Master of horses (Shou)

[Chimosa Hake]

The trip from Shimotsuke had been a long one, several weeks of riding, going from village to village and sleeping in inns whenever possible. They hadn't met any bandits on the road, which was quite a feat, but had run into several burning villages along the way. It seemed like war was quite active here on the Takeda-Uesugi border of Kotsuke. They had met soldiers of both sides and were left undisturbed as they moved on. While there was no single power in Shimotsuke, the province was known and they were left alone after showing their papers the Daimyo had provided them with.

Hake's long raven black hair was pushed over her shoulder as he looked ahead towards the town they were heading for. Here, the Takeda forces had gathered, a border defense force which was here permanently should the Uesugi decide to attack. Even from here, Hake could see the overwhelming amounts of mounts and mounted soldiers. This was why they were here. The Takeda had the best cavalry around and also bred the finest horses in the land. So Hake had been made a part of the trade envoy sent here.

Their group of twenty rode into town and headed straight for the inn. It was always good to settle in first before going out and trading. While Hake had been sent with the men, he had no idea why, as his skills did not include knowledge of horses. But then again, perhaps that was why he was here? Excusing himself from the other men, Hake left the inn and strolled around town. His beige outfit did nothing to establish any interest in Hake and he enjoyed it that way. Under the large sleeved, lose robe Hake wore a tightly cross-tied beige hakama, kept in place by a band of silk in the same beige color as the rest of his outfit.

His first destination was the training field upon which he had seen the Takeda troops practicing. This would be a good place to learn something about them and, if possible, to 'borrow' some strategies from. Perhaps, if he was lucky, he'd come up with some counter strategies for their maneuvers. Hake smiled and looked ever more wonderful to the few men that noticed his beauty now.

SPOILER: Click to show

The same as Zhuge Liang, except in a sandy-beige color, without the topknot-hat, as Hake wears his hair loose.

[Yamabara Shou]

It was yet another day of training for Shou and the men of Koboyashi unit. It seemed that Lord Shingen still did not think that the men's horsemanship was up to scratch in the recent days. It was a shame really, because it meant that he once more was roped into helping show the men how to ride better. It wasn't the best display of what the Takeda were know for, but still they rode better then most soldier did. However as he rode around leading the men, he caught out the corner of his eye, someone who had come to watch. 

It wasn't odd for men of the nearby town to occasionally come down and show their respect to the soldier of the Takeda, however there was something off about them. They were cleaner then most, not dressed like a soldier or noble, but better dressed then a common would be. Waving a hand lazily to tell the men to continue on. Shou rode over to where the new comer had arrived. 

"Can I help you miss?" Shou asked, dismount a little ahead of Hake. He didn't know that he was a man, and his appearance and hair at first glance said other wise. Gently he tossed Gokaze reign back so the hung over the horse's saddle. "If you stick around, you'll probably start getting hassled by the men once they stop there exercises." Shou explained, still mistaking the man sex, something that the soldier may also do. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake watched the display of formation, mock charges and a few solo practices who tried, with minute control of their horses, to move them around in a zig zag pattern in between some barrels. Their horsemanship was indeed quite something. It was with more than simple interest that Hake watched the men practice. In awe, he looked at their skills, far above anything Hake had ever seen done before. When one of the men broke off from the troops and headed in his direction, Hake did not notice until the horseman was almost upon him.

His attention turned towards the person on the horse and, to Hake's surprise, that person was quite female, but with a few touches of male. It was difficult to decide whether it was a feminine man or a tomboy female. As a onlooker and commoner, Hake immediately bowed towards the rider, his hands slipped into opposite sleeves, hidden from sight. "Dono." Hake spoke the 'd' sound hard enough for it to be mistaken for a 't'. A simple way of making sure that Hake didn't make a mistake to the person's gender and getting his head cut off.

