[D4, Late Afternoon] Watching the Heat (open)

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

While the day was pleasantly bright, the breeze came in small fits, and the humidity and hear were nearly unbearable. None the less, Itsuho had chosen to stay on board the Half Moon rather than venture out into the city, and she wouldn't stay below decks, especially not during her usual duty time. She had come at her regular time, though there were a good amount of people not around.

Because of the heat, Itsuho had her sleeves tied up most of the way, leaving her arms mostly bare. Her hair, usually in a loose tail, was higher today, to keep the hair off her neck. There were few other concessions to the heat though, and sweat speckled the tall young Dragon. She had her bokken out again, as well as her balancing wooden stick that served as the wakizashi for her practice daisho. She steadily went through her usual movements, focusing on the motions rather than peering off at the shore. There would be time for that.

[Asahina Narumi]

Narumi, on the other hand, was more than content to watch the shore. She bows to the Mirumoto when she arrives on the aft deck then continues to find herself a seat near the railing. She listens to the soft sound of the water lapping against the side of the Half Moon. Maybe I should have gone? she thinks to herself.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The Mirumoto pauses in her practice when Narumi comes up onto the Aft. She gives a low, slow bow, panting, wiping her face onto the back of a sleeve. She slips the wooden weapons into the obi of her uniform before she walks slowly over to the railing as well, looking out at the shore.

"Konnichi-wa, Asahina-sama. Are you having second thoughts about remaining on board the Half Moon?" She glanced over at Narumi, her face and tone both more casual than curious.

[Asahina Narumi]

"I am. I did not like what the coins said this morning. There may be trouble this evening," Narumi replies. "I could send a message but I am unsure of whom I should send it to. The Captain is likely already quite busy and worried about other things." The priestess frowns for a moment.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho looks thoughtful a moment as she stares at the shore. Finally she breaks her silence with a quiet voice. "I can not say what the Captain would think about such revelations, but surely there is an officer still on the ship you can bring the matter up with?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"That is true. I think that I will send a message to a few who seem to appreciate divination, as the night will approach quickly. Then I will see who is available to inform them," the Asahina replies. She stands and bows as she pulls a scroll from her satchel. "Excuse me for a moment."

Narumi assumes seiza and begins praying. A slight breeze kicks her short hair around for a moment and their are suddenly three small birds on the deck before her. She speaks a short message to them...

"With the moon growing full, madness finds a home on two legs. Strange lands. Strange people. Be careful of shadows. Watch for the watchers, they know what comes. This is Asahina Narumi. This is what the coins told me today. Please be careful minna-sama."

...and then bows her head, the birds taking flight towards the city.

She stands once more with a worried smile on her face.

[Moshi Kaimenko]

It was generally believed by the heimen that the woman had eyes in the back of her head. The reason was how damn inconvenient the Moshi was about showing up when someone was doing anything remotely suspicious. Like now. She simply walks up behind the Crane and looms, arms crossed with a disapproving look on her face. The kind that promised punishment and hard labor for the person she found fault with.

[Asahina Narumi]

Narumi did not notice the woman during her approach but when Kaimenko stopped behind her and crossed her arms she became acutely aware that someone was there. The lack of words and sudden halt told her that whomever it was meant business. Her heart sank a bit at the thought of punishment, but she did not regret warning her allies and asking them to be careful as she turned to face the person behind her.

She bowed to her and spoke, "Good afternoon Moshi-gunso." The woman would tell Narumi what she wanted to hear, that much had been made apparent in the days leading up to this moment.

[Moshi Kaimenko]

"What, by all the Fortunes, were you doing Asahina-san?" she growls.

[Asahina Narumi]

She steels herself as she's seen people punched in the face... hard, by this woman.

"I sent a message to a few of my fellow recruits about my divination for the day. It was a poor omen and I wished to let them know to be careful of their surroundings and possible things to watch for," Narumi states flatly, now expecting punishment. She let her concern get the better of her for a moment, not a problem most samurai have.

[Moshi Kaimenko]

Kaimenko purses her lips as if she were trying very hard not to yell or do something violent. She exhales slowly and glares at the Crane, voice even and sweet as poison, "What, specifically, did those divinations say?"

[Asahina Narumi]

Narumi repeats what she said in the message clearly for the Moshi, "With the moon growing full, madness finds a home on two legs. Strange lands. Strange people. Be careful of shadows. Watch for the watchers, they know what comes." She maintains her look.

[Moshi Kaimenko]

"Alright Asahina-san, I'm going to say this once, very slowly and pray to the Fortunes that it catches in that pretty little head of yours. If and when you do another divination, make sure you inform either myself or the Captain. " the woman's fingers tap along her muscled arm. "I don't care how you choose to do so, just do it. Are we clear?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"Of course, Moshi-gunso. Apologies for my presumptuous behavior," Narumi says with a deep apologetic bow, not rising until bid to do so.

[Moshi Kaimenko]

Her hard brown eyes rake over the Crane once more before she turns to stalk off without another word.

[Asahina Narumi]

After the footsteps are out of hearing range, Narumi rises and watches the woman return to wherever she had come from. Think first next time. You're going to get yourself executed for insubordination. She looks almost lost for a moment as she glances around the deck.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho had remained silent the whole while, but as the Gunso left, she finally spoke up quietly. "I believe my words to you Asahina-sama were that you should find an officer and let them know, hai? It seems it was sound advice at least."

She glanced back at Kaimenko a moment before looking back to Narumi. "I don't think she would make a very good Asahina, do you?" She had a soft smile, very faint but honest, her light hearted jest meant to lighten the mood a little.

[Asahina Narumi]

"Of course, Mirumoto-sam. It was good advice taken out of order. I've nobody to blame but myself," she replies, acknowledging the failure on her part once more.

With an embarrassed smile she takes in the joke, "Well, even some Asahina can be as firm as Moshi-gunso, if a bit more gentle about it."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The tall Dragon gave a small nod, brushing the incident away. "You are the first Asahina I have actually met Narumi-sama, so you are the expert, of course. I only have tales to go off of your family. They leave an image of... well, yourself." She tilted her head, as if studying Narumi scientifically with her curiosity.

[Asahina Narumi]

"Actually, you are the first Mirumoto I have met as well. I am meeting many families for the first time here on the Half Moon," Narumi replied with a small smile. "Though I have, of course, heard what the Kakita say on occasion. But their view is quite focused on the duel when it comes to your respective families."