driftfleet | Welcome to the dojo

Entry tags:

Welcome to the dojo

Who: Kogarasumaru and YOU
Broadcast: Yes
Action: At his new dojo on the Iskaulit
When: The rest of June

Broadcast

[The face of the pretty sword of the fleet comes on and he smiles pleasantly at the camera, bowing his head in a way that makes that wing-like hair sway like the flapping of wings.]

A good day to you all. After a welcome suggestion from one of the captains here, I have established a dojo aboard the Iskaulit. It is open and welcome for all but I do wish to mention that I will be offering lessons in swordsmanship here. Please feel free to come and use the space for your purposes.

[He tilts his head just a little.]

For those who have already asked for lessons, they are ready to begin. I look forward to seeing you.

[Another smile and he ends the transmission.]

Action - Dojo

[He has been rather pleased with his find here and has taken a number of days to make sure that the dojo is properly setup. Now it looks like a dojo one might find in Japan and he's even crafted some pieces of wood into practice blades which hang on the wall. Naturally there are a number of sizes since not everyone will be able to wield the same length of blade.

Today he is in a more simplistic outfit. A modified version of what his citadel attire looks like. Something he's put together after gathering some clothes from one of the systems. It will work well for teaching others to use a blade. And this is how one will find him when they walk into his dojo. Sometimes dancing as he waits, sometimes kneeling, sometimes practicing with one of the wooden swords for himself.

No matter how you find him, he will offer a smile in greeting. Welcome to the dojo...]

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[He sees already that Ulaz has seen how to get free of this but there is nothing he can do to stop it. All the crow sword can do is get out of the way. It means that he has to allow the arm without a sword to be clipped but it is a sacrifice that is necessary.

In exchange he can get himself out of the way and jump up to try to get back inside of Ulaz's defenses again.]

[It wasn't hard for Kogarasumaru to get back inside of his defenses. The sword was small and quick and Ulaz had trouble keeping him back if he got around him. This time, he's going to try hard to try and block for longer. Running was not something he could allow himself to do too often.

He had at least landed a hit of his own]

[So he can get back inside his defenses where he can for Ulaz to defend. The little sword is thinking quick on his feet, looking for weaknesses in the defenses now that he's close to him. Now that offensive strikes are so much harder to achieve. The other is a skilled warrior and knows battle as well as he does. He supposes it would be an honor to lose to him.

Ah but that really isn't an option now is it? An owner of a dojo should not be losing to one of his first opponents. Or ever.

So he lets his practice blade slide along Ulaz's at one point during a strike so he can let it smack hard into the fingers of the other man. It's true that it won't cut but that hardly means it won't be painful.]

[Ulaz was doing pretty good keeping Kogarasumaru back for all of the challenges he was finding he had with someone shorter than he is. He was good at thinking quickly as well, but his movements by nature were much larger than the sword's and it was hard to keep weaknesses hidden.

Now that strike to his hand. He wouldn't have expected that. He had no guard to speak of to stop it. The strike to his hand unbalanced it enough that along with the strike on his hand he lost his grip on it and he was disarmed.

Kogarasumaru would probably notice the momentary half-glare half-pout that Ulaz gave the practice sword laying on the floor of the dojo, like it was the practice sword's fault. But it was quickly gone and he looked up]

It seems I've been disarmed.

[Such a thing was practically unthinkable to a Blade of his level, but he had never dueled with an actual sword before]

[He laughs and waves for him to come to the center of the room.]

Now, we bow to show the honor it has been to cross blades.

[He does so with him then goes to collect the fallen sword from the floor, looking up at the large man who was his opponent only moments before.]

Remember, it is never the fault of that which does not move without aid.

[Just a little scolding for pouting a sword clearly not at fault here. But his smile says that he's not actually upset by it as he puts the swords back on their display.]

You fight well. It has been some time since I have had a challenge.

[Ulaz did meet Kogarasumaru back in the center of the dojo, bowing back to him at the request. He watched as Kogarasumaru went to pick up the sword that he had dropped.

It didn't show in his face, but he felt a little silly now for the fact how he had reacted to being disarmed had been noticed. He was spoiled perhaps for being a senior member of the Blades. Few of them had been practicing as long as he had been. But he'd also been out of practice with an actual opponent who could not only challenge him, but could actually out think him]

Of course. It is not the sword's fault.

