Tika Seya
Committed
Roleplay posts: 78 
Age: 19
Physical Description: Long raven hair, blue eyes, and an average build. Soft features.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
Clothes and Equipment:
A pink kimono is accented by the red trim of her lower hiyoko layer, an ornamental display of feminity in what was otherwise a men's cut of garb free of the constrictions of traditional female clothing. A white obi holds a single katana to her left hip. Zori sandals and white socks. Her hakama trousers were the deep color of violet, with a display of light rosey flowers bedazzling the hem of the left leg.
Her sword, Hikari-no-Kazu: http://i.imgur.com/P6AzAI8.jpg
Registered: Apr 25, 2017 20:44:32 GMT -8
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Post by Tika Seya on Jun 16, 2017 18:22:26 GMT -8
Tika's long, straight raven hair flowed freely, whipping slightly in the wind with her clothing. At least until she got to the dojo, and then she'd leave the wind and current chaotic atmosphere of the courtyards for warmth and stillness. Her white socks stepped out of zori sandals of pink fabric and straw, before she walked slowly down the polished wooden hallway. The girl came to a quiet, unobtrusive stop at the entrance to the training room in the dojo she'd been summoned to, and bowed.
Her purple hakama and white kimono accented the pink silk trim of her lower hiyoko layer, an ornamental display of feminity in what was otherwise men's style garb free of the constrictions of traditional female clothing. Just to the fore of her left hip, a red obi held the lacquered saya of two matching swords. Her nineteen year old youth with the soft colors of her free flowing attire suggested a certain degree of noble delicacy, but she had been instructed to be the sempai of Genji's personal dojo facility. He must have seen something in her, and she did not dare question his judgment. With the softest of voice and features, she seemed a most unlikely candidate for the role she was about to play.
She went to each of the weapons racks and made sure everything was serviceable. This was mostly a symbolic demonstration in case she was being watched, as she knew only the most immaculate of care came to the dojo here. Quietly, she tried to keep herself looking and acting busy, and taking note of the placement and state of everything here. Since this was her new job, she would take pride in it, and awaited Anzen Hizashi and Kojuro Hizashi to arrive so she could start their lesson...
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Kojuro Hizashi
Dedicated
Lord of Kiyonai
Roleplay posts: 354 
Age: 23
Physical Description: Kojuro stands at a little above average height, and a slender, athletic build. His dark brown hair falls to just beneath chin level, and he usually wears it tied back. His eyes are a bright brown colour, so light as to be close to orange. He is usually well but simply dressed, and carries himself with a relaxed air, taking most things in his stride. He has several recently acquired scars, including a sword cut to his left arm which has left him only partial use of that hand, and a another from a sword cut along his jawline on the right side.
Clothes and Equipment: He is normally dressed in conventional attire for his culture and social class. As a lord, his clothing is high quality, though not ostentatious. For everyday wear a simple kosode and hakama, silk courtly robes for official duties, and armour on the battlefield. He prefers greens and blues, though often may be wearing the maroon and gold of the Hizashi clan.
In battle he can be noticed from a distance by the dragonfly crest on his helmet. He also wears a surcoat in Hizashi maroon and gold and a set of lacquered armour bearing the Hizashi clan cherry blossom crest. In battle he is armed with a tachi (long sword) and a tanto (dagger), and also carries a fan to signal orders. He will also be found carrying his swords everywhere, as is usual for samurai.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi, The Hizashi Clan
Player's online availability : For play: Some evenings, GMT. I am not around every day for RP, because life. For chatting/PMs: Most days/eves GMT.
Registered: May 10, 2017 13:44:12 GMT -8
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Post by Kojuro Hizashi on Jun 17, 2017 1:53:06 GMT -8
It was a little before dawn when Kojuro made his way to the dojo, hoping to get there early for perhaps a bit of practice before meeting the new junior instructor. The rest of the compound seemed already to be alive with all kinds of building work and other kinds of industry. He and Anzen had both been summoned to report here for training, a revival of their old tradition of sparring but this time sanctioned by Lord Genji and watched over by the dojo's new lead student. He arrived at the dojo, made the customary bow before entering and saw through the door the woman making her inspections of all the equipment. He had caught a glimpse of her a couple of times, but was surprised to find Tika Seya as the new lead student. She was so young and rather delicate looking, as well as being a woman, which was unusual in itself for a sword instructor. Still, he knew better than to judge on appearances alone. If she hadn't been an excellent swordswoman, she wouldn't have been made the lead student. "Excuse me," he said on entering the room, to announce his presence, since she looked very busy. He bowed to Tika. In the dojo, social rank outside was meaningless, and he was her junior here. "Hizashi Kojuro, reporting for your instruction, sempai."
