Having arisen in a semi-decent mood, Nobuyoshi heads to the galley for morning meal. Eating before practice was definitely not something his sensei would approve of, but sensei would care even less for skipping meals, skipping practice, or letting his weapons and armor rust.

Each day is something else stripped away, as they search for the base metal we are constructed of, so we may be forged into something new. Clothes, clanmates, even customary practice. Anything they can think of and can justify with imperial service or safety. he thinks.

Nobuyoshi unconsciously rubs the side of his black and red mask.

There is a limit to what can be stripped away, and I shall not let go of what defines me. he promises silently to himself.

At least the food smelled good.

Itsuho entered a few moments later, her balance getting better every day with the swaying boat. She didn't even look sea sick today. Her white kimono and red haori could have used a little straightening and cleaning, as could her hair, but cleaning at sea was never and EASY thing certainly.

She spotted the Bayushi having already sat, offering a slow, low bow, one of deep respect despite them being strangers. She held it a moment before she made her way over, slipping into a seat a few down from where Nobuyoshi sits. She takes some raw vegetables and some cold fish and seaweed, waiting to see what else might be offered. She looked to Nobuyoshi and bowed her head, her voice quiet, even, not shy or proper, but almost contemplative. "Ohaiyo gozaimasu, Bayushi-sama. I am not acquainted with you yet I believe. I am known as Mirumoto Itsuho, it is an honor to make your acquaintance."

Laundry Day? Not that it matters, it's never a bad thing to have someone else to play lightning rod for the shocking Moshi. Nobuyoshi ponders.

Upon her approach, Nobuyoshi rises, and gives a proper bow to the Dragon. His clothes are the standard imperial uniform most of the ship's samurai are wearing, with the addition of his black full face mask, which leaves only his eyes and mouth expopsed. His voice comes out flat, emotionless, and whisper quiet.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mirumoto-san." Nobuyoshi returns. "I am Bayushi Nobuyoshi. Please, join me in partaking of Inari's blessing this morning, won't you?"

The woman tilted her head a little as she listened. Even after his question, she sat there a moment. Finally she gave a sort of seated bow. "Hai, I would appreciate that Bayushi-sama. A meal shared among those walking your same path is both a blessing as well as a bonding." She didn't seem enthusiastic, despite her words, though her belly made a small noise, and she seemed quite ready to eat.

Politely ignoring the involuntary non-verbal communication from the Dragon, Nobuyoshi nods.

"I believe I recall seeing your name on the duty roster for my battle station, but I was not fortunate enough to get a chance to speak with you yesterday." Nobuyoshi comments. "Hopefully, your time thus far on the aft deck has been....educational?

The morning meal is one of simple fare, one that could be quickly prepared with minimal heating. The vegetables are cut in a style familiar perhaps to those who've lived in the western parts of the Empire, south of the Spine of the World Mountains. A bit of rice was set at the bottom of every plate, displayed in such away that the vegetables above sat upon what nearly looked like a turtle in rice with an island sitting atop the turtle. A bit of a green sauce lay to one side of the turtle in nearly a perfect circle, almost the color of jade. A strawberry blend of tea livens the tastebuds with something sweet alongside the workman's meal.

Zenko happily hands many of the samurai a plate of food as they approach, with a merry, "Good Morning!" Teapots are set to one side.

Itsuho reached up and lightly rubbed a finger over her ear as she tilted her head. Her brow furrowed just a moment before she gave a slight nod. "Hai, my time aboard the ship has been informative if nothing else. It is quite unlike my life in Dragon lands, in most all respects. To know more is to learn."

As breakfast was finished, she went up to the Hare, offering a bow, but so as not to hold up anyone for now, offered only a polite, "Ohaiyo gozaimasu," before returning to her seat.

A brief, if polite, acknowledgement of the breakfast bunny. The breakfast wasn't quite what he had envisioned about having a hot meal, but he certainly couldn't fault it's artistic value.

Conversation with the Dragon resumed with a polite nod.

"Indeed, the Dragon lands are as landlocked as the Scorpion's. A few rivers whose names I cannot remember at the moment, but that's about it." Nobuyoshi returns with. "Life on the sea does make for a striking contrast to life surrounded by mountains, I'm certain."

An off-key whistling proceeded the man down the stairs to the galley. Uminushi doesn't hesitate to make a nuisance of himself to Cook, waving away any formalities that his new trainees might throw at him along the way. He favors the woman with a roguish smile, "Obachan, I hope there is something delicious today...? Perhaps even a pot of kava...?"

Jishaku follows the Captain in to the galley, having elected to get his warm meal today rather than help Sea Swallow with his combat training. He offers him a bow before continuing on. Looking around he sees a Scorpion and a Dragon in conversation, and is somewhat surprised to see the Hare. "Good morning Usagi-san, did you enjoy the navigation lessons last night? Thank you both for the meal." He smiles at the Hare and the ship's cook.

He dips his head, "Hai, although it looks like I will need more of them, before it sticks."

