Yul shrugged, his bare shoulders rising and falling. "That does sound too different from how I learned, except for no gamemasters. Didn't need them. But we had a range, and we had plenty of wildlife. A lot of pests, too, getting into the crops.

He tilted her head, regarding her. "Where's home? I'm from Shinjo's Grace, if you've heard of it. Lots of farming and ranching, not much else."

"I have not, though I'm sure its only to my detriment that I haven't. My home is on lesser planet in the Doji's Blessing system," Hakka said with a rueful smile. "My family provided a favor several generations back and we are on Resting Peace, well known for its tea."

She tucked an escaping tendril of hair behind her ear, before she added, in a lower voice as if to share some secret, though there was a mischievous light bright in her eyes, "It makes the tea from anywhere else but home quite trying at times."

Chiyoko contented herself to listen, turning her attention back to the Kitsu for the moment. "So," she said to her. "What's your name?"

Yul waved a hand casually. "No, it's really a very small planet. Or, minor, I mean."

His eyes tracked the motion of her hand as it tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well, I hope you didn't try the tea they were serving on the shuttle. Even I could tell that was just hot leaf juice." The light in her eyes made Yul's smile grow just a little bigger, turning up at the corners.

He tilted his head again, his thoughtful look returning. "Do you have any interest in the local ecology? The wildlife or... I hear they have whole fungal forests, here." Yul's gaze briefly flickered to Chiyoko; even if his question was directed at Hakka, Chiyoko could certainly join in if she wished.

"Kitsu Nozomi, priestess of the Lion," she murmured from her pool. She looked towards the three of them and then looked back away. "No need to include me! I'm... thinking."

The young woman closed her eyes and leaned back.

Chiyoko stared at the woman for another long moment. Considered whether she was going to switch pools to force this young lady to talk. But she got a name for now, so she decided that'd be enough. No sense scaring one of the other hopefuls to death on the first day. And her attention returned to Yul. "I dunno if interested is the right word. I was planning on trying to be sensible and not going out unless we're given specific reason to. No sense in putting yourself in the middle of a fight when you're supposed to be peacocking for all the pretty people you might want to marry, eh?"

Yul chuckled, flashing Chiyoko a quick amused grin. "Peacocking. Yeah, good point."

He shrugged, the water rippling around him with the motion of his body. "Still, I'd like to at least try one of the ornithopters sometime. I just don't feel like I know a place until I've seen it from the sky, and the transport didn't have windows." His lips quirked. "Besides... flying is the best way for me to peacock." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully on Chiyoko; perhaps an opportunity to show off her shooting skills would help her at the miai.

"I'd not hate a ride. It would be cool to go up and see things from above without worrying so much about shooting what's below. Maybe I can find some friends to do some ikebana with while I'm at it."

In response to Yul's question and Chiyoko's answer, Hakka said, "I would like to see them. One could argue for such adventures as another way to prove your superiority, a showing of tail feathers if one were to further the peacock metaphor. A sense of danger could also foster a sense of closeness and romance amongst those who participate." She raised her hand, to tap her chin, as if thinking.



"Are you a fan of arranging, Matsu-san? I find it quite fun myself"

"I've learned a bit. I'm certainly not close to an expert, but I appreciate the art, and find arranging the flowers a good way to relax," she explains. Briefly, she dips into the hot water, before coming back up quickly.

Again, Yul looked at Hakka thoughtfully, pursing his lips. He was silent for a few moments. "Economy of purpose. I like that." He smiled then, spreading his hands. "I guess it's funny to talk about that sort of thing like that, but that's why we're here, huh?"

He chewed his lip a moment. "As it happens, I'm a pretty good pilot."

He left it there, splashing some water on his face as Ikebana was discussed.