[Day 4, Early-Morning] A Special Assignment - CLOSED

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

A folding cover has been laid over the map table, hiding the recessed space. Breakfast has been set out for the Captain's guests and the man himself waits, half-turned away from the door. There was even a tea set with a delicate white on white pattern of cherry blossoms. He stares out the window and upon the view of the harbor with a frown on his face, elbow resting on his knee.

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Having just established a workable schedule that allows him time to eat, practice, do guard duty, do arms and armor maintenance, and sleep, Nobuyoshi found himself woken up early to meet with the Captain. So there was a great deal of rushing about this morning including some of his water ration used to bring himself to full wakefulness. Everything seemed to be in order, and so Nobuyoshi proceeded to the map room, scratching on the door to announce his presence and await admittance.

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Qian-Fan responded to the summons to the Map Room promptly. but still the Bayushi beat him there. Were Scorpion bushi fast at everything? He mused on this as he bowed to the Captain and awaited instructions.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

The knock drew him from his thoughts, "Come in," he calls and nods to each man, pointing down at the pillows. "Have a seat gentlemen and breakfast."

He shifts to face the table, fingers drumming lightly on the surface, "I have a request to make of you, though I'll wait until the other two get here before I start.

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Qian-Fan settled onto one of the pillows and busied himself in collecting a small selection of that available for his breakfast.

"Who else are we waiting for, Yoritomo-sama?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Cub and the Toritaka," he replies he takes the lids of the dishes.

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi bows and takes the offered seat. Breakfast sounded nice, and perhaps he'd even try some of that drink the captain favored for staying alert.

So the question is, what do I, Agasha-san, Cub, and the Toritaka have in common? he muses to himself while awaiting the others and breakfast with equal patience.

[Akodo Jishaku]

They do not have to wait long for the ever-cheerful Cub to make an appearance. Entering the room he bows respectfully to the Captain and then to the other two. "Good morning Captain, Bayushi-san, Agasha-san." He waits for further instructions, calmly taking in the scene.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Good morning Akodo-san, please, sit... have breakfast..."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Thank you Captain." He nods and takes a seat beside the Scorpion, helping himself to some of the food and drink that was laid out on the table.

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Thank Heaven I slept so much yesterday...

Punchiru arrives, looking crisp and well-rested.

"Pardon my tardiness, Captain. I was only recently informed of my requested presence."

Punchiru bows deeply.

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Qian-Fan smiled and bowed his head to the Cub as he joined them and nods to the Crab he barely knows. Everyone was here, perhaps the Captain would let them know what they were in for now. Of course he let none of his concern show on his face, carrying his usual detached almost pout.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Yes, I did. Sit down and have some breakfast," he replies cheerfully. The man's good humor was often deceptive and such was the case now. He waits until everyone has something in their bellies before starting. "We'll be hitting the harbor later this morning. I'm giving everyone shore leave to scout out the situation for me. I doubt I have to remind you of the most recent war our Empire fought."

Uminushi pauses to gauge their reactions before continuing briskly. "I don't want that to happen again. If whatever is blowing up on the mainland is big enough to threaten the Empire, I want to know about it and I want to know everything before we leave to make the journey home. That's where you four come in."

"They have a court here. I know my way around the culture, but I'll be the first to admit I'm not court trained. This assignment, if you choose to accept, will be to my entourage as escorts and advisors," a wry smirk crosses the man's face, "They do like their pomp and circumstance. Depending on how everything pans out, you may also be called upon to serve as liaisons."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi ponders the words over food.

"I will serve you as best as I am able, Captain" Nobuyoshi offers. "There's not much time before we arrive, and certainly not enough to learn the language. Could you at least tell us a bit about the culture? Crab court is much different than Crane court, and those two at least share a common set of beliefs. What are the gaijin actually like?

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Qian-Fan paused from eating his breakfast. There were an abundance of priests onboard the Half Moon, one of whom was an Air Tensai, yet the Captain had chosen the Agasha for this task. He immediately had suspicions as to why but kept them to himself for now. After a few moments thought he nooded his acceptance to the Captain.

"It is an honour to serve, Yoritomo-sama."

He then returns to his food, awaiting the Captain's answers to the Bayushi's questions.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"They have a hierarchy much like our own. The people we'll be dealing with will all be either kshatriya, their warrior caste, or brahmin, their holy men and women. Their emperor is the Maharaja," he replies between sips of kava.

"They have no codes of bushido as we understand it, despite that our manners will suffice. Of course they will expect that I speak their language, which I do, but I am planning on forcing them to use Rokugani. Whether or not our weapons and armor will be removed from our persons is... a delicate thing. It can mean that they respect us or a calculated reminder that we're outnumbered."

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

"And my scrolls? Will they understand their significance?"

Qian-Fan asked this between mouthfuls of rice. Better to let them know what I can cast without my scrolls.

"Not that I actually need them for my basic War prayers or the most basic of healing sutras."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Some of the more well-informed may," he replies steadily. Uminushi pauses before adding, "As a note of interest, we would usually be considered untouchables because of the fact that we're foreigners... the equivalent of eta. But, thanks to the Mantis, we're given some honorary status though there are those amongst their elite that it doesn't sit well with."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi ponders these facts.

"Hmmm, a court with a hierarchy of warriors and priests, some of whom may be anxious for outside help to come in, and some who would sooner swallow their own sandals than ask for help, and some who will be quick to blame outsiders for their current problems."

Nobuyoshi nods.

"It does sound familiar, in the abstract."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Yes, a perfectly delightful situation," he replies with bland humor.