Soaking the Day Away (Day 2 Mid Evening)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

A somewhat early awakening by a Kuni, a brief meeting with the Governor of the city. As well as a extravagant dinner and carrying a giant penis through the streets. The day had been a rather full one and Shouji felt the need to relax with a bath. Having cleaned off the day's grime he moved into the baths proper, stepping ito the water and sinking down until his chest was mostly covered.

Tomorrow would likely be no easier, with a party to be hosted among other things. But there was no reason to bring tomorrows worries to today, so instead the young wasp cleared his mind and just enjoyed the soak.

[Amika]

And a young woman also decided to enjoy a quick soak in the Public Baths. She had been working hard today painting a mural and a gift, and she had been also not sleeping well, which worsened by the Kuni waking her up earlier today.

Amika decided that she needed some relaxation so the Baths seem like a good place to go.

She took of her normal clothes and managed to find some towel to cover her. The ronin was not sure if this was a communal bath, were women and men shared the same pools or it was separated.

She went in and she found out that it was a shared establishment, since there was already a man in there. For a moment Amika did not know if it was proper for her to go in or perhaps waits for the man to finish his bathing. She bows from afar, trying to cover herself as best as she could....

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Bowing with only a towel to cover yourself was at best awkward, and Shouji glanced away so he wouldn't see too much. He did beckon her over though. "You should get in the water before you catch a chill." The young man offered with a half smile.

"Unless you have an objection to bathing with a man?" He continued glancing towards the young woman for a moment.

[Amika]

'' Hmmm this one uh...'' She did had an objection on bathing with a man. It was somewhat not proper to do so, with one that was not one's husband. Nonetheless, Amika was a lower status samurai so saying what she was thinking out loud could potentialy be rude.

'' It is fine, Samurai-sama...'' She said somewhat nervously, yet she entered the waters and continue to try to cover herself with the wet towel and her arms. '' This one name is Amika. Have you had Inari's-no-kami blessings today?'' She said as she presented herself.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Apparently the young man had no such reservations about sharing a bath with a woman, and if the towel on the edge of the bath was any indication there likely wasn't one being worn under the water. " A pleasure to make your aquaitance, Amika-san." He offered with an small smile, perhaps an effort to put the ronin at ease.

The Tsuruchi didn't let his gaze linger in the woman's direction long though, as it was easy to see she was nervous. "I'm Tsuruchi Shouji, Captain of the Sea Fox." Hopefully that revelation wouldn't lead the woman to hop out of the bath and flee.

[Amika]

'' Captain of the Sea Fox?'' Amika thought aloud. '' So you are the boss of Moshi Minari-sama, Tsuruchi Shouji-sama. It is an honor to meet with you.'' She adds politely while trying to continue to cover herself.

'' I met with Moshi Minari-sama yesterday at the reception party done by Hida Yoji-sama.'' She said.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He glanced her way a half smile on his lips. "You can relax a little you know, you're an attractive woman Amika-san, but I'm not going to leer at you in the bath." The statement likely wouldn't help matters, but there was no harm in trying.

"But yes, Minari-san is my navigator, and I'm happy to hear you got to chat with her. She's a fine samurai even if she is a bit rough around the edges." He sank a bit deeper into the water closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to recall The Ronin woman from the night before. "It was a fine toast you gave in the honor of the groom, if I recall."

[Amika]

Well, he telling her that she was attractive, in the middle of the bath, naked, yeah, it didn't help. At least it didn't put her at ease. '' I-uh, hmmm, thanks for your kind words, Tsuruchi-sama...'' She said as she sank even more into the water...

Then she listened to what he was saying. '' She is indeed a fine samurai, from what this one managed to notice from the few words that we exchanged yesterday. '' She agreed. '' She also told me to visit her one day aboard your ship, since, apparently, she was interested in the skills that this one has, like singing. From what this one's understand, there was a party being organized...'' She said.

Then she heard the compliments that the captain said to her. '' You are most kind, Tsuruchi-sama. This one was just trying to encourage dutiful harmony for the groom.''

Amika didn't say anything about Shouji's words since, it was not her place to judge what he offered that night to the groom.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Perhaps he wasn't all that good at this? Not that it particularly mattered. There was after all another subject at hand that he was somewhat interested in.