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Anzen Hizashi
Committed
Have I lost you again, my best friend?
Roleplay posts: 89
Age: 24
Physical Description: Height: 5’4”
Weight: 130 lbs
Build: Lithe
Eyes:
Color: Golden Brown
Shape: Rounded, more-so than usual
Hair:
Color: Midnight black
Style: When working, it would be pulled back into a long ponytail - waist length - with two locks of hair barely to her chin left out in front of her ears. The pony tail would be held up with a piece of jade-coloured ribbon.
Clothes and Equipment: Clothing: Typically seen in a kimono that was mostly a plum purple that faded to a beautiful magenta diagonally from waist to bottom. In the transition would be a multitude of flowers varying in sizes, each one either a pale blue, lavender, or a powder pink. The obi around her waist would be a pale yellow obi, the obi-jime would be golden, and the obi-age a faint pink. She preferred to wear tabi and zori on her feet.
Accessories: Her favorite accessory would be a black and gold fan that she would always tucked in either her obi or her sleeve, whichever was most convenient. On rare occasions, the ribbon that tied her hair into a ponytail would be pulled out and worn as a headband, tied into a delicate bow on the left side of her head.
Accessories: Her favorite accessory would be a black and gold fan that she would always tucked in either her obi or her sleeve, whichever was most convenient. On rare occasions, the ribbon that tied her hair into a ponytail would be pulled out and worn as a headband, tied into a delicate bow on the left side of her head. The only other must-have item she would carry, would be a twig of bamboo with one end sharpened into a point.
Registered: May 22, 2017 11:26:05 GMT -8
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Post by Anzen Hizashi on Jun 17, 2017 3:09:28 GMT -8
Anzen yawned, bringing her hand up to use the sleeve of her kimono to cover the heinous act. Walking slowly, not quite yet full awake, Anzen made her way to the Dojo. The training with Tika and her brother would begin today.. too bad Anzen had lost track of time in her research and allowed the majority of the night to slip through her fingers.
"I really need to quit staying awake so late before it does more harm than good.." she mumbled to herself as she approached the building. The girl stopped short, immediately waking up more as she heard voices inside. Wow, she must have really slept in.. Great way to start the new lessons, Anzen. She had really hoped to spar with her brother, now a sliver of fear she would be in trouble for running late crossed her mind.
It wasn't until she realized her brother was formally greeting Tika-san that she relaxed a degree. Before entering the building, she would follow suit and give a respectful bow. Once inside, she would bow in greeting to both her brother and her new teacher. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Kojuro-kun, Tika-san. Hizashi Anzen, present and ready for instruction. I apologize if I arrived too late for your liking. I will do better in the future."
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Tika Seya
Committed
Roleplay posts: 78
Age: 19
Physical Description: Long raven hair, blue eyes, and an average build. Soft features.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
Clothes and Equipment:
A pink kimono is accented by the red trim of her lower hiyoko layer, an ornamental display of feminity in what was otherwise a men's cut of garb free of the constrictions of traditional female clothing. A white obi holds a single katana to her left hip. Zori sandals and white socks. Her hakama trousers were the deep color of violet, with a display of light rosey flowers bedazzling the hem of the left leg.
Her sword, Hikari-no-Kazu: http://i.imgur.com/P6AzAI8.jpg
Registered: Apr 25, 2017 20:44:32 GMT -8
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Post by Tika Seya on Jun 18, 2017 21:28:33 GMT -8
"It's okay... thank you. Welcome, both of you. I am honored to work with you today."
She bowed just slightly in return. She was also soft-spoken, suiting and complimentary to her appearance. She had just reached for a broom, and begun sweeping the floor when the two arrived. She seemed slow and calculated, perhaps a slight bit of nervousness at her first experience, but stood straight and commanded some presence in poise. Lord Genji had been surprisingly open and trusting in his request of her, and she had been left to teach what she found most suiting. While she felt she must tread carefully in everything she did, she took the creative liberty of starting each on the same curriculum, as opposed to each favoring their own weapons and styles.
She made one final push into her younger memories, trying to recall all she could about her earliest days of training and how her father and uncles taught her.
"Please, will you both bow in, and I will go put this broom away. Please.. sit and wait for me."
Prior to instruction, Anzen would be requested she wear her kodachi, and Kojuro naturally was obliged to wear his own katana, but that he leave his companion sword behind. Provided they complied with her simple request, she would put away the broom, expecting both in some form of sieza. When she returned, she would be seen removing her own sword and scabbard from her obi, and then holding it in her right hand as she approached. When she reached the edge of the dojo floor, she bowed, and then stepped quietly towards the center.
