Moon 9, Early Morning, Armory; Annoyed Crab

[Hida Musasha]

The crab shrugs, "I can teach you how to crush a skull with a belaying pin, beat someone to death with a coil of rope, and once, I used a carrot to gouge the eye out of a slimy...thing...twice the size of the Gunso, here. But that isn't really a very useful skill."

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku blinks. "Sounds rather useful to me."

[Isawa O-Washi]

Trying not to laugh, O-washi looked to the Lion. "First thing you should know about the sea is this...brine gets into everything...including your saya. Oil will help but it will only do so much."

[Shiba Naomi]

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

She gave a simple nod with a somewhat proud smile, but opted not to say anything more as the conversation continued with the men.

Jiujutsu... sigh. So much I need to know. I hope my skill with the bow and spear will be enough...

[Akodo Jishaku]

Trying not to laugh, O-washi looked to the Lion. "First thing you should know about the sea is this...brine gets into everything...including your saya. Oil will help but it will only do so much."

"Hmm, so would you advise against taking my blades out unless we are ashore Gunso? Or is it simply a matter of time? I'd rather not allow any more damage than is absolutely neccessary."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Keep them below, unless it is time for battle...if it comes to that, well then, better to risk your blades than your life, mm?" O-washi's smile was a little jaded around the edges. "It can be a hard thing, balancing honor and practicality upon the sea."

[Shiba Naomi]

At least Naomi felt glad that she could decently use less important weapons than her daisho. No doubt the yumi and nage-yari would come more in handy than her katana.

"In your time of service to the Legion, Isawa-sama... uhm... have sea battles happened often?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

Turning his full attention to his Clanmate, O-washi's smile fell away.

"Of course. We are what protect the Empire when the Clan's can't spare the men, or when the threat is too great for a single Clan to manage. We are who protect the small villages and ports that are in contention while the Clans that tax them bicker. This voyage is a training mission, yes, but rest assured that should we stumble over a threat, we will do our duty as Imperial Legionairres."

[Shiba Naomi]

"Oh, of course. I was thinking more along the lines of sudden attacks on the ship... but, I don't imagine most clans to actually attack Imperial vessels right out of the blue...?"

The thought that a samurai of another clan would attack an Imperial ship was a bit appalling, but, considering events at Toshi Ranbo not long ago... it seemed more realistic that some would.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Keep them below, unless it is time for battle...if it comes to that, well then, better to risk your blades than your life, mm?" O-washi's smile was a little jaded around the edges. "It can be a hard thing, balancing honor and practicality upon the sea."

He nods. "Hai gunso. Thank you for the advice."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"There are many who ply the waves that no Clan will claim...publically, at least, though they will keep the bounty they bring swiftly enough." O-washi's expression, which had been less than pleased, grew truly grim. "Then, of course, there is the Dark Wave."

[Shiba Naomi]

Naomi shuddered slightly and managed to prevent herself from grimacing. She had remembered the stories from her oldest brother.
"... I thought they had been eradicated at the Battle of Broken Waves. My oldest brother was there, with those who accompanied Isawa Sachi-sama..."

[Hida Musasha]

"A few tainted pirates still claim to serve it. We would run into a ship once every half dozxen months of 'em in the Sea o' Sorrows. They ain't 'fraid o' nothin 'cept the touch o' jade." The Crab turns and spits to curse the rabble.

[Isawa O-Washi]

Smirking, O-washi tsked a bit. "Only spit in disgust over the rail if you will, Hida-san...indoors, it's best to crack your knuckles or put your hand on your weapon to express you distaste."

Turning back to the Shiba, he said, "Hida-san's got it right, though. There is no Wall to protect ships and the Sea of Shadows is a damned odd thing..it's borders shift and flow like any water and whole crews will be swallowed up by it's evil as fast as any ship ever sank in a storm. I've even heard rumors of ships of spirits that can never truly be sunk but I've never seen one myself."

[Shiba Naomi]

Naomi nodded slowly.

Her right hand absent-mindedly traced over her collar by her neck, praying she wouldn't have to wish for having a sliver of jade like the Crabs.

"... I've no experience with such opponents..." her gaze turned more to the Hida. "Is jade the only way to hurt them?"

[Hida Musasha]

He shakes his head, "No, but its the quickest. Their bones usually shatter like anyone else's. Many of 'em can't be cut, tho. Like they repel honorable steel from their twisted souls." Even the Hida makes a warding symbol with his hands after saying such a thing.

[Shiba Naomi]

"I pray our voyage will be without the encounter of such beings..." She followed suit with warding off evil with a gesture of her hands. "...But at least I know I must be prepared even for something I thought had been exterminated."

I don't think I have weapons that can break bones... Naomi fell silent as her expression became thoughtful.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Fire works on most of them too." O-washi grinned. "Moshi-sama's showed me that one, often enough."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Did you bring any Jade, Shiba-san?" Jishaku looks up at her curiously as he continues to sharpen his arrows.

[Shiba Naomi]

She shook her head.
"My family have donated the little jade we had to the Jade Legion," she said softly, not wishing for the slight feeling of regret to creep into her voice. "We live safely from such dangers, and it is better served to be with those who fight it, rather than to be used merely for decoration."