[Day 7, Late Morning, Open] Bored

[Kakita Sugita]

"That does sound hard to miss. And hard too. The man is supposed ta be the hard one." He adds unnecessarily.

[Hida Musasha]

The Hida shrugs, "Ya, she's a bonnie lass." He seemed to think Sugita was complimenting the description.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

Oblivious to the Kakita's comments and innuendo I say "I have not yet slept on board the ship. I was previously with the Orochi's Wake. Many of the crew are still unfamiliar to me. I have been staying at the Embassy". I pause before adding "she sounds like a formidable woman though". Bonnie lass? I was lost.

[Kakita Sugita]

I'm having zero effect on these two. Either they're playing the ignorant type or I'm losing the edge. Sugita almost frowns. "Dunno. Haven't tried her yet."

[Hida Musasha]

The big man nods in understanding, "Ah, yer one o' th' transfers. Tha' whole situation is bad luck." He makes a ward against evil with his hands, "She's amiable, though, a bit less refined, much like me. She served on Crab tradin' vessels 'n' th' like. I served on a Turtle Ship called th' Jade Fortress since my Gempukku. We ain't what you Empire samurai look fer in companionship, mos' like, as we ain't all fancy 'n' sh*t."

[Kakita Sugita]

"Haha! 'You Empire Samurai.'" Sugita shakes his head.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"Perhaps you should spar with her then Kakita-san?" I ask, thinking that is what he means.

"Being refined or not doesn't matter as long as one does their duty well" I say, trying to evoke an air of wisdom, as I nod at the Crab's comments.

[Kakita Sugita]

Pppfftt!! "Should I now?! I'm thinkin' Hida-san here might object if I got to her first!" Sugita snorts with laughter.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"Did he already challenge her?" I laugh a tiny bit while unsure of what is so funny, my eyebrows raising in light confusion. The Crane's open laughter is a little infectious though. Some in joke? Or did I say something really dumb? Perhaps the two have a long standing rivalry and have promised to duel?!

[Hida Musasha]

Pppfftt!! "Should I now?! I'm thinkin' Hida-san here might object if I got to her first!" Sugita snorts with laughter.

He shrugs, "She ain't property, 'n' hats off if ya ken survive her assault. She'd likely tear ya apart, but she'd prolly help ya ta th' sick bay." As dirty as his statement may sound to the Kakita, the look on his face seems to be completely serious.

"Did he already challenge her?" I laugh a tiny bit while unsure of what is so funny, my eyebrows raising in light confusion. The Crane's open laughter is a little infectious though. Some in joke? Or did I say something really dumb? Perhaps the two have a long standing rivalry and have promised to duel?!

Ram scratches his nose again, "No, bu' we shared a meal 'n' a few cups. We train a bit tagether on ship, too."

[Kakita Sugita]

"'Course she ain't property! But it wouldn't be proper of me to step in front when I know darn well you're in line." He shakes his head again. "I think she'd be the one puttin' up the challenge, I agree. Heh."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I stare, a bit dumbfounded. This conversation is quite unused to the ones I heard at home or back in the more civilised Mantis courts. What are they talking about now then? A wrestling competition?

[Hida Musasha]

He scrunches his forehead, "There's a line?"

[Kakita Sugita]

"Sure. Right now, I think it consists of you." Might think he'd list more. But no. No more. One man line.

[Hida Musasha]

Musasha seems to lose himself in thought at that.

[Kakita Sugita]

"I'll cheer for ya!" Now, Sugita DOES nudge the big Crab.

[Hida Musasha]

The big man shakes himself out of his reverie, "Erm, if you say so."

He looks at the Mirumoto, "So what's yer story?"

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I blink at the sudden question, still trying to process their previous conversation. I don't get it. "Story? What story?"

[Hida Musasha]

The Hida scratches his nose, then replies, "Where ya from, where ya been, 'n' what have ya done?"

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"Oh" I say with sudden understanding. Right. "I'll keep it short not to bore you. There isn't much to tell anyway. I was assigned as a yojimbo to a well to do Dragon courtier in Mantis lands and spent a few years there. It was mostly quiet. Just a few bits of action. Unfortunately my charge died of natural causes and since his replacement already had a bodyguard I was instead, thanks to a modicum of experience on ships while travelling the Mantis isles, assigned to the Imperial Legion aboard the Orochi's Wake for training. Daidoji-gunso decided I and another, Togashi Kazuma-sama, would receive better training and tuition here. I suspect she also doesn't like those from my Clan very much but that is only supposition". I finish with a nod, feeling a little bad about saying the last line so I quickly add "she was a fair if strict and able officer though so I trust her decision. As for where I am from, that ought to be obvious" I say with a small friendly smile.