minutemen | 6 ❀ Summer Citadel

6 ❀ Summer Citadel

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.

[While Shokudaikiri had wisely made his resting spot far enough from the volleyball court for normal stray balls to be no concern, the swords playing were powerful and enthusiastic...]

Shokudaikiri--!

[Tonbokiri doesn't have time to add either the 'Mitsutada' or '-dono' in his haste to gain the sword's attention, because there's a beach volleyball streaking right for his head, and from his right side at that!]

[ Hearing his name being called out in such a way, all sense of what was around him quickly faded as he whipped his head around to see who was calling out to him. Unfortunately it was a little too late, because the last thing he saw was a face full of ball before he toppled over into the sand.

How uncool... ]

[Uwaa... That was... ~~uncool~~ unfortunate indeed.

Rushing to Shokudaikiri's side, Tonbokiri kneels down and looks for visible damage. Not that a mere volleyball should harm him, but it was a surprise assault. He looks a little stunned.]

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada-dono! Are you all right? I am so very sorry.

[Not that he was the one that spiked the ball, but still. He is So Sorry!]

[ Give him a moment. He was seeing stars swirling around his head... ]

That... was a pretty good spike...?

[ It's the best compliment he could come up with while lying there in the sand. Wow, the world won't stop spinning. Mitsutada reaches out to Tonbokiri and grabs his arm, as if doing so might make everything stop for a moment. ]

[He grabs Shokudaikiri's arm in return, hoping to convey reassurance, but doesn't pull him up just yet.]

Ha- Yes, I suppose it was, except for that it was completely out of bounds, and you are neither player nor target.
Don't get up yet. How do you feel? If you are still disorientated, you should not move suddenly.

[He's seen a lot of soldiers take hits to the head. He knows at least that much.
He does take a moment to toss the offending volleyball back towards the players, though.]

I was just waiting a turn to play, so I shall stay with you.

[ After another few moments, the dizziness seems to fade and Mitsutada was able to actually look at Tonbokiri without feeling like the world was going to swallow him whole. ]

You don't need to worry about me this much... Besides... showing you a side this uncool.

[ It looked like he was more embarrassed than he was injured. Or rather, that's what bothered him more. ]

[Tonbokiri is starting to think that he should go find Yagen when Shokudaikiri finally opens his eye and looks at him steadily.

He worries. Just the right amount.
At least the sword seems more worried over his pride than his body. Clearly, he'll be all right.]

Mmm. ... Did you show me something uncool, Shokudaikiri Mitsutada-dono? I seem to have forgotten it.

[Tonbokiri does his honest best at a blank expression, and hopefully Shokudaikiri will understand that the secret is safe with him.]

[ It took him a moment to realize what Tonbokiri had meant when it finally hit him he started to laugh. It was soft and warm and full of so much appreciation. So many swords put up with his silly need to look cool in front of others. He was honestly grateful. ]

Perhaps it was just my imagination.... though I imagine I will be quite the talk later when bruise begins to form...

[Tonbokiri is relieved that he got it, and approved.

His eyebrows raise in concern at the mention of a bruise. Shokudaikiri, are you really okay?]

That would be a problem. Mm... [He tilts his head back and forth for a moment, thinking. He's pretty sure he knows this one... ... Ah!]

Ice reduces swelling. So, let us put something cold on it.
Fortunate that there are these cooler boxes here! [He gets up to open them, checking for something to use.]

Oh, you brought lots of good things to eat! Everyone will be very grateful. [Are there one of those little pouches of ice in here, though? First aid first.]

[ Since Mitsutada likes to be prepared for anything that might happen, especially with the energetic sword bunch they have running around the beach, he actually did pack a couple first aid kits and some ice pouches inside one of the coolers. ]

I figured since everyone was blowing off a lot of energy, they'd need something to keep cool and stay charged up...

[Wow, he came super-prepared. A couple of first aid kits?]

You are ever so thoughtful of everyone. This time, please allow me.

[He turns back to Shokudaikiri with a kind smile, holding an ice pack wrapped in a hand towel. Leaning in close to his face Tonbokiri notes with concern,]

It is a bit red. Here, if you lie down you can rest the ice on your face without holding it there.

[ You never know when a couple of these swords might start getting into playful fights that go a little out of hand...! ]

I'm sorry for having you do this... I didn't mean to take up so much of your time.

[ Slowly he moved to lie down on his towel, letting his eyes slowly close. ]

Not at all. My time is my own, today. [Because Aruji said to take a day off.]

Besides, I am personally grateful for all your hard work, particularly in the kitchen. If there are any apologies to be made, I am sorry for you having to work so hard to counter the lack of kitchen skills that so many of us Touken Danshi have, myself included.

[He can do a good ochazuke. That's about it. And although he won't show it, prep work having to do with knives makes him a little nervous, so he is much slower and more careful with that than normal.]

You say that, but... being able to see your smiling faces when you've eaten something I've made fills me with so much joy

[ He laughs softly, letting himself finally relax further into the towel. ]

[Tonbokiri chuckles in reply. Seeing Shokudaikiri relaxing, he props his arms behind him and leans against them, relaxing as well.]

That feeling is a great motivator, isn't it. Experiencing it for myself is so different from having simply observed it while a spear.

You know... if you would like, I could show you a few things in the kitchen sometime. If you feel like it's something you would like to try that is...

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.

A waist? Nonsense... As long as you enjoy yourself and you give it your best effort, it'll definitely show in the food you make.

[ He turned his head a little to face Tonbokiri and gives him a gentle smile. ]

[Of course, there is no denying that smile.]

Is that how it works? If you say so, then I shall approach it with more confidence.

That's the way I've always seen it anyway. I was just lucky enough to have been around my previous master long enough for his cooking skills to rub off on me. But I think everyone can do well if they try.

[[this will do for now XD]]

[That is very kind of him to say. Tonbokiri believes the best of others as well, but he's seen some disasters in the kitchen that... Well. It's just part of that sword's nature.]

What might you have me try first?

[[oh my gosh look at him!!!]]

Hmm...

[ He taps his chin a little before smiling a tiny bit. ]

Why don't we try making daifuku together. Any flavor of your choosing.

[Ohh, you hit him in his weak spot. And it shows, even though Tonbokiri tries his best to play it down.
Besides that, there wouldn't be any knives involved, right? He's grateful.]

That sounds like a good place to start. But-- wait, 'any flavour'? ... How many kinds are there?

[A question asked cautiously, but still with a sparkle of hope in his tone...]

[ Mitsutada prides himself in knowing what the other swords enjoy. While he might not know it all, he does his best to notice anyway. So seeing that tiny little spark in Tonbokiri was enough for him to realize and enough for him to be happy. ]

Mmm, while I haven't made a bunch of different flavors, I'm certain that we could successfully make any flavor you are wanting.

[Tonbokiri is a little flustered now.]

B-But that's the thing... What other flavours are there besides simply mochi with beans in it? Do you mean, like sakuramochi for example?

[It would feel a little weird to make sakuramochi when it's not spring, though.]

Beach

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/suddenly craves fanart showing off a lot of waist... XD

/is in the same boat lmaoo

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