View source for 2050/Kendo's and Kendon'ts

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2024/11/08
|Location=Sports Pavilion
|Synopsis=The Kendo club are having their practice sparring meet-up. Niji Dashu, Tsubasa Yuunagi, Amy Faust and Laura La Mer come to watch, while Miho Inada arrives to participate. Some information is learned, some techniques are shown and invitations are given to various and sundry.
|Cast of Characters=160,134,250,107,266,256
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:160|Hinata Muramasa (160)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even at this time of year, the Kendo club continues to hold semi-regular meetings at the sports pavilion, holding practices and accepting applications for new members, and allowing people to just watch if they like. Hinata Muramasa has taken on the role of club president in lieu of anyone more senior filling the position. She's here in her gear with several other members, who are pairing up and performing some light sparring in a marked off area in the pavilion.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's plenty of space for others to do their own things too, the arena for kendo is fairly compact.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata herself is currently overseeing the match between two 9th graders, stating each point in a firm tone, and knocking their bokken with her own to break up a lock if it goes on too long.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:134|Niji Dasshu (134)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Many people perhaps think Niji Dasshu had enough going on in all of her various extracurricular activities that she'd not need to continue to pop up at other clubs. People who think that underestimate the depth of her ability to seek out new experiences and... and okay, the other meetings were cancelled and she was bored.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's not here participating directly in the Kendo Club, but given that she often has to save the world via rapid application of stick-based combat, since whatever force is responsible for her magical girl powers didn't see fit to give her lasers or fireballs or anything - she figures watching might actually teach her something. Maybe even joining, but watching first.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And it's Niji, the girl with the rainbow colored hair, so everyone in Kendo Club is probably aware of her interest now. Because she is subtle like brick.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:250|Tsubasa Yuunagi (250)}} has posed:'''<br>The small form of Tsubasa Yuunagi is finishing up a jog. A knight must remain in shape and in optimal condition when it comes to protecting his friends. Heading over to where his bag is, he opens it, fishing out a water bottle to drink from, and a towel to wipe the sweat off with. As he's drinking, he notices the mock battle in the makeshift arena and is drawn to it. <br><br>It is with that in mind that he starts to make his way over, dressed in a pair of sweatpants in grey, an orange t-shirt and orange and yellow shoes. Noticing Niji, he makes his way over to stand next to the rainbow haired girl and gives her a grin. "If you're interested, you should say so!" he offers encouragingly. <br><br>Subtlty? What's that?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy is taking a walk to think about things. She happens to pass by the sports pavilion and has thoughts similar to Dash's: That swordfighting isn't exactly a useless skill? And is also kind of cool. She walks up just after Tsubasa does, in her red T-shirt and dark slacks, and asks, "Can people just like... walk in and pick up a sword and practice? Any day? I came to a like, open training day thing before, but a couple sparring matches does not a swordsman make... and I don't really know anything about kendo forms..." Amy rambles on as she considers how absurd just picking up a practice sword and thinking she'll learn that way seems.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, Miho is a member, but shows up only once in awhile. She decided that she needs to get back into practice with Kendo, and with her naginata. She brings her gear, including a bokken and a practice naginata. What is unusual about things is that Miho is in a shrine maiden outfit with kendo pants pants. She takes a deep breath as appoarches, and blinks at the group thats that. She looks at Amy a little bit, and spins around. Yeah...Wooden doll movement away. Gah! Please don't let Amy catch her in her mom's old miko outfit...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>Laura has just been off from her own club, and with nothing more filling her free time for the day, she is considering having a talk with the Queen. It had been a while since they had last talked with each other after all, and she at least wanted to hear her and maybe listen to her day. She didn't really need to go all the way to her dorm room either, she has her own concealed spot. It required finding a concealed spot of its own, but it wasn't that long a wait.<br><br>Confident that nobody would see her if she slipped under the bleachers, she had immediately set into their direction, but before she could so much as set her head under the wooden structure, an teacher had immediately set her sights on her and started talking her ear off with a lecture, at the same time walking her inside.<br><br>"You don't understand, I was just looking around", Laura complains with a frown. "Well then, if you have that much time, you can surely spend it with your peers", he replies nonchalantly, guiding her inside. "I will be checking in later, I want you to have put in some good elbow grease", he leaves her there, walking back towards the edges of the open field prowling for some more sneaky students.