[D8, LE, Expecting] The Trouble With Onyx

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji sips his sake and refills Kogo's cup. "The unicorn would benefit greatly from having you in their clan. But I can understand your anguish... There's nothing quite like family. " he takes a deep sip.

[Matsu Kogo]

She takes the refill, though she wishes she had turned her cup upside down. Next one. Last thing we need is more drunkeness. "There is much to what you say. I could see much in joining the Unicorn. They are an honorable, interesting people." She pauses. "But it is hard being the first of anything."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji sighs deeply. "I know what you mean. The pressure can be soul crushing. You are expected to be so much more than you are." Hiroji flowers to no one in particular."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo's eyes clear for a moment, focusing clearly. "Precisely. You are measured against every ruler, whether fitting or not." She sips the sake.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji meets Kogo's stare. "Exactly. Nothing but impossible perfection is expected."

[Matsu Kogo]

She returns the stare. "And anything but that, is insufficient." She leans back. "It appears we have more than one thing in common at this miai Hiroji-san."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods, a smile spreading on his lips. "I am glad we came to know each other Kogo-San. Though the Lion is the last place I'd expect to look for a friend." He raises his sake cup, "To friends and family, good or bad!"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo smiles. "I would have said the same thing several days ago. " She raises her cup in a toast. "To friends and family, good or bad." She takes the sake down and then turns her cup upside down, to show she wishes no more.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji slams the cup in the table and refills iy as he speaks. "So tell me about your family Kogo-San. I am intrigued now."

[Matsu Kogo]

She leans back. "I have two brothers, both younger than me. My father died some years ago, in the War of Hidden Honor. My mother lives still and is a Matsu bushi through and through. I have two adoptive 'aunties' who have been part of my raising, one who introduced me to the lions when I was young. And through them, a great many foster sibs. I have never wanted for more family."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods, immersed. "Tell me about your brothers."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Kuteishi is a wild one, a cub in truth. We call him Kabu, which he hates, but tolerates. Hiro...he is quieter. We think he may end up studying with the Ikoma and continuing the family tradition that way. It is unclear." She smiles. "I have not seen them in 6 months. It is the longest I have ever been away from home."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji smiles warmly. "I too have been away from home longer than I've ever been before... I too worry for my siblings... Although more for my brother Takahiro, Sakurako, my sister, has most likely conquered our household completely in my absence." He laughs.

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "Kabu has probably been in 5 fights and refused baths for days and Hiro...has probably been locked in his study with no one to bug him to eat." She laughs a little. "What would that conquering look like? What is a Crab family like?"

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji smiles warmly. "My family is smaller than usual. Only three kids you see. Takahiro is... A timid boy to say the least. Jumpy. We think that he will remain to study the art of building in our family, it would suit him, he has patience for days but none for battle." He sips his sake again. "Sakurako Is the complete opposite to him. She takes after our mother more than me and Takahiro." Hiroji smirks. "A strong personality would be an apt way to describe her. She takes no, no for an answer and fights like a bear when enraged. Which is quite often I am afraid. " Hiroji sighs. "She is quick to anger and enjoys commanding Takahiro around. I try my best to keep it civil between them when I'm around but often even that fails. I shudder to think what happens now that I am gone." Hiroji looks concerned but continues. "My mother is a strong woman. She is a bushi and serves on the wall, we do not see her often. But when we do she dedicates most of her time to us and training. She speaks of duty and our clan with passion and often." Hiroji is silent for a moment. "And my father..." He is silent, the sentence trailing off.