Guest on the Boat (Day 6, Late Afternoon, Open)

[Jayant Utpal]

"They are traitors and scum. Betrayers of Dharma and their oaths." Jayant practically snarls his disgust. "But they live, for now, because the Maharaja wills it, though they are watched now."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"I take it that they've served your ruler in the past...what were their purpose before this chaos?"

[Jayant Utpal]

"House Rafiq had been meant to stand against the darkness they have now joined. They were protectors." Jayant growls low as he speaks.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Sounds like a story repeated many times with those who found themselves too ambitious with their duties really..." Hoshi said softly and gave Jayant a nod. "I can understand how they can seem like the scourge of the earth, you have my sympathies. I hope we can do beyond just praying for solutions."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant frowns. "Yes. I suppose so. That does not make it any less frustrating to see happen however." He looks back out over the water again before replying. "It is one thing to hope, another to do. I intend to see to it that they pay for the crimes they committed."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Good. And here I thought we had to accustom ourselves with the eyesore on the harbour. Even though far from Crane, I know those of my family aren't particular fans of eye sores. We just tend to be picky that way when it comes to aesthetics. It is of some consolation to hear of that intent."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant laughed a little at that. "The people of the Ivory Kingdoms are much the same way. If there is something that disturbs the aesthetic we want to pluck it out. Sometimes though, patience is required."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Patience I can understand, timing is also important. I don't think you would want to lose such a ship." Hoshi gave a shake of her head, command for action was better left with the Captain and their ruler. "May I ask of your House, Jayant?"

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant frowned and looked at Hoshi with what was not quite hostility, but definite and obvious wariness. "You may ask of House Pandavah." He answers rather shortly.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi was unphased by his reaction, still intent of having her curiosity answered. "I merely wish to ask what would be considered common knowledge in your lands Jayant. What is the purpose and creation of House Pandavah?"

[Jayant Utpal]

"House Pandavah is a House of heroes and warriors. It was founded by Arun himself, who freed the Ivory Kingdoms from the tyranny of the Rakshasa. The Maharaja is usually from House Pandavah, but the line has moved to different houses occasionally through marriages and the like. None are equal in honor or pride to a member of House Pandavah within the Ivory Kingdoms, and it is to my great shame that I was not born to that House." Jayant sighs, slowly shaking his head.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Ah, something of a gaijin-Lion then. Hoshi nodded soundly at the background that she was given. "...But you currently serve the House regardless of your background, would you not be considered a current equal among your kin by duty alone? This should be true if they accept either action or loyalty."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant frowned. "But it was not my original house. They have accepted me, at least in part. But my own heritage will always be in the way of that, until it can be eradicated."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi tapped a finger on her elbow. "...I get the feeling that you have something personal at stake beyond duty and what your House stands for, is it in this very harbour too?"

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant narrowed his eyes for a moment. It wasn't a subject he enjoyed discussing, "As I said, I am a ward of House Pandavah. They are not my true House." Jayant is quiet again, this time for quite awhile. "My House stands for nothing anymore. Merely betrayal and death."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

His former kin then? Very personal. “Gomen Jayant, I had no intention to infringe uncomfortably into your past. This land and how your Houses function are a foreign idea to me.” She gave him a gesture of apology with one hand.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant kept quiet for several moments, looking back to the enemy ship again. His hands clenched tightly for a few moments before the tension slowly seeped out of Jayant. It was a good minute before Jayant spoke again.

"The feeling is mutual. What of your home? What sort of creatures live in Rokugan?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"That's too general of a question Jayant. Do you mean the samurai themselves, all within the Celestial Order, or...something beyond our realm? Like in any place, there's both good and bad creatures."

[Jayant Utpal]

"I mean the animals." Jayant clarifies, eager to move the conversation on to another topic.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"I haven't travelled far in the wilderness of your lands to know what we have at home that may be different from yours. Your grey skinned tusked bulls are something we have nothing close to in Rokugan, that I can point out as an example." Hoshi thought over this. "Mm...Do you have foxes here?"