[D6, EA Expecting] Trotting along

[Shiba Haru]

Haru sat upon his horse just outside the city gate fidgeting slightly.

This is a terrible terrible idea. You told Mitsuko that you weren't going to interfere or compete.
But I still want to be her friend, it's not my fault she's so pretty and nice and relatable.

"Kami help me."

[Suzume Rin]

Haru sat upon his horse just outside the city gate fidgeting slightly.

This is a terrible terrible idea. You told Mitsuko that you weren't going to interfere or compete.
But I still want to be her friend, it's not my fault she's so pretty and nice and relatable.

"Kami help me."

"Heyo Haru-sama!"
There's a cheerful voice from behind him and the sound of horse hooves on cobblestones as Rin and Ikki pull up alongside the Phoenix, Rin bowing from the saddle.

"It's good to see you again! And after yah did so well in the test today. I told yah it was only a matter of time until your fortunes turned."
Rin beams, clearly happy for him.

[Shiba Haru]

"Heyo Haru-sama!"
There's a cheerful voice from behind him and the sound of horse hooves on cobblestones as Rin and Ikki pull up alongside the Phoenix, Rin bowing from the saddle.

"It's good to see you again! And after yah did so well in the test today. I told yah it was only a matter of time until your fortunes turned."
Rin beams, clearly happy for him.

He bowed in his saddle.

"Thank you for your kind words Rin-san and thank you for joining me on this ride. I hope I am not keeping you from the festivities."

He coaxed his mount to move along side the Sparrow.

"Do you have somewhere you wish to go or shall we just explore?"

[Suzume Rin]

He bowed in his saddle.

"Thank you for your kind words Rin-san and thank you for joining me on this ride. I hope I am not keeping you from the festivities."

He coaxed his mount to move along side the Sparrow.

"Do you have somewhere you wish to go or shall we just explore?"

"Oh naw. I've got an invite to go late. Really, some time with a friend is easier than a big fancy party. Gotta make sure I'm dressed right and talking right, it's a lot to prepare for."
Gesturing at the forest
"I'm happy to just go anywhere, clear my head. You wanna lead and I'll follow?"

[Shiba Haru]

"Umm, certainly. Have you been dressed improperly this whole time because you've looked great to me? How scandalous!" he said with mock surprise.

I honestly don't think I could handle dressed up Rin

He urged his steed forward at a pleasant trot and veered off the beaten path in a direction he hadn't gone before.

[Suzume Rin]

"Umm, certainly. Have you been dressed improperly this whole time because you've looked great to me? How scandalous!" he said with mock surprise.

I honestly don't think I could handle dressed up Rin

He urged his steed forward at a pleasant trot and veered off the beaten path in a direction he hadn't gone before.

"Oh I mean, wouldn't do that, be rude to the Crane if I was just walking around in my fields gear."
Rin and Ikki following along just behind, trotting pleasantly
"Just..I really only got the one nice piece of clothing, and there you going being too nice 'bout how I look. I know I'm not half as done up as most of the folks here."

[Shiba Haru]

"There is a beauty to authenticity and your humility only bolsters it Rin-san. I similarly have few fancy clothes but who we are on the surface matters less than who we are inside. So how have been, we haven't caught up in a while. Anything interesting happen, meet any interesting people?"

[Suzume Rin]

"There is a beauty to authenticity and your humility only bolsters it Rin-san. I similarly have few fancy clothes but who we are on the surface matters less than who we are inside. So how have been, we haven't caught up in a while. Anything interesting happen, meet any interesting people?"

"Oh...yeah..lots of interesting stuff."
Rin rubs the back of her neck
"Lots of new people to meet, lots of new experiences. Actually did some crafting with your brother, he's real nice, very kind."
Pause
"Umm, someone told me they didn't not like me, which was a bit of a surprise."

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh...yeah..lots of interesting stuff."
Rin rubs the back of her neck
"Lots of new people to meet, lots of new experiences. Actually did some crafting with your brother, he's real nice, very kind."
Pause
"Umm, someone told me they didn't not like me, which was a bit of a surprise."

"What fool said that?"

Probably the Akodo

"Whoever it was must be jealous of your talent and poise."

[Suzume Rin]

"What fool said that?"

Probably the Akodo

"Whoever it was must be jealous of your talent and poise."

"Oh you know, I ain't gonna go round naming names. I'd make a terrible gossip. I'm sure they were just having a long day. But umm...then someone else said they liked me, and that...was pretty nice."

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh you know, I ain't gonna go round naming names. I'd make a terrible gossip. I'm sure they were just having a long day. But umm...then someone else said they liked me, and that...was pretty nice."

Haru knew right away who she meant this time.

"That certainly surpirses me less, everyone I have talked to has a high opinion of you. In fact, talking about our mutual admiration of you has helped bring Mitsuko-san and I closer. We share a great deal in that regard actually."

He turned to face her, his face warm and friendly.


So you're just OK with lying to Mitsuko-chan then?

[Suzume Rin]

Haru knew right away who she meant this time.

"That certainly surpirses me less, everyone I have talked to has a high opinion of you. In fact, talking about our mutual admiration of you has helped bring Mitsuko-san and I closer. We share a great deal in that regard actually."

He turned to face her, his face warm and friendly.


So you're just OK with lying to Mitsuko-chan then?

"Uh-"
Rin blinks, her mouth falling open
"-How'd...you...wait, wah?"

