Getting Closer part 1

The horse had thick glossy brown hair that showed like burnished gold under the sun. It was tall, large, and groomed to perfection. Emperor Asahi's prized horse was indeed a magnificent animal. And Shiori was terrified of it.

She rarely went to the stables, even in her home, and she mostly used palanquin when she traveled. Shiori did not hate animals but was not fond of them either. The smell of animals, a mix of manure, and fresh hay always stuck to her clothes, so she avoided coming there. The same smell assaulted her nose as she arrived, and Shiori resisted the urge to sneeze.

She watched from a safe distance while the Emperor catered to his horse. He gave it water, stroked its head lovingly, and saddled the horse. When he had finished, Asahi led it out of the stables.

"Shall we go?"

"Do we have to ride? I thought the festival was being held in the City?"

"It is, but it is going to be a long walk," shrugged Asahi. "We might be late and not see anything."

"Oh..."

Asahi came closer and looked around. "Where is your horse?"

Shiori swallowed before she answered. "I left it with the stable boy."

"Did you not like her?" he swept a hand at the other stalls. "My stable is yours, Princess. Feel free to choose from my capable horses."

Shiori stepped back. "How generous of you, Your Majesty. But I would prefer my palanquin."

"Are my animals not to your liking?"

"I just couldn't bare riding such…" she eyed the horse wearily. "Docile beasts for my enjoyment."

As if mocking her, Emperor Asahi's horse whinnied and shook its head. The other horses followed, and Shiori's shoulders stiffened as she heard their handlers trying but failing to calm them. She hid her pale fingers in the sleeves of her kimono and struggled to keep her face passive.

"As you can see, they're far from docile," he grimaced but patted the horse's neck. "Certainly, I can arrange for your palanquin, but it's late afternoon already, and I'm afraid we would miss the fun."

Through one of the windows in the stables, Shiori saw that he was right. The thick clouds were lowering, and the sky slowly turned from clear blue to bright orange.

Shiori stared at the horses in their stalls, then at the setting sun, and finally, at Asahi. She swallowed her fear, straightened her shoulders, and marched towards the beast and its master.

"I shall ride with you, Asahi."

He initially offered to have another horse prepared for her, but she refused. Shiori insisted they would save more time if they rode together, and Asahi agreed. Natsuo would certainly scold him, but it had been so long since he saw the festival up close. Princess Shiori looked like she wanted to go, and he did not want to waste this opportunity. Asahi and Shiori rode out the palace walls in uncomfortable silence, with the horse's hooves serving as their background noise.

Asahi's pace was steady, yet, Shiori's hold around his waist was like iron. They were almost at the City, but she was still stiff as a statue behind him, and her nervousness affected the horse.

"Are you alright, Shiori?"

"Yes, of course," she said, tightening her hold as Thunder shook his head slightly. "I've never been better."

She was trying so hard to hide it. Still, Asahi could tell that Shiori's nerves were barely concealed beneath her elegant demeanor. She was afraid of the horse, and her face might be blank, but her pounding heartbeat told him a lot, not to mention her tight grip around his waist.

Despite himself, Asahi was amused. He had heard many rumors about the Fox Clan, and they never failed to amaze him. They were the subjects of myths and hearsays, the clan concealed in the shadows and illusions. However, discovering that one of them feared something made them human, and it was humbling to see them as such.

"Your nervousness affects the horse, you know."

"I am not…" the horse slightly shook its head, and Shiori squeezed her eyes shut. "Alright, I am nervous. Animals do not like me."

"Thunder likes everybody," Asahi said affectionately.

"You're only saying that because he is your horse," she snapped. "And I don't think Thunder is the name of a docile beast."

"I was young."

"Whatever. Are we there yet?"

"Temper, temper Shiori," he teased. "I do not think you are behaving as a proper nun should. I had heard they are nice to everybody, including animals."

"I would be more inclined if they were not trying to eat or lick me to death."

"That's just how animals show affection." He defended.

"Well, I hope they show it in another way." she grumbled.

Asahi bit his lip to cease his laughter; he did not think Shiori would appreciate his amusement over her situation. Certainly, she would not take it kindly if he told her that the animals might seem scary to her only because she was so small. Asahi would rather not get slapped.