Lesson Number One (Day 4, Late Morning)

[Soshi Taira]

"Hai. I cannot think of a bushi who has never fallen." Yue continued to help with organizing the bokken. "I may try to wrestle with my sister tomorrow," she mused. "I believe I may do well with your techniques, Taira-dono."

"They may surprise her, that is certain."

Taira couldn't hide his mirth, letting slip a baritone chuckle. "Don't expect to have them all down pat by then... maybe stick to the core of what I showed you."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Hai. I am proud. I am not arrogant," she said with a bright smile. She then tilted her head and peered at him. "Did you teach anyone before, Taira-dono?"

[Soshi Taira]

"No, I have not. I hope I didn't meander too long."

As the bokken were back on the rack, he adjusted a few, until they were all lined up evenly, and then turned back to the dojo.

"Still, I think you are making progress, in spite of me."

Perhaps that was a little... playful. Not too serious.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"'In spite of you,' Taira-dono?" Yue repeated. She gave him a deep bow. "You are a good teacher, Taira-dono. I am honored that you have dedicated time to teach me."

Clearly she was taking it more seriously than he intended.

[Soshi Taira]

Waving a hand, he demurred, "You misunderstand, Liu Yue-hime... it is Scorpion humor. We turn to self-effacing jokes, when others are not providing us targets for satire."

[Moto Khulun]

And the Moto was gone, she had better things to do.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue let out a laugh of her own. "Then I am glad I am not a target of satire, Taira-dono." She stretched out her back to readjust after that earlier behavior. "Has a subject thrown you before, Taira-dono?" she asked out of curiosity.

[Soshi Taira]

"I've taken my share of tumbles. In and out of the dojo."

He sighed. "The dumbest was the man who punched my face while I was trying to sew his leg up. I just applied pressure to the wound and he passed out."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue smiled weakly at the story. She was about to open her mouth and speak in Mekhem but she realized the point would be moot. After a few moments of deliberation, she slowly enunciated, "Do not hit the hand that feeds you."

[Soshi Taira]

"Yeah, or the face that belongs to the man holding your bits in."

Taira sighed.

"You'd be amazed what people can think to try when they get desperate. This fool would have just paid a fine, before he started the fight. Lost his life because he couldn't keep his head." He paused, then chuckled. "Sorry, Scorpion humor again."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Keep his head. Well obviously if he lost it he'd be dead.

Oh! Right. I hope I get better at Rokugani soon...

Yue simply nodded. "Sometimes people make poor decisions, Taira-dono." She suddenly began to laugh when a thought came to mind. "However, if his plan worked then we would call him bold!"

[Soshi Taira]

"Hai... but it was long odds. There were three other yoriki just a few paces away."

Taira contemplated that, crossing his arms. "Actually... maybe that was why he tried it. Shugoku had just come back from dock duty... it had been a rough night... he did look like jigoku on legs..."

Coming back to the present, Taira added, "Regardless... I'm glad you were able to take something from my teachings. I hope you will be able to surprise you sister tomorrow."