The Encounter [IRONCIRCLE] [T | PM2ENTR]
May 4, 2011 21:29:57 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 21:29:57 GMT -7
[Not Training]
The Iron Circle. The rusted, rudimentary residential district for all the poor people. It was rather ghastly to behold, living up to it's namesake in the fact that all of the buildings seem to be made up of worn metals. Though Sozen lived in the upper district, or Inner Circle, he often preferred to wander amongst the less fortunate citizens (money-wise, anyway), feeling that the atmosphere is considerably less snobby. Besides, material beauty held little to no attraction to the teen - comparing the Inner Circle to that beyond it's borders was like comparing a light gray to a slightly darker one - an activity of no real interest whatsoever.
It was, however, perusing these run-down streets that the boy overheard the sharp clang of steel on steel, reverberating through the metallic suburb easily. Now slightly more alert, Sozen proceeded towards the noise, which led him towards what could only be described as an alleyway. Two tall metal fences had been built on either side of the alley to keep one neighbor from being a nuisance to the other; the sandy underfoot was damp and soggy in places, muffling the teen's previously crunchy footfalls. Little to no light got in through the iron fences, but a short walk up ahead - with the metallic rings getting louder and louder - let Sozen out into a remarkably different area.
Sunlight bathed a field that was, unlike most of the district, green and grassy. There weren't many trees, just small shrubs, but it was still one of the lushest places Sozen had witnessed inside the Iron Circle. A man was there, dressed in a black uniform and with a sword at his belt, and as Sozen watched the figure gripped the hilt of his blade and drew it, striking a piece of corrugated iron set up before him, littered with nicks and scratches. The man had his back partially to Sozen, and as such the teen hadn't been noticed. Taking advantage of this, Sozen observed quietly for a moment, face still stonily indifferent, partially hidden in the shadow of the alley.
The black-clad figure repeated the practice a few times, striking quickly enough that Sozen had to focus hard on the attack to see it move. After a few more repetitions, however, the man heaved a heavy sigh, sheathed his blade, and turned around.
Sozen got his first good look at the man's face. He was an adult - middle-aged, or there-about, with thick brown hair that was tied back in a short ponytail. He had a deep-set, squarish face with a low jaw and mud-brow oculi. He regarded Sozen not unkindly, and after a moment asked, "What are you doing here, boy?".
Sozen regarded the speech, and the man, for a moment, his face unfathomable. "I heard you practicing. It intrigued me." He said simply. "You're pretty good." He remarked, in a tone that suggested they were perfect equals. The man laughed at the reply. "Am I, boy? Well, I thank you for the kind words. I was quite the swordsman, in my day."
For a moment there was silence. "Have you ever taught anyone?" Sozen asked finally, his voice faintly hopeful. "Well, yes, I suppose a few, here and there." The man replied, shrugging casually. He seemed to know where the conversation was going. "Could you teach me? I have a little experience with the sword." Sozen then drew his own blade, and it caught the sunlight as he presented it to the man. He sighed. "What's your name, boy?" He asked after a moment. "Sozen Shirotaka." Sozen replied.
".... Well, Sozen, my name is Tomo Hizaki. And I suppose, after I fetch something to eat, I'll be your sensei."
[Note - Iaijutsu Master Acquired]
It was, however, perusing these run-down streets that the boy overheard the sharp clang of steel on steel, reverberating through the metallic suburb easily. Now slightly more alert, Sozen proceeded towards the noise, which led him towards what could only be described as an alleyway. Two tall metal fences had been built on either side of the alley to keep one neighbor from being a nuisance to the other; the sandy underfoot was damp and soggy in places, muffling the teen's previously crunchy footfalls. Little to no light got in through the iron fences, but a short walk up ahead - with the metallic rings getting louder and louder - let Sozen out into a remarkably different area.
Sunlight bathed a field that was, unlike most of the district, green and grassy. There weren't many trees, just small shrubs, but it was still one of the lushest places Sozen had witnessed inside the Iron Circle. A man was there, dressed in a black uniform and with a sword at his belt, and as Sozen watched the figure gripped the hilt of his blade and drew it, striking a piece of corrugated iron set up before him, littered with nicks and scratches. The man had his back partially to Sozen, and as such the teen hadn't been noticed. Taking advantage of this, Sozen observed quietly for a moment, face still stonily indifferent, partially hidden in the shadow of the alley.
The black-clad figure repeated the practice a few times, striking quickly enough that Sozen had to focus hard on the attack to see it move. After a few more repetitions, however, the man heaved a heavy sigh, sheathed his blade, and turned around.
Sozen got his first good look at the man's face. He was an adult - middle-aged, or there-about, with thick brown hair that was tied back in a short ponytail. He had a deep-set, squarish face with a low jaw and mud-brow oculi. He regarded Sozen not unkindly, and after a moment asked, "What are you doing here, boy?".
Sozen regarded the speech, and the man, for a moment, his face unfathomable. "I heard you practicing. It intrigued me." He said simply. "You're pretty good." He remarked, in a tone that suggested they were perfect equals. The man laughed at the reply. "Am I, boy? Well, I thank you for the kind words. I was quite the swordsman, in my day."
For a moment there was silence. "Have you ever taught anyone?" Sozen asked finally, his voice faintly hopeful. "Well, yes, I suppose a few, here and there." The man replied, shrugging casually. He seemed to know where the conversation was going. "Could you teach me? I have a little experience with the sword." Sozen then drew his own blade, and it caught the sunlight as he presented it to the man. He sighed. "What's your name, boy?" He asked after a moment. "Sozen Shirotaka." Sozen replied.
".... Well, Sozen, my name is Tomo Hizaki. And I suppose, after I fetch something to eat, I'll be your sensei."
[Note - Iaijutsu Master Acquired]