Learning the lay of the land [D4, LA, open, expecting]

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"While I cannot say for all," Kitakuhime looks to the yurts behind her before continuing, "This particular Shiotome defines riding as the fastest path to the holy land."

[Matsu Kogo]

"While I cannot say for all," Kitakuhime looks to the yurts behind her before continuing, "This particular Shiotome defines riding as the fastest path to the holy land."

Kogo looks slightly puzzled. "I am unsure of your meaning Otaku-sama. Could you explain further?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"It is how the Unicorn returned back to Rokugan after all these years. It is also how we serve honorably to reach Yomi after death."

[Matsu Kogo]

"It is how the Unicorn returned back to Rokugan after all these years. It is also how we serve honorably to reach Yomi after death."

Kogo nods. "Of course." She looks over to the Kitsune. "Have you experience riding on horseback Kitsune-sama?"

[Kitsune Takeo]

Takeo nodded.

"I do - I am regarded as one of the finer riders in the forest, though I expect any of the Unicorn could show me up with one eye closed," he said chuckling slightly.

"Perhaps I will get to at least attempt to impress Otaku-sama here with my riding before the miai is out," he finished, with a wry smile on his face.

[Matsu Kogo]

Takeo nodded.

"I do - I am regarded as one of the finer riders in the forest, though I expect any of the Unicorn could show me up with one eye closed," he said chuckling slightly.

"Perhaps I will get to at least attempt to impress Otaku-sama here with my riding before the miai is out," he finished, with a wry smile on his face.

Kogo smiles, noting his hopes. "I suspect the Unicorn's capabilities on horseback are unsurpassable by us at this point. But it is a valuable skill to have regardless." She looks to the Otaku and says, "I have just come from learning a bit more with Shinjo Monkhbaatar. He is a very capable teacher."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime raises eyebrows with tint of blush as both samurai look at her. "Eto," She replies to Takeo first, "Impress me?"

She blinks, and rapidly moves her eyes to Kogo, "From what I know, Monkhbaatar-san is an excellent rider. He might be a better archer, from the amazing display he gave us."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kitakuhime raises eyebrows with tint of blush as both samurai look at her. "Eto," She replies to Takeo first, "Impress me?"

She blinks, and rapidly moves her eyes to Kogo, "From what I know, Monkhbaatar-san is an excellent rider. He might be a better archer, from the amazing display he gave us."

Kogo blinks. " He did mention that briefly. I was so focused on the challenge, I did not see any other challengers work." She smiles. "I hope that some of the next challenges will be similar, I enjoyed that one. "

[Kitsune Takeo]

"It will certainly be interesting to see what the Otaku and the Moto have in store for us," Takeo said, "It was interesting to see such different perspectives from the Ide and the Shinjo. I wonder what the Iuchi will look for as well, being a Shugenja family."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo chuckles. "Hopefully a bushi who's good at guarding, otherwise I am out of luck!" She jokes.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime holds another chuckle. "The test surely have been rather challenging so far. Even us in the Unicorn have not been completely familiarized with the necessary skillset the judges are expecting. A fair competition, I would say."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kitakuhime holds another chuckle. "The test surely have been rather challenging so far. Even us in the Unicorn have not been completely familiarized with the necessary skillset the judges are expecting. A fair competition, I would say."

She nods. "Fair indeed. Plus, an education for all of us. There are many skills that the Unicorn bring to the Empire. I very much enjoyed the language competition, despite my lack of proficiency. "

[Kitsune Takeo]

Takeo nodded in agreement.

"It was certainly the most unexpected of the ones I have encountered so far, though I suppose it makes sense. I understand that the Ide were responsible for negotiating your way through most of lands beyond the Empire?" he asked, looking to Kitakuhime.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"The Ide and the Otaku are much alike. Sometimes, we are also complete opposites. We share the same blood, after all." The Shiotome points out showing one hands up, then the other. "We are silent. They talk plenty. We ride into battle. They promote peace."

[Kitsune Takeo]

"Not unlike the differences between the Akodo and the Matsu, I believe," Takeo replied, "And yet, at the end of the day, none would dispute that either are fierce and honorable warriors."