Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lynod smiles slightly at Setsushi's reprimand, his answer washing away at least some of the heaviness weighing on the human. Setsushi would most certainly notice the slightly easier air that surrounds the human as he speaks.

"Physical proximity may be one element to it," explains Lynod, "Of course, other differences... Well, typically exclusivity is a must. While you may have many friends, you may only have one spouse."

Lynod moves a hand to rub at his chin, silently pondering the exact differences that exist between friendship and marriage. After several moments of silence, he nods.

"... There are not many differences, I suppose," says the human quietly, "Of course, in dating you are more likely to show physical contact and affection to your other than anyone else. You may also... mmm. Be willing to be weaker around them than others, to let down your guard. Though this is an ideal, and does not happen in many relationships, your spouse is to be your best friend."

Lynod stops, reflecting on the words of melancholy expressed by the Porcelain previously. His hand moves to gently extend and clasp Setsushi's shoulder as he shakes his head.

"... You are a good man, Setsushi," states Lynod simply, "I am sure many would love to be your other. Do not give up; she is waiting."

"You could say that," explains Lynod with a nod, "There are many human societies, but in our own, dating is practiced. Essentially, two humans that are interested in each other go to events to see their compatibility."

After his explanation, Lynod listens to Setsushi. A small, crooked smile forms on Lynod's face and he shakes his head.

"You can tell me that you do not care all you want, but I know differently," states Lynod firmly, "You are a romantic deep down, I am sure."

Lynod glances up to Setsushi at his offer and his smile takes a warmer quality to it. "Are you sure you have the money to do so, Setsushi?" asks the swordmaster.

"Ah, but your meals are courtly," says Lynod playfully as he begins moving along the wall to flick the lights off in the training room--he'll clean the bits of trash leftover by his students at another time. Soon the two are bathed in low-light, a single bulb guiding Lynod to pull back the sliding door.

"If you would, open the front door to let a little light in so I can turn off the last light," requests Lynod, "And I'll start telling you about divorce.

"Only little things," says Lynod as he glances back to Setsushi as he flicks off the final light, "They sometimes are absent-minded. A wrapper here, a misplaced sword there..."

Lynod shrugs faintly as he smiles.

"They are little things," says Lynod," As long as they are passionate about what I teach, that is enough." He then frowns--at least that was it. Lately...

... But he doesn't bring that up with Setsushi. Instead, he shakes his head and smiles.

"It is fine," claims Lynod, "Now, where to begin?" The human closes the screen door after both himself and Setsushi, apparently willing to wear his training clothing while he dines with Setsushi.

"As you know, humans do not have the strong bonds a Porcelain does," says Lynod softly, "When they wish to break their legal bond because they lack an emotional one, they must petition a court to handle the proceedings."

"Many humans would ask you why you don't have the government legislating marriage," says the human with a smile as he closes the heavy wooden door to the dojo behind him.

"But our government has large, expansive powers," says Lynod, "While not an authoritarian regime, it is powerful."

"That's not really the case," Came a gentle voice from just outside the open doorway.

Yaruka stood there, garbed in winter clothes which actually allowed her pearlescent wings freedom to be seen and to move about. Her long silvery hair fluttered about a bit in a chilled breeze as she watched the two swordsmen with a gentle smile. She had been passing by on a stroll to clear her mind and had happened past Lynod's dojo. She felt the familiar projections and heard the topic....and she couldn't help interjecting, since she held a different point of view.

"The government only plays a small roll in the legality of the marriage. They can't really delligate who you can marry, despite the fact that they try to...but they have ways of making it legally recognizable for the sake of ones taxes, medical benefits and other such material nonsence." She stepped aside as she spoke, allowing them room to move if they wished.

"Divorce does have a legal impact, as far as paperwork and other such things...but it does take an emotional toll, as well. For whatever reason they choose to separate, even if they seem to despise one another, one of them is truly hurting. Love is sometimes carelessly thrown into the wind for chance to take. And even when it's foolishly given, or ties are made too early, it doesn't make it any harder to let go when the realization that it's gone has truly hit. It hurts especially when there is doubt of any kind involved in the relationship."

Yaruka's emerald green eyes seem to haze over with genuine sadness.

"At times, there is a bond. Some humans, as well as other beings, believe in soulmates....someone they are destined to be with and they form a strong emotional and spiritual bond with one another, much like Porcelain do. When something happens to hurt that relationship, or if it is no longer reciprocated by one of the parties, it can make parting ways just that much more painful." There was a definite seriousness in her eyes as she spoke of soulmates.

After bowing his head slightly to greet Madame Yaruka, Setsushi continues to listen and nod, giving off a feeling of quiet attentiveness. His expression, however, is slowly showing signs of unpleasantness, as if something is progressively bothering him.

After giving Lynn a look that disapproves of the human's proposed scenario, he addresses Yaruka: "Soulmates?" Is this a cultural custom or connected to more intimate causes? And is there any particular procedure by which such a bond is formed?

It sounds like the closest thing to what Setsushi has been calling 'marriage' so far.