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Post by Utaku Hisui on Feb 21, 2018 23:03:27 GMT -5
Riding range. Wooden targets, approximately as tall as men. Utaku Hisui did this a long time ago, in the rain. Things were different then. She was odd that way, latching on doggedly to the things she felt mattered most. She'd set up a total of thirty targets along the range, fifteen on either side. Just like before. She hadn't done this in a long time, and she missed how it felt to be on horseback, armed, and cutting things down. There was something about it that felt more attuned to her nature than swordsmanship on foot. If she had to be honest, the only time she felt comfortable fighting on foot was with her bare hands, and those days were far behind her.
Deep breaths. No armor on her or Sakura, the Shinjo steed she was assigned after her old mount died in the war, but she has riding gear on and the weight of the steel is real. The only protection she affords herself is a ghostly white coat, heavy-duty for those long marches in bad weather. No singing. No attractive posture. Thoughts of the Doji Fuyuko were in her mind, having displaced all other women with such welcome speed, and they lingered even when she made that subtle motion and started her ride.
Some might be tempted to describe her as a ghost, silent and swift, until she lets out a yell and cuts the head off her first target.
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Post by Shiba Bai on Feb 22, 2018 20:16:20 GMT -5
Bai was walking around campus, wandering without direction, when he happened to notice the targets arranged around the riding track. Curiosity piqued, he walks over to the railing separating the spectators from the running horses. He is still wearing his gym clothes, stained by sweat along the edges, as he hops onto the lowest rung, looking around the track.
When he sees the rider, it takes him but a moment to recognize her. He smiles as his eyes keep pace with her ride. He watches in silence, not wishing to disturb her focus, simply appreciating her skill. His smile turns briefly wistful as he imagines himself riding along, striking down enemies, before the battle cry brings him back to reality, a reality that is enjoyable in its own ways.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Feb 22, 2018 20:21:13 GMT -5
The coat impeded her vision somewhat, but a sharp turn at her fourth target knocked the hood back enough that she saw she wasn't alone. She lets out her usual cry as she cut down another target. She recognizes the student, even from a distance, and gives him a quick nod of acknowledgement. He is some distance away, but nothing she can't close as she reaches for a few other targets. It doesn't take her long. Even if Sakura wasn't the mount she grew up with, the Shinjo steed was still reliable and well-trained.
"Shiba-san, good afternoon," she greets once she's within a polite distance.
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Post by Shiba Bai on Feb 22, 2018 21:16:20 GMT -5
Bai nods in response, not wanting to risk falling from his perch by bowing. "Utaku-Sensei! You are amazing, indeed. Do you train out here often? I do not believe I have seen many people practicing their horsemanship, although I must admit I am not out here all that much to begin with, so perhaps it is just my misfortune." He scratches the back of his neck, before lunging his hand back to the railing to catch himself.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Feb 22, 2018 21:38:11 GMT -5
"Careful there, Shiba-san," she says as she notes the risk of losing his balance. "Thank you for the compliments, but I'm sure one of the younger Utaku in school can impress better. And I don't come here very often, either. I just had some time to kill, so to speak, and I thought I'd give the course a quick run. A little slower than I was last time, but last time I did this, I was 15."
"Do you ride, Shiba-san?"
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Post by Shiba Bai on Feb 23, 2018 22:17:49 GMT -5
"Perhaps, but to someone unskilled like me, the difference is insignificant. Indeed, would such a person be here, I would praise them just as much, and enjoy observing neither more nor less." He smiles, and then shakes his head. "But no, I have not ridden before. It looks fun, but I have never had reason to."
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Feb 23, 2018 22:21:51 GMT -5
"Would you care to try?" she asks as she dismounts. "Sakura here is quite friendly, if you're interested."
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Post by Shiba Bai on Feb 23, 2018 22:55:06 GMT -5
Bai looks hesitant at first, unsure if he could or should. He quickly casts his doubts away. He will be fine, he has Utaku-Sensei here to make sure of that, and it will be a valuable learning experience. And it will be fun. He hops over to the horse, for the first time truly appreciating how large they can be. He knew they were big, big enough to carry people around, but that is different than standing next to one in person, especially for someone so young and inexperienced.
He is careful getting up onto the horse, both out of caution and respect. Once he is in the saddle proper, he looks around. "So, now what?"
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Feb 23, 2018 22:58:59 GMT -5
Hisui assists as best she can, occasionally offering a subtle nudge so the Phoenix corrects his position on the saddle. It doesn't take much effort, to her surprise. She grabs the reins once Bai is properly mounted. She thinks the Phoenix is having an easier time of it than some others she'd seen in her life.
"Hold on to this," she gestures to the appropriate part of the saddle. "I'll lead Sakura around on a slower pace, so you can get used to being in the saddle. After that, if you think you're up for it, we'll pick up the pace. Or I can let you guide her on your own."
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Koshiro
Ronin/Other
Posts: 504
Likes: 1
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Post by Koshiro on Feb 24, 2018 9:54:11 GMT -5
Meanwhile, over at the stables, the sound of a hammer at work could be heard. Koshiro had arrived with a couple of planks to do some maintenance work, mainly replacing some of the older ones around and fixing a few holes. He did not notice the other two outside and simply carried on with his work, removing rotted planks and nailing in new ones.
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