Inventory Check (Day 2, EE, Expecting)

[Soshi Taira]

Taira hadn't planned to need the supplies he'd brought, in fact he'd thought if he married in, that it would be a stock to last in his new home until he could order in more.

Still, that was turning out to be incorrect, so as the sun began to sink, he found himself out of his yurt, in a clear stretch of grass, sorting small vials and jars, pouches of herbs and rolls of bandages. All the dull, yet important, tools of his trade.

As he wandered about, sorting things out, he hummed tunelessly under his breath, an old theme he had heard on the boats that traveled the river of gold.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue found herself wandering about after the language test. She was sure not to let her emotion show on her face but perhaps it was obvious from the glint in her eyes. Those eyes of hers, at least the still-functional one, caught the Soshi hard at work. A little bored, she saw it fit to greet him. "Konnichiwa!" she announced to have him aware of her presence. "Am I bothering you?" she asked, though she really meant 'interrupting.'

As per usual, she was sure her height would be a surprise. I wonder if people have liked my kimono so far, she thought in regards to her current outfit. I'm trying hard to fit in with the other Clans.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira glanced up, and like most people, his face did betray his reaction. In this case, it was a quick doctor's assessment. Old wounds, not something he could fix.

So he just smiled, and shook his head. "Iie, Shinjo-san. I am just sorting, and it is dull work. An interruption is welcome."

As for her height, well... he wasn't exactly short either, so while it did surprise him a little, it didn't much bother him.

"What brings you to my humble abode, borrowed though it is?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue thought on his reaction for a moment. With his medical supplies, she recognized that her injuries were not unique to him. "Watakushi wa Shinjo Liu Yue desu," she stated as formal introduction. She gave him a deep bow and then looked about. "My reason for being here," she mused, mostly to herself, "I am wandering."

[Soshi Taira]

"Ah. I might have though you tired of it, after your clan spent so long wandering, but then... perhaps it is comfortable for you, neh?"

He almost sounded thoughtful, contemplating the idea. Then he shook his head, and wandered to his yurt, pulling out two small folding stools.

"These were provided by your kin, but I find them delightfully clever. I'll need to make one of my own if I return to my clan. I could see uses for it in long watches and night patrols."

He offered one to the Shinjo, if she wanted it. "Do you like tea? Or any other drink you fancy? Ah... forgive me, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm Soshi Taira, magistrate's physician, and honored to meet you."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"My Clan is known for wandering. One may say it is in our blood," she said with a faint smile.

She took the seat as offered. It did not seem like a gift, unless he had meant to give it to her permanently. "I like kumis," she admitted, a bit bashfully. She doubted that the Soshi had any with him. His introduction caught her slightly off-guard, even if she anticipated one in return. She had expected it to be the first response to her own. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Taira-dono."

[Soshi Taira]

He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not exactly a lord, Shinjo-san. I'm just a normal servant of my clan. -san is fine." And of course using his first name so suddenly was... forward.

Still, he could extend some grace. He also motioned over a servant to fetch a little kumis. And some sake, because he could only handle the kumis in small doses.

"Well, I hope you will find meaningful pursuits here in the empire as well, though you are welcome to wander to Scorpion lands and enjoy our hospitality. It is only fair after your clan has been so hospitable to us. Have you seen any other parts of the empire yet, Shinjo-san? Or should I call you, Liu Yue-san?"

He was a little talkative, for such seemingly stern figure.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I prefer to show others utmost respect. However, I will listen to your request, Taira-san." Any hint that he had thought of his given name being used went over her head. His later question made it occur to her for the first time that she had not asked anyone to call her by her given name instead. All of this is getting confusing, she mused in her head.

"You may refer to me as Liu Yue," she said with a smile. She then shook her head. "Iie. I have not traveled anywhere else in the Empire."

She looked him over, noticing his daisho. Another Soshi who is not a priest? This time, she did not ask the question directly. "I look forward to seeing all the Empire has to offer," she continued, the smile still on her lips.

[Soshi Taira]

Her glance at the daisho wasn't missed, and Taira chuckled.

"Hai, Liu Yue-san, I was not blessed by the kami." As the kumis arrived, he poured two wooden bowls, offering her one.

"Well, perhaps when this is over, you will have the opportunity. These lands are beautiful, but there are many wonders to see in the borders of the Empire. More than you might expect."

Raising his own bowl and balancing it on four long fingers, he examined the cloudy liquid, adding, "I can appreciate respect... but I would only feel it right to name you -hime if I were to be -dono. Respect should be mutual."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue was unsure on the man's feelings on not being a priest. Instead, she asked, "Did you train with the Bayushi?" she said. "Did you train with Soshi Bantu-dono?"

She took the bowl in grace and almost began to drink it. "Arigatou gozaimasu," she enunciated slowly with a smile. She then drank until the man's words sunk in. What am I supposed to say to that? the usage of -hime had a connotation to it that she was unsure of. Is he trying to court me with it? Am I reading too much into it? She drank more as a way of biding her time.

"Which do you wish?" she finally asked.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira chuckled. "I've never known a princess, so I've no idea how to speak with one. I could settle for -sama, if you would prefer."

Taking a slow sip of kumis, he did his best not to let the strong flavor distract him as he sought for the words.

"I did train with the Bayushi, hai, though most of my time has been spent with the Soshi Magistrates... how did you guess?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Unicorn woman tilted her head. This was the first man who had put her at a complete loss. "Liu Yue-sama then?" she asked as confirmation.

Compared to the man, she had practically slurped up all of it. "I spoke with Bantu-dono on the matter. He too was trained by the Bayushi." She took that as Taira not knowing the other not-priest Soshi.

[Soshi Taira]

He had met him in passing.

"Ah. That would make sense then."

Taira chuckled. "Well, between the two of us, I think we can say what we like, so Liu Yue-hime you shall be, while you share my company this evening."

You can be a princess for now!

Finishing the bowl, he refilled his, and then offered to refill hers. "I trained with the Bayushi once it was clear I didn't have the gift of the kami, but fortunately, I soon found I had a knack for medicine. I'm a doctor by trade, and a yoriki as required. How about you? I'm sure you have seen battle, but did you learn the Shinjo style? I know very little of the traditions of your people, I fear."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue set the bowl down, the confusion in her face permeating through her On. "How do I refer to you later, Taira-dono?" she inquired, the honorific a bit hesitant in delivery.

She nodded at the offer to refill her bowl. "Arigatou gozaimasu," she repeated, this time a bit more quickly. "I am trained in Medicine out of necessity." Her eyes shot to her missing arm to communicate what she meant. "However, I am not a dedicated healer of the Shinjo."

The woman took a moment to collect her thoughts. She was unsure how much she was supposed to reveal about herself to others, especially a Scorpion. I have run into so many of their men, she realized.

"I was originally trained in my family's school," she continued, "But after my injuries, I was sent to train with the Moto." She smiled faintly. "Their techniques suit me better, injury or not. I am suited for heavy cavalry with my height."

[Soshi Taira]

"Ah, you will call me what you like. Between friends, I see no reason to demand one thing or another."

He raised the bowl of kumis. "I hope we can be friends, Liu Yue-hime." Taking a deep sip, he went on. "Ah, yet many Moto I have encountered were... rather short."

He contemplated that in quiet for a moment, before shrugging. "Still, I suppose I know too little to say, one way or another. I'm glad you can take advantage of their training, all the same. Do you use one of those curved blades then?"