"Yeah, ghosts," Mario answers, with a sigh of sorts. He grins at the man, happy to see the tension draining from him. "Ship has a lot of problems, and the ghosts sure are one of them...!"

It's a joke, like, he's laughing. That was a harrowing experience, and his heart is still racing, but at least he has the comfort that it was just something the ghosts were being - silly? mean? ....anguishing? - about. He can cope with ghosts. Really.

It is comforting, though, when the shield floats around to cover his back. Mario knows that it should be safe, but then again, given how the ghosts were acting the first night he arrived here... He breathes, deeply, putting that aside.

The newcommer before him seems nonchalant, and Mario's not the kind of guy - nor is he in the mood - to worry about why the guy's so casual about the whole, uh, terrifying ghost prank thing. So Mario just smiles, and takes the offered hand.

"Yep! I'm'a more solid than a ghost, at least - Name's Mario!" He shakes the hand vigorously. "Nice to meet you! We haven't seen any new faces on Ship for a while yet - Sorry the ghosts got to greet you before anyone else... But at least you-a missed the plants..."

Just speaking of them, Mario shudders.