[D8, LE, Expecting] The Trouble With Onyx

[Matsu Kogo]

She thinks. "But they may have heard something. And if we can keep things from boiling over, we will not risk harming our hosts inadvertently. Shinjo Taichi-san said he knew nothing of the nature of the visitor, just that a visitor had come. It may be that only a few among the Unicorn knew of the true identity of the visitor." Her face hardens. "I just hope we are not being fools. Do you know if there are any Jade magistrates among the group here? Perhaps there is someone we could ask."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji shakes his head. "Not that I know of. But there are always ways to contact one. And if that fails and the worst comes to worst... Well." He glances at the axe in the corner of the yurt.

[Matsu Kogo]

Her jaw hardens. "Yes. If worst comes to worst...I will be there." I will not fail this time. Not ever again.

"We will scout. We will gather information. Hopefully, what we find is not as bad as it seems. But if not, you know where I and my jade are." She looks down. "You are not the only one who has regrets. I wonder what would have happened if I had given my jade to Otaku-sama when she asked about it. Regret is a sin...But it appears to be flowing freely this miai."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji is silent for a moment. "Like you said yesterday Kogo-San. She would not thank us for carrying the weight of her death... But we can never stop carrying it. All we can do is accept it, and live with the sorrow." He is silent again. "Nothing truly ends Kogo-San. That, I have learned."

[Matsu Kogo]

She nods. "My own words are wiser than I in this moment." She shakes her head. "That is true. Though I find myself occasionally wishing this miai would end so at least I know my fate." She smiles briefly, cracking a small joke.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji responds to her smile warmly. "Well whatever your fate is Kogo-San... I hope it will make you happy. You of all people deserve it." He nods.

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles, but it does not reach her eyes. "You do me honor, Hiroji-san. I thank you for your kind words. I hope your marriage is a happy one for you as well and they love sake half as much as you do." She says, jokingly.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji chuckled. "I am hard pressed to think a woman such as that exists. But If they do I will gladly give my life to marry them."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "If I hear of any such a being, be assured I will tell you. Hopefully I discover them in the next few days." She pauses a moment. "The only one I know of at this miai who sounds anywhere near close is Moto Khulun-san. She has a heavy head for liquor from what I have heard." Though not enough to keep from kissing my kinsman.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods still smiling. "I suppose I will have to speak with her then." He takes a small bottle of sake from his trunk and offer the Lion a cup. "What about you Kogo-San, how has your heart fared?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo takes the cup but does not drink quickly at all. "My heart...my heart is a fickle thing and I wish that it would be quiet for a moment. It beats but it does not provide rest. It chooses poorly." She takes a sip of the sake. "Please, do not share this with anyone. The one who...I have mentioned...he will shortly be chosen by another. I do not wish for his name to be bandied about, for my foolishness and his."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods gravely as he ours sake into his own cup. "You have my word Kogo-San."

[Matsu Kogo]

She nods, setting the cup down. "Not understanding how the standings worked, I chose to be forthright with another. He returned those feelings...But he is too low in the standings and I have failed to climb at all, despite all my efforts. My luck is just not here this miai. I am always one or two points too short." She picks up the sake and sips. "Another is enamored of him and he also cares for them. They are...significantly higher in the standings." She grimaces. "He offered me...an arrangement after his marriage. I could not bear to think of it."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods empathetically. "Much the same as my own situation then. I am sorry Kogo-San. But do I recall you saying something about being married out of your clan?"

[Matsu Kogo]

She nods, sipping sake. "No Matsu woman marries out of clan. But I have been sent here and not improved my own standings. If I do not do something drastic, I will be the first Matsu married out of family in....god, I don't even know."