{{Crane, Lion, Mantis, Unicorn! This is your training thread for the day!}}

Leaning comfortably on the port-side rail between two of the ballista, Isawa O-washi waited with arms crossed, an expresstion that was best described as a smirk on his face. Just to his left perched a very, very large eagle, bobbing a bit in excitement and occasionally letting out a raucous squawk that just made the man look more smug. Nearby, a few of the ship's ashigaru complement stood at their ease, talking quietly amongst themselves.

All of them were barefoot and stripped to the bare minimum required for decency; Hakama and bare chests for the men, hakama and tight vest over wraps for the female. There were a few training weapons stacked neatly in a box near the rail but O-washi was empty handed, not even bothering with his scrolls.

He would, he had decided, teach by example.

Qulan arrived with a bit of excitement. She'll finally be able to do something productive. Which, for someone like Qulan, is something much needed. The poor girl was dying of lack of mentally stimulation. Okay, a good mental stimulation.

The Unicorn bowed to the Gunso politely and fell back to wait for the rest of the group.

The young mantis came strolling up to the afternoon training a few moments later. In all likelihood he wouldn't learn anything he didn't already know but ya never know and it was likely going to be good for a laugh anyways

Bowing to the already present samurai he takes up a place for himself a little to the side of where he figures the crowd would gather. I wonder if we'll have any not drowning lessons....

Rinzuki shows up on the deck with a cheerful spring in her step. She was still wearing the sleeveless white kimono from earlier, but today there was a thick white cream smeared over her face, neck, and shoulders.

She bows to everyone and takes up a casual position next to Qulan.

Another Unicorn joined the group, bowing to the gunso as he did so. He had donned the same kobakama as he had worn yesterday, the white gi wrapped around his waist. He had assumed he could wear it, but seeing the other men bare chested, he had removed the cloth as well.

Noting his kinswoman, he approacher, talking to her quietly.

"Good morning, Iuchi-san."

As Rinzuki took her position next to Qulan, the poor Shinjo tensed up slightly. There was no avoiding the Iuchi now. All that could run through her mind was: Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap.

Iuchi Xiao Hua wrote:Noting his kinswoman, he approacher, talking to her quietly.

"Good morning, Iuchi-san."

"Afternoon, really." Rinzuki smiles at her cousin through the layered makeup? on her face. "But just the same, it's a pleasure to see you, Xiao Hua."

She lowers her voice a bit. "I hope I pronounced that correctly."

"Close enough." he nodded. "Are you all.. right?" the man added, pointing carefully at the cream covering the girl.

"Hmm?" She stares at him for a moment before comprehension dawns on her face. "Oh! Yes, perfectly fine, thank you for asking."

Rinzuki gently touches the cream on one cheek with a slender finger. "Prolonged exposure to the light of Lor...the Jade Sun...causes angry red burns, especially for those with pale skin such as myself. I've been trying to avoid being out on deck during the afternoon, but for times like this, I used some barley and my makeup kit to make a screening cream."

"Oh.. Things you learn..." he nodded, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. Money could be made with that stuff, if it actually worked. Crane and Phoenix ladies in the capitol would sell their wedding kimono's for some. Being pale was fashionable, after all.

"Hmm, is such concoction in wide use?"

"I have no idea," she says with a shrug of her shoulders. "There are plenty of ways to treat such a burn, of course, but the most common means of preventing one is just staying out of the sunlight. Or allowing your skin to tan until it's no longer a problem."

"Ah, yes. But the ladies of the capitol would probably be... thrilled to have such an ointment in their disposal. Our Family could... profit if this... method is not widely spread."

The man explained, smiling carefully.

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that," she says with a giggle. "You haven't spent much time in geisha houses, have you?"

"Well, not really no. But then again, the noble ladies probably do not want to paint their faces that white. See, if there was an ointment which protected the skin from the sun without covering it with a layer of colour..."

"That would probably do well," Rinzuki admits, though with the tone of someone who really didn't care about the topic being discussed. "The barley makes it smell nice...?"

"Hmm, but is barley essential component? It's rather... rustic. As far as the scents go." The other Iuchi, was on the other hand, rather enthralled by the idea.

Rinzuki frowns at the implication that she was wearing peasant makeup. "It's better for the skin."

"Hmm, Is that so..." the man muttered, rubbing his chin as he did so. "Still, the concoction seems to have it's merits. Imagine it. Ladies of the capitol could stroll in the gardens even during the hottest summer, without the fear of loosing their milky white skin..."

Hearing the conversation made the Shinjo girl a bit self-conscious. What's wrong with a little bit of a tan?

Hikaru stands towards the rear of the group by himself. This brothers prayer beads in his hand as always. He is dressed in a white kimono top and brown hakama. The Ikoma mon is over his heart. It is clear that the cloths where made to be worn in a pristine dojo, however the qualitly and condition lead one to believe they have never been worn let alone in training.