The Waiting Game (open to 1st reply)

Tatsuya entered the zanjutsu dojo from the hallway having to duck a little as to not hit the top frame of the door. He carried his nadochi zanpaktou around his waist where as an average size person would have to sling it across their back. It was truly an intimidating site for the students, most if not all were already uneasy just by being next to him, and then he walks in with a sword over 5 ft in length (13 inch hilt; 4.3 ft blade). Usually for zanjutsu training, instructors would pair off Tatsuya with an unwilling participant, which displeased him, so he decided that he would wait by a wall today and see if someone would willingly challenge him. And maybe he'd make a new friend.

Arawn had observed the tall figured that entered the training hall. In an instant understood why everyone was avoiding him. This was a beginner class and he was carrying a real blade. His height and build did little more than intimidate the other student further. Since his sparring match days ago, he found the training exercises to be slightly boring. And the sparring matches between with fellow students paled in comparison. It wasn't arrogance, it was just observation. They lacked the atmosphere; they didn't inspire fear or tension. He looked again at the man standing to the side. Fighting a strong opponent had more appeal than the regular drills. It was a free practice day so they could do what they want. Arawn stopped his swings and approached the lone swordsman.
"Greetings." He bowed politely to the man. "My name is Arawn. Although I am inexperienced I would like to have a bout with you." His hand held the shinai at his waist. In is other hand another shinai to match the length of the man's nadochi. He held the bamboo blade towards the man. “I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t think I’m quite ready to take on a real blade as of yet.”

Tatsuya waited patiently against the wall when he noticed the male student beginning to approach him. He looked down at the student, who stood nearly a foot below him, as he was greeted. Tatsuya was pleased that someone was willing to challenge him and it showed on his face which revealed a slight smirk. Tatsuya bowed down to return Arawn's greeting, "Nice to meet you Arawn, I am Tatsuya. I wouldn't worry about experience, I'm sure it'll be an interesting match." Tatsuya began to unfasten his nadochi from his waist and placed it against the wall. "I don't mind at all. I just keep my blade with me for that "just in case" scenario" He replied with a smile while gratefully taking possession of the bamboo equivalent.

Tatsuya began to walk towards the middle of the dojo, where there was a open area. He could already overhear whispers from students about their surprise that someone would want to even practice with him. This in itself excited him as he made his way to the area and waited for Arawn. He stopped and raised his sword with one hand so that it was parallel to the ground facing Arawn. "When ever you're ready" a smirk across his face.

Arawn holds his blade ready in both hands, and inches toward the tall foe. He quietly regrets his challenge. His opponent's height and sword length give him a huge range advantage. Still size does allow for several blind spots and awkward angles. He steps forward with an overhead swing, but it's only a feint. He brings the bamboo sword down quickly into a full body thrust aimed at the large man's abdomen.

OOC: Technically we should do this in the sparring grounds thread. But can't hurt since we are using swords. Friend practice.

Tatsuya watched carefully as Arawn crept forward, he hadn't changed his posture, his sword was still parallel to the ground in his right hand. He prepared to easily block Arawn's overhead attack when the direction of Arawn's blade changed direction, now aiming for his gut. This caught Tatsuya off guard momentarily, he dropped his sword hand down so that the blade was at a 45 degree angle and pivoted to the back left on his right foot to parry Awarn's attack. He then brought his sword to the left of his body and swung it horizontally to the right aiming for Arawn's chest.

OOC: I thought the sparring grounds was for Hakuda training.

Once again he had overcommitted to the attack leaving him little room to defend. Instead of bringing his blade around to block, he released his left hand from the grip and used the handle to block the strike. The shinai slapped his hand nearly making him completely drop his weapon. He takes a half step back then steps forward bringing his sword upward in a swing like an uppercut.

OOC: Sparring grounds are for fighting in general. Technically there is no Hakuda class. Yet

He was glad to see Arawn was able to keep hold of his weapon after taking that hit. Though fighting smaller opponents always put him at a disadvantage, he always felt as if he was being crowded. Tatsuya leaned back on his left leg as far back as he could go to avoid the swing leaving his right leg firmly planted on the ground. At the same time he brought sword hand across his body placing his left hand on the bottom of the hilt. Keeping his feet in place he thrust his body and sword foward aiming at the right side of Arawn's chest.

