(Day 4, EA) Back In The Saddle Again

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I hope that as well," he says. "And I wouldn't be unhappy if you were the one to receive that boon."

[Matsu Kogo]

"I hope that as well," he says. "And I wouldn't be unhappy if you were the one to receive that boon."

I am not sure if this man enjoys discomfiting me or is just exceedingly good at it. "Ano....I would not be unhappy either. I suspect we might...balance each other out, in different ways."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Oh? In what ways are those?" he asks curiously.

[Matsu Kogo]

She pauses, trying to fit her thoughts into words. "Witnin you, I think there is a bouyancy, like that of air. And a sense of movement around obstacles, like water. Within me, there is fire, and I suspect earth. Intensity and strength." She pauses. "Your lightness keeps me from getting too heavy. The water extinguishes my fire when it becomes too hot. And my fire warms you and my earth supports you." She shakes her head. "I am somewhat new to this sort of philosophizing, but it seems to me that balance could be achieved between two people in such a way. "

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I don't know," he says. "I think I might be fanning those flames at times rather than extinguishing them."

[Matsu Kogo]

She blushes. "There is something to that. Air has multiple capacities and is crucial for fire. Without air, there can be no fire. And without earth, there is nowhere for water to be. Each nourishes the other." She shakes her head. "I ramble."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Please, feel free to continue rambling. I like listening and can think of nothing I'd rather be doing right now than spending time with you and learning about you."

[Matsu Kogo]

The blushes seem to be losing their ability to keep up with this conversation. Her face stayed relatively normal this time. " You will cause my head to expand with all your compliments. It will not fit its helmet and then what will I do?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Not sure... have a large beautiful head rather than an average sized beautiful head? I think that's how it would work out," he replies with a chuckle.

[Matsu Kogo]

She laughed along with him. "See, this is why I think you and I might find a balance together. Whenever I grow too somber, you grow lighter. Whenever you grow too bold, I hold you in place. There is a sense of balance there, and movement." She pauses. "Like that of riding a horse. One must shift one's weight to balance. If one sat only in the center, one might fall. But if one moves with the horse, then one can keep their seat." She pauses. "I think I just compared one of us to a horse, and I am unsure which one."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I'm sure that we could take turns deciding who is on top. That seems fair and equal no?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Nope, the blushes are back, with a vengeance. "Ahhh. Right." Kogo retreats slightly, unsure if she has a lewd mind or he was suggesting what she thought he was.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

When she retreats he takes her hands and tightens them around his waist, holding them as he guides Meushi with his knees. "If I'm being perfectly honest, I'm quite attracted to you. I would not push things to a point that would cause regret if we didn't end up together. But don't think I haven't imagined what the future holds if we do end up together. I don't know if you've had similar thoughts and similarly pushed them down, wanting to make sure that there's nothing that could hurt your relationship with your future husband. Just know that while I will not go that far with you during this miai, it's not for lack of desire to do so."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Ahhh..." Kogo paused, floored and flattered. The touch of his hands is like electricity on her skin, the most direct contact she has had with one who is not a relative or a sensei since she was small. The Matsu fire inside her flares and she is startled. is this where my fire lives? Not in battle but in the heart? Is this my face catches fire like dry plains in the summer?

"I...thank you for your words and actions Shinjo-san. You are more eloquent on the subject than I can hope to be. " she pauses. " I...I am unsure what to do in a situation such as this. The Matsu gempukku teaches us how to withstand pain but ithas little to say about the matters of the heart. " And it teaches nothing of how to withstand or resist pleasure. she takes a deep breath, seeking to calm her mind and body. Bank the coals Kogo. Do not let them burn unrestrained.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I'd say in this situation you should simply hold me tightly, and enjoy the moment of closeness. Accept that it's likely the closest we'll get to be for now. And know that I'm likely feeling much the same as you," he replies.