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"Sit." That's all Kuni Raicho would say as she gestured to the pair of tables with Go sets prepared upon each. They were separated far enough where either game ensured privacy from the other. But there was a distinct lack of even numbers of players.

"Welcome to a competition of wits and intellect. We will be having five separate rounds, with everyone playing everyone else eventually; so, there's no reason to fret. There is a thirty-minute limit for each game, so keep that in mind in case you get chatty. The best record after the time has elapsed is the winner. Each round, someone sits out and observes, and for the first round, that will be Asako Sumi."

Pointing to the table on the left, she would state aloud, "Kitsu Kyumi and Asahina Kenichi." She would then point to the table on the right, and say "Tamori Makoto and Isawa Toyoko." Sitting down upon a tatami mat, she would finally and sternly order once and only once: "Begin." As an afterthought, she would add, "If anyone is caught cheating, I will break their fingers." She would then closer her eyes, entering into a meditative stance.

A shugenja from the Phoenix Clan and a shugenja from the Dragon Clan would sit at one table, immediately chattering amongst themselves; as it would appear, both samurai were expects in the manipulation of Earth Kami. Another Phoenix woman, a frail looking woman who carried a large satchel of tomes, would take a seat off in a corner, reading by the light of the brazier to pass the time; she seemed genuinely uninterested in the going-ons of the other matches.

Kitsu Kyumi would be approached by a young man with a considerable scar across his face. He still had a handsome appearance which was made only more rugged-looking by the mark. "Greetings. You must be Lady Kyumi. My name is Asahina Kenichi. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I look forward to being your first opponent this evening." He would bow deeply in respect to the Lion shugenja, and offering her the choice of seat.

The game will go as follows: Every round, make an Awareness/Game: Go check, with any emphases you have for the skill. The TN is 5, and increases by 5 every round (after each competitor has made the check). You can attempt a dangerous gambit by making raises; if you succeed, your opponent's TN also increases by the same amount; if you fail, your opponent gets a number of free raises equal to the number of raises you just made. Three failed rolls in a game loses you the match!

Kitsu Kyumi, would you like to go first or second?

Kyumi answered her opponent's bow with one of her own. "It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you." She greeted the bushi with a friendly smile as she went to seat herself. "I look forward to seeing you play. If you are not opposed to it, it would please me if you were to start our game."

((Kyumi's going second.))

Asahina Kenichi would nod in acknowledgement, sitting upon the side of the table with the black stones. Picking up one, he seemed hesitant to place, looking up with blue eyes towards his Lioness opponent. "You'll have to forgive me; though I used to love the game, I haven't played Go since I was a child." he would apologize, throwing an Etiquette of 40(!) behind his explanation.

He begins with a conservative placement of his stones, with a Go check of 25 vs TN 5.

"Regardless of when you last played, I'm certain that your skill will not disappoint. Besides, this is not the duelist's ring, where so much depends on time spent on training and skill. So long as you have a bright mind, this match should be enjoyable." Kyumi's cheerful expression remained as she began to scrutinize his move. After a second or so of thought, she moved one of her own pieces onto the board.

((Rolling 4k3; 22 vs TN 5 ))

Kenichi would continue to play his black stones, choosing a very conservative, low-risk playing style; he sought little to capture pieces, but instead to consolidate his own play areas.

"I... thank you for your understanding, Kyumi-san. I'm afraid this won't be a very challenging match for you, as enjoyable as my company may be for you." Though Kenichi's play style was valid, and eating up large sections of the board, he seemed genuinely displeased with each move he made. {Go check of 19 vs TN 10}

"No need to sell yourself short, Asahina-san. I believe you are playing fine."

Kyumi replied as she set herself up to make an assault on one of his recently placed pieces. Her style was more aggressive than Kenichi's. While he appeared to be focused on keeping his own territory, Kyumi was more likely to try to take what she could from him.

While her opponent may not have been pleased with how the match was currently going, she didn't not appear to have the same problem.

((4k3; 21 vs TN 10))

Asahina Kenichi would nod at Kyumi's words, pausing once again to appraise the playing table. She just captured some of his pieces, which had given her a slight advantage.

"If you don't mind me asking... are you really a Lion? From what I've heard of your Clan, you're nothing like I expected you to be. This tournament is my first opportunity to interact with members of other clans, and all I have to go on is the words of my fellow Crane."

He would move his focus on another part of the board, giving the area Kyumi contested up in an effort to stake a new claim.

{Go check of 21 vs TN 15}

"As much as it may surprise you... I am, indeed, a Lion. While our Clans may not be on the... friendliest of terms, there is no reason to cause needless trouble with someone I barely know." As she surveyed the board, it was obvious that, thus far, the setup pleased her. She had thought that he might give up some of what he claimed if she started to push in on him, and he had. She began to start on another bit of his territory, to test if he might give way once more.