<br><br>Resigned to spending her time here, she walks towards the group of students that had taken up part of the School Pavilion. "Hi. You were at the meteor shower, right?", she asks Hinata as soon as she spots the familiar enough face. "What are we doing here?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:160|Hinata Muramasa (160)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata isn't letting you go that easily Miho. "Inada-san. You're late, and you missed practice last week." she calls over the clack of wooden swords against each other. "Match over. Winner is Muhinura-San, five points to three. Bad luck Ohida-san, but your technique is improving."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The short black-haired girl adjusts her grip on her helmet... then sets it down as she beckons toward Miho. "Inada-san. You're next against Sadina-san."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The others gathering around earn a nod from the girl, her green eyes passing over them each in turn, her face an impassive mask that barely moves even when she speaks. "Please, feel free to watch as you like, but stay behind the backpacks there. That is the boundary of our practice zone." she says, pointing the tip of her bokken at the line of bags, backpacks and satchels that everyone's already staying behind. "If you would like to join the club, or just take a couple of practice rounds, we have some spare gear in the equipment shed. Jataru-kun will show you how to put it on."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Laura is brought up, and dropped off by a teacher, Hinata's eyes swivel and lock onto her. "The meteo-- ah. Yes." she says in reply, bowing slightly. "Kendo Club weekly practice. You may watch or join in, but please do not try to interfere with the matches."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata calls out a familiar name! "Oh, Inada-san! Oh nice, you have the old-timey outfit and everything! They do naginata stuff here too? ...Dang, maybe I should look over the weapon choices and see if there's one that fits me better. How'd you end up learning the naginata?" Then she remembers Miho is from a weird upper-class martial arts family. "Oh right. So, how's the naginata differ from other kinds of polearm fighting and styles, anyway?" She glances over at Hinata. "Do you do unarmed martial arts here too or is that a totally seperate club?" She drops into a beginner's fighting stance and demonstrates a jab-cross-kick combo on the air in front of her that... isn't kenpo but does look like she received at least some minimum of actual instruction at some point.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miho squeaks a little bit. She coughs a little bit. "There was a personal issue last week that I had to attend to.", she says. Yes, she had to attend Hinote who was in the infirmry! And yes, she did visit until he was better. The woman sighs though as she puts on her armor, and puts the helmet on. She puts the naginata off to the side as she takes up her bokken. She approaches, and bows respectfully, before drawing the bokken, and taking a ready stance. Miho breathes out. Her eyes are more focused. She ignores Amy for the moment, though there's a slight blush on her cheeks.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"When you are ready.", she states calmly. There's steel in her voice as she prepares for her practice match. She stretches her shoulders by lowering her head a little bit, and pushing her shoulders up, before rolling them back.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:134|Niji Dasshu (134)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Niji whips around to look at Tsubasa as he moves next to her. And she puts her hands out and kind of waves them. "Oh I don't think I'd be any good for it. I've got so many other teams who need me I'd never show up, and I'm much better at team competitions than individual stuff." she says hastily, rattling off the reasons she'd already given -herself- as to why she couldn't pick up a bokken and join in.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Maybe after I watch a little bit more I'll do a couple practice rounds, though. If that's cool, I mean." she adds in reply to Hinata. Then her eyes sort of wander to person who's clothes make them stand out - not quite the same way Niji's hair does, but a shrine maiden on campus is a heckuva thing.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:250|Tsubasa Yuunagi (250)}} has posed:'''<br>A shrine maiden does stand out, especially when she takes up a bokken. "I've not ever really tried..." Tsubasa admits, and then chuckles towards Niji. "Even you need hobbies." he points out to her as he tucks his hands behind his head, interlocked fingers resting on his neck with the much shorter hair of his unhenshined form. <br><br>"Anyway, I'm all for watching." he finally says. When he notices Laura, he unlocks his hands to offer a wave and upnod of his head.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>With Hinata bowing, Laura smirks, considering it certainly appropriate in a way, and returns the gesture afterwards, taking in the given information and the unknown word the head of the club had used. That was probably common knowledge too, wasn't it? She had thought she had gotten the hang of everything, she scoffs internally. Apparently, she had missed something.<br><br>"Thank you. I will watch for now", she says as reply, preferring to first assess what exactly they are doing and then take a decision from there. Wait, was that Miho? Right, she did talk about it, ''this'' is what she meant then. That is quite an elegant pose Miho and her challenger are holding. Is this really it?<br><br>Laura briefly takes her eyes from the match, hearing a familiar voice. Her eyes don't stray too too far when she notices Tsubasa, waving back at the boy and taking note of Niji. "Hi, Tsubasa-san, how are you doing?" With regards to the rainbow-haired girl, she simply adds an introduction. "I am Laura Apollodoros Hyginus La Mer. What's your name?