Keeping in Practice (Day 4, LA)

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki stood quietly in the center of the dojo, bokken gripped tightly in both hands as she concentrated on her katas, swinging quickly, the woman moved in a defensive circle, her blade always in a path to easily move on the defensive, even during an attack. It was, in some ways, a hallmark of the Shiba style. Letting out a short cry, she struck once more, then stepped back into her defensive circle. Sweat beaded around the woman's brow as she moved, focused entirely on the moment.

[Moto Khulun]

The Moto princess enters and then leans in the doorway as this seemed like the woman that had intrigued her cousin, Butaj. Well she assumed this was the woman, maybe there was another Phoenix. Unlike the little Lion, she was sure this was a woman.

She leans in just inside the door and watches the woman content to see the stance of the Phoenix than interrupt her. She rests her free hand on the hilt of Massacre in a casual manner as she watches quietly.

[Asako Yuki]

The Phoenix's katas last for some time longer, before finally finishing with a loud "Kiai!" shout as she lifts her blade and swings it down with all her might. The woman pauses for a moment after the blade finishes the strike, then slowly comes out of her stance and stands tall, bowing to her invisible opponent before breaking for entirely and stepping away from the center, grabbing a cloth to dab at her forehead. Lost in the moment, she did not seem to have noticed the Moto woman.

[Moto Khulun]

“Who won?” she says after a moment with a slight grin.

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki jumped a little at the sound and turned quickly towards the source. Blushing a little she covered it quickly with the cloth.

"It was kharmic." She responded simply. "This one is Asako Yuki, I don't believe we've ever been formally introduced." Yuki said, bowing to the woman.

[Moto Khulun]

“Moto Khulun, have you been in many duels, Phoenix?” she says pushing off from the wall and sauntering over looking the woman over.

[Asako Yuki]

"Official duels? None." Yuki said, finishing wiping her brow. "Back in the dojo we would practice often though."

[Moto Khulun]

“I am train some, but like you no official duels,” she says not knowing what the future would bring that evening.

“I enjoy it.”

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki shrugged some. "I prepare for when I will have to do it. As someone trained in the Shiba bushi school, I will inevitably one day serve as a yojimbo and second."

[Moto Khulun]

"I thought Phoenix was clan of peace, not fighting?" she says with some slight confusion.

[Asako Yuki]

"We strive for peace." Yuki clarified with a faint smile. "We don't always succeed." She glanced up at the Moto and shrugged. "Besides, there are other clans that do not pursue peace as we do, so we must be capable of defending ourselves and our honor if needed."

[Moto Khulun]

“Lion and Phoenix were at war yes? During time of Iuchi-ban, but not from Iuchi,” she says in reply.

“Lion and Phoenix, friends now?”

[Moto al-Kalb]

With his poor showing earlier in the day al-Kalb thought more training would be the best way to spend the afternoon. The rain that threatened had not yet arrived so he was still clad in his furs and once more had his ono with him.

Seeing the women he offers a smile to Khulun and a sketchy but sincere bow to the Asako, "Afternoon Khulun, Phoenix."

[Asako Yuki]

"After the threat of Iuchiban." Yuki clarified. "The Lion took affront to how the Phoenix leadership attempted to solve the problem and went to war after Iuchiban had been defeated." She paused at the notion of the two clans being friends.

"There is peace now, which is better than things were."

She turned to al-Kalb as he entered and bowed to him in return. "Moto-san. This one is Asako Yuki."

[Moto Khulun]

“Sayyed al-Kalb, warm greetings to you cousin,” she says with a nod of respect.

She says to the Phoenix, “Moto blood strong, Butaj and al-Kalb both strong suitors for Phoenix; it is known. I think Baatar might be too young for Phoenix but he is also strong rider as well.”