"Possibly the Phoenix, yes," though more eligible bachelors and bachelorettes were in line for the governor's kid. Maybe they'd have to focus a more strong plan attack there...? Yul could easily recognize his squad-mate's look of tactical thinking.

"As for the Spider, if a marriage there could make up for some of our losses and make amends... well, it is a duty I would be willing to take on for the clan. My personal opinion of them would not matter, though I would prefer not to marry out, if possible."

Yul snorted. "Right. Maybe one of the Moto can lead an attack with a proposal, while the other flanks, and Wasp and I provide air support, then we'll be sure to achieve marital advance."

Chuckling, he shook his head. "A marriage is an important duty, but that doesn't mean that it's about duty. No part of our life is. We're pilots, and you're warriors. If we didn't trust our guts, we wouldn't be any good." He sighed. "And that means our feelings. And I think making good matches will be better than political ones, in the long run."

Spreading his hands, he looked around. "So. Has anyone met someone that they like?"

"...No one special. The Bayushi fella, maybe, but we didn't get talking long enough to really tell. The Hida lady is real pretty, but we met at kinda a rough moment for her." Ganbold shrugs. "It's early doors, I think."

"Alright, alright, Cricket," Hyeon-ju conceded to Yul's points, backing off of her analyzing of the current state of affairs.

"I've met a lot of the Spiders. One of them, Kuchiki Satoru, doesn't seem too bad, and he is a shugenja and a doctor. All things that could be useful." And the Utaku had been having a big upswing in Shugenja numbers due to a greater focus on meeting the Iuchi halfway to better combine piloting skills with navigator abilities.

"Matsu Chiyoko is very impressive and I would like to get to know her better before I make any ideas in that direction. Otherwise... Tsuruchi Hayato seems nice, but he's a Mantis so that's not exatly what we're looking for. The Crab I've met so far have been... kind of disappointing?"

Her room-mate seemed a bit too oblivious to be worthy as a partner, and the others had either been rude or dismissive of her. Which did kind of annoy her.

Yul nodded, smiling, to Ganbold. "We can see about that expedition, if you like."

He looked at Hyeon-ju, one eyebrow going up. "Matsu Chiyoko is very impressive, I'd agree. As was the Crane I met her with, Doji Hakka." He chewed his lip a moment. "Doji Ichika is very nice... I should message her, actually. And Murame Shoan is also impressive. She has depths, I think."

Ganbold lit up at the mention of the expedition.

"I'm kinda itchin' for it, Shinjo-san. Even when you're cooped up on a ship, you're on the move. Here it's...well, rubbin' shoulders and waggin' jaws isn't my thing. Ide-sama was very upset with me several...well, really all the time I was getting tutored."

Having sat, Ruhe listened for a moment, trying to figure out where the conversation was going.

"So, Horde, have you already made some calls about those you'd like to marry? No idea whether we'll be able to make any calls at all as the Phoenix seem well-versed in getting on top of their own events. but still."

"Well then, let's see what we can do, Moto-san." He clapped his fellow on the shoulder.



"Shoot for the stars, Moto-san." Yul said, smiling confidently. "Maybe it'll happen. Have you met anyone you'd favor yet?"

"I don't know. There's been no thunder and lightning so far." He shrugged. "But I haven't seen that many people here yet. It's almost like they know one another from other circumstances and already stick to some closely knit groups. Are there going to be some mixers here, or are we on our own?"

"Well, if anyone needs a wingman, or a... wingwoman, I suppose, we're here to support one another. We're here because we want to do what is best for our clan and families."

She cleared her throat to stop herself from getting off on another tangent.

"Some clans seem to group together, but that's naturally considering some alliances. We at the moment don't have any strong alliances or connections to the others. I think we need to take some initiative for mixers, but the Phoenix also seem to be grouping us together... such as the rooming and socialising during their competitions. But, to focus on what's ahead, do any of you have any specific preferences?"

"Preferences like..." Ganbold was momentarily confused. "...personalities or preferences like what clans we should hang out with?"

"Well, yes... that. And like... do you prefer men, or women." Hyeon-ju adjusted her collar slightly, as she realised others might find that a very personal question. "I mean, I wouldn't want to recommend Moto-san to meet with women if that is not your preference."

Yes, she was trying very well to remember that people might have preferences.

"And preferences like... would you object to marry out? Or anything about your possible partner you absolutely won't tolerate?"

Yul chuckled. "I didn't get it, either. You should have just come out and said it, Wasp."

He shrugged. "I prefer women, generally speaking. But the main thing is that I want to keep flying, no matter what. And real ships, not some cargo hauler or something."

"Won't tolerate..." Yul frowned, chewing his lip. "I don't know. I'm having trouble thinking of anything..." He looked at Hyeon-ju a moment, then smirked. "Oh, I'd like if they were a little bit passionate. Carefree. That sort of thing."

"I don't like liars," Ganbold said. "Uh...and people who are mean. But other than that, I'll take what I can get and like it, most likely. Not big on the Spider at the moment. Helps if they're curious, you know. Or don't mind a little excitement every now and then."

"Well, excuse me for having some modicum of decency," she muttered back at Yul, though it did really seem like business as usual for those two.

Still, she committed to memory what they said, to keep in mind if she came across anyone that might be of interest to them. Or vice-versa. "Yeah, I'm not saying we can't socialise with them, but the whole... Crane-Mantis-Spider alliance is kind of off-the-table for us unless we can get something really good out of it." Spider had, unofficially, been attacking the Unicorn, after all. And the Mantis had scooped up the Crane for a team-up with no trouble.

Yul crossed his arms, making a face. "How firm is that Crane thing?" His tone was a little wistful. "I mean, they're not actively trying to kill us. Maybe we can counter-marry them, or something? Pull them away from the Mantis?" He sighed. It didn't seem too likely.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I guess the question is how long we want to be out in the cold, economics-wise. And there's an army of 'em. It's not like the Mantis can bag 'em all."

"Maybe. I mean, it's not impossible," she rubbed her neck.

"Higher-ups are kind of wary of a lot of things. Or rather, some are, is my impression. Shinjo and Ide are worried about us going into direct conflicts if we go too strongly with Lion or Crab - the Moto for instance would welcome that gladly. We're kind of at a weird point that we have lots of options to pursue, really."

Hyeon-ju gave them all a serious look, but tried not to make it too... cold. "I trust you all to make good decisions."

"Good decisions, that's me!" Ganbold thumped his chest in affirmation.

"I'm quite like Yul I guess. Regarding women and not having to stop doing what I love doing. With all those Crane, Mantis and Spider off the table I can't say I can realistically be picky more than that." Ruhe scratched his beard. "If wife was musical it'd be grand."