[Map Room, Moon 7, Morning] Gift of good fortune

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

After stowing most of his things away below decks Choukichi takes his basket and heads off in search of the Captain, a few quick inquiries gets him pointed in the right direction and he heads for the map room. When he gets there, Choukichi steps into rooms entrance but goes no further in case the captain is occupied inside with someone else.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi was going through a stack of missives, likely all the recommendations and orders that the new recruits brought with them. He absently makes note in short-hand on a wax tablet, the stylus carving out patterns on the paper. The Captain looks up as he hears the door open, brows arching at the sight of the young man with a basket, "I hope those aren't snakes. I don't particularly like snakes. Cold, slithery things with their little flicking tongues..."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi staggers backwards a step at the statement, quite horrified at the thought of bringing snakes with him on a ship.

"Snakes!? Why would I bring snakes on a ship, you think i'm trying to curse the entire voyage?"

A little panicked and taking it far too seriously, Choukichi shifts the basket into one arm so he can make a warding gesture and utter a prayer to Suitengu.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"I would certainly hope not. Kaimenko-san might try and kill you if you did and that would be unfortunate," he replies equitably. Uminushi makes a mental note of the young man's behavior, brows arching, but doesn't otherwise comment.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi regains his composure quickly and steps forward back into the room.

"I spent the better part of the past weeks finding them, well worth it, they are sure to bless the voyage and bring us good fortune. No snakes. Cats, two of them, the only two of the litter, I could not believe my good fortune in finding them. I hope you will allow them to come with us?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi rubs his chin, giving the basket a dubious look. "Cats mmm...? See... that concerns me, since I would really hate to draw Daikoku-no-kami's ire."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

"There... Are no... Cats on this ship...?"

Choukichi stares at him in pure amazement, shocked that a ship could survive so long, piloted by someone who is dubious about cats.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"We have ferrets," comes the calm reply. He notes Choukichi's discomfort with a smile as he continues cheerfully, "My wife, you see, is beloved of Daikoku-no-kami... and the priests of have told her that if she abides any cat that kills a rat, she'll lose the Fortune's favor. Unlucky you see and I wouldn't want to unwittingly draw the Fortune's ire and doom my family."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi just stares blankly while he tries to figure this out.

There has to be cats... But cats would bring terrible misfortune on his wife... Certain misfortune with the cats, less good fortune for the ship without them though... They're just little cats... They probably can't kill many rats yet... But it's a long trip... They will get bigger... Can you train a cat to not hunt rats... Are they still good luck if they dont...?

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Tea?" he asks, unaware of the water wheels churning in the other Yoritomo's head.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi takes a moment to register the question and nods his head. He opens his mouth to say something, but then thinks better of telling the captain that his wife is far less important than the ships good fortune.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi flips another cup and pours some tea for the young man. He gestures for Choukichi to come in, pointing to one of the pillows. "I might consider the cats if you have a chat with O-washi-san. He might be able to figure out a charm or a prayer that will let any ill-favor from this venture go from my family to you. Frankly, I haven't thought on this since I married Sachimi-chan. For all I know, he might have a different solution."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi accepts the cup, and cheers up considerably when an alternative is offered, but that lasts only till the part about moving misfortune onto him.

Which is worse, certain misfortune from Daikoku-kami, or no cats on the ship? ... No cats. No cats is definately worse.

He nods his head.

"O-Washi-sama is who? And where would I find him?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"The more junior of my two gunso's. If he isn't on deck, you'll likely find him in the distillery in the cargo hold," he supplies with a grin, sipping his own tea.

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

"I will seek him out shortly then."

Choukichi nods his head and takes a sip of his tea, then moves on to his next question.

"Does the Captain have any qualms with his crew warding their berths against intrusion by malicious spirits?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"As long as it doesn't distract or interfere with other's taking care of their duties or do damage to the ship."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi nods his head a few times, pleased he won't have to fight for this.

"Just some ofuda and some prayers, never got in anybodies way, nor had any complaints before."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Then it shouldn't be a problem at all," comes the reassuringly sane reply. Uminushi idly wonders at the young man's mania, contemplating its source as he sips his tea, "Anything else...?"

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi ponders a few other things while drinking more of his tea, but decides he should be fine to go ahead with them without asking, so shakes his head.

"Unless there is anything you would like of me Captain, I will cease bothering you."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Nothing at the moment..." he trails off and pauses, "I don't believe I caught your name. Are you Kaito-san or Choukichi-san?"