Past and Present [D3, LE, open, expecting)

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"We were discussing the Champions, like the Emerald one this shrine is to. Specifically the hard feelings that can happen between clans when someone wins. I did not comprehend this as Unicorn don't begrudge each other often. I was curious as to the examples you might have and the reasons for the grudges."

[Soshi Yuuru]

He chuckled, "How long do you have to talk?"

He then smiled, "Such feuds are too numerous to speak on fully... but Kakita and Matsu stand out as one. As well as The Yasuki family and the Daidoji... The Asako and the Lion have had a pretty bad scuffle recently. The Bayushi tend to make everyone mad from time to time. You get enough samurai in a room and it's sure to turn ugly soon enough."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"But...Are you not all serving the same purpose? Shinjo-Kami gave law no Unicorn was to ever spill another Unicorn's blood. I know that law isn't the same here, but wouldn't most Clans wish to work together as much as possible? Holding grudges seems counter productive. Perhaps I should hear a story of a grudge to help understand?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He chuckled, "We can work together at times. When darkness threatens the empire we seem to do a good job of uniting... sometimes in the nick of time. Recently the Empire just conquered the Shinomen and subjugated a violent race of snake-men..."

He then shrugged, "As for an example... I'm afraid I'm not the best historian. Got a friend who knows those types of things. But I'm not usually the one to hold grudges either, so I quickly forget other people's."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"Snake men? That sounds very interesting! Can you tell me of this?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

"Sure. That I actually know something about since my personal duties work with them somewhat." He smiled.

"We call them the Naga. Apparently they had been sleeping for many generations in the Shinomen... and when they woke up they were immediately violent with us... It seems there was a bit of miscommunication.... but anyway, we led a campaign into the Shinomen to subjugate this new threat. The forces of the Emperor lead a successful campaign that resulted in the majority of the snake-men's destruction. Though part of them decided to join us in our campaign and now work with the Empire. There are also a few rogue ones left that continue to fight in whatever way they can."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"What do they look like? How do they fight? Are those who joined us considered Samurai now or just allies? Where do the friendly ones live?"

Chi-Pu looks very interested about the topic

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru replied what he knew, "They have a torso and head much like a man does, but a long body... much longer than a man... of a snake. Terrifyingly strong fighters... with a special type of magic."

He tilted his head, "Samurai... I wouldn't say they are that accepted. They have a leader, the Tausha, who interacts with the Imperial families through the new minor clan that has been commissioned to care for the Shinomen. They live in one of their ruined cities that we conquered on the campaign."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"I see. So they live within the Empire and are allies, but are not part of the Empire. Very fascinating. Have you ever had to fight one? The Unicorn fought many strange beasts during our travels."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Sure. That I actually know something about since my personal duties work with them somewhat." He smiled.

"We call them the Naga. Apparently they had been sleeping for many generations in the Shinomen... and when they woke up they were immediately violent with us... It seems there was a bit of miscommunication.... but anyway, we led a campaign into the Shinomen to subjugate this new threat. The forces of the Emperor lead a successful campaign that resulted in the majority of the snake-men's destruction. Though part of them decided to join us in our campaign and now work with the Empire. There are also a few rogue ones left that continue to fight in whatever way they can."

Kogo had become lost in the thought on the Otaku's words. Some of them echoed some of her own ideas over the years, but they seemed like heresy at best to even speak them aloud. What the Unicorn could do and claim ignorance, a Lion could not.

"If you wished, I could tell you the story of Kakita and Matsu. It is a tale passed down in my family." She perked at the sound of the Naga and listened intently.

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu nods to Kogo

"I would be very interested, Matsu-san. We could all share tales. Soshi-san about these Naga, you about a grudge, and me about well, whatever interests you."

[Matsu Kogo]

Chi-Pu nods to Kogo

"I would be very interested, Matsu-san. We could all share tales. Soshi-san about these Naga, you about a grudge, and me about well, whatever interests you."

She nods. "I would hear more about the legends of the Otaku. Soshi-san, do you have any preferences on stories?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He tilted his head, "I think I heard something about a Dark Ride from one of your cousins... She didn't elaborate on it though."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"The Dark Ride was a period of five years that we traveled through a dark and twisted land before we arrived here in the Empire. Shadows seemed to come alive. Friends and family lost themselves to the Shadow, becoming twisted, lost versions of themselves, their faces literally turned into black voids. Crystal was our weapon against this darkness. Terrible times for all of us, many died and many more scarred. Most here however were too young during the ride to be part of the offense against it. I was old enough, and it is because of it that I am now the rank I am."

[Matsu Kogo]

"The Dark Ride was a period of five years that we traveled through a dark and twisted land before we arrived here in the Empire. Shadows seemed to come alive. Friends and family lost themselves to the Shadow, becoming twisted, lost versions of themselves, their faces literally turned into black voids. Crystal was our weapon against this darkness. Terrible times for all of us, many died and many more scarred. Most here however were too young during the ride to be part of the offense against it. I was old enough, and it is because of it that I am not the rank I am."

Kogo listened intently. "It sounds like a time of great war and pain. I cannot imagine such a ride." She looks at Otaku-san. "It seems you have seen more combat than anyone here."