Aftermath [day 8, LE, a distance from Nikesake]

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"True enough." She took a watchful eye around. "I'd like to think, at least, that the hardest part is over."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"I couldn't say." The Bayushi paused in thought then returned to the Matsu. "Had you ever brushed so close to death yourself?"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Once." She confirmed. "When I fought the Shasakar, I tried to grab him to hold him down. He had prepared some sort of contingency, as I got blasted with fire for the attempt." She shook her head. "Shimizu Chikara-San, a friend if mine, got me up. In time for me to just jump over a spear swing that would have launched me into a wall of fire. So I suppose I brushed against death twice in one fight."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Those shugenja sure look after us," Setsuna mused. They gazed at the Kitsu once more. "And we do the same."

A small laugh. "And courtiers pretend they're the most important."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"We all have a role to play, even if others pretend that such isn't the case," she laughed a bit. "Courtiers do a lot. But we would be lost without our shugenja as well." She smirked. "And of course, both would probably get stabbed if we weren't around."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Eh, what do courtiers do? They play some silly games that end up getting us killed." Setsuna shrugged. "Guess it ain't their fault this time."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"No," she sighed. "This was decidedly the fault of people on the front lines making awful decisions." An eye glances to Izumi again. "And many lives have been lost because of it. Soon to be more still. At the least, the path towards redemption is clear."

She smiled a bit. "Anyway. You mentioned you had plans after that. Want to talk about them?"

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Is it? I'm afraid I don't know the real history behind all of this." The Bayushi shrugged. "Though I did mean the entirety of this war.

"As for my plans, are you familiar with Akodo Touki?" Their hands tightened at the mention of the name. A habit, for sure.

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"It's a long story," she shrugged, "and not mine to tell. But yes, I would agree about the entirety of the war also."

Her head tilted at the Akodo's mention. "I am unfamiliar with the name, I am afraid."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"But he is one of the greatest warriors among your clan. You should know him," Setsuna grumbled. They then raised their fist in excitement. "I have bested him this time in terms of accomplishment! Next is in personal combat!"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"I... see." She tilted her head. Then started to laugh, covering her mouth to stifle the noise.

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Eh? What's so funny?!" The Bayushi got to their feet... a first against a Matsu.

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"I just," she wiped a tear from her eye. "With all of this nonsense that has been happening, it is nice to have heard something... normal."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Oh." Setsuna scratched the back of their head and glanced at the Kitsu. It seemed, at least, their little outburst hadn't woken the sexily creepy, no, creepily sexy Kitsu.

"It is nice to know I still have it in me." The Bayushi coughed. "I hadn't really thought of it after I nearly got dragged into the portal."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Normal has been at a premium lately," she nodded. "And for what it's worth, I am glad you're still here. If nothing else, it's good to have someone else around who has... experienced what we've experienced."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"It's good to be appreciated. Though I wonder if you'd rather have one of your clan mates instead of me, if given the option." Setsuna leaned forward. "It's good to have a mask to hide reactions."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Almost all of my military experiences have been cross clan exercises, Bayushi-san, and our clans are allies besides." She smiled. "Unfortunately, I do not have a mask, so you will need to deal with my unfiltered reaction."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"Fair enough," Setsuna remarked, followed by a small laugh muffled by the mask. "I've been around many a Lion myself. Most are quite... forthright with their thoughts."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Is it such a bad thing? Better I think than saying what you think someone wants to hear," she sighed. "Not that I'd advocate for telling someone the truth in a way to be rude, or to try to cause them pain. Sincerity and compassion, after all."

Bayushi Setsuna · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 201

"You're among the more polite. Let's put it that way," Setsuna remarked. They massaged their forehead, at least as much as they could with the mask. "I lost a lot of energy from that fight. Yourself?"

Aftermath [day 8, LE, a distance from Nikesake]

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