Cleasening the Soul (Day 5 Early Evening Open)

[Yoritomo Kaito]

With a smile Kaito picks up where his Cousin falls off. "Moshi-gunso is a colorful woman, about hard as they come on a ship though. Can't say I don't like her though she's kinda fun."

"As for the Captain he's a good man knows how to handle a ship as well. He'll try his best to keep us our of trouble and get the ship home in one piece."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I nod as they explain things a little. I was glad I asked. Their words ease a few of my worries. "The Half Moon sounds like a fine ship then. Thank you for the information. I'm glad the officers are such good people". I flash a shy smile at the two, unsure what to say next. Small talk isn't one of my skills. "Eto... do you know when we will be leaving Lanka?"

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi returns the smile then closes his eyes and relaxes again.

"Until tommorow at the very least is what the Captain said, but that was before we knew the situation here. Now, I don't really know, we could be here for some time still, especially if the situation to the south is as dires as it seems. If there are no ports further south left to visit we may be here a while until we can properly discern whether there is a threat to the Empire here."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I nod, my expression a little more solemn "that makes sense. It is our duty to investigate the possibility of a threat and then carry that information back if the answer is positive". It probably did not need to be said that way but I wanted to show I agreed and understood. I stretch my arms in the water, one by one while still holding the towel close.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi nods his head.

"If you don't mind my asking, I was wondering where you picked up your rhuumal?"

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I don't mind" I reply idly, beginning to stare up at the ceiling in thought "I was assigned as a yojimbo to a courtier in your lands and it involved many trips by boat and much time spent in and around your courts. I became interested in foreign culture thanks to some stories I heard and a few books on such things that were available from your libraries. I learnt primarily from those books but a few Mantis friends of my lord were kind enough to assist with my studies". I try to recall why I started in the first place and then remember. "Originally I just wanted to be able to better understand the culture of the Kingdoms that the Mantis brought back so many goods from. I thus learnt a few Rhumaali words so I could properly appreciate what I was reading. It grew from there. I suppose I had too much time on my hands. I was only a junior yojimbo to a well liked and busy Kitsuki... it was something to do" I muse, thoughtfully. "This is my first time being able to actually speak it to natives"

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi opens his eyes to look at her with interest, it's rare he meets someone outside his familly with any interest in learning about the Ivory Kingdoms.

"I've never met someone outside my familly that could speak it, this is my first time speaking to any natives of the kingdom as well. My great grandfather visited here a long time ago and he is the one who taught me."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

A chat about languages how dull... Kaito thought wondering if he had ever been bored enough to try learning one. Of course he had never been a yojimbo so he didn't know exactly how boring that task could be. If it had been him though he may of tried to make up a task. Something like. 'Observing the pretty young ladies in court to make sure they weren't trying to seduce his charge.' That could kill at least a few dozen hours and maybe lead to a few completely inappropriate ways of passing the time.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

He seems nice I think, giving him another look. "It's interesting to try speaking another language. These foreigners have their own ideas and while there is much they could rightfully learn from us, sometimes I think they have novel ideas too". I smile at Choukichi "Well Yoritomo Choukichi-san, I rarely see one with so many tattoos outside of Dragon lands". I continue smiling ignorantly for a good few seconds before looking to the side as my face turns rebellious, an interpretation of what I said dawning on me "n-n-NOT that I was looking that much. Err. Not that I was looking"

Right, I failed that. Time to move on. "Ah, I f-f-feel very refreshed now. I shou... should probably be leaving" I say haltingly. I want to punch something. I hold my towel tightly with one hand, clenching it to me as i awkwardly stand and try to squeeze some water out of my long hair with the other.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito chuckled at the girls distress. "Ah Mirumoto-san. There is no need to leave if you don't wish to." He says as his laughter ends. "I may be a little frank in saying this but Spooks and myself here are sailors and on ship we'll likely be wearing little but a vest and trousers if we even bother with the vest. Like it or not you'll likely be seeing a lot more of his tattoo's before this journey is done."

"Right Cousin?"

