Sorry about the late update! Was with my Dad all day yesterday for his Birthday. We're back on our regularly scheduled L5R Quest now.
[x] Interact with Hiruma Shasa.
You move your horse closer to Hiruma Shasa's, though not so close as to agitate either your mount or hers. There is about four feet between the both of you as your beasts lumber forward at a fast walk, but this is not an insurmountable distance to hold conversation.
Now that you're closer, you can better recognize that Shasa, though only a year older than you, has already blossomed beautifully into a young woman. Her long black hair is lustrous, and her blue eyes are like sapphires. Her cheekbones rest high, giving her a regal, almost imperious, beauty.
In the few seconds it takes you to settle into your new spot in the caravan, you also can't help but notice that even in heavy armor Shasa's form is most definitely feminine. There's muscle there, too, but you can definitely appreciate her curves. You've been noticing girls more often as you've grown older, but you don't think you've seen anyone quite this attractive…
"Enjoying the view?" Shasa asks wryly.
Her comment almost makes you fall off your horse. With a yelp, you settle yourself and grip the reigns so tightly you can hear the leather creak. You've got to compose yourself! For a few seconds you close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Then you open them, and bow as best you can while in the saddle. "My apologies, Hiruma Shasa-san. I should not have been staring at you."
Shasa gives you a little chuckle and wave of her hand. "Think nothing of it, Sosuke-san. It is not the first time boys have looked at me. There is nothing to apologize for."
You blink. Back when you'd observed Shasa before, she'd been scowling and seemed rather miserable. But now she is smiling at you and laughing. Perhaps she had merely been in a bad mood at that moment?
More importantly, she has addressed you by only your given name. Strictly speaking, since you are still strangers she is being rather presumptuous, but you are also of the same social status so it is not exactly inappropriate. And she used the honorific, which means she is still giving proper respect. All in all, she seems to be inviting a certain degree of closeness in your interactions while still maintaining decorum.
"My thanks, then, Shasa-san, for not taking offense at my rudeness."
"If I took offense for every man who might glance upon me, I would be offended all hours of the day! It is truly no issue, Sosuke-san."
You nod. "Then allow me to greet you properly. I am Hiruma Sosuke. It is my pleasure to journey with you while on this expedition."
"I am Hiruma Shasa," she says. "And I look forward to traveling with you." She looks ahead and grimaces. "Though I fear it might be the only thing I enjoy as we travel."
"Really?" you say, blinking in surprise at her sudden shift in expression. "Are you not happy with your assignment here?"
"I am happy to see the rest of the Empire," Shasa says. "In fact, I made a formal request that I might be a Yojimbo to the Courtiers Hida Tanaka-sama has sent to the other Clans. I did not expect to be sent to Dragon Lands, though. I hear they are reclusive and focus more on spiritual matters than worldly politics."
"Yes," you say. "They might have become more in touch with the rest of the Empire since Moto Shinichiro's rebellion, but the Dragon still hole themselves up on their mountains most of the time. Negotiating with them will not be easy."
"Yes," Shasa says, looking ahead as if gazing into the distance. "I imagine it will be quite difficult to get anything we want from the Dragon. Hopefully the lands of the other Clans along the way will be of more interest."
"The swiftest gate through the mountains is in Scorpion Lands," you say, your mouth twisting at the mention of that Clan. "I think we'll be lucky if our food isn't poisoned just traveling through their territory."
"The Scorpion can't be all that bad," Shasa says. "True, they are honorless in both reputation and deed, but they must serve some purpose. If they do not, the Esteemed Emperor, may he live long and rule justly, would not allow them to keep existing."
"I suppose that is true," you say. "And after them, the Lion Clan."
"I am looking forward to seeing the lands of the Ikoma Family," Shasa says. "We'll be passing through them almost directly after going through the mountains."
"I've heard a bit about them as well," you say, looking toward Yasuki Goro as he rides a little ways ahead. You recall what he told you of the Ikoma, and how they handled the Courts. "I'll admit, I'm curious about them."
"Then perhaps we will discover new and interesting things together, Sosuke-san," she says with a smile. "I look forward to seeing it all with you."
You feel your cheeks redden a little at the attention Shasa is giving you in this conversation, and you turn away before she can notice. The slight, muffled giggle informs you that you've failed. Mentally, you curse yourself. If you had realized from a distance just how pretty Shasa was, you'd have approached this differently. As it is, you're fairly certain you've looked a fool gawking at her beauty.
[] Write in.
