Ajia was standing at the docks, looking over the Arcadia port with a soft smile. In the distance was the portal that paved the way for easier trade with Ajay, her brother. She loved Arcadia, but she also loved Ballentine, both were home to her. Turning her gaze, she looked to Avalon, a smile was there as well. It wasn't quite home like it was to Rico, but it did hold fond memories. Once she was done looking at the sights, she turned and made her way back towards home. It was a short walk, it didn't give her much time to think beyond what she already had. Once she was home, she stepped in, kicked her shoes off, then called out. "I'm home."

Rico was sitting on the back porch, drinking a glass of wine watching the moon rise slowly over the mountains to the east. "Out here!" he yelled hearing Ajia come in. "Grab a glass on your way out." he added as he noted he didn't have one out there for her.

A bottle of wine rested on the kitchen counter, glasses stored neatly in a cabinet. She pulled a glass out and filled it just right before moving out onto the back porch and looking to him with a soft smile. Copper gaze studied him for a moment before she moved to sit beside him.

"Aja mentioned you might be home tonight." he said as she settled into the neighboring chair. "Of course then she got to ranting about archaic men and their dumb ideas." he laughed a little. "Also something about needing explosives. But that could mean anything." He turned his head to give her a grin. "Care to fill me in on why I need to make sure the boss doesn't start plotting a war?"

"Because a man asked Ajay for my hand in marriage and he's not told me if he's considering it or not." She said, a sheepish smile on her lips. There was regrettably a sigh from her before she added," And from the sound of it, the two families have been close and the man wants to make them closer."

"Ah yes." he nodded a little. "Those royal pre-arranged things." he chuckled low. "I would've thought Ajay would've learned his lesson about considering those last time. Your sister almost killed him." he lifted his wine glass, taking a sip. "I have been lucky to have never been forced to even consider such things." he paused and looked over at Ajia. "What are your thoughts on this?"

"I don't know. I've tried to not over react about this, I've actually been thinking about it and I have to admit I'm wondering why would he bring this up now." She looked to him, her hand moving to run over his cheek as she smiled. "I just I keep wondering how you'd take hearing about all of this." Biting her lip, her gaze turned back to the moon rising into the stars. "Also makes me wonder just what to do."

"What I think is it's castle politics, Ajia." he smiled at her. "Which can change as the times advance, especially if the Princess in question refuses to go along with it." he took her hand. "You know I adore you, but I also know we're in two different places in our lives now. I am dealing with Rafe and all that it means or will mean to have him around. And you are dealing with your family, homeland and the lives of thousands that will be affected by choices made."

She squeezed his hand tightly before murmuring out to him. "Even though we're in two different places, do we still have each other through thick and thin" Can I still watch you shower naked or snuggle up to you at nights?" She wasn't necessarily doubting the structure of their relationship, she was just worried that it had slipped into two different places as well.

"Depends on what you decide regarding your future and this Lord Owen person, doesn't it?" he said thoughtfully. "I know Englebert and I shall miss you but we would understand if you had to go." he gave her a boyish smile.

She gave him a funny stare, she hadn't told him Owen's name. Darn it Aja! She then shook her head and mused. "Engelbert needs to learn how to share his Mr. Tharadon when he's naked." There was that devious grin, her hand squeezed his and she said softly. "I love you Rico, I do, but if you'd be happier without me I'd understand."

"It's not just my life we're discussing, Ajia. It's yours too." he set his wine glass down on the arm of the chair. "I am a simple man. I've thought about my future and I would be perfectly fine if things were to remain exactly as they are. But I don't believe that is what you want for your life, is it?" he looked at her simply. "It's not that I don't love you, or do not care. I am content at this point in my life."

"Do you ever see us having a family?" She had to ask, it was one of those things she deeply desired. Knowing that he was content the way things were in his life wasn't a drawback, but it did mean she had to ask a few questions. Things that perhaps they both needed answered.

"Children are wonderful. But no, I don't at this time think I would have time for them." Rico leaned back in his chair and looked at her, squeezing her hand lightly.

