[D9 LM] the end is neigh

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo pauses. "Ummm...perhaps Usagi Tomoe-san would be a good person to ask of this. The Lion and the Crane....because our history is....intertwined have some....particular opinions about their shared history. I would be happy to tell you of the Lion clan however and the Matsu family. On those terms, I can provide a great deal of knowledge." You have been spending too much time with Suteichi. I can't tell if mother would be proud or appalled.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Oh, then I shall ask her." there was a strange gleam in Dong-Ha's eyes as Tomoe's name was mentioned. "I have talked to To..Usagi-san few times. She seems like a wise and compassionate woman." he added, smiling softly as he did so. "I shall take on Matsu-san's offer then."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo catches the slip, but says nothing though a smile crosses her face. Ahh Usagi-san, I am glad your prospects have improved.

"She has much to offer the Unicorn and a husband. I suspect whoever has her to wife will be quite...content with his lot in life." She teases, delicately.

"What would you wish to know? The history is long and varied. A place to start would be helpful."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Oh I am sure they well." Dong-Ha coughed, flustered. "She is wise beyond her years after all." Happy to change the topic, Dong-Ha quipped. "What became of Ikoma-dono? He had an interesting reputation..."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo notes the flustering and the repartee. "Ahhh....He...is certainly a...complex individual in the Lion's history. It is said that he and Matsu did not get along. One can understand why."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Mhmh, are there any stories regarding that, then?" Dong-Ha asked, regaining his composure. "And what became of his children?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo thinks. "There is the story of Matsu-dono punching Ikoma when he stepped forward to try to join the Day of Thunder and taking his place. That one is a particular favorite of mine." She thinks. "The Ikoma are known now for their histories. They keep some of the most complete documents in the Empire. They are also known for their bards and their scouts. My grandfather was an Ikoma bard and my father, an Ikoma scout. They have passed some of their heritage on to me, but mostly a love for stories."

And, according to Mother, horrible sentimentality.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Ikoma-dono tried to take Matsu-dono's place? And got punched for it?" Dong-Ha chuckled. "That's quite something." He could recall stories of Shinjo being appalled by the Moto, and having argued with Iuchi and Ide, but as far as the clan legends went, the family founders had never come to blows. "Hmm, and how did Ikoma-dono's followers came to pick that duty, would Matsu-san know? The stories about him... don't exactly paint him as a scholar." Perhaps the young Iuchi was lucky that Kogo was not as ferocious as her kin. His statement could have been considered a deadly insult.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo smiles. "Yes, it is said that Matsu-dono was...quite determined to do her duty. She left without saying goodbye to Adoko-no-kami or her family. It is unclear as to why, though many have their thoughts and speculations." Kogo puzzles over his question. "I admit, I am not remembering terribly clearly how that choosing came about. " She blinks at the statement but does not refute it.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Uh.. I see." Dong-Ha nodded carefully, unsure what to make of her answer. "Uh... is there anything Matsu-san would like to ask about the Unicorn?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo thinks for a moment. "I have been wondering. When did the Unicorn change their name from the Ki-rin? I feel as though I have heard a story of it, but I suspect one of your Clan might know it better."





/ooc Kogo knows everything about Matsu. That's history to her. Ikoma...she's got bits and pieces. (mostly cause i know jack shit)

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"That... that would have been some three hundred years ago. Well, more." Dong-Ha scratched his chin as he tried to recall the events. "Shinjo-kami was devoured by something ancient, something foul. That very something that plagued us in our way here. A great loss for us." He paused to let the Lioness to absorb the information.

"Her group became under attack by that... thing, and she bade her followers to flee, who reluctantly did so. Those who survived bent knee to Shinjo Yonaru-shiryo, blessed be his name. This included the daimyo of the Ide, Otaku and Iuchi. The Moto daimyo is mentioned in the stories, so perhaps he was not there.*"

"Either way, Yonaru-shiryo decided to drop the Ki-Rin banner, for we were no longer the clan we had been when we departed the Empire. Our blood had joined that of the foreigners and Shinjo's blood... her children were born form an union between her and a spirit. Yonaru-shiryo recognized that we needed a new start. A new identity that would match what we had become."








_______
*OOC: AEG fluff contradicts itself as usual

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo listens intently. "I am sorry that I asked for such a story. I thank you for telling me though Iuchi-san. It explains much." She looks at him closely. "Many of the Unicorn have mentioned these trying times. Even the horses seem braver than Rokugani horses. It must have been quite a journey." She says, with a serious face.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"There is no shame wanting to know." the young Iuchi murmured, determination gleaming in his eyes. "We cannot change what has happened. We can only try to learn from the lessons of our ancestors." he added matter-of-factually. "Well, this was well before the Dark Ride, but... it seems that whatever fell Shinjo-kami that day has followed us ever since. Why, we do not know." Or maybe someone knew, but had not bothered to tell the young mystic. "And well, the horses are matter of training. I am sure you could train your..." runts.. "..steeds as well."

"They'll might never be as brave as lions.." Dong-Ha's gazed drifted to her war cat. ".. but they'll get you through hail and storm, if you treat them well.""

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo sees the steel in his eyes and her respect mounts a notch for the Iuchi. "There is much to what you say. A creature, giving time and good treatment, will be by your side in all ways. A partner without failing." She smiles down at Noburu. "It is a troubling thing, that this darkness has followed your family. But the Empire is well versed in dealing with darkness. It has slain many, but samurai keep rising to their duty." Her face becomes serious for a brief moment, recalling her father. "I suspect you will find many in these lands who know of the price of combating darkness."