Dark Edge Village

Suteichi was already to go but he was not about depart before one more training session with Kogo. He was dressed in practice clothes and awaited his sensei.

Kogo stepped into the dojo, slightly concerned from the tone of Suteichi's message, but ready for some more activity in her day. "Suteichi-san. How are you this afternoon?"

"I am...better so to speak. Could use the workout to clear my mind of such...horrible talk that has been going around." he stood and bowed deeply to her.

"I thank you in advance for this time. You are a bright spot to what has been a...well... Hello Noboru-san. Sorry, I have no treats today."

Kogo looks slightly startled, but listens intently. She shooes Noburu out of the wooded part of the dojo. "You know your claws scar the wood. Do not beg, it is unseemly." She looks at him. "Yes, I have been finding myself weary of this waiting and talking. Some movement is just what is required. What would you like to work on today?"

"Let us pick on footwork again. I think that would be good. Then we can move to striking."

She takes down two shinai and hands one to Suteichi. "The rumors do indeed appear to be viscious the past few days. I am glad to have been spared by such whispers." She looks down and then motions. "Let us start with the forward and backward motions. Then we will add the upper strikes." She begins the exercise.

Suteichi follows her example.

Kogo notes his improvement. "You're getting better Suteichi-san. A few more and then we'll add more speed." She watches him, wondering if he was behind any of the rumors or if perhaps it was someone else. She knows its possible. But somehow, she just can't see it. He has such an intense nature. Maybe he is just troubled today. She focuses more on the activity.








/ooc Kogo, you naive little creature.

He continued his form as she demonstrated. His face was in fact focused on what he was doing.

"Thank you...sensei Kogo. I am better because of your instructions."

She smiles. "I am glad to be able to help. Now, let us add some more speed." She increases the speed, watching his form intently.

The speed was a bit awkward at first but he was gradually catching on and doing well enough.

"You enjoy making me...work. This...this..is quite...intense."

She smiles. "You will grow stronger and swifter with time." She takes a deep breath, continuing the speed. "One day, you will marvel at how you thought this intense. Just like when I first learned courtier tricks from you. I thought I would die the first day." Her smile has a bit of teeth. "Consider it....an equal kindness."

"Courtier tricks!" he scoffed. "You make it sound like courtiers manipulate people for their own benefit. That's just mean and rude Kogo -san." he said giving her a deadpan look.

Kogo laughs. "You can't fool me now Suteichi-san. I know your tricks." She changes up the exercise. "Now to the side!" She waits for him to fall into place. "You can't deny...that occasionally a courtier thinks of himself instead of the other. It is part of the game you taught me. Court is a battlefield, isn't that what you said?"




/ooc feel free to correct her but it sounds kind of like how someone would explain court to a lion

"Well... yes... but...courtiers do think of others. I mean we need the right people for the right task. That requires thinking of others. And to be fair Kogo-san, you don't know everything about me."