Bring out the animals [Day 2, early evening]

[Matsu Kogo]

"You may well be correct," he nodded. "I hope to help my clan get passed the misunderstandings between us and the rest of the Empire that we might integrate smoothly. Conflict so often is generated by simple misunderstanding, unfortunately."

"Very true Shinjo-sama. The smallest crack in the castle seems capable of bringing it down some days. Learning how to speak each other's languages, for lack of better words, will be a valuable part of preventing senseless conflict." If your mother could hear you now....

[Shinjo Akil]

"Indeed," he nodded, giving Noburu a polite pat before stepping back from the cat. "I am glad we see eye to eye on these matters."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Indeed," he nodded, giving Noburu a polite pat before stepping back from the cat. "I am glad we see eye to eye on these matters."

"Some of my clan mates might disagree with some of what I say, but I do not believe that when Akodo counseled us to hold our honor tight, he counseled us to challenge any who give the merest possibility of a slur. I often think on his saying, ''He who is intent on dying can be murdered. He who is quick to anger can be insulted. He who is self-conscious can be humiliated. He who is compassionate can be troubled. But the commander whose mind is focused, and whose soul is taken up by the strike, he will know victory.' " She pauses. " I will understand if Shinjo-sama does not feel the same way. It is only my own musings."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I had not heard the saying before, but I like the context of it," Akil smiled, "does it come from a famous tactician, or is it your own?"

[Matsu Kogo]

"I had not heard the saying before, but I like the context of it," Akil smiled, "does it come from a famous tactician, or is it your own?"

She pauses for a moment and then says, "It is from Akodo's-no-Kami's famous text, Leadership. All Lion clan and especially Matsu clan members are required to study it extensively prior to passing their gempukku. It is the text upon which we base much of our philosophy, I guess you would call it."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Ah, my apologies," he bowed his head, "I am still learning much about the Empire, as I am sure you know. There is clearly a great deal I do not know."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Ah, my apologies," he bowed his head, "I am still learning much about the Empire, as I am sure you know. There is clearly a great deal I do not know."

"It is understandable Shinjo-sama. I am sure there are a great many wise sayings I do not know of Shinjo-no-Kami. One knows what one has been raised with and for the Matsu, Akodo's Leadership is a primer to our lives." She thinks for a moment. "For example, the contest put on by the Ide family today was highly novel to me. Having never learned another language, it was difficult and interesting to try to learn one so quickly. I admit, it was challenging."

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded, "I grew up learning both Mekhem and Rokugani, so perhaps it was easier since I just grew up speaking both languages," he considered, "I wonder if that would make it easier to learn a third..."

[Matsu Kogo]

He nodded, "I grew up learning both Mekhem and Rokugani, so perhaps it was easier since I just grew up speaking both languages," he considered, "I wonder if that would make it easier to learn a third..."

She looked off into the distance a moment. " I suspect it would...I have heard it is easier when one learns from the cradle than later. But that is with most things. Do many of your Unicorn clan cousins speak Mek-him?"

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded, "It is reasonably common. It is the closest thing there is to a universal language in the sands, so it was very useful when dealing with the denizens of other lands."

[Matsu Kogo]

He nodded, "It is reasonably common. It is the closest thing there is to a universal language in the sands, so it was very useful when dealing with the denizens of other lands."

She nods. "That makes sense. It would be difficult if you could not communicate with those whose lands you were traveling through."She pauses. "How long have you and Setem been journeying together?"

[Shinjo Akil]

He looked over to Setem and smiled a bit, "I have known Setem since I was old enough to be placed on a foal. We've been through a lot together, that horse and I."

[Matsu Kogo]

He looked over to Setem and smiled a bit, "I have known Setem since I was old enough to be placed on a foal. We've been through a lot together, that horse and I."

She smiles a bit broader. "That is an important bond. You must have spent many hours together." She looks over at Noburu, who is batting something in the grass. "Though Noburu and I are not as old of friends, it is still a companionship beyond price." A brief flicker of sadness crosses her eyes, but it is contained.

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded, "Setem probably deserves the reputation I earned. I would not have been able to do what I have done without him, certainly. But, it seems that I am destined to take the credit for the horse's speed."

[Matsu Kogo]

He nodded, "Setem probably deserves the reputation I earned. I would not have been able to do what I have done without him, certainly. But, it seems that I am destined to take the credit for the horse's speed."

She smiles and looks at him. "I heard the story from Shinjo Hanashi-san last night. Though he did note Setem's incredible swiftness and nimbleness, it was distinctly the story of your heroism." She rubs behind Noburu's ears as she wanders close.