[D8 EM] Of Pups and Ponies [Open, Expecting]

[Miya Mei]

Mei nods and hands the reins to Amaya.

"Certainly. Please, we would be honored."

Ti-Lu nods as well and snorts.

[Ide Amaya]

Taking the reins, she runs a hand down Ti-Lu's strong neck. A little nervously, "you use no saddle, Miya-sama?" The pony may be small in stature, but so is the girl holding the reins.

[Miya Mei]

Mei shakes her head.

"None in the Empire do. Is that an issue, Ide-san? I can go to the stables and fetch one if it is more more comfortable for you. I am sure Ti-Lu wouldn't mind."

[Ide Amaya]

Shaking her head, "It's not that, I'm sure that I can adapt," already her mind is turning over how she will need to adjust her posture to maintain a good seat without stirrups. Hideo-san is watching, I don't want to look like a fool, and she makes up her mind. She approaches Ti-Lu's side, placing her small hands on the pony's withers and back. She lightly pulls herself up, and casts her leg over, settling into her seat and arranging her kimono. The bottom rides up as she tucks it about her thighs, exposing her pale calves.


---

Mount up vs TN10 >> 14 Success!

[Miya Mei]

Mei watches and nods, not saying anything. She smiles for a moment when Amaya succeeds

[Ide Amaya]

With a grateful nod to Mei, she turns Ti-Lu's head and squeezes the pony's sides gently. She gently walks the pony in a large circle, until she is reassured that he isn't favouring the ankle that had been sore. She taps Ti-Lu's sides with her heels and brings the pony up to a smooth trot, her body moving in unison with the pony's gait.


---

Gentle walk vs TN10 >> 14 Success!
Trotting vs TN10 >> 12 Success!

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideos smile grew as she got to ride on the beautiful horse, moving to stand next to Mei.

"The Unicorn are naturals, ne?"

[Miya Mei]

Mei nods

"Indeed, and quite graceful as well. Even without their saddles, they are at home atop any horse. You are lucky, Seppun-san. She is quite the woman. I hope you have a wonderful marriage."

[Seppun Hideo]

A nod. "Thank you Miya-san. She is very much someone special; a true gem among the women here. She holds much of the previous ways of the Unicorn while very much focused on learning the ways of Rokugan."

A smile.

"She will make a fine Seppun."

[Ide Amaya]

While the Imperials speak, she gently kicks the pony into a smooth canter, bending forward over Ti-Lu's neck.


---

Canter vs TN10 >> 10 Success!

[Miya Mei]

"You certainly have a fine eye, Seppun-san. Do you think she will like the Imperial City? We don't have very many open spaces to ride..."

[Seppun Hideo]

"She will love open fields around Kyuden Seppun more I imagine, but there are few cannot fall in love with the beauty that is contained within Otosan Uchi" Hideo watched the horse picking up speed "I have been telling her about the city, the many districts and some of the sights, and she is quite excited to see it all herself."

[Miya Mei]

"I was telling Shinjo Kemari-san about it last night as well. He seemed excited as well."

"Sometimes you have to wonder how we were so lucky to be blessed with knowing it our whole lives, and there are still samurai who can only dream of seeing the inside of it."

[Ide Amaya]

Having rounded the field once, Amaya leans deeper into the pony's neck and seems to whisper something. She urges the steed into a full, unrestrained gallop, it's hooves thundering and kicking up clods of the still-soft earth. Her hair streams, as does Ti-Lu's mane and tail.


---

Maximum speed vs TN10+ >> 25 Success!

[Seppun Hideo]

"I was telling Shinjo Kemari-san about it last night as well. He seemed excited as well."

"Sometimes you have to wonder how we were so lucky to be blessed with knowing it our whole lives, and there are still samurai who can only dream of seeing the inside of it."

"One might say the same about those that have seen all the lands outside Rokugan, Miya-san" Hideo said with a chuckle as he watched Amaya "I would certainly have liked to see them, yet the Unicorn knows little else."