[D1 LA] Short Lesson Before Dinner

[Matsu Kogo]

"Perhaps there is something symbolic there. They are both cautious because they do not understand each other. But perhaps with understanding, they could be less concerned about the other's actions."

Kogo looks to Noburu, who swats at something in the grass and then looks innocently at Kogo. Kogo mutters under her breath. "Or maybe cats are just contrary."

"Well there is that... but as important and close to us as they are, a horse still sees the world through a horses eyes and a lion through a lions eyes," he chuckles at that. "It's their relationships to us that make them more than what nature intended. Which I guess isn't unlike how our relationships to the Kami made us more than what human nature intended."

Moving to the saddle and puling a small stake and rope from it, he ties off the reigns and stakes the rope to the ground to keep Meushi from running off. After that he moves closer to Kogo. "I've never been so close to a real live lion. Usually the best practice is to avoid them. But this seems like an opportunity to be embraced."

Kogo nods thoughtfully. "There is something to be said for that. We are all what we see and what we have seen before. Sometimes, change is complicated. But yes, it does seem fair to say that like my Noburu, your Meushi is something a little out of the ordinary. I have never seen such a tall horse."

As Shinjo-san approaches, she notes, "It is wise to always treat a lion with courtesy and respect, even when they are resting. She may look relaxed, but she is also quick to defend herself if she feels threatened. "

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki recovered easily with a smile, showing nothing resembling fear or apprehension. "It is fair to say there is nothing like them in all of Rokugan, or... well, there wasn't, anyway. Until the Unicorn returned." She sort of petered out.

She glanced between the two Shinjo then. "I am Asako Yuki, this is Asako Hirase." She explained, pointing to the man behind her.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Kogo nods thoughtfully. "There is something to be said for that. We are all what we see and what we have seen before. Sometimes, change is complicated. But yes, it does seem fair to say that like my Noburu, your Meushi is something a little out of the ordinary. I have never seen such a tall horse."

As Shinjo-san approaches, she notes, "It is wise to always treat a lion with courtesy and respect, even when they are resting. She may look relaxed, but she is also quick to defend herself if she feels threatened. "

"I'd never threaten her. She's too beautiful and I imagine it would be a one sided fight as well," he replies. "Any advice on how to approach?"

[Asako Hirase]

Since they came to talk, he bowed to both Shinjo women.

"I have come to meet the riders, not the horses." If he was embarrassed by his temporary retreat, or at being defended by a much-smaller and younger Cousin, Hirase didn't show it. "Though I am interested in them as well. They are part of your history which I am eager to learn."

He looked the horse over.

"And I think I will have to learn to ride, at least a bit. It seems as necessary for the Unicorn as a certain interest in scholarship is for those of the Phoenix."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue perked a brow at her sister and managed to dismount her horse without much problem. Her actions were deliberate, reeling in the reins to keep her horse secure and gripping her one arm onto the saddle horn to steady herself. She looked to Fei, hoping she would do the same.

Once on her feet, the tall girl gave them both a rather deep bow each. "Yuki-dono, Hirase-dono, it is a pleasure to meet you both. Watakushi wa Shinjo Liu Yue desu." She was content with allowing her sister to introduce herself. "I can assist you with horses, if that is your wish."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki paused as the woman easily dismounted with only one arm, and then it dawned on her that the saddle she was looking at was completely different from anything she had seen before. "My goodness, what is that?" She apparently needed no further instruction as she moved towards the horses without a hint of fear. "This saddle, I've never seen anything like it before. What are these bits here, dangling off the side?" She pointed to the stirrup.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"I am Shinjo Liu Fei, and I am sure you have certainly met no other horse like Gokiburi here. Seconded only by those of the Otaku," she said, giving her horse a quick pat. For all it appeared the horse and rider where as one. Understanding each other rather completely.

Bowing her head to both as she remained on horse back, she had watched Yue the entire time she dismounted. Though the Phoenix could certainly see it appeared to be a concern she didn't wish her sister to know of. Still, she remained on her horse, not wishing to allow herself to be dismounted just for the slight comforts of another.

"You will have to overcome your discomfort with them first," she added. "They are much greater than simply a part of our history, Asako-san."

As the woman approached and inspected, both calmed by his rider and the woman's lacking fear of him. Gokiburi remained steadfast and steady. Meanwhile, Liu Fei just watched the woman, assuming she was looking more toward Liu Yue's horse.

[Asako Hirase]

Hirase nodded to himself as the first sister dismounted. She was, as he had thought, tall. Smiling politely to her, he said, cordially, "You need not honor us so highly, Shinjo-san. Neither my cousin nor I are of such high degree as to deserve such a title. -san is sufficient. And I, at least, would be glad of any assistance with riding I can find. I expect I will be a slow learner, if a determined one."