"I've spend some time with soldiers before, Dono. I will be able to manage myself. But thank you for warning me. I was merely here to observe the practice, Dono." Hake remained bowed, something people did when confronted with military ranked soldiers or actual nobles. It was the way things worked. Hake's long black hair slipped in between his arms and hid most of his face from the person's view. Hake wondered, before catching himself doing so, if the person actually was a 'Dono' or a 'Tono'. It was not his place to think as such.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou wanted to laugh to himself when the Hake spoke to him so respectfully, but managed to turn it into just a slight smirk. He was no lord, not by any stretch of the imagination. However Hake didn't know, just meant they he was a cautious individual. "I'm Yamabara. Please I don't deserve such respect." Shou said humbly, his way of informing Hake that the Dono was not needed. "I can understand wanting to watch. The villages sometime do. However you are not one of them. Whom exactly do you serve? It would be foolish of me to allow someone unknown to me so readily examine the tactic of the Takeda." Shou would ask. "Put my mind at ease a little. Then maybe you can stay and watch us as we train" Shou would explain looking over his shoulder. "Is that okay Koboyashi?" He would raise his voice to talk to the captain of the unit. "I don't have a problem with that Shou. I trust your judgement." The captain would reply with a nod. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake raised his head somewhat as the person, informed him they were not the lord or lady Hake had presumed. Straightening himself up and casually brushing his hair back, Hake smiled back, his soft pink lips splitting to show off a set of white teeth. Not only was the rider a careful person, they also carried a certain... something. Hake had difficulty putting his finger on it. Perhaps it was the inability to determine, for sure, the rider's gender.

"I am Chimosa Hake, trade envoy of Katsuba-Dono, Daimyo of South-western Shimotsuke. I'm just here because the Takeda are world famous for their horsemanship and it would be a waste not to see them perform it during my short stay here in your village." That he was here to learn their tactics or even to buy their horses were details Hake thought unnecessary for the rider as the first one was a secret and the second part was only for the ears of whoever was in charge here.

"Please, don't let me disturb your training." Hake bowed again, lighter this time before looking the rider over again. It was a fun game to the strategist to try and determine the rider's gender. A tomboy lady or a feminine man. Hake smiled at the rider. "Perhaps, once you're finished training, you could tell me something about your horses over some sake?" Hake didn't bow this time, his offer to share a drink like this was spoken as equals, without the previous honorifics or necessary bowing.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou's head tilted up and to the side , in thought. While he knew of Shimotsuke, he didn't no of the lord that Hake mentioned. From what he remembered Shimotsuke was near the border between the Takeda and the Uesugi to the north-east of where they currently were. Shou was suspicious, but the mention of drinking and talking seemed like a fun one. If Hake wasn't loyal to the lord he had mention and instead served the Uesugi it would have mattered as much. The Takeda had being fighting against the Uesugi for a long time, by now they knew to some extent what to expect from Takeda horsemen.

"Alright guess that sound okay to me. I'll talk to you when we're done here." Shou would say, nodding a small bow to Hake before remounting Gokaze and heading back to the men. Over the next short while Shou continued to lead the training. Showing correct use of weapon from horse back, how to split a column of horses in order to flank and enemy force, even how to use the reigns and stirrups of a horse in order to dodge blows made while still remaining mounted on their horse. Time would pass going through different tactic with the men, until he felt they were tired enough that it would no longer help them. Once they were done and the men lead there horses away, Shou would hand his horse over to one of the men as well and walk back over to Hake. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake could almost see the wheels turning in the rider's head. Shimotsuke lay behind Uesugi territory, thus it wouldn't be too far fetched to think it a ruse of some sort. He had presented the proper documents but not to the rider. Hake smiled at the rider as he accepted his offer to join him for a drink later on. No better way to settle into a new village than by sharing a drink with someone you just met. The world was full of potentially interesting people who could give so much to Hake, often while requiring nothing more than Hake's company while drinking.

Over the course of the training, Hake watched intently at everything they did. From their formation riding drills to the specifics of dodging attacks without being unhorsed. When they dueled it out, practicing their weapon skills, Hake was extra impressed by the way the men, especially the rider, could direct the horse not so much by hand but with their entire body. It was quite an interesting sight, seeing the rider practice with the cavalry troops. It was obvious that he was either in charge or highly respected by the troops as they trooped around him to listen to his instructions or to make sure they didn't miss any of them.

