[Foredeck, Moon 8 - Morning] Salty mornings

[Shiba Naomi]

Naomi blushed.

"Uhm... well, whatever blessings the Fortunes give... but, a large family is nice. It's what I grew up with." She put a hand to her cheek in a half-hearted attempt to cover up a bit of her blush.
"You have a large family too..."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Hee, good, good." he smiled, eagerly. "My family isn't that large though, but I would love to have large family of my own." The man blushed a little as well. He had just implied things. Somewhat improper things.

"Ermm.. if the Fortunes are kind, that is. I wouldn't wish to push my... wife to... Erm..."

More blushing happened.

[Shiba Naomi]

Oh... that is a rather eager smile... Ooooookay...

"Ahem... yeah..."
She cleared her throat a little. "Not that we'll do such things here though." Naomi was as assertive as a meek child before their parent, but still, the message was clear.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Erm... erm..." The man turned positively crimson. "Ermm... I didn't mean to imply such a thing. Sorry if I... said something inappropriate. I... do not wish you to feel yourself uncomfortable."

He apologised profoundly. "I just wanted to know what you thought about children."

[Shiba Naomi]

She shook her head a bit, still equally crimson in her cheeks as well.
"Iie... it's... don't worry about it. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way..."

"... Uhm well... I do look forward to having children of my own someday. I love being around children..."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Good. That's good to know." he nodded, mumbling, still recovering from the blunder he had made. Trying to steer the question to less hazardous waters, the man quickly asked. "Does Shiba-san has any hobbies? Beyond cooking, that is."

[Shiba Naomi]

"Hum... I like to paint, but I've never been any good at it. I don't consider myself an artist that much, but I like making things with my hands. Father always said I had a knack for it, be it fixing things, or tailoring new clothes for my brothers. Perhaps I take too much after my grand-uncle who was a swordsmith, they say he was quite adept at many crafting arts."

She coughed quietly as she realised she might be rambling on too much now. "What about yourself?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Mending clothes... dad, you married me to off a lay samurai... Man vividly imagined himself strangling his father for a moment, before managing to banish such heretical thoughts from his head.

Sigh... oh Hana

"That sounds... interesting." he told her, smiling meekly. "You practise classic painting?" The man wasn't a connoisseur, but was able to recognize the principal styles te artists around the Empire used. His journeys with his father had taught him as much.

"Ah, I like to fish, when given a chance... There is something relaxing at laying down next to a river or lake, rod in your hand. "He explained, mimicking the fishing motions with his hands.

"Oh, and I play flute... though, if you ask Kohana, it sounds more like a cat being overrun by Utaku steed..." Xiao Hua winced, scratching the back of his head as he told her of his hobbies.

[Shiba Naomi]

Her eyes flickered down and her smile looked awkward for a moment.
I'm disappointing to him already... And we just met....

"Ah... yes, classical painting," Naomi nodded slowly, forcing her smile back to normal. "I've no training in it, so its mostly self-taught... I'm glad I couldn't bring it with me though, since I would be so embarressed if anyone outside my family saw them."

She managed a light chuckle. "I'm certain it can't be that bad. Perhaps you will have the chance to practice more on the trip?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

He nodded. "Painting on a ship might be somewhat tricky... the constant swaying and humidity. Though I have heard of Shinjo artists who sometimes carve, or write compose poetry while travelling on a horse." The artists claimed that their connection to the animal improved the quality of their work, but the man decided to leave this part of the tale out, fearing it might have sounded too outlandish to her ears.

"Maybe, if I have the time, though.... the ship is small, and I usually prefer to play alone. I guess I am just afraid of upsetting people." he grinned carefully. Well, he was afraid of upsetting people. Unfortunately, he lacked some of the social awareness that would have helped him with it.

[Shiba Naomi]

"Ah, I don't think I would try doing such on a horse, or on a rocking boat," Naomi giggled gently. "It looks bad enough already."

"But, you never know... moods can get low on long voyages, so some music might help raise the spirit just a little bit one day."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"We'll have to see, won't we?" he chuckled in reply. "So you can't sing?"

[Shiba Naomi]

"Nothing for performance, no," she grinned. "Sing to myself once in a while, but, I don't think it would be anything special."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Hmm, well, maybe I can listen to you one day." he nodded, pleased.

[Shiba Naomi]

"Sure... I'll just try to get some quick practice before that time then, so I don't scare you away." At least she had good humor about her own skill.
Or was just politely down-playing her abilities as was often expected.

"I hope we'll get more chances to talk though... I think I should get ready to see if there's someone who needs an extra hand to help them with."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Hee, I don't think you could scare me a way. " he told her smiling. "You seem very kind." The man added, hoping to reassure her, in case he had seemed uninterested.

It was something he shouldn't have said. Not in a proper, polite society.
"Erm.. sorry."

"And yes, you are right. We have still a lot to learn." he nodded, happy to change the topic after awkward blurt.

[Shiba Naomi]

"... Thank you. Likewise, you are very kind." She didn't seem to mind the little slip of 'politeness' there.

"I will of course be available for more conversation when I'm free, though. Hopefully, we can get the chance to spend more time together even after they decide on the duty rosters."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Very well. Until we meet again, carry the blessings of the Fortunes, Shiba-san." he told her gently, bobbing his head as he did so, lifting his right hand in a simple gesture of a prayer.

[Shiba Naomi]

"May the Fortunes watch over you, Iuchi-san," she gave a bow to him, and as she moved away her step fell in with the natural rocking of the Half Moon.
Sealegs already.

/exit

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

With a somewhat wobblier legs, the Unicorn made his way to the other direction, his heart heavy.

/scene