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

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi shrugs.

"No one ever said that posting to the Ninth Legion was a position of comfort and ease." Nobuyoshi offers in his flat voice. "Besides us being filthy foreigners, any particular taboos to watch out for, Captain?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Don't harm their cows," he replies, "Also they eat with their hands. Right hand preferred, pay special attention to getting dirt from beneath your fingernails before eating. Never, ever, allow something that's touched your lips to go back to the communal plate. It's considered unclean."

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

The Agasha blinked.

"They hold cows in the same light Daikoku no kami does rats then?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

The Captain cracks a smile, "Yes, they do... odd neh?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku listens to the conversation as it flows, but remains silent as he eats. Once finished he takes a sip of tea and joins in. "Thank you for the opportunity to serve, Captain. Are there any particular warning signs we should be on the look out for? Things that might suggest they intend to do us harm, or sigils that might identify groups we should watch carefully?"

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Qian-Fan just shakes his head at the absurdity of worshipping a beast of burden and continues to eat his breakfast.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"They don't have mons like we do, so that's a hash. If they say they're from House Rafiq, kill them. They might as well be tsukai," he eats lightly of the breakfast set before them, "They have priests, but they call upon gods rather than kami... you'll have to understand the language."

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion nods. "Should we expect any resentment from the other gaijin if we do have to kill members of this House Rafiq?" At the comment about language Jishaku nods as though it is not an issue.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"They'll likely praise you," he replies with a wry twist of his lips. "They have no liking for House Rafiq either."

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion smiles at that. "Then as long as they don't get in the way of my sword they can praise all they like."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"Nevertheless, it is important to foster understanding between our cultures, not simply ape their movements. If they suffer from a spiritual malady, or a threat of the ninth it will be important to show them that we have tools that are different from theirs for dealing with such things."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

The Crab receives a thoughtful look, "What are you suggesting specifically, Toritaka-san?"

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"There is something wrong on the mainland. If it is political, we lack the authority to make a proper treaty or assist for Imperial advantage but we could easily assist in brokering for peace. If it is not political than such a problem lies within the spiritual realm, either a famine solvable by our superior understanding of spiritual harmonies or an actual threat which must be addressed properly by educated shugenja."

Punchiru sighs.

"However, in both instances it requires finesse to allow a foreign power to assist. We must show them that we have tools, and that a fair compromise between use of those tools and their sovereignty can be achieved. Simply put, it is a bargain. If we have the power to assist them, we can use it without threatening them by offering it as an exchange for...well, pretty much anything. It makes a controlled, requested intervention. At least, that's the idea from the Yodotai texts..."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"I appreciate your analysis, Toritaka-san, however it remains that the Kasuga and Mantis are the ones who bear the Imperial Mandate to deal economically with foreigners. Those considerations do not fall under the purview of the Imperial Legion."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"Of course, Captain. I overstep myself in my eagerness."

Punchiru bows in apology.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

The Captain's expression was bland with amusement, "I prefer to see it as being unfamiliar with thinking of oneself outside of one's Clan and Family."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

"Have you been in their court before, Captain?" Nobuyoshi asks. "Have you met with their rulers before?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Blessed Fortunes, no," he replies with a laugh and a shake of his head, "I am going in this as blind as you lot."