Despite the fog, classes were still held at their usual time. Kaimenko was busily examining the three uncovered ballistas, testing the tautness of ropes and the smoothness with which the weapons turned on their wheels. Her long hair was pulled up and out of her way in a severe bun at the base of her neck. It wouldn't do to have it caught in any moving parts. She frowns and squats down beside one to drip a bit of oil between a wheel and axle.

The big Hida is one of the first to arrive, bowing, "Moshi-Sensei." He takes a spot out of the way, so when the teaching starts, he doesn't block the view.

His armor is on, but beneath it is the grey uniform delivered to his berth.

Thankfully, short hair was pretty good at staying out of the way, so Himiko left it in it's natural state. She walked slowly towards the aftdeck, not out of fear of new training or anything like that, but more out of a bit of tiredness, as if she hadn't slept particularly well. Still, she was putting her best face on it all, and she held on to her own in defiance of her own tiredness. She offers a bow to the Moshi. "Good morning, Moshi-sama."

Qian-Fan had chosen to wear the new clothing that had been placed in his chest at some point over night, so now he was self conscious of not wearing nearly enough and of being in the wrong colours. Hair in a long braid over one shoulder as he fussed with the end of it nervously and peered at the ballista through the fog.

Walking artillery pieces usually had little to do with actual artillery pieces, perhaps this might be interesting.


/edit grammar

Feeling a little odd with the flashes of blue and green blue instead of orange, Nozomi is wearing the new clothes given to her overnight, but the thin line of gold from her necklace remains. The bottom of the pair of trousers has been rolled up slightly, so that just the tops of her tannned feet are showing, but not quite enough to expose any ankle. Silently, she joins the group.

Joining them is the man apparently racing for the coveted position of 'Gunso's Favorite Object Lesson', Bayushi Nobuyoshi.

Armor cleaned and stored below decks? Check!

Weapons cleaned and stored below decks? Check!

Morning Kata prepared? Check!

Sleeveless shirt, leaving pale arms exposed, and trousers in Imperial colors on? Check!

Full face mask in Scorpion red and black still on? ....Of course.

He sings quietly to himself as he falls in with the rest of the group. "But when we'd won our first battle there were only fifty-three."

Sayuri arrives with a cheerful grin and her new clothing secured beneath the armor--blue pants, grey top with short sleeves. Her hair is coiled into its usual tight bun, save for the strands the wind has already torn loose.

The fog and the rumors don't do much but make her more watchful of the sea as she joins the crowd around the ballista. Well, the rumors have also kept her tetsubo close to hand, though swords are happily stowed away.

Satsuki, choosing to join the Moshi between the two groups available, shows up with hair tied into a braid instead of her usual ponytail, to better contain it. She carries her usual excess of energy and wears a cheerful smile to match. "Good morning!"

The weather seems to have had exactly no effect on her normal mood, whatsoever.

Kaimenko straightens when a large enough group has assembled and gives both the Crab a flat look. She doesn't make comment as she pops her neck before starting, "Basics. Which one you shiny, happy puppies can tell me what you're looking at?"

(OOC: I'm going to assume anyone entering the thread after this post arrived on time unless otherwise stated)

The Crab were at a distinct advantage, as the Kaiu made most of the siege weaponry in the empire. These were tiny cousins of the ballista seen all over the Carpenter wall and kept on board the turtle ships. They suited the small craft, tho.

Musasha, not wanting to rob less familiar recruits time to shine, and having proven himself the last couple days already, simply remained silent.

"Artillery, for long range attacks on enemy vessels. More range than I can achieve with my prayers I would imagine."

Qian-Fan never took his eyes off the machines while he spoke, in a matter of fact, detached sort of voice. Just like someone reading from a book to be honest.

Satsuki pauses, unsure if it's a trick question. Then she shrugs, figuring it won't matter either way, and tries offering a reasonably complete answer.

"Three ballistas. Pretty adaptable artillery. Light enough to be used on a boat, but strong enough to get through light hull. It's pretty famous for launching arrow-like darts, but it can launch round projectiles, too, depending on what sort of damage you want to do."

Sayuri pauses in her examination of the equipment to look at the Sparrow with a bit of surprise and no little respect. She'd barely noticed her in the crowd before, and would have discounted the small woman as a warrior along with the other mousey ones.

She nods, "Smaller'n the ones I've seen on land. Easier to crank down an' load then I'd imagine."

Naomi was on time as the last two days, wearing the new "uniform" everyone had gotten from the clothes-fairy. Her long hair was tied into a braid with a orange ribbon.

Noticing the Bayushi's rather pale arms, Naomi contemplated to approach him after lessons to offer some of the Agasha cream she had brought with her.

"Your analytical skills are absolutely astounding Agasha-san. What would we do without your keen intellect," came the dry and flat reply. The Sparrow gets a nod, "Better and more accurate. Also true Sayuri-san. These ballista take a minimum of two people to man, a maximum of four. It has a maximum range of 250 ft, meaning try not to fire until the enemy is within that range."

"We keep them covered unless we expect trouble, as you can see they're bolted to the deck with a pivoting column for targeting," she takes a hold of one of the ballista and shifts it with an unlady like grunt to demonstrate its range of movement. "So, have any of you actually fired one of these?"

Kaimenko turns back to her 'students', waiting for an answer.

This time Qian-Fan kept quiet, practically pouting at the Moshi for her sarcasm. No, he hadn't fired one of these contraptions before but he bloody well knew how to turn it into firewood in a hurry. Not that he'd do that, but he could certainly think about it.

Musasha speaks up, "I helped aim one about twice the size at my last post, never had a chance ta actually fire it myself."

Sayuri nods at her fellow Hida's statement. She really had spent most of her time hitting things a bit more up close and personal-like.

"Pretty much the same. I...aim better with somethin' that stays in my hands."

"I know how to do it, but I've only worked on them," the Sparrow says with a shrug. No shame in lack of experience. That's what lessons were for, after all.

The Kitsuki, garbed in green trousers and wearing a sleeveless shirt, observes the three ballista. When asked if he'd ever had an opportunity to fire one...

"No, Moshi-sama."