04: The Competition, Day Two

You have all gained what rest you can through the night and whilst you are not a fresh as you may have hoped you would be for starting the second day of the contest you but at least non of your injuries from the incident the previous night will prevent you from competing and having to return home in shame. The other competitors also seem to have been similarly lucky during the fight as they are all present when you gather for the first of today's events.

You have been told that today's events will be the Weaponry, Poetry, Law, Go, Archery, and Hunting (in that order). You find yourselves waiting at the Dojo for the weaponry contest to begin.

Hoshi smiles and bows to the both of you in greeting "Thank you Togashi-san, Isawa-san. I am sure I will prove I am up to the challenge if the fortunes are with me".

As you are talking you both can see the judges and other senior attendees beginning to assemble. Over Hitoshis shoulder you can see Kakita Toshimoko is stood chatting with several other samurai, including the current Topaz Champion Kitsuki Yuikimi, and whilst most seem to be paying him the amount of attention an individual of his station is due you do note that Bayushi Sugai, the runner up from last years championship, is staring towards where you are standing with Hitoshi.

Yoshi and Aki - you both try to recall any details about Bayushi Sugai but other than the fact that they are Scorpion and he was the runner up in last years Topaz Championship you struggle to recall any other details.Kashita - Toshimoko bows slightly in your direction, a tad deeper than required to simply be polite given his higher station and chuckles slightly in return "I'm afraid I have not been blessed with a wife or children as of yet but if I am fated to do so I will think on your invitation in the future. You have more than proven that you deserve your please here Otaku-san" he says gesturing towards the leader board where you currently occupy the top position "and I look forwards to seeing how you tackle today's challenges". As he is talking with you you spot Yasuki Jun out of the corner of your eye, the Crab courtier seems to be trying to keep out of sight whilst they sneak a few drinks from what appears to be a sake bottle.

Mirumoto Hinata smiles slightly and returns your bow "I am well Yoshi-san. The....excitement in the sake house was certainly unexpected but I am none the worse for it". She seems like she is about to speak again when the sound of a gong rings out across the dojo signalling the first contest is about to begin.

As you all quickly move to position a Lion bushi and Kakita Toshimoko himself stand before you all. The Lion Bushi gives you all a hard glance before he begins speaking "In battle a samurai must be flexible, adapting as conditions change on the battlefield" he gestures over to a weapon rack which is holding a variety of practice swords, spears, clubs, and staves "Choose your weapon, you will be assigned a partner once you are ready" as he finishes there is a flurry of activity as all the competitors move to the weapon racks.

The Lion bushi and Kakita Toshimoko nod in satisfaction at all of your performances seeming to be particularly satisfied with your approach as well as your conduct. Whilst you all met the required standard you were not able to exceed the flawless effort of Kakita Riku who received a few words praising her performance from both of the judges. The only competitor who failed to reach the required standard was Yasuki Jun, whether his poor showing was down to the sake he was sneaking or just that the Crab Courtier is not particularly adept with weapons is a bit unclear from his dissatisfied grumblings.

You are given a few moments to clean up and change out of your sparing clothes before you are all split into pairs and escorted into the gardens for the poetry contest. Three judges all sit waiting on your arrival, Bayushi Moriko of the Scorpion Clan, Kitsuki Tai Yu of he Dragon Clan, and Hida Goroharu of the Crab Clan. As you enter Hida Goroharu pulls his pipe from his mouth "It is not we who are the poets, it is the universe itself." he says. You are then given a theme upon which to compose a poem and only afforded a few moments before you are told to begin....

Kashita - Whether it be the unfamiliar setting or the fact that she was paired with Yasuki Jun (who's poem would be more appropriate for a dockside sake house) Kashita finds her effort to just draw flat gazes from the three judges. Kitsuki Tai Yu makes a sharp gesture to dismiss you both. As you are walking out Yasuki Jun looks somewhat sheepish "I'm afraid I only know the more...bawdy type of poems" he says quietly.

Yoshi - the judges all nod in satisfaction at your haiku, Hida Goroharu even breaking out into a grin seeming to find something particularly appealing in your prose. "Very good, thank you" the Crab says as you and your partner are dismissed.

