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

[Jayant Utpal]

"We call them elephants. They have many uses in the Kingdoms." Jayant then nodded at her question. "Yes, small and crafty creatures with large ears. They are brown and gray in color."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi released a small breath which could have been a snicker. "And here I thought the kitsune was an elusive creature that only found home in our lands. It might be expected that you have monkeys and cranes here too."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant smiled. "More monkeys than an angry brahmana can shake a stick at, and quite a few cranes as well. What about tigers? Does Rokugan have Tigers?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Tigers we have actually, Lions in terms of big cats too. We may live somewhere...far colder than here but it can be deceptively hot in the heart of the Empire. They are rare though, and like their kin, they have trouble trouble staying in the Scorpion lands."

[Jayant Utpal]

"That is one place where I have no doubt our lands are very different. It is rarely cold in the Ivory Kingdoms. We have two seasons. Monsoon season, and dry season." Jayant was smiling again. "And what is it about Scorpion Lands that gives them so much trouble?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

There was a glint in Hoshi's eyes. "Many things really. But I would blame the weather as we don't have the long summers the provinces up north seem to have. I take it that you don't get snow here, you can't if it's this hot all year round..."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant thought for a moment. "Snow? I think I saw that once, when I was in the northern reaches of the Kingdom, when I was still a boy. But no, we don't usually see snow. I could certainly see how snow would be difficult for some animals that are more accustomed to heat though. I do not think I would last long myself in the more frigid portions of Rokugan." Jayant smiled, with a glint of assurance that he knew he wouldn't last long in Rokugan at all.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"It depends how thick of a skin your people have Jayant, and I don't mean literally. We were able to survive being here, the Unicorn and Dragon too, being northerners of our land. All it takes it preparation, and some layers. It would be quite a sight for you to see, a white frigid landscape. Artisans could create a thousand work of art from that seasonal inspiration alone."

[Jayant Utpal]

"I hope that one day I'll have the opportunity then." Jayant shrugged. "But first, I'll have to survive the coming storm."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi wasn't going to pretend to be a naive optimist, and with a man who knew far more of what was coming than she did. "A storm can be sheltered with some effort and prayers. I've heard what they've been saying around the city...as in this being very well the end of days."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant sighed. "That is the common belief, and we have little reason to believe it is otherwise. Still, many are hoping that even if we cannot stop them here, that we can still flee somehow. Maybe we'll be able to return one day, long from now."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi gave him an even look. "I hope you have plans." It was a sincere statement.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant laughed and shrugged. "There are always plans. If I can survive, I will. If I have to die, I will die well." He smiled at the Scorpion.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi looked amused for a moment. "Such a simple plan. You sound like you're tossing the possibilities to the Fortunes. They may be set in stone but there's always many things that could be set in your favour. And you're going to need as many as you can find out there..."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant's smile turned into a sly grin. "Or maybe I am keeping my dice covered."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

A small laugh is emitted from her mask. "Afraid to see them...or merely making sure the other gamers bet far more than they actually should?"

[Jayant Utpal]

"Tricking the other players is as much a part of the game as the dice are. You play dice?" He asks, a little curious.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Literal dice, I've only played when I was coerced into it. Unlike my sensei, I've lost almost every time. I think I was his luck sponge. As for the other type of dice, that I play often."

[Jayant Utpal]

"Too bad, I haven't found a good opponent for me yet. Literal dice, that is. Everyone must play the other type of dice."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Not everyone does well in that either. But...It sounds like you're getting tired of winning in literal dice. In the situation you want to take some free zeni from my pocket, then you're free to seek me out Jayant." Hoshi shrugged haplessly.