Moon 8, Aftdeck, Morning (open)

[Hida Musasha]

The Hida lowers a bucket over the side and pulls up some seawater. Using it to wet a bar of soap, he begins to wash under his arms and the back of his neck. After he finishes, he pulls a mirror, whetstone, and small knife out, and after giving the blade a good sharpening, begins to scrape the excessively thick stubble off his chin.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Good morning Hida-san. Fine day for a voyage, neh?" Akodo Jishaku was up and about early today getting the feel of the ship. He looked over toward the docks and leaned up against the side of the ship. "Farewell Mantis lands."

[Hida Musasha]

Musasha grunts in response. After he finishes a few strokes, "They are easing us into our duties. We are pups until we prove otherwise. It won't always be a pleasure cruise. Keep something heavy or sharp at hand at all times, there is no Carpenter Wall upon the sea."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"A pleasure cruise? Pfft. I take my pleasure in making myself useful Hida-san, but there is no harm in drinking in the sight of a shore before setting sail." He smiles tightly. "You are correct however, they are going easy on us so far."

The Lion leaps up onto the railing along the side of the ship to get a better view of the work going on around them, and also to assess the ship's strengths and vulnerabilities.

[Hida Musasha]

He grunts, "Call this anything you like, but if there ain't monsters tryin' to eat you comin' out of the fog, it's a pleasure cruise ta me. The Jade Fortress is where I was last stationed, and comparitively, I'm feeling like we're on vacation."

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion laughs loudly at that. "Well now, I can't argue with the experience of a good Crab soldier. My experience of warfare has involved fewer tentacles. At least men die when you stick them with a sword or a few arrows." The smile remains as he rocks easily with the motion of the ship. "Anytime you feel too relaxed I'd be happy to join you for some sparring Hida-san. No sense in losing your edge."

[Hida Musasha]

He nods, "I would appreciate that. It still isn't quite ingrained in me to draw my blade and cut down an enemy. I could use the practice and drilling. I always reach for my tetsubo, and I have been informed that that is both insulting and dishonorable."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Did a Crane tell you that?" A sly grin speards across his face again. "When we are sparring I am happy to test my skills against whatever you feel you need to train. If we were intent on killing each other I'd be annoyed if you chose a tetsubo, but as long as we are fighting side-by-side I'd rather you use what feels comfortable." He moves gracefully along the railing as if he were strolling down a wide street. "I expect we can rustle up a few bokken if you'd like some sword training though."

[Hida Musasha]

He nods, "Trust me, if something hideously deformed tries to pull you overboard, its green ichor is goin' ta be leaking from what passes fer its ears. But now that I have ta spend a large portion of the rest of my life interactin' with samurai, and possibly killin' them, I don' want no damned brother-in-law comin' after ma kin lookin' fer a duel. Besides, havin' a couple side arms can't hurt. Can only do so much with a gaffe hook or a belayin' pin."

He finishes shaving, and splashes a bit of the seawater on his face to rinse it. He double checks himself in the mirror, "Gonna need ta crop my hair again soon. Getting long."

He then tosses the bucket's contents overboard and packs his soap and knife in it. "So ya lookin' ta spar now, are ya? Feelin' a might restless or ya just bored? I usually wait 'til after high sun, so I know what the weather will be doin'. Don't want ta tire myself out if I'm gonna be mannin' the ropes in a storm."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Glad to hear it Hida-san, and that is a sound stratgey for avoiding blood feuds certainly." He leaps gracefully back onto the deck and leans against the railing, the wind stirring his considerably longer hair. "Hard to be bored on a ship in my opinion. Honestly you are the most likely candidate I've seen as far as a sparring partner goes Hida-san. I don't want to put you off your duties, but a few drills wouldn't hurt."

He looks up at the sky and out to the horizon. "Weather looks fine for the next few hours, what do you say?"

[Hida Musasha]

He shrugs, "Combat drills er training drills? Depending on how ya train, our methods might not be helpful ta each other, but a bit o' sharing of techniques ta hone the body can't hurt."

[Asahina Masamichi]

Masamichi quietly and deftly makes his way up to the aftdeck shortly after a quick breakfast. He politely, if indifferently, bows respectfully to the Lion and Crab by the rail, before making his way to one of the secured ballista. With a professional eye he looks over the device, nodding and "hmmm"-ing to himself while stroking his moustache.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"I suppose training drills to begin with. Do you study jiujutsu Hida-san, or is that a foolish question?" He returns the Crane's bow with a light one of his own.

[Hida Musasha]

Musasha bows to the new comer as well. "I do, though not as thoroughly as some in my clan. It is a useful skill to know, however." He walks over and grabs a thick, heavy coil of rope and hands it to Jishaku. "This is one of the ways I train." He grabs one in each arm himself and begins to walk, squatting to the deck with each step. The motion looks painful, but would build absurdly strong legs and back on a man in short order.