[Crew Quarters, Moon 7 - Morning] The Stable of the Sea

[Shinjo Qulan]

It took a moment for Qulan to process what was being said to her. It didn't quite click until a few moments after Rinzuki moved back. And then the flush returned to her cheeks. Okay, maybe I heard wrong... Yeah, that's it. I totally heard wrong.

"I... I... Uhhh..."

Okay, mouth. Just be quiet.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Sensing that her companion might need a moment, Rinzuki walks to the locker and begins to unpack her things - a few folded kimono, some books and writing supplies, a small mirror, and some general makeup supplies.

When she finishes, she looks back over her shoulder at Qulan. "I put my extra kimono on the bottom, but feel free to move them to the one side if you need more room."

She looks back down at the locker. "'m not sure how well the makeup will stand up to the spray of the ocean. I may have to do without."

[Shinjo Qulan]

After all of her brain function started back up, Qulan moved to unpack her things as well. Clothes, a fan, make-up and perfume were some of the items. She brought out two bracelets made of gold and placed them onto her wrists. "Well, I'm sure you'll look fine without." The taller of the two women spoke absentmindedly.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"I appreciate your confidence," she replies with a glance towards the other woman. She holds the look for a few moments before pushing herself up to her feet and leaning against the railing on the side of Qulan's berth.

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Well, I can be very confident." Qulan replied as she watched Rinzuki move. "You'll see that more once I get used to this place. Right now I'm just a bit... New to everything."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki crosses one leg in front of the other, her posture becoming relaxed despite leaning against what was no doubt an uncomfortable railing. Her gaze never leaves the young woman at her feet.

"Then I shall look forward to seeing the fruits of your burgeoning confidence."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Thank you, Iuchi-san..." Qulan offered her most sincere of smiled to the other woman as she finished packing away her items. "I do as well. Look forward to seeing the turnout, that is."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki returns the smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Will we have to change beds when you've recovered?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

The poor confused Shinjo just blinked in confusion. "Change beds?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki gently brushes her foot against the kneeling woman's arm.

"So that you can be on top."

[Shinjo Qulan]

The still rather confused Shinjo watched Rinzuki's foot. Not entirely getting the innuendo of that statement. "Oh, well, maybe. I dunno. If you like being on top, I wouldn't want to take it from you. I honestly don't care where I sleep, as long as I get a good rest."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

The Shinjo's comment draws a soft giggle from the shugenja, and her foot returns to a more neutral position.

"I appreciate your concession, Shinjo-sama. Do not hesitate to inform me if you decide to claim my bed for your own."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Well, thank you, Iuchi-san. That's such a nice offer." Qulan smiled as she closed the locker, standing up straight. She was a tad but taller than Rinzuki, and a lot lankier. It was the Shinjo blood running through her veins. "And, since we'll be bunk mates, you can just call me Qulan, if you'd like."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Thank you, Qulan-chan." Rinzuki reaches up and pushes an invisible strand of hair back behind her ear as she regards Qulan with a warm smile. "I would appreciate it if you used my personal name as well."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"So... Rinzuki-chan?" Qulan let the mull around in her head for a good few moments, deciding that it sounded better than her own name. "I'm glad you're the first person I met here. I was pretty nervous to be away from my home... The horses... The wide open plains. And father told me about how I'd get seasick..."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki steps forward and places a comforting hand upon Qulan's arm. "There is no need to be nervous, Qulan-chan. You need only to trust in yourself, and I am sure that you will leave a favorable impression upon the rest of the crew."

"And if not," she adds, her tone becoming teasing, "you can always rush back and cry upon my shoulder."

[Shinjo Qulan]

A small giggle escaped the Shinjo's lips. "Oh, I doubt I'll do any crying. That wouldn't be very becoming, wouldn't it? Plus, I wouldn't want to saddle you with any emotional baggage that might come from trying to comfort me."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

A playful grin appears on Rinzuki's lips as she gives Qulan's arm a gentle squeeze.

"Oh, Qulan-chan, you can saddle me up whenever you'd like. I don't mind."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Why thank you, Rinzuki-chan, you are very kind." Qulan replied with an innocent smile. "Is it bad that I'm trying to imagine what a saddle made of emotional baggage would look like?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"So long as it is padded on the underside," she laughs, her hand falling away from Qulan's arm, brushing downwards along its length as it does so.