(Moon 14, Evening, aft-deck, open) Outings.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi acknowledged the Asahina's presence with a polite bow in return, "Konbanwa Asahina-san." As to whether she was intruding or not, that would be up to the two who came before her.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Two women and two men that was a much better ratio in Kaito's opinion at least. "Evenin Asahina-san." The mantis replied taking a draw from hsi pipe before giving her a seated bow. Letting the smoke roll out of his mouth he glanced over to the Iuchi. "I don't particularly mind more company but truly it was Iuchi-san who was here first so it's his decision."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Caught up for a few moments in lighting his pipe Kaito missed most of the exchange but coming over to the two bows politely to the scorpion as he takes his seat. As the Iuchi mentions the bulky shape beneath his cloth the Mantis speaks. "I thought I had seen you carrying something odd around. Ya mind me askin what it is Iuchi-san?"

"Hmm, I carry many things, Yoritomo-san." he chuckled."But if you are referring to this." the man whipped out the oblong as she spoke. "This, is a Seefar Occulum. Something I w... got from a Mantis sailor in the Mantis isles. It's kind of a engineered scrying device. Shows distant objects as if they were closer. " the man explained fingering the less than a foot long metallic object in his hands.

"Good evening, Asahina-san." the man greeted the newcomer, smiling. "Feel free to join us, though, you might find the company somewhat morose." he chuckled, dryly.

[Asahina Narumi]

"Thank you," Narumi replies to the group. She bows deeply once more in thanks. Her voice is cheerful, yet soft.

"I came up in the hopes that the sky would be clear enough to read the stars. It was so clear back at the island. I will likely just stick to kawaru tonight..." she seems a bit disappointed that the environment of the sea in the area did not allow her to divine the stars.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi did a slight raise of a brow when Xiao Hue tripped up on his words. Is there a Mantis ship out here that's going in circles because of a missing occulum? She brought up to herself in amusement.

She gave a shake of her head and quipped out when the Iuchi mentioned the morose setting. "It's only as morose as we make of it minasan...The stars are blanketed in the same way around Ryoko Owari, it'll be a real treat if we ever see them again."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"We'll likely see em after we pass through the Route Bayushi-san." Replied the mantis his eye's on the device the unicorn had produced. He thought he had seen one before but had never used one of the devices himself. "I take it you divine portents Ashina-san?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

As the sun has already set, the only light on the were the guide lights, which cast long shadows around all the four present. Beyond the pale circles of the light, the night was black, the silent creaking sounds of the ship creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Xiao Hua kept his eyes on the Crane girl, waiting for her reply. Fellow priest was a fellow priest, after all.

[Asahina Narumi]

"I do Yoritomo-sama. I also am sometimes granted dreams of the future by the kami as well," the Asahina replies with a smile.

As she smiles she pulls out a kiseru and small pouch of tobacco and begins packing it slowly and methodically so that she can continue in the conversation without being too distracted. The tobacco has a slightly orange tint to it.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Hee, Asahina-san has an unique gift then." the Unicorn nodded, smiling at the Crane girl. Learned and holy man, well versed in the fine arts of theology and healing, the son of a merchant matron was also master of stating the obvious.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi glanced to the Crane's kiseru when she pulled out before looking to the Asahina again. "I hope you've been sleeping well lately...Asahina-san? It would be encouraging to hear if the Fortunes have decided to side with us this journey. No doubt that'll stop others from pestering the Captain too."

[Asahina Narumi]

"I've not had any bad dreams since coming aboard. Nothing overly good either though. It seems to me that the kami are pleased enough with us to allow a safe journey without their intervention," the priestess says with a smile. She continues packing the pipe carefully and then works on lighting it.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Lucky bastard...

"The sea... speaks to me." he explained to Asahina, sighing. "And.. the kami are in anguish..."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Plain dreams are as good as good dreams." Hoshi commented softly but trailed off to quiet when the Iuchi spoke. It seemed like a shugenja chat was about to break out soon.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

The mantis nodded slightly as the crane answered his question and took a long drag from his pipe. As the topic turned to the sea he frowned slightly. There was more then enough topics that they didn't have to talk about the sea of shadows, putting where they were into the forefront of everyone's minds didn't exactly make anyone feel better after all.

"As Bayushi-san says." Replies the mantis stepping back into the conversation before turning towards the crane. "Mind if I ask what you're smoking there Asahina-san? Looks a bit Orange to me."

[Asahina Narumi]

The Asahina priestess looks sadly with a compassionate smile towards the Iuchi. Almost a statement of condolences but not wishing to state such out loud as the others probably would not understand the deep connection he shared with the water kami.

She nods agreement with the others about a lack of unpleasant dreams being a good sign. Narumi then turns to answer Kaito with the well placed topic change. No use having a conversation that only half of us could have. Her face brightens and she reveals an almost childishly delighted smile, "It is melon flavored. I believe they soak it in the fruit's juices for a while after the tobacco is picked and allow it to absorb the flavor before the drying process. I don't know exactly how it all works but it comes out with a very agreeable sweet taste and aroma."

She finishes the lighting process and gives a long soft drag on the kiseru. As stated, there is now a slight hint of melon mixed with the scent of tobacco and sea breeze.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Melon flavored tabacco? That just sounded odd. Still though crane were know for fancy things and well melon flavored tobacco was almost assuredly fancy. "Hrm. Can't say I have ever tried any of the flavored blends before I mostly stick to the regular stuff."

"Mayhaps I'll have to try it when I get a chance." He paused to look at the other two. "What about you two do you every partake in a lil smoking every now and again?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi chuckled softly at the question, "Sometimes I do, now and then, but nothing ever in terms of fanciful tobacco." She said so casually with a slight shake of her head as she glance off to the dark parts of the ship. "Mm. Probably for the best that I don't start...it's likely not terribly popular enough to be on sale for a very long time even travelling with so many ships."

[Asahina Narumi]

"It comes in quite a few flavors, but I do smoke regular tobacco as well. I'm actually glad that I brought it with the amount of dried fish we'll be eating on board the ship," she replies with a small grin. It doesn't seem like she's a connoisseur or anything with a refined palate, but more like a child who likes lot's of different sweets.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Mayhaps I'll have to try it when I get a chance." He paused to look at the other two. "What about you two do you every partake in a lil smoking every now and again?"

"Not really, no. Occasional whiff, now and then, especially on the road, or after negotiations. " he nodded to the Mantis.

"Asahina-san, is the mixture you are smoking common in Crane lands? I have never heard heard about it...?" Xiao Hua's nurturing merchant instincts were tickling. Yet another luxury product that could perhaps traded with. Unicorn women didn't smoke that much, but if there were a 'softer' option... Then again, the Crane association would do the blend no good.

[Asahina Narumi]

"I am unsure, but I think that they produced it near the temple. I never had desire or opportunity before my gempukku and it wasn't something readily available near Shinden Asahina," the woman said honestly. "But the merchant suggested that I stock up on it if I was going to be away for a while so It might just be a regional taste." She thought of offering the others a taste, but the thought of sharing the kiseru with others struck that immediately from her mind.