Countless fights, hours of training and sharpened senses from years of hunting and wandering, have made Alex nearly impossible to surprise in a fight. All of that was for naught however as he had no warning form Riley, the sudden nature of the attack, coupled with the swordsman own skill left the punch with practically no tells. Were it not for Riley messed up footing he would have taken the punch to the face, as it were Alex just sorta sweat dropped as his attacker face planted [i]'Okay...?'[/i] he blanked as he tried to figure out what caused the sudden attack. Listening to the swordsman he was able to read in between the lines to get what at least get a glimpse of what the young man was really feeling, but he wasn't quite sure how to approach the subject, deciding to just keep silent for the moment Alex just nodded and lead the way to the carriages. 

 [b]"Geez, what kind of Endorsement request was that?"[/b] Alex grumbled as he stepped in to the carriage. They had been held up about ten minuets because the owner had tried to get Alex to give a public endorsement during the harvest festival [b]"I mean seriously "I'm 'Archon' Greywind and this is my favorite store in Magnolia" Blegh"[/b] He finished with a shake of his head as he sat down with the driver behind him and the door he entered on the other side of the carriage. Not long after the carriage was on it's way to Holstur, and for the first while Alex kept to himself content to just watch the scenery. Eventually the botched attack came back to mind, mulling over it again in his mind he came to something. [b]"Mind if I ask about Yukiko? All I really know are the rumors and stories I was wondering if you would be willing to tell me more about the person"[/b] He asked calmly turning his gaze on to Riley as he did, both so he could gauge the young man's reaction and to be prepared in case another surprise punch came his way. He was treading on thin ice, he felt, best be prepared for the worst.