Matsu Kaito's residence

[Matsu Kaito]

The Matsu bushi leads the four travellers to Shiro Matsu, where he has a private residance - beside his estate in northern Matsu lands. On the streets of Shiro Matsu the samurais he meets bow in honor and start to chat about those stories that tell how he lost one of his eyes in a battle with an oni or in a skirmish just after his gempukku or during his musa shugyo. The real reason is a mistery nowdays, and maybe even Kaito doesn't remember.

After a few corners they stop before a simple home in the center of the castle.

We arrived. Please have a envigorating tea before we continue our journey, I have many thing to do.

A servant in his 60's takes the bags of the company and bows to the bushis.

Junai, old friend; call Tetsu and Shikai! I have a few word with them. Oh, and tell Kashino to make some tea! Thank You. It 's obvious that the servant is nearly a family member after the years he worked at the house of Kaito.

After a few minutes two samurais arrive, kneel and bow before Kaito - they must be Tetsu and Shikai.

Doji Edrick san let me introduce my best men: Matsu Tetsu and Matsu Shikai. They will acompany us to the frontlines with eight more men. Tetsu, Shikai; I want You to choose four-four men from the housguards and prepare them to war in 2 hours. The men bow and nearly leave when Kaito in a pleasant manner stops them. Are your boys trained well, Shikai? I hope your daughter doesn't resemble to You, Tetsu!

Hai, Kaito san. I couldn't have better instructors to my boys. The elder even defeated on Young bushi a few days ago in a duel with bokken.

My daughter looks like his mother, but has the temper of a bushi, sama.

Answer the two warriors with a smile. Kaito bows and laughs.

[Daigotsu Daisuke]

(im glad someone is posting to shiro akodo , but uh... i assume this is meant for a crane friend of yours entirely?)

[Matsu Kaito]

(everybody is welcome in my house :-). now i'm heading to the frontlines, but i thought coming home, manage things, and equip my battle armor gives a good opportunity to show how my character lives. just a little rp. acctually my guest is the crane ambassador to the lion, but if anymone would like to join our journey is deeply welcomed- especially a fellow lion bushi)

[Doji Edrick]

For every story of valor, Edrick nods and adds a little side comment of surprise, interest and awe. He dared not counter them with stories of numerous paper cuts while copying treatises or the near ruin of a prized ikebana arrangement by almost bumping into it, or the stage fright he felt at his first poetry recital.

"Ojama shimasu!" he calls out to no one when he enters Kaito's residence. He hands their stuff to the servant followed by his two servants.

"Hajimemashite, Tetsu-san and Shikai-san. I am Doji Edrick, Kaito-san's counterpart from the Crane." he bows politely. He listens to the conversation between the Matsu.

[Matsu Kaito]

Come with me Edrick san, I'd like to show You something. The Matsu bushi goes through a few corridors, and pulls a paper door. Behind it there's a small but high room. On the right wall there're pictures which are obviously modeled by the instructors of Matsu Kaito. On the left wall lies a no-dachi: simple but gentle design. It is crafted to kill, and it's appearance shows it saw a lot of battles. Just in front of the door there's a battle worn, but still elegant armor.

This is my private dojo. There're my senseis on the pictures, so they can watch me always during practice. My old armor and my no-dachi reminds me that I have to be prepared to war every time. I'll wear them on the battlefield against the Yobanjin, and if they will serve me as they always did, my battles will end in the blood of our enemies. Thoughts of past flash through the face of the Lion, and he depens in his memories for a second.

Junai, show our guest the armory! If You'd like to choose anything to equip yourself, You're my guest. I know I hurried You so we haven't got the possibility to carry enough cargo with us from Kyuden Doji. We have one more hour, and we should leave. My men will be ready in time. One chariot will follow us, so noe we can bring our armor and weapon with us - and also some food and water. The journey to the mountains may be long and tiring.

(ooc: I know offering weapon and armor can be unrespectful in Japanes culture - it may show that I think the Crane Champion cannot equip his servants. Since the characters left so quickly and fast from Crane lands, they didn't have time and possibility to cary everything for a war. Kaito is simply generous, and he hasn't got any ulterior motive. And also I don't know what kind of equipment You brought with yourself...)

[Matsu Kaito]

After two hours a small coningent leaves the house.

Since the Shogun called us to Toshi Ranbo, we should go there first Doji san. I'm sure Akodo Tomatsu sama called enough Lion to arms, so I wouldn't question his wisdom by gathering more and leave less to defend our home.

As Kaito mentioned before a cart with weapons and equipment follow them. It's impossible to recognize the armor and the no-dachi Kaito showd in his dojo, but enough no-dachi can be counted for each Lion bushi.

I don't know wether I mentioned before Edrick san, but my familiy's mission in battle is being the anti-cavalry unit. The have this role since the dawn of the Empire, and we fulfill this duty with the usual pride of the Matsu. Have you found everything You needed?

[Matsu Kaito]

Continued here: rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ic&thread=391