(Distillery, Moon 7 Afternoon) The Best Medicine - OPEN

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Ah, well, I know a bit about the Utaku, I've known a few... And of course I know my family quite well." Qulan responded thoughtfully. "The Moto are rather straight forward... And you already know about them."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Spent last winter in the company of one of them, as a matter of fact." By the expression on O-washi's face, it had been a pleasant season. "A good sort, if a bit unusual at times."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"That sounds rather pleasant. I don't know too many Moto myself, not many are stationed so far into Shinjo provinces."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"There are a few in the Capital, which is where most of you recruits will be going when you've got a bit of seasoning. Reassignments and all that." Big shoulders shrugged. "It's an interesting place but I prefer the sea."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"How long have you been serving in the Ninth Legion, Isawa-sama?" Qulan seemed a bit curious, she couldn't quite tell how old the mountainous Isawa was, or how long he'd been at sea for that matter.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I was originally part of the 1st Legion, stationed in Toshi Ranbo, which was quite the odd thing for me...the Phoenix had me aship, most of the time at least." O-washi's fingers stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I spent two years there before they moved me to the 9th, a year ago or thereabouts. My first ship, the Horizon, was lost to the Skull Tide during a battle in the Sea of Shadows."
For a moment, he was silent, one hand moving in a gesture of benediction for his fallen commrades. Then he went on in a business-like tone.

"I was picked up by a Mantis ship that was fighting the same forces we were and transferred once I'd healed up a bit." Pulling aside the right side of his vest, he showed the Unicorn a rather jagged scar that ran from just below his armpit to disappear into his hakama. "This one was the worst...I got it from some sort of kami-forsaken sea beast. Thank the merciful Fortunes for Jade because otherwise I'd have been sailing for the wrong side or dead, I've no doubt on that score. I joined the crew of this ship after that, Month of the Boar last year."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"That's quite a scar..." Qulan covered her mouth in concern as she scanned over the large scar. She couldn't imagine what he looked like when he got the injury that caused it. No, actually, she didn't want to imagine it at all. It gave her sympathy pains just thinking about how it felt. "The Fortunes must really have been watching over you that day... You also must be very tough, I don't know many people that could have survived that."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Yes, well..." The big priest was rather nonchalant about it as he let the vest drop closed again. "It's hardly the first time I've been wounded and the cauterization by Osano-Wo right after certainly helped."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"... You were struck by lightning?" Brows shot up so high they nearly flew off the girl's face.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Mmmhmm." Her reaction made O-Washi grin. "It's happened, oh, three times by my last count."

[Shinjo Qulan]

There was a look of shock on the girl's face as she quickly scanned over the man as if trying to find out why he's been struck so many times. "How... I don't see why... How could you survive that?!"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"The Thunderer likes me." Reflexively, O-Washi mad a gesture of thanks for that blessing. "Every time I've been hit has been in a battle, a hard one, and every time it's been a gift. For me, it tickles a bit...for the foe, well..." His grin grew a little predatory. "Rather less so."

[Shinjo Qulan]

The look on the girls face slowly changed from concern to... Errr, shock and awe. "That's... Amazing, Isawa-sama! I have never heard of anything like that happening before... Well, that I can remember. You are truly blessed."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Indeed and I'm grateful...I spent a few weeks at the temple in Toshi no Inazuma as part of my recovery." O-Washi grinned. "I admit, I was more than half expecting to get hit there, too, since the storms are so active but apparently He decided I was due a bit of a respite from His favors."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"That's amazing, Isawa-sama." And she returned his grin with one of her own. "You must be amazing too, if you have gained such a blessing."

[Isawa O-Washi]

The tiny voice of his Captain in his memory wasn't nearly enough to stop the next words that left the Isawa's mouth.

"More than one woman's said so, Shinjo-sama."

Then damned if he didn't flex, just a little.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Possibly not getting it entirely, which wouldn't be anything new for Qulan, she giggled as he flexed. "Oh, I'm very certain of that, Isawa-sama."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Well, if you ever need proof, you just let me know." Good natured and not really wanting to get into trouble, O-washi let the matter slide. "Anyway, if that's all your questions for now I need to finish the inventory so we don't leave port without something important, neh?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Alright, Isawa-sama. And I still need to get acquainted with the ship." Qulan offered a respectful bow. "Thank you again, Isawa-sama." And with that, the Shinjo trotted off (okay, walked off).

/exit

[Isawa O-Washi]

As the Isawa returned to his task, he couldn't help but snicker to himself.

"Theoretical knowledge of sailing...poor Captain..."

/scene