Ride in the Dark (D8, EN)

[Soshi Yuuru]

He chuckled, "I can think of a way... but I doubt you'd have use for a one-armed husband after I proved my dedication."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Don't play with that." She frowns a bit, then shakes her head. "I started it. Gomen."

Gekko decided to stop and chew a bit of grass. "I would listen to my family and clan. See what they think its best to honor them with my decision."

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled and nodded apologetically , "I'm sorry. I guess it's not an evening for laughing. You seem so serious and austere tonight. It is regal and beautiful, but not offering much of a glimpse of who you really are. I tend to be a bit free-spirited myself; open and honest. I like to tease and joke to keep things light."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Well. I am free-spirited, too. I do tease and joke often. Sometimes. Rarely." She shrugs, and Gekko lifts his head up, looking to Yuuru with analytical horse-eyes.

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled warmly, "I think anyone who saw our first meeting could see we're both free-spirits. Getting those two strong wills to merge might take some doing...but I've always liked a good challenge."

"So what are some things you like to do? Which paths does your free spirit frequently trod?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Well..." She sighs. "I'm certain you either saw or heard were it led me thus far, no?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He had a look of comfort and support on his face as he replied, "I don't pay much attention to the gossiping masses... I'd rather hear from you who and what you are like."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"I like... to ride. That's pretty obvious. Free spaces, too. Rokugani food, as of the first day of the miai. Poetry, even if I'm not good or skilled at it. Don't have time for hobbies." She politely covers her mouth not to yawn. "You?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He nodded.

Apparently I'm boring her... Great...

"I too like open-spaces. Exploring. Cartography. Jiujutsu. And I play a bit of the shakuhachi."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Shakuhachi... I don't know what that is." She shrugs a gain. "But let's about something fun, ne! What you don't like –– or better: who?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled, "I could play some for you if you'd like in a bit... It's a type of flute we have here."

He then pondered her question with pursed lips, "Who don't I like? That's a pretty good question actually... I'm a fairly open guy I suppose. If I had to say a type of person I don't appreciate... it would be someone who deliberately tries to twist other people's words.. There are a lot of those in my own clan and I know I don't care for that type most the time."

He tilted his head, "And what about you? Who don't you like?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Is there?" She asks, rhetorically while nodding, "I'm glad to know. Thank you."

She hangs in there for a while, making him wonder if she would ever say something. "During the Dark Ride we didn't have time for this sort of malice. I am growing to dislike opportunists."

[Soshi Yuuru]

He nodded, "The world is unfortunately filled with those types... But it's also filled with honorable and straightforward women like yourself. As you continue to learn and grow older, you'll be able to defeat them with regularity; I'm sure of it."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"I have no wish to defeat them. It feels like a waste of time. There are greater threats and perils we should be worrying about." She looks to the archery range somewhere behind them.

[Soshi Yuuru]

He nodded, "It can be... but ignoring evil only lets it grow stronger."

He looked out to where she was looking, "I heard something of the problems your people are facing... you are indeed beset with a terrible threat and peril."