Dark Edge Village

Setem was being allowed to walk on his own for the time being, as Akil simply watched him from the side of the fields, occasionally whistling to remind the horse not to run too swiftly. He had a soft smile on his face as Stem trotted, memories of a time not too long ago distracting him from anything else.

Coming out on to the field, though certainly not at a trot, a small Crane made it's way over to the Shinjo. Though she did take an appreciative glance at the horse, and one more to confirm the three were alone, she bowed to the Shinjo.


"A-kun, good morning." she said. "It is a pleasure to see you and Setem this morning."

Fukawa's voice pulled Akil out of his personal distractions, turning and smiling to Fukawa as he bowed. "Fu-chan. It is always lovely to see you."

Fukawa graced him with another smile.

"How is Setem this morning?" she asked.

"Restless," he said evenly, "he always is when I first take him out." He held the reins out, motioning Fukawa to take them. "We will be spending much more time together, so I think it's appropriate to let Setem get more used to you."

Fukawa smiled at that.

"Of course, A-kun." she said, taking the reigns without hesitation.

Once the reins were in her hands, Akil began to walk the track. Setem was surprisingly good about following at Fukawa's discretion. "I am impressed at how quickly he has decided he likes you, by the way."

Fukawa smiles at them both.

"Perhaps you both have good taste in women?" she suggests, amused by the idea. "You two have been together a long time after all."

"I would like to think so," he grinned, "do you want to try and ride him more aggressively today? He might appreciate a harder pace."

"If you think I'm ready for that, A-kun." she said. "I'm willing to trust your judgement that I can handle it."

"Give it a go," he nodded encouragingly. "Setem won't let you fall." The horse let out a snort on cue.

Fukawa briefly remembered what the previous lesson had been like, and got up....well not gracefully, but it was better. She took the reigns tightly in her hands, and then with both feet taped both sides of the horse, a bit harder than last time, but not painfully hard.

Horsemanship: 13

Setem started at a longer trot, not quite hitting gallop level, but certainly well faster than Akil could keep up with. Akil, for his part, just smiled and watched the two go.

For awhile, Fukawa just rode in a straight line. When she thought she had gone far enough in one direction, she taped the side of the horse with her right foot to get the horse to turn around.

Setem followed her instructions well, turning as indicated and charging now back towards Akil. Akil didn't move at all, confident clearly that they would stop in time.