After the meeting at the embassy, Hoshi returned to the harbour of the city but not quite the ship itself. Just standing the rear of the harbour, she kept an eye on the Half Moon and the dozens or so foreign ships that were sharing the same dock. At first she was hoping to find a ship that could prove itself a threat to their fleet but with the disarray of the Ivory Kingdoms, they could barely get very far. Her gaze shifted to the number of tents filled the harbour, feeling almost of sense of desperation with the number who made this their sanctuary involuntarily.

So this is the Ivory Kingdoms? This is far different than what grandmother probably saw in the Burning Sands...

Roughly two and a half dozen ships worthy of sea travel docked in the harbor, still too few to fill the port. Armed men and women stood guard on docks, watching the surrounding area with a mixture of boredom and wariness. There were also fishing boats, flitting out across the waters to gather what bounty the sea had to offer. It was almost idyllic if one could ignore the tents.

Hoshi quietly fell into her guarding habits and stood in place without complaints as she surveyed the scene. There were a few personal games she played with herself, like counting the number of guards on dock and trying finding to the same gaijin among the tents. Sigh. It's like an accident waiting to happen... She thought to herself with memories of Ryoko Owari's riot.

While Hoshi stands in place looking around, Choukichi makes his way down the docks towards her. He is easy to spot among the crowd of gaijin, in his sleeveless green vest with his near half dozen charms around his neck clacking away. He smiles brightly as he moves to join Hoshi, offering a polite bow as he gets close.

"So what do you think?"

Hoshi drifted her gaze toward Choukichi when she heard the clacking of charms approaching her, she almost thought of a trinket salesman until she remember Spook's particular habit. She returned the bow in kind and glanced back to the city of tents before her. "It's...something..." She murmured.

"...Like a mule who's trying to carry 10 loads too much on its back."

"Hai, there are so many tents, I hadn't imagined a city could be so packed full of people. It's going to be a challenge getting around the city."

"Doubtful, cities like this aren't self sustaining and I see very few ships in port so I doubt anywhere near the resources they require are coming into the city. I doubt this will be able to continue very long."

"I wouldn't want to be around here when real panic sets in...It'll be a terrible sight to see what gaijin are capable of when they get desperate. Good thing we plan to cast off at a moment's notice." Hoshi said in a grim tone as place a hand on her hip.

Choukichi nods his head in agreement then clutches the ofuda around his neck and utters a short prayer to Yoritomo-Kami for his protection.

"Have you any destination in mind in the city?"

Hoshi's mood brightened at the question. "There's a few places I want to see after knowing what they have around here. I don't think I'll be able to do it all today though. There's a fair bit of scouting to do...as well as the amenities in the Embassy. Maybe the curry here is worth sampling since it's authenticity from the source."

"I haven't yet decided on a destination for myself, so would you care for some company? I understand the local tongue well enough which should make scouting the place out a bit easier."

Do all Mantis speak a gaijin tongue? "I don't mind the company at all Yoritomo-san. I hope you can make heads and tails of the refugees here more so than I can..." And with that, she moved from her spot and toward the city of tents, making sure to account for her possessions at all times.

"I can try, hard to catch everything that is being said around me though."

Choukichi strolls along beside her, not at all worried about his possessions, who steals a parangu or a good luck charm from around someones neck? He tries his best to keep an ear open to the chatter around him, as hard as it is trying to filter so much of a language he rarely speaks.

"So where too?"

"I don't expect you to catch everything Yoritomo-san. I don't think many people here even know what's going on either...Why wasn't there an evacuation organized? Unless this is truly a dead end for them..." She shook her head. "Here is fine...unless you're willing to sample their food?"

"This is their most northern port, I don't think they do have anywhere else to go... Well yes, I had planned to. I have tried some of their dishes back home before, but I imagine they are quite different made by the locals."

Hoshi smiled faintly through her expression. "I am a fan of the curry that's found at home and heard that some of the spices have originated at here. Something must have been left out in the recipes in the Empire. Probably something to ensure that delicate palates aren't offended ne?"

Choukichi smiles and keeps walking.

"My thoughts exactly, i'm curious as to what it is they think we samurai can't handle."

"If I may ask...How did you go about learning their language anyway? Have you done extensive trade with them before?" She asked as they walked.

"No, before coming here I had never spoken to a gaijin before. My great grandfather spent much time here many years ago. He taught me the language and I have used it condsiderably when talking to him, and though even among the Mantis it is rare, I have met others who understand it and take those opportunities to practice."