By the time the drills were over, Hake had moved from his distant viewing spot all the way up to the edge of the cavalry field, drawn in by the same desire to not miss a single detail of the training as the men. It had been highly interesting, especially when the split-flanking maneuver had been shown. When the rider handed his horse over to one of the men and walked closer, Hake couldn't help but clap his hands together. He seemed to be beaming as he spoke.

"Amazing. You're such a great horseman, such skill. It was a pleasure to watch the Takeda's pride at work." Hake had shifted back to his previous speech, using more official language than the one he had used to invite the rider for drinks. Their status as total strangers, combined with proper etiquette, required such speech. "You must be thirsty after such a strenuous practice. Would you like to share that drink I mentioned?" Hake gave him a flirty smile and winked softly at the rider. After such a display of both martial skill and strategical insight, Hake didn't really care if the rider was a man or a woman. So much to be learned from a person like that.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou couldn't help himself blushing slightly at the compliment of his skill with a horse. He was by no means the best, but the compliment was nice. Appreciation was always good, even from a stranger. Turning the blush from a smile at the offer of drink he nodded politely. "Indeed Chimosa-san. Thank you." He would say kindly, looking over towards the town.

"Well would you like to drink out here, or find somewhere in the town. While they might have somewhere more comfortable to sit back there, its a nice day." He would ask turning his gaze up to the blue sky. As he said it was a nice day out here. 

[Chimosa Hake]

"It's indeed a beautiful day. If it is alright with you, would you mind showing me the stables. I'm not much of a horse person but I can appreciate them as much as the next person. Also, I couldn't help but notice your horse. Perhaps you could introduce me, Yamabara-San?" Hake smiled brightly as he motioned towards the horse that was being led away by one of the soldiers and that the rider had been using for the exercise."The sake will be there whether we go now or if we go later today. I have yet to see a sake bottle with legs." Hake's soft chuckle had a melodious ring to it as he hid it behind one of his large sleeves.

Without waiting for Shou's reaction, Hake stepped forward and slid one arm through Shou's, waiting for the man to head towards the stables and the horses. "Shall we go?" A beautiful day indeed. And it was about to get even better. If Hake could inspect the actual Takeda horses from up close in their stables, he wouldn't have any problems at all with the negotiation to make sure the horses they bought would be actual Takeda horses and not just regular horses. Everyone had regular horses.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would listen to Hake requested, and didn't see the harm in it. Turning he looked over his shoulder. "Tsumo, leave him there." Shou called out to one of the soldiers, the one he had passed the reigns of his horse over to earlier. Shou then jogged over and quickly brought the horse back with him. "This is Gokaze. A word wind, fast like the gusting air, and a carrier of me and the messages I normally deliver." Shou said proudly, stroking the horse mane. "He's quite gently really, well most of the time." He added, letting the horse step forward in range of Hake. 

Shou would let, Hake stroke the horse as well if he wanted. "The stables are this way. Follow me." Shou would say, leading Gokaze by the reigns to start, before letting them go, the horse following him still because of it training. The horse of the Takeda, were almost as loyal, if not more so then the men themselves. Leading the way, Shou, Gokaze and Hake would arrive at a large three walled building, the last being made of canvas, connected on to a large penned in area of grassland. The sound of horse were load, as was the smell. It wasn't pleasant but Shou was use to it. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake watched the rider, who seemed more male by the minute, run up to the horse and bring it over to Hake, introducing the horse as Gokaze. Hake, impressed by the horse's size from up close, stood back a little, afraid. He smiled at the horse and at Shou but remained at a distance. When Shou joked about the horse being gentle most of the time, Hake took an involuntary step backwards, making sure the horse wouldn't be able to get him without having to step forward.

Hake was glad when they left for the stables but it only lasted a moment until he noticed that the horse was walking after them. "Yamada-san. Your horse is following us." Hake took small, quick steps in order to get next to Shou, all the while sending glances over his shoulder towards the horse. "I don't think he likes me much." Hake said, coughing softly as he tried to ignore the horse behind him.