Aki - Aki finds herself paired with Shiba Toya. The other Phoenix is first up and delivers an almost flawless haiku drawing approving nods from all the judges. Aki clears her mind and lets the words flow, they tumble over one another like water flowing down a stream. As she finishes the judges all stare at her expressionless for a moment before Bayushi Moriko mutters a simple "Sublime" before all three judges incline their heads in a slight bow of respect. You are both dismissed with their thanks. As you exit your eyes seek out Hitoshi, the mantis seems in good spirits apparently having accounted for himself quite well.

You are all allowed a few minutes to mingle before the next contest, the Law trial, is due to begin.

Aki - Hitoshi smiles and seems much more at ease than he was during yesterdays events "Indeed Aki-san, the fortunes seem to be finding me more in their favour today" he says with a grin.

Kashita - Yasuki Jun smiles and their embarrassment seems to lessen somewhat as you walk to where the others are standing.

Yoshi - Bayushi Mei Lin smiles at your comments "Indeed, they are. However I am sure the challenges we will face once we have all achieved our Gempuku will make us look back fondly on these events"

Yoshi - the Scorpion Bushi shakes her head causing the red mask that covers the left side of her face to shift slightly "I'm afraid I am not acquainted with Sugai-sama though I have certainly tried to learn what I can from their performance in last years tournament"

Aki - Hitoshi chuckles slightly "Indeed, hopefully they continue doing so for the remainder of the day". Whilst you are talking to the Mantis you do notice that although you are all standing together the other competitors are positioned in a manner to make it obvious they do not consider you and him to be 'with' them currently.

Before anything else can be said a female samurai bearing the mon of the Pheonix clan bustles pass you all carrying an armful of scrolls. ‘'I hope you spent time studying for this" she says before she disappears into the gallery. The now very familiar gong rings out as you are all lined up and escorted inside one at a time.

Whilst Aki and Kashita's approaches do not seem to please Akodo Eiko or Asako Himeya (Bayushi Kiriko does not seem to have an opinion on your approach) but your flexibility with your answers seems to satisfy them in the end. As well as you both did you failed to exceed the performance of Bayushi Mei Lin who receives accolades from each of the judges. Kashita's clansman Moto Batbayar fails to meet the required standard.

Whils Yoshi manages to provide some high level answers his lack of detail on the responses fails to pass the required standard from the judges, his approach however draws a few appreciative murmurs from the Lion and Pheonix judges at least. As you are exiting you happen to overhear a couple of samurai discussing Bayushi Sugai, apparently the Scorpion has been making some less than complimentary, not to mention borderline disrespectful, comments about Kakita Toshimoko. As you move out of earshot you catch one of them saying "...hardly surprising he has some bad feelings towards the Grey Crane, I've heard ever since he lost last years tournament he has been critical of the way the competition was run..."

As you exit the gallery you are quickly guided over to a large hall where a number of tables have been arrayed, set out on each is a go board and pieces. You are quickly divided into pairs and set against one another. An older Lion bushi, Ikoma Ikehata, wanders the room studying the competitors play styles. Whilst delivering the occasional rap on the knuckles to anyone who he feels is trying to run the time down he rumbles "Just like on the battlefield, bold tactics bear results"

Whilst neither Kashita or Yoshi score particularly well during the game they do both get an approving nod from Ikoma Ikehata as he observes your play style. Aki on the other hand fares much better, netting both a win and the approval of the Lion judge.

Whilst she is playing Aki glances over at Hitoshi. Whilst the mantis has earned a disproving grunt from the judge for his more flexible, less aggressive style of play he still performs well and the judges scores him appropriately. Aki does once again see a lot of similarities between Hitoshi and the other crane present and the thought occurs to her that if he was wearing their mon he would easily pass for one of their clan.

Towards the end of the session all eyes are drawn to the match between Bayushi Mei Lin and Yasuki Jun. Over the course of play the Scorpion Bushi is beginning to look increasingly frustrated whilst the Crab Courtier seems to be effortlessly placing stones on the board. After a furious exchange Yasuki Jun smiles slightly an places his final stone on the board, Ilyushin Mei Lin stares at the board in shock for a few moments before looking up at the Crab and bowing quite low, seeming to be assessing the courtier in a new light. In return Jun maintains his satisfied smile and returns her bow.

