(Day 9, EM) Riders of the Steppe (Expecting)

[Moto Butaj]

Huludai's thunderous hooves cut the grass and throw chunks of black soil into the air. Butaj rides hard, madly, often against the changing wind. Deafened, he rides west, chasing long shadows.

[Shinjo Hanashi]

Hanashi and Mori were taking a morning to feel the wind. This gracious, friendly wind that was worth celebrating.

[Moto Butaj]

Seeing another rider in the peripheral, Butaj turns Huludai. Westward shadows flatten as the ride to say hello.

[Shinjo Hanashi]

As always, there's the moment of wanting to race this newcomer. His heartbeat rises in anticipation.

But instead he wills himself to behave, and turns towards the new rider, raising a hand in greeting.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj knows this urge as well, and so does Huludai. But the steppe has many uses. Butaj approaches parallel, in trot, with his right hand extended for a grip that would stop their horses when made. "Good wind from the mountains today, eh?"

[Shinjo Hanashi]

"Perfect." he greets the Moto properly, firmly gripped. He'd miss that, whether he went to the rest of the Empire to visit or to live.

"Lady Sun decides to smile upon us this morning; something I'm grateful enough for to take the morning off tale duty. Always good to see a fellow rider enjoying these moments, eh?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Huludai would bite my butt off if I didn't take him out at least once before noon." Butaj laughs. "Stallions his age are energetic, right, rascal?" He ruffles the tar black mane affectionately. "And he likes to graze around here, must like the taste of these grasses. Yours too?"

[Shinjo Hanashi]

A chuckle at that, "Much better then those available during the Ride. Mori kept us going despite it, but certainly deserves such luxury now."

[Moto Butaj]

"We're pampered here." He smirks, leaning over to loosen the harness so that Huludai can graze while they talk. "With the eastern women too. Butaj guesses you've had your share of attention."

[Shinjo Hanashi]

A shake of his head, "Been pretty quiet actually. But then I've mostly kept to myself outside the little tests."

He frowns a bit, then laughs, "But we Marta seem to have prepared you all for seducing rather then tests, eh? So many already seeking to make a new generation."

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj cant's speak for the others, but he will wait with new-generation making for after the choosing." He laughs. "If we know how to be interesting for our spouses, what else is really needed here?"

[Shinjo Hanashi]

A bit of a nod at that.

"You say it true; but not all of it." He shakes himself out of the urge to tell a story. Mostly.

Pointing to the horizon he states, "We can ride to the horizon and back; and we'll never outrun the rumors all of them will bring back with them. I know stories well; and this whole thing is the beginning of a new one. We're all entrusted with the beginning of that story; and that is what is needed."

A laugh, "Still, it should be good. Basically guaranteed to get married, perform whatever new duty is required. Long as we can keep running with the wind, it should be fine."

[Moto Butaj]

"Dogs bark, the caravan rolls on." Butaj shakes his head. "The rumors hurt, but they will not last. What will last are the bonds. Bonds of marriage, of affection, of camaraderie and friendship. Butaj knows that in this eastern land we must watch ourselves, but it is not who we are in the end. Lady Shinjo always did what her heart dictated." He chuckles. "Butaj has a feeling a good match awaits you. For good or for bad, Butaj has mentioned your name to Seppun Hitako and to Yogo Mizuki." He looks to the steppe. "And since you sang to Tonbo Misa, she may favor you too."

[Shinjo Hanashi]

"It seemed right, that such an important Dragon was given attention. Who is this Seppun Hitako and Yogo? I should be thanking you, yes?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Seppun Hitako is a sahir trained by one they call the Jade Champion. She claims to enjoy company of a Jinn of Smokeless Fire. Butaj doesn't know exactly how it is possible to be a sahir with a jinn in the East, but she doesn't seem to be lying. She seeks someone with spiritual abilities but something between her and Dong-Ha hasn't worked out, so she is now looking elsewhere. Yogo Mizuki is a beautiful merchant patron with stature among her own. She has a spiritual condition all Yogo inherit, some sort of curse, but is otherwise a thoughtful and graceful woman with a love of stories told in a way they call theater." Butaj omits commenting on Misa.