[Day 4, Early Morning] Instructions

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi waited for the samurai members of his crew to gather. The man met each of their eyes before speaking. There was a trick in pitching one's voice to carry and the Mantis had mastered that skill. His voice was steady and calm, almost reassuring.

"As you all know by now, there's been some indication that there's trouble brewing between the natives of the Ivory Kingdoms. I can turn my back on this or, with your help, try and figure out what's going on and whether or not it's something the Empire and the Divine Empress should be concerned about. That said, you are all given shore leave though you don't have to take it. Those of you who choose to must treat this as a scouting mission. And I cannot put enough emphasis on the fact that this is voluntary."

He pauses to let the words sink in before he continues.

"I want information. I know most of you don't speak the language, but you still have eyes and ears. You can tell me the condition of the city and mood of its people. If you choose to take up this offer, don't go anywhere without someone who can wield a weapon and one the servants or Mantis stationed at the embassy. At the same time, don't start trouble. Remember that these are not our people and their ways and customs are different from ours. Not only that but they outnumber us. If you do get in trouble, head straight back to the ship or the embassy, which we'll show you the location of."

The Captain absently runs a hand through his short hair.

"Finally, those of you who choose to remain... I want you to keep the ship ready to cast off at a moment's notice. Just in case. Questions?"

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi cleared his throat. "Is the city in immediate danger?"

[Asahina Narumi]

Narumi sits on a cushion and listens to the Captain's words carefully. There is excitement and curiosity brewing inside her, but at the same time she realizes her limitations. Probably best to stay with the ship. We'll need at least one medic to stay in case someone gets injured on board.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Don't go anywhere without someone who can wield a weapon...

Seiko mentally shook her head. She wasn't that keen on going exploring... and besides, there were always those who did, and that meant that someone else should remain behind.

Besides... gaijin...

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Captain, are there any Rokugani contacts or...otherwise, we should be aware of in the city?" She asked, intending to have her question answered after the Daidoji's.

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

As much as Yakusoku wanted a real bath, the idea of taking one in a Gaijin port wasn't exactly appealing. Standing amongst the assembled samurai she ponders this conflict silently, her hands clasped behind her back. Well, that conflict and the several others that she'd found on her mind when she awoke this morning.

Can't walk the streets without a guard? Should've expected as much in a city of ignorant savages.

[Akodo Amuro]

Amuro nods at the Captains announcement, his distaste of the situation perhaps a tiny bit evident, but his internal monologue was silent on the matter. Still he figured it was probably best if he chose to remain aboard the ship. Permission or not, he had no real care for the place. It would probably be best to remain aboard. Yet he had some nagging suspicions.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru stood next to his kinsmen and listened to the Captain with interest. He was intrigued to see the city, even if he cared less about the gajin that lived in it.

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko looked somewhat hungrily at the glorious land just a hop, skip and jump away. And then back to the Captain. And then back to the land. And then back to the Captain.

And then to the others around him. And then back to the land. And then back to the Captain, and then...you get the idea.

[Moshi Chihiroko]

Chihiroko was actually rather excited to go to land for once. The chance to converse with new people. This could only turn out well, right? But now she needed to find someone who could wield a weapon...

[Shiba Nozomi]

Nozomi listens to the information carefully. He said voluntary. I'm staying right here...

With fewer people on the ship, she might actually be able to relax a little, as the possibility of her being in the way was significantly lessened.

[Kakita Sugita]

Stay on the ship. Got it.

[Amaya]

Among the crew, one of the heimin was present, keeping quiet and generally unassuming in an effort to stay out of particularly strong notice. However, she wanted to make sure she had this information for once. So, she listened to the orders and frowned to herself quietly. Well, that would prove ... interesting. She made a note to check if she could get shore leave, having a feeling that she might be able to see a few things others might not.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Fuichi cleared his throat. "Is the city in immediate danger?"

A glint of humor enters the man's eyes, "That's one of the things we're trying to find out, Daidoji-san."

"Captain, are there any Rokugani contacts or...otherwise, we should be aware of in the city?" She asked, intending to have her question answered after the Daidoji's.

"As I said, Hoshi-san," his attention shifts smoothly to the Bayushi woman, "We'll be heading to the embassy first. If you mean whether or not the Mantis and the Kasuga have native contacts here, that's a question you'll have to apply to them."

[Shiba Nozomi]

A second thought occurs to her. He said embassy... Pale eyes flicker with hope. Does that mean a bath and some tasty food?

Nozomi's brain begins the process of trying to balance and weigh the pros and cons of the situation. The port may be foreign, but the embassy... that would be Rokugani....

She bites her lip.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi nodded once, she'll have to save that same question for later.

[Shinjo Qulan]

To stay or go? It seems exciting to explore a new country. Qulan pondered to herself as she listened to the captain and the others.

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei was conflicted over the idea. At once it was an opportunity to get the crew, and the captain's respect, something he very much wanted. Sadly, his mainland Rokugani xenophobia was growing more intense the closer they came to landfall. The prospect of being surrounded by foreign heritics was in many ways terrifying. It felt like being in the midst of a maho cult, with his very soul at stake the longer he remained.

[Hida Musasha]

Ram scratches his forehead. "Should we go without armor? I don't want to offer insult to these people, as you ordered, if that is considered one. However, I have no idea about the Lord here, and if he offers his protection to us." F*cking barbarian pigs probably don't even offer protection to their own families, let alone their visitors.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Armor's fine, though you'll get funny looks for it," answers the man.