When the smell of horses hit Hake's nose, he stopped. Without thinking, Hake brought his hand in front of his mouth, covering half of his face with the large sleeve of his outfit. While it did nothing to really block the smell, it gave Hake the idea of it. "This is quite... the odor." Hake coughed again, this time in the sleeve covering his face already. Finding himself trapped between the incredible smell of horses and Gokaze behind him, eyeing him with those mean eyes of his, Hake was at a loss. He passed a pleading glance towards Shou, hoping he would understand that Hake wasn't in his element here and save him the embarrassment of having to ask if they could leave.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou found it slightly strange that Hake with his interest in the horses, seemed unsettled by the fact Gokaze followed them. When the got the stables it became increasing clear that he was out of his element as it were. Shou wave for Gokaze to head towards the penned area, and the horse did so. Heading over to a water trough and dropping his head down to drink. "It's okay, Chimosa-san, horse are not for everyone." He would say starting to lead the other man away again.

"A lot goes in to caring for horse that people don't seem to think of. The need food, water. They have to be groomed or the fall ill. They have to be trained, care for otherwise they are more a hassle then a boon really." Shou would explain as he lead Hake away. "It's worth it though." Shou pointed out his own opinion, Gokaze had saved his life before, got him away from things that would otherwise killed him. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake smiled apologetically. Horses were indeed not for him, at least not from up close. At a distance, however, controlled by strategy and command flags or drums, horses were an invaluable asset. A cavalry charge could make or break an entire army if placed properly. And at the moment, the force Hake served in right now, didn't have any professional soldiers at all, let alone professionally trained cavalry. Breathing a little easier as they moved further away from the horses, Hake seemed to calm down again. "It's a shame, really. But horses are important to everyone so I was hoping to get some experience with them, even as remotely as the experience I got just now." Hake smiled.

When Shou started talking about taking care of horses, Hake's mind tried to form some equations for the food requirements and the costs that would go into those requirements. A cavalry unit would require double or triple the amount of grain a footsoldier did because of the horse that needed feeding as well. "While they might cost more, they also cut down other costs. If you deliver a message on foot, you need to pay for three days of food, water and lodging. If you go on horse you need to pay for food and water for one day for both man and horse, most likely saving you time and money." Hake refrained from mentioning horses in any way military, not wanting to put Shou on a mental path that would lead him to think Hake was only interested in horses from a military point of view.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou listened the Hake as they walked away, horse were important as he said. However Hake logic was slightly flawed. Yes a horse on the short distance could easily cut a three day trip to a 1 day trip. That didn't mean it cost less though. Horse easily ate a lot more then a man due to there size. What horses did was save time, not cost. Then again time was a important commodity itself. Also horse only really shortened the short to mid ranged trip. It was quite possible over extremely long distances for a man endurance be better then a horse. Not that Shou would want to run that even if he could.

Shou didn't voice these things though. As he didn't want to seem overly contradictory to someone he had just met. It would have been rude of him to do so. "Well I'd happily talk more about it." Shou would offer. "Any question I feel I can answer?" Shou would add. Obviously he didn't know Hake motive, but if he did start question a military problems, Shou would have to use his judgement in answering them. Continuing to lead them away and back to the village.

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake was glad his host was so accommodating. He smiled at Shou as they walked away from the stables and in the general direction of the town. "That's good to hear. I'd love to talk more about it. You spend a lot of time on horseback then? Being a Takeda." Hake, like most of the inhabitants of remote areas, thought the Takeda as being born on horseback and never to leave it. Finding Shou walking next to him broke one of those silly childhood ideas, leaving a hint of sadness in Hake's mind.

"I haven't had anything to eat yet and it was a long trip to come here. Would you like to share a late breakfast, or early lunch, if you will, with me? I'm up for something... dango." Hake pondered his choice of food for a moment, tapping an absent finger on his cheek before coming up with the answer, making it sound as if it was a great discovery. "Would you like some green tea and dango, Yamada-san?" Hake offered sweetly, teasing her new acquaintance.

