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....