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:160|Hinata Muramasa (160)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's a whole different club." replies Hinata a bit tersely. "There are unarmed martial arts clubs, but I know not when they meet, or who to speak to." she adds. Green eyes watch Amy for a few moments, then turn onto Miho as she approaches and gets ready. Sadina is an 8th grade student, fairly tall and wiry in her own armour. She steps up, bows to Miho, then draws her own bokken and takes up a stance. Her technique is middling at best, but she's very spirited and quite agile for her size, the height gives her a bit extra reach, and her longer limbs give her strikes a little bit more range than may be expected, but she's not the best fighter.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Niji's declarations earn Hinata's glance next. "There are team events... but Kendo is a one-on-one sport by nature. It evolved from duels between Samurai." she explains, bowing a little. "You are welcome to try as is everyone here if you so wish. As I said, Jataru-kun can show you how to put on the armour and some basic forms."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata then turns her attention back to the match, placing her bokken, tip-down on the ground and folding her hands on the pommel. "Begin!" she announces starting the match.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy nods at Hinata's explanation, feeling a little awkward as Miho ignores her and Hinata's tone makes her wonder if she just made herself look dumb. Oh well, even if she did, such embarassment is brief at friendly Radiant Heart. "Good to see you again, by the way." She adds quietly, nodding also to Niji and Tsubasa and Laura. "All of you."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She sits down and watches Miho's match attentively, curiously. "...What are the rules on the practice bouts, anyway?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:134|Niji Dasshu (134)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Niji nods at Hinata's explanation, and then turns to introduce herself to Laura. "Niji Dasshu. That's a long name." she says, to Laura. "So... La-mer-san is the right address?" she asks, a little bit confused and knowing some of the folks who are not native to Japan have their own thoughts about which name or title to use.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's good to see you again too, Faust-san." she says. "I'd ask if you three were interested in doing the practice bout with me, but I guess they'd pair us up with someone who knows what they're doing rather than pair us off against each other."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How have things... been?" she asks, and that question is much more general than specific, since there's so many people around her that she's not gotten a chance to talk to in a bit! Okay, so it's Tsubasa and Amy, but still.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>TMiho breathes out. As soon as Hinata says begin, Miho changes her stance to a high stance. The blade is brought up above her head. While Sadina has range, Miho has training, technicque, and experience. The woman steps forward going into a deep slash thats intended to be short. There's no yell as well. Meaning this isn't Miho's attack. When the attack comes up short, her stance ends in a low stance...Which she goes into a upper thrust. There's the kai, marking her attack. This type of attack is a bit hidden by Miho's body. There's a step into the attack to extend the thrust. This will likely catch the younger Sadina offguard.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next exchange, Sadina seems go on the attack right away, and Miho parries several blows. And then Miho seems to make a very simple mistake that opens up her side to a slash. Sadina doesn't quite catch it right away, but then catches the opening.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exchanges seem kinda off a little with Miho. She does several very advance technicques, only to open herself up on the next exchance. The latest exchange, Miho scores her fourth point by taking a side stance, feinting the slash. As Sadina moves to defend the slash, Miho changes her stance to High, and strikes the head. And then in the following exhange, Miho goes for a slash, that comes up...just short on an openning in Sadina's defense, but leaves Miho open to a tap on the head. Miho could have easily made a thrust like earlier, but seems to refrain. Sadina takes a second to try to parry, but realizes the thrust isn't coming and taps Miho on the head...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Score...4 to 4....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>A duel between samurai? Laura tilts her head as she overhears Hinata's explanation, recognising the word from one of the history lessons she had had at Radiant Heart, one of the many things she has taken to heart here. That explains the forms that Miho and her opponent were holding then, since samurai had cared a lot about those details, even before they had taken control of the power balance in Japan, she echoes mentally.<br><br>Hinata's form is probably one of those rules, her mind bounces to next when she sternly announces the beginning of the match with the shifting of her position. "Is placing your sword down like that important?", she asks the overseeing student anyway, taking out the Aqua Pot to snap some bubble pictures of how a duel is supposed to go.<br><br>"Hello, Amy-san, good to see you are ok", she returns the greeting at the redhead's gesture. "Nice meeting you, Dasshu-san", Laura expresses a similar sentiment. "It is ''my'' name though, I have noticed having one like mine tends to be uncommon around here", she smiles and nods at the rainbow student. Grand Ocean has an average of three in general, after all.