A stroll through the harbour [Day 6, Early Afternoon, Open]

[Usagi Zenko]

"Hai. Yoritomo-sama did much, at a time when great men were needed." Zenko nods at that.

"We have many gods. The Kami are the Children of Lady Sun and Lord Moon, who on falling to Nigen-do, our realm here, organized the Great Clans and the Empire." Zenko pauses a moment, deciding not to try and explain that there's been a couple new Suns and Moons since then. "We also revere the Fortunes, who are part of the Celestial Heavens. The Fortunes have amongst them both great and small, although the ones most revered are known as a group as the Seven Fortunes. Although amongst sailors, Suitengu-kami is often revered as much or more often, due to him having..." Zenko pauses a moment thinking, "the oceans as his realm."

"I myself, before joining the Imperial Legions, was a guard at a shrine to Inari, who is the Fortune of Rice."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant raises an eyebrow as the Usagi speaks, but is kind enough to let him finish. "So your kami gained avatars and came to this realm, but not by choice? And these Fortunes. It seems odd to worship two different sets of gods."

[Akodo Jishaku]

...

"You would have to consult with a priest for the specifics." All this talk of Theology was threatening to bore the Lion to death. So instead he focused on the comings and going on board the Rafiqi ship.

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods at that. "Hai, I can understand how it would seem to be strange. Both sets, however, have their places within the Celestial Order. The Fortunes themselves are a varied lot especially. After a man's death, an Emperor may alert the Empire that they have become a Fortune, allowing the Empire to know in which field said Fortune will reside. I believe there is only one time that one of those Fortunes have returned to our realm alive, the Fortune of Persistance, Kisada. He returned at a time he was needed, and assisted the Empire in defeating the Heartless, the head of the Bloodspeaker cult who had returned to haunt the Empire with great devestation."

He looks at the boat. "It was against the lieutanents of the Heartless hundreds of years prior, that the founder of the Hare earned clanhood, and the name Usagi from the Emperor at that time."

[Jayant Utpal]

"Making gods?" The very idea seemed absolutely absurd to Jayant. That one could so upset the balance of the celestial landscape by just plopping down a god here or there seemed almost heretical to the Rhuumali. Still, he controlled his emotions again. He decided to move on to something else. "The Heartless? What was that?"

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko frowned, deeply. His tone drops in volume. "I would not say his name lately, Jayant. The Heartless threatened the empire three times with destruction, alongside the cult of the Bloodspeaker. His crimes are too numerous to name. He woke even the the demon who will one day consume the world in its hunger, merely as a distraction from his goals. He caused a rain of blood across the expanse of the entire Empire, corrupting hundreds or thousands at once. He is, all must hope, finally destroyed."

The Usagi makes a number of warding gestures during his words, but is unable to keep a shiver from running down his spine. "It is members of that cult that the Hare are dedicated to hunting down and eradicating, no matter how much they attempt to hide. We are not the only such hunters in the Empire, thankfully, but it is a duty my clan has had for hundreds of years."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant nods, looking more serious after that, and making certain not to press the matter any more. "I believe I understand. My forebearers once had a goal similar to your clan." That lost majesty still burns the Rhuumali sorely, and he makes no attempt to hide his feelings.

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "As long as you are alive, then you can continue your ancestors duties Jayant." The Hare nods to the Akodo. "Akodo-sama's family once lost its name, and my clan was once destroyed. In both cases our ancestors were able to rebuild and regain their glory. My daimyo or the highest lord of my clan, Ozaki-dono, decades ago fought alone to restore the clan to its lands and duties, after my clan was unjustly accused by a conspiracy of allying itself with those bloodspeakers. He cleared my clan's name before all, and we were reborn."

He offers a smile. "Let us hope we will make you a hero of your people then, yes? And give your forebearers much happiness in the glory of your deeds."

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant frowned. "I do not wish to see the restoration of my House. But if future generations can look to my example and be emboldened by it, all the better."

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "My apologies in assuming too much."

[Jayant Utpal]

"There is no need, Zenko of House Usagi. Many would fight for the glory of their House. It is usually a correct assumption." Jayant doesn't smile with the words though.

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "Very well."

His eyes glance at the encroaching ocean. "May I ask, where you learned our language so well?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku looks back at the gaijin after that question, though he thinks he knows the answer. Some sort of crazy magic my friend.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant held out the bronze amulet around his neck. "A gift from the brahmin. It allows me to speak to you and to understand your words."

[Usagi Zenko]

His eyes go a little wide at that, although he keeps himself from leaning forwards.

"Oh? A powerful talisman. They honor us, that they would gift you such, merely to understand our words better." His words can't hide his curious nature about such a thing.

[Jayant Utpal]

"Understanding is important. Without understanding, we are lost in this world. As the brahmin say." Jayant shrugs. "Though you are correct, the Maharaja has been most kind to honor me with such a gift."

[Usagi Zenko]

He nods at that, not knowing what else to say.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Do you come from Lanka, Jayant Utpal?" The Lion has returned his gaze to the other ships, but decides to help with changing the subject.

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant shook his head. "No, I spent a lot of my life inland. The city of Bharatapur. A fairly large city where I spent my time as a ward. After that, I returned to the sea."

[Akodo Jishaku]

He nods. "Well, I don't know about Bharatapur, but I also spent much of my life inland always knowing I belonged at sea. I grew up in and around Kyuden Ikoma, my parents were scholars. I turned out somewhat differently." He grins and continues to scan the port for any signs of unusual activity.