Grooming (day 13 late morning, Stables)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Moto Baatar was in a good mood that morning, whistling cheerfully as he tended Horse, diligently brushing the animal's flanks until it was shiny and glossy.

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

Mari hadn't even needed to get a peasant to send a message had she? No, she'd figured he'd be here about this time of day, and here he was. There might be other Unicorn about, but ... well, she could cross that bridge if she had to. Maybe get called Sahood or whatever that one guy said so often. Shudder.

At the entry into the stables, she made a gentle rap at the post and bowed. "Good morning, Moto-sama. I hope I'm not interrupting." Her tone was still distant, but it was more polite than when they'd first met.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Good morning, Mari-san!" Baatar replied cheerfully as he looked up from grooming Horse. "Not at all! How are you today? My wound are all healed up, by the way, and I'm feeling great!"

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

She chuckled as she slid into the stables and came to lean up against one of the posts. It was a more casual stance than she'd taken in the past, her arms still folded in front of her as she nodded over to him. "So I see. I had heard about your bout with the bulls. It seems that you and your kin have been blessed with good fortune in battle thus far." She didn't add 'blessed not to get yourselves killed and cause an incident.' It really wasn't necessary.

"Do you ride with the Legions to face the Chrysanthemum?"

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Yes, I plan to," Baatar affirmed. "Steel Flower has tried to kill us enough times now, that I want to make sure he didn't get any more chances. With the Imperial Legions moving to meet him in the field, this is certain to be the critical battle."

He patted Horse affectionately. "And we'll be ready for him."

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

She nodded. "I wanted to wish you good fortune then, in the battle to come. Perhaps we will run into each other again down the road. The empire isn't truly as large as some believe it to be." She had a suspicion that her roads would take her towards whatever trouble this empire seemed to find itself into. Such was her fate... and she would be better prepared to cause her own version of trouble.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"I hope so, Mari-san, you've been very kind," Baatar replied. "With any luck, next time I won't be hurt as bad! But I hope the wolf's path treats you kindly."

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

She snorted and smirked at him. "Moto-sama, you may not know much of the empire, but I think you know better than to wish for the impossible. The wolf's road is always hard. It makes us hard by nature." Or it ground them under its heel. "I would like to thank you a little. Seeing the rank and file... makes it easier to not burn with anger under all the smiles. I appreciate that."

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"I'm glad," Baatar said simply. "I know you feel roughly treated by what happened, but... well, not much to be done about it now. But with things...being the way they are... I'm sure there'll be lots of good opportunities for hire for the best healer in town."

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

She snickered. "There's at least one Isawa in town who might bridle at that assertion," she said with a wink. "She's quite powerful, but thanks for the vote of confidence. And... I've made peace with it. I'm not actually a very forgiving woman, but I'm at peace with my pilgrimage. I know some will look down on a ronin selfish enough to take it up for so long, but at least until ... one thing changes, I will remain on the roads. Perhaps I'll even send you a little note from the road."

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Please do," Baatar replied. "It'd be good to hear from you. And, hopefully our paths will cross again."

Mari · **Joined:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:43 am **Posts:** 702

"The way that the fortunes blow, who can truly say... but it seems some people are destined to reunite from time to time." Why? Well, that was a far more interesting question. Destiny was strange. "I should be going. This is just a short stop off. I'll be traveling very soon, I think."

Grooming (day 13 late morning, Stables)

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