(Moon 10, Aft Deck, Afternoon) Orientation, Group B

[Isawa O-Washi]

{{Anyone who shows up after this, feel free to pull an 'I was always there'}}

After letting the group gather, O-washi turned and murmured something to his bird, who immediately let out a cry that was loud and piercing enough that it likely would have been audible in a Kaiu Forge in full production.

The ashigaru stopped talking and turned attentively to the big man who had pushed himself up to a full standing position, legs braced slightly apart, arms crossed over his chest.

"Konnichiwa, hohei. I hope you've all gotten yourself accustomed to your new ship and your shipmates because as of this point forward, we'll be treating you like proper naval troops. Because we know many of you have sailed only a handful of times, however, we're going to take some mercy on you in the lessons we teach the first few days. Moshi-sama will cover the bits about proper apparel with you tomorrow..." He looked askance at his 'troops', the Ikoma in particular, then shook his head before continuing on. "I, however, am going to cover the basics of on-board engagement and equipment."

He looked at the gathering.

"All of you currently carrying your daisho, step forward."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru tucks his prayer beads away and steps forward silently. He knows he is going to receive a "lesson" and the Ikoma figures he even knows what it is about however says nothing.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan also steps forward, quietly. Waiting for something.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki stays put where she is.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

As did Xiao Hua, his mind counting the koku this invention could bring to his family, if properly marketed.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

The mantis stayed firmly in place as well having not brought his own daisho out. He likely should of brought his kiseru though having something to chew on would perhaps keep a mocking smile off his face later. Though Isawa-san may take offense at him chewing on it during lessons.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Right then."

O-washi looked at the two bushi, his expression solemn.

"Now, I and the other officers understand the importance of one's Honor, the pride and responsibility of honoring the ancestors who may have borne those weapons before you. You won't ever hear any of us give an order against carrying those blades as it's your right as samurai. That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't profoundly stupid."

A small smile appeared, then left again as though it had never been.

"Anyone care to hazard a guess as to why?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"The excess of earth kami suspended within the water of the ocean erode the metal of such weapon with alarming speed," Rinzuki suggests, her expression one of (cream-covered) hopefulness. "Also, it is entirely possible to lose one's grip on such weapons in the event of tangled rigging, storm, or tentacle monster attack, sending them careening to the bottom of the ocean."

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Choukichi of course arrived promptly, dressed in simple pants and sleeveless vest, and carrying only a parangu for weaponry. He stands with the rest of the samurai, fairly confident that he wont have too much to learn about saililng the ship, but ready to learn just how this ship conducts itself, knowing full well everyone has their own way of doing things.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Xiao Hua shot Rinzuki with a quick glance, wondering if she had seen a particular shunga piece by a certain Doji Hokusai. Otherwise, he kept quiet. His wakizashi was tucked below-decks with the rest of his possessions, and he was in no immediate risk of loosing it.

He, however, took a mental note to oil the blade later.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Point to the pretty lady."

O-washi smiled at the Iuchi, then sobered. "Iuchi-san's got it right in both cases. The reason most of the sailors you'll see are brawlers or use simple wooden weapons is the fact the sea's easier on such equipment."

He looked at the ashigaru. "Oi...one of you lot, go and get that blade we captured from the pirates just before we hit port last month."

Turning back to his students, he went on. "Oiling helps a bit, though not enough as you'll be seeing in a bit. Nothing is going to help you if you're fighting a savvy opponent, though. One well placed blow and next thing you know, your Family honor is going down to Suitengu-kami's own armory. Only way you'll be getting it back then is if you make a friend of a ningyo and even then, they'd need the finest of eyes to have a hope of finding it." One great hand waved in the general direction of the sea. "No landmarks, see? Then there's the matter of ship-to-ship combat being a whole different sort of engagement..."

His gaze swept over them. "Which of you've been in a sea battle?"

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru just nods at the big Isawa's lesson so far the words he says makes since. He would make sure to keep his swords safely stowed below and oil them regularly. As to his question about sea battles the Ikoma stays mute as he has never engaged in such a thing.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki bounces happily at the acknowledgement of her correct response, and quickly glances to either side of her to see if everyone else was enjoying the lesson as much as she was. Or maybe she just enjoyed being called pretty, and wanted to make sure that everyone else had heard the compliment as well. Who could tell?

[Yoritomo Choukichi]

Possibly a surprise to most, Choukichi does not step forward in response to O-Washi's question.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Bouncy.... After a moment of that line of thought It was Kaito's turn to step forward this time. He was somewhat surprised his fellow mantis didn't step forward as well but then again sea battles really weren't a daily affair.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru makes a point to ignore the bouncy Iuchi. He wasn't a fan of the clan, especially bouncy women who demanded attention they didn't deserve.

[Volsung]

The older male Ashigaru smirked as he looked at Rinzuki during her response, then whispered something to his female counterpart who immediately blushed and covered her mouth to hide her laughter. Apparently the woman next to her had heard it as well and she didn't hide the grin on her face at whatever the joke had been.

At the request of O-Washi, both the older Ashigaru looked to the youngest who, with a grumble, ran off down into the hold for a minute before coming back carrying several shorter sheathed weapons that had straight blades. She waited to be acknowledged by O-Washi before unsheathing them.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Ignore the bouncing... Ignore the bouncing. Qulan's thoughts ended up being on that as the Iuchi behind her bounced. Don't look. Do not look.

[Isawa O-Washi]

If the big Phoenix minded his inferiors bearing blades in his vicinity, he didn't show it...these were not, after all, samurai's katana but ugly straight bladed things that couldn't possibly be dishonored by a heimen's touch. Besides...there was an amusing visual distractiong now, wasn't there?

After a moment of appreciation for the...scenery, he returned his attention to the ashigaru awaiting his attention.With a nod at the girl he took them and held the lot up by their rahter ratty looking saya. "Here, take these and pass 'em around. Take a good, long look. Then I want you to tell me how long you think they've been exposed to the elements to be in this condition."

With that, he passed them around.

There was little difference between the three except the shade of the wrappings...brown, a darker brown, and what might have been olive but which had faced to a sickly sort of yellowy-green. The steel, of inferior quality, was pocked and scarred, even starting to rust in places. There was no way such things would be able to hold an edge and would, more than likely, snap if used for any real fighting.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru examines the blades, vaguely interested.

"I would hazard a guess, Isawa-sama, that the one in the worst condition has been exposed a few weeks. A little longer perhaps?"

It was really a guess but he figured if the time was too long then there wouldn't be a point to this lesson.