[D7, EA] Lost in the Forest

[Shinjo Jingyi]

She hadn't been sure how to respond to the first letter. She knew there was a court game involving sending letters to other people, but she hadn't spent enough time in court before to receive anything. She had still been considering it this morning when the second letter arrived. Jingyi now stood in the forest reading both of them again. She wasn't alone, of course. Odoruhonō peered at the letters from over her shoulder while Jiyukaze watched from a nearby tree. Aiyama waited patiently by her side.

[Kakita Yuji]

She hadn't been sure how to respond to the first letter. She knew there was a court game involving sending letters to other people, but she hadn't spent enough time in court before to receive anything. She had still been considering it this morning when the second letter arrived. Jingyi now stood in the forest reading both of them again. She wasn't alone, of course. Odoruhonō peered at the letters from over her shoulder while Jiyukaze watched from a nearby tree. Aiyama waited patiently by her side.

They made no attempt to hide their approach, the distinct clop clop clop of a non-Unicorn horse not quite the equal of a Unicorn one was still distinct. Emerging from the woods came Kakita Yuji and his horse, Yutaka.

He offered a friendly nod to the Unicorn.

"Afternoon, Shinjo-san. Lovely day for a ride in the woods, neh?" he asked.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"It is, Kakita-sama." she smiled and dipped her head. Looking over the horse, she asked, "And, who is this?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"It is, Kakita-sama." she smiled and dipped her head. Looking over the horse, she asked, "And, who is this?"

Yuji smiled a bit.

"Ah, my apologies, Shinjo-san, this is Yutaka." he offers. The horse flicked it's head up at the mention of it's name. "We've been together since I learned how to ride, they've been a noble companion through many a woodland ride."

[Shinjo Jingyi]

The Unicorn whistled and another horse soon approached from a nearby clearing.

"I would say the same about Hayakawa. He's always ready for a new adventure."
.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji looked at the arrival of the Unicorn's steed.

"My, the tales really do not exaggerate when it comes to the famed Unicorn steeds, do they?" he said, in appreciation of it's greater size.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"You should see the Utaku mounts." she laughed. "Hayakawa-kun doesn't match their size. But, size isn't as important as other traits."

She patted the horses neck

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji nodded, patting his own horse.

"This is true. Much like warriors, neh? Size is certainly a boon, but speed, courage, stamina, and many more things are qualities to be valued in both beast and bushi." he replied.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Exactly." She grinned and climbed into the saddle. "May I join you on your ride?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Exactly." She grinned and climbed into the saddle. "May I join you on your ride?"

Yuji nodded.

"Of course, while Yutaka is wonderful company he's not the most talkative." Yuji agreed.

Yutaka snorted disdainfully.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Perhaps he's just a good listener." she suggested. "I have the poem you requested, by the way."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Perhaps he's just a good listener." she suggested. "I have the poem you requested, by the way."

Yuji smiled.

"Company and poetry on a woodland ride? You truly do know how to brighten a day Shinjo-san." he offered, pleased that she had a poem to offer.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"A child of the wind
Racing for new horizons
What path lies beyond?"

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji smiled.

"What path indeed?" he replied. "It's difficult to truly comprehend the change that awaits us in a few days, wouldn't you agree?"

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Hai. I still feel a bit lost in it all." she admitted. "But, it's exciting, thinking about what may come next. How do you feel about it all, Kakita-sama?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Hai. I still feel a bit lost in it all." she admitted. "But, it's exciting, thinking about what may come next. How do you feel about it all, Kakita-sama?"

"Awe-filled I suppose would be the best way to describe it Shinjo-san. We are coming to the close of the first chapter of our lives we'll really remember. One might argue that that was when we entered training, but I think of that as more of a prelude than anything else. We have been well-cared for, well-taught, and prepared for what is coming, as much as anyone can be prepared for such. And soon the next chapter will start." he mused. "It is both a grand conclusion and a grand beginning filled with only the Fortunes know."

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"I agree entirely." she nodded. "What do you know about this forest, Kakita-sama? Are there any points of interest within it or legends about it?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"I agree entirely." she nodded. "What do you know about this forest, Kakita-sama? Are there any points of interest within it or legends about it?"

"Ah well, the Tsu fish come to mind." he offered. "Have you heard of them? Venom-clawed fish that lurk in the treetops waiting to jump down upon the unwary?"

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Oh yes, I was hoping to find those." she grinned. 'Is there anything else? I received some letters suggesting I come out here."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Oh yes, I was hoping to find those." she grinned. 'Is there anything else? I received some letters suggesting I come out here."

Yuji looked slightly puzzled.

"Oh? Hm, well perhaps Shinjo-san. There are always smaller tales in larger woods. Did the letter give you any sort of hint as to what you were looking for?" he asked,