Joo raised an eye at the question. "Hai." He stated simply. "If we do this marriage, I want to do it...simple. Her. Me. Future children. What do you think Hoshiko-san thinks?"

He abandoned the dog for now, focusing completely on Moriko.

Moriko rolled her eyes and sipped her tea, “you seem to anticipate spending a considerable amount of time apart. Will you be faithful?” she repeated. The Phoenix knew her twin could do a lot worse than a wealthy, slightly vacant Unicorn, but it didn’t hurt to play the role of the villain, for a morning at least.

Joo frowned. "My parents are wonderful in a lot of ways. Brilliant, ambitious, great cooks and artists....and utterly in love with each other. Their marriage is the one I wish to emulate. I will be fsithful."

The girl grunted, it was a good enough answer. "Very well, do you have any questions for me?"

Joo smirked. "What would make your sister happiest? What do you think?"

That was, in Moriko’s mind, an easy question. “She needs someone who can make the effort,” she sipped her tea and began to explain, “marriage will not be easy, and you are a stranger to her, she needs to know that you will do all in your power to love and support her. It is your duty, just as much as your obligation to the Unicorn is,” the younger twin was very serious. Ten, however, collapsed dramatically on his side, overdue for his mid-morning nap.

“She deserves to be happy. It’s not money or servants that make people happy,” not to say it doesn’t help, Moriko admitted to herself, but Joo-Woo only needed to look around him at the spartan furnishings, the permanently temporary living quarters that had served the twins as a home for more than sixteen years, to listen to the old and straining air conditioner, to recognise their simple frontier life. “Commit yourself to learning to love her, and she will do the same.”

Joo nodded, listening intently to her explanation, almost taking notes. "Of course I will. Her dreams and she herself are worth the effort." He briefly glanced at the collapsing dog, but he was still solemnly listening to Moriko, her hopefully future sister-in-law. "I can commit to that." He smiled. "It would be a life worth living, learning about her."

“Good,” Moriko nodded. She was silent for a moment, sipping her cold drink, then a wistful smile appeared and the girl chuckled, “she always was the bold one, the grown up one.” Moriko’s eyes shone, dewy with concealed tears, “she may not always know how to ask for help, she is very strong, but she shouldn’t always have to be. If this is what she wants, then I pray the Fortunes bless you both.”

"Well, I do hope his is what she wants...at least she told me it is." He smiled. "She is quite mature, yet mischievous at the same time." he smiled fondly, realizing he still has his own tea. He took a sip. "So you two grew up around otori?"

Yes, that sounds just like Hoshi-chan, Moriko nodded, “hai. Like most of the otori, we were born here on the ranch. Hoshi-chan has been around otori since before she could walk.”

Joo smiled. "They are magnificent birds. You will manage the ranch in your future?"

Chuckling, "oh, I doubt that. Our parents aren't so young, but it's far more likely that role will be taken by a younger sibling, should our family be so blessed." She finished her tea and set the cup down, "the ranch belongs to our Lord, the decision is ultimately his in the end."

"Ah, I see. Do you have plans what you expect to be doing, in case you stay with the Phoenix here?" He asked in curiosity, taking another sip of tea.

“It’s probably I will remain on Asakaze, I’ll continue my work as a ranger, guarding the otori herds,” she sounded fairly certain.