If you can swim, can you ride? (Day 3, expecting, LM)

[Soshi Taira]

Taira chuckled.

"I suppose that makes sense."

Rocking back on his heels, he contemplated the experience of the unicorn so far. "One hopes the rest of the learning process won't be so... eventful."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Shinjo gave a tentative smirk. "Do not Regret what happened, Taira-dono. Also, it made you stand out in memory." She gave a nervous giggle, hoping to prove that it was a jest in good faith. "The rest of the lesson went smoothly. I am sure you will learn enough to impress any Unicorn."

[Soshi Taira]

"Provided we set the bar low enough, I'm sure I will."

A jest at his own expense.

"One hopes to set the bar a little higher when we practice in my own field, mm?"

He glanced toward the dojo. "Would tomorrow suit you?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"The 'bar,'" she mused, translating the metaphor in her head. She then smiled. "One should not expect you or other suitors to be master horse riders. Natural ability will be the most impressive, Taira-dono." She lowered her eyes and giggled. "I will not tell others of your fall."

She then looked over to the dojo. "Hai." Her eyes fluttered as she thought of another matter. "I may take to the field tomorrow with my tetsubo and Hikazume. I have been asked to demonstrate my capabilities. Does that interest you, Taira-dono?"

[Soshi Taira]

"Oh?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I imagine that would be quite impressive. Do let me know when you plan the demonstration."

For a moment he paused to examine her face, her build, and added, "It must have been quite the challenge, learning an entirely new style. I would be honored to see it in action.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I will send word to you, Taira-dono," she stated with a bow. She then scratched the back of her head. "Hai. It was difficult but not impossible." She opened her mouth to speak more on the matter but then held her tongue. Probably better to not mention that I feel less skilled than others my age because of my injuries.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira, if he noticed her reticence, did not mention it.

"Well, I look forward to seeing the result firsthand."

With a nod, he added, "Did you enjoy training with the Moto? From my experiences so far, they are a very... unique, family."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue nodded. "Hai. I enjoyed my time with them." She gave him a sly smirk. "They are unique like any other Family, Taira-dono. One day I believe they will fit in with the rest of the Empire."

[Soshi Taira]

"I hope so as well."

Mostly that they get a little less prone to threatening kidnap.

"They are certainly spirited."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Shinjo perked her brow. "Did a Moto do something to earn your attention, Taira-dono?"

[Soshi Taira]

Oh heavens...

"Eto... I helped bandage one who had been injured."

He struggled for words, and his face showed it.

"She was... very... direct... about... that is to say... she..." He lost the trail of thought, and managed, "She seemed to think I wasn't entirely useless and... uh... said as much."

That was clearly not all, but he seemed quite embarrassed.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

And here I thought he was going to talk about the sniffing incident.

Yue blinked and scratched the back of her head. "You do not need to say more, Taira-dono." She was not sure what he meant but nor did she want to find out more.

[Soshi Taira]

"Hai, thank you."

He was blushing rather red now.

"I found the most tactful answer was to, uh, leave."

Tucking his hands behind his back, he added, "Have any of your kin questions about my clan or family? Perhaps I could share some of our customs with them, if they do."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Sou desu ka," was all Yue had left to say on the matter.

She shook her head. "No questions from others." She licked her teeth, unsatisfied with her Rokugani. "I have learned a lot about your Clan. I learned about your masks." She smiled. "However, there is always more to learn."

[Soshi Taira]

"That is true." He raised an eyebrow. "Who told you about our masks?"

That would probably indicate what they told her, if they were in or out of clan.