Sunset Breezes (D3, EE, Expecting)

[Asako Hirase]

"That would be good." He glanced over at his son, who waved happily with his free hand. Carefully, Hirase lifted a hand to wave back. "I'm going to have to find him a pony at least after this. To ride is no bad skill for an active child and learning to care for another creature, to have some responsibility even at that age, will be good for him."

He looked down at her, smiling as his spine slowly relaxed as he grew more comfortable in the saddle.

"How young were you when you were first allowed to ride alone?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I am certain your wife will share her horse with your son," she claimed. Yue, at least was certain that it was the courteous thing to do for a young boy. "I was either five or six years old. I cannot remember the specifics." She smiled. "We Unicorn are born in the saddle."

[Asako Hirase]

That brought Hirase up short, figuratively at least.

"...do you mean that literally?" He couldn't possibly imagine the mechanics of that, much less the godawful discomfort on top of what was already a fraught process. "If so...the women of your Clan are..." A proper term that indicated respect eluded him and he gestured helplessly with his freehand, finally having to go with the rather lackluster, "...paragons of endurance."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue stood there, rather flabbergasted. She had thought of him smarter than that. "Hirase-san, it is a metaphor," she said. She covered her mouth with her hand as she mulled over the awkwardness of that moment.

[Asako Hirase]

He, after a momen's look at her expression, started laughing, a low bass chuckle that sounded slightly rusty.

"It was a logical question! What if a woman was in labor when you were moving through hazardous areas on your journey? It isn't as if you could call a halt when being chased by...bandits or rocs or Heavens know what else?" His eyes still merry, he added, "Naturally it wouldn't be preferable but...well...needs must, yes?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The man's response did nothing to ease the Shinjo's confusion. "You may be right, Hirase-san," was all she had to say on the matter. She considered asking her sister later if there were any stories confirming the Asako's thoughts. "However, not all Unicorn are born literally on the saddle."

[Asako Hirase]

"As you say." He smiled, still amused, but turned the talk back to the lesson. "What are the types of gait called? I've seen the horses run in several different ways and wondered if it is deliberate or a natural feature?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue thought on the word 'gait' for a few moments. I thought this lesson was going to be about riding a horse, not the terms and stuff. Guess that's an Asako way of life.

"Are you referring to 'walk,' 'trot,' and 'gallop?'" she asked, clearly unsure of her own words.

[Asako Hirase]

"Probably?" It was his turn to be uncertain. "The walk I understand. There's one that's a bit faster but which looks bouncy, then the one where the horse just seems to bolt as fast as it can but which actually seems to be easier on the riders."

He realized his line was getting rather far from the others. Steering, at least, he had seen before and, gently, he pulled the right rein, trying not to be too harsh with the poor horse.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"The trot is 'bouncy,'" she responded, tentatively. She scratched the back of her head. "The gallop is faster." Yue turned along with them. "You are doing well, Hirase-san. I believe Hikazume is getting used to you!"

[Asako Hirase]

That cheered him and he gently patted the horse's neck.

"I have a long way to go, but I find that I'm less constantly aware of being somewhere strange. A slow acclamation, but then early learning tends to be that way." He steered the horse back toward the others and then, carefully, pulled back until the horse stopped. His dismount today was a bit improved and when he was down again he practically beamed at everyone, especially his son who was all but bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Arigatou for the lesson, Shinjo-san."