The race would be later in the day, but Ryuu had already wanted to ride early. He had already made plans, and was excited, given the last conversation, and was in high spirits from the performance for the judges.

He pet Kinyobi's neck, eyes focused, waiting for his date.

Following Moriko's mediocre performance for the miai, the young Phoenix had returned home to change and and meditate, centering herself and focusing on the immediate future, not what would happen this afternoon, or tomorrow, or in a week. She waved cheerfully to Ryuu as she approached on Hana, the peach-throated otori freshly groomed and gleaming.

When he saw her, he found himself smiling, though actively trying to not be so awkwardly expressive. Kinyobi let out a delighted kweh, as the pair approached.

"I am glad to be able to ride with you today, Moriko-san... er... Shiba-san." He bowed, slightly flushed. They had used their given names prior, but he did not want to presume anything. "You will have to excuse my mediocre skills on otori-back. Recreation and enjoyment... but no real talent."

Hana returned the kweh and Moriko stroked the otori's head, "good afternoon, Ryuu-san, there is nothing to excuse," she assured. "Putting you through your paces is strictly for the miai officials, your otori looks content, and that is all the confirmation I need."

"Kinyobi has been quite gracious in dealing with me. She is a lovely bird,nand I admit... I will miss her once this is all said and done, and Inreport back to my Lord how things have gone here." He looked up at the bird, taking a small snack of bird seed, and reaching up to give the otori a treat.

He smiled at her words, his posture relaxing. "How have you been? Since I last saw you, I mean?"

"You wouldn't have to give her up if you stayed," she hinted coyly, nudging Hana with a gentle motion of her heels, the otori beginning a casual stroll. "You did well this morning," she glanced away shyly.

"Not good enough to impress the judges." He shook his head, but there was a smile. "But good enough for me. And thank you. I hope it just shows that my future spouse could know I would protect them with all that I am." Ryuu noted her comment, his cheeks turning red slightly.

He followed her, holding the reins of Kinyobi, a little uncertain on birdback, but calm, finding it enjoyable. The pair caught up to Moriko and Hana, riding beside.

"It helped make up for getting lost, yesterday."

Moriko turned red, chuckling awkwardly, "this planet is unfamiliar to you, one could not judge you too harshly for your first foray into unknown territory. Unlike some people who grew up here."

"The search and rescue team seemed quite amused when they pulled me out from the mess I found myself in." He tried to deflect away from her awkwardness, not wanting her to feel embarrassed. "Maybe I should have taken the time to explore with someone more seasoned."

"If you feel like trying again," she offered, "perhaps with a less hostile intent? I went looking for screamers with Bayushi-san and Hoshi-chan the other day, we managed to stay out of trouble."

"I would like to try again. Maybe a shot at redemption." Ryuu noddef. "If it would not inconvenience you, making sure a tourist does not get lost again." Those vibrant blue eyes half lidded, watching her, the smile genuine yet wrong.

It took a moment, realizing that he was likely staring. Or rather, that ill feeling that always surrounded him making it seem more disturbing than it is.

"I... am sorry. I know that my presence can be... uncomfortable."

Moriko’s eyes widened a little at the unexpected apology, “to be honest, like this,” she indicated to the mounts, “I don’t really even think about.” Her eyes were on the path ahead, the forest nearby, the farms on their other side, it wasn’t like sitting across the table from him in the bubble tea cafe. “Ryuu-san,” she met his eyes, “if I found you difficult to look at, I wouldn’t be here.”

Ryuu did not say anything for a moment, riding along with the Phoenix, the idle warbles of their otori punctuating the silence. Looking to her, the Spider offered a smile. "I am glad, then, Moriko-san. That you are here." He stood a little taller in the saddle, but still comfortable in posture.

"This setting is quite ideal. Riding with someone, as we get to know each other. Calming yet... exposed. What... is the kind of life you would want to build with your spouse?"

"I need my space," Moriko admitted, "my work allows me that here. By the same token, I need closeness. Until recently, I had my sister to share everything with, and I have been lonely without her at the end of a long ranging. It is a balance."

"I can understand that." He nodded as she finished. "I would want a spouse who is self reliant like that, but looks forward to spending our free time together. Not all of it, I would not want to demand that of them. We are more than just our duty. We serve, but we are people. We have friends, we have hobbies." He looked to her, bobbing along as Kinyobi moved.

"But when together, to be pleased in each others company."

Moriko broke into a smile, her rural upbringing allowing a more flexible interpretation of on, "you understand," she said simply. The statement seemed to make her happy, but a shadow crossed her face like a cloud. "Have you given any thought to remaining on Asakaze?"

Ryuu didn't say anything for a long moment. Then a small curl at the corners of his lips. "My homeworld is an agriworld. A few forge factories, but mainly a producer of food stuffs. Asakaze reminds me of home. Beautiful, with danger as well."

He turned, looking to her more directly, his intense eyes focused on her face. "If fate deemed it that I would be here, I believe I could make a good life. I would have to improve my relationship with the Lord Magistrate, but I would be happy here."

A pause.

"Could you stand a visit to Shiragiku?"

"I would like very much to see Shiragiku," there was no hesitation, she didn't think of herself as an explorer, but there was an explorer's heart within her. "The only thing I couldn't stand would be to separated from the natural world, trapped on a spaceship all the time or stuck in a sprawling concrete city."

"I do not care for space travel, either. Like yourself, I want to be planetside. As for cities or wilds, I feel comfortable in either." Ryuu turned to look down their riding path, giving Kinyobi a stroke along her neck.

"I have aspirations to one day join the Emerald Magistrates. I do not think it would keep me from home often. But I imagine it includes some travel. Would... you be okay with that separation? If things turned out as such."

"A noble goal," she encouraged. "I should like to think I would miss you—my spouse—" she hurriedly corrected herself, "but what's a little heartache to make one appreciate their spouse all the more when they return?" A large centipede, startled by the otori, skittered across the path and Ten darted after it, dancing at the edge of the road as if to make sure that it wasn't coming back.