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.

 

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[toranogohiki]

[Beach]

[Gokotai is trying to shield himself under a big hat, and trying to herd cats tigers, because they want to go next to the sea, but the waves send them running everywhere while squeaking.

There are some tubes here and inflatable mattresses.. maybe he could take them out on one. But the mattress is very big, and he is just a small tantou, and as soon as he tries taking it, a gust of wind blows and he is almost carried away!]

Aaaaaaaah!


[Suffering]

[The tigers are having a hard time... Gokotai has been giving them water, and right now he is trying to fan them while slowly melting himself.]

Why is it so hot.... Can tigers have ice cream? I wonder if a little bit could be okay.


[Spooks]

... Uwaaaaaah!

[Normally, most people try not to have Gokotai be taken up int he kind of jump scare fun times, because he gets scared easily. So how did he end in the forest behind the Citadel, wearing only a thin yukata and clutching his tantou blade.]

Ugh... A-Aruji-samaaaaa....

[Spooks]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo is on the sidelines of the test of courage helping to monitor everyone’s progress, especially his brothers’, and to make sure no one goes the wrong way.

He spots Gokotai. Part of him is very proud that Gokotai has decided to face his fears and take part, at least, he thinks Gokotai made the decision to do so himself?The other part of him is so so so worried and he just want to run out there and scoop the little tiger tantou in his arms and tell him everything will be all right. But no, he must control himself and not be overprotective. This will help Gokotai grow stronger and braver. This is good for Gokotai, or so Ichigo tells himself. How long he will be able to remain on the sidelines without interfering is anyone’s guess, but it probably won’t be long...]

[toranogohiki]

[Did he decide to, or did one of his brothers or someone else drag him here? Every time there's a noise, he jumps, holding the blade tighter.

And now there are actual tears pooling in his eyes. Even his tigers are nowhere to be found, and he can't see anyone and the lights of the Citadel are so far they're not visible anymore.]

Ugh... I-is there some here? P-please...

[oncealifetime]

[Whoever dragged Gokotai into this and abandoned him here will have to face Ichigo's wrath later!

For now, he follows close behind Gokotai, trying his best not to give in to his urge to just rush out and save him. But then he accidentally steps on a twig and it snaps loudly...]

[toranogohiki]

[The snap make him jump and finally he draws his blade looking all around... and flailing even more.]

Uwaaaaaah.... I-I'm going to diiiiie....

[Ichi-nii, please help.]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo’s resolve to not interfere with Gokotai’s test of courage collapses instantly. It did last around five minutes so that’s a new record. He immediately gives in to his urge to protect Gokotai and steps out from the shadows with a reassuring smile.]

Gokotai, it’s all right! It’s just me. [And he kneels down and holds his arms out for him.]

[toranogohiki]

[As soon as the person is identified, Gokotai lets out a little gasp... and then immediately runs to him to take refuge into the warm, familiar embrace.]

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<small>[As soon as the person is identified, Gokotai lets out a little gasp... and then immediately runs to him to take refuge into the warm, familiar embrace.]<:small>

I-Ichi-niiiii.... w-what is going on? I got lost, and, and.... ugh...

suffering

[sutureself]

Don’t…they’ll only get sick…

[ Forgive him if he’s not being super articulate lately. It’s so hot that he’s actually taken his lab coat off and rolled up his sleeves as he lies sprawled next to Gokotai on the engawa, looking as if he’s ready to ascend to that great big smithy in the sky. ]

[toranogohiki]

O-Oh... Alright.

[Sorry babies, guess you'll have to do with ice water. Gokotai fishes some ice cubes from the bowl the tigers are drinking from so they can play, and scoots closer to fan his brother too.]

Yagen, are you alright?

[sutureself]

[ He appreciates the gesture, Gokotai, he really does. If he responds by looking as though his mortal soul has left him, well, it’s not really anyone’s fault in the end. ]

Lord Nobunaga…is that you? Everything’s…burning up…

[ QUICK SOMEBODY GET HIRANO ON A FETCH QUEST STAT ]

[toranogohiki]

[Oh no. Oh. No. When ever Yagen starts talking about Nobunaga, he usually isn't having a good time. And burning up? that's not good, not good at all. He needs to cool down more, and the fan is not helping much...

Sorry, Yagen, Gokotai panicked. He just quickly grabs the bowl of ice water from the tigers and upends it on his brother's head and face.]

[sutureself]

Gah!

[ Yagen immediately sits up from the shock, yanking his glasses off as he rubs at his eyes. Okay, so that’s maybe a bit extreme, but it worked(?). ]

Gokotai… [ It’s said in a low, dangerous voice as Yagen tries his best to recover. ] …just what did you think you were doing?

[toranogohiki]

B-But.... you said you were burning up. I thought.... I-I thought....

[his bottom lip is wibbling, Yagen. He was worried!]

P-Please don't be mad! I-I'm sorry!

suffering

[shirayama]

I do not know.

( He doesn't know how to take care of a tiger, let alone many. But Gokotai is hot and he is worried for his tigers an therefore, Hakusan is also concerned. He is, after all, a healer and it is his duty to watch out for everyone's wellbeing.

They'd been sitting outside watching the garden (maybe in an awkward silence) but Hakusan rises and beckons for Gokotai and his tigers to follow him. )

Let us go.