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Kojuro Hizashi
Dedicated
Lord of Kiyonai
Roleplay posts: 354
Age: 23
Physical Description: Kojuro stands at a little above average height, and a slender, athletic build. His dark brown hair falls to just beneath chin level, and he usually wears it tied back. His eyes are a bright brown colour, so light as to be close to orange. He is usually well but simply dressed, and carries himself with a relaxed air, taking most things in his stride. He has several recently acquired scars, including a sword cut to his left arm which has left him only partial use of that hand, and a another from a sword cut along his jawline on the right side.
Clothes and Equipment: He is normally dressed in conventional attire for his culture and social class. As a lord, his clothing is high quality, though not ostentatious. For everyday wear a simple kosode and hakama, silk courtly robes for official duties, and armour on the battlefield. He prefers greens and blues, though often may be wearing the maroon and gold of the Hizashi clan.
In battle he can be noticed from a distance by the dragonfly crest on his helmet. He also wears a surcoat in Hizashi maroon and gold and a set of lacquered armour bearing the Hizashi clan cherry blossom crest. In battle he is armed with a tachi (long sword) and a tanto (dagger), and also carries a fan to signal orders. He will also be found carrying his swords everywhere, as is usual for samurai.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi, The Hizashi Clan
Player's online availability : For play: Some evenings, GMT. I am not around every day for RP, because life. For chatting/PMs: Most days/eves GMT.
Registered: May 10, 2017 13:44:12 GMT -8
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Post by Kojuro Hizashi on Jun 20, 2017 0:55:04 GMT -8
Kojuro rose from his bow once Tika had returned it, then having performed the proper etiquettes in the dojo, he tied back his sleeves with a tasuki, then placed his tanto on the weapons rack, keeping only his long sword with him as requested. He was more than a little surprised that Tika wanted them to practise with live blades, especially as Anzen hadn't used her kodachi before, but he followed Tika's instructions regardless. He glanced at Anzen, giving her a conspiratorial smile. Given her comments last night she was looking forward to this as much as he was. He sat in seiza, laying down the tachi on the floor next to him, and waited for Tika to return. He found it both funny and admirably humble that she was sweeping the dojo herself and putting away the broom rather than getting a junior to do it. Once their instructor returned, he bowed again and waited for her to begin the session.
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Anzen Hizashi
Committed
Have I lost you again, my best friend?
Roleplay posts: 89
Age: 24
Physical Description: Height: 5’4”
Weight: 130 lbs
Build: Lithe
Eyes:
Color: Golden Brown
Shape: Rounded, more-so than usual
Hair:
Color: Midnight black
Style: When working, it would be pulled back into a long ponytail - waist length - with two locks of hair barely to her chin left out in front of her ears. The pony tail would be held up with a piece of jade-coloured ribbon.
Clothes and Equipment: Clothing: Typically seen in a kimono that was mostly a plum purple that faded to a beautiful magenta diagonally from waist to bottom. In the transition would be a multitude of flowers varying in sizes, each one either a pale blue, lavender, or a powder pink. The obi around her waist would be a pale yellow obi, the obi-jime would be golden, and the obi-age a faint pink. She preferred to wear tabi and zori on her feet.
Accessories: Her favorite accessory would be a black and gold fan that she would always tucked in either her obi or her sleeve, whichever was most convenient. On rare occasions, the ribbon that tied her hair into a ponytail would be pulled out and worn as a headband, tied into a delicate bow on the left side of her head.
Accessories: Her favorite accessory would be a black and gold fan that she would always tucked in either her obi or her sleeve, whichever was most convenient. On rare occasions, the ribbon that tied her hair into a ponytail would be pulled out and worn as a headband, tied into a delicate bow on the left side of her head. The only other must-have item she would carry, would be a twig of bamboo with one end sharpened into a point.
Registered: May 22, 2017 11:26:05 GMT -8
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Post by Anzen Hizashi on Jun 22, 2017 14:19:07 GMT -8
Anzen had never been in the dojo for any formal training before, but had rather practiced with just Kojuro as a friendly sibling rivalry. Now that she was beginning to wake up properly, she suddenly felt a little nervous and unsure.
Following the instructions of Tika and the example of Kojuro, she bowed to her new sensei before the other girl went to put away her humble cleaning supplies. Seeing as she did not have an extra weapon to hang, Anzen returned the boys smile with one of her, taking a moment longer to tie back her sleeves before lowering herself into a seiza next to her brother. Anzen laid the newly acquired weapon on the floor next to her to wait until she could bow on Tika's return. With a deep breath, she kept her eyes steadily forward to await instruction.
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Tika Seya
Committed
Roleplay posts: 78
Age: 19
Physical Description: Long raven hair, blue eyes, and an average build. Soft features.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
Clothes and Equipment:
A pink kimono is accented by the red trim of her lower hiyoko layer, an ornamental display of feminity in what was otherwise a men's cut of garb free of the constrictions of traditional female clothing. A white obi holds a single katana to her left hip. Zori sandals and white socks. Her hakama trousers were the deep color of violet, with a display of light rosey flowers bedazzling the hem of the left leg.
