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

/is in the same boat lmaoo

[candlestickslayer]

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.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[[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?

[candlestickslayer]

[[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.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[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...]

[candlestickslayer]

[ 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.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[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.]

[candlestickslayer]

I've been looking into it, and it seems there are other kinds of more fruity flavors one could make like strawberry. Or mango.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Is that so?

[Mango is a new thing as it is... What would it taste like in daifuku?
Or strawberry? That sounds delicious...
(Don't mind how his eyes are sparkling.)]

It would be interesting to try making something new like that.

[He grins in reflection.]

I wonder if something like this - finding new flavours - is why the Konnusuke enjoy eating fried tofu in every era we go to. [Or like he'd looked forward to visiting Edo to check out the brown sugar daifuku.

(Little does he know how diligently Konnosuke pursue that hobby...)]

[candlestickslayer]

I never really thought of it that way, but... you might be right. Discovering new tastes the way they do... it must be very exciting.

[ In a strange way, he was actually feeling pretty fired up to get back home after this trip just to see what he could come up with to make. ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He nods in agreement.]

We couldn't possibly impose upon Aruji to send us somewhere just to try the food, but it is inspiring to see them seize the opportunity the way they do.

Ah, anyway, my apologies for taking so long to answer you.
I am interested to try making strawberry daifuku, if it's not too much trouble. I look forward to your instruction, Shokudaikiri Mitsutada-dono.

[He bows, as formally as this casual situation allows.]

[candlestickslayer]

[ Mitsutada chuckled softly and slowly turned to his side to face Tonbokiri a little more. ]

It's no trouble at all. I look forward to seeing what we can create together.

[youwillbeunequaled]

['Together', about something other than a mission, is rather warming.
He smiles thoughtfully to himself as he considers that, then after a moment leans over to get a better look at Shokudaikiri's face.]

You should probably continue to keep the ice there until it melts but, how are you feeling?

[candlestickslayer]

Mmm.. I believe I'm feeling much better. At the very least the world has stopped spinning.

[ he chuckles a little as he reaches up to hold the ice in place. ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

It hit you that hard? Even if you feel better, should I take you to repairs after all...?

[He still can't believe that Shokudaikiri might even suffer a bruise from this. Not everyone is as robust as you, Tonbo.]

[candlestickslayer]

[ Honestly, he's just hoping he doesn't get a black eye out of this. Imagining the teasing he'd get from Tsurumaru... ]

No no, it's fine. I don't feel like repairs are necessary. I was merely doing too much before the ball came flying.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Oh? What were you doing too much of?

If your stamina is low, perhaps you'd like something to eat?

[Tonbokiri at once gets up to look through the cooler again.]

[candlestickslayer]

Well... nothing more than I usually do.

[ Which was the problem, because he didn't know how to take breaks for himself sometimes. ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Tonbokiri turns back to him with an onigiri in hand.]

Is that so? If it's too much though, there are many comrades here that would be happy to give you a hand.

How about an onigiri? Or, something sweet might be better...

[candlestickslayer]

Actually... an onigiri sounds nice right now.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Very well.

[Tonbokiri obliges, also bringing a towel. Rolling up the towel, it gives Shokudaikiri something to recline against without sitting up.
As he helps Shokudaikiri get propped up with the towel he comments,]

If you have too much to do, you won't be in your best condition when Aruji calls upon you. Do you often allow others to assist you?

[He worries.]

[candlestickslayer]

[ Oh no... He doesn't mean to make Tonbokiri worry so much over him..! He gives him a sheepish look as he takes the onigiri and shifts a little into a more comfortable position. ]

I don't mind the help of others. It makes thinks a bit more fun with another pair of hands.

(laughing as I peek at your thread with Ichigo...)

[youwillbeunequaled]

That is good, then. Many hands are here to help!

...Even including the swords who enjoy finding ways to evade their tasks. Everyone appreciates your work, so you need but to say the word and anyone would assist you.

(/o\ Does tonbo want hands on training too?)

[candlestickslayer]

I suppose... the thought just never occurs to me to ask. Perhaps... I sometimes take wanting to look cool in front of you all a little too far.

(He'll leave private lessons as Ichigo's thing XD)

[youwillbeunequaled]

[It's hard to see one's own weaknesses, never mind admitting them. Tonbokiri respects Shokudaikiri tremendously.]

I admire that you want to show us your best. But if it occurs to you to ask from time to time, you may find other cool things.

(loool)

[candlestickslayer]

I'm becoming quite the troublesome man, aren't I.

[ He has a fond smile on his lips as he says this though. He really should take breaks more and he knows he should too. It's just difficult to make himself do so unless someone else drags him along. ]