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Misa	It's a bitterly cold day, as the southern parts of the East go. Deep in the throes of winter, it's not the most pleasant of conditions for training. And yet, training is what transpires- Misa has her student going through drawing-strike drills, critiquing angles of grip on contact with the reed-and-wood striking dummy, commenting on methods of using the hand around the scabbard to aim the strike, and focusing on power and speed with the hand on the hilt of the blade. She's quite thorough, precise, and uncompromising- particularly for this style. But for all that she is exacting and stern, she is not cruel or harsh, really. Likely doesn't have the force of persona to really make a nuisance of her approach. She stands off to the side at the moment, sipping at a cup of tea as she observes, silent for the moment but intent.
Serene Herald	Perhaps another student would be unhappy. Perfect Question, though, seems to match completely well with this style of teaching, just as precise, thorough, and uncompromising. Even when it's matters of a fraction of an inch, or a slight change in angle held, or a slight stance of his feet. And if his skill is not immediately perfect, neither does he begrudge the time and effort spent at it. "Once more..." and in a flash, he draws the blade and strikes in, only to cut out, and send some of the reeds tumbling to the ground.
Nine Roads Alani	It's not the first time there's the sound of a pair of horses off in the distance. Not the first time Misa heard them driving hell bent for leather, either! And yet, on a day as cold as this, perhaps the warmth of hard exercise might be doing the horses good. Instead of blowing right past Misa's dojo, though, this time the two-horse chariot bleeds off residual speed in a wide circle around, ending up quite neatly ten or twelve meters from the dojo proper, in the field beside the road. The figure standing in the chariot is nigh bundled like a Southern nomad in the desert, cloak and hood quite effectively obscuring her face from the chill winds. Elena, the courier from Great Forks, hops lightly off the back of the chariot and walks over to Misa, a bit of a grin on her face as she arrives. She offers a quick, sincere but informal wave, but doesn't immediately say anything. Instead, she studies Perfect Question's movements. Finally, she speaks. "Good morning. Looks like things are looking at least a little better in the dojo department since I was here last..."
Misa	"Well, infinitely better, mathematically," Misa muses, sipping at the last of her tea before setting the cup down on a nearby small table. "Elena, do make the acquaintance of Question, a newfound student of... well, the first style I ever learned. I suppose details are not the most important at this juncture." She steps across the dirt yard of the dojo, her hand reaching down to set two fingers under the very end of Question's scabbard. She adjusts it up... nearly imperceptibly, to be honest, just adjusting his angle slightly in that borderline impenetrable manner of a near-stereotypical master of the martial arts. "What brings you by this day?"
Serene Herald	Perfect Question shifts his hand slightly, but then relaxes as the horses and chariot come closer. "Hello, Elena," he says in somewhat Flametongue-accented Riverspeak. "I am being called Perfect Question, and am of being pleased to meet you." He stands and stretches slightly, and shakes out his hand to loosen things up. "A good teacher, she is. Precise as a scholar in meaning. Or a politician in ambiguity."
Nine Roads Alani	"Well," Elena replies, with a touch of a smile on her lips. "Pleasure to meet you, Perfect Question. I don't mean to disrupt your training. Heavens only know how much easier power comes to me than precision, I have to admit. But there's no compromise, you need both. Precision..." She sighs. "It's always a bit more of a struggle to me. Best of luck to you in your training." Elena pauses and looks at Misa, getting well out of the way of Perfect Question's iaijutsu practice. "As for what brings me by...well, take your pick. It's a nice day out..." She chuckles, and no wonder why, since it's far from pleasant temperature-wise. "...my horses needed a good, healthy run..." That seems more likely. "...and I cast the bones and it said good fortune would find me westerly today, so off I went." That probably means a bit more to Perfect Question, who might recognize an Auspicious Prospects for Journeys when he hears a Chosen of Journeys describe it. "As it stands now, though, part of me wonders if I shouldn't look into something sword related, just to fit in, but I admit my training has led me elsewhere."
Misa	"There are forms that cross over- one of them I have been picking up from the sparring sessions with Question here, for instance," notes Misa, brow rising a little. "That being said, I know in the grand scheme of affairs, these bladework styles are in the minority when one is speaking of dojos and formalized methodologies and the like. I do not see much need to push others into my particular niche," she adds, slightly ponderous. Looking back to Question, she inclines her head. "He is too kind, perhaps. But a fine student at that- assisted by his existing mastery of other styles of bladework."
Serene Herald	"And on that one, skill I have to teach," Question affirms. "But the style you have, the style wish I to learn." He gives a nod. "In any event, different it is from studying in archives, or dealing with the ten thousand temples and godlings in the city. This is..." he pauses a moment, before reciting, "...defined. It suits me. Being here long are you, Elena?"