Hake walked to one of the side road food shops you could find in any village, offering all manner of foods, from Hake's dango sweets to noodles to crispy crickets or still wriggling fish and seafood, depending on the area you were in there might even be some local delicacies. Hake ordered for himself two portions of the sweet rice flour dumplings and a pot of green tea before sitting himself down on the long wooden crate that seconded as a bench in front of the shop. From here, they could talk while observing the comings and goings of the town. "So, horses. Gokaze is your first horse then? Or have you had different ones before him? Her? I don't even know. How rude of me to not have asked."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou raised a eyebrow, as Hake first question. He knew that the Takeda were renown for there horsemanship but it wasn't what made them who they were. "Yes I ride a lot. As a 'Courier'." Putting emphasis on the word, to hit home the point that being Takeda wasn't what meant he rode a lot. As well as letting him tell the women looking man something about himself without revealing some of the other duties he had.  

"Sounds good to me." Shou would accept the offer, when it was given. IT made more sense the offer originally given by Hake when he had first spoken to him. Arriving Shou would order himself some food, riceballs, as he need the loading up on carbohydrates that the rice offered after all that riding. However he just got himself water, to drink. He wasn't looking for the formality that some expected with tea.

"Gokaze is a he. Though I don't blame you. Isn't really the politest way to check without asking. However no. Gokaze hasn't been my only horse. Sometime matters of urgency have scarifies. Not that I would ever treat Gokaze that way. I'd rather run myself then ride him to death, he's serves me to long now." Shou would explain, it was easy to tell between a female or male horse you just had to look. Not that Shou would expect such a thing from Hake, still believing him to be a women. "You've never been around horse very much though. I could tell how he scared you." Shou pointed out, trying his best to sound considerate. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake took a dango ball from the wooden spike it was on and chewed thoroughly as she looked at Shou. It seemed there was something there, in the way he said 'Courier'. Hake hoped he hadn't been offended by anything he had said. But it mattered not as the conversation moved back to Shou's horse Gokaze. So the horse was indeed a male horse. That was good to know. Hake smiled at Shou's remark about checking it without insulting anyone.

"I see. So you travel a lot then, as a courier? Must be quite a life, moving between places all the time. Such adventure." Hake did his best to ignore the upcoming memory of almost freezing to death in the snow or the multiple bandit fights he had fought so far. His own life was far from boring when he looked it over. But it wasn't of any consequence to mention it to this half stranger still.

Hake looked at Shou for a moment, trying to determine if he was joking about Hake's fear for horses or not. With a shrug and a soft, melodious chuckle, Hake discarded the thought. "They're just so big. I mean, look at me. I'm afraid I'll break if they so much as snort too loud in my direction." Hake looked himself over as he pointed one half eaten dango stick in his own direction. "No, it might not be easy travel but I prefer a carriage for moving around." Perhaps Hake could get himself a chariot, like in the ancient days, with a comfortable chair on it. That would certainly cut down on travel costs and travel times.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou smiled a small smile as Hake talked about what e expected his job was like. It wasn't the best job but Hake had hit the nail on the head to some extent. He did love to travel, to see new places. To take in beautiful sights around the lands. The monuments of peace that didn't exist in land currently except for the calmness of rivers and mountains. "It has it's moments." Shou would say.

"Well it's horses that pull those carriages surely. Another use they have. If not an even more expensive option." Shou would point out. If he had been scared of horses himself. Shou probably would have relied completely on his legs rather then a carriage. If he was really scare even carriages would have been too close. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake sipped his tea and listened to Shou speak. It was pleasant to share time with the man, Hake had decided to think of Shou as a man, and to learn of his view on the world. She chuckled as Shou mentioned the horses pulling the carriage he used to travel in. "I know that. But they are far enough away and I'll be inside of a carriage. There's no need for panic then. But up close, where they can bite you. Or kick you. No thanks." Hake shook his head, causing his hair to wave left and right as he did. He smiled all the while before sipping some more of his tea.

"Hmm, hmm... Look at the time. I probably should be getting back. Business, you see. Maybe..." Hake let it trail as he took a moment to think. Why not? Nothing would be gained by not doing it anyway. "Maybe you could take me for a ride later?  I always feel safer when I'm on top..." While it was obvious what Hake was talking about the implied innuendo and the wink she gave Shou might give the rider a different idea of what his newest acquaintance was talking about.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou could understand Hake's sentiment to a certain extent. I carriage would indeed be a decent enough barrier between man and horse. It couldn't really hurt a man inside the carriage without hurting itself. Then the other man tried to excuse himself. along with another request. The possible double meaning making him blush faintly before deciding to act on the purer of the two meanings. 