[Acknowledging that he had done that and he shouldn't have]

Thank you. Your fighting is exceptional. I would appreciate the opportunity to practice with you more.

You are welcome to come here whenever you wish to. I would be honored to practice with you.

[He waves his hand to another part of the room.]

Would you care for some tea while your body cools down?

Yes, I think tea would be good after a session like that.

[And he will start in that direction, letting Kogarasumaru catch up with him before heading over]

I haven't seen a training area like this before. Areas for tea were not something that was considered.

It would not have it where I am from either. I simply saw no reason not to include it.

[Setting down some cushions, he kneels on his then sets two cups before them, carefully pouring hot tea into them.]

Have you a preference for tea? I could look for some to serve during your visits.

For the aesthetic purpose of that, I cannot argue.

[For the longest time, everything had to be practical and in its place. Slowly, he's starting to realize not everything had to be practical. Especially around humans (or swords) who didn't think the way Galra did]

I don't have much preference. The werewolves seem to have a preference for "English" teas so I have tried a few of those. I would be open to new varieties.

I am afraid I know little of western teas. So I will introduce you to what I know and you can decide what you like.

[Setting the cup before Ulaz, he shifts back and lifts his own up, enjoying the aroma of it.]

I have been collecting tea since I arrived.

That is a good option. There seem to be a lot of different options so perhaps I will find one that I had never considered.

[Ulaz picked up the cup presented to him, picking it up. He paused a moment to feel the warmth coming off the cup and let the scent of it wash over him]

Is there are a name for this tea?

This is hojicha. It is known for the toasted warmth in its flavor.

[He takes a small sip and then sighs.]

It is roasted over charcoal typically before being brewed into tea.

Hojicha...

[He said the name as though trying to remember it. He brought the cup to his lips and sipped it]

I do like it. I will have to remember it.

I am fond of it as well. I find it warms the soul to taste it.

[He settles the cup in his lap as he looks across at his companion.]

May I ask what inspired you to take up a blade?

[There was a moment of silence from across the table as Ulaz sipped his tea. When he lowered the cup he spoke]

We are fighting a war in my world. Zarkon's only goal is to conquer the universe and gain power. We thought early on that expansion would lead to stability but it did not.

[Since he feels that he can trust Kogarasumaru...]

That is the more political of the answers. When I was significantly younger, my younger brother, influenced by the propaganda of the Empire, joined Zarkon's army. He was, unfortunately, expendable and there was no concern for his sacrifice. This started my distrust of the Empire.

[He listens to him quietly, his silver eyes watching calmly. When Ulaz finishes, he nods slowly. Yes, he can see why one would pick up a sword for that.]

And so you wished to see that no other brothers would fall again if you could help it. That is noble.

No, I did not want that. I was spared in my youth having to serve, but it was hard to watch him leave and then never return. That was never something that needed to happen.

It has been many years, but I am still fighting.

I have seen many a young man go to battle to spare their family. To spare other families.

[He smiles a little, seeming to look at something that isn't there at all.]

You have a noble soul.

I have seen too many never come back. Not just my own family, but those who are helping me in this war. Too many of them have not come back.

[He looked down at his mug of tea. It was just easier to look at when he was thinking about it. Of course those were words that Kolivan could now use about him. He was himself added to that list]

I'm doing what I feel is right. There doesn't need to be this much violence in the universe.

Sometimes what is right is not always the easiest path. It takes a strong heart to decide to walk a path that is only an uphill climb.

[Kogarasumaru takes up his cup to lift it to his lips again, sighing gently at the flavor of the tea.]

Had I been your sword I would have found it honorable to be carried by you.

It is not. We are giving our lives to try and help others not have to go through the pain of dealing with the Empire.

[In the pause, Ulaz brought his own cup back to his lips and took another drink. That comment though...]

Thank you. It would have been an honor to have you as a partner.

Swords are used for many deeds. Sometimes the acts are for good. Sometimes for cruelty. Revenge, sadness, anger, love... We are used for so much. I can say for certainty that a sword finds it most honorable when used for the acts you have taken part in.

[He rests a hand over his own chest.]

So thank you feeling it would have been an honor to wield me small as I am.

Of course. As with most weapons, it depends on the will of the person wielding it. We feel that we need to use ours in defense of others.

[The next comment gets a faint smile] You're welcome.

May I ask how many are in your organization? How many have found the will to fight for others?

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