[D4 EA] Serving Tea [Expecting]

[Matsu Nintoku]

He took a slow sip from his tea in order to avoid getting the tip of his tongue burned. He pondered in silence how to properly answer that question without offending the small Ide.

"I am a kuge among the most martial family in the Empire." he slowly said as if he was trying to gauge the woman's reaction "I train everyday so when the time comes I can perform in a way befitting my noble heritage."

He sighed "Not to say that is my only calling as I do enjoy reading as well."

[Ide Amaya]

She was nodding, and her was expression admiring, "there are things in this world that cannot be calmed. It is important to know that men like you stand between the Empire and the beasts beyond." She sips her tea, and her mood darkens, "parts of the journey to Rokugan were difficult. Were it not for the skill and bravery of our warriors, we would not have survived."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He assessed her silently before nodding "I can only imagine how many enemies exist beyond our borders" he took another sip "Though from what I heard your family also played a very important role in ensuring the safety of your family."

[Ide Amaya]

"The Ide Emissarys are taught that it is better to prevent the blow than hope to dodge it. We have done what we can to ensure that we were not leaving daggers at our backs, nor that we needed blades to push forward. Favourable trade relations are important too, if you mean to keep everyone clothed and fed. But I am not so naive to think that the sand tiger can be reasoned with."

"How is your head?"

[Matsu Nintoku]

"That is very wise." he nodded in agreement "Though sometimes it is better to act with extreme prejudice than to hope to reason. A fast and deadly strike."

He raised his cup slightly at her question "Much better Ide-san."

[Ide Amaya]

She considered his comment, turning it over in her mind. She didn't think she agreed, but she was no tactician, perhaps she was misunderstanding his meaning?

"I'm glad you're feeling better, and your colour seems to be returning. Are you hungry?" she asked innocently, unaware of the recent voiding of his stomach. "I'm sure I could ask for some food to be brought to us."

[Matsu Nintoku]

Considering that the tea had remained down in his stomach and that he was feeling genuinely better, her offer was actually a very good one "I don't see why not." his tone was warm "It would complement this delicious tea."

"I am certain whoever you will marry Ide-san will be a very lucky man."

[Ide Amaya]

She blushed. "Would you count yourself amongst that number, Matsu-Sama?" and, to give him a moment to form an answer, she got up from the table and stopped a passing retainer, giving them her request and returning to the table. "More tea?" she asks shyly.

[Matsu Nintoku]

He lowered his eyes at her question, his cheeks gaining a faint coloration of pink. The Ide would be a perfect wife, dutiful and loyal, the perfect woman to compliment a Matsu noble yet still one part of his being went back towards yesterday, to the moment when the barbarian Khulun stole his first kiss.

"I would, yes." he said trying to dispel the image of Khulun from his mind as he took another sip "And yes to your second question. The tea is far too delicious to have only one cup of it."

[Ide Amaya]

She poured for him, smiling kindly. "Will you tell me of your home, Matsu-Sama? The lands of the Empire are very different from anything I've known before, and I should like to know about where you hope to live after the ma-ai."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"My home? Do you mean the Matsu heartland?" he paused remembering his homeland "It is... beautiful."

"The lands of the Matsu are, unlike most of the Lion lands, rocky." he explained "We are located in the middle of the Empire with the Spine of the World crossing through us. This lands are pretty much like its people... harsh, sturdy yet incredibly giving once you go past that hard surface."

"Shiro Matsu raises imposing in the heart of the Matsu lands. That is where Lady Matsu first met Akodo-no-Kami, that is when the seed of what meant to be a Lion was first planted in the heart of Lady Matsu." he continued "From the castle you can see everything. My sisters and me used to climb to the top of it to see into the distance and admiring the beauty of our lands."

"It really is something Ide-san."

[Ide Amaya]

Happily, "it certainly sounds that way. A life lived on horseback leaves little time for scenery. And what there was to be had was mostly featureless and unchanging. Will you return there? When you have a wife?"

[Matsu Nintoku]

"If my bride joins my clan then I guess." his mood seemed to dark slightly "I might not be stationed there but my home is still there."

"If I join my wife's clan however... I don't really now. I would be an unicorn then."

[Ide Amaya]

"The Unicorn life is not so bad," she offers, but she can't exactly back that statement up, expecting to be married out to one of these Clans she is only just meeting. She had noticed his shift in temperament, "I imagine if you took a warrior wife that she might be stationed wherever you go. I suppose that would be nice."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"It really isn't Ide-san." he lowered his eyes "There is something about your clan. About the freedom you seem to have. It... almost makes me jealous. To ride wherever you want, to be like the wind..." he sighed "But I digress Ide-san."