Hikaru makes his way out to the railing. He wasn't really on duty however he had nothing else to do so he chose to stand out and watch the water. Hikaru thumbs his prayer beads as he watches the waves slap at the boat.

After the Sea of Shadows, Seiko really wanted to feel the night air on her face, as it should be. Clean. Without the feeling that something was sticking to you, not like salt spray, but like a thousand tiny bugs nuzzling your flesh.

She could have been quite happy going about her business without running across the Lion. Not that she had anything against the Ikoma, or any other Lion for that matter, but he didn't strike her as the type to love the sea.

Well, she could be wrong. Besides, it would be impolite to ignore him.

"Ikoma-san," she said, her eyes a little unfocused as she gave the Lion a bow.

Hikaru frowns slightly at the Crabs greeting but replies,

"Good evening Hida-san. I pray the fortunes have watched over you this day."

Now it was Seiko's turn to frown.

"While I am Crab, I believe you are mistaken. Of the Hida family, I am not. This one is called Kaiu Seiko."

((blah ooc mess up))

Hikaru bows lower and says

"Please forgive this one. Apparetnly his night vision is not as good as he though. This one is Ikoma Hikaru, cousin of Ikoma Haigo. I am most honored to meet you Kaiu-san"

((no worries))

Seiko gave another bow.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ikoma Hikaru-san."

She blinked.

"Forgive this one... did you say 'Ikoma Haigo'?"

As in... the Ikoma Family daimyo?? But she didn't voice that thought.

HIkaru nods

"Hai. My loving cousin." Hikaru says with a hint of humor in his voice.

Seiko gave another bow, this one a little lower.

"Then it is I who am honored."

It seemed like the polite thing to do. She hoped.

A moment later a tall woman makes her way out close to the railing. Her steps are slow and measured, as if the edge of the ship could hold some sort of danger. The lantern light shows a calm, serene face, though upon close inspection one would notice a strong sense of concentration there. Her kimono clings to her form, slightly damp from the humidity, especially from the days before. She gives low bows to both at the railing as she approaches, saying nothing, just holding her bow a long moment before moving to lean a little ways away on the railing. The cool evening breeze tugs at her kimono and hair, finally murmuring a quiet, "Ohaiyo, samurai-sama."

Hikaru looks as if he is going to respond to Seiko but stops as the Mirumoto appears. He bows and says

"Good evening Mirumoto-san."


He returns to Seiko and says.

"Been on this ship for sometimes and still meeting new people everyday. It is amazing to me."

Seiko also turns and gives the Dragon a bow, a touch lower than the bow the Lion gave.

"Ohaiyo, Mirumoto-san," she replies, her eyes not quite focusing on Itsuho. "This one is Kaiu Seiko."

She did not ask how the other woman was doing, as it seemed she had not gotten her sea legs yet and to ask her might rudely draw attention to her condition.

The woman gives small nods to both at their own greeting. Her sea sickness at the moment seemed minor, the calm seas and cooling breeze calming to everyone aboard. She spoke quietly, her voice soft and even toned, almost like a monk. "I am known as Mirumoto Itsuho. It is an honor to meet you Kaiu-san..." She paused, looking at the Lion a moment. "...Ikoma-san. It is a pleasant evening, hai? A pleasant one to make new acquaintances."

Seiko noted the rise in volume and apparent strength in the Dragon's voice, but did not immediately respond. After all, the Ikoma was of higher rank than she, and something in the Kaiu preferred it if Hikaru took the lead in this conversation.

"This one is Ikoma Hikaru, cousin of Ikoma Haigo, Damiyo of the Ikoma." Hikrau says automatically.

"And yes it seems to be a pleasant evening, at least thus far."

Itsuho looked at Hikaro for a moment before her soft brown eyes glances out over the dark sea once more. "Compared to the nights past, hai. As much as the mountains in the sea can be a grand sight, I have come to appreciate the sea's gentle plains quite a bit more. Besides, this far south, a cool breeze goes a long way toward soothing the soul."

Hikaru nods, oddly enough he agrees with the Dragon.

"Hai..... I have found the great openness of the sea calming."

Seiko smiled. She thought about mentioning storms and her love of them, especially at sea... but for some reason, decided against it.

Remember, most people don't care for those kinds of things. Pity, really.

Itsuho shook her head a little as she looked over sea a moment more before glancing over at the two. "It is certainly more relaxing than the alternative Ikoma-sama, but I don't think I could ever grow to truly love it. This world of water is too unstable, ever changing. Even on a calm night such as this a light breeze churns the waters. The stability of stone has ever been my world, the firmness of the mountain." She steepled her fingers into a sort of mountain for a moment before returning her hands to the railing.

"Besides, life at sea is far more restricting. This is a lovely vessel, but you can not really leave it to go elsewhere." She motioned around at the surrounding ocean.

"You could. You just would end up wet." Hikaru says with a shrug of his shoulders.

It sounded as if it was an attempt at a joke.....however the Ikoma's sense of humor was.....lacking for a better word.

Comparing the sea? To boring ol' mountains!? While the Crab had mountains, and thankful of that, mountains were just mountains.

They never moved!

"I like the sea, myself," Seiko replied, quietly, betraying no hint of her feelings on the matter. "Especially during a storm."