Kyuden Shika

The Lions eyes narrow to dark slits of fire. It's just a figure of speech, Ishioka. He doesn't know what he's saying.

"Have you been to the Wall, Asahina-san?" The Matsu's voice is as cold as steel on a midwinter night. "Do you know what the Crab face in doing their duty?"

"Nope. But I don't haveta've been to know that, even if the worst tales are only a shadow of the truth, it would still be worth standin' on every day to protect her." He shrugs again, "That's what it means ta love someone. I don't get why that's so hard to grasp?" If he could understand it surely others could.

"Oh, I know, Asahina-san, I know. But it's not just the threats you see, the physical ones you can stand in front of. The Wall doesn't just leave your spirit when you step away, and the danger doesn't stop when you have thoughts wearing away at you from the inside."

"Is that what you're ready for, Asahina-san? Fighting battles you don't understand inside her mind and yours?"

He finishes, looking challengingly at the other man, but after several moments, the Matsu gives a heavy exhale and closes his eyes. "I apologize, Asahina-san. You do not owe me an answer to that."

"If you don't understand it ya can't be ready for it. But that doesn't mean ya don't do it anyway to the best of yer ability with all the life in yer body and soul."

When even he can sense the tension starting to drain a little he attempts offering a small smile to the Matsu.

The Crane's smile has no effect on the Lion, who has calmed into the safety of his Stone Matsu visage. More than anything, Ishioka looks unimpressed.

"Thank you for coming, Asahina-san. I appreciate your time."

Bo seems a little puzzled but nods anyway, "Of course. Was that it?"

The Matsu blinks slowly.

"I thought it would be important to speak with you, Asahina-san. We hadn't properly met, and you've been... very impressive in this competition," Ishioka says grudgingly.

The big man looks a little sheepish and bashful, a very odd look on one his size and apparent countenance, "Aww, thanks Matsu-san. I honestly hadn't really noticed until she pointed it out yesterday. guess I've been lucky." He offers another smile, "You seem to be doin' pretty good too though!"

"Maybe big men are just getting lucky around here," the Lion replies, not fully considering his word choice. Oh well. Like it matters with this one.

"I mean, when the tests include things like sumai, we are bound to look good, right?" Really? That's the example you want to bring up with him?

He nods enthusiastically, "Oh, yeah, the tests have been kinda weird haven't they? I expected a lot more courty stuff from the Deer. Can't say I'm disappointed by that though."