Checking in (D4, LE)

[Matsu Kogo]

He smiled genuinely. "If fortune caused our future to be as such together, I would be as happy as if I ended up in Crane robes." He moved to make his next move with a bit of eagerness... Just fast enough that his hand brushed against Kogo's.

Her ears tinged a bit red at the touch, but she said nothing. "I am glad to hear that. You would likely fare better than I in Crane robes. I would trip over them, first thing." She laughs. She moves to make her move as well, but 'accidentally' brushes a piece of his. She moves to retrieve it and holds it in his hand for him to take.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Perhaps," he smiled, "no matter what robes I end up in, I hope that this place is not where last we see each other," in a move that is truly bold, he simply set his hand in hers, holding it there for a long moment as his smile brightens.

[Matsu Kogo]

"Perhaps," he smiled, "no matter what robes I end up in, I hope that this place is not where last we see each other," in a move that is truly bold, he simply set his hand in hers, holding it there for a long moment as his smile brightens.

Her skin develops slight goosebumps and her ears tinge a brighter red. But she wraps her fingers around his hand for a brief moment, with a slight brush of the fingers as if tracing their shape. "our thoughts are remarkably similar today. Perhaps that is why neither of us is winning at Go." She tips the piece into his hand and withdraws hers slowly, with a slight reluctance.

[Shinjo Akil]

"It seems so indeed," he smiled. "I apologize for not being a focused opponent today."

[Matsu Kogo]

"It seems so indeed," he smiled. "I apologize for not being a focused opponent today."

She smiles at him. "Perhaps your focus is just elsewhere." She places a piece again. "A mind that wanders could discover many new possibilities or thoughts." She puts her elbow on her knee, leaning forward with her face on her hand, smiling at him.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Perhaps it is..." He watched her every move as he placed his piece, barely aware of the fact that it's placement all but guarantees her victory. "It certainly is considering many possibilities now."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Perhaps it is..." He watched her every move as he placed his piece, barely aware of the fact that it's placement all but guarantees her victory. "It certainly is considering many possibilities now."

She saw the opening he had created and moved to seize it. "It seems that fortune favors me this evening. It is a pity I had not agreed to a forfeit prior to starting. One cannot always anticipate how a game will fall out."

[Shinjo Akil]

He smiled and shook his head. "Victory is earned and only earned. A victory agreed upon before the game is played is not one at all."

[Matsu Kogo]

He smiled and shook his head. "Victory is earned and only earned. A victory agreed upon before the game is played is not one at all."

She smiles again. "That is a wise saying Shinjo-sama. Did you hear it somewhere or is it your own creation?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Just a personal musing," another shake of his head. "I don't know if it is wise or not, but it certainly does sound profound now doesn't it."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Just a personal musing," another shake of his head. "I don't know if it is wise or not, but it certainly does sound profound now doesn't it."

She laughs. "It does. That skill will serve you well as a courtier." She smiles at him. "But I think there is a wisdom there. A victory that is earned has a sweetness to it, whereas a victory that is known beforehand could be sour in the mouth. No challenge, no edge to it."

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded, "that was my thought, at least. I like the way you said it better, though."

[Matsu Kogo]

He nodded, "that was my thought, at least. I like the way you said it better, though."

She ducks her head for a moment, gathering the pieces to hide a small blush. "You do me too much honor Shinjo-sama. It was just a rephrasing of your own words."

[Shinjo Akil]

"And a more poetic Version, at that." He grinned, his confidence clearly growing. "I would almost dare say that Kogo-san has missed a calling."

[Matsu Kogo]

"And a more poetic Version, at that." He grinned, his confidence clearly growing. "I would almost dare say that Kogo-san has missed a calling."

Her blush continues to rise and she waves her hands at him, trying to dissuade him. "Could you imagine me as a poet? Stomping in my clothes and boots into those lovely parlors. I would be laughed out of the compound."