Inventory Check (Day 2, EE, Expecting)

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Friends," she said, contemplating on the meaning. She was unsure how seriously the man took the label. "I share the same hope," she concluded.

He was right on the Moto. Many were short and stout, though strong. "I am also large in general," she added, a little embarrassed by the notion. She took a sip of kumi to relax. "I do not use a scimitar. Instead, I favor heavy weapons, particularly the tetsubo." She studied him closely, wondering if he would be surprised by the notion of her using one.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira sighed, contemplating the woman across from him, and the things she was saying.

After a pause, he finally offered, simply, "You say that as if it is a bad thing. You are a handsome woman, and I know many Crab that would be thrilled to wield a tetsubo one-handed. I admit it sounds almost impossible, but I don't doubt you; after all, why would you lie?"

A little pink around the ears, he took another sip. He wasn't good at girl talk. After the Moto this morning he was still a little flustered.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Handsome? Women tend to enjoy being called beautiful. Or does it have a different meaning?

"She decided not to dwell on the word choice. "I have been told to share my strength with the Crab. As for my ability, many people doubt it," she said. She put it as mere fact, not as a way of judging his reaction. "I can demonstrate my technique, if you wish." She looked about his assigned yurt. "Do you have a suitable weapon for me?"

[Soshi Taira]

Taira shook his head. "I don't... but I would be glad to accompany you to the dojo some time, for a demonstration."

With a faint sigh, he added, "I'm not the best with words sometimes, but I do mean that; It would be a pleasure to watch you demonstrate your art."

Resting back on the seat a little, he went on, "That said, you mentioned you study medicine... do you practice regularly? I rarely encounter others with the skillset."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue perked her brow. She was sure that she was the awkward one in this conversation. "There is no need for an apology, Taira-dono. I will enjoy showing you my style when the time comes." She then nodded and pulled out her medicine kit. "I tended to my own wounds. Recently, they have not required as much attention."

[Soshi Taira]

He raised an eyebrow. "You treated yourself? That's... well forgive me... that's more astounding than one-handed tetsubo use. You must have a will of iron, Liu Yue-hime. I doubt I could tend my wounds if I was injured so."

Shaking his head, he added, "Those are scars well earned, ones you can wear with pride. It is one thing to be wounded, another to tend them yourself..."

With a soft sigh, he leaned back, looking up toward the stained evening sky. "So is there anything you do for fun? I don't know much of your clan... what do you do for entertainment? In your free time?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Unicorn began to laugh. "I did not mean to overstate my role in my recovery. My wounds required much attention and outside aide was not always available." She settled down, a faint smile remaining on her lips. "However, I consider myself to be resilient."

Her smile grew more. "I spend time with my horse, Taira-dono. Many Unicorn women share in that. I also spend time with my sister, Liu Fei."

[Soshi Taira]

"Oh? A sister? Are you close?"

He smiled.

"I've seen the horses, an Otaku... Kitakuhime, I believe... showed me them. She seemed very proud of them. I imagine they must be time consuming, caring for such mighty steeds."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue nodded enthusiastically. "Hai! However, I told her that we should spend less time with each other temporarily. I do not want suitors to be intimidated." She wondered if she communicated her thoughts well enough but she did not dwell on it.

"The heiress?" The Shinjo smirked. "The Otaku have a bond with their steeds that I envy, Taira-dono. The two are raised together and are inseparable."

[Soshi Taira]

"Hai... though I'm not sure I envy her husband to be... if he plays second consideration to her steed..."

Taira was only sort of joking.

"Still, I'm glad you are close. None of my siblings have ever been too close to me. They all could speak with the kami, and so I became... the odd one out. I left to study with the Bayushi at a young age, so I can't claim any strong ties. It is good to know that even with your difficult journey, your kinship has remained strong."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"That may be the case with any Unicorn woman, Taira-dono," she said with a sly smirk. She was glad that she could at least be humorous sometimes in Rokugani.

Yue worked more on her kumi as she listened to the Soshi. "Sou desu ka. My condolences, Taira-dono." She paused. "I could not imagine not being close with my sister," she clarified. Her eyes turned down, her posture a bit more tense. Am I supposed to cheer him up on it? Oh jeez...

[Soshi Taira]

"Do not worry, that path is long since trod."

He smiled reassuringly. "I'm not bitter, I have a fulfilling duty... I serve with those I respect."

As for the other question... "Well... I hope that I may be loved more than a horse... eventually. I know it's a lot to ask, but you know, even Scorpion have their pride."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue nodded. At least he appears to be at peace with it.

"I will be sure to lecture my sister on it," she said with a smile. Her face turned more serious for a brief moment. "I have been with Hikazume for less time," she explained, "My prior steed perished when I suffered my injuries."

She took a sip from her drink and looked about the tent awkwardly.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira set down the empty wooden cup, tucking his hands into his sleeves and leaning back a little. "I'm sorry to hear that... losing a companion is always difficult."

Glancing around the yurt, he couldn't help but realize that he'd brought nothing with him but his gear... no personal items. Now that he thought about it, he didn't really have any...

Kami... he needed a hobby.

"I suppose now I should ask, since I've mentioned we Scorpion want to outrank steeds in the marriage... what would you like out of a marriage?"

An attempt at humor, to lighten the mood a little, and perhaps ease her discomfort.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The question did nothing to lighten the mood. This was a question she had been wrestling with ever since she had arrived. And before then, she had had to come to peace with getting married. In a way, she was envious that her older sister was able to avoid getting married for longer.

"I want a husband who is smart and funny," she said, thinking back to her conversation with Fei, "However, he cannot talk too much." She paused; she preferred deliberating on the matter in Mekhem. Still, she kept her posture up and smiled. "Ah! I know. He must be able to ride a horse!" She took a triumphant sip from her drink. That should be a satisfactory answer for him!