"Yes, tomorrow evening." He confirmed with a slight smile. "Have one avilable to see of play other instruments would be a fine thign indeed. If you're intrested in such a thing, I'm sure it can be arranged to make it worth your time." There was a momentary pause. "Though I suppose I should ask if singing is your only skill of a musical nature."

He smiled at her response to the compliment but let that particular subject drop, as his eyes studied the cieling of the bath house, neck aganist the rim of the bath.

[Amika]

'' I see.'' The wolf nods. '' This one has some skill in singing, it is not my focus on the arts, but i do know a bit about it. As for other musical skills i'm afraid that is the only one i do know.'' She adds.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He nodded at that. "Well, singing should be enough. If you're interested in such an arrangement of course." He frowned for a moment.

"I'm not sure if the current venus is the type of place to give an example of your skill though."

[Amika]

'' Well, if Tsuruchi-sama is not convinced, this one could visit tomorrow the Sea Fox in order to show this one's skills.'' She offered as she moved a bit so that she could rub part of her skin in order to cleanse her.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"If you say you can sing, I'll trust that you can." He offered with an easy smile. "Knowing your abilities just helps determine how much your time is worth."

"Even if it's a bit crass to say it so openly... I imagine you aren't in a place were you can ply your talents for free."

[Amika]

'' This one is currently staying at the local inn. I have, hmmm, managed to get an agreement with the local heimin owner and for now, this one has not had problems, well, at least with my painting skills which are my main specialization, Tsuruchi-sama.'' She said to the Captain. '' I have not tried to sing in there, though....'' Amika adds.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

" I see that Minari brought up accomodations as a means of payment." Shouji offered with a slight smile. "I'm glad you managed to arrange some for yourself with your own skill. You certainly have other needs besides food and a roof over your head though."

"i'm sure we can come to an agreement that helps satisfy some of those. If you are interested at lest."

[Amika]

'' Of course, Tsuruchi-sama. This one would be honored to had the oportunity to present her skills under your patronage...'' She said to him with a nod. Not sure if it was fine to talk about money and payment at least here and with him. '' This one will gladly accept ''

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Excellent." The Mantis had no qualms talking about money, but the Ronin seemed to. They could figure out the final number at a later time after all.

"I'll look forward to hearing your performance then."

[Amika]

Amika nods to him. Then there was somewhat of a silent pause as she tried to bash her up, still trying to cover herself from the Mantis captain. After a few minutes of silence she decided to ask something.

'' Tsuruchi-sama, might i ask you something?'' She asked politely.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He opened his eyes and glanced in her direction, apparently he had closed then during the moments of silence. "Certainly, Amika-san."

"Though whether I answer or not depends on the question." He finished with a slight smile.

[Amika]

'' What is like to be a Captain of a ship, Tsuruchi-sama?'' She asked politely. '' This one has wondered how does life on board a kobune is, and since your esteemed clan has a seaborne culture i was wondering about it..''

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It can be a lot fo work, but it's satidfying at least to me.." He replied after a few moments. "You're almost always moving, and while I suppose I have a home on the islands, I'm almost never there." He pursed his lips thoughtfully as he continued. "Sometimes the days seem the same, but fo the most part they are all different, at least in small ways. A new sight, a new smell, a new person. If you aren't seeing it you're on your way to it. So there is always something to look forward to."

"I suppose that's not really all that great of an explanation though."

[Amika]

'' It is though, Tsuruchi-sama.'' Amika nods to the Mantis captain. '' Interesting take though. It does sound as, how to say it, an ephemeral experience? In the sense that you are never on the same place, i guess...'' She wonders. '' Meeting people, changing locations, new sights, sounds like something quite interesting to do...'' She adds.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I suppose in a way it is, ephemeral that is. Most people I meet pass through my life for but a few days at most, and we're unlikely to meet again."

He paused for a few moments thinking. "I suppose I do find it interesting, exciting even. Though I do enjoy meeting new people. It's likely less interesting for those that don't."

[Amika]

'' How many places have you visited, if might i ask, Tsuruchi-sama?'' She asked interested in what types of lands he had went to.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I've been to all kinds of places up and down the coast. If it's a major port and you could name it I've likely stopped by even if only for a short time." He stretched his arms above his head, sliding back out of the water a little, revealing more of his chest. "Which mainly means lands of the Crab and the Crane as well as the Imperial city."

"Even ht a Phoenix port a time or two, though they are never much on hospitality."