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@ Athletics Competition, Endurance Race:

Bayushi Kojiro was determined to win. Not only for his sake and the sake of his clan, but for Kaori's sake! While he was still somewhat fresh, he pushed himself while he still had the luxury, and his determination would pay off, as he earned himself a lead over many of the other racers!

Horiuchi Sayoko would not be willing to let Kojiro take the lead alone. Not even making eye contact as she kept shoulder to shoulder with him - no, just slightly ahead, by a tiny margin! She would not be going down without a fight! {2 Raises, 37!! vs TN 20}

Ujina Denbe would accept the Dragon's proposal, though strangely enough, he would pace himself. They had already been running for several minutes, and already the duress was getting to him. He had to make sure not to take any stupid showoffy risks.

Mirumoto Sozen seemed to be... well, surprised as the sudden drop in effort on Denbe's part, and Sozen did his best to keep pace with him. He could have easily pushed himself more, but seemed a little too suspicious to do so! {1 Raise, 27 vs TN 15}

Yoritomo Hisashi would make sure he would not disappoint his cousin, showing him exactly what it means to be a Mantis samurai! No adversity would keep him down, and he would make sure he would not embarass Susumu-san!

Yoritomo Susumu, however, would have other plans, as he literally tripped over his own feet, faceplanting in the muddy ground! He would recover quickly, but had fallen behind most of the other samurai in the process. {2 Raises, 15 vs TN 20} "DAMMIT, FORTUNES! Why do you keep doing this to me?! I don't even HAVE the unlucky disadvantage!" he would yell out loudly. Was he breaking the 4th wall, or just simply still partially intoxicated?

Isawa Sosuke, however, seemed adamant on making Hisashi feel better. Perhaps he was zoning out, or perhaps he was distracted by a bird, but whatever the reason, he didn't even see Susumu before he literally tripped over him, taking a rather bad fall! {1 Raise, 7 vs TN 15} Susumu was already back on his feet, but Sosuke wasn't quite as quick on the uptake, and his own penalty would severely harm his chances!

Kakita Zanzen would be much more attentive, dodging between Sosuke and Susumu as they screwed up, pulling ahead of them somewhat easily! It wasn't a substantial lead, but a lead was a lead! If he could just keep this pace, he would be set!

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

As the group would pass around the northwestern corner of the complex, they would see an unexpected sight up ahead. A peasant woman would be approaching the western gate, and collapse! The two Daidoji guards would stand resolute with their yari, remaining motionless and ignoring her plight. As you approach, she would call out, "Water... water, please...!"

ATHLETICS, NORTH/WEST CORNER
Group 1 (the lead!)
Bayushi Kojiro
Horiuchi Sayoko

Group 2
Mirumoto Sozen
Yoritomo Hisashi
Ujina Denbe

Group 3
Kakita Zanzen

Group 4
Yoritomo Susumu

Group 5
Isawa Sosuke

Stamina/Athletics [Running], TN 15!

@Athletics

Fortunes... he glared skyward a second before removing himself from the track, heading for the gate. He may loose, but this was Crane territory and he didn't wish to see anyone under their protection have problems. Taking a moment to adjust his hat as he went, he'd walk towards the guards slowly, speaking out to the woman. "Why do you come here to seek water? Did it not just rain but last night? Or perhaps some problem has brought you here on fleeing feet?"

'Or perhaps I am but a fool and this is a trick by someone to gain a lead...' He kept this thought to himself.

GM Roll

Athletics Event: North/East Corner 3
(Athletics (Running) Check with Water Ring 3, 4k3 vs TN 15)
Result: 30

Hisashi was suffering from tunnel vision and didn't notice the woman (who was probably a trap anyway, but whatever) and kept running.

