(Day 6, LM) Living on the Edge (Expecting)

[Moto Butaj]

"And at so young an age, with a lot of lifetime before you. Butaj thinks you'll accomplish great things for your family." It's not a pep talk, he strongly believes what he says.

[Tonbo Misa]

"Perhaps." Her ever enigmatic reply. "I can't say one way or the other what I will do for the Tonbo, but I will never worry about whether I can or not. I will always strive to do more."

[Moto Butaj]

"You a remarkable woman. Protecting you feels like the most meaningful thing Butaj could do with his life." He wants to kiss her but it would feel like lessening of what he has just said, so instead he bows his head and squeezes her hand with his. He then lets this statement linger as something more than a line in a long volley of lines, and gives Huludai his knees to get back to galloping.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa nodded against his chest and said nothing more herself, for the moment. She could feel his inner thoughts roiling around inside him, and for the moment, the wind carried her thoughts away as she just took in the smell of the plains, of the steed, of him.

[Moto Butaj]

The start to go really fast so he focuses on holding her fast rather than talking. The wind would push back most of their words back to their throats anyway. Huludai starts foaming and the landscape starts blurring. The run becomes otherworldly.

[Tonbo Misa]

The view was past Misa, of course, but the speed of the run, and the passing wind, certainly made for a unique experience all the same. She held onto the horn of the saddle tight, safe to just face into the breeze.

[Moto Butaj]

When they slow down, they are closer to the village, the crater, and Sanmi. Gallop changes into trot. Whatever semi-privacy they have enjoyed will be soon gone. Before this happens, Butaj can't hold the question that weighs like lead on his chest. He sighs before he lets it out. "...Does Misa think she could love Butaj?"

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa gave a soft, warm laugh at that. "Could a horse love an apple tree Butaj-kun?"

[Moto Butaj]

The confuses the hell out of him. Not an answer he has expected, but one he has to roll with. So he does just that, and thinks. "Apple tree gives the horse it's favourite treats over and over but the horse gives back little. It's not a good relationship Butaj thinks. Butaj feels Misa and Butaj could do better than that!" He avers, suddenly anxious.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa laughed brightly at that, giving Butaj's arm a squeeze. "My silly Moto-san! I'm not the best with plants, but do you know why an apple tree has apples? It's so it can spread its seeds. When an animal eats an apple, they move somewhere else and let the seed go. That way a new apple tree can grow. Without an animal, an apple tree would never get any offspring."

[Moto Butaj]

"Oooh." Butaj opens his eyes wide, knowing in an instant that's pure existential truth. "So who Misa is, the horse or the apple tree?"

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa just shook her head, grinning softly. "I'm Misa. Though, considering, I would think you're a bit more the horse, yes?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Yes. That makes Misa the apple tree. So Butaj knows that the horse can love the apple tree. But spreading around seeds in poop to let little Misas grow into an apple forest is enough to call love on Misa's end?" Butaj logic at its finest vs. koans. What shall prevail?

[Tonbo Misa]

"Sometimes you can overthink a problem Butaj." Misa shook her head softly, grin becoming a warm smile once more. "The answer is yes, it was always yes."

[Moto Butaj]

"Yes is the answer. Butaj will accept it and stop thinking then." He laughs, then huggles her close as he delivers her to the place where they have met, saying nothing more during the journey, though waiting for her words keenly if such would come.