<br><br>"I go by Laura, but La Mer works just as well. Don't worry about it so much", she suggests the other student. "As for you, last name like the tradition here? I have finished with clubs for the day. Is this your club?" she asks Niji, still paying attention to the match to take more pictures. "It is not mine, and I am learning by watching for now. I am also a friend of Miho-san there", she points to the dueling girl.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:160|Hinata Muramasa (160)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata calls each point as it's made. Focussing on the match until the final exchange. "Pause." she states, lifting her bokken to hold between the two fighters.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The basics are, each attack can be High, Mid or Low. Before you strike you must yell a kai. If you do not and hit, you lose the exchange. Our practice matches are first to five points. A point is awarded when you strike your intended target. The armour is there to stop injuries." She gestures to Miho and Sadina. "Inada-san is a much more advanced fighter than Sadina-san. Some of you may have seen 'gaps' in her defenses and pulled attacks." she eyes Miho directly at that. "This allowed Sadina-san to see the mistakes in her own defense and learn from them."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata then returns her bokken to its original position. "Resume. Final point."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sadina's breathing is rapid but steady, and she switches to a Middle guard stance, and makes a few testing strikes at Miho, tighting up her own defenses in light of the previous exchanges. The 8th grader then shifts low, and announces her intent as she goes for the hip slash, aiming for the pad on Miho's left side.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laura's question earns a nod from Laura, but she waits for the match to end, one way or the other to answer.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After the match is concluded she turns to Laura and explains. "The position denotes that I am the arbiter. I am not participating in the duel, but my word is law." she says, lifting her bokken and sheathing it at her hip again. She then turns to the watchers, and bows. "I must apologize, I have committed a breach of tradition and not introduced myself." she remains bowed, a deep one at the waist so she's almost parallel with the ground. "Muramasa Hinata, 7th grade." she says, then straightens. "Thank you for your interest in our club."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy watches the duel with interest, trying to read the combatants and their moves and attempts to fake eachother out. Laura comments on names, "Yeah, I'm... okay I guess. And unusual names, here... would you believe I wasn't the only Faust-san here? We had a German exchange student with the same surname last year." Beat. "I'm American." she adds, realizing she may never have told Laura that and she is new to Earth geography.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ahh, I see." Amy nods to Muramasa's explanation. So some of those openings weren't traps or fakeouts, but a teaching method. Also, she tries to mentally review and keep in mind the rules. Have to kiai before striking. Could feint without kiai but the opponent might notice that. She raises her hand. "If you kiai and miss, or decide not to strike, is there any penalty?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the break and introductions, she smiles and bows back, though not so deeply. "It's good to see you, Muramasa-san. It's been awhile... and I don't think I've seen you at school much." Mostly due to being three grades ahead, probably.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miho coughs a little bit. She doesn't respond to that. She has to remember that certain people can tell she's a lot better then she pretends to be. The woman might be one of the few people in the school who could score from a Katate-waza strike, AKA One handed strikes. In competitions, unless its a very good strike, one handed attacks usually are counted as hits insteads of slashes. As Sadina moves to the hip, Miho catches the slash, and circleparries it up.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Sadina tries to recover by stepping back, Miho slides her hips, taking an odd stance. Her bokken is in her left hand, as she focuses. The woman makes a thrust with her left hand and kai-ing, before twisting her right leg and ankle. This opens her hips up, but also extends her thrust and its speed. A left handed lightning thrust during a practice match? If it succeeds, its an impressive way to finish the match. If it doesn't connect or gets pushed just a little to the side, then it leaves the entirity of Miho's body open with no defense...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>As interesting as this information may be, it is all so rigid, Laura regards with a bit of surprise. Especially saying "my word is law" feels out of place to her. Not even at Grand Ocean they are so strict on formality. It really is like a rigid structure taken from history books, the pinkette makes the association with the events in front of her.<br><br>"That's a lot of practice", Laura comments as she focuses on remembering everything Hinata has just laid out, although she ought to put it on paper soon before it slips her mind. "Miho-san has told me she has been training for years at this. She really is good", she can't help but admire even knowing how and why that came to be. "Could you explain when each strike height is good, please?" she inquires further.<br><br>Whether here or in Grand Ocean, geography is geography, so Laura has had a much easier time adapting to that rather than history, which was essentially brand new to her. "Coincidence, or is there any chance of you being remotely related?", she brings up to Amy over the shared surnames.