"Well I see no reason not to. Barring sudden duties. I will let you get back to your business." Shou replied politely. Wondering what exactly Hake's duties were and what business he was connected to. "It was nice to meet you." Shou would add, nodding a small bow before letting Hake go on. While Shou decide to remain behind and calmly finish off his food. 

[Chimosa Hake]

Hake slowly walked away from the rider, stopping and turning to him, bowing deeply towards him. "Thank you for the company. It was most interesting." Hake smiled as he got up and then remembered he hadn't paid for the food yet. Walking back to the bench they had been sitting on, Hake took out the money for the food and the tea and left it on the wooden makeshift bench they had been sitting on.

It had been a good first day so far. He had learned quite a bit from the military training he had managed to watch and the rider, Yamabara-san, an interesting person. One he could use to learn more of the Takeda and their horses. Maybe he would be able to attend some more drills during his stay here. While they didn't have a lot of time in the Takeda lands, Hake was going to make sure he would have time enough for his interests.

While the business meeting in the afternoon went well, it took much longer than expected and Hake was unable to get any sort of notification out to Yamabara-san. The horse traders were a difficult bunch, overpricing from the start and claiming to be giving them good deals. The moment Hake saw the actual horses he knew, compared to Gokaze, these horses were nothing more than farm animals. A quick hint towards the other members of their party, Hake helped to direct the negotiations from behind the scenes, sort of speak, as he was in plain sight. By the time they finished their meeting, the sun had already set and the Shimotsuke trade envoy decided to stay in and prepare for another day of trading in the morning.

After waking up in the morning, Hake realized that he had no actual information on the rider, apart from his name, and that he had no idea where to find him. With nothing else for it, Hake took a light breakfast and dressed up to go out, heading straight for the training fields. If he was lucky, he would catch Yamabara-san with the troops again and he could learn something from them. If he wasn't lucky, nobody would be there and he'd have to wait there or wander around town for a bit. While he wasn't really worried about all the soldiers around due to the sword hidden up his sleeve, Hake constantly cast nervous glances around as he walked towards the training field.

[Yamabara Shou]

(OOC: As you managed to get my character name mixed up in your post and I happen to have a NPC called Yamada. I figured this would be funny.)

Hake would indeed find people by the training field. However Shou would not be among them today. While he sometimes trained with the unit it wasn't something he always did. Eventually in order to track him down, Hake would have to ask. However having made a mix up in his mind out Shou name, he was directed but not to who Hake would be expecting. 

A respectful looking man, with tied back red hair would be the sight that greeted her. "You've been looking for me?" Yamada Hideki would asked confused once Hake arrive. He was good at his job, and someone asking after him getting to his ears before they did wasn't too strange. "I'm pretty sure we haven't met before." Yamada would say politely giving a respectful bow. 

[Chimosa Hake]

(OOC: edited the name in my previous post)

Hake stood near the edge of the training field, watching the men practice their maneuvers and mounted combat. It was a normal training set this time, no special instructions. But it was always nice to see them practice. When you couldn't do something yourself, watching other people do it made it all the more impressive. Hake remained near the field for a time but it seemed the rider wasn't present today. With no real reason to stay longer, as they weren't go to train any difficult maneuvers or show off anything interesting. What had he said? A courier. He was probably busy with work.

Hake, having watched a few hours of the morning away, turned back from the training field and towards the town once more. With less time today for personal time, Hake walked back, slowly, towards the inn they were staying in. There would be more meetings, more horse traders trying to rip them off as best they could and more deals to be made. The rider would have to wait until later, possibly tomorrow.

On his way back home, Hake passed the shop where he had eaten the dango with the rider. Hesitating for a moment, Hake walked in the shop and ordered himself a dango on the go, holding the small cup with one hand while savoring the Dango from his other hand. As Hake set out again, equipped with his morning sweets, he could already feel the exhaustion of simply walking to the training field and back.