One if by Foot, Two if by Horse [D2 LM, open/expecting]

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Having taken care of his morning activities, Tomonaga found that it was time to attend to his morning exercises. In Crab lands, depending on where he happened to be, those often involved whatever could be done in the keep. Now, with so much open land...

And so, Tomonaga moved with surprising energy, his expression cheerful, as he moved through the western fields. It wasn't quite a jog, but it was a bit more than a walk. He wore a simple travel kimono of Crab blue, much less fancy than the one he'd worn the night before. With the heat, though, the looser flowing fabric was more comfortable.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

With receiving notice that her mornings plans were pushed back she decided to be sure to get Gokiburi some exercise this morning before she got whisked away into the days events. Liu Fei was dressed for the weather which was to say the usual middle piece of her outfit was missing. Fur that lined her neck wasn't there and nor was the sleeved shirt that was normally worn underneath her leather vest.

Leaving her with just a simple undergarment protecting her modesty underneath the vest she wore as her outermost layer. A light layer of black fur seemed to outline the armholes but beyond that from her armpit to the tips of her fingers her arms were bare. Hair tied back, as usual, with the remainder of her outfit the usual simple affair. Sturdy pants and leather footwear that was far more readily associated with her Clan.

Riding out from the camp, onto the fields, it wasn't hard to notice the Yasuki deciding for a much more energized pace than a simple walk. It was different enough to gain her interest. Gokiburi beat the ground with his hooves as rider and horse set out fully into the field, sprinting out into the open space.

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

The hoofbeats of a Unicorn steed were unmistakable. And exhilarating. Tomonaga couldn't help but put on a burst of speed on his own, his lips peeling back into a grin.

Of course, even the fastest samurai is no match for a Unicorn horse, and Tomonaga, while clearly pretty fast, is certainly not the fastest. Turning, even as he ran, Tomonaga gave a cheerful wave, big enough to be seen from a distance on a moving horse. He kept running, waiting to see if the horse and rider pair would approach him, whereupon he would stop, or if they would instead quickly outpace him and ride into the distance, becoming simply another curious event.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

As it was the horse and rider did seem to alter direction a bit after he waved but it was not directly for him. Outpacing him and running parrarel but further out Fei brought Gokiburi far into the front and then they made a sudden turn to the side. Coming around so that when they came to a stop they were in the Yasuki's path just a small way in front of him. Settling there they waited both horse and rider catching their breath and calming down while they waited.

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Despite the fact that Tomonaga was pretty sure that they weren't chasing him, it was still rather alarming as the horse suddenly cut in front of him, although not so close that this showed as more than a widening of his eyes. He came to a stop, panting, his features a little flushed from his exertion, leaning forward to rest his hands on his knees.

Gradually, he regained his breath, straightening, the color in his even features returning to normal. "Ok. You win that one." He said. His expression was bland, but his eyes seemed alight with humor. "Maybe later, we can go best two out of three." Straightening further, he bowed. "Yasuki Tomonaga. It's a pleasure to meet you." At least, he hoped it would be; if she'd run him down for a reason...

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"Greetings Crab-sama!" she said, though she was close enough to see the colors, thankfully having gotten used to them the day prior, she couldn't make out precisely the mon from her seated position in the saddle. Fei shifted to keep proper balance for Gokiburi as they made sure to settle.

"I believe that the odds are against you Crab-sama," she said with an amused tone. "Enjoying the warm day?"

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Tomonaga smiled up at the Unicorn woman. "Not the first time. But I think you're right; I'm not gonna do any better in a rematch." He gave a mock-sigh, shaking his head.

His cheerful expression returned. "But yes, I am. As are you, I hope, ah, Shinjo-san?" He had a better view of her mons. "It's certainly warm, but I don't mind that. But these lands are very nice indeed, and I like to get a bit of exercise, breathe in some fresh air, that sort of thing." He chuckled. "I would guess that's not the sort of thing I have to explain to a Unicorn."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"It is not Crab-sama," she said, taking a brief pause to look about. Enjoying the day with a relaxed approach to it as they had both intended. "Shinjo Liu Fei, is my name Crab-sama. Warm mornings are great for riding, feeling the wind surge past as I race forward."

