[Moon 8: Early Evening - Aftdeck - OPEN] Gazing.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

A lone Unicorn stood leaning to a railing, near one of the huge ballista that were housed on the deck. The man stared at the horizon, shadowing his eyes with his hands, sighing ever so silently.

Even to a seasoned traveller such as him, this was a new world. He had never been a soldier before.

I guess I have to get used to the idea...

[Yasuki Himiko]

There was the light trodding of feet behind the Unicorn, accompanied by the humming of some form of song, though certainly the voice behind it never got a lick of vocal training. The voice was still obviously female, and obviously getting closer. It wasn't long before Himiko was standing right next to him, staring out into the ship. by the way she stood, it was clear that she already was very used to the sea environment, and was suffering no ill effects from the new circumstance. She held a kiseru in her right hand today, though between drags she seemed to take great care to keep it well in hand, trying her best to keep from dropping the item. Of course, finally she would actually NOTICE her purple-clad crewmate, and without any indication of worry about the potential accidental insult, she bows as if they had just reached talking distance. "Evenin'."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Having heard her approach, the man turned to regard the woman whom had addressed him.

"Good evening... "

In his hands, the man was holding about a feet long tubular object, which he quickly collapsed upon itself, before tucking it into his pouch. In the air between the two legionaries to be, the sandalwood scent met the smell of the tobacco, and seeing now way it could persist against such a pungent aroma, the somewhat delicate perfume retreated hastily, leaving the smell of tobacco n the control of the field of battle.

[Yasuki Himiko]

"Seems like there're a lot of you Unicorn on this ship. Didn't think ridin' horses translated to sailing. Regardless, name's Yasuki Himiko." She offered a bow, then after a long drag of her pipe, held out her left hand as if to offer a handshake to the Iuchi. "I heard you Unicorn types shake hands or something like that. Ain't used to it, but if it build morale, I'm good for about anything."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Erm... yes." he nodded to the woman. "I can't speak for the others, but some of us end up on boats, small and large. And.. I am Iuchi Xiao Hua, well met, Yasuki-san."

Needles to say, he was somewhat taken back by her attitude. And by her dress. Most of the Yasuki he had met had been a bit more... proper. At least, if the etiquette of the Empire was used as the basis of the evaluation.

Carefully extending his left hand to meet hers, he grasped her hand carefully.

"I appreciate your gesture." Xiao Hua told her. "But beyond the lands of my Clan, I am fine with the more... ahem.. normal customs."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko's grip was fairly firm, and perhaps even more so than what one would normally apply for such a thing. Perhaps it was her being unused to the custom? Or perhaps she was testing his strength. "Fair enough," she spoke as she let his hand go. "As I said, I'm all for the building morale thing, so whatever makes you happy is fine with me." She looked out to the sea, and a surprisingly serene smile graced her face. "Beautiful, isn't it? The sea, I mean."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Crab to the bone, for sure...

Xiao Hua thought, as he tried not to wince as her hand tightened around his. Bit confused by the sudden change of topic, the man stammered a little. "Erm, bowing is fine with me... And yes, the sea is definitely beautiful."

"The Fortunes have been most kind to us today." he added, smiling ever so carefully, muttering a quick prayer to the Suitengu as he did so.

[Yasuki Himiko]

"The Fortunes have been very kind indeed," she said calmly. "I wonder if Yasuki Fumoki felt like this when he was out at sea. It's an exciting thing, navigating the realm of Suitengu-kami." Her voice betrayed just a hint of childlike wonder, one that lost some of its justice when she took another drag of her kiseru.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

History had never been one of his strong points. Thus, he had no idea who the man in question was. Assuming that the man was a Crab of some importance, Iuchi merely nodded, not wishing to reveal his ignorance.

"Yes... yes. And the breeze, and the open sky." Xiao Hua nodded, in agreement.

[Yasuki Himiko]

She smiled at that. "Of course, we have to always remember that Suitengu-kami is not always a gentle soul. I am sure we will deal with our share of storms during our time here." She grinned lightly, almost as if the concept excited her.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"No doubt, no doubt." he agreed, taking a mental note to repeat his prayers as soon as he could. It was bad luck to speak about fortunes in an ill way, especially this close to their dominion. Even if it was a well known fact that Suitengu was wrathful.

"Though, for one I'd prefer smooth sailing, as large as this ship is."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko laughed loudly at that. "I thought the Unicorn were an adventurous lot! Come on now, a little rough sailin's good for the soul!" Her grin made her complete lack of concern for the prospect of a storm rather evident.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Well, many things are good for your soul." he nodded to her. "And I have nothing against adventures."

"But I'd rather not be on a boat during the daifuu season." The man chuckled.

[Yasuki Himiko]

Her grin became an adventurous one. "Perhaps, but ya hafta take the bad with the good. I'd endure anything to make sure this assignment lasts as long as humanly possible."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Iuchi tilted his head, wondering if the Yasuki had some reason to stay away from home like he did. And as curious as he was, asking about it would have been impolite. Assuming she'd brought it up if she wanted, the man tried to steer the conversation to another direction.

"Yasuki-san is really fond of the seas, then?"

[Yasuki Himiko]

Her smile became a bit more girlish at that, and she took a heavy drag of her pipe, blowing the smoke up in the air in whimsical fashion. "The sea has always fascinated me. Ever since I first heard tales of the legendary Yasuki Fumoki, I knew that the sea was my destiny. Truly the Fortunes have shown me favor." The way she spoke was actually softer than before, and a light blush graced her face.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

He merely nodded as a reply. "Yasuki Fumoki would be...?"

[Yasuki Himiko]

She turned to him and stared for several seconds, as if trying to figure out where his head went. "You don't know about Yasuki Fumoki?!" She turned to him and took a deep breath. "The famous pirate?!" And without further ado, she was off, attempting to regale the Iuchi with the tales of the legendary pirate. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm makes the tale rather schizophrenic, skipping details and screwing with the chronology.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

As the woman told her story, the shugenja stood, listening to her, nodding occasionally as he brought up his arm to rub his chin.

"Erm.. I see." While the history of his Clan, and the one of his family had few darker branches, he was not accustomed to people boasting about such things.

Her story, while vivid and passionate, had been a little confusing, and he had somewhat hard time understanding the all the details. Xiao Hua wondered if the said person might have been her ancestor.

"Thank you for your story, Yasuki-san. It was enlightening."

[Yasuki Himiko]

Himiko grinned a bit. "Glad to hear it." She looked back out to sea, puffing some smoke out in its direction. "I grew up on those tales. My parents wanted me to be a courtier, but I was never going to be the type to sit in stuffy courts talkin' at people 'bout commerce. This is where I belong, more than anywhere else in the world."