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:134|Niji Dasshu (134)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Duels between Samurai..." Niji muses having picked up on that bit in a long form transfer, and it's clear her estimation of Kendo's coolness has grown from that.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Dasshu-san is fine till you're comfortable with Niji-san yeah. Just never chan." she says, firmly. "I'm not anybody's cute kohai."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She starts paying a little bit more attention to 'Samurai Dueling' (why did they call it Kendo then. Samurai Dueling is much cooler) now that it's been described to her as such. "It's good to meet you as well, Muramasa-san." She says. The name seems a little familiar, but... maybe it's just one she's -heard- before. The foreigner names are easier to pick out!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's not my club, I tend to do more team sports than individual stuff. I work better that way. But it's hard to say that this doesn't have some appeal too..." she muses, the competitve spirit rising slightly in her as she watches and answers Laura.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:160|Hinata Muramasa (160)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sadina's guard is knocked fully off kilter, the younger fighter still reeling back as Miho jabs in for that unusual hit... she doesn't even get her bokken into play before the strike lands, and she tips over onto her butt from being off balance. "Match over, Inada-san wins, five to four. Sadina-san, your technique has improved a lot. I am impressed." she says, offering a hand to the slightly older girl and pulling her back to her feet. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you announce, strike and miss, you open yourself up to a counter attack." she explains, after Sadina slinks away a bit embarrassed at being so handily defeated... though Miho is clearly a much better fighter. "It is good to see you also, Faust-san." her accent butchers the foreign name, though her tone doesn't deviate from the near monotone she's had this whole time. "I tend to go straight to my room in the dorms after class, unless there is a meeting for the Kendo club."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Laura she turns, and with a little shake of her head. "You would be better served attending our non-practice meetings. They occur at the weekend. We talk strategy, tactics and forms, and is also when we formally induct new members if they wish to join the club." she says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Niji's face betrays her recognition of her family name. "Yes. I am from '''that''' Muramasa family." she confirms, no point in hiding her heretige after all. "Dasshu-san, I will tell you that Kendo, means 'Way of the Sword'. It is a word adapted from old Japanese from Imperial times." It's like she's reading the rainbow-haired girl's mind! (She is not actually, she just wants to get more people in the club). "I have seen you at the other clubs. Your athleticism and agility would serve you well if it can be honed with some discipline."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Related to Magda Faust? "Uhhhhhhh... not for at least four generations back, I think. If we have the same great-great-grandparents, I wouldn't know." Amy shrugs. "It's probably a coincidence. Almost certainly, rather."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Niji mentions team sports. "I kinda liked soccer. And basketball. And volleyball. But I just... I don't have ''time'' for another major extracurricular activity, you know?" Amy comments to Dash. Although... she does briefly wonder. If Amy ''wasn't'' magical in this situation, would she join a team? ...Maybe. Basketball maybe not as good at this height though. And it'd be hard to spike in volleyball like she wants to. "I think I'm a pretty good defender in soccer."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hinata Muramasa is related to ''that'' Muramasa. "Damn, you can trace back that far? I guess... I guess here in Japan, that kinda thing is a lot different than just knowing vaguely how many generations ago your ancestors came over on a boat, huh..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She turns to Miho, "Anyway, nice match! That was really cool! How long have you been doing kendo? ...Oh right, martial arts since childhood. Uhh..." She flounders a bit, for something to talk about.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miho 'sheathes' her sword, and bows. She formally ends the match. The woman takes off her helmet, and breathes out a little bit. "Thank you for the match, Sadina.", she says. Miho looks at Amy. "Sorry. Its a major insult to speak to those outside the match once you step in.", she tells. "And my mom was a Miko. Thats where I learned Naginatajutsu. And well, while it is a seperate sport, it uses the same equipment as Kendo.", she points out. The woman blushes a bit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I was...kinda hoping not to be spotted, since my gear is...yeah, very obvious.", she admits to. Miho takes in a deep breath. "That last movement is something thats not commonly taught, Sadina. Its actual an Imperial movement taught to the shinsengumi. Save its delivered from the right hand. There was one who was left handed during a time when using a katana with your left hand was illegal, and he used it with his left hand.", she tells.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miho looks at Amy. "Kendo and Naginatajutsu I didn't start until about 5...maybe 6 years ago. About when I stopped...competing in archery.", she tells. The woman blushes. "I have...attendance issues that keep me off the competition team.", the woman tells. There's a bit of a shifty look at that.