Workin' [Day 1, Mid-Afternoon]

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Punchiru bows.

"A natural inclination. My apologies for bringing it up."

Punchiru returns to his examination.

"I find everything to be in perfect operation here."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"Nothin' to worry about," she waves off the apology, turning attention back to their work. "Good, good. Ya been assigned to general sailin' Toritaka-san?"

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Glad to have left the darker subject behind, Punchiru brightens.

"Yes, I have quite a bit of experience on smaller Yasuki vessels, and the principles are the same even if the scale is much larger. I wish I could be more help in other matters, but until I can acquire the training I need I will be more of an apprentice to maintenance than anything else. I am familiar with evaluating the quality of such things, but I am afraid constructing them is quite another matter."

Punchiru frowns.

"I don't suppose your skills lie in that direction?"

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

The Badger shakes her head. "I'm more of a workin' the riggin', liftin' heavy shit and tusslin' with our enemies kind of girl," the subject changed, a crooked half-smile once again tugs at the corner of her mouth. "Should really learn about ship constructin' though. Yer not the first person who's asked about it."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"My duty roster suggests I should learn, but it doesn't specify who from. Thus I assumed I had my choice."

Punchiru inhales deeply.

"I must admit I have desired to return to the sea for some time. After my initial training I was sent to evaluate the value of scrolls and books. I grew tired of cramped libraries and dim light quite quickly."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

"I bet," Yakusoku replies neutrally, "sounds awful dull, if ya ask me. These days, I don' know what I'd do without the sea. Its my home and I can't see bein' assigned anywhere else."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"I'm almost tempted to try and label these ropes for the benefit of those just learning seacraft. That's how my sensei did it. Though I suppose everyone here already knows the rudiments of sailing."

Punchiru carefully designates each rope in his mind, ready in case a course correction or wind change comes suddenly.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Punchiru smiles, but keeps at his assessment of the ship's readiness as he speaks.

"This one is Toritaka Punchiru. We have crossed paths on the voyage thus far, but I have reserved formal introductions mostly for lengthy conversation, which I have had little before now. I did not wish to put words before important action, especially on the Sea of Shadows."

Punchiru notes a bit of silken thread and stiffens. He immediately searches around the crate, under it and about it in all ways before satisfying his horrible certainty that a spider had left the thread.

"I hope you enjoy your place here on board. I do not know many sailors of the Lion, though there are of course several stories of their prowess."

"Wise words Toritaka-san." He lets the other two chat for a while and joins in again when the conversation hits a slight impasse.

"I do enjoy my place on board thank you Toritaka-san. I have always felt at home on the water, though you are right that such a thing is rare amongst my people. Ikoma Otemi-dono has been an inspiration to us all, and I have had the pleasure of serving in the Lion navy. Yes, we have one." He grins and returns to his maps.

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Punchiru returns the grin.

"It was indeed the tales of the Deathless that I had heard, Akodo-sama."

[Ichiro Yakusoku]

Punchiru and Jishaku beginning to converse, Yakusoku turns her attention more fully to her work. She enjoyed a quick chat but at the moment she wasn't feeling like a long conversation. No instead she'd perform her duties, listening, and maybe jump back in if things got interesting. Ain't half bad for someone that talks like a courtier...

[Akodo Jishaku]

Punchiru returns the grin.

"It was indeed the tales of the Deathless that I had heard, Akodo-sama."

"I saw it once you know." He looks off into the past, remembering that day fondly.

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"Really?" Punchiru's interest perks from mild to otaku in seconds flat. "What was it like? Was it studded with jade? Did you see any of the nezumi crew?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Amazing, bigger than I had expected, and fast! Studded with jade yes, and I did see a few of the nezumi although I was somewhat more interested in the Lion contingent." He grins. "I was on another of our vessels that day. Not so impressive, but it got us to where we needed to go. I even saw Lord Otemi during the fighting. Ah yes, what a fine day."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"You saw Otemi-sama fight!? What battle was this, I simply must know all about it."

Punchiru's eyes are wide, though naturally he has not allowed his deep interest to distract from duty and continues to monitor the apparatus of sailing.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"The Battle of the Ruined City, Toritaka-san. A tale of rescue and righteous slaying." He grins. "Plenty of time for tales though, we'll be here for a while, neh?"

[Toritaka Punchiru]

"This is true, Akodo-sama."

Punchiru's immaculate court skills cover any sense of crestfallen youth.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"They are giant chunks of jade by the way..."

He smiles to himself as he works away at his station.

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Punchiru's eyes are wide as dinner plates.

"Truely, Akodo-sama, the Lion navy must be a wonder to behold."