"Pickled vegetables. They are sweet, salty, and add a certain brightness to every dish." He nodded, the response as quickly as the famed Kakita strike.

He stopped moving. His eyes focused on her, beneath the glasses. "Father was often busy with duties. Mother split her time between hers and raising me, then my sister." Ryuu brought a hand to his chin. "She told us stories often. Of great heroes, and wicked villains. I looked forward to her stories. My father encouraged me, to try my hand at many different ways of performing arts."

He raised the shades, wanting to see her without the filter of the glasses. "Youth for the Spider can be difficult. It is Strength, Control, the Will of the one to stand out." He looked away, almost wistful.

"My home life was a refuge from the constant need to prove supremacy."

Ishiyo likely cut an odd figure, much of her body being hidden under a cape and crowned by a cylindrical hat covered in silver embroidery with a shiny black brim. Between the two articles of clothing all one might see is the Daidoji's pale face and white hair, with a pair of striking pale blue eyes. Or that would be what one saw if it were not for the out of place metal UV glasses ruining the picture. It probably made her look a bit alien, and definitely farcical.

She stood there for a moment, in truth the Daidoji maiden had no similar experience to fall back on. Just natural empathy that made her feel sympathy for this Spider. A hand emerges from the folds of her cape and she removes the glasses. Ishiyo opens her mouth to speak and then closes it again, letting her feelings show in her eyes for a brief moment. I'm sorry.

Her eyes close, reopening as she turns to look down the path then back up to the stars. "It has been some time since I looked at the night sky from planet side."

His head tilted as she regarded him. The look... he didn't recognize it at first. Then a memory. The time his mother's family had come to visit Shiragiku on a diplomatic mission.

"Ryuu. Come meet my family..." his mother's voice had called down to him. When he entered the greeting area, there they were. A small group. All but his cousin with stark white hair. The severe looking older woman regarding him.

"We see you have fulfilled your duty, Sayaka. At least he has your eyes." She pursed her lips. One of the retinue, looked very similar to his mother looked at the two. Pity in her eyes.

He blinked rapidly, realizing he hadn't said anything for a long moment.

"They can be spectacular. To see the stars. To ponder oneself and your place in the universe." He brushed past the memory, focusing on the present.

It will always be an uphill challenge.

"It is better to experience that with someone else."

Ishiyo nodded slowly but keep her eyes skyward for the moment, "Yes. Surprisingly so."

She kept her gaze skyward for sometime before finally looking back down and to Ryuu. Her composure had returned, as had her smile. "It is also so strangely different from the observation deck of a starship."

Her blue eyes studied the Spider again, silent for a time before her voice returned with a gentle tone, "You said your mother had found Benten's blessing with your father. Even in the hardships you describe."

A slow blink. And then his own smile returned. "She had. They had. They have. I don't know if that was before or after I was born." Ryuu began to move again, catching back up with with Ishiyo.

"They still have it. When I get the chance to visit their home... it's still very warm, even if austere." He chuckled a little. "It's probably why I have a five year old brother."

Ishiyo tilted her head to the side and her smile grew more warm. "I am glad you have such a place to find refugee. And I hope you can find someoneone to build you-eh own alongside." She speaks slower, giving her words extra weight.

Then a small chuckle, "So oldeh brotheh? ...how much oldeh?"

"Twelve winters older than Sanjiro. Three winters older than my sister Ayame." He could feel the smile from his spectral rider as they spoke.

"I hope you can find the same, Daidoji-san. We lead... difficult lives. In service to our clans, the Empire. You deserve a hearth where you can rest warmly, and relax."

Ishiyo's hand reappeared and she looked rather pensive as her forefinger rubbed her cheek. "You-eh....a bit youngeh than me."

Then she blinks and laughs, "Warm hearth? Daigotsu-san, I am a pilot foh me the only true relaxation is up there. Suspended among the stars. I do not think my spouse will..." She stops her hand dropping back into her cloak. The smile was gone and a measure of sadness crept back into her voice. "...have much of a wife to give them share a warm hearth with." She looks away deep in thought, remembering her own largely absent parents.

"I... expected that I am on the younger side of the potentials here." He flushed slightly again, then he smkled.

"A pilot still needs a home to return to. But I understand what you are saying, Daidoji-san." The Spider nodded. "You would hope that your betrothed would not keep you from the stars and sky." Looking back up.

"Another way to think on it... your Spouse would look up to the jewel glimmering in the void, and always be thinking of you."

Ishiyo's gaze remained averted, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lover her parents very much, and they had done more for her then most parents ever could...but she couldn't help but remember little Ishiyo, surrounded by toys and sweets, a veritable fortress of presents and army of servants. And no Ma-Ma or Pa-Pa.

Her mind turned to another little child, with toys and sweets and servants. And no Ma-Ma. She shook her head, dispelling such thoughts. Her destiny was among the stars.

"Yes...a glimmering jewel in the void," Her smile had returned, or at least some measure of it. Crane were good at that, smiling to hide their thoughts, "A poetic way to put it Daigotsu-san."

"So...has anyone left an impression on you so fah?"

There was a glance to her. "One or two. One for certain." There was a hint of a smirk. "How about you, Daidoji-san? Is there anyone you have met who you could see looking up at the stars, their mind dwelling on you?"

Ishiyo blinked and tugged down on her hat to hide her expression, "I see," She looks away for a second then back, "I suppose...there are a few who have surprised me."

She looked back down the path.

His expression remained pleasant in regards to her. His eyes followed hers as she looked down the path.

"It is a good festival to find surprises such as that." Ryuu nodded, then turned more fully to her. "Regardless with how things transpire here. I will forever be grateful to have met you, Daidoji-san."

Her blush returned, "...thank you Daigotsu-san," Ishiyo kept her face turned away from the Spider...which largely just mean he saw her rosy cheek in profile. "I am flattehed, and enjoyed ouh time tonight."

"I suppose ouh next meeting will be a display of iaijutsu. I hope you will not find it disappointing." Her eyes finally flick back to his briefly, the gentle smile had returned.

"I do not believe it could be disappointing. I will have much to learn and glean from in that lesson." He bowed. "Thank you, for the honor of allowing me to accompany you tonight. May I escort you to your means of conveyance?"

Internally, Ryuu was smiling. He had heeded the words of oobaasan. And had an absolutely lovely time because of it.

Ishiyo's head dips in agreement to his request, "You may." As they walk toward the garden exit she maintains the proper distance between them for propriety. Still it was closer then they had been and the smile remained.

/scene?

/scene!