[D1, EA] Clip Clop (Expecting/Open)

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"If your worried, then hold on tight", he shouted and gave Yūdaina the only encouragement he needed. Instantly the horse broke into a full, fast gallop. They couldn't sprint, not with Narumi sitting the way she was, no matter how much she held on, but the sudden burst of speed was immediate, Yūdaina was a young horse still, full of energy and daring. The trees and peasants along the road flashed past them faster and faster.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Ah!" But Kami, the horse was fast, and Narumi squeezed her eyes shut lest she get dizzy. Definitely did not want to fall from the horse. She found purchase with the Scorpion despite herself to keep her balance.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

After a short run, but what might have seemed an eternity to Narumi of weaving past travelers on the road, hoping over puddles and sending dirt flying in every direction behind them (not to mention the odd child or two who looked excitedly and waved at the horse and riders as they passed), Yudaina began to slow as more sun than canopy touched them from above.

At a calmer pace, Hikimasu spoke to the Otter. "Usogawa-san, look", he said. If she did, he was pointing to their right where the forest broke into a large meadow. The clouds were still many that day, but the wild flowers brought a warmth to the scene. "Shall we take a rest here a moment?"

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Yes!" she answered a little more quickly, and shortly, then she meant to, backtracking when she saw sight of the meadow. "This looks like an excellent spot, Shosuro-san."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

A quick gallop that slowed to a trot later they were surrounded by blue and yellow wild flowers in the summer warmth.

Hikimasu dismounted as Yudaina lowered his head so he could slide off leg over the side. He turned and held a hand out to Narumi, trying his best to meet her eyes.

To him, she looked much more rattled than she was letting on. Maybe she's never really ridden.

"Allow me", he said, the offered hand stretching toward her to help her get down from the horse.

[Usogawa Narumi]

His assistance for the dismount was appreciated and even moreso Narumi appreciated her feet being on the ground. "Your steed competes with a wild summer storm," she said with a strained chuckle- before taking in the beauty of the meadow.
"Were you holding out on me? Perhaps in an effort to lead me here to such an enchanting location that might impress you upon me?" She regards the scorpion, considering, though there's something unnamed that gets under her skin just so. Despite this, she carries on, stepping closer to Hikimasu.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hikimasu could be fairly sensitive to people's moods and motivations. That didn't mean he was perfect. He could see her actions, but also read that spike of conflict.

It made him wary.

He didn't retreat from her subtle closeness however.

So not wary enough.

"I am a Scorpion", he warned.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"I've met Scorpions before, and have yet to be stung," she says lightly, though it's an effort to meet his gaze. Still, theyre close enough to touch and yet, she intrudes his personal space further still.
"So is that a threat, or a promise?" The crooked smirk she wears implies she has a preference, but that she's testing herself as much as she's testing him.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Gulp.

That's not.

Wait.

Wow she smells nice.

The Scorpion's alarms were sounding, but he couldn't understand why. Girls are pretty. Yet suddenly he realized...they were alone, far from everyone, in a forest. Epic poems about lovers would glorify this moment, but that wasn't him. He knew that. So no, this can't happen, Benten is baiting him.

"Well, it's just that...I'm not-" he tried to step back, his entire body breaking out into a cold sweat.

Yudaina though, had his own ideas. With a fateful nudge, perhaps at the behest of the Fortune of Romanic Love (the great bi-...nice lady), the horse's nose sent his rider directly into Narumi and he found himself falling forward, arms wrapping around her to keep himself from crashing and knocking them both down.

Or so he hoped.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Ah!"
Just as she was growing confidant that she had won - she's bowled over and suddenly! There's a scorpion on top of her, her back crushing very pretty flowers beneath them, and she's mildly disoriented...
Slightly winded from the surprise, Narumi can't help but laugh.
"You didn't answer the question!"