Lesson Number One (Day 4, Late Morning)

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Before she fully registered his words she was sent exactly how he wanted. She saw an opening in him catching her and sought to take advantage of it. However, her own pull was not enough to disrupt his superior footwork.

---

Grapple Control TN 24: 19 Failure

[Soshi Taira]

Pulling her up, he caught her in a tight hold, his chest pressed against her back, one arm binding hers, the other wrapped gently about her neck.

One leg snaked between her, stepping on her foot, kept her totally rooted in place. It was a very... close... hold, but also one which gave him absolute control. She could not hurt him, or even herself.

"This is a hold used for those who I do not wish to harm. Such as a wealthy heir who has had too much to drink, and needs to be escorted to a safe bed to sleep it off."

----

36 http://orokos.com/roll/507710

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Sou desu ka." Yue stood there in his hold. She tried to budge from his grip and eventually let out a small laugh. It was both impressive, on his part, and disheartening to her to be placed in such a helpless position. "I should have had some alcohol before our bout!"

---

Cannot contest TN 36!

[Soshi Taira]

That made him loosen his grasp, as he tried to figure out what she was getting at.

Once he realized it was just a response to his statement, he resumed the grip, but it was, perhaps, her best opening so far.

____________

TN 20 http://orokos.com/roll/507715

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue sensed his lapse of concentration far too late. She tried to loosen her arm, move her foot, but nothing budged. "I am 'Liu Yue-hime' after all," she continued for her explanation.

---

Grapple Control TN 20: 9 Failure!

[Soshi Taira]

That brought a chuckle, his breath brushing past her shoulder.

"Well, let me know when you are ready to come quietly, and we'll let you walk it off."

The considerate yoriki, making sure she wasn't going to hurt herself in her stupor.

-----------

29 TN http://orokos.com/roll/507725

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"There are unruly suspects, Taira-dono!" she reminded him. She let out a grunt as she tried to free her foot again. Her right arm was as useful as her left!

---

Grapple Control TN 29: 14 Failure!

[Soshi Taira]

"Hai, but I was rather hoping not to hurt you, Liu Yue-hime. I would feel bad about it."

It seemed the hold was not easy to keep rigid for long periods without causing pain for either of them.

-----------------

21 http://orokos.com/roll/507739

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"What do you do with a suspect that refuses to comply?" Yue asked after another feeble attempt to escape. Though she refused to show it, it was starting to get clear that she was wearing herself out from the struggle.

---

Grapple Control TN 21: 10 Failure!

[Soshi Taira]

"It depends, if I have backup, or more things to do. Sometimes I drag them. Sometimes, if I have time, I may bind them. Sometimes I have to start breaking things. Starting with small stuff, like a shoulder."

His voice was flat. "I escalate from there."

Perhaps his realizing that she was growing tired, and loosening his grip, would be her best chance to break loose.

___________

16 http://orokos.com/roll/507753

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue finally had her chance to break out. She managed to reverse the grip on her arm. From there, she knew it would be near impossible to simply slip out of his hold. So instead, she decided to heft him into the air over her onto her back. With a quick spin, she eventually changed it into a throw to send him hurtling off of her.

She was certain that he could handle such a tumble. "Ah! Freedom!" she exclaimed in-between breaths.

---

Grapple Control TN 16: 26
Grapple Action: Throw!

[Soshi Taira]

The surprise meant he skidded sideways on landing, bumping into a bokken rack, and knocking a few down into his lap.

Wincing, he rose, dusting himself off. Then he bent, picking up the wooden blades.

"Well done. Unorthodox, but effective. We may make a magistrate of you yet."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I did not expect to throw you so far," she admitted. The Shinjo hurried over, looked him over briefly for any wounds, and then went about helping him with the bokken. She did not want to embarrass him by suggesting that he was injured so she did not ask if he was alright. "You are too kind, Taira-dono. I will need much more training."

[Soshi Taira]

"Of course, but we all do, in one way or other."

He certainly seemed fine. As he was stacking bokken, he added, "I, for instance, have gotten quite good at rolling with a throw."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"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."