Rain or Snow (D2, EM, Open)

[Ongaku Masanori]

Once again, Masanori found time to retreat from the public paths, trying to learn the mysterious ways of his kinswoman and family head - and failing, as ever.

This time he worked his way through simple kata with his tonfa, moving from stance to stance and trying to make chase away the inner voices which needled at him, reminding him of how he wasn't achieving what she was, how he was no one.

No one at all.

Turn and punch - block left and pivot your weight. Focus on the movements and block out everything else, especially your own thoughts.

With a scowl of concentration, the man worked through his exercises, waiting to see if he could achieve anything resembling a breakthrough.

[Bayushi Sasori]

Sasori made her way to the dojo in her training kimono. Her mother had asked her to not let her fan training to be rusted. She didn't have the grace her brother had. She was not really surprised to see someone training in the dojo. She gave the stranger a bow. Taking out her war fan and started her one fan kata. Odd to see a fan as a weapon.

[Ongaku Masanori]

The students who took most of the space in the dojo (Masanori's player forgot to check the description before making the thread) may have given them both strange looks for using such odd weapons, if not for the fact that the Ongaku were at least a somewhat common sight, and their tonfa were still somewhat common.

Masanori did eventually notice the fan, however, and couldn't help his curiosity, pausing between kata and drifting closer, watching curiously to see how these motions translated into technique... was this a dance? A kata?

[Bayushi Sasori]

Sasori finished her kata that may look like a dance but the kicks and punches with the fan showed other wise. She took the final bow and rested. She looked around being watched. Oh my...did I do something wrong. Then looked at her fan and then to the Ongaku with another odd weapon and shook her head with a bit of a nervous laugh. She moved toward the Imperial. "Hello... seems we are oddities amonst the dojo."

[Ongaku Masanori]

"Indeed, perhaps we are."

He chuckled, and offered a nod of greeting. "Ongaku Masanori, courier."

It was an explanation of his practice, for what that was worth.

"The students have seen mine before, but I don't think I've seen anyone use a fan like that before - might I ask... is it ceremonial?"

[Bayushi Sasori]

Sasori looked at horns of the horned man then met his eyes. "Anooo... this..." she points her fan. "Is for self defence." She opened the fan as the wind blew her hair. She made a gracious bow. "This one is Bayushi Sasori."

[Ongaku Masanori]

It was unfortunate that the wind penetrated the dojo, at least as far as the children were concerned, but Masanori quite liked the chill.

"Self defense... interesting. I'm honored, Bayushi-san."

He twirled a tonfa thoughtfully, and then inquired, "How does it function? It seems too fragile, no?"

[Bayushi Sasori]

She looked at the fan and showed the metal blades that reinforce the fragile object. "It is weighted and reinforced by steel. As you can see." She smiled. "They are like tiny knives put together with some silk." She nodded sagely. "Your weapon seem like a modified club."

[Ongaku Masanori]

"Ah, the steel is well hidden."

A nod. Her assessment drew a laugh.

"I suppose that is the least elegant explanation of them I have heard, but accurate."

Holding up the hardwood tonfa, he twirled one idly. They were dark red wood, smooth and polished, yet otherwise unadorned. "They are defensive as well - they were once used to guide our herds, fending away horns. Now they turn aside and dull the blades of bandits."

[Bayushi Sasori]

"Oh... I am not really a weapon expert." She shrugged "I practice the art of the fan because of my mother. She finds them practical for concealment. She is trying to make them for range attacks as well."

[Ongaku Masanori]

"Ranged?"

He furrowed his brow.

"It seems that after you did, you would be left bereft of a weapon."

With a small shrug, he tucked his tonfa back into his sash.

"I suppose it never hurts to have a trick up your sleeve. So might I ask what you are, if not a weapon expert? I myself am a courier, so I, likewise, am not an expert warrior."

[Bayushi Sasori]

Sasori chuckled as she fanned the man. "Wind can be a mighty foe." She then took a bow. "This one is a courtier, investigator and pet." The girl straighten "I apologize for my sudden gust. It was just a demonstration on how these could become weapons of range."

[Ongaku Masanori]

His expression remained slightly puzzled, but he just nodded. Perhaps it was a magic thing? Or maybe some courtier trick?

"I see... somewhat."

He couldn't help but quirk one eyebrow as she said 'pet' in describing herself, but seemed torn on whether he wanted to question it.

After a slightly elongated pause, he offered, "Investigator - I have not heard of many such. You specialize in asking questions then? I have not heard of the position, and would love to know more."

His notetaking mind had already started to activate, in case this was something he might need to record for later.

[Bayushi Sasori]

"Well, I am looking for my father who went missing two years ago. My master knows where he is but he has decided that it would be better for me to follow some clues he gave me and try to solve the case," She smiled. "So I travel from place to place verifying the clues he might have left for me."

[Ongaku Masanori]

"Intriguing... I hope he isn't in any danger."

Masanori thought it sounded very strange - but perhaps this was another Scorpion eccentricity. They definitely seemed a clan to keep tabs on, as one likely to create many unique or unusual customs that would warrant documentation.

Crossing his arms, he simply added, "So you have a series of riddles, as it were. It makes me think of the brotherhood - though your questions are a little more grounded, I suspect, than the ones they ponder."

[Bayushi Sasori]

"Bayushi no kami is a very..." She thought of a word "...mysterious person and he may have asked Togashi no kami to write these clues." She shook her head. "But I think I am close to finding somethings out."

[Ongaku Masanori]

"Well, I will wish you good fortune in your quest."

Masanori figured that would be acceptable.

"Perhaps when you find your answers, you might relate the tale to the Ongaku, so others can share in your insights."

[Bayushi Sasori]

"If I need a courier to deliver such tales, I know who to call." Sasori bowed.

[Ongaku Masanori]

"We are also historians." A dry chuckle.

He returned the bow. "I fear I must depart, however, so that I can prepare to take the record of court today. It has been an interesting morning - I always love to learn more of the ways of the clans."

[Bayushi Sasori]

"See you then. Carry the fortunes." Sasori bowed. She continued her Kata with those looking at her dance.