Day 6, Late Morning, Expatriates, not Ex-patriots

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"Still, a long time to be away from home." Nobuyoshi adds. "Despite your obvious use to your lord here, hopefully at some point you'll get a chance to visit the Empire proper. You'd definitely have a lot of stories to tell at court that could charm a crowd."

[elonweis]

"That would be nice," she replies with a faint smile as her eyes move over the full and half-full crates. A small furrow appears on her brow as she nibbles on her lips. Keiko shrugs and smiles again, "... have you travelled a lot?"

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi shrugs.

"For most samurai, travelling this far would be 'Too much'" he says. "Mostly the lands of the Scorpion, and a bit of the Crane."

His eyes follow Keiko's gaze to the crates.

"Your aid thus far has been appreciated, Yoritomo-san." Nobuyoshi offers politely. "Is there something I can do to repay it?"

[elonweis]

Keiko hesitates before taking a chance, "... I just need to figure out how to get these crates down to our ships in the harbor without anyone seeing. Uminushi-sama said that there would be fog tonight."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods, having figured as much.

"We don't want the locals think we're packing up the embassy, and slinking away." Nobuyoshi says.

Even if that's what we are planning.

"Fog would help, knowing the guard's patrols would help. Swift, silent servants would be good. A distraction would be handy. Not one that causes more harm than is needed, no lighting the town on fire, or breaking the edict that was handed down. Perhaps a good size Rokugani on Rokugani bar brawl?" Nobuyoshi suggests.

[elonweis]

Keiko blinks a bit at him and says with a smile, "It might work... but... but I don't want people to get in to more trouble."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"A tough dilemna indeed." Nobuyoshi offers neutrally. "But you've been here for 3 years and have experience serving in a Navy. What would be the consequences?"

[elonweis]

"I... what?" she blinks a bit and shakes her head, "I'm not a part of the Mantis Navy and it's more the trouble it would cause with the locals. The Maharaja has already placed sanctions on prayers and armor... I don't want us to be on house arrest too. It would just make it more difficult for us to get out when the time comes."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

"Ah, my apologies. I thought you were part of the Mantis Navy. The misunderstanding is mine." Nobuyoshi offers sincerely. "True, a bar fight may lead to house arrests which would be difficult when one wanted to leave."

Nobuyoshi considers the problem.

"Perhaps if one wished to do this thing, a matter of repackaging might be more successful? Ichiro-san was certainly planning on taking her armor back to the boat in a sack. As long as the deliveries were spaced out enough, I don't think the local guards would try to make an issue of examining the contents, would they?"

[elonweis]

Keiko nibbles her lip and nods slowly, "It could work. Maybe... maybe if we got them nice and drunk...."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"I'm sure in these trying times a guardsman would welcome something to ward off both boredom and the chill of the night." Nobuyoshi offers. "Some of them might even be impressed if it was something expensive, given the state of the local economy."

"Of course, the more expensive liquors do tend to sneak up on one."

[elonweis]

"Whores!" the young woman exclaims and then blushes furiously, "Well... more likely if... a pretty girl... drink and ..."

She putters out and looks down.

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

The appropriate moment of silence with a glance away from the Mantis is observed by the Scorpion. But he does return to looking at the Mantis before it becomes terrible uncomfortable.

"If you're attempting to motivate the servants into packing faster like Moshi-gunso does, Yoritomo-san, the correct form is to call them sons of those followed by a demand of what you want from them, and you have to put real fire into the exclamation. " Nobuyoshi suggests.

"However, I was thinking along the same lines about a pretty girl getting someone to drink. I just didn't wish you to inadvertently take offense considering you are a pretty girl."

[elonweis]

She laughs and then blushes furiously at the compliment, "... no.. I wouldn't... we're pretty friendly, I mean... the servants listen and well, it was a thought..."

Keiko stops and lifts her hands to cover her cheeks, "I know you didn't mean me." She takes a deep breath and let's it out, trying her best to compose herself. It wasn't often that a man flirted. Sure, there were men at the embassy, but they were more like family than well... Bayushi! "I'm sure there are some locals we can use who won't ask questions..."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"A benefit for having been here as long as you have. Knowing who can provide what." Nobuyoshi offers. "I think you have a decent chance of success with that plan."

Nobuyoshi takes a moment to enjoy the view, fairly confident that the next move would be hers.

[elonweis]

Keiko looks at anything but Nobuyoshi, still blushing. Her hands drop from her cheeks, catching the table and stylus before they slide off her lap where she had placed them. She glances shyly up at him and smiles, before bowing, "Thank you for your help."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi shakes his head.

"Think nothing of it." Nobuyoshi offers, though he does return the bow. "Just having pleasant conversation with a pleasant samurai. Were anyone to ask, I'd simply say we discussed nothing of real importance, I just was enjoying the company of a charming samurai-ko."

Nobuyoshi gives the Mantis a long considering gaze.

"Hopefully, I'll be graced with your company again soon, when your mundane duties are not so pressing." Nobuyoshi does add.

[elonweis]

Once more the young woman's cheeks pinks, but she was a little more prepared as she smiles. "Well, why trust to the Fortunes when we can make plans? If you're interested I could show you around one of the prettier gardens in Lanka tomorrow... that is, if you're not busy..."

[Bayushi Nobuyoshi]

Nobuyoshi nods.

"Ah, the gardens, I've not had time nor proper company to go there yet." Nobuyoshi offers. "I'm sure I could complete my various training and other activities by, say mid-afternoon?

[elonweis]

"I'll be sure to have my tasks done," the young woman replies, unable to help beaming at the Scorpion.