(Day 4, EM) Before the Steppe Gets Wet (Open, Riders!)

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj lets him graze freely in the fields during the day so he can find what he likes." Butaj ruffles Huludai's mane affectionately, then pats the side of his head, wiping some of the spit foam from the rush from it and tossing it away. "Or maybe you have tired Gokiburi by giving riding lessons to someone? Butaj has heard many of our kin do that lately."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"It is more likely that Gokiburi here just prefers his own speed," she said, brushing the horses side where her hand rested. "Horse riding lessons," she scoffs a little. "Perhaps I shouldn't be too harsh, their intent is in the right place and my sister has given some but I do not want anyone attempting to mount Gokiburi without knowing what they are doing first."

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj wouldn't let this try by someone who can't ride either, not without Butaj holding reins. Huludai is just too wild. Even if he likes someone he thinks trying to toss the rider off is great fun. Right, boy, you prankster you?" Butaj laughs, scratching the head of the horse up the mane to the sound of some incessant neighing.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

She did so, taking a deeper hold of him, burrowing her chin into his back, "What if she had no skill as a rider, but was eager to learn?"

"All the better," he replies. "I'd love the opportunity to spend time teaching her."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

Another rider appeared in the distance, racing a white horse across the fields.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Fei could only marvel at the man for a moment, Butaj was certainly a one and only. As far as humans were concerned it seemed, as Huludai just seemed a perfect match for his rider. Something Fei felt like sharing, "You and Huludai make quite the pair Moto-san. I am not sure most of the Samurai here would be able to keep up with your lessons had you thought otherwise."

[Moto Butaj]

"Huludai hadn't been meant for Butaj but the boy who was supposed to take him couldn't handle him. Butaj could, so we stayed together. So Huludai chose Butaj more than Butaj chose Huludai. But we know each other well right now. We have disagreements, but what good friendship doesn't have them! Right, you laundry eater?" Butaj laughs again as he pats his horse. "So Huludai has his ideas and Butaj respects it. If someone is able to get in his good graces, then Butaj may consider riding with that someone on Huludai."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"Gokiburi here is a stubborn one, but we've reached an understanding much like you and Huluudai from the sound of it Moto-san. I could ask for no better of a partner and couldn't imagine betraying his trust by letting someone who did not know what they were doing attempt to mount him," she said but then after a chuckle she added, "and men do not tend to enjoy being the passenger on horseback."

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj thinks only those men who can't prove their worth otherwise, or refuse to learn. A true man is not afraid of entrusting himself to a woman, or so Butaj thinks and lives by." Butaj grins. "Every Unicorn knows that women may be great warriors and great leaders. If Sayyeda Kitakuhime or Sayyeda Khulun took Butaj for a ride, he would follow them blindfolded."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"You are one of a kind Moto-san," she said nearly laughing at how that was true in any number of ways, but even so the praise was genuine.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj keeps laughing. "Butaj has a path in life, that's for sure! He may not know what it is exactly, but it's certainly his own!" He pats Huludai's neck to calm him down because the horse has started to soak in the jubilant vivacity. "Lella Liu Fei is a great companion. We should wrestle or just drink kumis together sometime."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

Seeing the others, Kemuri encouraged Sarangerel to move faster and draw closer.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"All the better," he replies. "I'd love the opportunity to spend time teaching her."

"This one has all the time in the world to learn."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Let's start by teaching you what it feels like." With that he starts pushing Meushi at a more brisk pace, eventually coming to a canter, the cool morning air breezing through both of their hair with the ground speeding by faster than even the quick little bunny can run. He smiles at the feeling but does not forget about his passenger, making sure to compensate for her weight and balance.

"How does it feel?" he asks her, a bit louder over the wind and hooves.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"Exhilarating," she exclaimed, and hung onto him a little tighter, fastening her grip of the Unicorn, and taking in the sensation. "I suspect once I find my groove I will become a lot sturdier aboard your steed."