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Tomonaga bowed. "Yasuki Tomonaga. It's a pleasure. And... that does sound nice indeed." He looked a little wistful. "I've ridden a bit myself, but, well, it was always on a fairly ordinary horse." He eyed the Unicorn horse respectfully. "Not even a warhorse, just one of the ones from my family's lands."

He looked up at her, frowning thoughtfully. "Ummm... I'd ask you to walk with me a little, but I don't want to interrupt your exercise. Still, if you'd like, and if that great beastie of yours is okay with going slower?" He gestured along his chosen path with one hand.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

"Gokiburi here would be happy to take a relaxing stroll with you," she said, brushing the horse as she spoke. As far as anyone could tell Gokiburi didn't disagree. "It is good for him to just be out in the open instead of cooped up all day."

"Now that we have returned maybe horses," Proper horses and not those found so commonly here, she thought to herself. "like Gokiburi here will become a bit more common place so that you might get to truly experience the strength of such a beast."

For the walk, she waited for the Yasuki to take the lead and then would direct Gokiburi with the simplest and easiest of direction.

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

"It's good for people, too." Tomonaga said, his tone a little dry. "I've thought so ever since my older brothers and sister stuffed me in a sake barrel. I got 'em back, though. Sorta..."

He willingly took the lead, setting a brisk walking pace for him, which was a fairly slow one for the horse.

"That'd be great." He said, shooting her a quick interested look. "I know a lot of Clans would be interested." He frowned thoughtfully. If Crab had cavalry, would the horses need jade? He'd have to look into that. "Seeing the horses is probably half the reason a lot of samurai are here; I know I went to the training area first chance I got."

The second half of the reason... Tomonaga shot Liu Fei a quick glance. "How have you been finding the visiting samurai?" Tomonaga asked, his tone casual.

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Something about the openness of his little story allowed Fei the chance to laugh, a quick single note but completely unreserved. It seemed like some of these Rokugani weren't as reserved as the rest if those antics are anything to judge by.

Then eventually came his question, she glanced forward for a moment before answering, joining in the casual tone, "I have found some to be... entertaining, at least. I do not know what to make of a lot of the Clans if I aim to answer fully. Scorpion.. I do not think that I like their masks, I am not used to such a open display of dishonesty."

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Tomonaga grinned, pleased at having gotten a laugh from the warrior.

"Entertaining?" He echoed. "Huh." He nodded as they walked. "That's... a fair answer. To be totally honest with you, I'm still figuring out the Unicorn. You seem to put your true face forward-" He gave her a respectful nod, "-but even with that, there's a lot of faces. If you understand what I mean."

"As for the Scorpion, yeah, it's kinda funny." His lips quirked. "If someone tells you that they're dishonest, at least they're being honest about that, right? But if it makes you feel any better, I think they confuse the rest of us as well."

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Shifting with Gokiburi as they walked she was rarely still as they proceeded and yet it was the most natural thing for the woman, being atop a horse. Truly that was true of what they said of the Unicorn. "I believe I have an idea Yauski-sama but if I said I understood you fully I would be untrue to you and myself. Still," she suppressed the desire to chuckle openly again, "I am not sure if I am comforted by your words or only more worried that even those who have lived beside them for so long remain confounded by them."

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

On the other hand, intended or not, Liu Fei's words drew forth a chuckle from Tomonaga. "I think either one would make sense. Or both, even."

His expression grew more serious. "The Crab generally tend towards honesty." Whoops, that 'generally' had been a little too honest. He continued. "If I were to guess, I'd think the Unicorn have the same reason for it. We know what we face, somewhat figuratively in my case." His lips twisted again. "But there's lots of circumstances where we can't lie, can't evade, can't be subtle, because a misunderstanding means that people get hurt. Or worse." He looks up at Liu Fei. "I've tried to imagine what life for the Unicorn must have been like, in your travels. But what I've heard makes me think that honesty is more than just what's right; it was a necessity."