Using the handle too block wouldn't work this time around. Arawn tried to shift his body away from the blow. The thrust missed his chest and struck his shoulder. The force of the blow was enough to spin him around and backward. Playing offensive wasn't the greatest of ideas, he left too many openings. But if he played defensively he would be too far outside his own striking range to counter. The best choice was to keep moving keep the opponent guessing. He made a slow approach, his right leg forward and left leg behind him. He swings his sword from left to right, as the swing completes he pivots on his right foot and spins. He makes a complete circle swinging his blade from right to left in an instant.

He watched Arawn carefully as he was being slowly approached. He leaned back to avoid the first swing without trouble and readied himself to block the seemingly obvious strike that was coming at the end of the turn. When in fact it came from the opposite direction. He didn't have time to think when he felt the sword connect with the left side of his abdomen. The force of the blow was just enough to nudge him half a step to the right, considering his size. Without a second thought, while standing in the same spot, in one swift motion he swung his sword straight down at Arawn.

The risky blow's success it overshadowed by Arawn's lack of a follow up strike. Arawn is forced to his knees with an overhead block to avoid the counter. Even then his arms buckle from the swing.
"There's not mistake." He grunts, "You are quite strong."
The others in the class have forgotten their own practice and now devote their full attention to the two. Some make bets on the outcome.
Arawn springs to his feet, and bats the other sword to the side. He swings his sword upward once more, but this time he follows it. As the swing reaches it apex, he jumps up into the air and brings the shinai down in a larger overhead smash. “YAAAH!” he screams as he swings.

Tatsuya chuckled at Arawn's comment "Why thank you. I try." He looked down at the kneeling Arawn. "So what now?" Tatsuya asked before his sword was batted away. His eyes followed as Arawn leaped into the air. "Oh" he lifted his sword up to block the attack, what he didn't expect was the force of the attack, because he thought he could stop it with one hand. The block itself stopped some of the force, but it still managed to connect with Tatsuya's left shoulder causing him slightly buckle under the unexpected force letting out a solitary grunt. Tatsuya took a quick jump back after the attack and decided it was time to go on the offensive. His shoulder was in a bit of pain but since he wasn't using it to begin with it wasn't much of a problem.

All of the students were muttering to themselves unaware of what to expect, this was the first time they heard Tatsuya let out any type of sound when hit, so they know it had to hurt. Tatsuya took one step forward and swung the sword from right to left using his reach to try and keep Arawn off balance. He swung two more times back and forth and then jumped into the air coming down fast and hard with a vertical swing.

As expected his long reach and strength made it difficult to move closer. The first blow pushed Arawn well out his own range. He would have to wait for an opening to counter, no matter how small. He blocked the next strike, trying to keep his ground. The next blows came in rapidly and he was forced to defend again. And then there was a delay, Arawn rushed forward. The delay was only the second needed for Tatsuya to jump. The large took to the air and swung his blade down. Stepping in had put him well within range of the powerful swipe. With little time and room to complete dodge he could only swing upward in hopes of deflecting it. The two shinai meet with a loud crack. Arawn stands perfectly still. Barely an inch from where he stands the point of his opponent’s shinai rests against the ground. Arawn’s shinai hangs above it, snapped in half. The two parts barely held together by slivers of bamboo. His deflection had been successful, but the weapon had broken. It was probably the result of his aerial attack earlier. The power of the second flying strike was more than it could handle. Arawn grimaced “That’s the second one I’ve broken. Sensei won’t be pleased.” He looks at the broken blade. “Since I no longer have a weapon, I’d say it’s your win.” The spectators laugh. Arawn gives a sheepish grin. He offers his hand, “It was a fine match none the less.”

OOC: Well played

Tatsuya hadn't expected his swing to be deflected by Arawn, but was in a way glad that it was. He had no real intentions of injuring Arawn and got a little carried away in the process. "Sorry for getting carried away with that last attack, I just got into the moment," a smile crossed his face. "And yes, it was a fine match, though I would consider it more of a draw," shaking Arawn's hand. "I wouldn't be too worried about the sword, it was as much my fault." Tatsuya bowed down to Arawn, "Thanks for the match, I had fun. Maybe we can do it again sometime." He then begins to turn towards the gathered crowd of students, "So, who's next?" Saying with a smirk across his face. This caused the students to mumble to each other as they quickly dispersed, returning to their own training. "HAHAHAHA" he laughed and turned back to Arawn, "Guess I'm done for the day." He walked to the nearby wall where his own sword was and tied it back around his waist. Walking to the exit he raised his right hand and without turning around began to wave, "Catch you later, Arawn-san. It was truly a blast." He said before having to duck underneath the doorway and turning the corner.

OOC: Nice match