Hikaru didnt like wondering around the ship. So he decided to sit in the common area of the crew cabin. He Ikoma rested on some pillows as he thumbed the prayer beads that always seemed to be with him. His head filled with thoughts, none of them pleasant. He couldn't remember the last time he actually had a pleasant thought.

Nor did a certain Scorpion prefer such activities, espcially not during a storm. Returning to the crew quarters he sees the Ikoma, apparently in prayer on some pillows. Or perhaps he was asleep. Best to let sleeping Lions lie

Still, etiquette had an appropriate bow for such an occasion, and it was offered, before the Scorpion finds his own spot to sit down. He takes a moment to remove some of the moisture from his black mask with red stripes, and gets comfortable for what is to surely be a stormy night.

Entering the common area, the Kitsuki pops the last bit of what may have been a rice ball into his mouth. He seems rather at peace with continual motion of the ship as it presses forward during the storm. His mismatched eyes catch sight of the other persons currently in the room, and he offers a bow to the Ikoma who seemed to be praying and the masked Scorpion.

Hikaru tilts his head and looks at the newcomers. He frowns slightly but tucks his prayer beads into his obi and says.

"Good evening. I do not believe we have been properly intoduced. This one is Ikoma Hikaru, cousin of Ikoma Haigo, Damiyo of the Ikoma." He says flatly and not particularly friendly.

The man with the mask turns towards the speaker, his eyes taking the man in as he introduces himself before resting on a spot roughly over the Lion's right shoulder, and about three feet past.

In a voice both very quiet, and very flat he replies, "No, we haven't"

A pause as etiquette permits, before he continues.

"I am Bayushi Nobuyoshi" he replies, disdaining any claims to title or family.

Another brief pause as he looks over the Lion.

"It must be hard" he says without further explanation, his gaze returning to the spot behind the Lion.

Hikaru looked as if he already had some snarky comment lined up but his face just goes blank.

How does he know about Karou-kun.....

Hikaru just nods in an attempt to keep his On.

For a quiet moment, the Dragon with a sea-green eye watches the Lion and the Scorpion exchange pleasantries.

"This one is called Kitsuki Kotsu, Ikoma-sama, Bayushi-san"

After a moment Hikaru recovers from the unexpected comment from the Scorpion and says.

"So.....Have you found the ship to your liking?"

Hmmm, self-aware, or self-absorbed? My koku's on the latter. the Scorpion thinks watching the spot near the Lion, before turning to the Dragon and acknowledging his presence with his soft and flat voice.

"Kitsuki-san" he says to the Dragon, before turning back to the Lion's question.

"As long as it stays on the proper side of the waves, yes." he replies.

Noticing the Scorpion seems to be looking at something and tilts his head and shifts his eyes. Not seeing anything he shrugs slightly and turns his attention back to his comrades.

"It is what it is, Ikoma-sama."

The Scorpion turns his attention back to the Dragon's response.

"Are you sure?" he asks simply.

"it is nothing, I merely thought I saw something out of the corner of the eye. I suppose the rocking of the ship and the storm has upset my balance somewhat. This is the first time I have been on one." Hikaru says with little emotion.

"Its the first time for me as well Lion-sama." Kichirou says with a small grin before bowing in greeting to the Lion the Dragon and his fellow Scorpion, "Bayushi Kichirou." he offers to the men already in the room, "I'm pleased to find my own inexperience in such good company."

"Yes.......Illustrious company indeed." Hikaru says, a smug tone in his voice. "However I suppose that is the charm of the Imperial Legions. It does indeed bring all the clans together."

"It does at that." Kichirou offers as he finds a place to sit, "I'll admit the Imperial Legion wasn't something I had expected for myself. What brought you to its ranks Ikoma-sama?" he asks innocently enough the pitching of the ship affecting his form but not his good humor as he slides to and fro a constrained but widening grin on his face.

"My loving cousin thought I might like a boat." Hikaru says with a shrug of his shoulder.

"What do you think so far? Personally I'm beginning to kind of enjoy the way it sways back and forth." The Scorpion says with a small chuckle, "So your cousin simply assigned you to this post? That must have been wonderful. My own family doesn't hold so much pull, it took them a whole month to formalize my transfer here."

"I suppose being the Ikoma Damiyo has its benefits." Hikaru says. He sighs slightly and then says. "I suppose it has been a nice change of scenery."

"From everything I have read the diversity of creatures found at sea and the unpredictability of the sea itself will make for a truly exciting journey." Kichirou offers brightly glossing over the Ikoma's first comment, "Do you plan to make a life out of the Imperial Legion Ikoma-sama? Or is your time here just a chapter in a bigger story?"