Her sword, Hikari-no-Kazu: http://i.imgur.com/P6AzAI8.jpg
Registered: Apr 25, 2017 20:44:32 GMT -8
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Post by Tika Seya on Jun 30, 2017 21:22:43 GMT -8
Tika found it strange how much responsibility she'd been given, too - not just of her new students and training partners, but of the floors and the general look and feel of the place. The young sempai saw how Kojuro and Anzen had placed their swords upon the ground beside them. Of this, she was pleased. She figured Kojuro had much experience with the ceremonies of the dojo, but she intended to cover it all very briefly, just in case. Anzen had to be brought up to speed, if she wasn't already.
"The sword is held in the right hand when you are carrying it on the mat. Because the drawing of the sword is not taught or often practiced using the left hand, carrying it this way is a gesture of peace.." she said. Her words and posture would have to command attention, as her voice was probably too soft to do so on its own merit. She sat in seiza before them, placing her own sword on her left side as she sat, its edge facing outwards.
"Once we are seated... you bow once again, and we begin instruction," she continued. This she would not demonstrate, but she expected they knew to bow before her while seated. This was how the lesson would begin each morning they practiced together.
"Good," she said, provided they did so. She hoped Kojuro would be understanding of the beginning review, but Tika had felt safest under the assumption that Anzen had never (at least in any sort of occupational capacity) wielded a sword before. So the notion that one must now bow to the sword itself after bowing to both the dojo and then the teacher might have come as an added surprise.
"And finally..."
Tika shifts her sword so that it lay before her instead of beside her. To-rei, or the ceremony of bowing to the sword, was performed in numerous different ways according to the schools she'd been to. She settled on what she felt most appropriate, and that was with the hilt facing right and the edge facing away from her. With the sword in front of her, she bowed before it to demonstrate what was expected, and from here, she then slipped the lacquered saya neatly into her obi and stood up gracefully.
"...And then you are ready to begin, so place the sword into your sash, and please rise. Try to stand up gracefully from the legs. Do not use your hands to help you off the floor."
All said and done, she'd be standing before the two, who also stood facing her with their swords worn appropriately. Before starting any combatives, there was a little bit more ground to cover in terms of the basics.
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Kitsu
Established
Roleplay posts: 30
Age: 24
Physical Description: Kitsu is a small and very young Kitsune spirit. Even though she has been around for around 24 years, her appearance and behavior are close to that of a 7-8-year-old.
She can appear in several forms but will mostly appear as either a baby fox that would be hard to recognize as being a spirit. Or a young girl with strawberry blond hair and matching ears and a single tail behind her. She will wear a small kimono as well and little sandals.
In both forms, a chiming sound might be heard as she moves.
Registered: Aug 30, 2015 1:23:13 GMT -8
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Post by Kitsu on Jul 7, 2017 3:15:10 GMT -8
After entering the gates of the mansion, Kitsu had to return to her visible form. She was still very young and staying invisible for long took to much of her energy. The small fox would scatter around the mansion, avoiding eyes around her.
It took her a while before she found a place that found her interest. She would run past a building and in the corner of her eyes she saw the three humans that were in the dojo. She stopped abruptly and put her little paws on the doorstep, though still staying very silent. There were three humans in the room, all of them wearing swords, though it did not seem like they tried to harm each other with them.
She knew there was mischief to be had here. All of the humans seemed young and none of their weapons were likely to hurt her. She would put her head down so just her eyes, ears and paws would be visible if anyone even cared to look her way.
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Tika Seya
Committed
Roleplay posts: 78
Age: 19
Physical Description: Long raven hair, blue eyes, and an average build. Soft features.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
Clothes and Equipment:
A pink kimono is accented by the red trim of her lower hiyoko layer, an ornamental display of feminity in what was otherwise a men's cut of garb free of the constrictions of traditional female clothing. A white obi holds a single katana to her left hip. Zori sandals and white socks. Her hakama trousers were the deep color of violet, with a display of light rosey flowers bedazzling the hem of the left leg.
Her sword, Hikari-no-Kazu: http://i.imgur.com/P6AzAI8.jpg
Registered: Apr 25, 2017 20:44:32 GMT -8
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Post by Tika Seya on Jul 7, 2017 12:37:24 GMT -8
All that morning, Tika spent time working with the two on the basics. Anzen Hizashi was the primary target of instruction, as her formal experience with the blade was possibly much less than Kojuro's or Genji's. There would be times where Kojuro could possibly shine, showing her by example how best to follow Tika's instructions as they'd be similar to his own when he was a child. They covered the barest of basics that were usually taught starting very young and were often shrouded in ritual.