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi chuckles along with his cousin.

"My cousins right, can't let a little skin get you all flustered if you're gonna be working with us on the ship."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I-I am NOT flustered. It is just improper to look at skin so much..." my voice begins to trail off "even in a bath house or on a ship" before becoming just a whisper. I suppress an urge to pout, realising the game is up. I still don't want to show weakness though. "I said I should probably be going and a samurai can only rely on their word!" I declare. Having two others chuckling at my expense doesn't assist matters. Even if they mean it harmlessly.

I am having no luck wringing out my hair with one hand. It is impossible. "Still, I could stay for just a bit longer. I would like to know where... was it Spooks? Where Spooks comes from."

I continue to fiddle with my hair uselessly with one hand, the other stuck in place to hold the towel. I can feel my cheeks rising in colour again as soon as I think of a solution. It's embarassing. Still, it would not involve the touching of skin at least. I need to be less reserved, especially if I really am going to be seeing the both of them half nak... t-t-topless all the time on ship. "Eto... and... I can't leave with my hair this wet". Maybe one will help... or they'll just expect me to drop the towel. Quite likely. They are Mantis sailors afterall.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

"Huh, well the tatoos and the charms invite misunderstanding and the nickname, this isn't the first ship that has given me that same name."

With her last words, Choukichi glances to her hair.

"Would you like some help drying your hair then?"

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I see" I reply meekly as he gives a vague explanation. In Dragon lands there would be nothing at all odd or to be misunderstood about such tattoos. Spooks seems a little harsh.

"Mmm" I say to Choukichi's offer, nodding my head once and not quite able to say anything further. I feel horribly self conscious. Perhaps if I was instead a Togashi I would be fine with such things but I still get nervous in situations like this. It had made bathing onboard the Orochi's Wake somewhat difficult.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi nods his head, then stands up in the pool and starts getting out. Unlike Tomoe, he had not worn a towel into the water, nor does he seem concerned at all about her being able to see everything. He makes no move towards her, instead he gets out of the pool grabs a towel and while wrapping it around his waist heads out of the room to find a servant to help her with her hair.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

And then Kaito and I were alone. I watch Choukichi leave without directly looking at him, only realising his purpose when he gets his towel. I laugh a little suddenly and this eases my tension. Still chuckling I say "your cousin is very earnest Yoritomo-san" while giving a wide smile to Kaito.

[Rixy]

Choukichi nods his head, then stands up in the pool and starts getting out. Unlike Tomoe, he had not worn a towel into the water, nor does he seem concerned at all about her being able to see everything. He makes no move towards her, instead he gets out of the pool grabs a towel and while wrapping it around his waist heads out of the room to find a servant to help her with her hair.

Servants at this time of night were easy to find and, upon hearing the task at hand, a young woman who named herself as Yuo immediately volunteered her services.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

And then Kaito and I were alone. I watch Choukichi leave without directly looking at him, only realising his purpose when he gets his towel. I laugh a little suddenly and this eases my tension. Still chuckling I say "your cousin is very earnest Yoritomo-san" while giving a wide smile to Kaito.

"I suppose he is at that Mirumoto-san." He replied his eyes on the water and not at the young woman standing before him in naught but a towel. It was a hard thing to do but he could be polite sometimes. "Likely why he brought a couple of kittens on board without consulting the Captain. The are cute lil buggers but for a bit there I was worried Cook might toss em overboard as bad luck."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

This one seems okay too. "I would like to see them some time. He is a good person. It was nice meeting you both. I can try and dry this hair in the women's area. Maybe I should consider reducing its length? Apologies for interrupting your relaxation time and conversation". I dip my head to the man, deciding not to bow again, then begin backing away to the female entrace/exit. "See you later" I add politely, probably looking a bit stiff

[Yoritomo Kaito]

She was odd a odd one this dragon and even though she didn't wait to thank Choukicki-san for fetching a servant he let her go a slightly amused smile on his face. "Nice to chat with you as well Mirumoto-san and no need to apologize for the interruption a little more company in the bath is always welcome."