Soga, City of Tsuda Empire- Mid Summer 14 years AR

Sunada looked at herself in the polished brass mirror, she felt silly wearing men's clothing but understood the reason why. The long beautiful garments she normally wore were well for within the city or travel by carriage but upon a ship they’d be ruined. She did not wish for such beauty to be ruined by salt and a rough voyage.

Instead she wore a simple tan crossover style tunic and a blue stole around her neck with the symbol of her clan, the same pink rose as the robes with the loose stitching. It was all held in place by a wide cloth belt and finished with a dark brown hakama reaching down to her ankle. Leaving it a comfortable foot or so off the floor. The outfit was different and showed far more cleavage than she was used to but it was an appropriate outfit for travel. In fact traveling in her normal clothes would be seen as foolish and only bring her shame.

That wasn’t to say that her other clothes weren’t coming with. A long voyage on land with intermittent events of state would require them. Those items, along with her other belongings had already been packed and sent to the ship. She slipped the sandals designed for Inari paws onto her feet and walked out of her living space, a servant closed the door after her. She made it to the front grounds of the Takana Clan estate and was assisted into a carriage by her assistant. Her assistant wasn’t a Imperial authorized position, rather it was a personal one she had hired years prior. She would be coming along as well, Sunada would need someone to assist brushing her coat.

The older Inari woman closed the carriage door and walked around to enter the other side, quietly sliding into place and placing her hands on her lap. As they left the estate a total of six Clan guards, four Inari and two humans jogged alongside the carriage with their glaves held just right in their hands. Keeping them at proper angles.

Sunada was still a little amused by the novelty. This was her Clan’s city, she wouldn’t need a guard anywhere. None would harm her or steal from her as that would bring Takana wrath down upon them. Still she was currently employed as a member of an Imperial delegation and it would be dishonorable to not take it seriously and provide proper care.

The carriage soon arrived at the port and despite loving ships she did not turn to look at the ones berthed along the docks or in the harbor. She remained seated looking straight ahead with her head held high as she awaited her door to be opened. She slightly missed the strolls through the street as it would be slightly easier but the assistant to an Imperial ambassador must do what she is expected to do.

She exited and was escorted to her waiting father. She approached and again, lowered her gaze just below his face. She waited until he had acknowledged her before she greeted him.

“Ambassador Coda Takana, This Assistant to the Ambassador Sunada Takana presents herself for duty to the his Eminence and the Tsuda Empire.” she stated with authority and bowed by lowering herself an the ankles and bending at the waist.

“Assistant Sunada Takana, this Ambassador Coda Takana recognizes your presence. Please board the ship,” her father said. She immediately followed instructions, escorted by a member of the crew to the gang plank. Once she was aboard the large three masted vessel with fully battened sails she was escorted to the aft-castle to her cabin. After denying any need for service she was left alone in what she believed to be the first mate’s cabin, meaning her father would be taking the captain’s cabin.

She didn’t think about that and did what she’d been waiting for. The ample privacy of a private cabin meant she could sit on the bed and look out the porthole at the ships, she could only see two as the ship was currently perpendicular to the shoreline but still. A simple one masted fishing vessel and a second great ship like the one she was currently on. She saw them loading ample supplies and knew they were part of an exploration voyage just by the shear amount of food and barrels of water they were loading.

Living on an archipelago meant her people were amazing seamen and one of the greatest achievements of any captain would be to lead a ship in discovering a new island. If the island was habitable, not all were, and valuable enough for a settlement they may raise themselves up to become a subprefect. They could even become a prefect if the island was large enough and at least one city was built to warrant the creation of a prefecture.

Most of those ships would sail either north or south along the line of islands already discovered and past them in the hopes of discovering new ones. In the great sea to the west there were known islands and even entire chains but none had been found large enough or close enough to settle. The more courageous captains would lead their men there but unknown seas could be dangerous. It was still interesting to think about but it’s no place for a woman of any status to crew a ship. Nor would it be appropriate for a woman as a passenger on an exploration voyage, even if it’s one of means and owns the ship. A knock on her door took her away from the activity of the port. She stood and face the door before acknowledging the person on the other side.

“You have my permission to enter.” She stated and the door opened. Her father waited outside, dressed in similar fashion to her own.

“I appreciate your hospitality my daughter,” he stepped inside, “I just wish to inform you that we are soon to depart. Please refrain from wandering the ship until we have left the harbor. I know you love to watch the ships but I fear your beauty will only distract the crew.” He was being flattering, he didn’t actually need to give a reason why she couldn’t leave the ship.

“I will do as requested Ambassador Takana,” she said as she bowed her head.

“Once at sea, I request that you take your time to familiarize yourself with our vessel. As my assistant it would bring shame if you were unaware of the nomenclature of the ship in case I were to ask.” He stated and she noticed his ears flicked up in a smile for a brief moment. He knew she wanted to look at the ship and his reasoning made sense. She would not wish to fail to complete a request in a timely manor because she didn’t know where a certain cargohold was or where certain equipment was stored. She doubted he would ask her over the captain but the logic held.

“I will do as requested Ambassador Takana,” she said as she bowed her head again.

“Then I shall depart,” he turned and his ears shot up in a smile. That was a drawback to being an Inari, it was almost all in the ears. Unlike humans who could turn away to hide their expression, so long as you can see an Inari’s ears, you could tell.