[Day 5, Mid-Afternoon, Baths] - Can't wait anymore

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko gave a slight bow.

"My apologizes, Akodo-san. I missed that important distinction." There was a note of almost relief in her voice. For a moment there, she had actually thought that the Lion was saying that these... these... gaijin... had more impressive ships than the Empire.

With that awkwardness out of the way, everything could be set right again and she could concentrate on giving Jishaku what he probably needed most at this point in time - a willing listener.

"Could it be that this is gaijin politics at work? That the owner of this vessel is someone of high distinction, and it would cause great loss of..."

The Kaiu paused. She didn't want to say honor because she wasn't sure if these gaijin had any.

"...face, if the owner was accused. Like if he was related to someone of importance?"

Idly, her mind went back to gaijin ships in general. What I would give to be allowed to step foot on one of those things and study it...

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion shakes his head. "No, I think not. Despite being no student of politics this does not appear to be a case of saving face. The Captain likens this faction to tsukai. If any Rokugani knew of obvious Tsukai in our midst we would cut them down immediately without question, neh?" He breathes out slowly. "I will continue my investigations tomorrow. Perhaps I can discover what is going on and help the Captain that way."

[Kaiu Seiko]

"Wait," Seiko implored, a little confused. "How can this be? You know that this vessel did the crime, this vessel is here, such a thing is... anathema to the gaijin. Don't they realize it too? I would think, were the situation reversed, that a gaijin telling us..."

She stopped as she realized the answer, and the problem.

"Oh. Our word is as worthless to them as theirs is to ours, isn't it?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

"I suppose that must be the problem." At this point he didn't know for sure that the gaijin knew about the ship, and still chose to do nothing about it.

"Well, if they continue on this path of doing nothing then I expect there will soon be nothing left of their little kingdom. At which point, from our ship, I will turn toward the ruins of the Ivory Kingdoms and say I told them so." He shrugs, though the thought doesn't seem to give him much pleasure.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko considered this. A gaijin person or a gaijin nation, their disappearance meant little to her. In truth, one could appear out of thin air, as long as that air was very far away from Seiko and all of Rokugan, and never come near, and it would not really bother her that much. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.

Still...

"Akodo-san... I am greatly interested in the designs of these gaijin ships. Tell me, how is it that you can come to study them?"

With a practiced and learned eye, I would hope.

[Akodo Jishaku]

He smiles. "Other than spending a few days around the harbour? I was granted access to the palace as an advisor to the Captain. While investigating the library I came across a book that contains many detailed images of their ships, as well as a fairly comprehensive list of symbols they use to identify them. It could prove quite useful, we shall see."

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko had been thinking more along the lines of how Jishaku had come to study ships well enough that he could spend those few days around the harbor and actually know what he was seeing. There was a difference between the observations of a trained eye and that of an enthusiastic amateur.

Amateur or not, he certainly did say something that caught the young Kaiu's attention.

"You got a hold of a body about their ships?" She perked up, half rising out of the water in her excitement. "Is it in the Rokugan language? Does it have schematics? Are there pictures or explanations of how they build their ships? Do you have it with you? May I see it?"

Easy there. No sense getting so excited. She paused as she took in her situation. And sit down. You're showing the poor Akodo more than he bargained for.

With a smile meant to soothe things over, she slide back down until the water made her properly modest again.

"Gomen. I just keep thinking that if there was anything of value to this place that it would be most unfortunate to leave it behind when the time comes for us to depart."

[Akodo Jishaku]

The young woman's charms were hard to miss at this close range, and the young man found himself needing every ounce of willpower not to stare. Instead he politely averted his eyes as Seiko's enthusiasm got the better of her.

"Hai, Kaiu-san. I was given permission to borrow books from the library. Unfortunately the most useful one is in their language, but it is extremely detailed and well illustrated."

His cheeks colour slightly as she realises her exposure and lowers herself into the water.

"I would be happy to...assist you if you wish it Kaiu-san? I have the book, but I will certainly need to study it tonight and tomorrow. Perhaps after that?"

[Kaiu Seiko]

Tonight, tomorrow... just soon was all that Seiko wanted.

Assuming that they would be around, of course. She didn't know when the Captain planned on setting sail.

For the first time, Seiko found herself hoping that it would not be for a few days yet. Enough to give her time.

"Arigato, Akodo-san. I would appreciate that very much." Right. The language thing. "Especially since I will be unable to read it without your help, I am assuming. You... speak and read their language, neh?"

There was always the possibility that he had made use of a translator, but somehow Seiko didn't think that was the case. Somehow, this Akodo had picked up a gaijin language... and for the life of her, Seiko couldn't find it in her heart to be anything but grateful, if that were the case.

Gaijin language or not, better to have a samurai translate for me than a heimin or worse, one of the gaijin themselves.

[Akodo Jishaku]

He looks at her carefully to see if she was disgusted, like that Crane, or just curious. Deciding it was the latter he nodded.

"Hai, I am proficient with this particular gaijin language Kaiu-san. Strange for one of my clan perhaps, but then I like the sea so what is one more strangeness?"

He half smiles to himself and idly scratches at his chest.

"My honoured grandmother had the gift of tongues. It seemed there was no language she could not master, nor code she could not break. When I was a cub...well, a smaller cub...she taught me how to read and write the language of the Ivory Kingdoms. 'You never know when an enemy may decide to attack.' She said. 'One day you may find this serves you well'. Perhaps she was correct, neh?"

Looking her in the eyes again he grins. "There are some amongst us who think it a weakness to speak another tongue. But I think you at least can see its value."

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko reluctantly nodded.

"There is value, hai. But... I cannot help but think to myself, over and over. It is a gaijin tongue. To the Crab, that which is outside Rokugan is usually a servant of the Ninth Kami. Sets a bad precedent."

She sighed and settled herself a little in the water.

"I find myself torn. On one hand, I want to reject all that is gaijin out of hand, but on the other... ships! New designs!" She grinned. "There are few things I appreciate more than that."

Such as a good storm for one. But Seiko wasn't going to mention that. As much as she had appreciated the storm that had developed today, there were some... complications... that she didn't want to think about right now. So... ships. Yes. Ships.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku gives her an encouraging smile. "New designs and new ships, yes there are plenty in that book. Tactically valuable information, and without the Ninth to worry about Kaiu-san."

He too sits back in the water, relaxing.

"I cannot help but think that, given the dire state this land seems to be in, recording these designs for our people may be the only way the information is saved."

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko nodded enthusiastically. The idea was starting to excite her.

"I find myself looking forward to this, Akodo-san. Very much so."

The storm earlier today, now Akodo-san offering her designs on gaijin ships...

Seiko couldn't keep herself from grinning at the thoughts.

[Akodo Jishaku]

He grins at her enthusiasm. "I am glad to hear it Kaiu-san. We should plan to meet up soon, say the day after tomorrow? It is hard to know how long we will remain in this place, but at this point it seems we shall at least be here for another two days."

He looks back at her.

"The Embassy or the ship? Either is fine by me."

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko hesitated.

"I prefer to remain on board ship as much as I can. But if you would feel more comfortable at the Embassy, I understand."

After all, he was the one doing her a favor by getting her a chance to look at those designs.

[Akodo Jishaku]

He laughs. "I feel most comfortable on board our ship Kaiu-san. While I do enjoy these baths, the land doesn't roll properly. Besides, I have an oilcloth pouch to protect the book from the elements."

[Kaiu Seiko]

"Wonderful! The ship it is!"

She grinned at Jishaku, feeling the excitement again.