Scenario:Mirin and Yodarha - Martial Arts Tourney?
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Martial Arts Tourney?
Mirin catches word of an upcoming competition in the "arts." She takes this to mean "martial arts," and Yodarha helps her get into shape for the main event. The two are later disappointed to learn that it's a "literary arts" competition, but they ultimately rejoice in the poetic richness that is haiku.
Mirin takes a walk in a foreign land to broaden her horizons.
Mirin: Wow, look at all these people... Are they having a festival today?
Mirin: Hehe. With all the food stalls out here, this isn't too different from the events we have back home.
Mirin catches part of a conversation from the surrounding crowds.
Passerby 1: Hey... Isn't that... competition supposed to happen soon?
Passerby 2: Yep... Another year, another contest for... arts and all.
Mirin: Hm, what was that? Arts?
Mirin: Ah, he probably meant a martial arts competition!
Mirin covers her mouth with both hands to contain a gasp of surprise, perking up her ears at the remainder of the conversation.
Passerby 1: Mm-hm. Another three days, if I remember right. Wonder if it'll be at the town square again...
Passerby 2: Hey, maybe I'll stand a chance this year...
Mirin: Gozaru! A martial arts competition is the dream of any true samurai... This would be the perfect chance to test my mettle!
Mirin: But I should look into the details first. Hm, where did those people go?
Mirin looks around for a bit before finding what appears to be the group from earlier.
Mirin: That's probably them. Might as well ask them straight up—
Mirin: Wait... wouldn't that be kind of awkward? What if they think I'm some kind of weirdo?
Mirin: But... I want to learn more about the martial arts competition...
Yodarha: Oh, you're going to be in a competition?
Mirin: Gozaru! Huh, when did you get here?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk-hyuk... Apologies for startling you. But you caught my attention just now.
Mirin: Ahaha, it's okay. What do you mean by that though?
Yodarha: Well, you just said it yourself... Something about a martial arts competition?
Mirin: Right...
Mirin: Ah, I almost forgot! I have to find those two!
Mirin looks around frantically, but the pair is nowhere to be found.
Mirin: Sigh... I was hoping they'd be able to tell me more...
Yodarha: Hm... Wanting to test your skills is admirable, but I hope you understand just what a martial arts competition entails.
Mirin: Well, I've never seen one before... But you just swing your weapons around and see who's better, right?
Yodarha: That about sums it up. But you should also keep in mind that it can be a matter of life and death at times.
Yodarha: Will you be able to bear injuries not only to yourself but to your opponents as well? You must steel yourself for anything that may happen.
Mirin: I didn't even consider that...
Mirin: But being a samurai...
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk-hyuk... I suppose it's only natural you want to test your might as a warrior. In which case...
A scream resonates from beyond the nearby crowds.
Woman: Eeep! S-someone help me!
Man: Aaah! We have bandits here! They're armed and dangerous! Run!
Mirin and Yodarha realize the voices are coming from the food stalls in the distance. A few men and women lie collapsed on the ground.
Standing by them are men with swords brandished.
Mirin: Gozaru! You knaves!
Mirin tries to rush to the scene, but the fleeing crowds slow her down.
Mirin: Rgh! They'll get away at this rate...
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... Leave it to me.
Yodarha rushes past the crowds and stands before the bandits.
Yodarha: Stealing might help you buy food to fill your bellies, but living with the aftertaste is something else. Best turn back now while you can, young'uns.
Bandit 1: Try sayin' that again, ya old fart!
Bandit 1: Raaah! Get ready to die!
Yodarha appears to stand stock still as the bandit swings his blade.
Yodarha: Hm... A life of thievery isn't really something you wish to pursue, is it? I can sense the hesitation in your sword tip.
Bandit 1: What the... How did you dodge that?
Bandit 2: Hey, quit fooling around and do it already!
Bandit 3: Tch... Guys! We need to surround the geezer! There's no way he can take us all on at once.
Mirin: Careful, Yodarha! I'll give you a hand!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! No worries. They can swing all the blades they want at me. Won't make a difference.
Bandit 2: Shut yer trap, you damn coot!
The bandits swing their swords at Yodarha in unison.
Like a blade of grass dancing in the wind, Yodarha masterfully evades the strikes.
Yodarha: Your aim is quite pitiful to be honest. Try putting your backs into it.
Bandit 2: You asked for it!
Bandit 3: Aaargh!
The trio of villains have another go at taking down Yodarha, but they might as well be slashing at thin air.
To bystanders, it almost looks like a training session. Until...
Bandit 1: Ngh!
Bandit 2: Urgh!
Bandit 3: Gyaah!
Yodarha deflects each of their swords in a single flash.
Mirin: Wow... That was so fast, I could hardly see what happened...
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... You know, you could put all that energy to good use by working for your rupies like everyone else. You'd probably make more while saving yourself a lot of embarrassment.
The knaves remain slumped on the ground, too listless to even open their mouths.
The authorities drag them away, restoring the town's natural livelihood.
Mirin: Um...
Yodarha: What's wrong, lass?
Mirin: That was some really impressive swordsmanship!
Mirin: Any chance you can teach me some of those moves? For the upcoming competition, of course!
