[Day 5 - Late Morning] Homecoming (Open)

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods at that. "Hai. Do we go an extra step then? The longer Lanka holds out, the more likely we can return after warning the Empire, and stop the problem here, before it reaches our homes."

He looks to Hoshi. "Whatever they believe, its still the Jade Sun above us, hai? Running information home is not all we can do, even if we cannot do enough to save this city and its people."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Hai. There are some ways we can help but they may be very little at that."

Her brows lifted. "...We do have more than one ship in the fleet Usagi-san, there could be reason enough for only one ship to return to the Empire. In the event we're the ones who need to stay then...that is our duty, much like when a ship on water. We can't all abandon ship ne?"

She waved that idea out with a hand. "-Ah...but that's a rather foolish idea. One ship can't make it back on its own. The enemy is also crafty at sea."

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "Hai, and with a supply ship as one of them to insure they can make the journey...and the Sea of Shadows...if I remember some of the talk, the Captain is needed for sailing back through that."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi feigned a dramatic sigh, "It can't be helped. Just our luck I suppose. We will be heading back to the Empire whether for good or bad glory. Our would-be purpose is the most important to fulfill."

[Usagi Zenko]

He snorted. "I don't disagree. Let's call it an eerie reminder of how the Hare were formed, and thus my penchant for conforming to it." He shakes his head, looking at Hoshi.

"Do you mind if I ask a question as to the garb you're wearing?" he asks, somewhat curiously.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi took another look at the exotic garb she was dressed in at the moment. It wasn’t tailored for her admittedly, being smaller in a few places. She assumed that something was going to be asked eventually. “I’ll do my best to answer it Usagi-san.” She said with a breath that was only tinged with wariness.

[Usagi Zenko]

"Were you using it to blend in? One of the Yoritomo here was dressed in what I assume is local garb as well. I've been trying to puzzle out why."

He does seem genuinely curious.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi looked slightly amused. “-Ah...I do wonder how effective it was Usagi-san but I think even the locals could tell me apart from the usual swagger the Yoritomo usually have. Iie, it was a friend who introduced me to the fashion here...I don’t think I’ll give it another try until I find something more of my size though...”

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods at that. "Well, its at least more tasteful than the all white clothes that Yoritomo was bolted in from neck to toe."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi lifted a brow for a moment, not catching this particular Yoritomo but had seen a few on the streets. "...Maybe he was in mourning?"

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods at that. "Such was my thought. He didn't seem aware of what I was speaking of when I brought it up though." He shrugs. "I'm thinking that prolonged exposure to this land will cause us to be nearly as strange as its inhabitants, when we return to the Empire proper..."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi gave him a glance, wondering if that was a comment that was indirectly related to her current state of dress. "That is likely something that won't be a concern Usagi-san. We have yet to truly live here. Just a few days makes it impossible for us to suddenly change our ways drastically."

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods at that. "Hai, but how many of our fellow samurai here have spent at least the Winter here?"

He chuckles, "We new sailors are much more likely to be changed by our experiences on the ship, than a few days in a new land."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Well. We haven't taken to swearing and surliness just yet, so there's some hope that we won't be wholly changed by being at sea for the worse. Hopefully for the better."

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "Hai. There is something to be said about the commonality between many of the more experienced sailors though."

He chuckles then. "Although with the skill in cursing we can gain, would certainly aid one in turning a few people of the mainland a particular shade of red."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi chuckled. "By cursing alone? Usagi-san...you don't need to be a sailor for that. It's not a habit I practice but...have you ever lived with other fellow bushi before?"

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods, "At the dojo. Our sensei, however, was quite strict. Every curse we uttered would add a lap to the run around the Shiro."

He shudders a little. "I can still remember the day I stubbed my toe shortly after waking. My legs have never been so sore, as they were that evening and following morning."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Is that so? My sensei was rather known for his long swearing streaks, almost hourly. That was more than enough reason for me to never get into the habit. But the dojo is an entirely different place from the camaraderie that you can see from fellow bushi...off-duty. Sometimes a reminder that some people will forever remain boys."

[Usagi Zenko]

He raises an eyebrow. "I must admit, I don't believe I know what you're talking about."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi gave the Usagi a stoic look.

She spoke up again after a pause. "-Ah...Perhaps one of these days the crew should have a night of drinking, then we shall see how colourful they can be, on their own. I'm surprise it hasn't happened at all while we're here. But I don't expect our group to be the rowdy sort and it's nice to hear that some caution is practised while in this strange land."