[Shiba Haru]

"Uh-"
Rin blinks, her mouth falling open
"-How'd...you...wait, wah?"

"Hmm?"

Haru slowed his horse and pulled up along side her.

"It's still a bit windy I think, I missed that sorry."

[Suzume Rin]

"Hmm?"

Haru slowed his horse and pulled up along side her.

"It's still a bit windy I think, I missed that sorry."

A clearly embarrassed Rin fidgets with her saddle.
"Sorry, was just wondering how you knew 'bout that. Was it just a really good guess?...Dang, if it was I've just confirmed it."

[Shiba Haru]

A clearly embarrassed Rin fidgets with her saddle.
"Sorry, was just wondering how you knew 'bout that. Was it just a really good guess?...Dang, if it was I've just confirmed it."

Haru smiled and remembered that it wasn't just Mitsuko and he in this awkward situation. There was a comfort in being the matchmaker versus making a match yourself and he resolved to keep his word.

"I knew because I'm the one who told her to tell you.

It was obvious in our talks that she admires you greatly and I can certainly empathize with that, I feel a deep connection with both of you. I suggested she put voice to her feelings and I take it from your reaction that it was not unwelcome news. How are you feeling?"

[Suzume Rin]

Haru smiled and remembered that it wasn't just Mitsuko and he in this awkward situation. There was a comfort in being the matchmaker versus making a match yourself and he resolved to keep his word.

"I knew because I'm the one who told her to tell you.

It was obvious in our talks that she admires you greatly and I can certainly empathize with that, I feel a deep connection with both of you. I suggested she put voice to her feelings and I take it from your reaction that it was not unwelcome news. How are you feeling?"

"Oh..you told her to tell me? Didn't know a whole bunch of thought had gone into this."
Rin blushes furiously
"Glad you did though...feeling a little confused, but also warm and happy. It's just been a lot to take in, you know? You probably know this sorta thing much better than I do."

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh..you told her to tell me? Didn't know a whole bunch of thought had gone into this."
Rin blushes furiously
"Glad you did though...feeling a little confused, but also warm and happy. It's just been a lot to take in, you know? You probably know this sorta thing much better than I do."

"A bit but just a bit, the times I have confessed to someone haven't gone too well, one broke my wrist and the other had stronger feelings for someone else. I understand it can be confusing though, is it something you want to talk about?"

[Suzume Rin]

"A bit but just a bit, the times I have confessed to someone haven't gone too well, one broke my wrist and the other had stronger feelings for someone else. I understand it can be confusing though, is it something you want to talk about?"

"Not if it brings up all those bad memories."
Said Rin, completely missing a pretty obvious hint.
"Kinda rude for me just to prattle on about something like that when it's one of those good problems. I...still ain't sure of the best way to do things. But I've been getting lots of good advice from people on how to approach it. Really, I should be seeing 'bout finding someone for you."

[Shiba Haru]

"Not if it brings up all those bad memories."
Said Rin, completely missing a pretty obvious hint.
"Kinda rude for me just to prattle on about something like that when it's one of those good problems. I...still ain't sure of the best way to do things. But I've been getting lots of good advice from people on how to approach it. Really, I should be seeing 'bout finding someone for you."

Haru's On broke for a moment, a twitch in the corner of his eye and a waiver of his smile.

"I..."

He choked on his words slightly and cleared his throat.

"I appreciate the thought Rin-chan but I am fine, the joy I feel for two friends coming to know each other is enough for me. I also respect that you wish to keep your thoughts private but I can't help but give you some of the advice I gave Mitsuko. First, understand what and how you feel, then act. We do not have much time left here and there is no knowing what our futures hold but do not let the press of time rush you into doing more than you are comfortable with. Crab and Sparrow lands are not so far apart that a reunion is impossible for you, not like say Sparrow and Phoenix lands. But once you do know what you want, act on it. If that means a relationship with Mitsuko-chan then have as full a one as time allows, but know that our duties will separate you if only for a time."

Haru seemed unaware of his use of the familiar terms for the two women.

[Suzume Rin]

Haru's On broke for a moment, a twitch in the corner of his eye and a waiver of his smile.

"I..."

He choked on his words slightly and cleared his throat.

"I appreciate the thought Rin-chan but I am fine, the joy I feel for two friends coming to know each other is enough for me. I also respect that you wish to keep your thoughts private but I can't help but give you some of the advice I gave Mitsuko. First, understand what and how you feel, then act. We do not have much time left here and there is no knowing what our futures hold but do not let the press of time rush you into doing more than you are comfortable with. Crab and Sparrow lands are not so far apart that a reunion is impossible for you, not like say Sparrow and Phoenix lands. But once you do know what you want, act on it. If that means a relationship with Mitsuko-chan then have as full a one as time allows, but know that our duties will separate you if only for a time."

Haru seemed unaware of his use of the familiar terms for the two women.

Rin frowns, clearly feeling this is dredging up painful memories for Haru, but she decides listening closely is the best way to honour that.
"Right! So, make sure it's what I want. But if it is something I want, then I should take a hold of it with both hands, knowing that it still won't happen overnight."

Sitting up straight
"Then what I'll do! And I guess the rest of it is just up to the fortunes."
There's another slightly smaller frown...did he just chan her and Mitsuko?...Nah, Rin didn't want to be assuming things.

"Gosh, you've really thought this through, and all just to give me some advice. Ain't you just the kindest."