Checking in (D4, LE)

[Matsu Kogo]

"Black is the handicapped, I seem to recall?" He canted his head, sitting down and trying to remember things. "I played a game yesterday, and it is the first time I had touched the game."

"White is allowed to start first, so some do black as handicapped. I have only recently started playing, so I am not sure what I think yet."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I suppose then it really isn't fair to give me a handicap since it sounds as if we are on even ground," he smirked, "I will still take black."

[Matsu Kogo]

"I suppose then it really isn't fair to give me a handicap since it sounds as if we are on even ground," he smirked, "I will still take black."

She nods and passes him the pieces. She then places her first piece, more central but to the left. "It is a curious game, but I find it intriguing. I feel that it has much to teach of tactics."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I have been told one can learn a lot from it," he nodded, setting his first piece dead center. Seemed as good a place as anywhere else.

[Matsu Kogo]

"I have been told one can learn a lot from it," he nodded, setting his first piece dead center. Seemed as good a place as anywhere else.

Kogo began the process of building a fortress. She looks at him after placing her piece. "So when did you start learning to play the flute?"

[Shinjo Akil]

He places his pieces quickly, clearly lacking a certain fundamental understanding. "I taught myself when I was a young child, and my sensei thought it prudent to include it in my school training besides."

[Matsu Kogo]

He places his pieces quickly, clearly lacking a certain fundamental understanding. "I taught myself when I was a young child, and my sensei thought it prudent to include it in my school training besides."

She places her pieces, not much better than his. "It is a beautiful instrument."

With a beautiful player.

She places her piece and then says, "Do you play usually by yourself or with others?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Usually by myself, though I am not opposed to ensemble pieces," he nodded. "Mostly I had played it to release stress, or maybe provide some levity after a particularly hard day. Now it seems it will be a way for me to assist my Clan in court."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Usually by myself, though I am not opposed to ensemble pieces," he nodded. "Mostly I had played it to release stress, or maybe provide some levity after a particularly hard day. Now it seems it will be a way for me to assist my Clan in court."

"Do you have a favorite piece?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"The Dancing Maiden. It's the one I, er, tried to play earlier," he laughed a bit, "it's not a technically strong piece, but it's enjoyable to listen to."

[Matsu Kogo]

"The Dancing Maiden. It's the one I, er, tried to play earlier," he laughed a bit, "it's not a technically strong piece, but it's enjoyable to listen to."

She smiled and placed her next piece. continuing her work towards a fortress. "I would definitely say so. When your hand is better, I would be honored to hear it." Her brow furrows for a moment. "Do the Unicorn value artistic pursuits as well? I can imagine painting might be difficult when one is constantly traveling, but I could see certain instruments being portable."

[Shinjo Akil]

"When there is time," he nodded, placing his piece, "when you travel, you find an appreciation for arts that are easy to carry with you. Music, for example."

[Matsu Kogo]

"When there is time," he nodded, placing his piece, "when you travel, you find an appreciation for arts that are easy to carry with you. Music, for example."

She nodded. "Understandably. What other instruments will be playing tomorrow night with you?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"I think Bayushi-sama uses a shamisen, but I am tragically less than informed on other instrumental choices."

[Matsu Kogo]

"I think Bayushi-sama uses a shamisen, but I am tragically less than informed on other instrumental choices."

She smiles. "I have not heard Bayushi-san's playing in some time. It will be lovely to do so again."