(Moon 15, Afternoon+, Crow's Nest) Tsunami

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Then this journey has already made you more than you might have been and you should be glad of it." O-washi might have smiled on better days but today it was beyond him. "It is Fukurokujin's blessing when one of our line is reminded we are not as mighty as our elders might wish us to believe."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I want to be," Junpei said with a swirling tide of emotion. "I've never wanted power, but after this place...I want to be as powerful as the great Isawa. I want to be in this place without fear, to know that I can overcome anything that the dark realm could think to throw at me."

He sighed, "But that won't happen."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko would never claim to be afraid of anything. The young pragmatist learned well from her sensei, and would never be seen to show fear around anyone.

Of course, that didn't mean she still didn't want to seek comfort from time to time.

The young bushi-ko had been climbing the rigging for the past several minutes now, trying her best to just keep her mind off of the terrible place that they were in. Her climbing eventually found her at the crow's nest, where she slipped in just as she noticed O-Washi and Junpei. She bowed politely, but chose to remain silent for now. Interrupting a superior certainly wouldn't do, even for her.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Even our illustrious Ancestor couldn't handle the full force of a whole Realm, focused through the hate and power of a Kami. He was a Thunder and served well but it took all seven of those great heroes to do what they did and even then all they could do was contain, not defeat or destroy. Honor him...but do not let yourself think him more than he was."

The interruption by the young Crab paused the elder priest's words. Turning his gaze from his Clanmate to observe her for a moment, he then returned it to the Sea. "Yasuki-san." The greeting held no welcome, only acknowledgment. "You should be below, away from the call of the Sea."

[Yasuki Himiko]

"I'm used to the call of places like this," she said calmly. "In any case, this is a far more comfortable place than anywhere down there. I hope it's no issue, Isawa-sama."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"It is if you expect good company."

No longer distracted by discussing spiritual matters, the Isawa returned to his surly ill-temper.

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko shrugs. "I'm a Crab. Ye can't be that much worse than Sensei was, I assure ye."

[Isawa O-Washi]

He turned and glared at her, eyes swirling with the power of his element as well as the madness of it in this place.

"Of a certain I can...I can kill you with a few words, not only thrash you with them."

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei watched the exchange, at first half-heartedly, but watching the rising strength in O-Washi's eyes he steadily grew more intent. "Isawa-gunso," the other Phoenix chimed in. "I-I wondered, since coming aboard...how advanced are your studies in the elements? I've only just finished my training with my peers among the tensai, but you've been on the seas for well over a year...it would seem you're at the very least more competent than I."

It was a distraction, perhaps, but in all honesty, Junpei was curious...particularly as he contemplated how easily O-Washi could destroy them if he'd set his mind to it.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I anticipate full mastery of the mysteries of water within the year."

The tensai turned to his kindred again with a sardonic smile.

"My mother has every intention that I shall succeed Master Bairei."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko did not so much as flinch. "Hai, I recognize that, Isawa-sama," her voice was calm and even. "I assure you that I am not here to be in your way. We do not have to even speak to each other if you do not wish it. However, I find that even in your state, the area up here is a bit more to my liking than the area down there. Hence, I'd far prefer to stay here."

[Isawa Junpei]

Were it in his nature to scowl, Junpei would have done so with the Crab's incessant need to have the last word on the matter. If she'd just leave well enough alone, he doubted O-Washi would have any problem with her continued presence. The thought that with O-Washi's tensai training he had likely learned some of the most powerful spells of his element made the smaller Isawa all the more flustered at Himiko's words.

Maybe a different tactic...

"Yasuki-san, how often have you found yourself in...these sorts of places?" Once again, his words were diversionary, but he was also genuinely curious. While he might dislike the Crab for their gruffness, those he'd spoken two had far more experience with the shadowlands and its denizens, which, in some small way, was a comfort.

[Yasuki Himiko]

"I spent a tour of duty on the wall, which amounted te about a year. If it could be believed, it's actually more comforting to be there, where ye know which direction yer enemy is coming from."