[D9 LM] the end is neigh

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo ponders. "We are trained largely at Shiro Matsu, where I grew up. I believe that is the primary dojo. Beastmasters are a fairly select group. One must have a rapport with the animals to work well with them. It is not for everyone." She looks to Noburu, smiling. "But it has its rewards."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Shiro Matsu, ha. I am sorry, my grasp of the Empire's geography is still poor." he apologized, smiling sheepishly as he did so. "There are so many places I'd like to see, and yet, I think I won't have the time or the chances to do travel as much as I'd want to."

"Has Matsu-san had the pleasure? Of traveling, that is. Besides joining our humble occasion." his eyes drifted towards the sorry tent camp.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods. "Only a little, as a child. I have little memory of it, except for the joy and the occasional desire for the horse to stop moving so much so I could sleep." She smiles. "There are many places I would like to see as well. We shall see what my destiny offers me. I have not traveled much after my gempukku, except to journey to the Akodo court and to this miai."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"I see." Dong-Ha nodded briefly. "Uh, pardon my manners, showering you with questions like this." he bobbed his head to offer the Lioness a low bow. "This is all very new to me.. and I am trying to find my bearings."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo smiles. "Do not worry yourself, Iuchi-san. It is...unusual to see a Beastmaster outside of Lion lands or a fight. Many of those at the miai who are not of the Unicorn have asked similar questions. To have two present, is a rare thing indeed. We do not tend to roam far, especially Matsu women."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Uhh, and why would that be?" his eyebrow rose ever so slightly.

[Matsu Kogo]

She looks up from her perusal of Noburu. "Matsu women tend to marry so that they stay in the family. Men who marry into the Matsu family take the Matsu name. Men who marry out leave their Matsu name behind." She shrugs her shoulders. "If things continue on, I shall be the first Matsu woman to marry out....possibly since Matsu created the family. I do not know."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Oh, that is peculiar." Dong-Ha mused. "We have.. .some legends.. or tales perhaps, regarding lady Matsu and Akodo-kami, but it is fascinating to see how the Empire that is now keenly reflects the images of these stories." He paused for a moment. "Shinjo-kami wanted to make sure we would not... errr..errr.. inbreed..." the young man stammered, flustered as he was. ".. so she made a law that we could not marry anyone anyone related to us. So, many of my kin married gaijin from the tribes we met, taking them as part of our clan. Some even married out, joining the gaijin tribes as we build allies and gained friends."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods. "Some of the other Unicorn clan had mentioned this. It seems wise. Some Clans in Rokugan are less wise. The Matsu rules do make it possible for new blood to be brought in however, which is positive." She looks at him, curious. "What kind of legends? I wonder if they have changed in the time you have been away."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

Regaining his composure, Dong-Ha exhaled slowly. Why everyone seemed to want to talk babies with him?

"Uh.. that Matsu-dono was the err... proud woman. That her fury legendary. That she served Akodo-kami after he defeated her in a duel. That she loved him dearly, but would not marry him. Though, I guess Matsu-dono married eventually?" There was a family named after her so that seemed like a likely conclusion. "That Matsu-dono lost to Kakita-dono who refused to bow to her, earning her ire."

[Matsu Kogo]

She nods. "That is the gist of the legends. There is obviously much to it, but that is the greater portion." Her jaw hardens a bit at the sound of the word Kakita, but it is a minor thing. "Matsu-dono eventually married another man within the Lion family and his family was absorbed into hers. She passed her legacy down to her daughter and the Matsu legacy continues to this day."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"And that would be the extent of what we know. There are some records, but they obviously detail what happened to the various groups of Ki-Ring their journeys. Most of our history is actually memorized by Marta family, who are vassals to the Shinjo." Dong-Ha explained.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods. "I had met one of the Marta family, though we did not exchange stories. I had heard of this however. I have also heard from of the stories of Shinjo Hanashi-san. He is quite talented."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"So I have been told, though I have not met the man." Dong-Ha admitted. "How Matsu-san has liked the occasion? I am under the impression that this is not how things are commonly managed in the Empire."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo thinks it over. "It is true, this is not the way things are traditionally done in the Empire." She takes a breath. "I have enjoyed myself, though occasionally wished some of the events were more structured towards a bushi's training. However, I have enjoyed meeting many new people, learning more of the Empire and the lands beyond and spending time in activities I might never otherwise have tried. It has brought fresh ideas to my mind and for that, I am thankful." She looks to Iuchi-san. "What of you, Iuchi-san? How have you found the miai?"