[048] - [Voice]

[onwhitewings]

[Mitsuhide sounds very excited today.]

Before I say anything else, I wish for Gracia's friends to know that she is well, as well as one can be when affected by the cursed sleep. She will be with us again shortly, I am certain of it.

[He is, actually. It's true that he checks her several times every day to ensure she is still healthy and nothing is going wrong, but after seeing her go through it before and experience it himself he is quietly confident she will wake up soon.]

Now, then...

I discovered a new addition to Vatheon, or what I presume is a new addition, during my wanders through the forest today. A small stable! There are a few very fine horses here in the care of a local woman. She has agreed to let me help look after them, and indeed, call one my own if I wish it. I confess I was not shy about asking for such a thing and telling her of my experience with horses.

[A warm laugh.]

This is wonderful. It has been such a long time since I could take a ride, and longer still since I could take a ride for the sheer pleasure of it.

[Mitsuhide's tone of voice gains an obvious note of amusement as he finishes the post with an invitation.]

My Lord Motochika, why don't you come and join me here? When you're awake and out of your petal bath, of course.

Comments

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Horse-riding? ...What's that like?

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

It depends a little on your experience, the specific horse you are riding and where you choose to take the ride. If you have never done it before, it would take a little practice to get to grips with it and more than a few falls.

[Mitsuhide makes an appreciative sound.]

But it's incredibly enjoyable, especially when you urge the horse into a gallop. Going at such a speed is rather exhilarating.

[stayb100ponyboy.livejournal.com]

[Now you've gone and done it.]

A horse stable? Where?

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

In the forest; it's a little way in, but if you walk straight forward from the entrance you should find the small path that leads you to it.

[He replies, quite calmly.]

[stayb100ponyboy.livejournal.com]

[No response because he's dropped his SFC and is RUNNINGHURRYING TO THE STABLES!]

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[Quiet laughing on Mitsuhide's part, as he realises this. Such enthusiasm! =)]

[echigo-wargod.livejournal.com]

It is quite pleasant to hear she has been well.

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Lord Kenshin.

[His tone becomes polite and respectful.]

How fares your own household?

[echigo-wargod.livejournal.com]

Fairly well. No disasters have taken the house. [ Yet ]

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[Mitsuhide laughs quietly.]

Do you expect some in time?

[echigo-wargod.livejournal.com]

I am prepared for whatever the place may send my way.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

[When Motochika responds, the surprise of waking up blanketed in petals is faded -- there is challenge in his tone, and a thread of amusement.]

Petal bath, Mitsuhide? [That comment alone deserves reprisal.]

You were certainly committed to its construction. We will find petals all over the house for days to come. How long did this take you?

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I think you were covered in enough to justify the term, my Lord.

[Mitsuhide laughs quietly, mischief in his voice.]

Not as long as you might think, and I can get more again easily, if you wish for another.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Courteous. But I shall decline.

Too many petals and it becomes less of a bath, and more a flood.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

No more petal baths?

[A brief pause, and then...]

Perhaps next time I should merely pour water over you.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Do so, Mitsuhide! [Motochika goads, fully amused now.] You shall not stay dry yourself.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[More laughter.]

You underestimate me, Lord Motochika. I would be out of the room before you had the chance to get me wet as well.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

We will see about that.

[You can practically hear the smirk he wears in his tone.]

Now, tell me... where in the forest am I to find this stable?

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[A final, brief chuckle before Mitsuhide's voice becomes less mischevious.]

If you continue to walk forwards from the forest entrance you will eventually come across a pathway that leads to it.

1/2 voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Very well.

2/2 action;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

[A short while later, Motochika reaches the stables. He still has a considerable amount of petals caught in his hair.

He walks straight over to peer critically at the horses.]

A marvellous find.

action;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[Mitsuhide was at the door of one of the stables when Motochika arrived, stroking the neck of a bay mare. He turns his head when he hears Motochika speak, and then turns around fully after patting the horse on the nose.]

Indeed. I really cannot express how much it means to me to have found it.

[The samurai steps forward, gaze shifting to Motochika's hair for a moment. He smiles and reaches out to remove some of the petals.]

You got here quickly.

action;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

[Motochika huffs in amusement as Mitsuhide grooms him.]

I am eager to ride -- [a beat] -- and shed my petals too.

[He smirks slightly, his gaze bright as he glances across to Mitsuhide.]

When was the last time that we raced?

action;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[Mitsuhide raises an eyebrow as he drops his hand, scattering the petals he had retrieved from Motochika's hair onto the floor.]

It would be years, now.

[A brief laugh passes from his lips.]

You wish to race already?

action;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

[Motochika inclines his chin, challenging now.]

You have looked over the horses. Which two are most suitable?

action;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

All of them are good horses; it's really down to individual judgment and what specific qualities you are looking for.

[Mitsuhide looks back to the mare he had been stroking.]

She is the one I have chosen to be my own.

[It had been a quick judgment, but he'd felt a connection and trusted in it. All that remained was to give her a name, something he would spend a lot more time thinking about.]

[Mitsuhide points to another stable.]

The horse in there is about equal to mine in terms of ability, as far as I can tell.

action;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

That shall do, for this once.

[Motochika walks over to the aforementioned stable and greets the horse inside.]

action;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[Mitsuhide moves away, towards the end of the stables, and walks around the corner. When he returns, a minute or two later, he is holding the necessary tack for his new mount.]

When you are ready, everything you will need is round there.

[It takes a short while, but eventually Mitsuhide's mare is all saddled up and ready to ride. Mitsuhide pats her nose affectionately.]

These horses have all been well trained. I would wonder where they came from, but in Vatheon, that is something of a pointless question.