Just before you step into the Meadowlark, the Mantis Swiftboat hired by Lady Seppun to take you south, you are stopped by a crop-eared sailor. “Cap’n wants a jaw wid you folks,” he grunts, jerking a thumb over his shoulder before stalking off past you to pick up a man-sized crate for loading. It seems you have been summoned.

The captain’s cabin–all 20 square feet of it–is surprisingly well maintained. Silk kimonos of serious value are pinned to the walls of the cabin, creating a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. A paper scroll bearing the inscription “Gusai 4 Life!” hangs on the wall opposite the impeccably made bed. There is a powerful smell of tobacco smoke. The captain herself, a rangy woman of late middle age with a curious star-shaped scar on her cheek, sets down her pipe and rises from behind her desk as you enter.

“Who the hell are you?”

Honoka had barely had a chance to admire the boat before they were all told to go to see the captain. Or at least she was pretty sure that's what 'jaw wid you' meant. She barely had a chance to admire the decor when the Captain stood up and spoke. She gave her a bow.

"Good morning, we are the guests that have been booked passage upon your vessel Gusai-sama."

"A jaw...?" Sayomi looked questioningly to the other three companions. The gruff speech of the sailor went a bit above her head.

She tried not to be too tense as they entered the captain's cabin, and she cast a quick glance around at the strange interior decoration. Especially the paper scroll struck her as rather odd.

At the captain's adress, she cleared her throat slightly, adding in to Honoka's reply; "Perhaps you require to see our travel papers?"

"Aren't you expecting us, Captain?" asked the slim man in blue, who raised an eyebrow. "I had understood that our passage was pre-paid."

She squinted at them. "So yer the ones the Seppun sent, then?"

She stood up to her full height, which wasn't much, and placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm Gusai Monchou, master of the Meadowlark, fastest ship on either river. We've got a swift journey ahead of us, and like as not we'll see some trouble on the way, so let me make this perfectly clear. My boat, my rules. We'll get you where you're going, but I don't want to hear about anybody hasslin' my crew. It's a safety thing. Get me?"

"Indeed." Sae regarded the Mantis craft and its captain who seemed to live to confirm unflattering Gusai stereotypes, with a look of mild detachment.

"Swift is what we seek. And we thank you for the passage."

Her voice firming slightly. "As I hope you are aware, I serve the Emerald Champion by the blessing of the Throne. However, I quite like to enjoy the view while traveling upon water. As such, I am likely to have my back to whatever happens on this boat for long periods at a time. It seems I would be unlikely to hassle your crew as I would simply not see them doing anything requiring my intervention."

Pausing for a moment.
"I trust that is satisfactory?"

"You're making a great deal of assumptions, but if it keeps you out of the ropes, then make yourself happy."

"We'll stay out of your hair, captain," Sayomi assured the woman. Not like she had an interest in whatever they were up to here... probably nothing good, knowing their reputation.

The slim man nodded agreement. "Our primary interest is swift travel," he said. "We don't want any trouble."

"Alright, then! We'll set off shortly. Keep a weather eye out and sing if you see anyone moving quicker than us." She winked at Honoka. "They like to try!"

She then sauntered out of her office, barking orders at the crew to get the doodads squared away and to cast off the what-have-yous. It was going to be a long trip.

"Well, I'm off to try not to see anything illegal."
Sae bows to the group and makes her way to the ship's rail.

Shinnousuke-san had suggested she take a boat on the river...

"We can admire the... uh... view! The view, Daidoji-sama. I'm told it's very pretty."

Sayomi also didn't want to see anything that would complicate this mission. Surely the Imperials wouldn't send them on a pirate ship though. Surely.

Honoka didn't follow after the magistrate and her kin. She made sure to stay out of the way (easier with her size) but there was no way she wasn't watching the ship cast off. Especially one as 'fast' as the Gusai captain claimed.