At this point the contest breaks for lunch and you are all given a short while to mingle before the Archery and the Hunting contests. The scores are updated and it now shows that Aki is leading the standings on 15 points with Yoshi and Kashita taking the second and third positions with 13 and 12 points respectively. Hitoshi and Yasuki Jun are the only two competitors who have yet to score highly enough to achieve their Gempuku. I occurs to you all that if Hitoshi is to stand any chance of qualifying then he will need to not just score in both of the remaining contests but to win at least one them outright....

Hitoshi smiles at your approach as does Jun. "Indeed, the fortunes seem to be favouring me more this day" the Mantis says before Jun chips in "Well, we still have two contests remaining today so we shall see". Hitoshi nods at this, hid good mood seeming to dip slightly but Yasuki Jun seems not to be overly phased by the prospect of failing their Gempuku.

Aki looks to find a quiet spot in a nearby shrine, as she enters the shrine keeper gestures for her to sit next to another figure who also seems to be taking the opportunity to pray. As you approach you recognise it is one of the other competitors, Kitsu Tsubasa. The Lion Shugenga nods slightly to you in acknowledgement but otherwise does not interrupt their devotions.

Yoshi - Jun shrugs "If the fortunes will it I will achieve my Gempuku, if not I wont. We are all somewhat victims to the whims of fate".

You all finish up your lunch and are escorted over to a large training field. Archery targets stand at one end and three lines are drawn in the sand in intervals, leading away from each butt. The judge, Kakita Naomori of the Crane Clan, bows serenely to you all before instructing you to take a bow and move to the closest line from the target to take a shot. You are then to move to the next line back and take another, and again for the third and furthest line from the target. As you all take your positions he quietly says "True archers understand that the arrow knows the way to the target." before gesturing for you all to begin. As you take your places you all think you catch a glimpse of the visage of Doji Satsume regarding you all from the crowd but his visage is gone as Hitoshi moves across your eye line looking more confident and relaxed than you have seen him in any of the other contests so far. You all know the Mantis needs to succeed in this and the last contest of the day, the Hunting, and also achieve the front position in at least one of them in order to achieve his gempuku....

You all find your performances fail to meet the mark. Aki at least get's an approving nod and Yoshi gets a curt geusture to move to the side when done, but the judge goes so far as to shake his head at Kashita in disapproval. You are joined at the side by Yasuki Jun and Shiba Toya, the Crab bemoaning the fact that they are more used to the crossbow and the Phoenix seeming to have struggled with their somewhat poor eyesight.

The highlight of the contest comes at the end as Hitoshi moves to take his turn. Instead of positioning himself at the first marker he moves directly up to the target before turning and beginning to run back up the track. As he hits each of the three markers he snaps a shot at the target not even bothering to slow his pace nor seeming to spare more than a glance in its direction. Almost as quick as he began he reaches the end, barley out of breath and you can all see his three arrows clustered tightly in the dead centre of the target. The silence lingers for a few moments before a stuttered applause breaks the air. Hitoshi stares at the target for a moment before a slight grin of satisfaction breaks across his face and he turns to leave the field.

As the last contest of the day, the Hunting, is expected to be the longest you are all hurried to the edge of the training field and told by the next judge, Hiruma Kagehiro of the Crab Clan, to select either a bow or a spear for those of you who are not proscribed against the spilling of blood. "Keep alert," the judge says "the hares and bucks are quick to flee, so you‘ll have to spot them first." he says to you all. For those, such as Shugenga and Monks, who are not allowed to shed blood you are instead instructed to locate and return with any valuable or rare medicinal herd you can find before you are all sent off into the forest.

