- Location
- Canada
[x] Sirrocco.
Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
I don't think the monks would mind about a samurai of the crab clan trying to join the monks and learn their ways. They'll find it interesting at worst.
The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[x] Plan Sirrocco.
See if Hiruma Shasa wishes to join us, perhaps? Mutual practice sessions might help us become more in tune with each other (and thus better able to fight as a pair, should our shared duties as yojimbo require it), the influence of the monks might soothe some of the disquiet obviously in her heart, and perhaps the Fortune will smile upon her and show her the path she is meant to take. The fact that we're 17, she's a beautiful woman, and the rain is likely to make her training outfit somewhat clingy is of course not a (conscious) part of this decision.
If she is in fact a maho-tsukai at this point, this will of course likely end in hilarity and lightning strikes. That just makes things more interesting from an OOC perspective, though, and we have no IC way of knowing this is even a possibility.
See if Hiruma Shasa wishes to join us, perhaps? Mutual practice sessions might help us become more in tune with each other (and thus better able to fight as a pair, should our shared duties as yojimbo require it), the influence of the monks might soothe some of the disquiet obviously in her heart, and perhaps the Fortune will smile upon her and show her the path she is meant to take. The fact that we're 17, she's a beautiful woman, and the rain is likely to make her training outfit somewhat clingy is of course not a (conscious) part of this decision.
If she is in fact a maho-tsukai at this point, this will of course likely end in hilarity and lightning strikes. That just makes things more interesting from an OOC perspective, though, and we have no IC way of knowing this is even a possibility.
- Location
- Canada
Yes, we should ask her to join us.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Eh? I admit that *having* her join us could be cool, but... well, this "going out to do kata in a thunderstorm" thing is honestly acting kind of weird, and we know that it's acting kind of weird. Shasa is this girl that we're kind of attracted to in spite of ourselves and also not wanting to set off anymore than we already have. Asking her to join us in this obviously weird and also unpleasant activity?
If you could come up with a way to present it that looked like it might have a chance of actually convincing her to say yes, I might go for it, but as it is, it seems like it's both certain to fail and highly likely to make Sousuke seem even weirder than going out there to practice by himself is likely to.
If you could come up with a way to present it that looked like it might have a chance of actually convincing her to say yes, I might go for it, but as it is, it seems like it's both certain to fail and highly likely to make Sousuke seem even weirder than going out there to practice by himself is likely to.
2.23
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Sirrocco
You take your gaze away from the monks and move inside the temple. Another monk waits for you inside, and directs you to your quarters. It is a spartan room, but clean and supplied with everything you need. Which is all you truly expected from monks, to be honest. The adherents of Osano-wo may be more worldly than others in the Brotherhood of Shinsei, but that was purely for taking care of their bodies. They still have little care or concern for material goods.
You take off your armor and inspect it, but the rain appears to have not damaged it in the slightest. Your mother's work seems to have held up strong in the face of the elements. That fact brings a smile to your lips. Your swords and Tetsubo are likewise undamaged, and you set them on a small rack set aside for the purpose of holding weapons. The rest of your supplies appears to have been well protected in your pack, so you don't need to worry that the rain damaged them.
You store your things away and head back outside, clad in what you are already wearing. It's traveling clothing, an already wet besides. It does not matter to you if it is further drenched in what you plan.
You step out onto the training grounds, doing your best to ignore the water as it hits you. In truth, it's almost more like a solid wall of liquid rather than raindrops. It is almost a if you are moving under a great weight, and you to be careful not to slip on the wet tiles of the training grounds. But you persevere and make your way to a relatively clear spot on the field.
You want to train here, in this temple erected to honor the son of Hida. Already you have had so many encounters with spirits, both good and bad. This is a spiritual place, a spot on earth where the presence of the Fortune of Fire and Thunder graces Ningen-do. Perhaps training here, at this time where Osano-wo is expressing his power, you can gain some greater insight into just why denizens of the spirit realms have come to you so often?
