6 ❀ Summer Citadel

[konnosuke]

Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out. Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?! Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix... Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside. Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.

 

Comments

[youwillbeunequaled]

He considers that seriously, and gives a thoughtful hum.

"Have you ever seen a master of the sword completely satisfied with his technique? I feel that... as even masters strove for more skill, so we will always be striving for deeper understanding." He abruptly laughs, adding, "And doesn't that sound like a very human thing to do?"

[replicatedform]

[He blinks, and again.]

Your answer? ... Oh.

[Oh, right. He remembers that can happen. He glances away for a moment, before he looks back at Mikazuki.]

You don't really have to. But... you'll probably give it anyway.

[And okay, Yamanbagiri is actually curious to hear Mikazuki's response. Just a little bit.]

[tsukijiji]

[Of course he has to answer your poem with one of his own, Kunihiro.

He thinks for a little while before he takes up his brush and writes, then lest the ink dry.

And then he reads the poem out loud.]

'While sleepless
I gaze upon the moon
‘til dawn!
For in the darkness my love
Would gain no consolation!'

[dragoncarving]

You made plenty. I don't really care, as long I have one.

[Although, how willing Ookurikara would share with others depend on how he feels. And how he feel about the other person. He watches Mitsutada for a moment, raising a brow, before turning his attention back to the ice cream.]

But if you're not going to eat yours, I can take that one.

[replicatedform]

[He waits, and listens to Mikazuki's poem quietly and attentively. The words seem to stir something in him, but what is it?]

That's...

[If he's not copying, repeating, someone's words, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro sometimes find himself stuck on what to say.]

... really nice.

[morewarriorlike]

That honestly gets a decent laugh out of the younger sword as well. "I suppose you have a point there. If there is nothing left to strive for, we wouldn't be using our full potential, which I am most certain our old masters would agree with..."

It was strange, no matter the topic, whether it was a silly one starting with hair care, or one that was more deep and thought provoking, Kanesada really did enjoy these little talks he had with Tonbokiri. He almost felt wiser himself.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Likewise, Tonbokiri enjoys the company of Izuminokami. The sword is sometimes confident, sometimes fumbling, but always manages to pull through in the end.

It's a pleasure to make him laugh, and help him, and even soothe him a little. Tonbokiri will certainly reflect upon this day fondly, and look forward to the next time they might spend such a time together.