Ignis	"It seems that each time I manage to find the time to make my way out to visit you, Misa, you're in high demand. Your fame and efforts must be spreading!" Ignis steps into view, approaching the dojo casually and comfortably fro the direction of the road and reaching up to pull his wide brim hat and to loosen his tossled hair in an easy going gesture as he draws closer. "I should have been more diligent in keeping up with you as you seem to be amassing student after student." He looks towards Perfect Question and then over to Elena as well and nods politely, "Hello. I apologize for my brash introduction and sudden appearence but I couldn't help myself. I am Ignis." His gaze returns towards Misa, 'I hope you don't mind me stopping by to check on you and your school."
Nine Roads Alani	Elena smiles knowingly in return. "And here I am. I do -better- the more chaos is around me, but what can I say? I'm weird that way. And I've been here for a couple months. Started up a courier business, got to see the sights, feel the wind in my hair, all of that kind of thing. Actually, that sort of makes me think for a moment. I'm no less defined for being more spontaneous. But...hmm..." She pauses thoughtfully as Ignis shows up and greets Misa, then herself. "Well met, Ignis," she replies. "And while I'm not her student, I guess she -is- starting to attract some people. How auspicious." Interesting choice of words, possibly, from Perfect Question's perspective.
Misa	A pause from Misa, and she tilts her head just slightly at the approach of Ignis. "So rarely does it seem to be one visitor at a time..." she muses mostly to herself, more curiously than anything. "I would hardly call myself 'famed', with a single student. And admittedly, I have picked up as much as I have taught or more, in sparring sessions and hte like," she offers, smiling somewhat wryly. "But, well, one must start somewhere, no? Perhaps I shall encourage Question here to go ply his abilities with this new blade form somewhere in Great Forks to help the word spread? May be more successful than my quiet self's tendencies."
Serene Herald	"Perhaps," he says. "I am not wanting to be the bravo who simply challenges all comers though. For purpose more than fame I fight. It is the knowing I crave. If needing to deal with a god who is...improperly impolite, it is being a good enough way to mae sure it is a good conversation that happens."
Ignis	"Fair enough." says Ignis to Misa with a bow to her in acknowledgement of her words. He gives Elena a friendly smile but then turns towards Perfect Question as he hears him." "That is a...fairly lofty target to have in mind." he notes, eyebrows raising and looking amused as well as curious. "I highly doubt a few lessons in swordsmanship will..uh..help you with an improper god but I suppose the gods are as myriad as the stars in the sky so perhaps. Sitll..I'd suggest starting..ah..a little more down to earth?"
Nine Roads Alani	Elena offers Ignis a small, knowing smile. "Relax," she murmurs. "From the way Misa was talking, she's learning from Perfect Question as well. I get the impression he's run that race a time or two before. I don't think you have to worry about him." Her grin turns wider and a good deal more infectious. "So! I didn't bring a flyer with me or anything, but I -did- read that a there's a tournament coming up in a few weeks in the arena. If you're looking for word of your style to spread...that might be the place." She shrugs and gestures vaguely towards Great Forks. "I might enter, not sure. But at the very least I'll watch. Should be fun. Pretty sure they're allowing weapon styles, at least from some of the art on the flyer."
Misa	"A curious thought... though part of me would almost wish to test my capabilities unarmed anyways. Never any harm in being cautious in that sort of preparation, no?" ponders Misa aloud, head tilting as she looks off to the side. And then her eyes slide over to her apparent student, a brow raised. "No love for bravado, perhaps, but it may be a fine way to self-assess in progress. If you are interested." She shrugs that off, for the moment. "I appreciate the telling, Elena. And it very much -does- sound like the sort of thing Ignis here may be intrigued by," she comments in turn, head turning the other way.
Ignis	"Hmm.." Ignis notes that small smile from Elena and her confidence and ease as she suggests he re-assess the circumstances. He nods his head in thought and then notes, "I will defer to your wisdom on the matter. This is Great Forks after all. It would be prudent to under estimate no one.. I apologize Perfect Question. I meant no disrespect." At the talk of the tournament he raises an eyebrow and then looks over to Misa as she indicates him. He...cannot hide his interest although there is the hint of some caution dancing in the back of his eyes. "I would be quite interested, yes. I'd certainly like to learn more. A tournament in Great Forks can be rather broad in scale after all.. Beyond simply weapon style variations. Still.. I'm interested. I wonder at the overall scope.. But I'd likely look to see what is involved yes."