Slowly, but with gathering speed, you go through the motions of what bare handed combat you know. It's mostly the same motions you would use for your sword or tetsubo, but applied to empty hands. They are strong, powerful motions that take you from one step to the next. Many of the same principles carry over, after all, and you are decent enough at martial arts.
But the monks… the monks are masters. You see them flowing smoothly from one form to the next, as if unimpeded by the fury of the storm. A few are sparring with each other, hands and feet slapping against their bodies with such force that it sends water flying. You have to keep your jaw from dropping when you see two monks leap twenty feet into the air, exchanging blows all the while. They fall almost in slow motion, their attacks displacing water in waves before the monks finally touch the earth again.
It is otherworldly, what you just saw, and it is not the only thing. All around you there are monks doing impossible things with their bodies, and from the strain you see on their faces you can tell they are pushing themselves to the limit. Just how many hours must they have trained, day in and day out, to achieve this? How much must they have separated themselves from the distractions of the material world in order to access these powers from within themselves? It boggles your mind, and you almost don't believe your own eyes.
"I sometimes forget what the use of Kiho must look like to those unfamiliar with them," a voice says from behind you. You turn to see a monk just a few years older than you, though the hair of his eyebrows is grey. He is tall, though he stands several inches shorter than you, and like all the monks he is well muscled. He bows to you. "I am Shirou."
"I am Hiruma Sosuke," you say back, bowing as well. "I apologize for staring. I did not mean to be impolite."
"It's no trouble!" Shirou says with a smile. "It can be shocking to see some of the kernels of enlightenment we have discovered on our journey through life. I felt the same way when I began my training here over a decade ago."
"So you came as a boy, then?" you ask.
"Yes," Shirou responds. "I was a child when I came here, and in truth I am still a novice compared to some who have the privilege to meditate in this humble temple." He smiles at you. "But are we not all novices on this road of life? There is always something new to learn, after all."
You think back on all your experiences so far on this trip, and nod. "I can't help but agree. This is my first true journey away from the Great Carpenter Wall, and it has been an educational one."
"The world has much to show us about ourselves, and we must mold our bodies in order to better understand it," Shirou says. "For the body is the vessel of the soul, and thus a gift to be cherished. It would be a waste to squander such a thing."
"I must admit I wasn't expecting an answer like that," you say. "I've heard that the adherents of Osano-wo take more care for the world than other monks, but if you will pardon any offense, I wasn't entirely sure I believed it."
Shirou throws back his head and laughs. "Do not worry, Hiruma Sosuke-sama. This is not the first time we have heard such things. It certainly won't be the last." He smiles at you. "But what you say is true, in a fashion. We follow the example of Osano-wo, and he was a man of great physical prowess before he ascended as a Fortune."
"I grew up on stories of the son of Hida," you say. "Of his battles and the lessons he learned during his life. And to be here at this temple, at this time… It is almost as if I feel him watching me."
"He likely does," Shirou says. "As he watches all things in Ningen-do." The monk waves an arm. "And here, in this place, his presence can be felt perhaps a tad more readily. It is why we train all the harder when the rains come, so that we might show the Fortune we do not fear adversity as we travel the path of enlightenment."
"I can see that," you say, glancing at the other monks as they train. "It is certainly impressive. I must commend you on your dedication."
"You honor us with your words, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says, bowing. "Would you care to train with me, so that we might show our determination to the Fortune of Fire and Thunder?"
"I'm afraid I likely would not be much of a training partner," you say back, grinning sheepishly. "I have some martial arts training, but nothing like what I see here. My skills are more with weapons than fists."
"Ah, but there is an exercise we can do together, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says, shifting his feet and raising his hands. "It is bit of training called push hands. Slowly we work against each other, trying to take our opponent off balance without breaking our stance. It is a good way to learn how to redirect force and use a foe's strength against himself. Would you be interested in such a thing?"
[] Agree to the exercise.
[] Politely decline the exercise.
[] Write in.
