[Day 7, Late Morning, Garden] Thinking

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei was silent for a moment, "Not well at all I'm afraid. It seems bad news does not move quickly about this crew. A good thing I suppose to know that we're not among a group of gossipmongers."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"It seems so." Replied the mantis with a small frown. "Though that might also be because there aren't as many on the ship the last few days. You mind if I ask whats been troubling you?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"Troubling is an understatement. It is difficult to explain given the chain of events and their wide-reaching effects, but to put it bluntly I had an encounter with this evil goddess of these people. I hadn't meant to, but my own naivety lead to the great storm that was conjured two days ago. Not only that but her touch corrupted a great many spirits with its foulness. In truth it was my fault, no matter how innocent I may have been going into it." He shook his head, "The gaijin brought me before a tribunal yesterday to surmise my guilt and whether or not I was one of their demons. Obviously they found me innocent on both counts."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"I knew that storm wasn't natural." The mantis muttered half to himself as he thought of what the man had said. Accidents of that matter could likely have far reaching effects but hell if he knew what they were. So he went with the question that would likely answer most of his questions for him. "What did the Capn have to say about all this?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"He hasn't discussed it with me. The best clue I've gotten is during the proceedings he mentioned turning me over to the Inquisitors for further questioning, which is more then fair." He tried not to go sullen, instead trying to think of the circumstance as an opportunity. "If I am truly guilty or innocent they will know for certain."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito nodded thoughtfully at that the captain likely knew as much about magic as he did so he'd likely have to ask Moshi-sama or Isawa-gunso about it at a later date. In the mean time though he would continue to treat the phoenix as a fellow sailor. "Those seem to be future worries for a future day to me Isawa-san and personally I try to live in the present." He replied with a smile trying perhaps to cheer the man up. "Have ya taken the chance to get roaring drunk now that we are in port?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"Certainly not," he chortled and began to walk again. "Sadly, even if I wanted to, which I'm not sure I would, I doubt I would feel comfortable among these people. They have an aversion to us as much as we to them, especially in these times of growing tension."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

The mantis flashed a grin as the man laughed and fell into step as the phoenix started walking again. "Oh you don't have to go into the city itself to get roaring drunk Isawa-san but I suppose I see your point." Of course if they could get the entire city roaring drunk... "Though I figure those that make it back tonight might be wanting to have a drink or two after and I might see about joining em."

[Isawa Junpei]

"It's strange that the captain would limit the number going, but I suppose, this way if the worst should happen, Fortunes watch us and protect us, at the very least he won't have lost his whole crew."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"He has to be sure some of us make it home to spread word of this darkness Isawa-san. So I guess he's trying to hedge his bet sending enough to get the job done but not so many to leave the ship unable to make it back to Rokugan."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I pray there will be no reprisals for our assault. It feels more than a bit dubious that we're attacking a ship that his holding enemies of not just us but apparently the local populace as well. You would think their local emperor would have had the crew killed and the ship burned the moment it came to port. Then again, I suppose if they allow blasphemy of the highest order among their temples then a single ship of heretics would hardly merit notice."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Could be that they don't know exactly who is with the enemy or not being as they don't seem to fly clan colors like we do in rokugan. Or they did seem to take a lot of prisoners from the ships we found wrecked days ago could be they used some sort of gaijin magic to get the prisoners to change sides or disguised themselves as their prisoners to gain access. He said his face turning thoughtful for a moment.

[Isawa Junpei]

"There are any number of foul sorceries in myth and legend that could likely compel someone against their will. It is a terrifying prospect, however, that these pirates are among those with such infernal powers. I hope our people will be safe while they remove this blight."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"There is little else that those of us who stay behind can do in this case." Came Kaito's reply. "The others I can think of being offering prayers to the fortunes and being ready when they come back with medical supplies."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I suppose so," Junpei nodded in agreement. "With any luck our troops will be far better trained than anything the gaijin can muster. Still, I have seen first-hand their prowess with the blade, and while not enough to take down this martial neophyte, I had many things in my favor."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"I take it you have fought the Yobanjin invaders on occasion then Junpei-san?" Kaito asked curious as to the man's experience.

[Isawa Junpei]

"Not quite," Junpei corrected, "I was referring to my run in with the guardsmen at the tower. Their captain was quite adamant about my demonic nature and impending destruction. Before I could escape into the air, he gave me something to remember the encounter by."

He sighed a light breath, "But...I have also encountered the, so-called, Army of Fire. I had nearly finished my training as a tensai and I'd sent off my application for the legions when they sieged Kyuden Isawa. I fled with the rest of the students, teachers, custodians...everyone really into the night as the stars were blocked out by the glow of fire. The winds helped me cast aside a volley of arrows, but other than that I was too young to be a part of the Phoenix army. In truth, I never had any wish to...though now..."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Now you are in an army, well navy but close enough and you'll likely see more then a little fighting before your time in the legions is over." He replied with a small smile.

"Glad to hear the gaijin on the wall didn't catch you though. I imagine if they had it could of made matters a little worse for all of us here."

[Isawa Junpei]

"It was a terrible circumstance. Not knowing the language removed all possibility of diplomacy, and the way they came at me my only option was retreat. I will admit, in some ways I'm ashamed, but I respect all life, even that of a gaijin, and I would not injure them no matter how much they might have wanted me dead. You do not kill the dog that bites you when it feels threatened."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Some would argue you do Isawa-san, but I understand your meaning and I figure I would do the same myself. No reason to cause unnecessary bloodshed here if it can be avoided. It tends to be a bit difficult to make amends for lost lives accidental or not."