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6 ❀ Summer Citadel
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If it's good enough for a horse, it's good enough for Iwatooshi. He's never been one for decorum or propriety, which is something he takes after from his previous Master. Musashibou Benkei, a monk who happily went the way of the sword; Musashibou Benkei, a man who balanced his mind with his might.
Iwatooshi is mid-gesture when Tonbokiri steps into the stables, towel poised and ready to scrub at his head. He stops before he can get it wet. Glances between the item in his hand and the spear dripping puddles onto stone flooring and hay.
For someone who cuts such a large figure, Iwatooshi is quick on his feet. One, two strides take him right behind his companion, and the flat of his large palm is on the crown of Tonbokiri's head before there's so much as a warning.
"Gahahaha! Then I'll use those!" Here he goes... drying Tonbokiri off with the formerly-gifted towel. It's a practiced motion, deceptively careful despite the wide sweep of his range— he's done the same to Imanotsurugi often enough that he knows his strength and how to curb it. "Stay still, stay still."
Iwatooshi is mid-gesture when Tonbokiri steps into the stables, towel poised and ready to scrub at his head. He stops before he can get it wet. Glances between the item in his hand and the spear dripping puddles onto stone flooring and hay.
For someone who cuts such a large figure, Iwatooshi is quick on his feet. One, two strides take him right behind his companion, and the flat of his large palm is on the crown of Tonbokiri's head before there's so much as a warning.
"Gahahaha! Then I'll use those!" Here he goes... drying Tonbokiri off with the formerly-gifted towel. It's a practiced motion, deceptively careful despite the wide sweep of his range— he's done the same to Imanotsurugi often enough that he knows his strength and how to curb it. "Stay still, stay still."
I think actual strawberries will give it more of a fresh taste, so if you wouldn't mind washing some and cutting off the tops of them for me..?
[ It might not have succeeded, but it was charming none the less. ]
[ It might not have succeeded, but it was charming none the less. ]
Okay. I shouldn't have any problem doing that.
[And off he goes to do all that. He's very focused on his task, like he usually is when he's given any assignment. His movements are precise and graceful.]
[And off he goes to do all that. He's very focused on his task, like he usually is when he's given any assignment. His movements are precise and graceful.]
[ Seeing how focused he was, he almost let himself be too distracted to actually start working on the other stuff needed to make these... oops. Ichigo looked so adorable though. ]
With four hands working, it'll go a lot faster.
With four hands working, it'll go a lot faster.
[Ichigo is almost done with his part when he feels Mitsutada's gaze on him, and he sees that he's hardly started.]
Do you need help with your part?
Do you need help with your part?
[HE CAN TELL.]
Right? I'm all for this kinda innovation. [Is he feeling generous enough to offer to get up and get them some? Hm...]
—Wanna come with me to see if he's got any left?
[Close enough.]
Right? I'm all for this kinda innovation. [Is he feeling generous enough to offer to get up and get them some? Hm...]
—Wanna come with me to see if he's got any left?
[Close enough.]
[Everyone should keep anyone at all away from Kanesada, he's a menace to society on a whole.
Except he's not actually that bad, and Kashuu's punkass grin probably says that he's just being a Rude Bully to a degree. Perhaps a largeish degree! It's fine, they're all Shinsengumi swords, bullying is how they express affection.]
Oh, y'know. He just sorta talks before he realizes what he's saying, that kinda stuff. And if you catch him out for being totally wrong, you really have to fight with him to prove it! It's pretty funny.
[FOR EVERYONE BUT KANESADA.]
Except he's not actually that bad, and Kashuu's punkass grin probably says that he's just being a Rude Bully to a degree. Perhaps a largeish degree! It's fine, they're all Shinsengumi swords, bullying is how they express affection.]
Oh, y'know. He just sorta talks before he realizes what he's saying, that kinda stuff. And if you catch him out for being totally wrong, you really have to fight with him to prove it! It's pretty funny.
[FOR EVERYONE BUT KANESADA.]
[At least he'll have a helper until they both inevitably evaporate into sword dust from the sheer POWER OF THE SUN.]
You don't mind?
[He asks that, but he's already taking a seat... He arranges the things he's brought so they're closer to Mikazuki, though. Gotta give a grandpa all the help he can get.]
Ugh, I should've seen if there were any free fans while I was in there, too.
You don't mind?
[He asks that, but he's already taking a seat... He arranges the things he's brought so they're closer to Mikazuki, though. Gotta give a grandpa all the help he can get.]
Ugh, I should've seen if there were any free fans while I was in there, too.
[He's had a little time to get used to Hakusan's very peculiar idiosyncrasies, at least... While it still isn't his favorite thing to deal with, he's not Personally Offended to not be greeted warmly by this particular sword.
Instead, he turns his attention back toward the cabinets and holders full of tea before shrugging.]
Depends on how much tea you're planning on making. Having some extra hands to carry a few rounds out after you're done would be good though, yeah?
[Was he planning on actually handing the tea out?? Apparently that's Kashuu's plan...]
