Morasahi puzzled over where to put her next stone on the board. She had been looking forward to the Go tournament since she arrived. It was something she actually knew how to do, unlike the events held the day before that catered to those who were taught the arts in their schooling. Morasahi hadn’t been afforded the opportunity to stand in a garden painting, or be so moved by a sunset she had to sing about it. It was good in a way, she didn’t expect she was a very good vocalist, she had a hard enough time finding the words in response to normal conversations, singing in front of people seemed like it would be even more uncomfortable. But strategy, that was something she knew and had little trouble acting on.
Aha! Morasahi placed her black stone on a point adjacent to her opponent’s last move and watched the Lion’s shoulders slump. She hadn’t won yet, but victory was guaranteed and the Lion knew it. Morasahi smiled inwardly, making sure to keep her face blank. It was one thing to beat a Lion, it was another to smile smugly when doing it, you might find yourself at the wrong end of a katana. He placed another stone, and she did as well, the stones quickly filled the board as they went on a few more turns to keep up appearances. He was a Lion, after all, and Morasahi knew he had a reputation to uphold, the whole Empire knew they were the lead strategists of Rokugan, even in a simple game of Go, being beat was much more severe to a Lion.
It wasn’t long before a judge was looking over the board, counting each contender’s points.
“Match goes to Shiba Morasahi, Shiba Bushi Academy.”
Morasahi and her opponent stood, offering each other a bow before the Lion stalked off into the crowd. She could hear the excited murmurs from those standing closest to the tables, “That Shiba has just made a name for herself.” “I wonder how the Lion clan will recover, they rarely lose.” “Oh, I’m sure they’ll dominate in the semi-finals.” Morasahi pressed her lips, they were right. This may have been a good match, and several into the tournament, but semi-finals hadn’t begun and from what she had heard the Lion almost always take up every spot leaving with not only first, but second, third, and any other designated placing. She shrugged to herself and made her way to the crowd, joining the other observers for the few remaining games still in session. It was likely her future opponent would be among them and it wouldn’t hurt to glean some knowledge on the tactics of one she might be competing against. Semi-finals were right around the corner. And although she earned her place with her last match, and although Morasahi knew she was a capable strategist, knowing the way your enemy worked before engaging was the mark of a good commander. The type of commander she hoped to be, one day.
Late afternoon was giving way to the warm lazy period right before supper. When the sun sank closer to the edge of the world, and the smell of cooking fires invited people indoors. Morasahi felt her stomach rumble, begging to be filled. During the lunch hour a group of Unicorn had set up a food stand among the other shops and vendors to feed the crowds. When their patrons turned out to be primarily Spider and Unicorn members, and other festival goers complained of the smell, it didn’t take long to realize they were cooking and serving the flesh from animals other than fish. She hadn’t felt too hungry after that and skipped lunch. Now, of course, her mind was being pulled towards the noodles and rice the fires in that section of town would be cooking, and the gurgling in her gut, finding it hard to concentrate on whom was putting which stone where.
Resigning to the call from under her belly, Morasahi made her way past the onlookers and headed towards the cooking stalls a few blocks away. She wondered if she would make it to the finals, as she browsed the different shops to eat at. She pondered on what tactic to start off with while ordering buckwheat noodles with broth, whether to be aggressive or allow her opponent to lead the game, capturing his pieces in a methodical manner. And as she sipped her soup, tapping her chopsticks to the bowl and back, Morasahi considered the matches she had won today, trying to identify her own weaknesses in each one.
With the Dragon she had conquered, he had been too passive, looking almost to be playing by himself and allowing several of his stones to be captured. The Crane had been inventive, Morasahi would give him that, he had employed several different tactics but in the end, ultimately failed to claim more points, focusing more on defending his stones than claming the board. Asahina, she recalled his name, he had made an impression by being adaptable. The Scorpion was textbook, she simply laid out the stones in the Akodo offense, a complicated method, but one that any self-respecting student of Go would know how to easily thwart. And the Lion, Ikoma, he had proven to be the most difficult thus far, naturally that should be the case, since it was the qualifying match. Ikoma had nearly pushed Morasahi into a corner, she had held her ground, with many captures of stones and points claimed for the black, that was his undoing, too much offense and not enough defense.
Morasahi glanced at the sky, noting the position of the sun. Semi-finals would be starting soon, enough time to make her way there before the bulk of the crowd would make it impossible to pass through. She quickly walked back to the Go tables and waited to be assigned a seat, noting that five of the eight contestants were, indeed, Lion affiliated. It seemed it wasn’t just talk about the Lion taking nearly every placing, but this time a Phoenix would also have her name by theirs.
It was no surprise when one of the five Lion’s was placed as her opponent. Her appearance, however, was a little surprising. Akodo Misune was a very demure and petite woman. Not only was she exquisitely dressed in a traditional silk kimono, easily with five layers, her hair so smooth it looked like onyx, but her face was also painted as if she were attending Winter Court or visiting the Imperial Gardens. Although she was out of place among the usual Lions, Morasahi couldn’t help but feel intimidated by this porcelain doll. Focus and center, Morasahi told herself, she is nothing more than what you make her. She picked up her first stone and chose an edge point. Akodo barely glanced down before placing her stone closer to mid-board, keeping her gaze locked onto Morasahi. Morasahi pretended to study the board, all of the two moves made, she set her stone down, leaving it open to Akodo.
“Tell me about yourself, Shiba-san.” Akodo cooed, taking her turn.
Morasahi felt her throat tighten managing to get out a whisper. “There- There’s not much to tell, Akodo-san.”
“I doubt that, Shiba-san. You’re obviously adept at Go, where does that passion come from? Your father? When did he start teaching you?”
Morasahi shuffled in her seat, trying not to give away her discomfort with Akodo’s prying questions. “Eight. My father-he started teaching me at eight.” She placed her stone, awaiting Akodo's turn.
“My, what a young age. I should expect nothing less from a Shiba of the Phoenix, it’s in your blood to be gifted. What other talents do you possess?”
The match went on like this for some time. Akodo barely looking where the stones were placed, simply staring at Morasahi, politely posing question after question, compliment after compliment, in that velvety voice of hers. Morasahi trying to focus on the board, keeping her gaze down so as not to meet Akodo’s dark eyes. But she could feel those orbs burning into her like smoldering coals. And every question, every praise, caused her to squirm in her mind, not answering would cause insult, so she kept on the conversation, as difficult as it was for her to hold.
And then it was over. Akodo smiled wickedly and tapped her last stone on the board, claiming the point that would hand her the game. Morasahi stared at the board, dumbfounded that she had allowed Akodo to gain the win. A judge stood over them, counting the points while Morasahi attempted to run over the moves in her head, finding it difficult to recall even the last five, let alone the entire game. All she could hear were those soft questions, “Do you enjoy the cherry blossoms? They say those born under them are blessed with greatness. Were you born under the cherry tree, Shiba-san?”
"Match goes to Akodo Misune. Ikoma Bard Academy."
Morasahi stood and offered a bow to the porcelain Lion. Akodo had won and all Morasahi wished to do now was spend her evening alone, as far from conversation as possible.
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