Avian Education (Day 1, Early Eve, Open)

[Isawa O-Washi]

"The only such portal I know of is in the lands of the Komori but you never know." O-washi smiled indulgently at his younger Cousin. "The seas this far south are a mystery, an unexplored wilderness. It's part of the charm of them for many sailors, myself included."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I wonder if anyone has ever gotten to, and lived out their life in the spirit realms? In pillow books, the hero always gets out again after he's stumbled in. I just wonder, why wouldn't you stay? Especially some place like Chikushudo, among the kitsune spirits," he smiled looking at the twilit horizon. "Get an appointment in the court of Inari."

[Isawa O-Washi]

Thinking of how badly some of the samurai reacted to even the small differences of ship life, O-washi had a ready theory. "It would be too different, too far from all that one knew. When the delight was gone, the wonder, only loneliness and the sense of not belonging would remain. A samurai's world is built on the expectation of Duty and a need to serve. We are not meant for freedom and only think it is what we want."

[Isawa Junpei]

"You're probably right. It was just a thought" Junpei wandered, stepping out into the open air where the ladder met the crow's nest. "Isawa-gunso, did you always know you wanted to join the navy, whether for our clan or the Empress? It seems like you've been a part of the military for most of your career."

[Isawa O-Washi]

O-washi considered how best to answer that, brow furrowing. Finally, he said, "I knew I wanted the sea to be part of my life. I dreamed of it, even before I ever saw it in more than paintings. The military aspect came about because it was what my parent least wanted and the one path of service they had never planned for. Simply put, I wanted a life my mother could not use as she had planned."

[Isawa Junpei]

That same, small chortle escaped Junpei's lips as he once again shook his head, "I don't want to suppose similarity where there may be none, but one could say I find myself here for much the same reason. I wanted something beyond what was slated for me. If I hadn't been accepted by the Legions I would still be in Phoenix lands, day in and day out with nothing to look forward to but the same life I'd had for the last twelve years. Isawa may have been right when he said that man makes destiny not gods."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"That feeling is part of what I most admire in the Mantis." O-washi smiled again and resumed playing with the kitten he held. "They believe strongly in making one's own destiny, more so than any other Clan. Perhaps you've found your calling in this chance for adventure but at the least you've found a way to see what you want instead of what you expect."

[Isawa Junpei]

"That's certainly true. I don't think I was expecting half of what I've been through, even now. I suppose, though, that I've probably seen more in the last week and a half then in my whole life in Phoenix lands." He dipped, resting his elbows on the edge of the Crow's Nest.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"And you will see much more when we land. I've never been to the Coral Islands, myself, so I'm going to be as eager and nervous as the rest of you."

[Isawa Junpei]

"A place that we both haven't been? I'm not sure whether to feel privileged to be on equal footing or terrified." It was clear in the younger man's face, as he reached out to pet the kitten once more, that terror wasn't exactly foremost on his mind.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I've heard a fair few stories. Moshi-sama's were more like reports and not horribly entertaining but the Captain's were much more amusing." O-washi grinned. "Get a bit of good sake in him and he's almost as chatty as a Suzume. From what they say, the kami'll still come when we ask them to, which is a relief, but the people are totally different. They've got castes like we do but they seperate the samurai-grade folks into two levels, priests and then everyone else. Be prepared for a lot of awe if you let on what you are."

[Isawa Junpei]

(Drat and here I was all shocked in a later thread that we were going to the Ivory Kingdoms. )

"Where...exactly are we going? I heard it was a southern port. I guess I just assumed it would be somewhere in Crab lands," Junpei looked a little addled, more so showing off his complete lack of geographical knowledge concerning the Shadowlands, the Sea of Sorrows, and the ports of Rokugan.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"A small archipelago called, collectively, the Coral Islands. Mostly it's the Mantis who sail there, along with the occassional Kasuga, but it's not part of the Empire proper." The big man's eyes had lit up with eager interest and his gaze drifted southerly, almost as if he hoped to see their destination suddenly rise up in his sights, so eager was he to land there. "I've always enjoyed new sights so I'm eager to dock."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Wait, is that legal?" Junpei found the question stupid the minute it came out of his mouth. Obviously it wasn't given they were part of the Empress' personal legion. "I mean...are you saying, we're going to the Ivory Kingdoms?!"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"There was a trade agreement made several years ago between our throne and that of the Kingdoms." O-washi was finding Junpei's shock highly entertaining and his grin was wide. "Why, one of theirs even joined the Mantis Clan as a fully sworn samurai. It's not the Ivory Kingdoms any more than it is Rokugan but instead a place that is at once both and neither, not unlike those brackish swamps you get on the shore sometimes."

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei raised his brow and canted his head agreeing to O-Washi's line of thinking. It was just somewhat jarring to have been in the Empire with no interest in going anywhere outside it's boarders and then finding himself going to some of the most foreign lands. "Why are we going there?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Because it's the farthest point that an Imperial Naval vessel may ever have to travel and therefor it's a good route for any member of the Ninth to be familiar with. The exchange of goods happens a few times a year and they send a full flotilla, sometimes two, to safeguard it and make a proper show. The rest of the year, we try to maintain a token presence just so none of the gaijin get it into their heads that we're weak."

[Isawa Junpei]

Goods?

Junpei couldn't help but think of the Imperial edict against trade with foreigners. Once again he had to push such thoughts aside in favor of what was obviously transpiring, and apparently with the Empress' consent. "So...we're going to be a presence? Or are we doing the trade? Wait, dose that mean we're going to be on the islands for a while?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"We're a presence. The actual delivery of the medicines happens a bit later in the year and has a ship full of diplomats in addition to sailors." O-washi smiled reassuringly at his Clanmate. "We shouldn't be their long, I imagine, just long enough to resupply, pass a few letters to the right people and await a response, exchange a few soldiers, and then go."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I would ask where to after that, but I'm beginning to think I don't really want to know. I enjoy the unknown as much as the next guy, but...I dunno....so far away from the Empire. I guess, well, I guess I just assumed we'd be working closer to home, so to speak."