Yodarha: Hm, when's it supposed to happen anyway?
Mirin: Um... In three days, they said.
Yodarha: I don't know if three days is gonna cut it...
Mirin: Yeah, I guess that's pushing it...
Yodarha: But we do have enough time to equip you with more of a fighter's mindset. Ready to hole up in the mountains for a bit?
Mirin: Wait... You mean you're willing to train me?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... I guess you caught me in a good mood.
Mirin: Yay! Thank you so much, Yodarha!
Mirin and Yodarha withdraw to the mountains for the next three days to engage in an intense training session.
They make the most of their time, focusing on the basics with sword forms, endurance runs, and sparring.
Though it is a mere three days, Mirin shows marked improvement in both skill and heart.
The day of the competition soon dawns upon them.
The town is considerably more lively than usual as crowds fill the streets.
Mirin: Hehe. It's more packed than before. It wouldn't be a stretch to call this a festival.
Yodarha: Impressive turnout! I'm sure many of them have come out to watch today's battles.
Mirin: Gozaru! I'm more than ready.
Yodarha: Your dauntlessness before battle is a good sign.
Mirin: Of course! All that training really put me up to the task.
Mirin: It was only three days, but you helped me out a ton! And I'll use this competition to show you what I've learned!
Confidence brimming on her face, Mirin makes for the competition grounds with Yodarha.
Mirin: Hm? I don't get it. Can you say that again?
Receptionist: Yes, we're having a competition today. But it'll be for literary arts—not martial arts.
Mirin: But I heard about it with my own two ears...
Receptionist: Well, I can't really help you with an event that's not going to happen.
Mirin: But... Um... Don't you hold it every year?
Receptionist: Sure we do. The literary arts competition is an annual thing.
Yodarha: Oh, I see what happened. You simply heard wrong, Mirin.
Mirin: Let's see... Arts...
Literary arts...
Mirin: Sigh... I can't believe myself...
Mirin: I'm so sorry, Yodarha. I didn't mean for the training to go to waste.
Yodarha: Oh, don't worry about it. I can tell you definitely had something to gain from it, and I enjoyed training someone so pure of heart.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... Calling that training wasted would be the real crime.
Mirin: Ah, thank you so much. I'll continue to better myself in the ways of the sword!
Yodarha: That's the spirit, young one! Chances to test your strength abound in everyday life if you simply keep your eyes open.
Yodarha prepares to walk off, and Mirin follows his lead.
Receptionist: Hey, since you've already come all the way out here, why don't you give this literary arts competition a shot?
Mirin: That stuff has never been my forte though...
Receptionist: Hehe, we've got a really wild theme this year. The task is to write a haiku—a traditional form of composition hailing from lands far to the east.
Mirin: ...!
Did you say haiku?
Did you say haiku?
Yodarha: Hm? You know of them?
Mirin: Gozaru! Haiku are all the rage back in my hometown!
Mirin: This must be fate. If it's haiku, then I'd like to give it a shot!
Yodarha: I suppose I'll try writing one too. How refreshing to be able to take on such novel challenges at my age.
The rules are simple. Each contestant must read aloud a haiku of their own making, and the judges will assign a rating.
The public readings begin, and soon it's Mirin's turn.
Mirin: Okay, here's mine:
In this strange new land
I reminisce of dear home
Yodarha stands in awe of Mirin as she reads her haiku proudly.
Yodarha: Hm, very nice... Here's mine:
No longer a youth
Spring seems ever far away
Following Yodarha, the other contestants read off their haiku in turn. The competition is a success with the crowds, ending on a resoundingly high note.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... A shame we couldn't win.
Mirin: Yeah, but I'm just happy we got to try it out!
Mirin: It's not every day that I come across aspects of my own culture in a foreign land. Especially not with this many people finding joy in it...
Yodarha: I had fun too. Though I'm not sure if my haiku turned out to be any good.
Mirin: Oh, it was definitely amazing for a first attempt.
Mirin: I'm guessing you like fishing? I got the feeling that you prefer to take things nice and easy.
Yodarha: Hm... What makes you think that?
Mirin: A person's pathos and life experiences are reflected in their haiku.
Mirin: And, well, that's just what I took away from yours.
Yodarha: Hm... I see...
(It's not something I focused on at all...)
(It's not something I focused on at all...)
Yodarha takes another look at his haiku.
Yodarha: (Another interpretation is that deep down, I'm waiting for something big to happen that'll have a profound effect on me.)
Yodarha: (Though I have no idea what that might be.)
With multiple interpretations of such of a short string of words being possible, Yodarha is able to glimpse aspects of himself that he never realized were there.
The inherent depth found in haiku evokes praise and admiration from him.
Yodarha: Hm. There are still so many fascinating things left in the world for me to discover.
Yodarha: I'm all ready to absorb new knowledge. What a profound day this has been.
Mirin: And I got the chance to write haiku again after such a long time. Gosh, I almost forgot how nice they are.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! We ended up not having a martial arts competition after all, but all's well that ends well, eh?
This chance encounter between Mirin and Yodarha, starting from a misunderstanding, went in a surprising direction.
The day's haiku-filled fun is an invaluable experience that will stay with them for a long time to come.