To draw the longer katana from its position at the hip, she would explain while demonstrating with her own blade, the right arm making a simple pulling motion--while intuitive--would not be sufficient to clear the kissaki from the scabbard. Instead, the sword's point would find friction against the wooden inside of the saya once most of the blade was exposed. Tika explained that continued pressure or bad form trying to draw like this would cause the kissaki to bite into the wood of the inside of the scabbard and eventually crack it, causing extremely expensive and possible irreversible damage to it.
To counter this inevitability, she emphasized the importance of sayabiki. Anzen would learn that this was an important mechanic of the drawing motion. This time, Tika drew her sword into a graceful arc before her. However, she demonstrated that both of her arms were working in unison--one drawing the sword, but the other pulling the saya backward in obi, a motion often hidden by the excitement and speed of the katana's often flashy quick-draws, but necessary to facilitate it all the same. By opening with both arms moving in opposing directions, the sword's blade became exposed in about half the time it took to draw from the arm, and the possibility of the weapon stabbing the inside of the sheath on its way out (by virtue of its length alone) had been effectively mitigated. Anzen received ample instruction to practice this regardless of the length of her slightly-shorter kodachi, because as a member of a samurai family, she expected Lord Genji would want her comfortable wielding all swords by building a solid core foundation in muscle memory.
Tika spent about a half hour on this, given that her students would need to drill this a few times in repetition. Once she became satisfied with progress in the "smoothness" of their draws, she moved onto grip. This was a simple few minutes of explanation, where emphasis was made on gripping the sword tightly with the pinky and ring fingers and holding progressively weaker down the hand. Having a tight grip near the pinky and a loose grip at the thumb and forefinger provided a long, handheld stick-like object a much greater range of motion in both wrists than a thoroughly tight grip would allow.
Once that was done and over with, she covered the concept of noto, or resheathing the sword. This, in and of itself, would be worth whole months of lesson material, given its various complications. Tika explained how there were many different styles of chiburi, or the removing of blood from the sword, but that such a thing would be covered in future, more focused lessons. For this day, she covered only the scenario of returning a sword to its scabbard without having cut any targets. This involved sliding the mune (spine) of the sword down its length while it rested upon the koiguchi (scabbard opening). From this motion, the kissaki would drop into the scabbard's opening and she'd pull both the sheath and the sword back together again with both hands. From the look of it, reducing the need for the fingers to guide the sword and keep it atop the saya without it falling off would take much practice in muscle memory (practice Kojuro most likely had a good deal of), and to this she made emphasis because Anzen would be expected to be able to instinctively put away her razor-sharp sword without looking at where its point is going. This was an important aspect of training with the sword that simply could not be skimmed over, because as Lord Genji had entrusted her to teach a member of a ranking samurai family on use of a weapon, it was to be assumed that one day, she may find herself in a battlefield scenario. For Anzen to be able to draw and put away her sword instinctively while keeping her eyes on the situation rather than her sword, she'd mitigate a major timing of weakness that could be taken advantage of (Tika felt it necessary to remind her that a samurai is expected to be, as is typical sentiment, "ready at all times").
They had barely scratched the surface of the basics, but they were basics Tika had to learn before she was even allowed to begin sparring as a child. Every aspect of these minuscule details breathed the threat of death on a potential battlefield and the numerous ways that could happen in a not-actually-dueling manner, and hopefully Anzen was beginning to see how the training was not just about sparring competence, but of good muscle memory and situational awareness.
Then, afternoon arrived. Because this was the first lesson, she felt she needed to cover everything very briefly to gauge where their strengths and weaknesses lay. Because of that process, this would not simply be a slow, child-like progression into an increasingly less-cryptic world of swordplay. Tika had to dive right into the more exhilarating, competitive aspects of training at some time today, and so after covering basics and some repetitions, both would be instructed to retrieve a wooden bokken from the wall. Their swords would remain at their hips.
Both students would be instructed to face one another. Stance, style, all of that would be covered later. Tika was simply here to observe, now, and explained to Anzen not to feel alarmed at the lack of actual combative teachings yet before starting a practice bout--this was simply to figure out where their strengths and weaknesses were. She stood beside the two and backed up several paces.
"And now bow..... good, very good, now take your stance. You may begin."
All the while she remained unaware herself of the fox outside the dojo floor, because she was so strongly focused on teaching, worried if they were absorbing it all instead of simply staring through her. Ironically, teaching made her feel like a student again... to the last time she ever felt so self-conscious. She did her best not to appear incompetent and not letting her soft voice waver, trying to get her words to flow comfortably from her older memories and presenting them in a manner that seemed instructional and competent...
