[color=a9a9a9]Ryza looked to Alan as when he addressed her about her popularity. She shook her head, [color=white][b]"No... Normally I'm always on the sideline of all the popular people..."[/b][/color]

As she stood, she felt Alan's grip and stopped, looking at him with a bit of confusion. She listened to the veteran, realizing that he had a good point. Ryza looked at Kuro, her caution raising some more. The swordswoman kept her eyes on the rider as Alan took her side and covered for her. However, she didn't expect Seru to step in and guard over her. It was a comforting feeling that the Red Hawk would stand up for their freshest recruit so quickly.

The voice in her head from Seru caught her off guard, she was only used to Oni's voice. The Kusagi drank in the information, not taking her eyes off Kuro as she was filled in. When it was time for Kuro to speak about his issues, she had a bit more of a stand-offish look about her.

She didn't want Alan to completely cover her, that wouldn't be very dignifying. Ryza spoke up to Kuro, [color=white][b]"You speak our language, rider, but that's where the similarities apparently end. Seishin swordsmen are honor bound, and once we pledge our sword, we serve until we are told that we are no longer needed."[/b][/color] she paused, [color=white][b]"My late master also told me that I should strive to help where others need it. As you say, the Red Hawks are not competent in swordsmanship. They are not familiar with Kusagi spirits and they do not know our ways as much as some other bands."[/b][/color]

Ryza looked over to Alan, then Seru, then back to him, [color=white][b]"I'm pledged to the Red Hawks. And I fill in their blanks."[/b][/color] Ryza was grateful that Alan and Seru had so quickly jumped to her defense, so she returned the favor, [color=white][b]"You speak badly of my band, insult our dignity. Kusagi do not stand for disrespect."[/b][/color]

At some point during her retaliation, she had pulled the katana half way out of its sheath. The plain folded steel blade glinting even in the low light. Ryza may never have taken a life, or needed to draw her blade on somebody, but she never tried to maintain that streak. If she needed to, she would have. The look on her face didn't have that delicate and graceful expression, it was steely and prepared for extremes. Something that she hadn't really shown anybody since she came to Meduzart.

Her eyes looked around the pub, noticing the tension and the eyes of some bystanders. She pushed the blade back into her sheath. Her hands went to her sides and she bowed at the waist to him, [color=white][b]"You've been given your warning, rider. Now please let us be."[/b][/color][/color]