Day 1, Late Morning, OPEN Food?

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi inclined his head. Art was difficult for many, even among the Crane. Other topics, then.

"Is this your first voyage?"

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"Taking river barges within Scorpion lands really doesn't compare to a sea voyage, and I've not had any real opportunities to go to the Mantis Islands. Everything else can be reached without a sea trip." Nobuyoshi says.

"Have you had the opportunity to visit the Islands of Silk and Spice, Daidoji-san?" he asks.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi sets down his cup. "No, I'm afraid not. Most Mantis vessels come to Crane ports to unload cargo, so actually venturing to the Isles is often deemed unnecessary, particularly in port cities like my home town. That said, I have travelled to Sachi's Island with my father once. It was an interesting experience, to say the least."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Sachi's Island...Sachi's Island.....Does he mean Kaigen's Island? Nobuyoshi wonders setting down his tea cup.

"That is where Broken Wave City is, Daidoji-san?" Nobuyoshi asks.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Of course."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

"What were your impressions of it, Daidoji-san? Nobuyoshi asks to keep the conversation moving along.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"It was certainly busy, and loud. Samui Kaze Toshi is a very orderly place, with the market area clearly marked and differentiated from the temple and residential areas. In Broken Wave City, the market sprawls in such a way that the entire city becomes a zone of commerce, from the governmental seat into the homes of the citizens. It is...different."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"That sounds reasonable given the interests of the Mantis Clan." Nobuyoshi offers. "Not particularly aesthetically appealing, but while wealth may buy the physical art, it cannot purchase the ability to appreciate it."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi smiled. "How insightful, Bayushi-san. I must agree, as many of the Yoritomo courtiers display the attitudes of the nouveau riche. Strange, in a way, considering the wealth that has been theirs for nearly a century, now."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi shrugs.

"Adherence to tradition is also part of what it means to be a samurai, Daidoji-san." Nobuyoshi replies. "Most of the rest of the clans have had over a thousand years of following the standards as given to them by the founding Kami, most notably the traditions of etiquette established by Lady Doji. "


Nobuyoshi shrugs again.

"Given another thousand years, perhaps that will be the tradition they establish that their clan is known for. An answer to the School of No Thought: The School of No Taste, where the first lesson is learning what the number of expensive purple and orange things you can cram into a room truly is."

"Or perhaps not."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi couldn't help but chuckle at that. "I believe that you have the right of it, Bayushi-san." A breath. "Would it be too forward to ask why you chose the Navy instead of the Legions?"

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

The question provokes a long pause from the Scorpion, as his gaze drifts off to a point behind the Crane's left shoulder. After about as long as good etiquette will allow, he finally answers the Crane.

"My grandfather felt that the Navy would be a better place to prove the strength of my fighting style." Nobuyoshi says. "Filial piety is also part of what it means to be a samurai, after all."

Another pause.

"What of your family, Daidoji-san? Have they been prosperous in these dangerous times of the Empire? " he asks.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi considered. "In some ways. My Father is a captain, as I may have mentioned. My brothers are both sailors, and Sanzaemon, my eldest sibling, is newly a father. My sister was a member of the Empress' Guard."

He falls silent, letting the weight of that fateful post fill the room.

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi looks over towards the kitchen door.

"Is it my imagination, Daidoji-san, or is that heimen taking an abnormally long time to return from the kitchen? Nobuyoshi asks. "Your tea is lovely, but I wanted something slightly more substantial before I spend the day prowling the aft deck. She said she was fetching leftovers, not cooking up the Emperor's wedding feast."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"I would not be surprised if she were waiting for me to leave, but I appreciate your fondness for the blend."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

A quizzical look from behind a mask of black and red.

"Why would she be waiting for you to leave, Daidoji-san?" he asks, his voice rising a bit, though still subdued below normal chatter.

[Volsung]

Cook comes back out of the kitchen with two plates and two cups of tea which she sets down in front of the two samurai.

"My apologies samurai-samas. There was still a great deal of work to be done in the kitchens. I apologize for the delay."

She bowed deeply to both men, not making eye contact.

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

The Bayushi turns his attention to his long delayed food, though he does watch to see if the Daidoji is about to do something interesting to the peasant that would justify the man's belief that he was some sort of terror of the heimen. Perhaps his skull was about to pop out of his head with a high pitched scream or something.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

No, the Daidoji is serene behind his teacup, and even offers a kind smile to the cook. Really, it would be difficult to imagine this young man entertaining a violent thought.

He waits patiently for the cook to leave. "There are times when a kindness can kill. I have a lot to learn about how much mercy I can expect to find in the hearts of others. Some are steel wrapped in silk."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi shrugs, indifferent to if the peasant is going, staying, or doing a merry jig.

"The only person one should expect mercy from, Daidoji-san, is a monk at a shrine to Jizo," Nobuyoshi counters. "Those who do not follow bushido are certainly not going to be merciful, and those who do, but are not inclined towards mercy will be more than happy to cite another tenet of bushido to explain away their actions, or to loudly exclaim, 'That's not what Compassion means!'"

Nobuyoshi shrugs.

"If there is something one wants, it is better to attain it through ones own words and deeds, rather that wait for someone to grant mercy upon a whim." Nobuyoshi concludes.