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What a gloomy thought, that family might try to influence relationships for personal benefit rather than the general happiness of the parties involved! Though he was definitely taking a long time to find his heartmate, it was a relief to Raphael to know that when he found her, it would have been for the right reasons they ended up together. And he knew that when he DID find her, whoever she was, his parents would be wholly supportive; it was nice knowing they trusted his judgement, even if their trust in him had been a long time coming. No, not him, he corrected himself, but the world at large.

Smiling at Ishtar, he inclined his head in tacit agreement with her words. "Yes; family relations can be complicated; I've never seen that sort of thing myself, but I have, I'm sure, seen the effects." Like some of the extraordinary Soquili he'd met, with their forward behaviors! "It can definitely make a fellow wonder what sort of world this is, but I guess it takes all types, don't you think? And I imagine that can make...matchmaking a somewhat interesting undertaking. Even if you love love, I suppose it could get dull to see the same 'pair' all the time."

Starting off in the direction Ishtar had indicated, he easily fell into step beside her. At her question, he gave her a startled look, then quickly shook his head. "No, I haven't really been in that position. I've talked to a lot of mares, and a few stallions, but it never occurred to me to try and bring any of them together. I think it would be more awkward for a stallion, anyway; I could easily see a mare finding that attitude impertinent in a stallion." It just wasn't gentlemanly to push like that, after all! "It seems a much better fit for a mare."

"That's a good point," Raphael said with a slight smile. It was a nice thought, living in a perfect world, but there really wouldn't be much to do to keep one's self occupied. Though he suspected that he himself wouldn't have much of an issue with that; he'd never craved a life of excitement like so many others.

Then again, he didn't have a 'mission' like Ishtar, either, unless you counted his own somewhat selfish personal mission. For the time being, he was preoccupied; when he achieved his goal, Raphael was sure that he'd be happy to just sit back and enjoy a life of happily mated bliss. He doubted he was alone in that desire, which was why he wholeheartedly believed Ishtar's mission to be a noble one. "I'm sure that the couples you've helped are most appreciative, Ishtar; sometimes, the small things can be the hardest; sometimes it can even be a challenge just to say 'hello,'" he said with a somewhat awkward bob of his head. That had certainly been a difficult thing for him!

At least time and practice were helping him become slightly less awkward, though he knew it would take a long time for him to be truly comfortable in casual conversation. If Ishtar were one of those 'flirty' females, he knew he'd be truly adrift!

"You seem very comfortable with the idea of dealing with difficulties, if I may say so Ishtar," Raphael said as they made their way along. "I'll offer whatever thoughts I might have on the subject, but it certainly seems like you know both the strengths and hazards of your position. Perhaps this is an overly personal question," Raphael began with another slight shuffle, "but do you often have the chance to meet up with any of your couples later? See how they're doing?"

At Ishtar's bright assumption, Raphael could only smile in a somewhat wry fashion. It was true that he'd greeted her easily enough, and he'd greeted a few before her easily enough, but that was a skill that had been a long time in development. It still made the stallion cringe to think about just how awkward he'd been in his younger days, how difficult it had been to speak his mind, how hard it had been to accept others. He'd thought he was so righteous back then, a perfectly chivalrous stallion who was above immoral or amoral behavior...but it had taken a few painful interludes for him to realize how wrong he was.

It was always hard to recognize one's own faults; Raphael had been no exception to that rule. But it was hard to ignore evidence in the form of another Soquili, especially another Soquili with a strong manner of self-expression. It had taken a while for Raphael to realize how in the wrong he'd been; ever since, he'd tried to make himself...well, less obnoxious. Less arrogant. Less...judgmental.

Still, that was hardly a topic to launch into so early in an acquaintance, so he merely smiled at Ishtar as he said, "Well, I've been practicing. There are all kinds of social awkwardness in the world, and I'm hardly immune."

As they walked along, he listened with interest to Ishtar's explanation. "So really, you only have the beginning of the story, then, in most cases. I imagine it would be nice to know how they all turn out, but I can also see how that just wouldn't be practical, not if you're on the move so often. And I'm sure that there are couples who move around themselves." Still, she was right; there was only so much that a person outside of the couple themselves could do! "Hopefully once the connection is made, those with a true, lasting connection know to take care of it."