Dark Edge Village

Kogo walked into the dojo, ready to begin her morning. She stretched for a brief time and then moved into a series of moves with her katana. She flows into the practice, seeking to clear the cobwebs from her brain.

Kenjutsu practice, dojo: 6d10o10k3 23

It was not long after that al-Kalb, clad in his furs and leathers, against the cooler day entered the dojo with his massive axe balanced on his shoulder.

He watched the woman train for a moment before nodding, "Matsu, mornin'."

Greeting complete he launches into his own practice. Though the axe is well balanced and his training adequate it seems that he was rusty with having been away from combat for so long. He frown at the sloppiness of his own forms but continues to push through the poor showing.

Moto al-Kalb wrote:It was not long after that al-Kalb, clad in his furs and leathers, against the cooler day entered the dojo with his massive axe balanced on his shoulder.

He watched the woman train for a moment before nodding, "Matsu, mornin'."

Greeting complete he launches into his own practice. Though the axe is well balanced and his training adequate it seems that he was rusty with having been away from combat for so long. He frown at the sloppiness of his own forms but continues to push through the poor showing.

Kogo startles at the lack of a honorific. What on earth? Not even a san? Have I met this man before? I suspect I would remember. Then it dawns on her. The man taking a bath in the field she and Shinjo-san had met in. Her eyes became a bit red remembering. At least he is more clothed this time. Perhaps he is very informal. Very...informal.

She watches his forms, noticing his difficulties. She continues her work, working hard to focus. She succeeds and her form continues as if nothing odd had occurred. Dojo EM practice, self: 6d10o10k3 22

As the practice continues the rough edges quickly slip away and the large man is soon moving with a grace that belies both his size and that of the weapon. His style alternates between using one hand or two to control the ono and is clearly focused on doing as much damage as possible in a short time. His frown fades as the outcome improves but he still judges himself - the first blow was vital, after all, without it you might not live to get a second.

Still, with the return of ease with his weapon he feels comfortable dividing his attention, "You train cats, yes?"

Moto al-Kalb wrote:As the practice continues the rough edges quickly slip away and the large man is soon moving with a grace that belies both his size and that of the weapon. His style alternates between using one hand or two to control the ono and is clearly focused on doing as much damage as possible in a short time. His frown fades as the outcome improves but he still judges himself - the first blow was vital, after all, without it you might not live to get a second.

Still, with the return of ease with his weapon he feels comfortable dividing his attention, "You train cats, yes?"

She startles again. She has not even introduced herself yet, nor has he. She ceases her practice and says "Hello. This one is Matu Kogo. And you are?"

With a final swing he lets the axe come to a rest with its head on the dojo floor, "I'm al-Kalb, of the Moto." He remembers to bow, "I train hounds."

Moto al-Kalb wrote:With a final swing he lets the axe come to a rest with its head on the dojo floor, "I'm al-Kalb, of the Moto." He remembers to bow, "I train hounds."

She bows briefly to him. "I am glad to meet you Moto-San. And yes, I have a Warcat who I have worked with for some time. In time, I hope to command more. " she pause, unsure and then says, "what kind of dogs do you train? For the hunt or for war?"

He smiles and nods enthusiastically, "Both, yes. War mainly but hunt keeps them ready when there is no foe. I assume it is similar for cats?"

Moto al-Kalb wrote:He smiles and nods enthusiastically, "Both, yes. War mainly but hunt keeps them ready when there is no foe. I assume it is similar for cats?"

She nods, still unsure of how to handle this conversation. "It is as you say." She pauses and then says, "Moto-san, it is customary in Rokugan when greeting someone to utilize honorifics that mirror their status towards you. Not utilizing one could be taken as an insult." I can hear my etiquette teachers screaming at the thought now.

The large Unicorn pauses and scratches his chin in thought before nodding, "Sorry then, Kogo-san, insult ain't my intention."

Moto al-Kalb wrote:The large Unicorn pauses and scratches his chin in thought before nodding, "Sorry then, Kogo-san, insult ain't my intention."

She holds her face together but just barely this time. "I suspected as much, which is why I said what I did. It is notable that using one's personal name when one is not acquainted is of a similar difficulty. I gather that the Moto do not have these traditions?"

It was a good thing a destiny awaited al-Kalb as otherwise politics and politeness would likely be the death of the Moto - but he still tried his best, "Sorry, Matsu-san, thanks. You're right we don't, not really, and what comes close the Ide said likely ain't gonna work too well in the Empire. Don't much see why you have to pretend you don't know folks but I'll try."

Moto al-Kalb wrote:It was a good thing a destiny awaited al-Kalb as otherwise politics and politeness would likely be the death of the Moto - but he still tried his best, "Sorry, Matsu-san, thanks. You're right we don't, not really, and what comes close the Ide said likely ain't gonna work too well in the Empire. Don't much see why you have to pretend you don't know folks but I'll try."

She blinked for a moment but noted his apology. "I can imagine that being difficult, if the traditions one is used to were not seen as acceptable in the place one had come to." She sheathed her katana, partially because her temper was still a little up and partially because conversing with live steel seemed more than she was planning today. "How long have you been a trainer of the dogs you train?"

The burly Moto scratches his head, "Started livin' in the kennels before my own trainin' so maybe six? Wouldn't be proper like until a few years after that though."

Moto al-Kalb wrote:The burly Moto scratches his head, "Started livin' in the kennels before my own trainin' so maybe six? Wouldn't be proper like until a few years after that though."

Living in the kennels? Maybe like how we have our cubs in our rooms at times? I hope that's what he means.

She nodded. "Some of my training was similar. We were introduced to the cubs at an early age to see if we had an aptitude but the formal training didn't start until later. My Noburu and I have been together for 5 years."