It’s a special time of year and the sword army is invited to come down from their citadels and celebrate. What? A summer festival, an offering to the gods, or perhaps a special ceremony of sorts. A normally quiet, rural village at the foot of the mountains will transform for the night with lanterns, fireworks, and music all around but first! Some preparations need to be done. Did you really think you would be invited down here without having to do some work? Prepare to dance, prepare to sing, prepare for a night of fun.
1. CEREMONY PRACTICE
At the citadel, a new chore has been added to the list: ceremonial practice! The swords selected to perform at the festival will have to practice their song and dance or else they'll risk embarrassment in front of the crowds. Or maybe this entire thing is embarrassing... either way, this is your duty! Saniwa's orders! Where and when is up to you but you better be ready.
2. SPECIAL CLOTHES
You can’t wear those same old clothes. They’re all torn and worn or just not appropriate at all for the type of festival you’re going to. The government has all of your measurements and has sent special robes for the spirits and saniwa to wear. It even comes complete with accessories! What’s taking you so long? We should have left twenty minutes ago. Do you need help? Or are you trying to perfect your appearances for your big debut?
3. PERFORMANCE
Everyone is dancing and everyone is singing. Are you one of the performers? Or are they dancing to you? What kind of songs are you hearing? What dances are you watching? Did you see the ceremonial sword dance? Or maybe you were invited to dance in a special performance with your saniwa! When the performance is over, make sure to congratulate the performers on a job well done… or tease your friend.
4. OFFERINGS AND PRAYER
After the festive ceremonies, there are more serious things to do. There is a sacred fire and you can take a moment to pray to the gods. Remember, we are fighting a war and it’s important to remember those that have fallen. The swords that were broken and damaged beyond repair are gathered up and taken to a sacred fire so that their spirits can be purified and reborn. Later, all of those offerings you have been saving are offered up to the gods for their blessings. It's also a chance to hopefully pray for a turn in luck. Maybe you'll pray for an old friend to return to the citadel. It's been a long time since you saw them, right? They'll come home eventually.
5. FESTIVITIES
The ceremonies are finally over! Wow, that sure took up a lot of time, huh? There are still a couple of more hours left in the night so enjoy the festivities. Try the food, play the shooting games, win a couple of prizes. How many goldfish can you catch? Or maybe the important question is: How are you going to take care of this goldfish? At the end of the night, you can catch the fireworks before the night ends.
6. SURPRISE ATTACK
With so many saniwa and sword spirits gathered in one place, it's the perfect time for the enemy to make a major blow against the Time Government. In what should have been the fireworks finale, there's a loud explosion and lightning strikes. The Time Retrograde Army strikes without warning. It's nothing the Touken Danshi haven't taken care of before but this time, they'll have to protect their saniwa too.
7. WILDCARD
Pick your own adventure. Maybe you have to help make offerings or tonight is a special night for a special summoning.
What if the saniwa had to perform other duties besides just summoning swords to fight? What if they had to take part in special ceremonies? What if they had to invite their swords to perform with them? Feel free to get as creative as you want with this prompt as far as things like: Why are they celebrating? How often do they get to leave the citadel? Etc
( She feels like she's in the way but part of that largely has to do with her suddenly finding herself in the middle of a battle. In her mind, she knows if Taroutachi is really going to fight unrestrained, she needs to retreat somewhere safely so he won't have to worry about her but for now, the safest place is behind him. )
How did this happen? ( She looks up at the sky, expecting to see the barrier but all she sees is... the sky and a broken outline. ) The barrier broke? But how?!
( If the barrier here is anything like the one that protects her own citadel, in theory.... )
[Before she try and dash off, there's a strong arm around her holding her in place.]
Aruji, you can't. They're everywhere.
[And indeed, they do appear to be surrounded, although given the number of saniwa and swords around, most of them are already starting to be eliminated or pushed back. That still doesn't make it safe for Hana to just go off on her own, though.]
( She's held back and frowns but still, her hands reach to hold onto his sleeve. She doesn't really want to go if she can help it but she's always been a dutiful girl and even now, she feels like it's her duty to help where she can. )
But...
( Before she can really argue anymore, she sees that they're surrounded and she steps closer to Taroutachi. )
I'm sorry, I'm in the way...
( If Taroutachi is going to fight, he'll also have to watch her. )
Get behind me and stay close. Hold onto my kimono.
[Taroutachi is used to fighting with smaller people around that he needs to protect. Sure, most of the times those are tantou and wakizashi that can fight back, but still... Oodachi are tanks for a reason, Aruji. They will usually stand in front and stave off the heavy damage and finish things off.
