Joo walked nervously towards the Shiba farm. Not that the herd of otori bothered him, they were quite cute. More the talk. He coughed lightly, and called out. "Shiba-san?"

A familiar looking shiba inu came running at the call, grinning and wagging excitedly. The girl who followed also looked familiar, clad in skinny jeans and equestrian boots, "you'll need to be a little more specific than that, Iuchi-san," Moriko called as she crossed the yard, "or half the samurai in earshot will answer you."

Joo let out a laugh. "Moriko-san?" He asked tentatively. "Or is it Hoshiko-san here to trick me, perhaps." He waved at the dog, and extended a hand to pet the...pet.

"Oh, can't you tell the difference?" Moriko teased, Ten wagging his entire body in delight as he was petted. Close examination would reveal slightest of differences in posture, in mode of dress, and Joo-Woo could be reasonably confident that Hoshiko's hair was never that messy.

"Well, I've only known your sister for a few days. Hopefully that will change soon, Fortunes willing. Have you had rice today?"

"So I've heard," she chuckled playfully, "I have, and you?"

"Oh? Heard, have you?" He smiled goofily at the thought. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised, siblings can be quite close to each other. Hai, I have so far."

He glanced around the farm, taking it all in. "This is where you two were raised?"

“Hai,” she answered agreeably, “would you like to come in?” Moriko indicated to conglomerate of building units bolted together, looking like building bricks or shipping containers, sprawling in the corner of the ranch, two storeys high. “I have iced tea.”

Joo nodded. "Hai, I would like to. Tea sounds lovely." He'd follow her direction as she started moving. "Sounds quite...cozy, actually. Reminds me a bit of home."

Leading the way, Moriko ushered Joo-Woo to the common area, two blocks with their dividing walls cut out, the bedroom of the first and the entirety of the second had been removed, leaving a tiny bathroom and kitchen, and plenty of room for meals or taking tea. “And where would that be? home?” Ten trotted obediently beside the young Phoenix.

Joo started playing with the dog when they arrived. "Kuwagata actually." He smiled fondly." Granted, we don't have a lot of buildings. We mostly live on giant bugs. Ours is called Ichiro, actually." He sat down, and looked around ."It'll be good to visit again. Hopefully my future spouse will like it."

Ten grinned, obviously pleased by the attention, and Moriko went to the fridge and fetched the pitcher of barley tea, “giant insects?” she would love to see that for herself. “What do you do for a living, Iuchi-san?” The young Phoenix brought the pitcher and two glasses to the table and poured drinks for them.

"Hai, hai. Our beetles are quite magnificent." He smiled and bowed in thanks for the tea. "I am a scholar, mainly researching the effects of Spiritual Realms at the moment. I'm also dabbling in a few other things, priestly duties and perhaps some more research on Navigation side." He fell silent for a moment, seemingly occupied by the dog in front of him.

I hope you came correct, Iuchi-san, she mused, watching him interact with her pet, how someone treated her animals was a considerable factor in what she thought of them. “Is navigation an aspiration of yours? or perhaps a more recently sparked interest?” the question was quite pointed.

Joo jerked slightly, lost as he was in his reverie. "Ah, gomen." He smiled nervosly. "It's...in my blood in a way. My family harkens back to the original creator of the Ritual, Opening the Way. My father is involved in research on navigational and starship topics mainly. He even worked on the Ide." He swelled with pride.

"Myself, I'm torn in a few different directions, but I am sure a potential navigator spouse would be well receíveid and well supported."

Sniffing, Moriko examined the Unicorn, “so you would aid her, then, in her hopes of becoming a navigator? and would you follow her where the stars lead her?” The younger twin was a little resentful that this statused stranger would be taking her sister away, she needed to be sure Joo-Woo would not let Hoshiko down.

"Of course!" Joo seemed surprised at the question. "We can afford to have our household run by servants, and the stars are her dreams. Without them...she wouldn't be the person I wish to marry." He blushed at the last part, taking a sip of tea and focusing on the dog again.

"Probably not. I don't know what I'd do, but I'm more of a scholar than a hands-on navigator. I would accompany her where I could, but otherwise, I'd support my clan with my best skills."

Moriko snorted, unimpressed by his boasts of wealth, money was not what Hoshiko would need to fulfil her dreams. “Why is it that you wish to marry Hoshi-chan?” the girl was growing disenchanted with the inattentive Unicorn, I hope you know what you’re doing, darling sister.

"She...her presence grounds me, in a few ways." He smiled. "Her will is so pure, her dream of the stars is inspiring. I have options, but no clear path in front of me. Seeing her going forward with that amazing clarity? I wish her to reach that. She will be a great navigator, a boon to everyone around her." His smile turned goofy. "She also has a great sense of humor."

That was a significantly better answer, and Moriko relaxed slightly. It was absurd to think that the rest of their lives hinged on knowing someone for just a few days. That’s why the nakado get the big bucks, I suppose. “Are you faithful, Iuchi-san?” Tomorrow would determine their fates, there was no time for pulling her punches.