Fox Light (Day 6 Early Night, Sea Fox)

[Yoko]

Yoko glanced to Hifumi for a moment, "You won't have anyone saying you spoke out of place, Fuzake-sama. That I promise," she gave the woman a short smile. Then, back to Shouji, "With thoughts like this.. Tsuruchi-sama I- yea," she nodded, "hearing some advice from you sounds like exactly what I could use right now," she chuckled, though there was a slightly nervous tinge to it.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"There's a lot for us to think about." The Monkey sighed. "That's what I've been doing all day."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The young man nodded. "I think you have given a bit of your answer already, Yoko-san." He studied her for a few moments. "You spoke from your heart when you said you would be there for her however you can if it's needed. Or that at least was my thoughts of it."

"Will such a position give you the freedom that you long for?" He shook his head. "I think that's unlikely, but it puts you in a place to do more of the thing you wish for, or at least influence others in that direction. You can only help so many people with your own two hands after all. Your single blade can only protect so many."

"It won't be easy though, many that will dislike you now will only dislike you more. Being close to an Empress is something many envy. That you are a ronin will only make things worse. You'll have to learn the games they play, either to avoid them or participate, to protect yourself as well as the Empress."

"In the end i suppose it all will hinge on how much you are willing to sacrifice for another. Just your life, or more."

[Yoko]

Yoko held to thinking for some time, her brow remained furrowed as she looked to Shouji. Glancing at once to Hifumi and then off into the distance, the village and the water that rested around the boat. Laying her arms down she hooked one hand onto her hip above her sword. Bringing the hand over a little to touch her blade, brushing the cord, then back to her hip.

"I-" she chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, least I've never been one to shy away from ridicule. Who knew that risking it for pretty girls would prepare me for something a little more important, eh?" she joked, laughed, but she had to rely on her nerve. "Guessing if I get asked, it'll be time to test my character, eh? See what kind of samurai I really am. Wonder.." she thought another second, shook her head. "When.." she shook her head, "if I'm asked, I'll have my answer," she said, mustering what confidence she could to say that.

"Thank you, Tsuruchi-sama," she looked to him with a sincere smile. Dipping her head, "The attention you give the words means a lot to me, for what it's worth to say," she looked to Hifumi, "And.. thank you too, for the warning," she laughed, waving her hand to downplay the humor. "But more seriously, thank you for your support for the quality of my character, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

That received a smile, as well as a polite bow of his head. The ronin might end up out ranking him in the future, which was something of a bizarre twist of fate. Not that he really cared.

"You're welcome, Yoko-san." Shouji said his eyes drifting towards the Monkey. That one might soon outrank him too. "But this is weighty talk for such a pleasant evening. Should I fetch a bottle of Sake and we can relax a little?"

[Yoko]

Yoko exhaled, letting the tension of the moment flow out with the breath, "After the day," she laughed deep and well, "I want nothing more than good drink, Tsuruchi-sama," she chuckled a little as she looked to Hifumi. "Hoping you're willing to join in that? For what it's worth I'd appreciate it."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"That would be a very nice distraction." she nodded.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"A few moments then." Shouji disappeared below the deck for a few minutes. His Cabin was currently occupied by a sleeping Princess. It was though in preparation for such a thing.

Which perhaps luckily meant that he had moved some of his things elsewhere already. He popped back up not long later though. A bottle and trio of glasses in his hand. "Sorry about the wait."

[Yoko]

"When you come back with drink there's nothing to be sorry about," she smirked cockily.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I'll remember that, Yoko-san." Shouji replied with a chuckle, passing glasses to the two women. "Though I hear tell there are some that don't partake in sake."

Opening the bottle he moved to fill the glasses of the two women before filling his own.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"That means there's more sake in the world for us." she grinned.

[Yoko]

"See, this is why I knew I liked you," Yoko said, flashing a grin toward Hifumi. With her cup filled she gave a quick nod of thanks. Though the pause offered her a moment to reflect, and the curve of her smile shallowed a bit.

Reflection gave way to thinking, and thus distracted she ceded initiative in the conversation.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I suppose that begs the question is there enough sake in the world for all of us who drink?" Shouji asked with a half smile.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Thank the Fortunes the Crab keep making more." Hifumi raised her cup.

[Yoko]

Yoko came back to it, half-smirking, "I'll just thank the brew-masters of the Empire themselves, for giving us the chance to escape boredom and thinking, eh?" she said, glancing between the two with her cocky smirk and raising her cup.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"To the Crab and brew-masters then." Shouji offered raising his cup. "For their tireless efforts to make sure our cups are full."

"Kampai!" He offered before taking a drink from his cup.

[Yoko]

"Kampai!!" Yoko shouted with a strength as to overpower the others just a little bit in her mirth, bolstering her confidence as she drank with exaggerated and boisterous motions.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Kampai!" Hifumi giggled and drank. "Mmmm, that's very good."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Glad you enjoy it." Shouji replied with a warm smile towards the Monkey. "It's not a favorite but it is a bottle I enjoy." Though he had been starting to wonder about his taste in sake over the last few days.

He glanced to Yoko. "By your expression I take it you liked it too?"

[Yoko]

"You'd never hear a complaint from me either way," she said, laughing a little as she shook her head. Bringing up her hand she waved off that little extra boast, "Honest, I'm just aiming to be bigger and louder than my thoughts," she waves her hand again, dismissing it. Was exactly what they were trying to drink to avoid as it was.

"But really, it is good," she gives a nod, a smirk too. "Don't expect anything less from the captain's stash, eh?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Dango tugged at Hifumi's kimono, looking up at her expectantly.

"Absolutely not. You're a bad drunk."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji looked down to smirk at the monkey. He'd have to make a note to hide bottles from that one. "I don't know about that, Yoko-san. I've been known to drink my fair share of rot-gut."

"Tonight just seemed like a good evening for something a bit better."

[Yoko]

Yoko glanced down to the monkey, chuckling. Shaking her head a little she looked to Shouji with a quirked brow, "I'm sure you do- whatever in all of the Empire what that means. But," she lays out a hand, pointing to him, "pretty sure I've been forced to taste worse, eh?" she smirked.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

That recieved a playful wink from the Captain. "Talk like that and you just might give Fuzake-san the wrong idea." He teased. "You might be right though, course I could get the closest thign to varnish we have on board and put that too the test."

He smirked. "Not sure if any of us intend to get that drunk though."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Probably for the best that we don't." Hifumi chuckled. "We'll probably want clear heads tomorrow."