Although it was laced with unusually acrid odors Souji found the familiar scent of tobacco soothing. He had never partaken himself but Hijikata smoked like a chimneystack. Cigarettes had little changed, it seemed, though Dan's was perfectly shaped and did not have any protruding particles. Everything about the comely British man was streamlined; his skin was unmarred, teeth very fine, and he smelled quite pleasant. Unbidden, a thought surfaced that he hoped the opening of Japan's borders would bring more people like Dan to Nippon. Souji felt unexpectedly contented in the man's company.
The first passenger the ronin had met had been resident of an alternate dimension. There was never a question as to if this were an elaborate hoax. "I fear I'm more out of place than some. Judging from those I have met I would assume you are from a later time than myself. People appear in this ship from more periods and planets than I can count." He explained patiently, voice softened to its more common timbre. Souji paused and tipped his head to one side quizzically. "You are from Earth, aren't you?"