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And you have to remember, Amy, Clans are a very big thing here. Like how my family can trace back all the way to 1000 years in Kyoto.", she tells.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>"In Grand Ocean we use first names, I can do Niji-san, or just Niji too", Laura offers to Niji, taking one more photo in the meantime. It might be brazen, but to her specifically, it has never actually been weird. "I was using Dasshu-san since that's important here, is it not?" she points out, a wide smile appearing when Miho's victory is announced. Looks like those photos will be actually good to show to Miho then.<br><br>She gives a wave at the winner just as Hinata's suggestion distracts her. Does she actually want to do that? Take up a new club activity? Is it something she could do? It was actually cool to watch, but she is not sure that would be something she has interest in herself. She doesn't have to decide ''now'', though, does she? "I understand, thanks, Hinata-san", she replies without committing.<br><br>"Good job, Miho-san!", Laura cheers, approaching her. "That was great to look at. I took some photos of the best moments too, of course", she points proudly at the Aqua Pot.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy nods and ahhs at the explanation of etiquette. "...If you don't want to be spotted, couldn't you wear... less unusual gear?" Amy winces a bit as she asks, realizing it's kind of a dumb question since if Miho ''could'' she presumably ''would''. "Wow, so you know like... an ''actual'' secret martial arts sword move? That's pretty..." Amy rubs the back of her head trying to think of what even can contextualize that. "...Like damn, that's like something out of an anime."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Is it... ''that'' common to be able to trace it back that far?" She almost asks ''why'' Miho's family has tracked it that long, but then remembers: Oh right, magic. ''Wait, is the clan matrilineal? She said she learned from her Mom, right?'' Amy wonders, but this isn't the place to ask.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:266|Miho Inada (266)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miho takes a moment to nod her head to Laura, and then blushes horribly. "I don't actually compete or anything.", she says. The woman bites her lip. "I actually don't want to compete. I just do this...kinda...for fun and exercise.", she tells. Miho shakes her head, watch Sadina kinda slink off. "Its..not so much a secret movement anymore. Just not widely practiced. Its kinda like the battoujutsus. Theyr'e still practiced, but very rarely actually used. The drawing techniques.", she explains to Amy.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Like some places in Kyoto still teach some of the older styles. Either way...", she says. The woman hugs Am and Laura. She looks down at her watch, and blinks. Crap. Test tomorrow! Grrr! Evil teachers! Why can't they be youma! Wait, they're evillier then Youma...Miho kinda blinks though when she listens to Hinata say she's from that clan. The woman makes a note sometime to visit Hinata more quietly. "S-sorry. I do need to shower, and then get back to the dorm. I have an english test tomorrow that I /have/ to pass...", Miho explains.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy nods at the explanation.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Does she have anything like any ancient connections herself? Well... Puella Magi may have been operating awhile... But it's not like they've passed anything down.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...The next thing that comes to her mind -- not that it would be unusual or magical -- is whether she feels a connection to women and their struggles, which have after all been going on as long as there have been humans, or at least since the dawn of agriculture and non-nomadic settlements allowed for the establishment of the patriarchy, but like. In some ways it still doesn't feel like she ''counts...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sorry her mind wandered a bit off track. Where were we? Thinking about ancient things. You know, maybe a thousand years isn't that long, when one of her best friends is reincarnated from and remembers 14,000 years ago.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...And another friend ''didn't'' reincarnate and ''lived through'' those 14,000 years...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Wait hold on was that bit about the dawn of agriculture and its changes on society even ''true'', when there were the Golden and Moon kingdoms, should she like... ask someone about ''real'' ancient human history one of these days?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy has been standing there not actually saying 'goodbye' for several seconds. "Uh. Um. Right, sorry, uh, do you want help with English? I'm a native speaker, and I did briefly teach it a little bit... If not, I'll see you when I see you." She smiles.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:256|Laura La Mer (256)}} has posed:'''<br>"So what?", Laura asserts. "It's still really cool. You think that just because it wasn't a contest, then it was nothing special?", the pinkette shakes her head, then returning the hug. "Maybe looking at photos will help yourself", the mermaid brings up. "There really was nothing wrong there."<br><br>She lets go of the subject when Miho mentions she has a test. "Alright, but I am going to show them to you when you are free. And I have things to do too", she recalls what she had originally set out to do. Better if she goes to the dorms this time. "Need to check on the Queen and see how she is doing", she explains to Amy and Miho both.<br> <br>
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