When I posted the first version of this image I was primarily interested in testing how Reality 4 and Lux Render dealt with Sorako’s tattoos. I therefore tried to keep the image as simple as possible, including only the two characters, their thongs, and the Dojo. In addition to testing the rendering of the Tats, the characters costumes, or lack thereof, fits the back story of the Graphic Novel these characters inhabit. The emptiness of the Dojo, however, does not. In the culture of the story, a blood match is not the same as a blood feud. It is not a grudge match. A blood match is a test of competence, and as such would not take place without witnesses. There would be spectators. In this case, Katsumi and Sorako are Kunoichi, of the Tanaka Shinobi Clan employed by the Sakuro Yakuza from the Planet Edo. As such, they are expert in Kenjutsu, Ninjitsu, and the gentile arts of the Geisha. They are members of the intelligence directorate of the Tao Verdi detachment of the Sakuro Yakuza. This match is a graduation exam for Sorako, the junior member of the team. In order for her to advance to the next dan, she must duel her master Katsumi, and draw first blood. There is, of course, more to the story than that, but I will let you take that where you would. This second version attempts to address that discrepancy as well as the stark overall brightness of the background which detracts from the focal point of the two principal characters. I have added 6 additional characters from the story to the background to witness the bout and provide a bit of movement. Who are the other characters? Why are they here? Why such a variety of costumes in such a variety of styles? Why are all of the characters but one focused on the duel? While the added characters bring the image into line with the back story they also clutter the background and further detract from the duelists who are the whole reason for the image in the first place. To prevent the background from detracting from the foreground action, I have played with the lighting to cast the background into shadows and spotlight the duelists. While the six are still there to provide visual interest and story tie in. they recede to the back of the Dojo and the spotlighted duelists jump to the front in sharp focus.