Itsuho stands and offers her traditional low, slow bow as both men enter, just one for both, and not seeming to notice the formality of it brushed aside. She sits once again by the Scorpion, giving a small nod as she does. "Hai, there is much different, to be certain. And yet, each day can bring something new, something unexpected. Danger is always there, just as in the mountains. It is rare to go straight, but instead up and down as you go forward, just the same. There is limited food just the same. And... as with the mountains, it seems few choose to make it home. Much different Bayushi-sama, and yet much the same."

Nobuyoshi rises as the captain comes in, and bows deeply towards him, and less deeply, yet still politely towards the Lion when he follows in. Then he returns to conversation with the Dragon.

"A very poetic comparison, Mirumoto-san" Nobuyoshi offers. "Though one could be poetic in contrast as well. The immobility of the mountain contrasted to the ever changing sea. The soft and wet embrace of the sea, against the dry and hard press of the mountain. The cold heights versus the tropical depths.

Itsuho nods a little, taking small bites of her food as she does. "Hai, that is true, of course. But many note the contrasts. I myself have noted them every day since being conscripted onto the Half Moon. Perhaps that has been a reason for my bouts of sea sickness." She paused, sipping her water as if in note of needing more of it just to combat her recurring problem. "Dwelling more on how much there is in common has put a different perspective on things however. In an alien situation, a samurai must flounder and grasp for support. In a merely changed situation, a samurai must adapt to the change."

Yoritomo Uminushi wrote:An off-key whistling proceeded the man down the stairs to the galley. Uminushi doesn't hesitate to make a nuisance of himself to Cook, waving away any formalities that his new trainees might throw at him along the way. He favors the woman with a roguish smile, "Obachan, I hope there is something delicious today...? Perhaps even a pot of kava...?"

For a moment the woman looks like she is about to argue playfully with the man, then the moment passes and she bows to him. "I hope this meal is to your liking, Captain-sama. I will go get you a cup of kava if you like. We got a pot of it brewing for the morning."

Zenko bows to the Captain, but otherwise does not interrupt what is likely two people familiar with each other for far longer than he's been on board.

Mirumoto Itsuho wrote:Itsuho nods a little, taking small bites of her food as she does. "Hai, that is true, of course. But many note the contrasts. I myself have noted them every day since being conscripted onto the Half Moon. Perhaps that has been a reason for my bouts of sea sickness." She paused, sipping her water as if in note of needing more of it just to combat her recurring problem. "Dwelling more on how much there is in common has put a different perspective on things however. In an alien situation, a samurai must flounder and grasp for support. In a merely changed situation, a samurai must adapt to the change."

Conscripted, hm? Now what did a proper little Dragon like you do to get thrown on a boat? Nobuyoshi wonders as he savors the meal and listens to her.

Nobuyoshi nods.

"Same code of bushido, same celestial order, same Fortunes looking over us." Nobuyoshi agrees. "The main differences tend to be most evident in matters of etiquette and how people conduct themselves. In some matters, concession must be made to practicality to the environment. Some people seem to think this means that there are no rules of etiquette out here, however.

Though the meal was simple enough, Itsuho was finished with it soon enough. She'd had a larger portion, and the rumbling of her belly before hand seemed to have spoken of quite a hunger. As she finished she sat up straight in her chair once again, sipping at some water she still had.

As the Bayushi spoke she gave a small shake of her head. "Focusing on such things is something I've found unimportant in the greater scheme. That some out here would forsake the manners all samurai are taught to live by is regrettable certainly. However, as long as one focuses on their duty, and does it to the best of their capability, such things can be seen as acceptable, no matter how regrettable."

She paused a moment, thoughtful, tone becoming slightly distant. "Besides, the true importance in life is not in matters of the physical or social, but spiritual."

Mirumoto Itsuho wrote:Though the meal was simple enough, Itsuho was finished with it soon enough. She'd had a larger portion, and the rumbling of her belly before hand seemed to have spoken of quite a hunger. As she finished she sat up straight in her chair once again, sipping at some water she still had.

As the Bayushi spoke she gave a small shake of her head. "Focusing on such things is something I've found unimportant in the greater scheme. That some out here would forsake the manners all samurai are taught to live by is regrettable certainly. However, as long as one focuses on their duty, and does it to the best of their capability, such things can be seen as acceptable, no matter how regrettable."

She paused a moment, thoughtful, tone becoming slightly distant. "Besides, the true importance in life is not in matters of the physical or social, but spiritual."

Nobuyoshi continues to enjoy his meal slowly, trying out the sauce in different amounts and seeing how it reacts with the different items.

" Spiritual matters." Nobuyoshi comments, looking at a point just over the Dragon's right shoulder and slightly distant.

"Every ancestor who has come before you, a thousand fortunes, and Shinsei knows how many interpretations of the Tao." Nobuyoshi lists off. "If one thought that balancing the tenets of bushido was difficult, trying to honor every aspect of spirituality must seem as simple as counting every snowflake in the Dragon's territory before Spring."

Punchiru arrives to the galley sharply dressed but looking worn in face and hair.

I should see what I could trade to one of the cooks or priests for a little hot water. Maybe tonight.

"That smell is simply driving me mad. I must have some of this wonderful fare."