qulan]

Oggling?

The young Shinjo woman merely shook her head. "I do not mind."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

She pauses, half-turned towards the door. "Are you sure?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan quickly nodded as she picked a bokken from the rack. "I do not mind being watched."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Very well."

Rinzuki reclaims her seat and sets her book aside, no doubt intending to give the Shinjo's practice her full attention.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan took in a deep breath before perfoming her first swing.

One.

The first led up into what would be a parry in real combat, and then another swing.

Two.

Which in turn led to another swing towards imaginary legs.

Three.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

The Iuchi pulls her legs up to her chest and rests her arms atop them, watching the exercise with amusement.

[Shinjo Qulan]

She then repeated these blows, in rapid succession. Slicing away like a little whirlwind.

Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two...

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Shinjo-sama is very quick," the shugenja points out. "Have you seen much combat?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

"C-combat?" Qulan stopped and blushed. "N-no..."