After a busy day Ringo heads to the baths to get cleaned up. After some meticulous scrubbing he is soon in the hot water of the bath. Music playing from Chrysanthemum Plaza drifts through the air.

Otsuka looked up from where she had blissfully relaxed in the corner of the tub. It was a nice to have the ambiance of the public space while in the bath. "Good evening, I am Kakita Otsuka. A hot bath at the end of a day is nice, ne?"

The bigger Crab offers a bow back to the Crane. "Konbawa Kakita-san. I am Hida Ringo. Engineering student at the Imperial Naval College."

He nods in agreement as he relaxes in the bath. "Nothing better to get rid of a day's fatigue and grime. This location is pretty nice too. Most baths do not come with soothing music as well." He takes a look outside at the retreating light of lady Amaterasu. The plaza is still bustling as samurai ease into their evening routines.

"No, it is a rare thing. I remember some impromptu ones happening at the Academy. Some of the songstresses like to show off," she smiled a cat like smile.

She mulled his introduction over for a moment. "Perhaps you can clarify something for me. What is the difference between a Naval Engineer and a Shipwright?"

Ringo smirks a bit at that first part. "Is that so Kakita-san? Well I rather do enjoy singing myself if you care for a serenade." He says half teasing. "Though I fear that it may offend your Crane ears." Half.

"Well a shipwright works on boats. A naval engineer can work on boats too but is not exclusive to just that. For instance, I myself have taken an interest in cannon technology. I wish to put that to use in siege equipment for the Crab to improve our defenses." Of course he did not say what because it is impolite to state so.

"I am happy with some conversation for the moment Hida-san but if you feel so inspired please go ahead," she said with a giggle.

"Oh, those big ones. Hmm, I suppose they are a useful thing in a siege. These gaijin weapons are fairly fussy I had heard," she said carefully holding it back to the least jarring critique she had heard one of her sensei offer.

Ringo nods at her assessment. "They are. Plus pretty dangerous. Which is why I am not simply looking to copy the technology but further improving it for our use."

He smiles are her her giggle and nods. "Well then I suppose since I brought it up I cannot back down now. I apologize that it may not be something that you are used to. Crab are a bit more pragmatic so I only really know battle related songs. Though I will do me best to entertain you Kakita-san."

As if on cue, the music in the background changes to something more suitable and he gets into her impromptu song.

"Life is only what we choose to make it, let's just take it, let us be free.
We can find the glory we all dream of and with our love, we can win.
Still, we must fight or face defeat, we must stand tall and not retreat.
With our strength we'll find the might, there's no fight we can't fight together, oh together we can win.
Blessed with strong hearts that beat as one, watch us soar,
And with love that conquers all we'll win this battle, this last battle,
We will win, we must win, we will win, we can win, we can win
..."

After he finishes, he lets out a sigh as he relaxes back into the bath. It mildly occurs to him that she or anyone else who heard this may think it is the strangest serenade.

/ Perform - Song. 1 CR = 29. Woo!
Song = We Will Win (Yellow Dancer version) - Robotech

"Unusual but well sung Hida-san. So that is a common sort of song among Crab soldiers?" she asked seeming quite intrigued by the well performed and new to her music.

"Ke ke ke." Ringo responds with a light chuckle. "I wouldn't say it is exactly common. A lot of them are a lot cruder than this. Or are about a woman that is worth fighting for."

He bows to her. "Thank you for the compliment Kakita-san. I am happy that I have pleased you."

"Ah, well, I suppose that makes sense," Being Hida and all, "I suppose I should thank you for your selection then? Most of the songs I am familiar with are legends, lays of battles, and odes to nature. It is interesting to hear something so different."

"Lays of battle are different from the song I sang?" Ringo asks for clarification. "How so?"

"Well, a lay would be more about a specific heroic charge or a warrior holding a bridge against many foes rather than a rallying cry as a song. The lay of the Battle of Cherry Blossom Snow Lake for example has a verse about the ronin Akito holding a narrow point in the pass while the Scorpion and ronin forces regrouped which ends with Matsu Jadome burying an arrow into him and Akito falling down to the lake below."

Ringo nods. "Ah... so more focused. I see. Do you sing yourself Kakita-san? If not, being a Crane you must take an active interest in some other art?"

"I can sing but I am not trained in it," she chuckled as she adjusted the towel she was wrapped in, "My arts are the Sword and poetry."

Ringo nods. "I can say the same. I am not trained in singing either. I just got into it last year. I only know the basics of swordplay myself and have not really written much poetry. A friend suggested that I should learn more of the arts."

"Sculpture and wood carving perhaps?" she suggested, "If you are used to building things they are not too far removed a concept. Most tsuba are as much works of art as practical hand guards."

"They suggested painting actually." Ringo says with a light chuckle. "Though I haven't the opportunity to delve much into that of late. Well, to correct myself, I should say that I am more focused on my projects."

He considers that. "Hmm... a tsuba sounds like a good suggestion for both practicality and artistic endeavours."

"You could paint on a fairly simple one but the fine details of a tsuba are an excellent source of artistry that you carry with you everyday," she nodded, "You own projects are your kan-on, ne?"

"Well that is my main focus. I have a few side projects as well. Some are more personal in nature." Ringo comments.

"Well, I hope they go well," she said with a smile assuming personal projects were a private matter, "Do you know much about the various boats?"