Moon 9, Early Morning, Armory; Annoyed Crab

[Shiba Naomi]

"Ah, well, no..." she smirked, "just that when you said formerly of the Crab, it seemed like you were no longer a Crab, but then you introduce yourself as Hida, so it seemed a bit odd then."

Realizing that she was the only one who thought it funny, she forced her smile away. "Ahem..."

[Hida Musasha]

The Hida still doesn't seem to get it. "Oh."

[Isawa O-Washi]

Fortunes, these folks were awkward.

O-washi restrained his sigh with some effort and set out to ease the waters, so to speak.

"So, minna-sans...any of you done a true ocean voyage before?"

[Shiba Naomi]

Thank the Fortunes for the rescue from the Isawa, Naomi thought to herself.

"This will be my first voyage so far from the mainland, Isawa-sama. I have only sailed along the coast of the mainland before this, but I feel I'm getting accustomed to it quickly."

[Hida Musasha]

The Hida shakes his head, "No sir, simply unending days in the Sea of Sorrows. Saw a lot of action, but the storms barely move the ship once they are tied down, and the Sea is protected from the worst of it by the Mountains, anyways. Though, storms in general bring the worst of the Sea to the surface looking for floundering ships and sailors that were washed overboard."

[Isawa O-Washi]

Like warriors everywhere, the Isawa was all too happy to trade war stories. O-washi grimaced and put a hand to his side. "Oh, hai, I know that all too well." He shifted his vest, exposing the long jagged scar that ran from armpit and down to below the waist of his hakama. "Got this down that way last year. Lost the ship, lost most of the crew, but didn't lose my life or my soul, Fortunes' be thanked for that."

Not wanting the Shiba to feel left out he added, "Sea voyages are a different beast from coastal. Some people can't handle the fact there's no land anywhere...makes them go a bit unhinged. Hopefully, we don't get anyone like that this trip."

[Hida Musasha]

Musasha nods, having seen much worse. "You are lucky it didn't get infected, or the skull tide roll in." He goes back to oiling his armor, letting the conversation turn away from the unpleasant past.

[Shiba Naomi]

Oh Fortunes, what sort of thing could've caused such a scar?!

Naomi did her best to not let alarm reach her eyes, and instead busied herself with her armor which she had come to polish after all. It had never seen battle, but it had at least seen wear around the sea.

As the Isawa included her in the conversation, she looked back to the men to continue to be social. "Does Isawa-sama have any experience with what one can do to help one's fellow shipmates from going off the railing then?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Reminding them that there's a good solid few feet of planking under their feet helps...sending them below is usually best, though." He shook his head, sighing. "Otherwise, they look and all they see is the miles and miles of water. If that doesn't work, well, Captain'll find something to keep them too busy to think, much less be at risk of succumbing to the sin of fear."

[Hida Musasha]

"When men started to get afraid, we always just hit 'em in the jaw, stowed 'em below deck for a few hours. When they wake up, we give 'em some good strong shochu and a hearty bowl of hot stew to bolster their spirit." He nods, "And if that don't work, we get things to remind 'em of home out o' their footlocker. That helped the far gone ones. But some, they get somethin' in their skull that won't leave, and he's right, you put 'em ta work in the belly, and they get relieved at the next port. Don' let 'em talk too much, though. They unnerve the others and it starts all over."

[Shiba Naomi]

Naomi nodded slowly as she listened to them both.

"I see..." her hands were slowly going over the armor, her mind not really paying attention to it much now.
"... Well, if a good, hearty meal helps, I shall certainly offer my best in that departement." And the beaming smile returned.

[Isawa O-Washi]

Both of her fellow Phoenix's brows went up. "You cook?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

Fortunes, these folks were awkward.

O-washi restrained his sigh with some effort and set out to ease the waters, so to speak.

"So, minna-sans...any of you done a true ocean voyage before?"

Jishaku bowed as appropriate to the two Phoenix when they entered and made polite conversation. "This is my first true ocean voyage Isawa-gunso. It is an exciting opportunity, I have alwways felt more at home around the sea, and the Lion navy is somewhat...small."

[Hida Musasha]

"I didn't know the Lion had a navy. What port do they sail outta?" The Hida seems entirely serious.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Mostly along the rivers Hida-san, unless one gets assigned to the Deathless. We do have a few larger vessels, but nothing as good as those of the Mantis. They sail from <insert place here>."

Jishaku's player didn't have a map handy, he just remembered the blurb about the Lion having a few ships now thanks to Otemi.

"It is mostly thanks to Ikoma Otemi-sama that we are now involved in naval combat."

[Hida Musasha]

He nods, "Must have been a smart man." There was no insult, just simply an obvious lack of history knowledge.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Ikoma-sama is a fine example of what it means to be a Lion. I have a copy of his book about naval warfare if you are interested?"

When the gunso has a free moment Jishaku asks about the availability of training weapons, bokken in particular.

[Hida Musasha]

The Crab had put his foot in his mouth, "Erm...I don't read much, Jishaku...er...Akodo Jishaku...-san..."

[Isawa O-Washi]

There were, in fact, several bokken tucked away. O-washi gave them over with a small frown. "Akodo-san..." He glanced at the Hida, hoping he too was listening. "...you...do know how to fight with more than a sword, I should hope?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

He smiles amiably at Musasha. "Well the offer is there Hida-san."

Returning his attention to the gunso he nods. "Hai, gunso. I am trained in archery, thrown weapons and jiujutsu in addition to kenjutsu. My people are new to ocean warfare though...I take it I should be learning some new skills?"