"Besides, I am in the same situation as you. I think I'm better off trying to make friends, don't you?"

((4k3; 22 vs TN 15))

Kenichi would apparently learn fast, realizing what Kyumi was doing. If she kept on challenging him like this, there would be no way he could win. Rather than abandoning his hard-earned territories, he would begin consolidating his liberties to minimize the damage she could do. {Games: Go check of 18 vs TN 20, Failure 1/3}

But it wouldn't be enough, as he had realized that, whether by cunning or luck, she had forced him to fight for a lost cause, and there would be nothing he could do to regain that corner of the board.

"... maybe some of the things I heard about the Lions are true. That hurt," he openly confessed as he gauged his chances.

Ooo... Kyumi hadn't quite meant it like that. She began to look a bit flustered. Here she thought she'd been doing a good job at being eloquent, and yet... Well, she'd appeared to have been much sharper than she intended to be.

She attempted to mask her uneasiness by focusing on the board. Rather than attack this turn, she began to consolidate her territory.

"T-That came out a bit sharper than I intended it. My apologies." Kyumi sounded much meeker than she had before, though she tried to make up for it with a somewhat halfhearted smile.

((4k3, 23 vs TN 20 ))

"... what?" he asked at her response, before realizing how she had taken it. "Oh! No, no no no! I meant the moves you were making! It cost me a lot of pieces! It wasn't anything you said, I swear by my honor!" {Only 13 Etiquette sweatdrop }

"It was a thinly veiled complement about the tactical prowess of your Clan, nothing more. I... I think I should simply be quiet now, though. I have both offended and dishonored you, my lady Kyumi.

He bowed his head to focus more on the game, no longer apparently able to look Kyumi in the eye. {Game: Go check of 20 vs TN 25, failure 2/3}

He no longer seemed able to focus on strategy, the misunderstanding leaving the poor young samurai so bewildered his strategy was shot and he began to make constant blunders which was easily costing him the game.

"I... Oh..."

Kyumi felt her cheeks begin to color with embarrassment. It would figure that she'd end up misunderstanding what he said for something else. And now the entire conversation had been ruined because of her.

She quickly moved her pieces on the board. She went to capture more territory without thought of whether the strategy would work or not. So long as it brought about a speedy end to the game, she was fine with it. If she managed to win, it would feel like a hollow victory.

(( 4k3; 17 vs TN 25, Failure 1/3 ))

Kenichi would equally be silent, his face nearly as flushed as Kyumi's. Though Kuni Raicho remained oblivious to the whole thing, the two had caught the attentions of the man and woman at the other table, who had apparently finished their game, and were watching you with keen interest. That is, they were watching the players, not the game.

{Games: Go check of 14 vs TN 30. Failure 3/3}

As traditional in Rokugan, Kenichi plays until all his stones have been used up, most of it was simply choosing where Kyumi would capture them; the table is almost entirely covered by white stones.

Winner: Kitsu Kyumi
Winner: Tamori Makoto

Asahina Kenichi would stand up and bow deeply to Kyumi, but far too embarrassed to say another word. He would prevent eye contact and move away from the table, joining the other samurai from theirs, as well as the uninvolved courtier, would all meet at Kuni Raicho. Upon Kyumi's arrival, the next round's match-ups would be announced.



--------------------

This round, Kyumi would be pitted against a thin, scrawny girl in her early 20's. With a pair of spectacles and a satchel full of books and scrolls (which she set beside the table with an audible THUD), she would address the Lioness.

"My name is Asako Sumi of the Phoenix Clan. Let us begin, shall we?" she would say in a quiet voice, barely over a whisper. She would grab a handful of white stones, her frail thin hands far smaller than Kyumi's, hiding the amount within them. She would indicate for Kyumi to pick odds or evens; if it matches, Kyumi plays Black (and goes first). Otherwise, she will play White (and go last).

Kyumi did her best to regain her composure after her embarrassment from the last match. Try as she might, her cheeks still remained red and likely would stay that way for some time.

She had to concentrate some to hear the quiet woman speak. "I am Kitsu Kyumi, from the Lion Clan. Evens, please." She introduced herself as politely, and friendly as she could. However, she found that her smiles were somewhat less sincere than they would otherwise be.

((I don't know why I decided to roll on here. confused ))

Asako Sumi would open her tiny hand, revealing the single white stone and handing it to Kyumi. "A wise choice. Or perhaps, just a lucky one." Taking her seat at the side with the black stones, would adjust her spectacles before placing her first stone. Her first goal was to gobble up the hoshi/star points, it would seem. {Games: Go roll of 19 vs TN 5}

"We shall see..." Kyumi murmured back in reply.

