052 [Written]

[ahappylie]

I am in need of a sparring partner. Preferably someone familiar with Japanese katana, knowledgeable of different styles, and willing to practice early morning hours. He needs practice with several opponents, so I'll take as many of you as want to help♥ But I do ask that supernatural powers be kept to a minimum, hm? Not that a little here and there won't help.

Thank you~

[For any looking for him personally, he's finally emerged from his room after over a week of illness and will be at House 50.]

Comments

[written]

[ahappylie]

Yes, having him spar when I'm unable to make it seems to be a good idea. He's been doing so well, I wouldn't want to let him down now.

[voice]

[ayu_nee]

Hm.

You are resting, yes?

[written]

[ahappylie]

I'm still in my room, aren't I?

[That said, he's probably in his room and practicing kata, not in his room and sitting in bed.]

[voice]

[ayu_nee]

That means little, coming from you.

[written]

[ahappylie]

[WOW RUDE]

I'm resting! You can come in and check if you like.

[voice] -> [action]

[ayu_nee]

[COMPLETELY EARNED]

I just might.

[And in fact, she does, showing up at his door a short time later with tea and some of those sweets he likes from the shop. You know, the ones she thinks are awful and won't normally go near.]

[action]

[ahappylie]

[And he is, in fact, in bed by the time she arrives. His room is as clean as ever and he's sitting propped up and reading a possibly familiar poetry book, well worn and just as dumb as ever.

He looks up when she comes to the door and smiles for her, setting the book down. His smile brightens a little more when he sees the tea and sweets.]

You didn't have to do that.

[action]

[ayu_nee]

[Yes, well, she still doesn't entirely trust him to actually rest when he's sick, because he's Okita. But as long as he'll at least put on a good show for her sake she'll be all right with that.

For now.

Ayumu will just smile, though, as though nothing is wrong.]

I had to get some things for dinner and thought perhaps you'd like a treat now that you seem to be feeling better.

[action]

[ahappylie]

[He appreciates that. A lot, actually. After sliding the book under the covers, he motions to the space next to him.]

I am and I do. Thank you, Ayumu-san. I'm hoping this will be the last of it now that the cold weather is passing.

[action]

[ayu_nee]

One can only hope, I suppose.

[Here, Okita, take those nasty candy things. Gross. Maybe the taste of her tea can improve them. And as she's serving him the tea, she'll just ever so casually offer:]

Should your student require it, I suppose I could volunteer as a partner for him.

[action]

[ahappylie]

Oh?

[He takes the tea offered and blows the steam off lightly as he brings it to his lips.]

That might be interesting for him. He's getting very good, but I think your skills would definitely shake things up for him.

[ayu_nee]

Hm. It hardly seems worth hiding by now.

[Strange as that still seems... well, it's true. She's been in Luceti long enough to realize that there's little reason to hide what she can do, even if she doesn't intend to start advertising it openly.]

And I could use the practice, as well.

[ahappylie]

Then I will take you up on the offer. Although with your talents, it might be more interesting for him if you simply attacked whenever you felt like it. The element of surprise, as it was?

[ayu_nee]

Without warning him first?

You do want to make him learn quickly, don't you.

[ahappylie]

I do. He needs to learn the style and quickly - what better way than to keep him on his toes all the time?

[ayu_nee]

I'll keep that in mind, then. Though he does seem quite skilled, from what I've seen of him.

[ahappylie]

Yes, I was thinking of certifying him in knowledge of the style soon. It will take time before he is capable of teaching, of course, but he is at least as good as the others were at the Shieikan.

[ayu_nee]

Is that so?

Hm. Well, he'll certainly need to earn that, then.

[Ninja plotting time go.]

[ahappylie]

Riiiiiight?

[Souji laughs a bit, then has to stop as he turns his head away to cough. Stupid cold. Stupid...lungs dying slowly. Auuuugh.]

[ayu_nee]

[See, she knew you weren't as well as you pretended, Okita. Take that.

Ayumu presses her lips together in a small frown, caught midway to the concern she still isn't quite certain she should express.]

Drink your tea, Okita-san. It'll make your throat feel better, at least.

[ahappylie]

[he's never as well as he pretends to be.

When the coughing stops, he lets out an exaggerated huff and drinks some tea.]

My throat is fine. I just got something stuck in it.

[ayu_nee]

[Of course not. She smooths out her expression again and nods slightly, clearly just humoring him.]

Should I report back to you after I've practiced with Sokka-san?

[ahappylie]

Please do. I wish to hear about his reactions, what you think his strengths and weaknesses are, and your opinion of his performance.

[ayu_nee]

Of course.

I should get back to the chores, though... and let you rest.

[Even though there aren't that many chores to do, with how few of them there are in the house now. And even though she knows quite well he won't actually rest.]

[ahappylie]

If you have to. It's nice being able to see people again. It's so boring in here by myself.