And thankfully, some of the others are coming in from the outside. The enemy thought it had them surrounded, when in truth it's now caught in a pincer attack. Give or take ten minutes and the area is clear.
( She does as she's told, holding onto the back of his kimono, her grip tight. Hopefully he won't have to move around too much but he's an oodachi. They aren't exactly the fastest swords. As for her orders? There are two choices, really. Retreat so she can help fortify the barrier or help those in need right in front of her. This was a surprise attack and while everyone was caught off guard, some where never quite able to regain it. Her decision is obvious, )
We'll cover everyone. ( Or at least, as many as they can. ) We'll do it so the others can escape and recover or assist with the barrier.
( She steps closer to him. She's always stayed behind at the citadel while her swords fight so she isn't sure how she can help exactly, at least not at first. Watching some of the more seasoned saniwa stay close to their swords, she understands that she won't be as in the way as she originally thought. The other saniwa are healing their swords from the front lines, assisting the best they can, )
[he doesn't really have to say it, she understands, of course, but... Just in case.
He is cautious in his movements - he is very big and his blade even bigger, but thanks to his size he can definitely take the front line with some other oodachi from different Citadels and shield some more fragile swords and allow them to come out from behind for faster attacks.
It takes time, but eventually they do have the enemy mostly defeated and the ones that aren't are clearly retreating.
( Oodachi are usually on the front lines and because of this, the first time Hana enters battle with her swords, she ends up right at the front, even if she's behind Tarou. Luckily, she doesn't have time to really react to this. With adrenaline going through her, she's able to keep on her toes and keep focused. Her priority is supporting Taroutachi right now and at least when she's this close, she can use her magic directly to heal him.
As the fighting dies down, so does the rush and by the end, it all really hits her. She feels like her legs have locked up and she's dizzy from all of the excitement and using her magic. )
Taroutachi-san...
( She's quiet, holding onto his kimono a little more tightly now. )
[He notices th way she seems wobble and scoops her up, sitting her on his arm and holding her close. She barely weighs anything, so it's very easy.]
It's alright, Aruji. It's over. They're gone.
[Well... they're dead, mostly, but same difference. Although... some of the silhouettes down on the field are not enemies. It seems there were a few casualties on their side.]
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no subject
How did this happen? ( She looks up at the sky, expecting to see the barrier but all she sees is... the sky and a broken outline. ) The barrier broke? But how?!
( If the barrier here is anything like the one that protects her own citadel, in theory.... )
I have to help repair it.
no subject
Aruji, you can't. They're everywhere.
[And indeed, they do appear to be surrounded, although given the number of saniwa and swords around, most of them are already starting to be eliminated or pushed back. That still doesn't make it safe for Hana to just go off on her own, though.]
no subject
But...
( Before she can really argue anymore, she sees that they're surrounded and she steps closer to Taroutachi. )
I'm sorry, I'm in the way...
( If Taroutachi is going to fight, he'll also have to watch her. )
no subject
[Taroutachi is used to fighting with smaller people around that he needs to protect. Sure, most of the times those are tantou and wakizashi that can fight back, but still... Oodachi are tanks for a reason, Aruji. They will usually stand in front and stave off the heavy damage and finish things off.
And thankfully, some of the others are coming in from the outside. The enemy thought it had them surrounded, when in truth it's now caught in a pincer attack. Give or take ten minutes and the area is clear.
The fight is still continuing nearby, though.]
Aruji, your orders.
no subject
We'll cover everyone. ( Or at least, as many as they can. ) We'll do it so the others can escape and recover or assist with the barrier.
( She steps closer to him. She's always stayed behind at the citadel while her swords fight so she isn't sure how she can help exactly, at least not at first. Watching some of the more seasoned saniwa stay close to their swords, she understands that she won't be as in the way as she originally thought. The other saniwa are healing their swords from the front lines, assisting the best they can, )
I'll go with you and heal you.
no subject
[he doesn't really have to say it, she understands, of course, but... Just in case.
He is cautious in his movements - he is very big and his blade even bigger, but thanks to his size he can definitely take the front line with some other oodachi from different Citadels and shield some more fragile swords and allow them to come out from behind for faster attacks.
It takes time, but eventually they do have the enemy mostly defeated and the ones that aren't are clearly retreating.
no subject
As the fighting dies down, so does the rush and by the end, it all really hits her. She feels like her legs have locked up and she's dizzy from all of the excitement and using her magic. )
Taroutachi-san...
( She's quiet, holding onto his kimono a little more tightly now. )
no subject
It's alright, Aruji. It's over. They're gone.
[Well... they're dead, mostly, but same difference. Although... some of the silhouettes down on the field are not enemies. It seems there were a few casualties on their side.]