There was an internal thought. The Obsidian Magiatrate gave a slight, downtrodden look. He would have to make sure to do well in the competition.

Who would be proud that their Child chose, or was chosen by, me...

"It is good to hear they care for you so deeply. You must make them very proud, Doji-san." He smiled brightly to her.

"Mmm," she vocalized, the surface of the water had turned smooth. Looking up, she smiled, "I- will certainly try, Daigotsu-san," dipping her head.

"I believe in you, Doji-san. You are an exceptional samurai, from what I have seen." Ryuu beamed a bit at her.

"So." A sudden shift in conversation. "How has it been for you, so far?"

"So far.." she looked back up, seemed to move to tap her chin but when her hand surfaced from the water she changed course.

"I've been having a wonderful time meeting all of these different and wonderful Samurai. Many are kind and honorable," she twists her bottom lip a little. "Just.. it's a shame so many of them are so focused on their duty they forget that they have options here. That they might also find a match that allows them to perform more exceptionally as well," she said.

He didn't say anything in response to that. Not at first. He simply regarded her, then offered a smile, a bold one even.

"Or maybe some think there are matches that would allow one to do both." There was some mischief in his eyes, though it was muted by that aura that always surrounded him.

"Exactly, Daigotsu-san!" she said with some excitement, after all.. so few allowed answering as such. "We are at a Miai, all of the options here.. we have a chance to both serve our Lord and Clan, as well as serving our own needs in a spouse so that we can find a happiness that will allow us to perform better too!"

Her excitement was infectious. Which made her being one of his roommates all the more pleasant. He relaxed, leaning back against the pool edge again. "Those who have Hotei's Blessing perform their duties that much better, you are absolutely correct." His eyes focused on her again, a slow blink.

"If you found yourself married out from the Crane, what would you want to be doing?"

"I.." she twisted her upper lip, "well.. I don't think that's much of an if, Daigotsu-san," she said with a light smile. "Early on I was prepared for marrying off to someone, as a Doji trained in the arts of my family I can serve alongside almost anyone and for any Clan effectively. I don't think anyone is hoping I bring my spouse home with me. Which is fine, it's what I want even if I admit it's hard," she said with a sheepish smile.

"I don't need any grand service to give myself to," she said, a small chuckle, "but to aid my spouse in managing the estate. Speak for my Clan in matters of concern.. well, I'd be quite happy with that, Daigotsu-san," she said, a softer smile.

He pondered her comments for a moment. Not everything in life in the Emerald Empire was grand and great destinies, millions hanging in the balance.

Sometimes it was just making sure things ran properly, that taxes were collected, that an estate was run well. As much as Ryuu wanted the opportunity to move into the Emerald Office, in all likelihood...

He would eventually rise to a Clan Magistrate. Directing junior magistrates, yoriki, and doshin in their duties.

It was reassuring to hear a similar worldview from someone else. "Would you be happy on an agriworld?"

"It would take a little adjusting," she said, with her head yet forward she glanced over at him without turning it, "but I would be happy anywhere," looking over to him with a smile. Then, leaned her head back and let herself enjoy the water a little more consciously.

"I don't really care what my bed is like, or.. what I have to wake up to every morning. Ornery caws," she said with a small giggle, "or.. silence of status, high up in one of those big important buildings. Just want someone I can laugh with at the end of the day," she said, a pleasant resting smile.

After a brief pause, she turned her head toward Ryuu, "What about you, Daigotsu-san?"

"My location would not matter. Where ever I go, they would gain a dedicated officer of justice. My partner would be rewarded with someone loyal, dutiful, and would want to work with them to build something, together." He nodded in response.

"I am used to an agriworld. I can adapt. My training has seen to it that I am never truly out of place anywhere." Ryuu looked back to Ichika.

His lips curled up.

"You will get what you desire, I truly believe."

Matching his look with her eye Ichika fiddled with her index finger under the water, by her lap. "I believe you will too, Daigotsu-san," she smiled, dipping her head toward him and raising with a brighter smile.

"I'm quite sure of it!" she said, happily!

He blinked when he saw her smile. He could feel warmth emanatinf from his chest, out to his limbs. The room seemed to fade as her own brightness grew more intense.

Or so it seemed to him.

"You have an incredible smile, Doji-san."

"O-oh!" she stammered a little, glancing down. That the pool was heated already was maybe her only saving grace, looking back up she nodded dutifully. "T-thank you, Daigotsu-san," she said, awkwardly.

"I'm glad you like it," she chuckled softly.

"You're welcome, Doji-san." He beamed to her, eyes half lidded. There was a pang of guilt. But he brushed it aside. It was early, this is a miai. He wouls be shirking his duties if he didn't try to assess what paths he should take.

"I wish to only speak truths with you."

"Do you normally speak untruths with others?" she asked with an amused bubbly tone, looking to him she let loose a very awkward laugh. Eyebrows raised she looked back down. Mumbling to herself as she sunk into the water a little, "Way to go Ichika," and very, very, quietly chided herself.

"Er...ah... no. I just mean to say that... calling attention to your many fine qualities would not be mere flattery or sycophantic behavior." He swallowed hard, cursing inwardly at his own verbal clumsiness. He exhaled, looking up at the ceiling.

Composing himself, the Obsidian Magistrate looked again to Ichika. "I did not mean to imply I operate with deceit and subterfuge."

"Sorry!" she said, coming up from the water a little. "I- I didn't mean to suggest you did just.." she fiddles with her index finger under the water more, glanced aside. Came back, "I was just poking fun, yea?" she said, a half-laugh.

"Oh. Oh. Good then." He smiled, though there was a rosy hue to his cheeks now. He chuckled lightly, sinking slightly into the hot water, relaxing a bit more. "I was worried I had offended you."

"No, no," she shook her head, looking back to Ryuu with a little laugh covered up by a hand brought out from the water. Glancing to the side, "Uhm, we've been in this pool a while Daigotsu-san" she said with a little laugh, "time for me to at least move on to the next for a bit," she said, softly as her thought seemed to trash elsewhere.