You take your gaze away from the monks and move inside the temple. Another monk waits for you inside, and directs you to your quarters. It is a spartan room, but clean and supplied with everything you need. Which is all you truly expected from monks, to be honest. The adherents of Osano-wo may be more worldly than others in the Brotherhood of Shinsei, but that was purely for taking care of their bodies. They still have little care or concern for material goods.
You take off your armor and inspect it, but the rain appears to have not damaged it in the slightest. Your mother's work seems to have held up strong in the face of the elements. That fact brings a smile to your lips. Your swords and Tetsubo are likewise undamaged, and you set them on a small rack set aside for the purpose of holding weapons. The rest of your supplies appears to have been well protected in your pack, so you don't need to worry that the rain damaged them.
You store your things away and head back outside, clad in what you are already wearing. It's traveling clothing, an already wet besides. It does not matter to you if it is further drenched in what you plan.
You step out onto the training grounds, doing your best to ignore the water as it hits you. In truth, it's almost more like a solid wall of liquid rather than raindrops. It is almost a if you are moving under a great weight, and you to be careful not to slip on the wet tiles of the training grounds. But you persevere and make your way to a relatively clear spot on the field.
You want to train here, in this temple erected to honor the son of Hida. Already you have had so many encounters with spirits, both good and bad. This is a spiritual place, a spot on earth where the presence of the Fortune of Fire and Thunder graces Ningen-do. Perhaps training here, at this time where Osano-wo is expressing his power, you can gain some greater insight into just why denizens of the spirit realms have come to you so often?
Slowly, but with gathering speed, you go through the motions of what bare handed combat you know. It's mostly the same motions you would use for your sword or tetsubo, but applied to empty hands. They are strong, powerful motions that take you from one step to the next. Many of the same principles carry over, after all, and you are decent enough at martial arts.
But the monks… the monks are masters. You see them flowing smoothly from one form to the next, as if unimpeded by the fury of the storm. A few are sparring with each other, hands and feet slapping against their bodies with such force that it sends water flying. You have to keep your jaw from dropping when you see two monks leap twenty feet into the air, exchanging blows all the while. They fall almost in slow motion, their attacks displacing water in waves before the monks finally touch the earth again.
It is otherworldly, what you just saw, and it is not the only thing. All around you there are monks doing impossible things with their bodies, and from the strain you see on their faces you can tell they are pushing themselves to the limit. Just how many hours must they have trained, day in and day out, to achieve this? How much must they have separated themselves from the distractions of the material world in order to access these powers from within themselves? It boggles your mind, and you almost don't believe your own eyes.
"I sometimes forget what the use of Kiho must look like to those unfamiliar with them," a voice says from behind you. You turn to see a monk just a few years older than you, though the hair of his eyebrows is grey. He is tall, though he stands several inches shorter than you, and like all the monks he is well muscled. He bows to you. "I am Shirou."
"I am Hiruma Sosuke," you say back, bowing as well. "I apologize for staring. I did not mean to be impolite."
"It's no trouble!" Shirou says with a smile. "It can be shocking to see some of the kernels of enlightenment we have discovered on our journey through life. I felt the same way when I began my training here over a decade ago."
"So you came as a boy, then?" you ask.
"Yes," Shirou responds. "I was a child when I came here, and in truth I am still a novice compared to some who have the privilege to meditate in this humble temple." He smiles at you. "But are we not all novices on this road of life? There is always something new to learn, after all."
You think back on all your experiences so far on this trip, and nod. "I can't help but agree. This is my first true journey away from the Great Carpenter Wall, and it has been an educational one."
"The world has much to show us about ourselves, and we must mold our bodies in order to better understand it," Shirou says. "For the body is the vessel of the soul, and thus a gift to be cherished. It would be a waste to squander such a thing."
"I must admit I wasn't expecting an answer like that," you say. "I've heard that the adherents of Osano-wo take more care for the world than other monks, but if you will pardon any offense, I wasn't entirely sure I believed it."
