D8 MA Expecting - Pre-Race Jitters

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

The Unicorn smirked, "Isn't that just a day drive Bayushi-san? Oh I see very sly, you get to drive a fancy fast car with someone you enjoy the company of, the spotlight on you regardless of position. A vacation activity on someone else's zeni." She winked, "I'll not tell anyone."

"And perhaps dancers do," Suh-Hyun shrugged and then suddenly lunged, dropping into a stance on the move. She swung up aiming for the hip and going diagonal. "But sometimes dance partners are just that dance partners." Her expression had returned to a focused intensity, "And of course fate isn't always a good thing. Usually it's just a thing."

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Fluff Kenjutsu Roll vs Bayushi Hinata. STRIKE! | 6k4 ⇒ 24

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Oh it very much is at someone else's expense, and I'll enjoy every second of it, you should definetely try it!"

He catches her surprise strike without adjusting his stance, his bokken smacks down into hers, a loud smack of wood before it is levied against her chest, digging gently but firmly into her clavicle.

30

"Not all tunes are to dance to either. I was asking whether someone had caught your eye Shinjo-sama. Maybe not the best topic to talk about before a ptentially dangerous drive though...."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Instinctively Suh-Hyun hopped back. Her focused gaze was on him, plotting the next strike, and then...her brain seemed to process his comment. Her cheeks reddened a fraction, "What kind of question is that?" She launched another attack, possibly to distract the Scorpion.

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Fluff Kenjutsu Roll vs Bayushi Hinata. STRIKE! 2 | 6k4 ⇒ 29

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Well I mea-" He is far too late to catch her next strike as he refocuses on her. He tries to dip under it and ends up smacked right at the top of his head.

18

He takes a step to the side with a wince on his face, rubbing the impact spot with his free hand before turning with an apologetic expression. "I guess I pushed the envelope a bit too far huh? I didn't eman anything by that question I promise!"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun's bokken was levelled at the Scorpion, "Tch, well its not a Scorpion, great abs or not," Then she let out sigh and shook her head, lowering the bokken to her side, "Uh sorry about that, caught off balance. Please don't think anything of it." Despite her expression calming their was an unmistakable edge in her eyes that sort of gave the impression or else.

"Your head alright?" Her tone was one of concern, "I um didn't mean to strike you there." She gave an apologetic smile.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I already said I didn't mean anything by it!" He lifted his hands in surrender. Apologetic expression still playing across his handsome features. 'She must have her eye on someone' He thinks to himself.

"I'll be fine. I was hoping I wouldn't hit my head twice on the same spot in one day though...." He tilts his head forward, and sure enough there is a bump forming on his head, and another right next to it that's had another hour to settle. "I'l survive, it wasn't a direct hit thankfully."

He takes a couple deep breaths, the wince fades slowly as he does. And when he opens his eyes again they are narrow and sharp. Icy blues threatening to bite into her fingertips with their chill.

"I believe we are tied at this stage. Wanna make a bet perhaps Shinjo-sama?"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Having regained her composure, Suh-Hyun's expression was more sympathetic. "Again sorry...was just caught off guard there and let instinct guide the strike. Not feeling any signs of concussion are you?"

She blinks at the sudden change in the Scorpion's expression, "What sort of bet, Bayushi-san?" Her body tenses, not quite getting back into her stance but clearly ready to snap back to it quickly.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I'll be fine. I'm tougher than I look."

The intensity remained, if not hostile there was certainly tension that only seemed to rise as a smirk played on his features.

"A dare, or a truth. You pick which one is more palatable to lose, or to win." His face takes on a similarly predatory bend much the way his mask did. His posture seemed relaxed, the bokken still remained at his side hanging loosely above the ground.

"You game? There is no shame in retreating if victory is uncertain."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun's eyes narrowed and she dropped into her stance, "Alright. Truth."

She shifted her feet, body tensing like a predator animal or perhaps more like the great cavalry of old right before the charge.

Suddenly an explosion of movement as the the Unicorn leaped forward to strike!


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Past Day Flip, so I'll just let you choose if you want to win it or lose it!

[Bayushi Hinata]

The Scorpion burst into action at similarly blistering speed. His feet didn't propel him forward as the unicorn's did, he snapped into action rather than rush.

The exchange is brief and tense, an energetic dance Bushi are intimately acquainted with, the beat of swords between them, the rhythm of a heartbeat in one's own ears a terrifying staccato reminding them that they were alive.

They both leave themselves open. And both strike, but only one of them can say for sure they won.

Sun-Hyun's shoulder is struck gently, with speed rather than force that she will move onto her race with no disadvantage. Hinata's side is similarly struck, but he had been done in first. His restraint had cost him the bet.

He takes a step back, and bows. "Well done Shinjo-sama." When he rises he has an easy smile on his face. "You are formidable Shinjo-sama! I guess I'll have to continue training!"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun bows in return, "Your skill is already superior to my own." She rises with a friendly smile, "But sometimes luck and natural talent can beat skill. Still if I were to face you again, I would do well to heed your self-advice and train more. You're alright I hope? I feel like I didn't pull the strike as much as I had planned."

She looks down at his side where the wooden blade had hit with some concern visible in her eyes.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I can take bruises better than I look." He raises his arms, clearly unbothered by the strike's effects.

"I'll be plenty okay for the race as long as I don't crash the car!" He has a wide smile, content to have kept up his training.

"Well, you win Shinjo Sun-Hyun-Sama. You have your prize, you can ask me a question, and I must answer truthfully."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun pondered the question she should ask, it could be personal or embarrassing. It could be mocking. It could even be an attempt to just jab a Scorpion's emotions and inflict pain. But the Shinjo was empathetic and nearly the opposite of cruel so she simply asked, "What's your favorite past time?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

He tilts his head, an audible 'Hm?' escapes his mouth as soft, gentle laughter begins to seep out of his nostrils.

"Beach Oshidama, I quite like the sport. In a different life I would've loved to become a professional player. Alas."

He stowed away his bokken, a wide, friendly smile on his face.

"That might've been a bit obvious though. If we ever run into each other again. I'll let you ask me another question. I might even answer with the truth!"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun chuckled and grinned, "Well I suppose I possess more empathy than is good for me." She waggled a finger, "I'm surprised you offered another question. I would have thought the Scorpion to be more stingy with the information."

"Maybe I will take you up on that question sometime." She bowed.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"With the important one? Of course! But I believe Iam too well known publicly as Shirtless Oshidama King to pretend it wasn't out there already." He bows in turn, making his exit, looking at her over his shoulder.

"Don't be a stranger, I'll even give you some pointers on talking with whoever you were thinking about when you hit my head." He hurries as he says it, escaping retaliation.

/Exit

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun blinked, "I should have hit him harder!" She exclaimed after he had escaped. Then checked the time and rushed out, she had a race to get to!

/scene (thanks!)