[Day 5 - Late Afternoon] Red Umbrella

[Bayushi Hoshi]

As the rain poured down its remainder during the late afternoon, there was something that stuck out like a sore thumb strolling down the harbour. From a sea of tents and the various colours with it, it was a long figure who carried a Rokugani crimson umbrella by hand...

The figure didn't stand to mingle about with the locals for long and casually strolled up to the Half Moon after allowed admittance by the ones who guarded it. On board the deck, the person under that umbrella proved to be far less Rokugani in a foreign dress but she was undeniably that Bayushi woman who was part of the crew. Back in one piece.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The jiujutsu training from earlier done due to the rain picking up even more, Itsuho remained on the deck. She had put her straw cloak on to keep the rain off her kimono as best she could, but the wind was strong, and the rain and wind tugged at her hair and soaked her head. She was practicing with her swords, keeping her movements short and simple, though she would duck under an over hang when she could to dry a little and catch her breath.

She was under just such an overhang when the Bayushi walked onto the deck. She gave a low, slow bow, straightening just as slow. She saw no marking on the woman's dress that marked a clan, but she seemed to know the boat. "Konnichi-wa, samurai-sama. Your umbrella is lovely, as is your dress, but this storm is strong. Perhaps you would wish to duck inside?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi returned the bow best she could while keeping hold of the umbrella for the best coverage. "Konnichi-wa Mirumoto-san. Thank you and..." She glanced down to acknowledge that the umbrella was more elegant but failed to completely protect her from the elements. "...you have a good suggestion, thank you."

Without delay, she made her way to the cover of the overhang. "This one is Bayushi Hoshi, formerly of Ryoko Owari Toshi."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho slipped her daisho into her obi, wooden though it was. She wanted no part of the rain again, not while the wind was as strong as it was at the moment. "Ah, then it is an honor Bayushi-sama. Our clans have ever been allies, though I must admit, I had met no Scorpion until I came aboard the Half Moon, and you are only the second I have met."

She paused, looking at Hoshi a moment before looking away. "Is that a common dress for you to wear aboard a Legion vessel, Bayushi-sama? It is quite... unique."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi lifted her brow at her mention of the Scorpions, then understood that to more than a few here, it was their first time out of their own provinces. "Mm. Is that so? I hope your first occasion was a pleasant one Mirumoto-san. My encounters with your family have been pleasant so far."

She gave a quick glance to her outfit and looked up in amused embarrassment. "Iie. It's only for today and likely to change once I head down. I almost wish I know the name of it but it's...as one said, something of a 'cultural experience'."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The girl nods, looking slightly curious, though her tone was the same. "Ah, then it is from the city here Bayushi-sama? I have seen a few Dragon in Yobanjin wear before, but that is something I have never seen before. Do you plan on keeping it as a souvenir of sorts?"

The wind gave a stronger gust, threatening to tug the umbrella away. Itsuho took her straw cloak off and draped it over Hoshi's shoulders. "You should close that, before you lose it."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

The outfit wasn't hers exactly and she did have to return it. "If it survives this weather, then that's something I can consider..." There was a slight tensing from her shoulders when the cloak was put on her, it was an unexpected act.

"-Ah, hai." Hoshi murmured when the safety of her favourite umbrella was pointed out. "...Thank you Mirumoto-san."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The woman shook her head slowly, looking out at the weather. "It is nothing to thank me for. I have merely my duty clothes on, and they are as soaked as they will be. That dress... something tells me the rain would not treat it so well." She glanced over with a slight smile. "Besides, I am quite used to the rain. Not all parts of Dragon lands are so dry."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi gave Itsuho a glance, wondering if she was mistaking her for a delicate lady with her current outfit. Perhaps.

"Nor covered in snow ne? More reason to change out of it once I head down. We do get a few downpours like this in Ryoko Owari Toshi. Sometimes even flooding for the River of Gold. Just...not as dark like this one."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The Dragon shook her head slightly. "I have no doubt even Scorpion lands get rain, Bayushi-sama. Still... it seems to me being able to find a secure building in a large city is a bit better for staying dry and safe than making one's way onto a boat along a foreign coastline."

She looked thoughtful a moment before that slight smile returned, her gaze returning to the gusting rain. "Though now that you mention it, I would quite prefer snow at the moment. It would relieve this repressive southern heat."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"In many ways, I believe the ship is the most secured place in this city Mirumoto-san. There's something to be said of a movable fortress that comes with a moat."

Hoshi thought back to an earlier associate. "What do you do with snow over there exactly? Shovelling it wouldn't be considered an amusing pastime there would it?"

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The Mirumoto shook her head slowly. "Do with it Bayushi-sama? Most of the time we let snow be as it is. We can certainly try to move it here or there, but other than when it blocks a path or building, there is little point in it. Only children ever seem to have much fun with it, throwing snow balls and building snow sculptures... them, and a few of the Ise Zumi."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

The mention of the monks brought some curiousity. "Hai. It's not too different than the Scorpion lands up to the...The Ise Zumi? -Ah...Would there be some truth in their reputation that they meditate in the snow? Sometimes even in the nude?"

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

The Mirumoto gave that same soft smile, and even gave a soft laugh, barely heard over the torrential rain. "The Ise Zumi are easier to classify by what they will not do than what they will. Though... from my understanding, meditating nude in the snow is not recommended for too long, even among the most ardent of monks."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi did a quick apologetic motion with one hand. "Gomenasai if that was an odd question Mirumoto-san, it had to be asked. Seeing that their reputation is able to survive most boundaries of common sense, they managed to have made themselves into a true mystery."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho gripped onto a railing along the cabin under the overhang. The storm was rocking the boat quite well, and even the Mirumoto was having a hard time keeping her balance on the rocking deck. "There's no need to apologize. The Ise Zumi are a mystery to even the Mirumoto after all, perhaps even to themselves. I think they believe that the more mysterious they are, the more likely they will understand the mysteries of the world, enlightenment and true wisdom."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Some could say of the same mysteries of the Mirumoto family as well. Other than your founder's legend of earning Kakita's ire, your family's style is largely considered unorthodox with little similarities to compare in the Empire. But not impossible to comprehend as the Mirumoto are still samurai to the core."

Edit: Grammar fix!

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho nodded her head slowly. "My family is hardly normal, I realize that. The Dragon have ever been those outside. Still... I am glad you say that. The Scorpion have ever understood the Dragon better than any other, and the Mirumoto... and myself... ever try to be the face of the Dragon, the part that can merge that gap between the mysteries of the Togashi and the rest of Rokugan."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

I thought that was the Kitsuki? Hoshi chuckled softly with a shrug. "We do our best to understand our allies Mirumoto-san. From what little I know, it seems like there's still some ways to go. Then again, we don't get many Togashi in Ryoko Owari Toshi. Mirumoto and Kitsuki are well presented however. Which is the same here as well ne?"

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho gives a small nod. "From what I understand, there is a second Mirumoto aboard the Half Moon, along with one Kitsuki, and one Togashi. I have met only the Togashi though, and only in passing."