[toranogohiki]

... Haku-nii?

[Gokotai is already scrambling up and herding his tigers, but...]

... W-Where are we going?

[shirayama]

( He's given up on trying to correct his younger brothers. By now, he's used to his nickname and being called an older brother. Though he feels as though he isn't worthy, it's a title he will take seriously.

They really don't have to go very far. He's always close to the medic's room and it's easy to tell from the direction they're going it that he must be heading there or maybe the tea room. But he doesn't really spend as much time there. Opening the door to the medic room, he looks to see if anyone is inside and finding it empty, he opens the door wider for Gokotai and his tigers to enter.

The fox on his shoulder also hops down daintily and begins to head inside. The air in the room is much cooler than most other rooms. It's partially in the shade for much of the day and even with the air conditioning broken, there are plenty of fans. Of course, they aren't on now but he'll go to turn them on. )

You may relax here.

( As the fans turn on, some of the papers on the tables and shelves are beginning to flap and he goes to make sure none of them fly away. )

[toranogohiki]

[Gokotai follows, and he gives a little sigh as he steps in the cooler room, but...

But there was a reason why he did not come here earlier, even though he knows it's a cooler place. First, because it's Haku-nii's room and it could be needed for someone with actual injuries but also...]

Haku-nii... I-I don't think this is...

[As soon as papers start flapping, the tigers are jumping about, batting at them and trying to catch them.]

Aaaaah, don't! You'll cause trouble for Haku-nii!

[shirayama]

( He doesn't mind. Even when they catch some of the papers and start to roll around, he kneels down next to them and holds out his hand, calmly and gently trying to coax one of them into letting the piece go. When he gets it, he places it neatly into a folder and places it back on a shelf. He doesn't seem bothered at all by any of this. The papers aren't very important and no one is here.

He then takes a few bowls and cups from the cupboard and fills them with water, setting them down on the floor for the tigers and fox. )

... I am not troubled.

[toranogohiki]

... A-Are you sure?

[Haku-nii is always so good to all of them... Gokotai thinks for a moment, and then suddenly stand up resolutely.]

Haku-nii, wait for me a moment? I-I'll be right back!

[And off he runs to the kitchen, to ask Shokudaikiri san about those melon cubes he and his tantou brothers cut up and froze the day before. It was supposed to be a bit of a surprise for later, but Gokotai is pretty sure his brothers won't mind if he gets it out a little early.

With Shokudaikiri's help, he puts a small amount of frozen melon cubes in a small ball. he adds a few other slices of fruit and a drop of honey drizzle on top and then carefully brings it back to the room.

When he gets in, he goes to slowly put the bowl down on the table in front of Haku.]

Beach

[youwillbeunequaled]

Ohh- there.

[A big hand darts forward over Gokotai's head to catch the inflatable mattress. Holding it steady even after the gust of wind dies down, Tonbokiri looks down at the little tantou with a friendly but concerned smile.]

Are you all right, Gokotai? Were you going to go out on the water on this?

[toranogohiki]

A-Ah... Thank you, Tonbokiri-san!

[Thank god for the bigger swords.]

I-It's for the tigers? They want to go in the water, but they're scared, so I thought...

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He of course cannot help but smile at the image of a group of tigers floating on the mattress steered by the little tantou. It is cute, but it also worries him a little.]

If that is what they wish, then allow me to lend you a hand.
Get everyone aboard the mattress, and I shall carry you all out to the water.

[He places the mattress on the ground invitingly.]

And... perhaps you should sit with them. If they startle and extend their claws, it would be a bit of trouble.

[Even a puncture-resistant material won't stand up well to tiger claws.]

this is going to turn into a disaster and Tonbo will have to rescue a tantou and five tigers

[toranogohiki]

A-Ah....

[Well, that's true, he didn't think of that. The tigers are mostly well-behaved, but they are mischievous.

But it's much easier with outside help, and Gokotai manages to coax the tigers onto the mattress once he is seated them. And they chirp curiously as they are carried, how fun!]

Naw, this will be fine! Totally fine! XD

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Here we go~!
Of course, carrying the tantou and his five tiger cubs is no trouble at all for him, and he easily takes them beyond the waves crashing on the shore and out to where the water simply rises and falls. The water is only up to his chest, so standing there and holding the mattress steady is no effort at all, either.]

There. What do you think of this watery adventure?

[He means both Gokotai and the cubs. But he supposes for all their personality, the cubs won't be able to answer him well.]

[Meanwhile, Tonbokiri's lengthy ponytail is floating out on the surface of the water. Hopefully the usually attractive target for the cubs doesn't tempt them off the mattress.]

[toranogohiki]

[Gokotai is delighted, and the tigers are looking everywhere with wide eyes.]

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<small>[Gokotai is delighted, and the tigers are looking everywhere with wide eyes.]<:small>

T-Thank you, Tonbokiri-san!

<small>[But of course, it can't last. one of the tigers paws at the water, then licks its paw, then starts sneezing at the salty taste, and slides off the mattress... and from them pandemonium ensues as another tries to catch him, and another jumps back and Gokotai tries to calm them sown and as predicted, a sharp claw pierces through the mattress.]</small>

A-Aaaaah!