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

[morewarriorlike]

[ BEACH ]

[ While everyone else seems to be running around, splashing in the ocean, Izuminokami is having his own bit of fun, and by that I mean he's lazing about underneath one of those big colorful umbrellas. His hair was pulled up into a high ponytail with his arms behind his head and sunglasses on his face.

He was completely unguarded from any sort of beach-y attack that anyone might want to do. ]


[ SPOOKS]

[ Night time had proved to be a lot kinder to them instead of the day full of heat and mugginess. The air was a bit cooler and everyone seemed to be in much better spirits. Even Izuminokami who had been hiding with one of the few fans all day had come out to join in the fun.

He heard something about a test of courage, and who was more courageous than him? So of course he came out to the group of other swords with a grin on his face. ]

It's okay, you needn't fight fight over being my partner.


[ RAIN ]

siiiiiiiigh

[ What happened to all the bright sunny days? It's been raining for what seemed like three days straight now and it was really starting to get to him. No one was being sent out on missions, most duties were impossible to do, and even he had to admit that there was only so much training in the dojo one could do before it just got tiring.

So what was he doing? Lying under the roof outside with his arm dangling over the edge. ]

Will it ever stop?

SPOOKS

[sutureself]

[ Yagen gives him the most deadpan look, though it’s partially obstructed by that ominous sheen to his glasses. Because yes, he’s indeed clad in his lab coat, for reasons Izuminokami might not want to hear about on such a spooky night.

He merely turns to that spooky thicket which marks the starting point of the test of courage course. ]

Are you sure you can handle it, Izuminokami? I just saw Nagasone come out of there in tears earlier.

dont spook him too hard yagen, who will carry him out if he faints

[morewarriorlike]

Nagasone...?!

[ To actually scare him to tears... this test of courage really must be an impressive one... He should check on him later to make sure he's okay... but that wasn't important right now! He couldn't let on that he was a little nervous! He was Izuminokami Kanesada! The impressively strong sword of Hijikata's! He wouldn't let some test scare him away!

He cleared his throat a little. ]

His resolve is just not as strong as mine.

it's fine; yagen can carry him out in pieces

[sutureself]

Oh?

[ There’s a lilt of interest in his voice, though Yagen keeps his emotions carefully concealed still. It’s a pretty harebrained thing for his erstwhile captain to do, but hey, he’s got nothing better to do tonight.

He pulls something out his coat pocket and tosses it at Kanesada. ]

Then catch.

[ He’ll find that it’s a little flashlight, because test of courage or no, they need to avoid concussions before they get to the fun part of this evening’s event. ]

It’s better if someone with a fierce resolve takes the lead.

Oh! Well that's fine then...

[morewarriorlike]

[ He manages to catch the flashlight without fumbling it at all and holds it under his face with a grin. ]

A wise choice. Don't you worry, I'll keep you safe throughout the whole challenge.

[sutureself]

[ Look at him, trying to act all cool like that. Yagen almost feels bad for plotting his downfall.

Ah well. It’s all in good fun anyway. ]

That’s very…brave of you, Izuminokami.

[ He’d only narrowly caught himself from saying “reckless” instead. ]

But lead the way.

[ Despite having said that, he’s already walking toward the spooky forest without a care in the world. And it’s awfully dark and claustrophobic in there, as if the trees are constantly closing in on you, their branches outstretched as if they’re trying to grab at you…

But it’s fine, probably. ]

[morewarriorlike]

[ H-hey hey! Yagen how is he supposed to lead the way when you start walking on ahead! Luckily for him. he has longer legs than him and could easily catch up to his side as he turns the flashlight on. ]

Have you ever done one of these before...?

[ He wonders what he should expect. Not that he was worried or anything... Just curious?

It'd be easier to boost up his confidence if Horikawa were his partner. "Kane-san" this and "Kane-san" that. It'd be hard to let this... rather dark forest spook him too much. Again, not that he would get spooked. ]

[sutureself]

[ Such a good uchigatana. You’re a credit to your class, Captain. Yagen obligingly lets him catch up, until they’re both matched in pace. But he does scratch his chin thoughtfully at that question. ]

I wouldn’t say I have, but this is a bit like scouting for enemy troops, so…

[ He’s used to the encroaching darkness, claustrophobia, limitless potentials for enemy ambush in every nook and shadow, as well as the eerie silence of the evening, broken up by the occasional chirping of cicadas. ]

You’d better watch your step, Izuminokami.

[morewarriorlike]

Hmmm, when you put it that way... I can really see it. But instead of our enemies we're looking out for spirits and ghouls that might try and surprise us.

[ He frowned thoughtfully, keeping the flashlight in front of them as they walked. The further they got away from their home, the darker it seemed to get. Right now it wasn't all that bad, but...he knew his night vision wasn't as great as Yagen's. ]

I'll be fine. I doubt there really is much in these woods, it's all just tricks to bother your mind and--

[ His head whips around when he hears a sudden rustle of leaves. ]

spooks

[tosa]

( There's Izuminokami, bragging that he's so brave that people will surely fight over being his partner...

And here's Mutsunokami just walking right past him without a second glance or any sort of acknowledgement in his direction. Why would he? It's not like he wants to be Izuminokami's partner or anything like that. Well, it wouldn't be Mutsunokami if he didn't do some ribbing... )

If ya need someone to keep ya company and hold your hand then find someone else.

[morewarriorlike]

[ No. No, don't rise to the bait. You're better than this Izuminokami...