Looking back to the stars, she nodded, smiling a little as she sat there. They were content in their own lives. She looked back to him and asked. "How's Rafe and adjusting to that going?"

"Rafe is..." Rico started then exhaled. "I think it's a little like you and Aja." he thoughtfully picked up his wine glass and slowly swirled the contents. "We're not sure what the other one is thinking or feeling. I've never been a big talker. Never had to be with your sister around." he smirked a little. "I don't think I fully appreciated how difficult it was or even is for the two of you to make adjustments for the other."

She grinned to that and mused, " It's not only that adjustment I had to make." She focused on him while she sat there. "I had to adjust to waiting for you to realize I wasn't Aja." And that was difficult to say the least. She took another deep breath, brows knitting a little. "Would you be mad if I said I didn't know what I wanted right now" I mean. I was flattered by Lord Owen's proposal, but....I love being with you, I love being with you, but as you said, we're in two different places and I'm not sure where that's taking us."

"I've always known you weren't your sister." he laughed, no one would ever confuse the two once they started speaking. "She and you are night and day different. You're unsure, you like to think out loud. Your sister" She makes a choice and just bulldozes ahead." he chuckled to that. "That's just one of the many things that are different about the two of you." he shifted some and the smile dropped away a little. "I can't be angry that you don't know what you want. It's part of who you are. You take longer to figure things out. If this Owen guy is who fits you better, than I want you to go to be happy." he breathed quietly and looked at her. "You know what my life is, and will likely remain already. It's a matter of what you want now."

When his smile dropped a little, hers did too. She pulled a bit of her hair to the side while she leaned back and looked to the stars. There was a sigh from her, showing how much it troubled her to have such an up in the air answer. Fingers pinched her temples as she murmured to him. "I feel like such an ass for thinking about us and thinking about that proposal. Thinking about everything. It's just....I don't know what direction my life is heading any more." She mused. "A year ago I was certain we'd be married by now." There was a gentle blush on her cheeks.

That made him laugh just a little as he reached out and brushed her hair back gently. "See" I hadn't even entertained such a thought." he smiled at her. "I adore that you want the grand romance, and flattered that you saw it with me. But it really isn't who I am."

Copper eyes lifted to look to him. "And see, I want romance, I want that kind of thing." She turned her face to press a kiss to his hand softly. "I adore you, but I just....I need to know things like this. I need to know if you ever think we'll get married, if we'll ever have a family, or if for our happiness we would be better off as friends who gang up on Aja."

Rico smiled at that kiss and laughed at her last sentence. "I adore you too. Your happiness is really all I want for you. If it's not with me, then it's not with me. There is no reason to get up in arms about it. It's a simple choice of what works for us both. We might be best off as friends." he gave her a warm smile. "Which I would like very much. It might even be the best thing. Then you won't be frustrated by the lack of romance."

There was a soft stare to him, a bit of frustration on her face with his nearly passive nature. Lips pursed a little and she sighed. "I was never frustrated by the lack of romance Rico." She shook her head a little. "I...I.." She paused to think about the way it was worded in her head before murmuring. "I think we want different things."

"I think so too." he gave her a smile. "And that's ok. At least we discovered that. Now, we can move on with our lives, you can find what it is that will give you what you want from your life." He lifted his wine glass, taking a sip before setting it back down. "As I've said, I'm content with my life as it is."

There was a gentle smile on her lips and she nodded. She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. "Thank you Rico." She sat back and sipped her own wine before she mused. "Content, yes, and I'm happy for you." Smiling warmly.

He gave her a smile. "If only my mother would take that information as well as you have." his grin broadened a little more. "I have never been able to convey to her that while she may want grandchildren, I'm just not in a proper space to consider them."

"Yeah, I understand that. Mami is kinda of that mindset isn't she?" She gave him a soft smile and sat back in her chair, one leg folding over the other. "She'll come around eventually."

"From your lips to the Gods ears." he gave her a smile. "She's been placated by working at the Clinic. There's a nursery full of babies for her to coo and make cute noises at." he chuckled. "So. Tell me of this Owen fella. Aja wasn't forthcoming with details in between coming up with ways to injure your brother for even thinking about a pre-arranged marriage."