Shirou throws back his head and laughs. "Do not worry, Hiruma Sosuke-sama. This is not the first time we have heard such things. It certainly won't be the last." He smiles at you. "But what you say is true, in a fashion. We follow the example of Osano-wo, and he was a man of great physical prowess before he ascended as a Fortune."
"I grew up on stories of the son of Hida," you say. "Of his battles and the lessons he learned during his life. And to be here at this temple, at this time… It is almost as if I feel him watching me."
"He likely does," Shirou says. "As he watches all things in Ningen-do." The monk waves an arm. "And here, in this place, his presence can be felt perhaps a tad more readily. It is why we train all the harder when the rains come, so that we might show the Fortune we do not fear adversity as we travel the path of enlightenment."
"I can see that," you say, glancing at the other monks as they train. "It is certainly impressive. I must commend you on your dedication."
"You honor us with your words, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says, bowing. "Would you care to train with me, so that we might show our determination to the Fortune of Fire and Thunder?"
"I'm afraid I likely would not be much of a training partner," you say back, grinning sheepishly. "I have some martial arts training, but nothing like what I see here. My skills are more with weapons than fists."
"Ah, but there is an exercise we can do together, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says, shifting his feet and raising his hands. "It is bit of training called push hands. Slowly we work against each other, trying to take our opponent off balance without breaking our stance. It is a good way to learn how to redirect force and use a foe's strength against himself. Would you be interested in such a thing?"
[] Agree to the exercise.
[] Politely decline the exercise.
[] Write in.
Last edited:
The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[x] Agree to the exercise.
Learning what we can of and from the monks is the other reason we're out in this storm, aside from communing with Osano-wo.
Learning what we can of and from the monks is the other reason we're out in this storm, aside from communing with Osano-wo.
[x] Agree to the exercise.
Cannongerbil
I came here to nep at you
- Location
- Soviet Lunar Base
[x] Agree to the exercise.
I don't see why not.
I don't see why not.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[x] Agree to the exercise.
This will be an enriching experience for Sosuke.
This will be an enriching experience for Sosuke.
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Agree to the exercise.
- Location
- Canada
[X] Agree to the exercise.
2.24
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[X] Agree to the exercise.
"All right," you say, copying Shirou's stance as best you can an raising your hands. "I'll participate."
Shirou smiles and hops along the ground until his forward foot is parallel with your own. He rests the edge of his hands upon yours, but makes no move otherwise. A flash of lightning streaks overhead, and the boom of thunder follows soon after. You have to shake your head a little to get your hair out of your eyes, for the rain has made it stick to your skin.
"Then let us begin," Shirou says.
He pushes gently against your hands, moving against you while keeping his feet exactly where they are. You push back, putting all your strength into the counter. But instead of unbalancing, Shirou gently redirects your force off to the side and circles your arms around, coming back toward you again.
You scowl and keep trying to push Shirou's hands away, but the monk always manages to move your pushes out of the way and keeping you on the defensive. He's not even using any strength to do it, not really. The Monk's arms are bigger than yours, but you do not see Shirou tense up at all.
You keep this back and forth movement up for a good five minutes, making no progress at all. It's maddening! You could understand being overpowered in hand to hand by the monk, but instead all you're doing is moving back and forth with your arms and accomplishing very little aside from dancing in place.
You push forward with all your strength and weight, deciding to try and knock Shirou off balance with a single overwhelming assault. This proves to be your undoing, however. Shirou very calmly pushes your hands downward, and you are so unbalanced by your forward motion that all you accomplish is slipping on your feet. You fall flat on your face, landing hard on the stony surface of the training grounds.
"Are you all right?" Shirou asks, lending you a hand. You take it gratefully, and the monk hauls you up. "You fell quite firmly. I would hate to have injured a guest."
"I'm fine," you say, rubbing your nose a little. It stings a bit where you hit the ground. "Nothing really injured but my pride."
"You were doing quite well," Shirou says. "I wasn't able to gain any decisive advantage until the end there."
"I lost my patience," you say. "I was frustrated that you kept rebuffing my attacks no matter how much strength I used."