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Kojuro Hizashi
Dedicated
Lord of Kiyonai
Roleplay posts: 354
Age: 23
Physical Description: Kojuro stands at a little above average height, and a slender, athletic build. His dark brown hair falls to just beneath chin level, and he usually wears it tied back. His eyes are a bright brown colour, so light as to be close to orange. He is usually well but simply dressed, and carries himself with a relaxed air, taking most things in his stride. He has several recently acquired scars, including a sword cut to his left arm which has left him only partial use of that hand, and a another from a sword cut along his jawline on the right side.
Clothes and Equipment: He is normally dressed in conventional attire for his culture and social class. As a lord, his clothing is high quality, though not ostentatious. For everyday wear a simple kosode and hakama, silk courtly robes for official duties, and armour on the battlefield. He prefers greens and blues, though often may be wearing the maroon and gold of the Hizashi clan.
In battle he can be noticed from a distance by the dragonfly crest on his helmet. He also wears a surcoat in Hizashi maroon and gold and a set of lacquered armour bearing the Hizashi clan cherry blossom crest. In battle he is armed with a tachi (long sword) and a tanto (dagger), and also carries a fan to signal orders. He will also be found carrying his swords everywhere, as is usual for samurai.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi, The Hizashi Clan
Player's online availability : For play: Some evenings, GMT. I am not around every day for RP, because life. For chatting/PMs: Most days/eves GMT.
Registered: May 10, 2017 13:44:12 GMT -8
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Post by Kojuro Hizashi on Jul 18, 2017 14:37:45 GMT -8
Kojuro had indeed spent many hours in the dojo from a young age, learning swordplay as well as the other weapons a samurai was supposed to master. From this senpai there were many more aspects of ritual than he was used to, when his teachers had usually favoured a more utilitarian approach. Familiarity with the various sword handling techniques Tika was showing the two of them, did not, however, mean ability. He found himself having to concentrate hard even through the basics as muscle memory was no longer enough to force his left hand to respond in the way he was used to. It was more than a little frustrating to be have so much trouble with the basics, as contrary to Tika's instruction, he could only grip the sword with forefinger and thumb of his left hand, the rest of the fingers curled uselessly or else managed to grip without being able to release again. Still it was useful enough to keep the weight a little more balanced than if he used his right hand alone, and to add at least some strength to his strikes. The tachi was generally used one-handed to attack from horseback so he was used to being able to wield it in his right only, it just lacked any stopping power while on foot. If Tika could show him the best way to adjust his grip given the limitations during her instruction it would be a good advantage, otherwise he would adapt as best he could in the workarounds he had been practising alone. He had other questions to ask her, but would wait for the end of her lesson so as not to interrupt her teachings.
Tika spent a lot of time schooling Anzen on basics, some of which would be new to her but some she knew very well, and he often shot her knowing looks when the opportunity arose. Most of the time however he had enough to concentrate on without worrying about what Anzen was up to. Kojuro began to get the feeling that he was being watched, although it certainly didn't seem to be hostile, unlike the creeping feeling he had had at the festival. Looking at the dojo door out of the corner of his eye he saw something small and furry peeking into the room, the ears and paws of a little fox. "Onee-san, don't feel self-conscious but it looks like we have an audience," he said to Anzen, as they carried their bokken back to the centre of the room, and nodded his head in the direction of the fox.
Kojuro stood opposite his sister and bowed, before taking a basic mid-level stance holding the hilt of the bokken at waist height, the tip of the sword pointing diagonally upwards directly towards Anzen's head. His weight on both feet, and ready to move into attack or defence, he waited for Tika's signal to begin, then wasted no time in going on the offensive against Anzen, raising the bokken above his head and closing the distance a pace so that she was in range of his katana-length bokken, but he was still outside of the shorter distance her kodachi could reach. He brought the bokken down towards her head, ready to stop before it connected with her if she failed to dodge or counter. A smack on the head with a bokken could be just as lethal as a live blade if the combatants weren't pulling their punches. Anzen would be used to his speed, likely he wasn't as fast as usual given he was somewhat out of practice, but the aggression of his attack would be something she was familiar with facing, albeit with a longer weapon in her hands.
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Kitsu
Established
Roleplay posts: 30
Age: 24
Physical Description: Kitsu is a small and very young Kitsune spirit. Even though she has been around for around 24 years, her appearance and behavior are close to that of a 7-8-year-old.
She can appear in several forms but will mostly appear as either a baby fox that would be hard to recognize as being a spirit. Or a young girl with strawberry blond hair and matching ears and a single tail behind her. She will wear a small kimono as well and little sandals.
In both forms, a chiming sound might be heard as she moves.
