Hopeful Endeavors [Day 7, Early Evening]

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi relaxed and slowly leaned forward as she directed. He felt Gokiburi move.

Oh boy..here we go again.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"Now get comfortable with the movement, work with him. Feel where you want to go," she continued to coach from the side. She had, at some point, realized how she must have sounded coaching him like this but she couldn't care. This was the only way she knew how to get it done and he would forgive her if she made it sound like she was teaching someone much younger. At least, she hoped he would.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Following her instruction he focused on going left, then straight ahead. He made a gentle nudge to the right and went right. Suteichi was proud of himself that he was doing better than expected.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Fei let him continue that for a while, waited till he got really comfortable and then finally. "Now it is time to try and pick up some speed," she announced the change of pace before giving him the proper instruction in order to bring Gokiburi up into a gallop. Making sure to also inform him of the reins and how to properly use them to help control her horse without harming him or being a nuisance.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi then led Gokiburi over to Fei.

"Pick up speed?! I was just getting used to walking about."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"And you are doing well," she said with a grin. "Need to get you relaxed, comfortable with some actual movement. I plan to make the best use of all this effort you have been putting forward."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"I'm going to hold you to those words, Hiomoyasu." he replied with a wry grin. "So tell me. What's next?"

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Fei gave a short whistle and waved over to some of the peasants nearby. With this action they sparked to movement. Setting up simple barricades, walls that created a path that needed to be navigated instead of simply moving freely.

Looking back to Suteichi with a grin she said, "Alright, try to maneuver around those. Get Gokiburi to take the turns you want him to take."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

She's a cruel as I am... I think I truly am in love... Ok. lets get through this.

"Alright Gokiburi-san... lets do this and please don't kill me." Suteichi heard the horse snort and he leaned forward again and Gokiburi moved. The two moved towards the first obstacle. He managed to get Gokiburi to turn. This went on until there was a fork in the obstacle and they came to a stop. Suteichi looked back to Fei.

"Ok, now what?"

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"Like when you turned before, give a little lean and forward. Look to where you want to go," she said, coaching from the sidelines as she watched in amusement.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Ok...

Suteichi sat up and leaned back. He did not mean to do that and as a result Gokiburi went backed up.

"Ok... I didn't mean that." Suteichi held the reigns a little tighter, looked straight ahead and leaned forward and Gokiburi started moving and Suteichi tried to get him to turn and mistakingly tapped Gokiburi's side with his left foot. Gokiburi went into a slight gallop forward and...jumped the last obstacle. Gokiburi landed and Suteichi just sat there in complete shock. He was trying to get his On back but the thrill of the jump was not letting that happen. He sat there and waited for Fei.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Now she nearly let a bout of laughter pass her defenses when she saw that but she didn't, catching herself. Moving over quickly to Suteichi's side she steadied Gokiburi with a hand on his neck as she stood beside him. Looking up at the man in the saddle and unable to contain her smile when she saw how he seemed... excited?

"Trying to outshine the rest of the class?" she asked, clearly amused.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

He slowly looked at her still trying to gather his On.

"Out...shine...?! That was...interesting!"

Finally, Suteichi laughed.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Fei joined his laugh with a light chuckle, "I am glad to see you found some of the excitement from riding a horse," she freely admitted what her smile already gave away.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

He looked at her as the shared a laugh. A moment of happiness and peace he felt he had not felt before. Years of suppressing and controlling emotions...Liu Fei broke through and he liked it. He then composed himself as other thoughts crept into his mind.

"This is quite an experience...Sensei Liu Fei. I am ready for you...to give me the next lesson."

Get it together...