Again, before the training with the gunso, Naomi needed something to distract her mind with. She wouldn't even want to think of how horrible this place must be for the shugenja, when she was only one trained in the ways of Shiba's techniques, and still could feel that faint whisper of pain of madness in this place.

Once again, Naomi practiced with her nage-yari, focusing her mind on the simplicity of the spear and the harmony of the movements in the way of the houhou, rather than what lay beyond the thin strip of 'safe' waters.

Kaiu Seiko wandered up and started watching.

She didn't say anything. Her eyes weren't even that focused on the Shiba.

But she was definitely watching her.

A few moments later Hikaru walks onto the deck, his prayer beads in his hand. He bows slightly to the Phoenix and the Crab before moving over to the railing and looking out over the darkened water.

It felt at least like the Crab was staring at her, so Naomi paused in her routines.

"... Ohayo gozaimasu, Kaiu-san," she gave a bow of equality to Seiko as she acknowledged her.

Seiko blinked at actually being addressed. She returned the bow automatically.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Shiba-san," she responded.

Blink.

"This one hopes not to have disturbed you."

Her eyes were still slightly unfocused on the Phoenix, as if looking through her.

"Not at all."

Well, maybe a little.

"I was just noticing that you seemed to be... uhm... staring. Was wondering if there was anything I could help you with?"

Naomi glanced to the Ikoma, but decided not to disturb him yet, though she wished he wouldn't stare out at the water like so.

"I am?" She blinked. "I was just looking."

Very slowly, she turned until she was "staring" over the railing at the sea.

How... odd.

"...?"

Naomi dismissed her fellow crewmate as just being another oddball, and returned to her routines of practicing with the nage-yari.

The movements were careful, and it didn't seem like Naomi was attempting to harm whatever imaginary opponent she conjured for herself in her mind, but rather to hinder and disarm.

Hikaru turns and leans against the rail, watching the Shiba practice. It was interesting watching somebody use a Nage-Yari. he has not seen many people use it.

Seiko continued to look out over the water, quietly. She wasn't disturbing the Phoenix now. So all was well, right?

Naomi took her time to finish her kata. While she was no master with the spear, it was appearant that she had training with it.

The yari was still now, leaning against her small frame. And she then acknowledged the Ikoma with a bow, as she hadn't had the chance to do so earlier.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Ikoma-sama."

"Good morning Shiba-san. It seems you posses some skill with the Nage-yari. Your kata was a pleasure to watch." It sounded like a compliment........sorta.

Seiko wasn't going to watch. The Shiba thought she was staring, and that was rude.

But she was going to listen.

Ikoma Hikaru wrote:"Good morning Shiba-san. It seems you posses some skill with the Nage-yari. Your kata was a pleasure to watch." It sounded like a compliment........sorta.

"Very meager skills I'm afraid, Ikoma-sama, but that is why one practice, neh?" she offered with a slight smile to his 'compliment'. "You're very generous with your words."

"Are you familiar with the use of the nage-yari too?"

Hikaru shakes his head no.

"It is not a weapon I have personally used. I have seen it demonstrated a couple of times, however it is not a prevalent weapon in my family."

He is silent for a moment then says.

"This one is Ikoma Hikaru, cousin of Ikoma Haigo, Damiyo of the Ikoma."

Though she knew they were supposed to be equals as recruits, she still bowed deeply. "An honor, Ikoma-sama. I'm Shiba Naomi, from Shiawasena Ningyo no Minato*."

"I've heard that the Lion often uses other forms of spears, like the Jumonji-yari for instance. But, what sort of weapons do Ikoma-sama prefer?"


(*=Happy Ningyo Port. Very small Phoenix port you probably haven't heard of )

"My family tends to use full yari, katana and the yumi. I suppose you could say we favor the traditional weapons of the samurai." Hikaru says. He carefully dances around the question and does not comment on his personal choice of weapon.

"The nage-yari is shorter than the yari... makes it easier to use on a ship where there might be less space to move in," she moved the weapon slightly in her tiny hands.
"Of course, most bushi train in the traditional weapons... I personally prefer the yumi myself over the nage-yari, but I know that it is one of my weaker points, and I need to strengthen it. We cannot improve without practice, after all."

"Have you had rice yet, Ikoma-sama?" she asked, turning the conversation to more normal topics.

Seiko sighed internally. The discussion about the weapons... looked like it would be evaporating.

She knew where one of her weaknesses lay. It was not a comfortable thought. And this Shiba...

There was another sigh. No. This wasn't the way to do it.

"I have indeed enjoyed Inari-kami's blessing. Has Shiba-san enjoyed rice this morning?" Hikaru says, naturally flowing with the conversation.


He still ignores the crab. She would either introduce herself and join the conversation, or she would not.


Either was just fine with Hikaru.