Aki manages to return with a small amount of Reishi, a red kidney shaped mushroom that is known to be beneficial for ailments affecting the chest. As she returns the judge gives her a slight satisfied nod. The rest of you fail to meet the mark on the Hunting contest and based on the judge's disapproving frown your approach was also not what they were looking for, his frustration seems particularly focused on Kashita as he says "Just because you may have already achieved the required standard does not mean it is acceptable to not even try to meet the final challenge.". Mirumoto Hinata and Shiba Toya also return empty handed, looking similarly abashed. Moto Batbayar gains the most praise as he brings back a splendid silver-furred fox.

As the judges withdraw to compare notes and tabulate the final standings you all return to your lodgings to change into your finery and prepare for the feast that will be held this evening at the Tsuma magistrates estate. Your thoughts also linger on what is to come tomorrow, the Iajitsu contest for the Bushi and other more martial competitors and the Taryu-jiai contest for the Shugenga - the winner of which will be named Topaz Champion!

No, if that's what would have been expected, she'll do that. I'll edit out the spear from my post as well then. Sorry xD

Your conversation is cut short as you reach your lodgings and find a small army of servants rushing about. Each of you are quickly hurried off to your rooms and the servants help to prepare you for the evenings feast. In fairly short order you find yourselves at the local magistrates estate, an elegant home overlooking the village which is currently festooned with lanterns and packed with servants and guests. The house has its doors thrown open to the warm spring evening, transforming its interior into one massive feast hall around a central garden.
A servant bows to you as you enter and escorts you to your seats at a long table set aside for the contestants. At the head of the table is Kakita Toshimoko, flanked on either side by town magistrate Kakita Kaetatsu and the priest from the contest. Kitsuki Yuikimi and Bayushi Sugai sit across from him as honored guests, and each favors you with a glance as you reach your seat—a friendly one from Yuikimi, and a dour glare from Sugai.
Most of your fellow contestants are already here and enjoying the sake as well. Hitoshi, in particular, seems to be muttering darkly into his cup which surprises you all somewhat as his performance at the end of the day has seemed enough to have passed his Gempuku. Infact you are quite pleased to see all of the contestants have passed. Before you get chance to check on the Mantis there is a small ringing of a gong signifying that the guests should begin to present their gifts to their host, Kakita Toshimoko. As tradition dictates the guests of the Dragon clan are expected to present theirs first and after perhaps seeing Yoshi's slight hesitation as consent Mirumoto Hinata moves to present their gift, a book of stories and philosophies of some of the greatest Shinseist thinkers of the Dragon Clan. After the polite series of refusals and repeated offerings Toshimoko accepts the gift and seems to spend a moment reading a note that was slipped inside before smiling slightly and nodding at Hinata in thanks. Most eyes now turn to Yoshi as Hinata regains their seat.

Yoshi presents their gift and whilst Toshimoko seems a little bemused he says "My thanks, philosophy is not my strongest suit Yoshi-san but I hope to gain some enlightenment from your gift" and he bows in thanks.

Yasuki Jun presents a small cask. From the markings on the side it appears to a cask of Friendly Traveller Sake, widely regarded as one of the best in Rokugan. Toshimoko smiles widely at the gift and seems very grateful for the gift.

Kashita is up next and after the presentation Toshimoko is silent for a long few moments before smiling faintly "Remarkable, you have caught his likeness incredibly well Kashita-san. I know just the place for this to go." he favours you with a slight smile as he bows in thanks.

Moto Batbayar presents a caged songbird that they found in the western lands beyond the boundaries of the empire.

Bayushi Mei Lin presents next. The Scorpion strangely offers up incense and perfumes that are known to come from the Spice Islands of the Mantis. Whilst he politely accepts Toshimoko's face takes a decidedly harder turn at this gift.

Aki then presents her gift and his mood seems to lift somewhat as he accepts the book of prayers. He opens the book seemingly at random and reads a passage to himself and smiles slightly before thanking her.

Shiba Toya presents a poem written in honour of the Grey Crane and is shown to be written in stunning calligraphy.

Kakita Riku presents a broken bokken, which is clearly worthless but makes Toshimoko laugh out loud and smile warmly.

Kitsu Tsubasa presents an elegant jewelled fan that once belonged to one of Toshimoko’s ancestors who married into the Lion Clan.

