Nakahama

"Yesterday I got my first touch of seawater, and it was from a boat." Ichitaiyo commented, noting that no more greetings seemed to be doled out. "Went sailing with Yoritomo Ochiba-sama. We just saw drunk crabs."

"I've only been able to go swimming in pools or artificial beaches before. Coming here is my first experience with real sea, and it's been so amazing! More people should get the chance to experience it, I think!"

Already Kanna was wading out into the waters, but not going under herself. It had taken a lot of her efforts to make sure everyone could experience the underwater views, so none for her today.

Meanwhile, Kaida had found A STICK! Far larger than himself, but Kaida nevertheless began to parade down the beach with his trophy.

While she had stepped into the water to get her feet wet and get used to the temperature, but Nagisa is very distracted by Kaida marching down the beach with the comically large stick. She can’t help but cover her mouth to prevent a laugh from escaping.

“Goodness… Little Kaida has found a treasure.” She motions towards the small canine. “I love him.”

Kazushi doffs his shirt and follows the others into the water, still perhaps a little uncomfortable as a result of the kami flowing around him.

The Crane urge to preen and show off overwhelmed any worries about big fishies . . . when he couldn't actually see any, so Hiroki disappeared behind the makeshift screen and changed into his swimwear . . . a beautifully tailored and sea patterned blue . . . . speedo.

Properly attired . . . he pretty much sprinted into the water to join the others.

Hearing that Kaida had found a 'treasure', Kanna too turns to look, and does not try to hold her laugh back. It is an open and joyous laugh. "Oh, Kaida-kun," she laughs, wiping a tear from her eye brought on by trying to breathe, speak, and not laugh at the same time. "How do you even manage to carry that? It's bigger than me!"

It wasn't bigger than Kanna, but it was fairly sizeable.

The dog wagged his tail, proudly carrying the stick to his spot (Kanna's spot) on the beach. THE STICK would come back home, he would insist!

"There's nothing to be worried about, Bayushi-sama," Kanna remarks, seeing the Scorpion's seeming-apprehension about the water. "The waters are safe, and I have a timer that will keep track of time for us. Spritits of the water will keep help you move and breathe, and you can talk to while underwater, so if there's anything, you can ask for assistance!"

"That's not what concerns me," Kazushi mutters as he heads deeper into the water, beginning to take a look around at the gathered sea life.

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Fri Nov 21, 2025 1:21 pm "Yesterday I got my first touch of seawater, and it was from a boat." Ichitaiyo commented, noting that no more greetings seemed to be doled out. "Went sailing with Yoritomo Ochiba-sama. We just saw drunk crabs."

Having now reached the water and rejoined the others, although only knee deep so far.

"Drunk crabs . . . as in samurai or actual sea crabs?"

Kakita Hiroki wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 12:14 pm Having now reached the water and rejoined the others, although only knee deep so far.

"Drunk crabs . . . as in samurai or actual sea crabs?"

"Would it make a difference?" Ichitaiyo offered in jest, before following behind in the water. "It was the critters, amusingly. Yoritomo-sama was doing a ritual tro Osano-Wo, and it involved pouring alcohol into the sands of an islet on the eye of a storm."

"That kinda sounds like a Legend from when there was just the Homeworld, and the Storm Dragon would appear to grant the Yoritomo their blessings . . . "

He paused, totally forgetting the threat of fish being around them.

" . . . except you got drunk crabs instead."

"Can real crabs actually get drunk?" Kanna wondered out loud as she listened to the tale. Man, she should've brought Honoka for this trip too, she'd probably know!

And she did remember random tidbits of ancient history. "I thought the Storm Dragon was Hida-Kami's wife... does that mean the Crab are like... storm dragon descendants?"

"The Crab and the Mantis borh," Kazushi replies, "according to the old stories."