The Emperors children

Myaro smiles at Parsee, sitting up. “Of course, Parsee-San. I am glad we are free of the storm, though. I don’t feel well.” She admits, shakily getting to her feet. She laughs softly as Mamizou comes down in the usual, over the top manner. “Mm, thank you. I think I should get above.”

OC: Yeah, I thought I had replied but I guess the forum failed to publish the post. I was actually wondering what was taking so long for a reply to show up- guess this was why.

IC: "Oi!" Yugiri walked after Touma. "You shouldn't be moving!" she caught up with them topside, looking absolutely peeved at Touma's complete disregard for his own safety. Nearby, Riku, who was busily tying together some loosened rigging, turned to regard the two. "Ah, first ones up? Brave souls...." he laughed awkwardly. "Er...sorry about the mess. Storm got us good. I can't believe we got blindsided by it...." he wiped the sweat off his brow, sighing. "Yes, we can still move. There's still the second mast, but our speed is quite reduced since the main one is gone...." he smiled reassuringly. "But! We have manpower, and we have oars! Which means...."

"Absolutely not!" Yugiri shot him down before he could finish his sentence. "Touma-kun is unfit to work."

"Eh? But samurai are strong, yanno? We could use him-"

"No."

"But-"

"No!" He sighed dejectedly. "What's the issue?" Murasa called from the helm. "Riku-kun is trying to recruit the injured for free labor!" Yugiri shouted back.

"Oh, I see! Riku, please don't conscript cripples for the workforce!"

"Aye aye, sensei...." Riku called back, looking sad. "Whatever, Goji-kun is still down there, isn't he? Go get him, since he's the only one we can use...."

=====

Mamizou stepped aside. "By all means!" she said in response to Myaro. "It gets better after a few weeks!" she called cheerfully to Mei. "Long term voyages are not my strong suit...." Goji complained.

"Its not so bad," Fujiwara remarked. "Mei-san, do not worry. Since when......on second thought, nevermind." she did not want to jinx anything. "Is the baby alright?" she asked, changing the subject.

Myaro goes up topside, and breathes in the sea air, sighing in relief. “Oh that’s better. I’m going to vomit now.” She says in her usual, deadpan tone, walking calmly toward the side of the boat. As calm as she was during the storm, her insides are a mess.

Will reply tomorrow, twas a duty day today so I wasn't able to reply. I'll also slap myself into posting more frequently, don't worry I won't let this become a habit

Riku sighed. "It's nothing bout going 'easy' on him or anything of the sort. Although that might be a factorm yes. However, the main issue is that Sayomi-sama is the crown prince; it'd be most unbefitting for someone of his rank to be doing a commoner's work," he told Touma. "Royalty....are meant to lay on cushioned beds and eat the finest of foods. It's our job as laborers to do the hard work. To think we'd make not just any royalty, but the crown prince himself, do work is quite a distasteful tactic. As for your other question, no being Honest is never a bad thing. Although when it comes to royalty....it may be best to lie for your own safety, or tell them what they want to hear,"

"That's fine and dandy, but Riku-kun, I've got a patient to look after. Please let me do my job!" The sudden protestation came from Yugiri, who was behind Touma and looking rather cross at Touma's dodgy behaviour. Riku gave Touma an apologetic look, before he took his leave. "Now then, are you going to let me treat you or am I going to have to tranquilize you?" Yugiri asked Touma, crossing her arms. "That shoulder of yours needs to be looked at. If it's just a sprain, I'll let it slide, but anything worse and we might need to get you a brace...."

=====

"You alright?" Riku asked Myaro as he came up beside her. "Sea is never too kind during it's tamper tantrums. Don't worry, many have been in the same spot as you at some point or another," he told her with a laugh. "Ah, haven't been through a storm like that in years. Glorious. The fact we only lost the main mast is even better. It was well fought battle!" He said this proudly as if ignoring the fact they had been only at the edge of the storm. Given it's terrifying power, one could only imagine the fearsome might of it nearer within the center.

====

Fujiwara nodded sympathetically. "Yes, I can see why you'd worry. Regardless, we can always spin a tale of having picked up a Zhongese refugee. Sad to say, I'm afraid you may never have your royal status back," she told Mei. "...which isnt so bad. Tilling the fields is a noble profession," she remarked. "Says the woman who kills for a living," Goji remarked with a chortle. "Everyone was something else before they were themselves," Fujiwara told him sardonically. "I'm sure you were just an annoying whelp who managed to stick close to some low ranking ninja enough tt eh point they decided to take you under their wing."

"Oi! I'll have you know I-" Whatever Goji's retort was, he stopped to turn around and face whoever was coming near. As luck would have, it appeared to be Sayomi. "Oh, Sayomi-sama, what brings you back so soon?" he asked curiously.

