A quiet conversation (D10, EM, Closed)

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo's face might look similar to the last time she'd been in a hip throw. She clearly wasn't expecting that response. These Shinjo never get any more predictable. I cannot tell if it intrigues me more or drives me mad. "

You....speak wisely Monkh-san...I had not thought of it that way." She shakes her head. "I suppose I have gotten so invested in the results of the miai, I had forgotten that after this, the competition will end. And something else will begin."

She looks down at the ground, plainly thinking his words through again, absorbed. Then, she lifts her head, a question in her eyes. "Why do you see so much in me that I cannot see in myself? Is it a gift of Shinjo's children? Or your own special talent?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I don't know why others don't see more in themselves. Sure, it's good to admit one's faults... but you don't stop there. You work on them. And it's because we work at improving ourselves that I see particular strength in you. You have tenacity as much as you have strength. Not everything will work out the way you hope in life, but certainly you are the type of person that will see that and work harder next time. While you may not be attending any more miai in the future, I'm sure you'll take part in other competitions. And you'll have learned a lot about competing from this experience. I have no doubt you'll apply that same tenacity or chasing your happiness and dreams."

[Matsu Kogo]

She listens intently, seeking to let his words flow through her instead of stopping them at the gate, like an unwelcome guest. The proud lion has never been good at hearing positive words about herself, but Kogo was coming to see that this was a flaw, not an asset. Though she had striven to avoid some difficulties, she had plainly found others. She gritted her teeth slightly, struggling to let the words penetrate to where older words lived, that spoke of her lack of worth and her ineptitude. Words that laid at the foundation of herself, as old as her thoughts.

It was like riding through the lashes of her gempukku, every moment wondering when the next bit of pain would come. But instead, it was...affection. And she was not one who knew how to handle affection or a positive regard. Pain...that she knew. Disrespect, disregard, even anger....she could handle. This? This was new. And in that, more startling.

"You have given me much to think on Monkh-san." She says, a serious cast to her face and eyes. She looks up at him, her gaze intent, as if she is searching for some trace of something on his face. "I will endeavor to do as much justice to them as the time you have given me. I value you and your words."

Even if i still struggle to trust them.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

All she can see in his face is a simple sense of happiness... a positive attitude. "You're always welcome to them. I enjoy our talks and spending time with you. It makes me happy to do so."

[Matsu Kogo]

Seeing the simple happiness on his face and his sincerity, she relaxes again, knowing this is not the time for the lash. She smiles, though it is smaller than some she has shared. "I enjoy our talks as well. They are illuminating." She chuckles quietly. "I have never once yet been bored. " She teases lightly.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I'm glad to hear it," he replies. "So of all the events the Unicorn have put together so far, which one have you enjoyed the most? Some of them have been pretty odd."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo follows the change of topic and ponders an answer. "I am not sure. I enjoyed the event with the Moto puppies, but wished I had done better. It was intriguing to work with another animal however. What about you, Monkh-san?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"The archery was my strongest event and I do love archery, but I think I enjoyed the lancing even the most. But then, I relish any opportunity to take Meushi to a full gallop. For some reason that never gets old to me," he says with a smile, thinking back to it.

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles, thinking back to the lancing. "I enjoyed that a great deal. I think I would like to try it again, along with the archery. Charging like that on a horse is fast becoming something I want to learn a great deal more of." She sips her tea. "Otaku Kikatuhime-sama was kind enough to let me try riding on Gekko last night. It was incredible."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Yes, the Otaku warhorses are quite amazing," he says with a nod, smiling happily at Kogo. "Though I likely won't ever ride one, just watching from a distance. One thing you've gotten the chance to do with the Unicorn that even I won't."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles back, her eyes a little distant as she remembers. "They have such amazing responsiveness. And they are so in tune with their riders. I have not seen anything like that. I expect that will be a deeply cherished memory. "

She blushed slightly. "Otaku-sama offered to put in a good word with me for her clan, if I should wish to join them. There is much that would be desirable about such an offer. Her family and mine would have a great deal to offer one another. "

Her eyes go distant for a brief moment, plainly thinking.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"It would be a good fit for you a Matsu," he says with a wide smile. "They have a proud tradition of powerful women and you would fit right in even if your upbringing was a bit different."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles at him, glad to see her thoughts have been marching along with another's, even if they are flying in the face of tradition. "I suspect you are right. Hopefully my family will see it the same way." She says with a slight wince, but a chuckle.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"It's a new situation with little precedence. There are not any other great clan families that are quite so matriarchal are there?"

[Matsu Kogo]

She nods, pondering for a moment. "The Otaku, the Matsu and the Moshi. Other than that, not much." She thinks it over. "It will be a great chance for something new. I am intrigued. at the thoughts." Her eyes have some of their customary curiosity and lightness back in them, at the thought.