[Day 1, Early Morning] The early Lion

[Shinjo Akil]

"Practically, it is the same as the Ki-Rin. A daimyo long past had the name symbolically changed as a reminder of the truths of our heritage," he didn't immediately offer more details, figuring that long historical explanations might be boring to a warrior. Clearly he had never met a Lion before.

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Heritage? You mean... mhm..." he didn't want to say barbarian and possibly offend his hosts "...the heritage from beyond the Mountains?"

"If it is not much to impose, do share." he inquired carefully "As I told Shinjo-san my bride will be a member of your clan so I'd like to make our time together as amicable as possible"

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. "It was... In the fifth century, I think? Well before our time, obviously. Shinjo-kami​ was still with us to that point, if I remember the history properly. And then, well, she was lost to us," he frowned briefly as he continued. "Shinjo Yonaru was the last remaining descendant of our line. He decreed that with the loss of Shinjo-kami, so too had we lost all connection to the name Ki-Rin​. And so, Unicorn."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He nodded as he learned more about the Unicorn "Isn't your clan awaiting the return of your Kami? I think I was told something about it. Will you change back to Ki-Rin or remain Unicorn forever?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Such things are not for me to decide," he shook his head, "but yes, we are still waiting on her return. She promised to always return, no matter how long it has taken, and we believe in that promise."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"That is a very curious." he offered "Our own Kami died defending the Empire against its enemies. His sacrifice is something every Lion seeks to emulate one day." his face darkened slightly for the briefest moment before he continued, changing the topic "I take you are a warrior yourself Shinjo-san?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am... well, was," he considered, "I suppose one is a warrior from birth to death, but my days carrying a blade into war are now over."

[Matsu Nintoku]

The Matsu cast an inquisitive gaze on the Shinjo, he then nodded as if he understood. "War is nothing like what the books say."

[Shinjo Akil]

"No it is not," he shook his head, "heroism less so."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He nodded as his mind wandered off into memories long forgotten, his expression darkening as he fell deeper into the recesses of his mind. There were a good moments of silence passed as the man wallowed in his memories.

"A gruesome affair." he finally said, breaking off the silence he had created. He took another glance at the Shinjo, his eyes lingering "How does heroism suit you?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Honestly?" He smirked, "It hurts like hell." At least he had a somewhat sardonic sense of humor about the whole thing.

"I hear your clan is a clan of heroes," he noted calmly, "Or at least, that's the impression the Ide gave me. Are you a hero?"

[Matsu Nintoku]

"My clan?" he raised his eyes to the sky before setting them again on him "My clan is a clan of warriors and as such yes, there are plenty of heroes in it."

"I have been called that, yes." he replied calmly, though his mood seemed to have darkened once more.

[Shinjo Akil]

He frowned. "It seems your path to the title has been as fraught with misfortune as mine," he nodded and left it at that.

"Are all of your families warrior families? I apologize if I am being rude, I have been trying to understand as much as I can, but there is a lot to take in still."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He dismissed his concerns with a waive of his hand, obviously relieved that the topic "Your clan has been away for so long that is only normal that you need to relearn what might have been forgotten. I take no offense Shinjo-san."

"More or less yes although my family, the Matsu, are even more so than the others." he answered "War is our lifeblood."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I see," he nodded, considering. "I suppose, then, that there are ways in which our clans will inevitably get a long. In my experience, warriors often find a way to understanding, even if through violence."