HomerinNYC: The Shogi club meets at 3:00 as usual, the various schoolmates entering, sitting across from their favorite sparring partner. Morigin Yamamori sits across from you, smiling. " Hello, Ofuji. Have you been practicing?"<br/>circlmastr: "Not so much lately, omae.  These days it's all studies and exams, I barely have time to keep up with current events."  The young Ofuji stretches as he sits across from Morigin.  "Besides, Gateway is all the rage in the Imperial courts, if anything I ought to be studying that."<br/>HomerinNYC: She smiles. " Shogi is still popular among the people in the know. Gateway's another fad, I imagine nobody will have heard of it in another fifty years." She sets out the board, laying the pieces on the table. " And it has been busy- just another part of being a Prince of Earth." She smiles cheerfully.<br/>circlmastr: Ofuji sighs as he looks over the pieces, trying to recall some of the different openings he was reading about at the last club meeting.  "True, true.  Still, I'd like something more.  My father fought in campaigns for years, building up a loyal army and making the world a safer place.  And after he died, what am I left with?  A few retainers from his bodyguard, the proceeds from his arsenal, and no father to help me through my Exaltation."<br/>HomerinNYC: She softly pats your shoulder. " There there... He wanted to make the world a safer place for his son." She smiles. " And we all have our sacrifices to make... You remember what happened to my mother." An officer who worked with your father, and died with him.<br/>HomerinNYC: The first five rounds go by quickly, and she seems rather impressed by your playing. " You're doing better than usual..." She's got a bit of an advantage, but not nearly as much as she usually does.<br/>circlmastr: "I was studying openers before, remember?  I was hoping to have more development in the center by now, though.  You'll probably roll over me..."  Ofuji stared at the board, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do next.<br/>HomerinNYC: You start gaining ground rapidly, and she smiles as she moves her pieces. " Why, you have been practicing... I must say, you're doing a good deal better than you usually do." She grins towards you. " Have you been practicing with another partner, hmmm?"<br/>circlmastr: He couldn't help but grin and try to take a jab at Morigin, hoping to get her thinking about something other than the board.  "Oh, absolutely.  I've been courting concubines and planning my harem just so I can play Shogi whenever I want."  Focusing his eyes on the board, he felt his essence burn brighter behind his eyes: the board flushed red, and the tiles seemed to dance around, not quite randomly... and then he realized they were potential moves, maybe even winning moves.<br/>HomerinNYC: She smiles. " Hmmmmm, but how many concubines can you find who are really good at Shogi?" She smiles, continuing to make her moves, but you're definitely gaining on her, and she raises an eyebrow. " My, you have been practicing a bit..."<br/>circlmastr: Ofuji smiled, glancing up at the young lady but keeping his attention on the board.  "I could always start with you, omae.  I'm sure you'd perform both services well."  Again he was trying to throw her, but more than that, he was seeing the tip of social lessons he'd studied: on the surface it was a game of Shogi, but beneath that was a current of social power, a current that always flowed to Morigin because she always beat Ofuji.  But he could beat her now.  He was winning, and he could see the tiles moving in his mind's eye, closing in inexorably toward victory.  He could see himself winning not only the game, but the social dominance as well.  It would almost be a small first step toward holding sway in the Imperial court, or maybe even the entire Realm.  Nothing would stop him now.<br/>HomerinNYC: She seems a bit caught off guard by your comment, and her pieces drop like flies as your playing refines itself. " My... I seem to have lost." She seems a bit surprised by how fast you put her pieces into check, subjugating the board." She smiles towards you. " You've become a much better player, Ofuji. I'll want to know your secret some time." She giggles softly, smiling.<br/>circlmastr: Ofuji returned the smile, looking up into the young girl's eyes.  The movement of the Shogi tiles reminded him of his father, somehow.  Perhaps the visualization of the different possibilities, or the overall strategy of attacking where the enemy doesn't expect it with overwhelming force.  Of course, overwhelming an opponent was also a social strategy, pressing a situation hard so he does not have the time or composure to craft an appropriate response.  Ofuji hadn't realized it before, but war was a lot like politics.  For the first time he saw real power in his grasp, and he liked it.  He liked it so much, he decided to keep pressing Morigin, to keep that overwhelming force going.  "I would like to start with you, omae.  Your mother served my father loyally, even to death.  Would it not be fitting for you to serve me?"<br/>HomerinNYC: She quietly taps her chin. " I'll consider it, Ofuji." She smiles. " For now, though, we probably need to get to work studying." She smiles, standing up, and bowing politely to you, perhaps a bit more polite than usual, even. " I look forward to playing against you again next week." She smiles softly, and walks away.