Ajia sighed, her eyes turning to the stars as she groaned out. "He seemed kind of desperate to have my hand to be honest." Her eyes turned back to him and she grinned. "He's afraid of getting his hands dirty and enjoys having servants around to do things for him. I think he just needs to learn how to do things on his own and get into the world to relax. He's so up tight."

That make Rico laugh. "A bit of a priss is he?" Rico couldn't help but chuckle at the picture Ajia had painted of the man.

"That and he was trying to keep me from working with others on those apartments while actually staring at me like I was crazy." She grinned to him. "I'm not saying he'll always be that, but he just needs an example."

"Is this the project that Padriq's been going back and forth doing?" Rico asked curious.

"Yeah. He's helping me rebuild a village that was destroyed in a fire." She smiled, enjoying the progress that was being made with the project. "We're upscaling the village and making it a new central hub for trade outside of the port."

"Smart." Rico said while nodding. "Ballentine's been in need of a few upgrades for a while. Ajay has been doing his best, but he's only one man."

"He approved it immediately and is talking to his advisors about giving me freedom to help upgrade a few places for him." She was beaming with pride.

"I know I'm not the only one who thinks those advisers are actually doing more harm than good." Rico looked at Ajia. "Got any ideas how you're going to deal with them?"

She paused, she hadn't really considered it. Her hand moved to skritch at her head for a second. "I have no earthly idea how to deal with them. I think it's going to take something serious to deal with them."

"I can arrange for a couple of shipments of ammo and weapons if you like." He gave her a wink. "I know people."

"There you go sounding like my sister." Grinning to him broadly.

"I support the Captain." he winked. "On occasion, I'm also the one provoking the Captain." he chuckled.

There was a small laugh from her. "Careful, you'll end up being fed to the sharks."

"She's crazy, but once in a while, I do like a good battle." he grinned at Ajia. "As long as we win." he paused, then laughed. "Oh dear lords, not you too! What is with you Bird sisters and threatening horrible death?" he was chuckling now.

"I can always have Aja feed you to the sharks for me." She grinned to him softly and finished her glass of wine, her eyes lingering on the stars. "You promise to be my best friend always and forever?"

"Of course." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he smiled. "I will need some help coming up with pranks to pull on your brother in law. Especially after he's turned me green twice."

She laughed softly and grinned to him broadly. "I'll be sure to help you any way I can."

"Thank you." he gave her a relieved smile. "The man is a menace!"

"Oh you have no idea!" She shook her head. "The other day when he was working in Ballentine he wouldn't shut up about his honeymoon plans for Aja and him."

"You poor dear." he squeezed her hand. "Shall I get you some earplugs?"

"It's okay. I just sic his lacky on him. A little boy has gotten quite taken with Padriq. Almost like a father son thing. He follows Padriq around everywhere." She snickered.

This seemed to interest Rico. "Think we can get the kid to help?"

"Sure can, until Aja sees him and adopts him into the family." Ajia poured herself another glass of wine while she smirked. "He really is a sweet kid."

"Padriq's sneaky." Rico laughed. "Aja told me they had a chat about a baby." Rico smirked. "I checked her shoes for blood." he winked at Ajia. "This kid got orphaned in Ballentine?"

"I think he just lost his father or something. He doesn't talk much, just follows Padriq around until Padriq has to go, then skips off." She shrugged a little.

Rico nodded a little. "He seems good with kids." Rico laughed a little. "Probably cause he acts like one."

"Probably." She grinned a little. "He can be strict though. Watched him react to a moment when one of his crew wasn't wearing a hardhat and thought I was looking at a different man."

Rico chuckled. "Your sister found the male version of her." he smiled at Ajia. "Perhaps that's what it takes for you Bird girls. A man who is like you in a lot of ways."

They spoke for a while longer before Ajia left for her room at Aja's house. He watched her go thoughtfully, feeling settled. It was one of the things that had been on his list of things to take care of for a while, but their lives had become separated and busy. There hadn't been much time to discuss anything. Now, it was done and he could get back to his life as it had been before.