Day 9 [EA] Pincers & Claws

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "Its true. I suspect I never shall. But that is part of it, no? Part of knowing you will always be not knowing some part of you. I accept it." She decreases the speed slightly, not wishing to wind him too much. "What you share with me, you choose to. Just because I share more, does not mean we are uneven. We are bound by our choices and our thoughts. I am honored that you share what you do with me."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"Share a little...share a lot. Whatever you share can be used against you Kogo-san. Just be careful in what you share."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods. "I know Suteichi-san...You have told me often enough." She shifts the exercise. "Now overhead strikes. And begin!" The exercise steps up pace again. "But doesn't it ever get tiring? Thinking all the time of what the other is doing? Don't you wish...to let go sometimes?"

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"Let go?! Ha! Why don't tell a Kakita to let go of dueling or an Akodo to abandon strategy?!" Suteichi stopped.

"We are practicing how to use a deadly weapon. For courtier, the mind and words are their deadly weapons. There is no letting go of that. Not now, not ever." Suteichi resumed the training.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo follows him, not wishing to accidentally strike him. She ponders. "But even a samurai puts his sword to bed at night. Though he is a honed weapon, even a samurai may retire. When does a courtier?"