[D11, LA, expecting] Relationship building

[Matsu Ishioka]

Matsu Ishioka was in the dojo earlier than the planned meeting because he could hardly wait. He already had a bokken in hand, swishing it through the air as he twitched anxiously. Just a friendly spar, he kept repeating in his mind. We're all just friends here.

But of course he didn't believe that. A Crane, a competitor, someone who's well-liked and making heads turn and hearts swoon throughout the miai. The bokken sliced through the air like a whip strike. Worst of all, Narumi... The Lion's eyes clench shut and he growls, a backhand slice zipping through the air at the same time. This is just friendly. No reason for anyone to leave upset. With a pant of breath, the Lion glares at the dojo doors, willing the big Crane to appear.

[Asahina Bo]

As if by magic, oblivious and innocent, said giant does carefully duck his way through the dojo doors and waves before bowing.

"Hi, Matsu-san! Ya wanted ta talk about somethin'?"

[Matsu Ishioka]

Ishioka's grip tightens around the bokken just hearing Bo's voice, but he composes himself and gingerly sets it back on the rack.

"Hai, Asahina-san," he says in what he hopes passes for a welcoming tone. "I do think we have something to discuss," he says after bowing appropriately if stiffly. "Would you agree that we have something important to discuss between us?"

[Asahina Bo]

Bo's brow furrows in thought as he ponders as to what he and the Lion might have in common.

"Uh... congrats on the Emerald Champion? I mean it's an important posting but not sure why you'd wanna discuss that."

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Matsu blinks dramatically. So we're playing Crane games, he thinks. That's fine.

"Thank you, Asahina-san, for your kind words. But no, there's something of more immediate, personal interest to the two of us," he stresses, trying to get to the point.

[Asahina Bo]

Bo just scratches his chin and shrugs, "Um, I gotta be honest I have no clue what yer talkin' about Matsu-san."

[Matsu Ishioka]

Two slow blinks come and go as the Lion stares at the Crane. "Asahina-san," Ishioka says, trying to remain patient. "Wouldn't you say that Usogawa Narumi-san is important and something we have in common?"

[Asahina Bo]

"Usogawa-san? Of course she's important!" Suddenly his eyes brighten up with, fully mistaken, understanding, "Oh! Is this about her lip? It's ok Matsu-san she said it was an accident. As long as you apologized for bumpin' into her I'm not gonna be angry."

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Lion bristles noticeably, and there's almost a twitch in his face as he glares at the Crane with enough fire to ignite paper walls.

"I think, Asahina-san, that you should rephrase your last remark. I would never do anything that risked a hair on Narumi-san's beautiful head," he says, his voice mostly controlling a thousand generations of Matsu rage. "Please think carefully before you speak again." The Stone Matsu's hands clench in and out of fists at his side, but at least the movement seems to be slowing and dissipating some of his rage.

[Asahina Bo]

"Well I said she said it was an accident not anything on purpose." Since, clearly, that was the only implication the Lion could be upset by. He must have a short temper, "If it wasn't about that then I don't know what ya mean, sorry." The big man shrugs.