Registered: Aug 30, 2015 1:23:13 GMT -8
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Post by Kitsu on Jul 24, 2017 9:24:06 GMT -8
For a long time, the little fox would remain in position as she watched the humans do their thing. It was only when things were starting to move that she got more interested. In her short life, she hadn't seen many things yet and somehow the two involved here intrigued her. She had been traveling a lot, visiting shrine and shrine. Looking for a human that made her feel whole and that she could show her commitment to.
When the fight started she would duck her head down and go invisible. To the humans, it might seem like she just ran off outside their sight. She would make her way towards them and put her little body in front of Anzen her feet. If she would move in to block Kojuro's attack, there would be a big chance that her feet would get stuck behind the invisible fox and make her trip.
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Kaen Kogoeshinu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 68
Age: 27
Registered: May 23, 2017 23:35:01 GMT -8
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Post by Kaen Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 8:37:37 GMT -8
Friday, 8p.m.
The storm outside raged, rain fiercely hit the top of the dojo. Winds raged outside but none of that mattered to Kaen. He sat center of the dojo, meditating.
His focus unbreakable he rose to his feet fluidly, pushing his hands in an L shape away from his chest. He slowly moved his hands evenly, right still in L shape, left open palm.
Suddenly he struck the air with his fists. Each strike faster than the rest. He then pulled fire from a torch, creating a flame in his left palm, and he drew wAter from a bucket with his right hand. He left the wAter in a pool in front of him, with each strike the flame would explode and the water would fling forward lashing like a whip. He flipped and kicked out a flare. He landed, putting his h
Left hand in the pool of water. He created massive cloud of steam. He then made it bigger, encasing the inside of in a thick fog.
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Arashi Kogoeshinu
Established
The winds guide me...
Roleplay posts: 15
Age: 18
Physical Description: Born into the cursed family of the Kogoeshinu, the youngest of five. Arashi had also been cursed with magic powers, just like her older brother Kaen. Her powers manifested in the control of wind, making her able to manipulate the arrows she shoots. Her eyes are a very icy blue, almost white, reflecting her abilities. She still trains daily to gain more control, though nobody should find out.
Registered: Aug 17, 2017 5:29:54 GMT -8
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Post by Arashi Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 8:53:38 GMT -8
Arashi was out in the yards looking for him. The storm was starting to get heavy and ever since she had been small, she had been afraid of the thunder. When they were younger she used to take comfort with her brother whenever a storm raged. Now that they were reunited, it had made her feel like she needed him once again.
She would soon find him in the dojo. She stood in one of the open doorways that peeked at nature outside, breathing heavily from the running she had done and slightly soaked from the rain that had crashed down on her. She watched him for a while as she caught her breath. His movements were beautiful and smooth, his magic as well. Even from a small age she had never understood why their magic was a secret, she found comfort in it beyond anything else, she felt confident because of it. To her it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Only when he finished she stepped inside the dojo, still dripping slightly and clapped her hands for him, a big smile on her face. "That was beautiful Nii."
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Kaen Kogoeshinu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 68
Age: 27
Registered: May 23, 2017 23:35:01 GMT -8
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Post by Kaen Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 9:02:53 GMT -8
Kaen pulled all the steam together and pushed it out the door. Kaen smiled sweetly, "I travelled a while after I was exiled. Sometimes a fist can be just as deadly as a blade." He held out a hand to her, "Have you been practicing, Ara-chan?"
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Arashi Kogoeshinu
Established
The winds guide me...
Roleplay posts: 15
Age: 18
Physical Description: Born into the cursed family of the Kogoeshinu, the youngest of five. Arashi had also been cursed with magic powers, just like her older brother Kaen. Her powers manifested in the control of wind, making her able to manipulate the arrows she shoots. Her eyes are a very icy blue, almost white, reflecting her abilities. She still trains daily to gain more control, though nobody should find out.
Registered: Aug 17, 2017 5:29:54 GMT -8
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Post by Arashi Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 9:08:26 GMT -8
"If only you could have convinced father of that." she said and took his hands. They were warm and clammy at the same time from all the fire and water he had just played with. She was so happy to have him back. "of course I have Nii! Every day, like you said I should. Away from anyone to see me." she smiled. Then another flash of light filled the room and soon after the loud noise of the thunder came. She immediately threw herself against him with a small yelp.
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Kaen Kogoeshinu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 68
Age: 27
Registered: May 23, 2017 23:35:01 GMT -8
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Post by Kaen Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 9:22:16 GMT -8
Kaen sighed sadly, " I did try before I left. Magic is now everywhere, even have magical cats." Kaen smiled when she took his hand. "I missed you my dear sister." He jumped slightly as she clung to him "Ara-chan, it's ok. Remember what I told you? Calm yourself, push through your fear."