@ Athletics Competition, Endurance Race:

Horiuchi Sayoko would take the lead as Kojiro seemed slightly distracted by the sight. Though, she actually spoke as she was running by. "I am sorry; if no one stops, I will be back for you!" What? {2 raises, 38 vs TN 25}

Bayushi Kojiro took notice of the woman, and ALMOST stopped, but at the last second thought better of it and kept going. His uncertainty cost him the lead though, but kept him in the race.

Yoritomo Hisashi would likewise ignore the plight before him, as he was intently focused on the race. Sayoko was pulling ahead, but he found himself catching up to Kojiro, tying for second!

Yoritomo Susumu was the Insensitive type, and really didn't care about the peasant's situation. "Yeah, I don't trust 'er either," he would say to Kojiro and Hisashi as he caught up to them. He didn't seem winded, being in fairly good shape, so he was fairing relatively well compared to the other two men! {2 raises, 29/25}

Ujina Denbe and Mirumoto Sozen would both stop. Sozen, however, had backtrack a couple meters, realizing Denbe was stopping. He seemed to supervise Denbe, looking down at the woman. "I'm sure you'll be okay, miss. Don't worry, Denbe-san and I would take care of you."

Then Kakita Zanzen would speak up, having stopped and taken up position closer to the guards. He was not trusting of her, but he failed his Perception/Investigation {Notice} check to recognize the woman. After his claim, however, Sozen would give a sudden concerned look to Denbe.

Isawa Sosuke would also stop, but he was out of breath and was gasping for air, leaning forward and clutching his knees.

NPC Stopping Triggers:
Sayoko: If no one else stopped, Sayoko will stop.

• Sozen: If someone in Group 1 or 2 stopped, Sozen will stop.

Susumu: Susumu will not stop.

• Sosuke: Sosuke will stop if at least one other person stops.

Pulling the hood from over her head and looking up at the Samurai, Urako would finish drinking the water, then comment, "I appreciate the concern, noble samurai, but Raicho-sama wished for me to remind you that she told you to focus on the race." Returning Denbe's water bottle, she would take up a kneeling position and bow her head deeply in respect.

"Sorry, Zanzen-san. Raicho-sama told us not to interfere," one of the Daidoji would tell Zanzen, the other gesturing for him to go while he can.

Everyone who stopped have taken up last position!

ATHLETICS, SOUTH/WEST CORNER
Group 1 (the lead!)
Horiuchi Sayoko

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4
Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Bayushi Kojiro

Group 5

Group 6

Group 7

Group 8
Kakita Zanzen
Mirumoto Sozen
Isawa Sosuke
Ujina Denbe

Stamina/Athletics [Running], TN 20! Final roll guys!

...Denbe... had a very confused reaction to this news.

He seemed almost taken aback, or shocked, at first. Then you could almost see a curse forming on his lips. And then, the bushi managed to combine a wince and a laugh.

"I suppose... Raicho-sama was correct then."

He knew he couldn't have left the woman over that, even if it had not slipped his mind. For a moment, it did make him question how urgent of an order he'd have had to have been delivered to feel right in not stopping. He wasn't sure there was such a thing, though in more urgent a situation he might not have stopped and simply accepted to suffer the guilt. A competition however...

Denbe would turn to return to the track at a walk.

"Come. We all stopped. So let us all start up again at once."

He'd wait for the others to line up beside him (unless someone tried to bolt ahead) to begin running again. Controlling his breathing, the Hare did exactly that then- focused on the raise, and put his frustration into his running. He'd not like to be taken out of the competition at all, but to lose to a ruse? No, he wouldn't want that.

[1 Void to add 1k1 to roll.]
[6k3+3 Athletics(Running): 24 vs TN 20]

Kagae satisfied with how he approached the matter of getting the plans to Doji Kita realised that the old tent would actually need repairing. He then scoured through the current tent to find the kit Kaori was using to repair it and found where the old tent was being stashed. Placing the sewing kit next to him from where he sat he rested the old tent draped over his lap on the right side. Threading the needle and grabbing some material Kagae attempted to repair the old tent.


(Craft: Sewing 4k4 vs tn 10. Result: 21)