As the gift giving is taking place Hitoshi's expression gets increasingly darker, the Mantis seems to be getting increasingly annoyed by the proceedings. As the Lion rejoins his seat the servants begin to bring more drinks and the first course of the meal but before they have put more than a few bowls of food onto the table Hitoshi explodes out from his seat! "Enough!" Hitoshi shouts, standing and knocking a jar of rice wine from the hands of a nearby servant. ’’I am not to be ignored, passed over, insulted at every turn! I, too, have a gift for you, Kakita-samal" He points one accusing finger as the hall rings with silence "I challenge you to a duel!". At this the room falls silent and you all see the now familiar ghostly figure of Doji Satsume starting at Hitoshi, you feel you have but a moment to act as Toshimoko seems too stunned to think right at this instance....

Duels to the death are fairly rare to be honest. For minor slights or insults, perceived or otherwise, a duel would normally be to first touch or blood. Duels to the death are typically only reserved for the most serious transgressions.

To elaborate, you'd all be aware of the following - the parties involved would be usually expected to agree on the terms of the duel, typically just the objective (to the first strike, to incapacitate, to the death, or another goal) and what weapons and fighting styles are to be used. If they cannot come to terms then it falls to the reigning lord (whichever samurai is present that has the highest Status) to decide, in this case Kakita Toshimoko would have absolute discretion over the terms so it would largely depend on how angry Hitoshi's outburst has made him. Given that none of you have formally achieved your Gempuku as yet (the ceremony will be completed after the duelling competition tomorrow) if he was to accept the duel and declare it was to be to the death, especially considering how much he obviously out matches Hitoshi, even if he were to win the loss of face for effectively slaughtering a child would potentially be so great that he would be expected to take his own life....your assumption would be that it would be incredibly unlikely for Toshimoko to accept an objective more severe than to the first blood.

If the above would change your previous posts at all feel free to amend them.
Doji Satsume was the brother in law of Kakita Toshimoko (Satsume's widow is Toshimoko's sister)

Toshimoko tenses and seems on the verge of an angry and probably unseemly response to the young Mantis when you all jump to intervene. As Aki quietly speaks to Hitoshi and Kashita more loudly interjects you all see Hitoshi's face soften a touch as it seems the reality of what he has just done begins to set in. At Yoshi's offer to take Toshimoko's place in the duel both he and Hitoshi break the glare that had been fixed between them and turn their eyes on the monk, Hitoshi flushes visibly and begins to stammer "Yoshi-san, no I...I did not....it would not be...." before he pauses for a moment, squeezing his eyes closed before returning his gaze mostly to Toshimoko. The mantis quickly stammers out an apology before offering up his gift, a Mantis-made boat currently tied up in the wharf of the village before he quickly returns to his seat. Toshimoko grunts an acceptance, obviously still angered at Hitoshi's outburst but the danger of a duel seems to have passed.

Other than Hitoshi sitting in shamed silence for the remainder of the meal the mood of most of those present returns to a quite jovial one once the meal, one of the best you have eaten, begins in earnest and the sake begins to flow freely (although Hitoshi does decline anything further). At around the mid point of the meal the final standings are announced from the Gempuku, all of the competitors being congratulated for achieving the required standard.

Gempuku Standings
Isawa Aki - 17 points
Togashi Yoshi - 14 points
Kakita Riku - 13 points
Otaku Kashita - 12 points
Bayushi Mei Lin - 12 points
Moto Batbayar - 11 points
Kitsu Tsuba - 10 points
Shiba Toya - 9 points
Mirumoto Hinata - 9 points
Yasuki Jun - 8 points
Hitoshi - 8 points

Despite the difference in their standings Mirumoto Hinata still vigorously defends their school in conversations with Kakita Riku, in fact most of the competitors quite jovially boast with one another about who will be victorious tomorrow and will take the title of Topaz Champion. As the night draws to a close and you all return to your lodgings and you thoughts turn to the final day tomorrow, despite the all round high spirits you cannot help but feel a sliver of trepidation, if anything is going to happen to prevent Hitoshi reaching his Gempuku it will have to be before the end of the duelling contest.....