[Day 11. Early Morning. Aftdeck. Open] Appeasing Suitengu

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Oh no no, joining the legions is perhaps the one and only thing I can truly say was my decision. What I can sympathize with is not having that decision since up till now, as I said, I don't think I've had a hand in any course my life has taken. I just wish my first and only true undertaking were more of a success at this point. Sadly, life at sea is harsh with little delicacy among the dedicated crew. I don't understand why life aboard ship must be so miserable for everyone. I understand that military duty is about respect and order, but there are easier ways then a gruff demeanor and unspeakable language."

Fuichi leaned back thoughtfully. "It did not seem to me that Isawa-gunso was terribly gruff. And, for those unable to speak with them directly, I suppose the exposure to the elements inherent in sea travel would be frightening. Do not most men react to fear with defensiveness...or humor?"

[Hida Musasha]

He lightly bows to the badger in between scrapes of his razor. "Oi."

After a few moments, "Looks like I found my arm wrestling competition, finally." He isn't smiling, but is obviously pleased.

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

He lightly bows to the badger in between scrapes of his razor. "Oi."

After a few moments, "Looks like I found my arm wrestling competition, finally." He isn't smiling, but is obviously pleased.

"Maybe," now she does stop swinging the axe, wiping the back of her hand across brow and headband alike, the massive weapon rested against her shoulder, "if you wanna lose." Her tone for the last bit is challenging, but clearly playful; she wasn't about to seriously challenge a Hida she just met. "Ichiro Yakusoku, by the way. Nice to meet ya."

[Hida Musasha]

"Hida Musasha. Ya swing that axe like ya mean it. Most go after trees, you look like yer after legs. "

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"No point swingin' it 'less you mean it," she turns the weapon in her hand, the axehead spinning slowly over her shoulder, "that and we don't have a lotta trees back home. No sense learnin' to swing at'em."

[Hida Musasha]

He grunts in agreement, "Smartest answer I heard on this tub. Nice ta know there's someone else wi' good sense ta talk ta."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"Oh I wouldn't go that far," the Badger chuckles, shaking her head. "Leapt into enough choppy water and from riggin' to riggin' often enough that there's Crab back in Clear Water that'd say I got anythin' but 'good sense.' Nope," she sighs, "just a healthy appreciatin' of what a weapon's for's all."

[Hida Musasha]

He nods his head as he drifts into a memory, "They say on the Jade Fortress, play ta yer strengths. If ya ken clime like a monkey, do it. I'm th' same way. We may need ta' race up there, too." He motions to the rigging, apparently trying to strike up a friendly rivalry with Yakusoku.

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"We just may," she nods, looking up into the rigging. Now that she was used to being on the new boat, a bit of climbing would be a nice change of pace. Lowering her gaze to meet the Crab's she adjusts her headband, pulling it just a bit higher on her forehead. "No sense havin' somethin' to climb if ya ain't gonna race up it." She quirks her brow at that, perhaps in acceptance of the Hida's friendly rivalry.

[Isawa Junpei]

Fuichi leaned back thoughtfully. "It did not seem to me that Isawa-gunso was terribly gruff. And, for those unable to speak with them directly, I suppose the exposure to the elements inherent in sea travel would be frightening. Do not most men react to fear with defensiveness...or humor?"

"I suppose that's true. Who knows perhaps my pessimism will subside once I can finally get to knowing more of the crew. It's just that...well, unlike at school where sensei nurtured growth through encouragement here it feels far more competative, as though they're less interested in training us and more interested in culling the weak through abuse and shame. It's just different, I suppose, is my point. At lease I still have the kami."

[Hida Musasha]

He finishes his shave, rinsing off with the sea water. He dumps the bucket's contents overboard and stows his razor, mirror, and soap in it. He lifts his tetsubo, "don't tire yerself out, now, trainin' ta swim er trainin ta fight today."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"We climb mountains back home, Hida-san; train in the Great Wall of the North in heavy armor. Gonna take a lot more than swimmin' or swingin' an axe to tire me out." Lifting the ono from her shoulder, Yasusoku turns it back into a proper wielding position and goes back into her practice swings.

[Hida Musasha]

He cracks his neck, "Not meanin' nothin', jus' don't want nothin' unpleasant ta happen ta anyone afore we hit battle. Then is th' time ta put it all out there ta keep ev'r'one alive. Also, heard tell o' a big storm on th' way."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"Didn't think you meant nothing by it," she brings the axe down with an exhale, the blade arcing through the morning air, "but here I was figurin' ya just wanted me in top form for our race and arm wrastlin'," a smirk can be seen at that, hidden between the raising and falling motions of the axe. "Storm, huh? Truth be told, they ain't never bothered me none. Ol' Osano-wo's always looked kindly upon me that way."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi leaned back thoughtfully. "It did not seem to me that Isawa-gunso was terribly gruff. And, for those unable to speak with them directly, I suppose the exposure to the elements inherent in sea travel would be frightening. Do not most men react to fear with defensiveness...or humor?"

"I suppose that's true. Who knows perhaps my pessimism will subside once I can finally get to knowing more of the crew. It's just that...well, unlike at school where sensei nurtured growth through encouragement here it feels far more competative, as though they're less interested in training us and more interested in culling the weak through abuse and shame. It's just different, I suppose, is my point. At lease I still have the kami."

The Daidoji nods once and smiles. "Yes." He pauses for the space of a breath. "Why did you choose to join the Imperial Legions?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"I did; it was somewhat of an odd choice I'll admit, but it was the only way I could get out of the monotony of library life. I love the libraries of Kyuden Isawa but I could not stand the idea of endless days spent in the same place, knowing I would never go anywhere beyond its walls. As I think I said before, study, teach, study, then teach. I appreciated the last three years I spent as a sensei to the nubile prodigies, but I needed to find something else. Admission to the Imperial Legions was the only appointment I thought they would find acceptable for someone of my talents."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi began to laugh. It was a musical laugh, the laugh of a refined gentleman. "I would have given anything to stay in Shinden Asahina. Maybe the endless cycle of creation is somewhat less monotonous than library work. Or maybe I'm just easily amused."

He shrugs. "I suppose that I should be pleased to serve the Empire, even if it is in this way and not in the way I was trained. At least I get to meet charming new people."

[Isawa Junpei]

"If that was a compliment then arigato, Daidoji-san. You're perhaps the first kindred spirit I've managed to find aboard. Tell me, are you one of the fetishists? I only ask because one of my sensei was quite taken with the art. Indeed, he was an avid reader of many Asahina texts, particularly those of Asahina Tomo."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi shakes his head no.

"I am not, though I might have been trained as such if Father had not intervened. I was tasked with carving a large portion of the idols for the shrines in northern Crane lands. If you've visited Nikesake in the past two years, you might have seen my work in the shrine to Lady Doji."

His eyebrows raise slightly in anticipation of praise.

[Isawa Junpei]

"Sadly no. Furthest south I have ever managed is Shiro Shiba and that was a random excursion when I was assigned my first yojimbo. Well, my only yojimbo. Sadly I had to leave Shiba Soranoku when I was admitted to the Legions. Now it's up to them to provide a yojimbo, assuming they do, which has thus far not seemed likely. I don't mind, the freedom of life without the worry of another person is thrilling. And besides, when I need someone to fret over my safety I have Shiba Naomi-san on board."