From what Kyumi could tell, Sumi isn't all that interested in small talk, which is just as well. The Lioness has decided that, for now, she'll be focusing on the game. For this match, she appeared to be using a different and more conservative approach; preferring to consolidating territory on the edges of the board rather than attacking Sumi's beloved star points.

However, it is a bit obvious by looking at her that she may have something more up her sleeve. She's trying to set up something, but whatever it is hasn't taken shape yet.

((4k3, with 2 raises, 19 vs TN 15))

It wouldn't take very long before the Asako caught on to Kyumi's little game. Er, no pun intended.

"Don't think this will be an easy victory for you. I've read many pieces of literature about tactics and strategies in these games. My knowledge on the matter is quite extensive."

Sumi would play almost as if reciting a poem that she had memorized, knowing exactly where she would want each piece to go... and what would be best to counter Kyumi's aggressive moves with some of her own. {Games: Go check of 23 vs TN 20}

Kyumi didn't answer, focusing entirely on the board, and quickly becoming a little frustrated. Perhaps her "cunning strategy" wasn't as cunning as she thought... For every move she made, the the Pheonix countered her easily enough. Without realizing it, she puffed out her cheeks ever so slightly; not enough that everyone might notice, but... Someone who knew her well enough would recognize it for what what it was.

She continued on, trying to snatch what territory she could, and did her best to try to keep the littler areas of the board that she managed to grab.

((4k3; 30 vs TN 10; sweatdrop Apparently I put down the wrong TN.))

Sumi would smirk at the sudden bout of silent treatment. It wasn't often she had the upper hand on someone like this. Coming to this tournament was a good idea after all.

She would slide her glasses up the bridge of her nose again, and confident of the moves she's made so far, suddenly and unexpectedly moved to conquer Kyumi's territories, overtaking white with black. {Games: Go check with 1 raise, 24 vs TN 20}

Kyumi, your TN is 20 for your next roll!

With the board starting to be overwhelmed by black pieces, Kyumi found herself in more than a little trouble. This game, despite her efforts, was not going how she hoped, and Kyumi was almost certain that her opponent would likely overtake her completely in only a few more moves.

Still, she wasn't going to give up in the middle of the game. Kyumi pressed onward, trying to steal away whatever small bits of territory she could.


((4k3, 26 vs TN 20 ))

"I understand your pride as a Lion is at stake, and you are making a commendable effort. But the Phoenix are superior in every regard. Surely, you must realize this." she mentioned to Kyumi, watching her fight back valiantly. If Sumi was afraid of defeat, she showed no such fear.

{Games: Go Check with 1 Raise, 17 vs TN 25, Failure 1/3}

However, studying all the knowledge about playing Go doesn't necessarily make you better at it. Kyumi would notice that Sumi had forgone several opportunities to capture some of her liberties in an effort to complete a maneuver. As the game got more complex, it seemed less and less like she actually knew what she was doing!

Kyumi, your TN is 20!

"Forgive my boldness, but... Perhaps you should wait until after you have won before you starting boasting?" She cracked a slight grin when she noticed that Sumi had overlooked some potentially powerful moves. The Phoenix's pedestal was beginning to show cracks, and... Perhaps with the right moves, Kyumi would be the Lioness that would break it and bring the girl back to Earth.

Her confidence somewhat regained, Kyumi began to make some bolder moves on the board. Moves that were, perhaps, a bit too bold and more ambitious than Kyumi could pull off.

(( 4k3, 1 raise, 18 vs TN 25; 1/3 failures))

Sumi would quickly become flustered, and a tad bit mad at Kyumi's response. "I'll have you know that- she started while standing from her seat, before breaking into a minor coughing fit. She sat back down, a bit winded from the display.

"Let's... let's just see who triumphs over whom." she advised, focusing on drawing on her mental reserves to pull ahead once more.

{Games: Go Check, spending a void for a Free Raise (spent as a regular raise); 22 vs TN 25, Failure 2/3}

She knew she could win this if she stayed the course and continue with her strategies. Kyumi, however, had different ideas. TN 25, Kyumi!

"Are you going to be all right?"

Kyumi had been startled by Sumi's sudden coughing fit. Her appearance made it obvious that the girl wasn't physically strong, but she hadn't thought that Sumi would be so affected. Kyumi had been so intent on focusing on the game rather than her opponent that she hadn't spent much time looking the Phoenix. It was only now that Sumi was recovering that Kyumi glanced over her opponent to see if there were any symptoms to indicate if there was anything wrong with her.

Despite her concern for the girl, Kyumi made her move on the board. However, unlike her previous turns, she spent a good deal longer on this one.