Myaro groans, panting. “I mean, I held it together while I needed to. That’s enough for me.” The ninja chuckles.

OC: yes, sorry for inactivity. Christmas Break is tomorrow, and I'll be finally able to go home for about two weeks after months of being away. It'll be great to see my family agian, not to mention 2 weeks of no bullshit like cleaning or standing watches, not to mention that I injured my ankle (long story) and constantly having to be on my feet has slowed the healing process, I definitely need this break. that being said, it's likely my activity will super tank during the next two weeks, but I'll try not to let that hamper roleplay progress, though I imagine a similar situation will follow you guys too since I'm certain you'll be quite busy with Christmas as well.

I am familiar with that anticipation of wanting to start a story arc but having to wait a long time for the current one to finish, so with that being said, is it alright if I just time skip us to port in Seseon?

OC: sorry for late reply but here it is!

IC: After another few weeks worth of sailing (and rowing too, due to the lack of primary sail), the Palanquin slipped straight into the harbors of Mizuhashi. It looked pretty beaten and worn due to no nearby ports, but given the crew's resourcefulness, they had managed to pull through. As they docked by a pier, Goji climbed topside and stared at land, heaving a beautiful sigh. "I never thought I'd appreciate land more than I do now," he groaned amidst the shouts and yells of the sailors around them as they finished the preparations for docking. After tying off the ship at the pier, the gangway was deployed. Murasa walked towards the group, giving them a crooked smile. "I suppose this is where we say farewell, hmm?"

"Yes, I imagine you'll probably have to fix the ship, right?" Fujiwara asked. Murasa nodded, turning a sad eye towards the destroyed mast. "..yes, yes I will." Goji and Fujiwara were more than happy to hop off the ship, though both seemed to have trouble walking straight after so much time on sea. "Shame to see you go back to being a landlubber," Riku called jokingly. "Shut up before I gut you!" Goji retorted, shaking his fist at the man. The harbormaster made his way towards them, bowing. "Welcome to Mizuhashi, I am Koma, a pleasure to meet you!"

"Likewise," Goji replied, returning the bow. "The captain of the ship is right there..." he pointed towards Murasa. The harbormaster nodded, walking up the gangplank, likely to negotiate the docking fee. "First, we must send word to the Capital that we have a cure," Goji said, slamming his hand into his fist. "No telling what state the Emperor is in currently, we must hurry!"

"The inn should have some carriages we can requisition," Fujiwara remarked. "I imagine one word from Sayomi-sama will ensure we have no trouble...." Goji nodded, looking up and sighing as he stumbled, still not adjusted to walking on land. "...we're not out of the woods yet. Still, are you happy to be home, denka?" He asked, turning to regard Sayomi. "We made it, safe and sound..."

Fujiwara shifted away from the main conversation and joined Mei's side, nodding towards the peaceful village. "Welcome to Seseon, I can't remember if you ever told us visiting it, but this will be your home now. Er...the country, not this place. Hopefully you won't mind no longer being a princess..."

Myaro sighs with relief as she steps onto the dock, steadying herself quickly. She takes a deep breath, getting used to the feeling of dry land, before continuing after the others. “We must hurry.” She says softly.

Goji nodded in affirmation. "And hurry we shall." He walked forward towards a nearby fisherman, and quickly explained their situation. The fisherman leaned sideways, looking at Sayomi and actually recognizing him. The poor peasant's eyes bulged in shock, understanding on his face. "Yes, I'll help. Follow me, please!" He took them away from the harbor and closer towards the center of town. There, he engaged in an animated conversation with another serf wearing an apron, who stared at him, and then Goji and co. "You need my cart and horses? Alright then, anything for the heika..." with a bow, he took them around to the corner of the building, showing them his carriage, complete with two horses. "Thank you," Goji remarked, but the man waved it off. "No, it is nothing! Please at least return it, though...." Goji climbed onto the carriage, followed by Fujiwara. "You know how to drive this thing?" she asked him doubtfully. Goji snorted. "Of course. Ninja are trained in all modes of transportation." Fujiwara eyed the horses with a baleful gaze, remembering the particular trouble she had had riding one. "...I'll bet," she said dryly, climbing into the back. "It should be a couple hours away from the capital by carriage, shorter if we push the horses," she told Sayomi. "Might not be wise," Goji tossed over his shoulder. "These are plow horses, they're built for endurance, not speed, but whatever the case, by the end of the day we will be in the Capital, and we will have saved the Emperor."

OC: sorry for halting the progress once more, but figured it'd be wise to ask again for another time stop to the Capital, in case anyone had any subplots or something to happen either before they leave or on the way there, and I figure it's rude to just auto-jump people through time, even if for convenience.