Bellena spotted the two men in the back of the room and smiled. Her conversation with Edo's partner made more sense now that she saw them side-by-side. She walked over to their table and nodded a greeting, "Do you mind if I sit with you two?"

"Please, senorita, we would welcome the company." Edogawa nodded.

She took a seat next to them, "Glad to see you weren't washed away. How's the island treating you so far?"

"I was, actually." he chuckled. "But, I survived. The island is very interesting. Crossing through the gorges made me appreciate what has been built even more. I will be staying here in La Nueva Esperanza and hope to learn more of the local history."

"I see." She said with a nod. "And here for the show are you tonight?"

"Good food, good entertainment and good company." he smiled. "What more could I ask for."

She smiled, "So you're looking into the town's history? Got any questions?"

"I am curious about the early days." he answered. "I was wondering who was instrumental in founding the ports and how things here have evolved and changed since then."

She nodded, "The big names are recognizable enough to those around here; though perhaps not to those from the mainland. Agasha Kasuga, Teodoro Cornejo, Garen Hawthorne, and eventually Hantei Muhaki."

"Hawthorne had some familiarity with the islands here prior to meeting Cornejo." he nodded. "I assumed the others were involved in establishing the ports here after leaving Rokugan. I am wondering about what happened to each of them, however. I have some idea of the broad strokes, but thought the locals may have their own stories."

She cocked an eyebrow, "You're familiar with Hawthorne's travels?"

She then tilted her head, "As for what happened to them... Hawthorne was lost at sea a little over 45 years ago. Kasuga was executed by the Throne after returning home. Cornejo traveled to the island for another 10 or so years after Hawthorne disappeared.. but eventually he too appears to have been lost at sea. And Lord Muxaqui is known to have run the clan well beyond that, until he passed of age twenty something years ago."

"I know something of that time." he shrugged. "I know that it was Hawthorne who brought Cornejo here, after their fleets met at sea. and that they sailed to the Empire from here. I spoke with some of the old sailors at Agasha Kasuga's shrine. His story seems to have faded from their memory somewhat. I wonder if the same is true for Teodoro Cornejo."

She nodded, "There are few left who were here for those days... and because of the effects of time...even fewer who would remember it clearly. It happens to be a personal interest to me as well right now. Why the interest in Cornejo?"

"I have always had an interest in him. Much of what I do has come from that. I dreamt of ships, sailing and swordplay as a child, much to my mother's eternal disappointment." he chuckled. "What about you? Were you born to the sea, or did you come to it later?"

She nodded and took a sip of her drink, "A bit later. Lived in an agricultural region as a small girl, then in a big metropolis in the Burning Sands as an adolescent. Then a shift to the sea about 10 years ago."

He nodded. "You said you served as Muhaki Saionji's First Mate, correct?"

She nodded.

"If I may ask, what is he like?" Edogawa took a few bites of food.

Bellena let out a bit of air through her nose as she thought for a moment, "A good captain... leader... and man. There is no one I trust more."

"I hope I can meet him." the Miya said after a moment. "If I don't return to the Empire, I suppose I may get the chance."