[Map Room, Moon 7 Afternoon] The Lay of the Land - OPEN

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi looks relieved and then puzzled, "Well, you don't look singed and I didn't hear screaming..."

He rubs the back of his neck thoughtfully, before shaking his head, "Well, must be a good day. Here, why don't you give me those papers? I'll have a quick look through and we can have a brief chat mmm?"

[Isawa Junpei]

Nerves abating slightly, Junpei, papers already in hand, passed them over to the captain. There was little else in that moment to do save return to his otherwise silent stance, the ends of his sleeves swaying to and fro on the draft that flitted harmlessly through the cabin.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi scans through the papers quickly, opening the letters of recommendations first and ignoring the assignment. In his experience, the higher ups didn't tend to know a damn about what their subordinates wanted and shoved them in a hole because it 'fit'.

"Hmm. So, first question did you want to go into defense or medicine or try your hand at offense?" he looks up, waiting for Junpei's reply.

[Isawa Junpei]

The shugenja offered a quizzical look, "I'm unsure what you mean, Yoritomo-taisa."

The question had taken Junpei off-guard and thought it strange to be asked something he had little say in. Being a student he had mostly had his life planned for him. Opinion and choice rarely factored into his day to day life.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Captain while I'm on the Half Moon," he corrects absently. Uminushi looks up from the papers and grins a bit impishly, "I thought I was clear, but let's put it another way. What path would you like your career in the Ninth to take?"

The Captain puts the papers down in a neat pile to the side of the table. "This is a training ship, Isawa-san. I train people. And at the end of it, I make recommendations, and you get shuttled off to a more permanent assignment. Now, ships are small and need every hand to do their job well and... preferably with interest and passion. Otherwise, things fall apart and people get hurt."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Gomen, captain, it's just...I don't think I've ever been asked something like that before. I, honestly, don't know. You said...defense, medicine, or offense? Oh my," his face fell slightly, showing a hint of pensive worry. "If I were honest, I don't know if I'm very good at any of them. I'm Phoenix, and a priest at that...not that you don't know that," he quickly added suddenly feeling foolish for stating something so obvious.

"W-What I mean is...battle isn't really our forte and I don't claim to have any experience in that matter save fleeing from the Army of Dark Fire when it seiged Kyuden Isawa. I don't know how I could possibly protect others, and I haven't handled a weapon a day in my life. In medicine I'm merely an educated novice. I'm...afraid if those are the only options then I will be less than helpful to you." Junpei's crestfallen expression increased.

"I joined out of a love of the sea and to serve somewhere free and open. My talents, if I'm not being unduly prideful, are unique. My eyes are keen and I dare say my motility is beyond any of my crew mates. Life in the air is what I long for more then anything. Perhaps if you need a scout, a messenger, I don't know....Wherever you put me I will try my best, but my only true pliable skill here is my way with the kaze-kami."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi didn't laugh at Junpei, simply listening and nodding now and again. He rubs his chin in a thoughtful manner, "A scout and messenger would be useful. And I did hear about your little entrance. There are a few things that those friendly with the kaze-kami can do to help aboard a ship."

The man lets his hands drop, "If you're interested in learning how to defend yourself and your ship, I'll assign you to Kaimenko-san. She's a deft hand at both and doesn't seem to want you dead yet." His eyes glint with humor as he waits to see what Junpei's reaction to that bit of news would be.

[Isawa Junpei]

"A tempting offer captain, and if you think it's the best course of action I'll do it. Although, she may not hate me, but she certainly doesn't care for me in the slightest. She seemed to take umbrage at my approach...to everything. Perhaps it would be better for me to stay out of her hair. I wouldn't want to accidentally antagonize her with my presence."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

The Mantis pauses and blinks and starts to laugh. It was a bit before he regained his composure.

"Isawa-san, she doesn't like anyone on first meeting. I think if she ever did, the very waves would stop in shock. You'll be fine." He gives the Phoenix a reassuring look, knowing it wouldn't help in the least. "That is, if you still want to learn."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I'm always eager to learn. I just pray that what I learn is for both my own and the crew's benefit. I just hope I don't choose wrong." He was silent a moment, giving the matter some consideration. "Captain, you wouldn't by any chance know why I was selected out of all the other applicants to join the Ninth, do you? I'm happy to be onboard and ecstatic for the opportunity to serve, but I wonder what they saw that apparently made me sailing material."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi doesn't answer immediately, considering both what he's read and the man before him. He fixes Junpei with a thoughtful look, "It's because of the way you carried yourself through the aftermath of the Khan's March. You'll find that life onboard is not what it is on land. When I say every hand is needed, I mean every hand... including the heimen and eta. I hope that answers your question Isawa-san, and puts a few things into perspective."

[Isawa Junpei]

Not really.

"Hai, arigato," he bowed low to the taisa. "I-I suppose I should probably be going. I've taken up a good deal of your time already. Thank you for taking a moment to meet with me, it was very generous."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"I'm not generous Isawa-san," Uminushi chuckles and shakes his head, making a small gesture of dismissal, "I'm your instructor, but go... settle your things, get whatever you need from the port."

[Isawa Junpei]

"As you say, captain. Fortunes bless." He rose from his bow his face showing a lightening of the spirit, but complemented by a still hidden pensiveness about the endeavor. He had things on his mind, that was for certain, but at the very least they weren't getting in the way of the excitement of his first day on board. Turning he swept out of the room, his robes following, floating on the draft that seemed oddly gone from the room.

/exit

[Volsung]

Soyoko listened as the two spoke, but he mostly focused his attention on the maps at hand, and potential formations for moving. once the Isawa was gone as well he looked up, but said nothing, just in case yet another trainee decided to walk in. Once it was apparent they were not going to he finally spoke.

"That one's gonna be trouble until you figure out what to do with him."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Isn't it the case with all of them?" he smirks as he leans over the map table, "Sometimes, it's their training you have to beat out of them and not what they don't know that's the problem. That said, my old bones tell me there's going to be storm in few days..."

/scene