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Arashi Kogoeshinu
Established
The winds guide me...
Roleplay posts: 15
Age: 18
Physical Description: Born into the cursed family of the Kogoeshinu, the youngest of five. Arashi had also been cursed with magic powers, just like her older brother Kaen. Her powers manifested in the control of wind, making her able to manipulate the arrows she shoots. Her eyes are a very icy blue, almost white, reflecting her abilities. She still trains daily to gain more control, though nobody should find out.
Registered: Aug 17, 2017 5:29:54 GMT -8
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Post by Arashi Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 9:41:40 GMT -8
Once the thunder had gone she looked back up at him. "I have pushed through many fears, yet thunder still seems a problem." she gave him an apologetic smile and put some distance between them again. "I missed you too Nii."
She then let go of his hands and looked around the room. "I told father I wanted to learn the bow, the Yumi as we call it. He looked at me suspiciously like he had always done. He always looked at me in a different way than he did to the others. I must have been the eyes, he expected it all along. But I practiced the Yumi for weeks and weeks. Eventually, I could make my arrows fly wherever I wanted. And also." She smiled before she would suddenly jump up and throw herself backwards, making an effortless backflip and landing back on her feet just as gracefully as she had started, using the winds to lift her just so slightly in the air, without letting the air spill enough for him to feel she used it. "I love my magic Nii. I got careless and I got caught. You must be very disappointed in me." she sighed and frowned.
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Kaen Kogoeshinu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 68
Age: 27
Registered: May 23, 2017 23:35:01 GMT -8
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Post by Kaen Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 10:05:25 GMT -8
Kaen ruffled her hair, "Bah, at least one of yours is not red. THAT caused a stir." Kaen watch her move in awe. " You've grown up so much!" He hugged his sister again, " I could never be disappointed in you Ara-Chan." He let her go and stepped back into the middle grabbing his family's katana, pulling it out of the scabbard. He flicked back his hair on his left side. The red eye began to glow slightly. He point the blade to another flame, and the sword was engulfed in flame. He then pulled the other one and the blade became colder the the top of the mountains. He began two slice at the air the flame and ice trailing behind, creating a tail. To finish the air assault he stabbed two dummy, freezing one and engulfing the others. "Some how great grandfathers sword can withstand the extreme temperatures."
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Arashi Kogoeshinu
Established
The winds guide me...
Roleplay posts: 15
Age: 18
Physical Description: Born into the cursed family of the Kogoeshinu, the youngest of five. Arashi had also been cursed with magic powers, just like her older brother Kaen. Her powers manifested in the control of wind, making her able to manipulate the arrows she shoots. Her eyes are a very icy blue, almost white, reflecting her abilities. She still trains daily to gain more control, though nobody should find out.
Registered: Aug 17, 2017 5:29:54 GMT -8
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Post by Arashi Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 10:18:04 GMT -8
She watched with a big smile, knowing that Kaen loved his magic just as much as she did. He was different, even he had grown up so much from the brother she had once known. His body was strong and lean, she could even swear that he got taller in his years. He was no longer the boy who had left their home in tears because his father didn't want him anymore, he was a man grown. There was hope for her, a future. She just had to forget the awful things her father had shouted at her right before she got exiled for good.
"Maybe we don't know everything about our great grandfather after all." she smiled and walked towards one of the storage closets in the dojo room. She had stocked her quiver here earlier that day after she had practiced her arrows. One of the targets was still set up at one of the walls of the dojo. She took her bow as well. "My turn." she said with a smile and walked to the far end of the room. She took off the arrows that looked to be made with special feathers and strung it in the bow. But instead of facing towards her target she started to aim at Kaen himself. She would pull the string back to her face and look him right in the eyes. Her eyes would flick once to the actual target before looking back at him. Her eyes started to glow, making them even whiter than they normally appeared. And she loosened the arrow.
Before the arrow could reach Kaen it would bend in the right direction, guided by a blast of wind that she had sent along with it and land on the target, though she didn't hit a bullseye. When she heard the thud of the arrow she bent her head to look at it and frowned a tad disappointed at there she had hit her target. "Guess I need more practice." She then walked towards it to collect her arrow again.
"My magic might not be as beautiful as yours Nii, but it is useful for sure." She giggled
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Kaen Kogoeshinu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 68
Age: 27
Registered: May 23, 2017 23:35:01 GMT -8
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Post by Kaen Kogoeshinu on Aug 17, 2017 10:52:50 GMT -8
Kaen watched her with a big smile, she turned out to be a great Archer. He didn't flinch at the arrow as it passed him. He walked up to her. He put his hand on her shoulder, "Do you clear your mind?" He said looking down at the target.
"Oh hush. Your magic makes you elegant and graceful." He patted her shoulder.
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