Kyuden Shika

Hikimasu had come to past the gate asgride Yūdaina, moving quickly, keeping a lookout for his quarry. She hadn't been at the inn, so it was likelu she'd already arrived, but to be fair he was also usually wrong.

The horse snorted.

"I know, it was a good talk last night, this is where it can really mean good or bad. Just relax, I'm sure she likes you", he rubbed his friend's mane with a smirk from beneath his mask.

Having changed out of her kimono from this morning, and into a much more casual fare meant to be travelled in, Narumi was indeed already waiting for the Scorpion. Her dark hair was held back from her features with a bright blue bow, and a touch of colour lay on her cheeks, as if winded.
She offers them both a smile when she spots them. "Ohayo, Shosuro-san, and Yudaina-san! I have brought gifts for you both," she reaches into a small satchel she wears, and produces an apple. Looking up to the rider, she asks, "Is your noble steed hungry?"

The Scorpion dismounted and lead Yūdaina to his first, likely of many, bribes that day. The horse's teeth seemed inviting.

"It's not really a question to ask, he's greedy."

Hikimasu gave Narumi a bow. "A lot to take in this morning, wasn't there?"

She offered a bow as well, before holding out the apple with trepidation to the horse.
"Ah, this morning... I'm used to the gift-giving ritual, but this was an event in and of itself, hai. This one hopes she left a sufficient impression on Shika-sama and the others."

Yūdaina holds nothing back, crushing the apple with his teeth, only leaving the stem and a bit of drool on her hand. Hikimasu offered a handkerchief.

"My gift was in the offering, a mask is important to a Scorpion, but it's knowing who gave it and why that has meaning to most", he said. "I thought the painting you offered was quite stirring."

He patted Yūdaina's nose. "The river of gold is quite beautiful." Its possible he was talking about something else.

She accepted the kerchief, and busied herself cleaning off her drooly hand, just so. "Oh... you saw that? Hai! My aunt's riverboat spends a lot of time there, I've gotten to know it well. Shosuro-san's mask he gifted was keep beautiful as well. I caught the symbolism of it... I mean, I wasn't listening in, per se, but this one tends to notice these things."

"Hmm?" He chuckled nervously. "Did you paint the river on the way here or is it a commission?"

"Hai but this one is not nearly so talented as to produce such greatness. It was done by my uncle, who hands are skilled in many different things. He wanted to make sure the first impression I made upon meeting the Deer was a favourable one."
It would take some looking to notice her smile was ever so slightly strained. As much as she wanted to like the Scorpion, there was just something about him... But smile at him, nonetheless, she did.

He took a breath. Maybe things would go alright.

"My family gave me my gift after a long argument, so i had a difficult time."

Maybe.

"An argument? That's most unfortunate, Shosuro-san. I suppose it worked out alright in the end?"