Meeting With A Badger [D4 MA - Expecting]

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"We Scorpion understand more than most that things are never as simple as they seem."

He takes a sip of his tea. "My father has spent his life trying to create new breeds. The most successful one is..." He goes on to describe the *Chongqing dog stating that it works well as a guard dog or a hunting dog. "I actually brought one that my father trained personally, Sato."

*OOC: I don't know if it has a name in L5R. And if doesn't, its real name wouldn't work since the wiki says it is named after a specific location in China.

[Ichiro Himari]

"That's fascinating," Himari says. "And I have every belief that Sato is a good dog."

(I can take a translation convention, at a minimum.)

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"He is. He is the perfect example of a *Beiden Dog. But I could go on about about them all day. I'm more interested in learning about the Badger and their duties to the Empire." Kiuchi was genuinely curious. He knew there was no huge threat to the North, at least compared to the South. But did they have to put up with gaijin raiders? Did they send scouts out into the wilderness that is not Rokugan? Or did they simply wait and prepare for the day they would finally get to fulfill their duty?

*OOC: I figure since the Itoh lands aren't too far from Beiden's Pass, that Beiden would work.

[Ichiro Himari]

"We hold on," Himari replies, "and we keep our part of the northern border secure. There are Yobanjin yet who raid from further north, and some other straggling remnants of those who refused the call of the Kami. A few of their children, from time to time, repudiate the follies of their ancestors, and we welcome them. Others deepen those follies, and them, we rebuke.

"It is only a small part of things, of course, but it is ours, and we do all we can to do it."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"An important duty. The Ki-Rin lands remain largely empty, waiting for their Clan's return. Yobanjin, or worse, those who reject the Celestial Order could get in there and go unnoticed for a long time." The thought of such living within the Empire did not sit well with Kiuchi. Realizing this truth as he said it made him respect the Badger more.

[Ichiro Himari]

"There are many such threats," Himari elaborates. "And while the Crab do much against the Southern Enemy, the Boar labor at their flanks, and we work at the Dragon's. It's a common bond, really."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"We all protect the Empire in our own way." Kiuchi nods. "And what of yourself. I am also interested in learning more about you. Or you can just talk about an animal you love like I did."

[Ichiro Himari]

"I respect the bond a good dog and its master can have," Himari says, "and I can understand the affection between a cat and its people. But I've never been a pet person, myself. I mean, really, can you imagine me cuddling a little kitty?"

Another laugh.

"As for me, there's not necessarily a lot to tell. I'm a simple man, with simple tastes. I have a strong preference for northern forms of chado, for one; there's less frippery involved, and usually a more robust blend. Elegant, direct, and effective."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"It sounds nice. If I'm ever in Badger lands, I will have to give to it a try." Kiuchi isn't sure why he would be, but between his daimyo and his mother, it's not a 0% chance he'd find himself out in the Badger lands at some point.

[Ichiro Himari]

"You might have the chance here," Himari replies. "I had to practice quite a bit to write the book, you know."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"Well, maybe next time and we can discuss further ways to increase the friendship between our two Clans."

[Ichiro Himari]

"I'd like that, Yogo-san," Himari says. "I'd like that a lot."

(Seems /scene; thoughts?)