He paused, then asked, "Is 'liu' a Vassal name? Since you share it..." Looking from one to the other, he raised a brow in inquiry.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Sister, are you really going to stay mounted? She suppressed her desire to sigh and stayed facing the two Asako. She kept the reins in her hand to keep her horse in check. Her bond with Hikazume was less refined than Fei's; for Yue, she was simply the one in charge.

The stirrups were instrumental for Yue's ability to dismount. Without it, she would not be able to maintain balance with her physical impediment. "That is the," she started, trailing off when she realized she had no Rokugani word for it. She looked over to Fei, looking for guidance on the matter. However, after brief consideration on her own part, she stated in Mekhem, "stirrup."

"Sou desu ka," she responded softly in regard to the honorifics. "As you wish then, Hirase-san."

She allowed her sister to take the question on their names.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"It is not a vassal name," she answered. "It is, however, something that our Father found, heard it, of some of our ancestors. Some of them carried the name. Close family from a time closer to our leaving the Empire. We have no written records, so he never understood why but wished to bring back the tradition as he had seen it. Our Father seemed to think it was something we took from Rokugan with us but if you do not understand it perhaps it was not so."

[Asako Hirase]

As he had before, Hirase nodded a bit to himself as he absorbed the information.

"It may be so indeed. I myself have not met anyone with two chosen names, though there are those gifted something of a second honorific from time to time, such as the appendate of 'O-' to the beginning of a chosen name to reflect a person of greatness."

Both of the Unicorn received a small smile, though his next words were directed toward the shyer sister, trying to draw her out.

"Thank you for the story of it. Is it best, when there are only Shinjo of your line about and thus the use of Shinjo-san somewhat problematic, to use the full Liu Yue or would I use instead Yue?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods thoughtfully. "There is something to be said for that. We are all what we see and what we have seen before. Sometimes, change is complicated. But yes, it does seem fair to say that like my Noburu, your Meushi is something a little out of the ordinary. I have never seen such a tall horse."

As Shinjo-san approaches, she notes, "It is wise to always treat a lion with courtesy and respect, even when they are resting. She may look relaxed, but she is also quick to defend herself if she feels threatened. "

"I'd never threaten her. She's too beautiful and I imagine it would be a one sided fight as well," he replies. "Any advice on how to approach?"

"I'd recommend soft footsteps, soft voice and don't pet her yet. She's gotta sniff you a bit. Oh, and avoid showing fear."

[Asako Yuki]

Sister, are you really going to stay mounted? She suppressed her desire to sigh and stayed facing the two Asako. She kept the reins in her hand to keep her horse in check. Her bond with Hikazume was less refined than Fei's; for Yue, she was simply the one in charge.

The stirrups were instrumental for Yue's ability to dismount. Without it, she would not be able to maintain balance with her physical impediment. "That is the," she started, trailing off when she realized she had no Rokugani word for it. She looked over to Fei, looking for guidance on the matter. However, after brief consideration on her own part, she stated in Mekhem, "stirrup."

"Sou desu ka," she responded softly in regard to the honorifics. "As you wish then, Hirase-san."

She allowed her sister to take the question on their names.

"Stirrup," The girl repeated, showing a knack for the language. "How does this- ah... what's the word again... assist with you're riding? Like an extra point of contact to secure yourself?" The Asako's Mekhem was certainly poorer than most Unicorn that spoke it.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue smiled and nodded along to her sister's speech on their names. "Liu Yue would be more appropriate, Hirase-san. We shorten our names among family only," she said. Her tone showed no hostility; she was merely being honest with her explanation.

The tall woman's ears perked at the Mekhem being spoken. "Oh, you speak Mekhem too?" she replied, her comfortableness with the language apparent. Her choice of words was much more casual than her Rokugani. "Stirrup, yeah? It's very useful indeed. It helps keep our balance and control, yes indeed. It is especially useful for my sister and I." For her own part, Liu Yue did a casual mock-swing with an imaginary tetsubo. "Need to be able to use your legs to control the horse if your hands are occupied, yeah?"

It was lost to her that Hirase did not understand her. She also was not careful to slow down for the other Asako's benefit.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Alright," he says, lowering his voice. While he was no stealth expert he did no a thing or two about tracking and how to avoid ruining a trail and stepping carefully. He wasn't trying to sneak up on the lion that was staring at him anyway. He approached cautiously, but not without a certain boldness that accompanied the curious.

"Hello Noboru. How are you doing? Are you liking the heat today?" He gets close enough for the lion to reach him with it's nose.