A friendly game of Go [D2, LE, Open, Expecting]

[Matsu Kogo]

"Yeah. I made a lot of friends while my parents were away. Though I didn't have any brothers or sisters of my own. My older brother died before I was born from illness so that's something I don't have experience with. Something I'd like to not be the case with any kids I have."

Her face grows somber. "It is hard to lose a family member. My father died during the War of Hidden Honor." She takes a deep breath. "And my first warcat died prior to my Gempukku." She looks at him directly. "I suspect many would hope that death does not stop at their door. But I suspect that those living a samurai's life know that it always waits, despite their hopes."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Death is a part of life," he says looking at her, focusing on her eyes. "Without the eventuality of death would there really be any meaning in the lives we live? The fact that it is inevitable is what drives us to become our best selves each day before we get to that point. It's sad when we lose someone earlier than we'd want, but we can't let that loss stop us from becoming what we could be." He smiles softly at her, reassuring.

[Matsu Kogo]

"Death is a part of life," he says looking at her, focusing on her eyes. "Without the eventuality of death would there really be any meaning in the lives we live? The fact that it is inevitable is what drives us to become our best selves each day before we get to that point. It's sad when we lose someone earlier than we'd want, but we can't let that loss stop us from becoming what we could be." He smiles softly at her, reassuring.

She nods along with his words, holding her face steady. "There is truth to that. Akodo speaks of throwing oneself into war with no thought of self preservation. And there is value there. For if we are only concerned with preserving our life, I wonder if we really ever truly experience it." She smiles back at him, noting his tone. "Loss should not define us, but it does shape us. I wonder what your life would have been with an older brother at your side." She smiles with a slight chuckle. "I suspect you would not be as daring as you are now, with an older brother to keep you in line."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Or perhaps I would have been even more so, trying to one up someone more experienced and stronger. You might have to count yourself lucky I'm not so daring that I might have given you a kiss simply because he hadn't," he says with an amused smirk. "And then I should count myself lucky I didn't get pummeled for being so forward."

He places a piece on the board. "Not that I wouldn't consider that a fair trade."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Or perhaps I would have been even more so, trying to one up someone more experienced and stronger. You might have to count yourself lucky I'm not so daring that I might have given you a kiss simply because he hadn't," he says with an amused smirk. "And then I should count myself lucky I didn't get pummeled for being so forward."

He places a piece on the board. "Not that I wouldn't consider that a fair trade."

Kogo's eyes harden for a brief moment. "And you should count yourself lucky that I am not as touchy as some of my kin. For such a remark might have gotten you pummeled regardless." She smiled at him, but it was more complex than any smile she had given before. She placed a piece on the board with a little more force than usual, capturing a large string of his pieces.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Like I've said, I still have a lot to learn," he replies looking down at the board, looking a bit disappointed... probably in himself.

[Matsu Kogo]

"Like I've said, I still have a lot to learn," he replies looking down at the board, looking a bit disappointed... probably in himself.

She relaxes, seeing his face change. "If it helps, I made similar mistakes when I first went to the Akodo court. I had spent so long with the cats and training for gempukku, I had forgotten how to interact with other people outside my family." She snickers a little to herself. "I compared a fight between two courtier's to the prowling of two lionnesses in heat. Out loud."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

His smile at that seems a bit forced. "I can imagine that didn't go over too well. I'm just having a difficult time with it all. People tend to not be overly worried about etiquette and propriety when you spend months or more fighting your way through unnatural horrors to make it back to an empire nobody in your clan has ever seen for themselves. And now I'm fully unprepared for life within the Empire and continually making mistakes, disappointing myself."

[Matsu Kogo]

His smile at that seems a bit forced. "I can imagine that didn't go over too well. I'm just having a difficult time with it all. People tend to not be overly worried about etiquette and propriety when you spend months or more fighting your way through unnatural horrors to make it back to an empire nobody in your clan has ever seen for themselves. And now I'm fully unprepared for life within the Empire and continually making mistakes, disappointing myself."

She looks interested. "Unnatural horrors? You will have to tell me more of that sometime." She thought for a moment and moved a piece, creating a fortress. "Shinjo-san, though I understand your concerns, I also think you must have realistic expectations. It is your 3rd day back in Rokugan, is it not? You would not expect a rider to be proficient after only 3 days of practice." She rubs the back of her neck. "It took me 6 months in the Akodo courts before I felt like I wasn't making a fool of myself weekly."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Well I've been back longer than that, but I've also been finishing up my dojo training as well. Though it's only been three days interacting with samurai from the empire at large. I take your meaning, but that doesn't mean I still don't hold myself to the standard I should be at. But it's good to know I'm not the only one that has had these difficulties and that it will just take time," he says with a nod, his mood still a bit darkened. "But my failures in conversation with you... I just don't want to do things that would make you think less of me."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Well I've been back longer than that, but I've also been finishing up my dojo training as well. Though it's only been three days interacting with samurai from the empire at large. I take your meaning, but that doesn't mean I still don't hold myself to the standard I should be at. But it's good to know I'm not the only one that has had these difficulties and that it will just take time," he says with a nod, his mood still a bit darkened. "But my failures in conversation with you... I just don't want to do things that would make you think less of me."

She nods along. "Your sincerity and honesty eases many things Shinjo-san. Hold tight to it, as you do your honor and high standards. They will serve you well, in the Empire and with me."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I'll certainly keep them close to my heart. I just need to get a better grasp of how to use my words. Hopefully a better grasp than I have of Go," he says as he makes another futile move against Kogo's strategy.

[Matsu Kogo]

"I'll certainly keep them close to my heart. I just need to get a better grasp of how to use my words. Hopefully a better grasp than I have of Go," he says as he makes another futile move against Kogo's strategy.

She smiles. "I suspect with all things, it comes with practice, but I am distinctly less inclined to practice one over the other. I will leave you to guess which one. "

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He smiles a little more brightly at that, "I have a decent idea of which. And it looks like my strategy is going to end up crumbling before yours yet again. The way of this game seems to be much more difficult than the rules of this game."

[Matsu Kogo]

He smiles a little more brightly at that, "I have a decent idea of which. And it looks like my strategy is going to end up crumbling before yours yet again. The way of this game seems to be much more difficult than the rules of this game."

She smiles again at him. "That could apply to many things in life Shinjo-san."