[Mid-Morning, Open] What am I Meant to do with This?

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Well lets begin with some training of your body and spirit. Watch what I do and follow as best you can. I'm no sensei but I can help you sort out your breathing and start some strength and flexibility training." With his feet shoulder width apart Jishaku starts off with circular breathing combined with stretching exercises for his arms and legs. Some basic stance work to improve posture is followed by tiger, wide-arm and knuckle press ups. The Lion makes it all look easy, and he watches the Crane to see how he takes to it.

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko, having seen many of these exercises before, moves through them with ease... at Jishaku's pace, of course.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi...has a little trouble. Deep breathing appears to be a minor challenge of his, as he has to hold back a cough every time he does it. The stretches are easy, as he is nothing if not flexible. The press-ups are...well, they could use some work. Fuichi's embarrassment is fairly evident, especially when a bead of sweat slips down from his hairline and into his eye.

"damnation"

[Yasuki Himiko]

Once the basic exercises are finished, Himiko does another back stretch, chuckling as she hears the Daidoji's curse. "Ye can't expect te get it exactly right the first time, Daidoji-san. It's about repetition. The more ye do it, the easier it gets."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi sighed. "You are right, of course," he said, wiping the sweat from his eye. "It's just very new. What's next?"

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Once kata practice is concluded, Nobuyoshi also moves on to strength training, his movements graceful. He seems determined, though it does not seem to be a form of exercise he regularly indulges in either.

[Asahina Masamichi]

In the back corner of the aftdeck behind one of the ballista, an Asahina pokes and prods and thoughtfully considers each inch as he has for hours.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Fuichi sighed. "You are right, of course," he said, wiping the sweat from his eye. "It's just very new. What's next?"

"Well now. You mentioned being trained in defence, so I suppose we should see your stance. Makes sense to start with what you know." He casts a critical eye over the Crane and waits for him to show them what he's got. Thousands of Lion ancestors are striking the Daidoji down as he does so. Metaphorically of course.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Defense roll=22 Effective Armor tn=31

Fuichi takes a rather basic Mizu-do stance, his arms in position to absorb and deflect the strength of oncoming blows and his legs poised to speed him out of the way of many serious attacks.

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Crane's defence wasn't bad for a beginner, but is really no match for the precision of an Akodo-trained bushi. Jishaku pulls his blow at the last moment, the whole point being to demonstrate how to fight, not beat up the Crane. Several ancestors disputed this fact but there it was.

"Not bad, but we need to patch up those holes in your defence and see about training you to strike back, neh?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded quietly. "Hai, Akodo-san. What should I do...?"

[Yasuki Himiko]

"Well, perhaps striking ain't a great idea," Himiko walked forward. "Lemme see yer Jiujutsu stance again."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Full Defense=25 Modified Armor tn=33

Fuichi dutifully assumes the Mizu-do stance, wondering what the Yasuki is up to.

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko studied the stance for a moment, then shook her head. "Defense is good and all, but what do ye expect te do from here? Flail yer arms about and hope the sword doesn't git ye?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

He shrugged.
"I can focus my chi to take the edge off a strike or render me immune to unarmed attacks." A pause. "In all honesty, is it not wiser for me to hold the attention of the enemy until someone who is...capable of killing him arrives?"

[Yasuki Himiko]

"Maybe, but ye should do it right. I know some Hida who'll punch right the hell through yer 'chi' or whatever. But, since yer not much the type te use lethal force, I'll show ye how te take someone down and hold 'em there."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi isn't sure if he likes the sound of that. "Okay..."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko nods. "Well, this is gonna hafta require us te get close te make sure it can all be taught cerrectly. With yer permission of course."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi's lips purse, his high brow furrowed and beautiful face darkened in thought.

Finally: "Alright, I suppose."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko nodded. "Aight, now, when ye grab someone, ye wanna grab an arm with yer dominant arm," and her right arm takes his left arm, "and ye use the other one te grab around the shoulder area, preferably clothing if ye've got it." She grabs his kimono top, apparently a bit unaware that with only chest wraps to grab onto, there were quite a few potential problems with her as a sparring partner.