Dark Edge Village

((Expecting))

The late evening hour had come and Suteichi arrived at the Stables finally. He liked seeing the horses. For that matter, the horses reminded him of her. He watched the attendants tend to the horses and the horses themselves. He wanted to understand more of the relationship between the Unicorn and their horses.

Off inside one of the stables Liu Fei sat on a stool beside Gokiburi. Standing beside her the massive beast nuzzled and prodded at the side of Fei's head as she just sat there letting him. Leaning her head against one of the posts she just relaxed there with her horse. Letting the whole day finally sink in.

"I suppose this horse here is my competition?" he jested and bowed to her. "Konbanwa, Liu Fei-san. I take it this is Gokiburi?"

Fei laughed in response, patting Gokiburi as she rose which seemed to make the horse stop. Offering a bow before speaking, "If Gokiburi was your competition Suteichi-san you would lose. I have had no partner whom I trust more than my ever stalwart companion here."

"This is Gokiburi," she said, patting the horse to return some of the affection received prior.

"Well, good evening Gokuburi-sama." he mocked bowing to the horse. "You have bested me at winning Liu Fei-chan's heart. I am defeated." a chuckle.

"I was out and about, I never have been to the stables. Such majestic creatures and yet here I find the most majestic being of them all." he said returning his attention fully to Liu Fei.

Fei smiled but it faded nearly immediately, the wear of hearing her name on others lips showing more than she wanted it to.

"This is good," she said in an attempt to distract herself, "having you here today means Gokiburi can get familiar with you and you with him."

Suteichi smiled.

"It is fortunate that I am here then. So what do I need to know about Gokuburi?"

"Come closer," she reached out in a way to beckon him, "stand with me right here, let Gokiburi figure you out."

"Fair enough." he did as directed and stood there not nervous at all. He let the horse assess him.

Gokiburi turns his head to Suteichi as he approaches, blowing softly on the man. Without reaction Gokiburi continues to blow softly on the Scorpion. Fei, meanwhile, seeing this just allows a light smile to let Suteichi know it was a good thing. Not adding more words to the moment.

Suteichi bowed to him again and slowly held out his hand. Gokiburi would probably smell the sweets that he had. He waited calmly and patiently for he assessment to be over.

Gokiburi's right eye took Fei into sight, saw her approving look and accepted that. Nuzzling the man a little with his nose before turning his head back forward.

When he did, Fei spoke softly, "Show some affection in turn, pat his neck or.. something," she said, not really the encyclopedia for all the ways others could show affection to a horse.

Suteichi rubbed the neck and under the horses chin.

"Hello. I am Bayushi Suteichi. Honor to meet you, Gokiburi-san."

Gokiburi did not seem to respond, but Fei did. "Horses only ever answer or listen," she explained. "Know that Gokiburi hears you Suteichi-san."

Suteichi smiled faintly at that. He returned his attention to the horse. "I am a listener too as much as a talker. I hope that we can be...friends. I have always wanted to ride a horse of my own. My parents would not let me have one. I would have been happy with a pony."

In the back of his mind he felt silly for talking to a horse but he was slowly beginning to understand the bond of Unicorn Clansmen and their horse.

"Hey...I think the pretty lady over here likes me. Well, don't tell anybody, I like her too."