"It isn't about strength," Shirou says. "Not really. It's about balance and flow. You shift from one movement to the next, the goal being to achieve perfect harmony. It is only when one side is imbalanced that an advantage is gained."
"So it just goes on forever, then?" you ask.
"We usually stop after about ten minutes," Shirou says. "Shall we try again?"
You nod, and get into the stance. Shirou does as well, bringing his foot next to yours again. He places his hands next to your own, but does not begin immediately.
"You might wish to get closer to the ground," he says. "You are taller than me, and in this instance that gives me an advantage. The earth is solid, and the closer you are to it the better your balance is."
"My thanks for the advice," you say, bending lower to get closer to the ground. "Shall we try again?"
Shirou nods and initiates the exercise. You do much better this time now that you realize that pure, brute strength is not the answer. You and Shirou move with and against each other, your arms making circular motions in a continuous loop of force and gentle redirection. There's no real pattern to it. Sometimes your arms go to the side, sometimes up and sometimes down. Neither you or Shirou have any true control, instead together guiding a cooperative movement.
It is strangely serene, doing this. Your body relaxes, and you just let yourself become one with the exercise. Your worries drift away, and for right this moment nothing exists save you, Shirou and the rain. All else is another world entirely, for all you know and care. Right now all that matters is going from one motion to the next.
It reminds you a bit of water, of waves coming and receding. Oddly enough, it also reminds you of fire, of flames rising and fading as fuel is added and consumed. But your stance, holding balance, reminds you of the solidity of the earth. Finally, the mercurial nature of the exercise also brings to mind the nature of air.
This represents all elements, you realize, and with them all in unison it brings forth the Void. This thought almost makes you stumble, comes so close to shattering your harmony. But you recover, and managed to keep your movements steady. Even still, the realization of the symbolism inherent in this activity is a heady one.
After almost twenty minutes, Shirou moves away and bows to you. You bow back, oddly tired despite that you really didn't exert all that much strength. But it is a good weariness, brought forth from honest effort.
"Very good, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "You have picked up on the principles of the exercise quite quickly."
"I had a good teacher," you say, moving your hair back with one hand. "And please, call me Sosuke."
"If that is your wish, Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "Did you enjoy the exercise?"
"I did indeed," you say. "It was almost like meditation, in a way."
"That is one of its purposes," Shirou says. "I saw the understanding on your face as we neared the end. It is a practice to help reach serenity."
"I think I might have," you respond. "If only for a few moments. Speaking of serenity, is there a place appropriate for me to pray to the Fortune?"
"We have such for guests," Shirou says. "Though we who maintain this humble temple pray to the Fortune of Fire and Thunder in a different manner than most would think."
"Oh?" you say, quirking an eyebrow. "I must admit I'm curious now."
"Would you like me to show you?" Shirou asks. "I would be happy to let you observe my own method of praying to Osano-wo."
[] Accept his offer.
[] Politely decline his offer.
[] Write in.
"All right," you say, copying Shirou's stance as best you can an raising your hands. "I'll participate."
Shirou smiles and hops along the ground until his forward foot is parallel with your own. He rests the edge of his hands upon yours, but makes no move otherwise. A flash of lightning streaks overhead, and the boom of thunder follows soon after. You have to shake your head a little to get your hair out of your eyes, for the rain has made it stick to your skin.
"Then let us begin," Shirou says.
He pushes gently against your hands, moving against you while keeping his feet exactly where they are. You push back, putting all your strength into the counter. But instead of unbalancing, Shirou gently redirects your force off to the side and circles your arms around, coming back toward you again.
You scowl and keep trying to push Shirou's hands away, but the monk always manages to move your pushes out of the way and keeping you on the defensive. He's not even using any strength to do it, not really. The Monk's arms are bigger than yours, but you do not see Shirou tense up at all.
You keep this back and forth movement up for a good five minutes, making no progress at all. It's maddening! You could understand being overpowered in hand to hand by the monk, but instead all you're doing is moving back and forth with your arms and accomplishing very little aside from dancing in place.
