Learning the lay of the land [D4, LA, open, expecting]

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods, noting the comparison. "There is much to compare between our Clans and families. Though I do not know enough of the Ide to speak on them, there is a saying. The Akodo are the head, the Matsu are the heart."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"How are the Kitsune like?" The Otaku asks.

[Kitsune Takeo]

"Resilient and dedicated would be how I would describe us," he said simply, "The Kitsune motto is 'Fall seven times. Stand up eight.' We are committed to duty and know that our status as a Minor Clan does not limit what we may achieve - only the means and manner by which we may achieve it. We are a practical people, but one with a rich tradition born out of our long history in the Empire. We have warriors, we have one of the most uniquely gifted shugenja in the Empire, we have historians and we have artists who have learned to incorporate the natural beauty of the world into their works. Even my kinsmen here, Kumahime-san, represents a proud interpretation of our sumai tradition. Like the Fox and the Kitsune - both the namesakes of my people - we are small, but we find a way."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She nods and thinks for a while, looking at the Matsu, "And how the Lion think the Kitsune are like?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo pauses a moment, trying to find the most political way to say the general clan opinion about Minor Clans. "The Lion....are not greatly concerned about the affairs of the Minor clans, including the Kitsune. We know of them, but they are not our close neighbors." There. That's...probably enough.

[Kitsune Takeo]

Takeo's eyes narrowed imperceptibly at the Lion's words, but he said nothing. It was close to being offensive, but Kogo had at least found the courtesy to avoid an insult outright.

He thought of the land the Lion had previously occupied and taken from his own family. Land that was now back in the hands of the Unicorn, where it belonged.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime acknowledges Kogo's comment with a flat smile, and glances sideways, perhaps noticing Takeo's subtle expression. Perhaps not.

"Minna-san. I greatly enjoyed your company, but I must depart," The girl bows to Kogo, "I look forward to talk more with Matsu-san, and learn more from your ancestor's ways," There's a bow to Takeo, also, "I hope we meet again soon. May the Fortunes bless you both."

The Otaku moves around and saddles up. Geeko shakes its mane, and she waits to listen their words before departing.

/exit.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo note the tension and thinks frantically, though her face stays calm. "Otaku-sama, a samurai is a being bound to duty and does not question his lord's rule nor his beliefs, as you and Kitsune-sama well know. However if one had asked another what their thoughts on the minor clans were, versus what their lords might be, they might receive the answer that they had found them welcoming and honorable to their company and felt that the minor clans were a crucial part of Rokugsn, though they be small in number. Their honor and valor are not finished by their number. " She bows deeply to both, sincerity evident in her frame and voice.