After playing with the otori herd, the twins had returned to the city for lunch. With the local excitement over the miai, it was simpler and cheaper to pick up a few things at a food cart and go to Hoshiko's flat.

The dogs rushed inside once she opened the door. The room was small, but not much different than the ranch. Faded star charts covered the walls and a cheap radio continually played music.

"Make yourself at home, Mori-chan."

There wasn't a lot of room for the dogs and, after all the excitement of the otori, the pair were more than ready for their afternoon nap, collapsing in a tangle. Ten made soft snoring sounds while Moriko stretched, "how's your rear?" The twins had been falling off otori for years, but that didn't exactly make the bruises hurt any less.

"It's better than my pride." she laughed. "Falling off in front of the others was a bit more embarrassing than my usual spills. I was happy to see you do so well, though."

Raising her hands in triumph, "I am the otori whisperer," Moriko laughed. "It helps that I still ride most days," she offered a self-effacing shrug. "It's too hot today," she groaned, crossing to the little fridge and pulling the door open, "have you got any ice?"

"Hai, there should be some." she nodded. "Actually, there should be some iced tea."

She set out the food on the table.

"I know I should ride more. I should visit the ranch more."

Moriko pulled the bottle of iced barley tea from the fridge, and opened a cupboard. As she suspected, Hoshiko kept her cups in the same place as she did, the same place their parents did. "Looks like you've had plenty to keep you busy," the younger twin indicated to the star charts on the walls.

"It's a lot to learn." she sighed. "But, these are mostly decoration. It's harder to see the stars here, with all the lights of the city."

"Yeah, but, think about how awesome those stars are going to look from the viewport of a starship, though." Moriko grinned, setting two glasses on the counter and filling them with ice and pouring the tea.

"Amazing." she smiled wistfully. "And, a little terrifying."

"Well, yeah, space is a big place. Not like here," Moriko pressed her lips together thoughtfully. She helped her sister fold down the table and draw up the chairs, setting the drinks out and dropping into a seat.

"I don't know. The forest is beautiful but dangerous, too." she shrugged. "I suppose anything not fully understood is like that."

She set out dishes and chopsticks. There was more than enough ramen and rice for both of them, along with some fruit.

"Itadakimasu," the girl picked up the chopsticks and began eating with relish. "So," she prompted suggestively, "have you spotted any eligible bachelors yet? or a bachelorette, perhaps? Anyone you're interested in?"

"To be honest, I wasn't feeling well yesterday." she shook her head. "I'm feeling better now, though. Hopefully I meet a few more today. What about you?"

Moriko gave her sister a baleful look, "you need to take care of yourself, Hoshi-chan." She slurped up some more noodles and chased it with a swig of the cold barley tea, "what about one of those pretty Unicorns? they like space, right?" The girl wasn't intentionally dodging the question, she just wasn't particularly focused.

"Mmm... a Unicorn wouldn't be bad. Explorers." she nodded. "Maybe Crane or Scopion. I like their music."

"What do you think of Bayushi-san?" she meant the Scorpion bushi they'd taken to the forest the previous day. "He seems... capable?" she added uncertainly.

"He does." she nodded. "And, quite likeable. I think you impressed him."

Moriko nodded while she ate, "maybe he can be convinced to stay here, I think that would be best." She paused for a bit, "I'm going to be seeing him tonight, I think, he wants to visit Fu."

"I'm sure he does. He'll likely be pleased to see you as well." she grinned.

Moriko shot her twin a death glare and rolled her eyes, "I suppose we have to work out some way to pair up." She thought about this for a bit, "he was good with the otori, that's a good sign, right?"