[Day 4, Mid-Afternoon, Baths] Sweet Merciful Kami!

[Isawa Junpei]

"Hmm?" Junpei's brow rose but he neither opened his eyes nor lifted his head, "Isawa-gunso? He's a tensai of water. Even the least talented of shugenja with a tie to the mizu-kami can stave off exhaustion and sleep for two or so days, at least from what I know of them. Indeed, I found their skills quite irritating in my earlier years, when they would spend their extra hours awake, able to study, while the rest of us were left to Yume-do."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Phoenix are very frustrating.

"Is that healthy? I should imagine that relying on one's elemenal connection so completely could result in an imbalance, particularly if one is already so focused."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I suppose it is a matter of perspective. Prayers to the spirits are as natural as breathing. The line comes, I would suspect, form where one draws the line between use and abuse of the kami. For tensai, such a line does not exist. The kami are our brothers, we speak to them since birth, we hear their song even when not in communion. They are with us as close as family with us finding no greater joy than in their conjuring and they finding thrill in their power."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi maintained his pleasant outlook on life. It was hard not to when you instinctively saw the inherent goodness in (almost) everyone. "I see. So I shan't worry any more, I suppose. Besides, that owlish look he gets is sort of cute."

[Isawa Junpei]

Cute?

Junpei chortled to himself, "Not exactly the word I might have used. I suppose it depends on his mood. I've seen him in many forms since beginning our journey, from jovial to tense, and from caring to brusque. His anger, or at the very least, his displeasure is a freightful thing to behold."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi sighed dreamily. "He shifts like the waters."

[Isawa Junpei]

"That he does, and thankfully after the Sea of Sorrows, he's had no reason for sour moods. I haven't seen much of him since a few days ago when we got to chat off duty, but I'm hoping while in port that we can spend some time together. I'm sure he's already done so, but I wonder what images and impressions the mizu-kami have given him about this growing unrest among the natives of this land."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"I should hope that the images are more substantitve than what the kaze-kami have been willing to describe. They're very reticent about the central problem, but Isawa-sama is much more experienced than I, so I suppose he ought to have better luck."

[Isawa Junpei]

"With the skill of being an Isawa-trained shugenja, as prideful as that may sound, and the added benefit of his time among the tensai, he is as skilled with the mizu-kami as any on board. With any luck he can eek out clarity from the spirits, who no matter their element are often vague. I hope he's able to glean something because he is the most likely to."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Hai." Fuichi was pretty convinced of O-washi's talents. "I expect we'll be heading back soon, in any case."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Back?" Junpei asked lifting his head with a quizzical expression.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi inclined his head. "Home, or at least to the ship. This place is entirely unsafe, and clearly on borrowed time. I expect we'll get our information and leave these people to die."

It's both matter-of-fact and strangely wistful.

[Isawa Junpei]

The Isawa was taken aback by the Crane's sudden apathy. Though Junpei could hardly criticize, up till now Fuichi seemed the sort who had enjoyed his time getting to know the unknown. Letting the matter go, he simply nodded, "Ah, hai. Although I heard we'll be here for three days."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"It's sad, really," Fuichi hazarded. He couldn't really expect Junpei to get it, but he had to be more interested than the Scorpion, right?

[Isawa Junpei]

"What is?" Junpei set his head back down on the edge of the pool, closing his eyes.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Well, to be presented with such a wealth of new experience, but also with the knowledge that it's all going to be wiped away. That's not even taking into account the loss of life."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I suppose we'll see. Perhaps they are imbued with a greater determination then we give them credit. Of course it is just as likely that they are finally about to pay for their blasphemies against Heaven. Perhaps the demons they call gods will finally teach them the merit of their false belief and allow them sweet release back onto the Kharmic Wheel."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Is it blasphemy when one is not aware of the true path?" The question is speculative, not an accusation. "I should think they are misguided, certainly. In error. But blasphemy suggests to me a very particular sort of problem, and I have seen no evidence of that."

He wasn't certain how close Junpei was to the Inquisitors, but with Shinden Asahina being so close to the Wall, one got careful about what terminology one used.

[Isawa Junpei]

"And what would constitute heresy in your view?" The remark while pointed was still casual, like the beginning of a friendly debate.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"Heresy is a conscious deviation from the true path. If a man who knows the truth chooses to suggest that Benten's Romantic Love implies that those who indulge in prostitution are blessed in the sight of the Fortunes, he would certainly be a heretic."