Instead, he turns his attention back toward the cabinets and holders full of tea before shrugging.]
Depends on how much tea you're planning on making. Having some extra hands to carry a few rounds out after you're done would be good though, yeah?
[Was he planning on actually handing the tea out?? Apparently that's Kashuu's plan...]
[Unfortunately, Ichigo is always rather serious, so he's not completely sure whether Kashuu is really just joking or not... His brothers aren't that rowdy at all, at least not in front of him. They are usually on their best behaviour when he's there, as no one wants to be the target of Ichi-nii's disappointment and disapproval.]
... fight him to prove he's wrong? That doesn't sound funny at all, Kashuu-dono. Will he not listen to reason?
[He just can't condone bullying.]
... fight him to prove he's wrong? That doesn't sound funny at all, Kashuu-dono. Will he not listen to reason?
[He just can't condone bullying.]
[ oops... He had been staring for a little too long, hadn't he. Mitsutada just chuckles as he scratches at his cheek. He might as well play it off, so Ichigo didn't feel too uncomfortable...]
Sorry, I was admiring your cutting skills. Working with a smaller blade can't always be easy, but you do it wonderfully.
Sorry, I was admiring your cutting skills. Working with a smaller blade can't always be easy, but you do it wonderfully.
[He looks down at the knife in his hand.]
My cutting skills with a smaller blade...?
[His cheeks turn a light pink.]
I guess I must have been spending too much time with my brothers...? [One of them is literally named 'kitchen knife' after all!]
My cutting skills with a smaller blade...?
[His cheeks turn a light pink.]
I guess I must have been spending too much time with my brothers...? [One of them is literally named 'kitchen knife' after all!]
[ Hmmm! Well it wasn't Kashuu going to grab some for him, but it also wasn't Kashuu trying to make him grab some for the two of them either so he supposed he couldn't complain too much. Pushing his sunglasses up until they were on top of his head, he gives Kashuu a little grin. ]
I suppose there'd be no harm in doing that.
I suppose there'd be no harm in doing that.
Perhaps that's what it is then? Because you seem to handle it like a pro in the kitchen.
[ He just gives Ichigo a warm smile before turning back to what he was doing in gathering up ingredients to put together. ]
[ He just gives Ichigo a warm smile before turning back to what he was doing in gathering up ingredients to put together. ]
Really? Thank you for thinking so, Mitsutada-dono. I'm sure you're much better at it though.
[He watches him for a moment then goes back to tidy up his work. That's when he notices that he's perhaps prepared too many strawberries... Well, it would be okay to eat one then.
Mmmm~ What a very juicy and delicious strawberry~! Ah, he's got some strawberry juice on his fingers now. It would be such a waste not to lick them, and so that's what he does...]
[He watches him for a moment then goes back to tidy up his work. That's when he notices that he's perhaps prepared too many strawberries... Well, it would be okay to eat one then.
Mmmm~ What a very juicy and delicious strawberry~! Ah, he's got some strawberry juice on his fingers now. It would be such a waste not to lick them, and so that's what he does...]
[ Mitsutada turned his head again, finding in hard to not watch him while he was in the kitchen. What he wasn't expecting to find was Ichigo licking his fingers...! He dropped one of his dry ingredient measuring cups on the table (luckily it was plastic) and his hand goes to his face instead.
Aruji take the wheel...]
Aruji take the wheel...]
[Ichigo was contemplating whether or not he should to eat another strawberry when he heard the dropping cup and looked over.]
Mitsutada-dono, are you all right?
Mitsutada-dono, are you all right?
At the weight on his head Tonbokiri staggers to a stop, bewildered once again.
It's unusual enough that someone can so easily reach the crown of his head, never mind so casually (and surprisingly gently) rub a towel through his hair! He stays still more out of a loss of what to do than Iwatooshi's command. The fact that he very much enjoys the feeling of someone else working his hair is not helping.
Finally he gathers himself to say, "No- I couldn't possibly let you use those..." Which is a statement clearly belated.
This is embarrassing on so many levels.
He can't even move forward to get a towel for Iwatooshi right now.
"P-Please, take care of yourself as well."
It's unusual enough that someone can so easily reach the crown of his head, never mind so casually (and surprisingly gently) rub a towel through his hair! He stays still more out of a loss of what to do than Iwatooshi's command. The fact that he very much enjoys the feeling of someone else working his hair is not helping.
Finally he gathers himself to say, "No- I couldn't possibly let you use those..." Which is a statement clearly belated.
This is embarrassing on so many levels.
He can't even move forward to get a towel for Iwatooshi right now.
"P-Please, take care of yourself as well."
(That wasn't teasing. He'd been quite serious! ...But it was amusing how obvious their feelings had been.)
Surely Izuminokami would be offended if he rejected the offer now. Tonbokiri, at last, realizes how deep he's gotten himself and relents. Sliding himself slowly over the tatami mat, he comes to keel in front of the mirror and with both hands passes Izuminokami the comb.
"I put myself in your care."
The warmth in his face is not going to fade any time soon, but he still takes a deep breath to calm himself.
