As the previous shift was departing, Chihiroko arrived on scene dressed in her appointed "uniform". Seeing that she had no specific duties, she set to cleaning. Scrubbing floors. Well that's a first. Sighing inwardly, she began her work.

Having relieved another sailor, and seeing little else to do herself, Himiko took to cleaning the floors of the deck as well, a wide smile on her face. Of course, she had offered a bow to the working Moshi, but for the moment she wasn't thinking too hard on conversation. Badly whistling tunes while mopping was far more important. Especially when the bad song was an already terrible crab drinking song.

Chihiroko looked at the Crab and blinked as she returned the bow. Wow. Perhaps conversation with a new shipmate would cease the terrible noise. "Konnichiwa, Yasuki-san. You seem to be in high spirits this afternoon."

"We're outta that Kami fersaken sea. What reason is there te not be in good spirits?" She flashed a grin to the Moshi, continuing her work. "Name's Yasuki Himiko, by the way, Student o' the Kobo Ichi Kai techniques."

"Moshi Chihiroko. And yes, I suppose that's reason enough to be in high spirits." She continued to scrub the wooden deck. "How have you found things since coming aboard?"

"It's been excitin' times," she said with a grin. "I can't wait te find out what's in store next."

The Asahina priestess makes her way onto the aft deck, avoiding getting in the way of those present. She finds a place to have a seat near the railing and out of the way, leaving those present to do their jobs. For now she is content to observe and relax. She pulls out her kiseru and packs it with some tobacco before asking the fire kami to light it, to which they acquiesce.

A short bow was given to the Crane. "Exciting? What have you been up to that's been so exciting?"

"...More died from infection, despite the surgeon's tricks.... Nobuyoshi sings quietly to himself as he takes up his position on the aft deck. His armor and daisho remain stored below, hopefully the Crab's advice would actually prove useful. He wears his imperial uniform, the short sleeves and lack of footwear revealing pale skin. His black mask with red stripes remains affixed to his face.

He bows to those assembled, running through a mental checklist of the duty roster.

Shelled Crab, Crane, Other Mantis. No sign yet of Bored Phoenix Housewife, Sparrow, or Sutekki-gunso. he ponders.

There is also the Kakita. He walks by as he is testing the ropes on this side of the deck. None too frayed. None too loose. All ship shape so far. "I'm kinda curious too," he says as he wanders by.

The Asahina returns bows to those who offer them but otherwise splits her time watching. Sometimes the ocean view, sometimes studying those working, and sometimes the tobacco. She seems to be enjoying the breeze and the tobacco, which smells of strawberries to anyone within a step or two of her.

Himiko grinned. "We're on the sea, ain't we? Suitengu's vast realm, a place o' wonder and danger. 's excitin' enough without any o' the drama that's been goin' on this ship since we shipped off."

... Sugita pauses in his work. "You new to this?"

"New enough," she says, keeping something of a wistful expression. "But ye should keep in mind before ye open yer mouth that I spent a good couple o' years on mah northern border fightin' because o' my family name. Ain't nothin' ye can say that will make me think this is worse."

Blink. "Hadn't planned on trying... Unless there is some kind of reward involved in succeeding?" Sugita looks expectantly for a second, and replies before enough words to form a sentence can come as a reply. "No? That's fine. Mind you, I wasn't going to say this is bad either. I, for one, love it. But I haven't seen someone so enthusiastic about a boat for more than a year now."

"Ever heard o' Yasuki Fumoki?" Himiko asked with one of those grins that suggested that she oh so hoped he hadn't.

The Moshi blinked at the Kakita. She absolutely loved being on a ship. But as the two were conversing on their own now, she kept to herself and moved a little further away from that situation.

Perhaps moving toward the Bayushi would be wise. "Bayushi-san." She inclined her head.

With no idea where this is going, Sugita replies with some hesitation. "Yeah. Isn't he like 400 or so years dead? The Lion have his ship now I think."

Himiko nods. "I grew up on stories o' his exploits. Ye can sort of say I was born wantin' te sail, though I suppose that it's a tad more complicated than that."

Now understanding, Sugita is smiling. "Well, I can feel for most o' that. 'Cept for the whole marauding the Crane and being a pirate. But yes, some of the stuff he did was heroic. I've heard a few tales. Made up, likely as not. And it's all complicated."

"I don't want to be curbin' your enthusiasm or anything, mind you. I think it's cute on ya."