Preparations are essential. (Day 7 Late Afternoon)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

There was more to do on the ship, cleaning and preparing to go underway wasn't a simple affair. Getting ahead of it was encouraged especially if they had to suddenly leave in a hurry.

Standing on the deck, he observed his crew as they worked. For the most part they knew their business and he didn't need to issue any orders.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Many of them paused in their business, however, as a young woman in a horned hat was shown aboard the ship, her green and gold kimono plain yet striking in the sunlight as she moved. The woman seemed in high spirits as a couple of sailors greeted her at the gangplank, the dark haired beauty chatting with them about something that Shouji couldn't quite make out.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Naida-san." Shouji called from the deck as he spotted the lovely Dragon woman below. Now that he wanted to interupt her conversation with the two members of his crew, or maybe she did. "Come on up if you like,you can watch my men clean and get ready for the coming voyage." As much fun as that sounded.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida looked up and bowed her head a little, saying something to the man and woman before turning from them and walking towards Shouji. The two deckhands looked momentarily disappointed, but went back to their work. Walking up to the captain, Naida took out a small flint and steel and lit a pipe carefully before climbing the stairs.



"I can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon. Working hard yourself, Tsuruchi-sama?"

She blew the smoke away from him, the charcoal smell mixing with the sea air as the pipe gently lit her face under her hat.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"When I need to." Shouji replied with a wry smile, his eyes looking over Naida for a moment. "Though a lot of what I do is directing others and make sure every little piece is in order." It wasn't the most thrilling of things.

"We'll be taking guests north soon, and I imagine there will be quite a number of them. Means a lot of moving pieces as we get everything ready."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I'm not interrupting with the visit then, I hope. If I am, perhaps I could help a bit; A little bit of hard work is good for you, I always say."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Not particularly, we're starting early." On the off chance they had to sale earlier then anticipated wasn't said. "As for help? Well, if you wish Naida-san. But it's not really something I'd ask of you."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"How better to learn about Kobune than doing a bit of work. Still, I wouldn't want to get in the way or be a burden to watch over at the least."

She looked down at the people working, "...though your crew seem to know my name already, so I'm guessing they'd be willing to give some pointers as well."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Likely so." He agreed with a smile. "They are fairly easy to get along with, especially when the person in question is attractive and ready to join in for a bit of drink."

His eyes looked over the ship. "But if it's something you want to learn a bit I won't deny you." He glanced at the woman's lovely kimono. "But we'd need to get you something to change into."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Hm? Oh! Right. The Crane party. I'd forgotten I'd already prepared for it. You are likely right then."

A small shrug.

"Even if I were to change, perhaps not for the best to end up at a Crane get together being out of breath and all mussed up from working. Not if I want to impress."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Likely true, you'd have to go through the efforts of looking oh so very lovely again." Shouji offered with a playful smile. "Well, more attractive then usual."

"Must more efficient to work out after the party " He offered with a sage nod, a bit of mischief in his eyes.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Um, well..."

She took a long thoughtful drag of her pipe before letting it out, the smoke lazily drifting over the railing, "I suppose if I were to tire myself out with exercise, better before sleep, neh?"

Naida glanced over at the Tsuruchi next to her, "...you won't leave without letting me know, right?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Right? It helps you sleep all the better or so I hear." Not that he expected to meet her following the Crsne party. Well, who knew honestly.

"The party? That's an easy enough task to accomplish." He offered the Dragon a warm smile. "The village is perhaps a little more tricky as i sail on the word of royalty. I think I can manage that as well with little problem though."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I meant the village, hai."

Naida turned so she was leaning back against the railing rather than forward onto it, facing Shouji more fully.

"So the princess is booked aboard your ship here then?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I don't know if booked is quite the proper word for it." Shouji admitted with a wry smile. "I offered her the services of my ship before her new position was revealed. So she coukd return to the Capital with haste and deal with some unpleasant business."

"We'll be sailing the morning after the wedding. Unless something occurs to move forward our time line." There was a small pause before he added. "I am unsure if I'll be able to take on other passengers."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I see. Well, if not, then it can't be helped I suppose. I am bound for Crane lands after this anyways, but a boat was recommended to me as the best way to get there. I have time to find another boat, if ut comes to that."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It could be possible, but it's something that is somewhat out of my hands as well." Shouji replied with a soft sigh. "Those in the Heiress retinue would need to decide what and who they will allow."

"I would jump at the chance to spend a bit more time with you myself."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Perhaps... something more permanent? I will admit... my 'duties' to the Clan have come up, and you have brought up your own 'duties' towards the Mantis. If I were to find myself tied down with such things, I can think of worse places than sailing Suitengu's realm..."

She blew some smoke to the side, looking up at the clouds.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He blinked. Certainly they had mentioned that, but she hadn't seemed terribly interested at the time. "It's not an idea that I dislike, Naida-san." The Captain replied after a moment.

"But marriage was something I am not particularly seeking in the immediate future. Not with how things have developed, there are far too many uncertainties for me."

He dipped into a bow. "I'm sorry. I enjoy your company but it's something I intend to wait on."

[Kitsuki Naida]

A small smile, still looking up at the sky.

"No need to apologize; You must understand it's not something I'm seeking in the immediate future myself, you understand. Just something to think about, especially if my lord nags me more about the notion. I'm sure men don't have it as bad in that regard, the pressure to marry while you're young, that is."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I'll keep in in mind them." Shouji replied with a smile. "As for marrying young? I suppose it depends a bit upon the man and the clan. I expect to do so myself, but then my lords would prefer I spend my youngers years expanding the clan as it were. Which encourages a wife taken when one is young."

"I just want to see where the next year or two goes before I make any commitments."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I myself would like to figure things out myself too. I can't be a wandering yojimbo forever. Even if I think I need the practice. Eventually I'll need to find a place to settle down, or at least a duty to pursue."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Yeah, I think I recall you mentioning that before." Shiuji replied with a nod. "Returning to Dragon lands if I recall?"

He paused a moment. "Maybe just being an actual yojimbo? Or looking for something a bit different?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I don't know. I know I'm not cut out for army life; My training focused elsewhere, though I suppose I'm tough enough to handle that sort of thing if necessary. A life as a yojimbo to someone wouldn't be too bad I suppose, though I would want to travel still, if I could, so would want to be attached to a diplomat rather than some regional lord. I ~could~ be a sentinel or warden, but that would mean staying in Dragon lands..."

She sighed a bit and dumped the ashes from her pipe overboard.

"If I had that answer, I'd probably be seeking it less."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Well, as long as you're given the time to seek it. You may as well take your time figuring it out." Shouji replied with a warm smile. "I at least can understand nit wanting to stay too long in one place."

"One of the reasons why I like what I do so much."