Surely Izuminokami would be offended if he rejected the offer now. Tonbokiri, at last, realizes how deep he's gotten himself and relents. Sliding himself slowly over the tatami mat, he comes to keel in front of the mirror and with both hands passes Izuminokami the comb.
"I put myself in your care."
The warmth in his face is not going to fade any time soon, but he still takes a deep breath to calm himself.
"Ha! Certainly— I wouldn't hear the end of it, if I were to go back sick. Imanotsurugi would have my head!"
He laughs at his own assertion, still running his hand over Tonbokiri's hair over the obstruction of the towel. It isn't self-sacrifice that prompts him to continue to dry his companion off; rather, it's the fact that Iwatooshi can be a bit of a busybody when he wants to be.
It makes him smile, at any rate. A lot of things do.
"Don't be so tense! I won't swallow you whole."
He laughs at his own assertion, still running his hand over Tonbokiri's hair over the obstruction of the towel. It isn't self-sacrifice that prompts him to continue to dry his companion off; rather, it's the fact that Iwatooshi can be a bit of a busybody when he wants to be.
It makes him smile, at any rate. A lot of things do.
"Don't be so tense! I won't swallow you whole."
"No, of course not..." He's tense because he's awkwardly evading letting himself enjoy the feeling of having his hair rubbed. (Spoiler: He's not great at evading.)
The other busybody in his life is more the trouble-making kind, so Tonbokiri really doesn't know what to do with this kind of attention.
"Do you... often do such things for others?"
The other busybody in his life is more the trouble-making kind, so Tonbokiri really doesn't know what to do with this kind of attention.
"Do you... often do such things for others?"
"It is true, they have little attention for such things. As do I."
He's demonstrated over and over again that he's not put off by Muramasa's legend. But having Sengo Muramasa believe better of himself is another matter.
Tonbokiri returns to the bench and sits down on an edge that is not taken up by his drying yukata.
"Mm. I wonder if I should ask something in return for rescuing your obi."
He's demonstrated over and over again that he's not put off by Muramasa's legend. But having Sengo Muramasa believe better of himself is another matter.
Tonbokiri returns to the bench and sits down on an edge that is not taken up by his drying yukata.
"Mm. I wonder if I should ask something in return for rescuing your obi."
It is an honour. Thank you for your indulgence.
[Especially thankful, for if Tonbokiri were to think a little further, he would realize that this form of poetry is one step away from the haiku Mikazuki 'needs practice with'.
[What would there be to suspect? Mikazuki-dono is difficult to understand, but nothing to be afraid of.]
[Quick wit is supposed to be a distinctive mark of renku. Despite the subtle pressure of composing before one who is essentially a Master, Tonbokiri tries to not dwell too long on his verse. Mm. Poetry is not his strength, but hopefully he will not embarrass himself. Honda Tadakatsu was a noble and cultured man, after all!
He soon takes up the brush, dips it in the ink, and writes in his bold but tidy hand.
Although it was easy for Mikazuki to watch him write, he still reads it aloud as well.]
The late summer rain
Drives even the resilient
To find dry shelter
[He then tries to politely curb his anticipation as he waits for the second chain.]
[Especially thankful, for if Tonbokiri were to think a little further, he would realize that this form of poetry is one step away from the haiku Mikazuki 'needs practice with'.
[What would there be to suspect? Mikazuki-dono is difficult to understand, but nothing to be afraid of.]
[Quick wit is supposed to be a distinctive mark of renku. Despite the subtle pressure of composing before one who is essentially a Master, Tonbokiri tries to not dwell too long on his verse. Mm. Poetry is not his strength, but hopefully he will not embarrass himself. Honda Tadakatsu was a noble and cultured man, after all!
He soon takes up the brush, dips it in the ink, and writes in his bold but tidy hand.
Although it was easy for Mikazuki to watch him write, he still reads it aloud as well.]
The late summer rain
Drives even the resilient
To find dry shelter
[He then tries to politely curb his anticipation as he waits for the second chain.]
Lessons? That is a very kind offer. I fear that the effort may be wasted on one such as I...
However... I would be willing to try.
However... I would be willing to try.
Ah?
Ahhhh-!
[Tonbokiri echoes Gokotai's exclamation as he watches the descent into dangerous chaos. He manages to move over and catch the one who had initially slid off the mattress, but now it is a race against time to gather up everyone as the air slowly leaks out...]
Gokotai! Climb onto my shoulders. Keep the tigers with you however you can. [He tries to coax another into his free hand, even as he starts walking as quickly as he can back towards shore, keeping the mattress with them for as long as it will stay aloft.]
Ahhhh-!
[Tonbokiri echoes Gokotai's exclamation as he watches the descent into dangerous chaos. He manages to move over and catch the one who had initially slid off the mattress, but now it is a race against time to gather up everyone as the air slowly leaks out...]
Gokotai! Climb onto my shoulders. Keep the tigers with you however you can. [He tries to coax another into his free hand, even as he starts walking as quickly as he can back towards shore, keeping the mattress with them for as long as it will stay aloft.]
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