Interlude
Leaning against one of the pillars supporting the roof, Ryota barely managed to smother a small smile, his eyes focused on Kotori's back as she raised one arm, waiting for the falcon above her head to return from its flight. Not one part of her body moved, and if he'd had any money in his pockets, he would've happily bet that her face was impassive; her only focus being the wild bird that even now was slowly descending.
As his talons dug into her bracer, she hooded him, stroking his feathers to calm him as he was blinded. Only when he went still, moving one of his claws around to adjust his grip on his perch did she slowly hand him off to one of the servants that had been waiting to the side, speaking quietly so as not to spook him again. Once the transfer was complete, she gave a small wave to the hunter, finally turning around and seeing Ryota.
Spotting the ink on his fingers, she laughed, looking around, "How about we go do something a little more active?"
"What do you have in mind?"
Pretending to think for a second, Kotori finally nodded, punching the palm of her hand as she did, "There's a wonderful spot not far from here. If we beg the kitchens for a basket, and then sneak into the stables, we could be gone before my mother finds out."
Watching them from afar, Sayomi hushed Yumiko as she hurried up, eyes never leaving the couple. Tilting her head in confusion, Yumiko took a brief peek, pulling away with a small gasp, "They're both pink, Mama."
"Are they?"
Beginning to smile softly, Yumiko took leant forwards slightly, pulling back with a determined nod as she looked back at her mother, "Definitely pink. I wish you could see it, Mama."
"So do I." Sayomi sighed, giving her head a shake, "So do I."
The pair continued to spy for a little longer, only pulling away when Ryota quickly bowed and Kotori began to lead the way to the stables, their entertainment vanishing. Humming thoughtfully, Sayomi stepped into the house again, Yumiko following dutifully.
Inside, Teruko and Hotaka were both reading, looking up when the pair entered. Wrinkling her nose at the bland looking pages Teruko was scanning, Yumiko elected for sitting next to Hotaka, reading the fantasy poem with a wandering mind.
"Where'd the writer go?" Teruko suddenly murmured, setting her book to one side.
"With Kotori." Sayomi gave, pulling her sewing box out of the cupboard and settling down with it, "They're going riding together."
Clearly thinking her teacher was joking, Teruko waited for the punchline, her face falling when none came, Sayomi glaring at the sewing with a mild hatred as she tried to figure out the pattern.
Finally, just as she manged to poke the needle through, Nami tapped at the door, the sudden sound making the woman jump and send the needle right into her finger, "Shit!" Shaking the digit before shoving it in her mouth, Sayomi looked towards the door, speaking around her finger, "What is it?"
"Lady Kotori and Master Ryota are asking if they can take a picnic, my Lady."
"Of course they can. I'm not going to stop them having fun."
"The guards are also curious about who should accompany them."
Laughing out loud, Sayomi forgot her pain, ignoring the startled look Yumiko gave at being snapped out of her imagination, "Mama?"
"Why would they need to be accompanied? They both have their heads screwed on, and Ryota's not likely to come to harm with Kotori there. She's an experienced rider." Blinking to herself, Nami wondered if she should explain, just as Sayomi calmed down again, "Alright, tell one of them to follow at a distance. Anything to keep the family name respectable."
There was a sarcastic note to her voice that had Teruko and Hotaka smirking as Nami left to relay the orders. Returning her eyes to her lap, Sayomi shook her head, still finding the entire situation highly amusing, "What trouble could they get up to? Her father is the head of the Shogun's ninja force, the entire province is full of them!"
"I don't know, it took you a while to realise that Teruko wasn't practising her sword lessons and was actually with-"
"Hotaka, finish that sentence and I'll ram Sayomi's sewing down your gullet." Teruko remarked, turning a page lazily.
Paling, Hotaka stood down, cleverly knowing when to withdraw from the battle. Looking between her brother and mother with a smirk, Yumiko settled back against him, only looking up when the pincushion flew through the air, bouncing off of Teruko's head. Rubbing the hit area slightly, the student met her teacher's innocent look, even as she pricked herself again. "Don't threaten my sewing, not when I've finally figured out what I'm supposed to be doing with it."
"Of course, Whatever was I thinking?" Rolling her eyes, Teruko went to go back to her book, wincing when Hotaka spoke up again.
"Does that mean I can tell her you were with-"
"Sword's still an option Hotaka."
"Shutting up now."
