Ringo heads down to long beach in the afternoon to relax and observe the calm waves and scenery.

Just before the sand of the beach Koharu sheltered under her umbrella, taking in the view and enjoying a little time to think. All the ships were built now. There was a palpable excitement in the air. Soon the explorers would undertake their journeys in the new vessels.

She really hoped she would not get sea sick far across the ocean somewhere.

Spotting a familiar Crane. Ringo approaches and offers her a bow. "Konnichiwa Doji-san. Enjoying the beach again? I don't see your painting supplies with you." He muses at that last part.

She looks up, for her was tall, and grins. "Konnichiwa. You have a sharp eye Hida-san." Giving a slight bow due to carrying her umbrella, and thereby giving him a moment to wonder if she was teasing him or not, she then turns back to the view. "I wonder what it will all look like. B-beyond the sea I mean."

Ringo casts a look out at sea. "Who knows? Though I guess it will be our job to find out. Your paintings will most likely become very important for when we return. Oh yes, congratulations on your promotion by the way Doji-sama."

"Ari-arigatou gozaimasu Hida-san." She responds, ducking her head twice and looking a little embarrassed. "Ano, it was a pleasant surprise."

"Though please forgive my ignorance..." Ringo tries to think how best to word this but seems to give up. "... but what exactly do you do?"

"Eto... I will be leading with the cataloging of new flora and fauna we discover. Ano, documenting and recording what it looks like." She shakes her head. "I expect I will be painting a lot."

"That will be quite the task for that. I hope you brought enough paper and art supplies." Ringo says with a nod. "Do you know if anyone else will be sharing that duty with you?"

"Ano... not yet." It's an honest response and just saying it has her feeling a bit dejected. "And h-hai, there are lots of supplies to inventories."

Ringo nods and then looks down. "I have to apologize to you Doji-san."

A short pause before he continues. "Despite what I said a year ago, I have not practiced painting at all since then. Not that I had no time to but I was focused on my own projects. I hope you will forgive me for that." He bows his head.

The Crane looks thoughtful. Her hands move behind her back and she takes a few steps this way and that. "Eto... I suppose it depends on what your projects were?" She finally says, a little mirth creeping into her voice.

"Well I was researching into the gaijin canon technology." Ringo answers. "Though I have a couple of new projects in mind. Admittedly, one is a personal project."

Koharu murmurs to show she is listening, but otherwise doesn't say anything or interrupt. She was paying attention.

"Have you heard of a tool called a compass? The gaijin use it to tell which way is North to help navigate during their voyages. I wish to study it but I'll need to find one first." Ringo explains.

Then a bit more quietly. "My other project... I wish to make a music box."

Unaware of compasses Koharu could only shake her head slightly. "Eto... I wish you luck finding one Hida-san."

In regards to the music box, which she could understand, she nods and looks curious. "Hai?"

Ringo nods. "Thanks Doji-san. Perhaps I'll have some luck in the marketplace before we leave." He considers something. "If you are free do you wish to join me?" He asks.

To his question. "It will be a gift."

"I see. And, hai, to the market ne?" It wasn't a bad idea, and she trusted Ringo as a chaperone. The market, especially the new one that had sprung up, was busy and sometimes shady.

Or so she had heard.

Ringo smiles at her response. "Thank you Doji-san. It will be helpful to have you with me." He starts to formulate plans in his head.

"Hai." Koharu affirms. "Let's go."