You push forward with all your strength and weight, deciding to try and knock Shirou off balance with a single overwhelming assault. This proves to be your undoing, however. Shirou very calmly pushes your hands downward, and you are so unbalanced by your forward motion that all you accomplish is slipping on your feet. You fall flat on your face, landing hard on the stony surface of the training grounds.
"Are you all right?" Shirou asks, lending you a hand. You take it gratefully, and the monk hauls you up. "You fell quite firmly. I would hate to have injured a guest."
"I'm fine," you say, rubbing your nose a little. It stings a bit where you hit the ground. "Nothing really injured but my pride."
"You were doing quite well," Shirou says. "I wasn't able to gain any decisive advantage until the end there."
"I lost my patience," you say. "I was frustrated that you kept rebuffing my attacks no matter how much strength I used."
"It isn't about strength," Shirou says. "Not really. It's about balance and flow. You shift from one movement to the next, the goal being to achieve perfect harmony. It is only when one side is imbalanced that an advantage is gained."
"So it just goes on forever, then?" you ask.
"We usually stop after about ten minutes," Shirou says. "Shall we try again?"
You nod, and get into the stance. Shirou does as well, bringing his foot next to yours again. He places his hands next to your own, but does not begin immediately.
"You might wish to get closer to the ground," he says. "You are taller than me, and in this instance that gives me an advantage. The earth is solid, and the closer you are to it the better your balance is."
"My thanks for the advice," you say, bending lower to get closer to the ground. "Shall we try again?"
Shirou nods and initiates the exercise. You do much better this time now that you realize that pure, brute strength is not the answer. You and Shirou move with and against each other, your arms making circular motions in a continuous loop of force and gentle redirection. There's no real pattern to it. Sometimes your arms go to the side, sometimes up and sometimes down. Neither you or Shirou have any true control, instead together guiding a cooperative movement.
It is strangely serene, doing this. Your body relaxes, and you just let yourself become one with the exercise. Your worries drift away, and for right this moment nothing exists save you, Shirou and the rain. All else is another world entirely, for all you know and care. Right now all that matters is going from one motion to the next.
It reminds you a bit of water, of waves coming and receding. Oddly enough, it also reminds you of fire, of flames rising and fading as fuel is added and consumed. But your stance, holding balance, reminds you of the solidity of the earth. Finally, the mercurial nature of the exercise also brings to mind the nature of air.
This represents all elements, you realize, and with them all in unison it brings forth the Void. This thought almost makes you stumble, comes so close to shattering your harmony. But you recover, and managed to keep your movements steady. Even still, the realization of the symbolism inherent in this activity is a heady one.
After almost twenty minutes, Shirou moves away and bows to you. You bow back, oddly tired despite that you really didn't exert all that much strength. But it is a good weariness, brought forth from honest effort.
"Very good, Hiruma Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "You have picked up on the principles of the exercise quite quickly."
"I had a good teacher," you say, moving your hair back with one hand. "And please, call me Sosuke."
"If that is your wish, Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "Did you enjoy the exercise?"
"I did indeed," you say. "It was almost like meditation, in a way."
"That is one of its purposes," Shirou says. "I saw the understanding on your face as we neared the end. It is a practice to help reach serenity."
"I think I might have," you respond. "If only for a few moments. Speaking of serenity, is there a place appropriate for me to pray to the Fortune?"
"We have such for guests," Shirou says. "Though we who maintain this humble temple pray to the Fortune of Fire and Thunder in a different manner than most would think."
"Oh?" you say, quirking an eyebrow. "I must admit I'm curious now."
"Would you like me to show you?" Shirou asks. "I would be happy to let you observe my own method of praying to Osano-wo."
[] Accept his offer.
[] Politely decline his offer.
[] Write in.
Last edited:
[x] Accept his offer.
Cannongerbil
I came here to nep at you
- Location
- Soviet Lunar Base
[x] Accept his offer
