(Day 8, LE) Sweat in the Inner Circle (Open, Expecting)

[Moto Butaj]

"And Yuki worried that bariqu is violent! This duelling belong to times of war and enmity if anyone asked Butaj." He sighs, then shrugs as he takes the bokken. "But i Yuki considers it important Butaj will learn. Please tell how to do it."

(A link worked into the narrative is enough )

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki paused, not entirely certain where to start.

"Well... allow me to demonstrate first." She set her bokken down and stepped aside.

"First, you center yourself, forget all distractions, focus only on the moment." She slid into her dueling stance, her right hand moving up to grasp her handle.

"You take that attention, and then focus it on your opponent, studying them for weaknesses, for strengths." Her eyes studied an invisible opponent.

"You find that weakness, or you wait for your opening." Yuki's eyes narrowed, her normally warm face had faded to intense focus on what she was doing. She found her moment.

Yuki's blade sprung forward from her sheath. Striking quickly at her unseen foe.

"And you strike." She sheathed her blade, bowed to her invisible opponent, and stepped back, letting out a deep breath before smiling and looking back to Butaj.

"That wasn't my best, since I was distracted trying to explain it. But a real master can win while shedding almost no blood at all."

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj nods after a time of intensive observation. "Butaj thinks he has a gist of it. Duelling with anything has some things the same." He taps his head, then takes position opposite to her. "Let's do it." He opens eyes wide, trying to learn something about her ability to do that fast draw.

Day 8 - LE - Duel Practice with Yuki: Assessment: 3d10 15

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki took up her bokken again and secured her katana. Standing up tall, her warm face became focused once more as she bowed to Butaj before slipping into her stance.

Initiative: 8
Assessment: 20

[Moto Butaj]

Day 8 - LE - Duel Practice with Yuki: Initiative.: 3d10o10k2 17

So does Butaj becomes more focused around the eyes but the smile remains.

Day 8 - LE - Duel Practice with Yuki: Focus (VP for 1k1, Center): 4d10+3 30

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki focuses on her opponent, her eyes roving over him, looking for weaknesses, looking for... She gets distracted by Butaj.

Focus: 18 (Fuck you Orokos)

[Moto Butaj]

When Butaj was telling her he was a quick learner, he didn't joke or boast. His boken flies out of his sash and pats her on the arm before she could draw hers.

Day 8 - LE - Duel Practice with Yuki: Strike (Center): 3d10+3 27

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki blinked as Butaj struck first, the realization dawning on her a little slowly. She stood tall and bowed to him serenely. Of course, by the time she came back up her lips were puckered with annoyance. "Baka." She muttered to herself.

[Moto Butaj]

He returns the bow, then smiles apologetically. "You're a wonderful teacher and bring Butaj all the luck. It is Butaj who should be worried he doesn't do the same for you."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki's disappointment was quickly enough dispelled. "Ah, it wasn't you Butaj-san." Well, it kind of was. "I let my focus slip. You were very good to detect the moment and strike." She smiled at him.

[Moto Butaj]

He smiles warmly. "At least Yuki knows on her own skin she's marrying a competent warrior."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki made a face again and then stuck out her tongue petulantly at Butaj. "Hai, you are." She finally said with a smile and sighed dramatically. "And one of these days I'll prove it too."

[Moto Butaj]

"You've proven everything there is to prove to... me, you know?" He sighs, having made his voice quieter. "Everything that matters. The rest is just trust. You say, Butaj... I... believe." He steps away to put the bokken on the rack.

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki smiled. "Hai, but that doesn't mean I don't want to prove it to myself too." She didn't put her bokken away just yet. "How is your kenjutsu?"

[Moto Butaj]

He looks at her with a teasing smirk, holding his hand on the bokken. "Better?"