It was clear by the look on his face that his words definitely hit, but he was still smiling through it. Clearly Mutsunokami was just too afraid to go through the challenge in the first place. Yeah, that was definitely it. ]

You sound scared. I suppose I can't blame you. Your resolve has always been a little... lacking.

[tosa]

( Take the bait, Izuminokami.

He looks at Izuminokami and the the distance between them. )

You're the one hanging back. ( He's like, six steps ahead of you, dude! ) Sure ya aren't one the scared?

[morewarriorlike]

[ He clicks his tongue and quickly takes a few long strides just to be in front of Mutsunokami. But not before bumping into his side. So much for not taking the bait... ] The scariest thing in the area is your poor aim.

[ And with that he starts heading further in, twirling a flashlight he may or may not
Have snagged from Mutsu.]

[tosa]

( Wow, what the heck? As soon as Mutsunokami feels Izuminokami bumping against him, he's quick to pick up his pace and ram right back into him! )

Wait your turn, wait your turn! I was here first!

( ... )

And give that back!

[morewarriorlike]

Give what back? This is clearly for the leader of the group to hold and that would be me.

[ He gives Mutsunokami another shove before his walking seems to speed up again. ]

Unless you think you'll be too scared without it in your hands.

[tosa]

Who died and made ya the captain?!

( Excuse you? He's definitely following along after Izuminokami now, though. )

I'm just fine without it! You're the one that needed it so much ya had to take it.

[morewarriorlike]

I only took it because everyone knows the one who holds the flash light is the one who leads the charge.

[ He might just be making that rule up, but it seemed to make sense to him..! ]

So of course the leader should be me.

beach!

[sharplydressed]

[HERE COMES probably the one soul in the Shinsengumi Sword Squad™ who won't take this opportunity to even so much as tease Kanesada for being Like This. (Sans Horikawa. Horikawa is an outlier when it comes to Kane-san treatment and should not be counted.)

Regardless, instead of pushing him over or lobbing a beach ball at his noggin or carrying him away to be buried in a sand pit, he just leans down, pretending to "knock" on the edge of the umbrella as if it were a door.]

Yo! Any room for one more under there?

[Is he just too lazy to set up his own big beach umbrella?? Maybe. Yes.]

[morewarriorlike]

[ (Also Ignoring Horikawa in this case, because it's unfair to judge anything by him) Ignoring the teasing that happened when the hair of Okita swords were together, Kashuu was probably one of the shinsengumi swords he had a lot in common with. At least when it came to looking your best and dealing with fashion. You know, those sort of things.

So when he heard that familiar voice speak up, he tugged his sunglasses down a bit and gave him an amused look. He was sure there were other places he could cozy up to, but maybe Kashuu didn't feel like hanging out under one alone.

I suppose I could share my space with you.

[sharplydressed]

[Hanging out alone on the beach is kind of sad, honestly... Especially when so many of their comrades are content to just flock together in huge bunches, swimming or playing beach volleyball or trying and failing to smash watermelons like normal people.

He grins at the agreement, either way, ducking below the umbrella so he can spread out his own towel.]

Pretty generous. I'd say thanks, but I think my company works even better as a thank you, yeah?

[Just a couple of arrogant punks under an umbrella, dang. THAT SAID, as he's smoothing down his towel so he can delicately perch upon it--]

Hey, did you get to try any of that watermelon stuff before you set up over here?

[morewarriorlike]

I was going to, but some of the tantous were so aggressive in their swings, the watermelons were completely covered in sand and at that point it didn't see worth it.

[ He seemed more amused than he was bothered by it though. Not that he'd want to say it out loud, but some of them were pretty adorable in their excitement. ]

Siiiiigh but I suppose I'll just have to deal with it.

[ He finally moves to sit up as he watches Kashuu make himself comfortable under his umbrella. (it wasn't actually his, he just claimed the spot.) ]

What about you? Somehow I just imagine you making your other half sneak some for you.

[sharplydressed]

[That gets a little delicate snort of laughter from him. It's too easy to imagine the tantous running rampant...]

Yeah, you really had to get in there early if you wanted any of the good stuff. [ie, the stuff that wasn't just watermelon-flavored sand.

He also ROLLS HIS EYES at both Yasusada's label and Kanesada's (totally correct) assumption that he'd try to weasel some free labor and treats out of his poor partner.]

That guy? He's way too busy to sneak anyone anything right now. [Who even knows what he's doing. Building a sand sculpture dedicated to Okita? Trying to eat the first tasty-looking sea creature he finds?? A mystery.] But! There's a super good watermelon drink that Souza's got over near that little beach bar they set up.

[morewarriorlike]

[ If anything both of their troublesome partners were off doing something together. Probably happy to be rid of the two of them for a few minutes... ]

Is that so? I wasn't aware you could juice a watermelon so easily... I wonderful if he'd be willing to share with the rest of us.

[sharplydressed]

[Yasusada could definitely use a break from his constant fussing about sunscreen application and gross jellyfish in the tide pools, that's for sure.]

You can't really juice it. But you can freeze the stuff inside and blend it up! It's almost exactly like a juice smoothie. Pretty cool, right?

[morewarriorlike]

[ Please ignore how excited he looked in that moment. He couldn't help it, this world was always finding new things for him to be excited about. ]

It's amazing what people can come up with. Even a simple idea could flourish into something greater.

[... He just really wants to try out that drink now. ]