Following her meeting with Asako Qi, Yukari headed down to the cove some of the crew had mentioned.

Something about giant salamanders?

Well. She had to see about that.

So the young Phoenix made her careful way into a promising cave to have a look around.

Even on sand the Scorpion's footsteps were eerily silent. It was as if his feet never actually touched the ground.

He was kind enough to clear his throat to announce his presence when he noticed that there was another in the cove before him.

Yukari visibly started.

Whatever her training had been, it clearly hadn't prepared her for that.

But she at least didn't let out an undignified squeak like she had whenever her brothers had snuck up on her as a child.

But she regained her composure in a hurry as she turned and... bowed.

"Shosuro-san, my apologies, I didn't see you there. I do not recall that I have formally introduced myself- this one is Shiba Yukari, of the Tejina."

The Scorpion had probably seen her aboard the ship, but she'd been preoccupied with not succumbing to seasickness.

He bowed back politely. "Shosuro Yingzi of the Bayushi Bushi." His answer came smoothly in his monotone voice. He didn't acknowledge that he had startled her. It would have been embarrassing for both of them.

"Cannot say that too many formally introduced themselves to one another. I believe we all had other things to do while on that ship or other things to focus on."

Like not spewing the contents of my stomach all over anyone in range.

"Well, it has served to make meetings on this island the more pleasant, hm? Both for me, and for those who get to meet me in a more... relaxed state."

There might've been a chuckle at that if Yingzi was the type.

"Perhaps that was the reasoning behind us all keeping to ourselves on the ship?" He pondered in his empty voice. "It has helped for most encounters though I doubt that they would have been terrible if they had happened before."

"Well, if nothing else, everybody's... stable. Not pitching around on the waves."

"You expected worse? Or expecting rather." A pause. "That does make me wonder how long we can be on this island by ourselves before tensions begin rising."

"Well, what sort of Phoenix would I be if I didn't work to allay tensions?"

She gave the Scorpion the benefit of a sunny smile.

"I admit, the place is somewhat lacking in amenities, but maybe I can get to work on that."

"And how would you soothe tensions, Shiba-san?" The smile was not returned. His face remained as statue-like as it was before.

"What amenities would you like here? A garden perchance? Maybe a cozy library with shelves full of fishermans tales?" It was difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic or serious. His monotone voice and neutral expression worked diligently to give nothing away but he seemed serious enough.

She didn't seem bothered by either his words or his tone.

"Well, they'd do for a start! Probably the garden first, since it would actually be possible to work one out with local plants, and could start small and grow from there. Getting anyone to build a library, or a stage for plays or performances is probably a bit of an uphill struggle at the moment, but as things get more settled, it could be done. Maybe a proper bath, now that I think of it... I might be able to talk more people into actually working on that. But until we get things built, there's always a chance to just tell stories, or have musical performances at the sake bar."

"A bathhouse should likely be next on the list. Speaking to the Kaiu about it likely would not go poorly depending on how you went about it." A pause. "Asako Qi-san has likely asked about it several times given her inclination to being.. dramatic."

"For performances you could easily create a makeshift stage. There's plenty of driftwood that you could use to create a solid enough standing on the ground. There's also bamboo that could be used in place of the driftwood and admittedly a garden could be nice."

"See?"

She smiled again.

"I'm spoiled for choice. Anywhere I turn, there's a project worthy of some effort!"

"Which project are you going to undertake first?" There was the slightest quirk of an eyebrow. "There are many so which takes your immediate fancy?"

She bit her lower lip for a second, thinking it over.

"The garden, I think. I can help decorate any bathhouse, but I lack the skills to actually build one, so that will require the work of others. The garden I can begin on my own, as soon as I get permission to pick a site."

"Do you think you will? After all would the skills of a shugenja not be more prudent focused somewhere else?" He looked over the cove after asking that question. "You do have down time though but then comes the question of where would you get the space? Would it not be better served as another building? Perhaps a secret garden near the forests' edge instead? No permission needed."

"I don't like secrets... not when it comes to art. The garden's meant to be for everyone, after all... as for the duties of a shugenja, I can perform many of them just as well in a garden as anywhere else. Better, in some cases...."

He seemed almost pleased with the answer but if there was any hints of emotion they were gone as quickly as they might've appeared. "So you want a garden in which to do your duties then?"

"Well. I would see providing a garden as part of my duty... maybe center it around a shrine, if I can get the materials. I wouldn't dream of using local plants without honoring the local kami, after all- and we should honor the Fortunes, too."

"That would be nice I believe but my knowledge of the spirits is lacking." A pause. "What type of garden would you have around this shrine then and to what Fortune would be honored at it? Given the island nature a shrine to Suitengu or his wife would be good but a more forest-focused one could work as well."