The Noble Sport (D5, Mid-Afternoon OPEN)

[Daidoji Fuichi]

O-washi nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "How are you at the crafting of prayers? I'm sure, with patience, you can come up with new ways to be of assistance, with the kamis help of course."

"I, well, I am not the greatest. I suppose that I could try."

[Kakita Sugita]

"As you wish, Kakita-san..."

Suddenly, the Kitsuki moves forward with a fist aimed at the Crane's torso.

(Roll: 23)

Sugita quickly sidesteps the Kitsuki's lunge and wraps his hands around the outstretched elbow and shoulder. With a smooth twist, Sugita pulls his opponent around. He turns himself so that the Kitsuki will be thrown over the shoulder with Sugita facing him in the end.

Armor TN: 25
(Hit Roll:24)
(Contested Strength/Jiujutsu: 23)

[Isawa O-Washi]

"There's a good amount of time at sea, why not use it for something besides counting the herbs for the fifth time?" The big Isawa smiled companionably. "I've done it myself, once or twice."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi smirked. "Counted the herbs? Somehow I doubt it."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I"m the quartermaster. I've counted every supply we have, multiple times in fact." Smirking, he added, "But, I meant the creation of prayers."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Oh?" Fuichi was curious. "What sort of prayers?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Things for ship's duty. One let me beg the kami to turn sea water to fresh, since it's hard to convince the kami to remain long and fresh water's always important for a ship. The other was for keeping the water off my maps when I had to chart a course in the rain." He snickered. "That last one took almost a month."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi inclined his head. "A month?" That was disconcerting, but not altogether an unwelcome concept. "Well, I suppose that between my art and such work I would be busy enough between injuries."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"It was a very long stint at sea, which is why I didn't mind. The joy of success was well worth it, too." O-washi smiled. "It was also, I must admit, pleasing to send something to my Master that was not a letter that would vex him."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"You are in the habit of vexing the Master of Water?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

O-washi tried to look mournful. He did not do it well.

"I am afraid that my missives every spring may well be one way that my Master notes the passage of time. I can almost picture it...Bairei-dono among his books by a window, looking out upon the wide world. He takes note of the cherry blossoms upon the trees when a message comes with my seal and says to himself, 'And here we have O-washi-san's request for Musha Shugyo. Truly, it must be spring.' "

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi cocked his head. "You desire a Musha Shugyo so much?" This was entirely counter to Fuichi's being. Why travel when all you need is a big block of wood, some tools, and a whole lot of time? "To what end?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"My Master believes, not without reason, that I intend to run off and join the Mantis." O-washi's grin flashed, then disappeared. "While I would enjoy being among their number, that isn't the true reason. I've had many experiences in my time in the military, some awesome, some soul-striking. I didn't want to go home to teach, but I didn't want to serve right off again either. It was only chance that it's always been Spring."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded in quasi-understanding. "So...what would you do on this Musha Shugyo?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I would go to the great Temples of Osano-Wo, starting first with the one in the lands of the Crab." O-washi answered without hesitation, having considered it many times. "Then I would sail out of Earthquake Fish Bay to the City of Lightning and pray there for a time. After that?"

The large man's vast shoulders shrugged.

"Then I would see how I felt. Perhaps peace would have found me and I could go home. Perhaps I would choose to stay forever, I cannot say."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi cocked his head. "I was not aware that Musha Shugyo could be extended indefinitely, but the freedom does sound nice, if alien to my experience."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I honestly do not know how it is done, because I've always gotten a denial and a promotion instead." The gunso grunted in amusement. "One of my fellows says it's the finest strategy he's ever heard of and is jealous he didn't think of it first."

[Kitsuki Kotsu]

Sugita quickly sidesteps the Kitsuki's lunge and wraps his hands around the outstretched elbow and shoulder. With a smooth twist, Sugita pulls his opponent around. He turns himself so that the Kitsuki will be thrown over the shoulder with Sugita facing him in the end.

Kotsu flies over the Crane's shoulder, his lack of training in jiujutsu showing. He lands with a small thud on the deck, and begins to stand up...