A wandering Matsu, I (D9, EE, Expecting)

[Shinjo Akil]

"A Matsu, respecting a Crane?" Akil gasped in mock shock, "Why Kogo-san, at this rate, you'll be visiting Kyuden Doji to take Flower Arranging lessons with me in no time."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo's eyes flash, fire in them as she looks upon him. "I sincerely doubt that Akil-san. I said I could respect her steel. Any woman who would call a Matsu a failure and an embarrassment in her own tent with her Warcat sitting outside is either very brave or a fool. I doubt you would be interested in marrying such a fool." She grits her teeth, but her face is outwardly calm. Her eyes are still fiery however.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Of course," he shook his head, smiling, "I apologize, the jest was in poor taste. Please, don't be angry, I am sincerely happy that I get to see you today."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo shakes her head. "I am sorry, I did not realize..." She takes a deep breath. "Sorry, it is merely my head is not clear today. I am usually not so serious." She looks at his smile and her face answers his. "I am glad to see you as well Akil-san and to hear you play. It would have been a loss to not have heard your flue before your departure."

[Shinjo Akil]

"There is nothing to apologize for," he said, his bright smile returning. "Would you walk with me?"

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles in return. "Of course Akil-san. I would be glad to have your company." Noburu moves away, but stays close, looking slightly side long at the Shinjo. Kogo clicks her tongue and she ceases her looks.

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am glad," he nodded, taking a spot next to her, with respectable distance, before he started to walk. "Have you thought of what you will do when you leave here?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo's face becomes more serious for a moment. "It all depends on the end of the miai. Depending on those outcomes, I have several thoughts, but those will depend on whether I am chosen or whether I will instead marry one of your absent cousins." She thinks for a moment. "I am unsure of how much choice will be presented us, but I am prepared to do my duty."

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. "Whatever your destiny brings to you, I am confident in your ability to excel." He took a breath, "I suppose there is not much chance that Monkbataar-san will be able to choose you, then."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "You do me much honor Akil-san." She takes a short breath. "No, neither he nor I have climbed in the standings. He will likely be chosen before his turn comes up." A brief frustration crosses her face. "It seems that it would have been best to send an Ikoma perhaps or an Akodo. They might have been more skilled at the events that have occurred." She shakes her head. "But there are possibilities regardless. I am sure I could find common ground with many in your clan. I have enjoyed my time with the Unicorn. It is more than some have before their marriage."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am beyond glad that they didn't," he retorted, "otherwise we never would have met, and that would have been a great tragedy."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles, though it is a tinch shadowed. "You do me too much honor now Akil-san. But I thank you for your words. I suspect some in my family might disagree, but I am glad that we have met. It has been...illuminating."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Very," he nodded in agreement, "I learned a lot from myself thanks to you. I..." He stopped moving suddenly. "I would hate if this was the last we ever saw each other."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo reaches down for Noburu, but realizes she has foolishly sent her farther ahead. The cat looks back and flounces. Kogo covers the moment. "I...have learned a great of myself as well." More than is certainly comfortable at some moments. "I am...unsure of when or how we would see each other again. Perhaps if you came to see your family and I married into the Unicorn. But I suspect your days will be full with the Crane." She smiles, a little rueful. "And I suspect your Doji would not be so excited to see my face."

[Shinjo Akil]

"So the conversation didn't go TOO good, is what you are saying," he smiled ruefully and continued to walk. "I hope we will find a way to figure it out. Shinjo knows that I do not intend for these days to be my last in the lands of the Unicorn."