((Game: 4k3, 11 vs TN 25- 2/3 Failures; Medicine: 5k2, 18 ))

Judging from Sumi's small frame, which seemed malnourished upon closer examination, it's probably not an illness, so much as she is naturally unhealthy. With as much attention as it appears she pays book, one might argue that she's a victim of Bad Health.

"I'm... I'm fine. Let's just play the game. There's not many moves left, so let us play it to the conclusion."

Realizing that she had followed her pre-determined battle plan through to the end, she saw that it had not worked out for her like she had expected it to. At this point, her strategy crumbled, and she was simply on damage control.

{Games: Go check with void point for +1k1. 56(!) vs TN 30, still 2/3 failures}

When she put her mind to it and started making decisions for herself, she did not do so badly; whether or not she learned this lesson though, it came a little too late in the match.

Kyumi, your TN is 30!

Upon recognizing that Sumi was not actually ill, Kyumi relaxes some. She resists the slight urge to give Sumi a bad time about not taking better care of herself, if only because she, herself, is not the paragon of healthy living, no matter how much she tried.

"Of course. It's pointless to delay any further." Kyumi answered before starting an attempt to capture as much territory as she could in the last few rounds of the game.

((4k3 + 1k1 (1 void point); 24 vs TN 30; 3/3 Failures. ))

As the last of the stones would be used up at the table, it would be a downright close call. It was not readily apparent who was the victor until actual territories were tallied up, showing that Asako Sumi had come out ahead by the slimmest margin.

"It appears I am the victor. Although... I confess it doesn't feel like one. I did everything I was supposed to, but... it didn't turn out like it was supposed to. In truth..." She would hang her head a bit down at what she was about to say. "In truth, I've only played against tutors before, never competitively. I thought, if I had studied hard enough, it would have been enough..." she would sound downright disappointed with herself.

Winner: Asako Sumi
Winner: Asahina Kenichi

--------------------



Later...

After Kyumi and Sumi would report back to the Magistrate about the results of their match, it would seem the two gentlemen playing, Kenichi and the Dragon named Makoto, were still finishing up. After a few more minutes, Kyumi would overhear that Kenichi had won, likewise by a small margin, much to Makoto's surprise.

After hearing their next matches, Kyumi would find herself paired with another Phoenix woman; however, unlike the timid, tiny Sumi, Toyoko carried herself confidently and proudly.

"Hi! I'm Toyoko! Isawa Toyoko! It's a pleasure to meet you!" she would say to Kyumi, bowing. "I promise to make this game sporting for you, on one condition." She wound wink and waggle a finger at the Lioness. "And that's only if you tell me all the details about your match with Kenichi. I want to hear all about it!"

She didn't seem all that interested in starting the game, so it would be up to Kitsu Kyumi to determine the terms!

"Kitsu Kyumi. It's nice to meet you." Kyumi offered a polite bow. "T-There really isn't much to say about the match I played against Asahina-san... It was just a simple misunderstanding." She was more than a little surprised that Toyoko had even noticed what had occurred; Kyumi had hoped that the entire situation hadn't drawn anyone else's attention.

"Would you mind if I went first?"

Isawa Toyoko would gesture openly towards the seat of the black player, quickly taking up the seat of the white player. "Are you sure? Maybe it was just the light of the lanterns, but you seemed awfully red towards the end there. You looked brighter than my robes, even." Smiling wide like the cat that ate the canary, she would add "So was he, for that matter. I'm not sure if you noticed that." {21 on her Courtier (Gossip) roll, or modified 11 after her Meddler disadvantage.}

She would dextrously roll a couple of her white stones between her fingertips as she awaited Kyumi's first move, though she seemed less interested in the game and more in her opponent.

Kitsu Kyumi, your TN is 5!

Kyumi took the remaining seat and was quick to make her first move. For now, her gaming strategy would be conservative, with the intent to quickly amass territory on one side of the board.

Her social strategy, however, was still being thought up. Kyumi wasn't sure that she liked that the other woman's curiosity or questions, but... It wasn't as if anything untoward had happened, and she would look a little guilty if she just stopped talking.

"I am. I was embarrassed for misunderstanding a simple compliment about my game strategy, and he was embarrassed for me. That's all it was." Kyumi answered matter-of-factly, and hoped that it would bring this line of questioning to an end.

(( 4k3, 4 vs TN 5; 1/3 Failures. ))

"It's fine, sweetie, it's fine." Toyoko would respond, watching some of the beginning moves Kyumi were making. Her response would be the methodical countering and capturing on any territories Kyumi would get a foothold in. {Games: Go of 13 vs TN 5}

"Still, though. There's something about those Crane men. They can be so... so... how should I put this?" she trailed off, tapping her fingernails rhythmically against the board several times in succession. "Easy on the eyes, I suppose." She would grin almost sinisterly, if it didn't seem that she was having too much fun with the conversation.