"This Earth deviates from my own in many ways as well, as far as I have currently discovered." He deals with many Americans in his own time, so it's a readily accessible inflection for him and seems to get enough mileage among the crew and many of the passengers.

"Do you come here often to practice?" Raiden is new-ish, definitely new to the gym at least, and if he can find additional training partners, it would help keep him active and interested. Also takes some of the pestering away from Fujin when he finds himself idle.