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.
[That's a relief against his embarrassment, but also... aw...]
[Tonbokiri smiles knowingly when Ichigo mentions Yagen.]
I'd wondered if Yagen Toushirou-dono was like that. He doesn't even seem to like attention, never mind concern. But one can tell he is also very thoughtful and kind.
[Tonbokiri's smile becomes more thoughtful as well.]
To appreciate it but not admit it... Perhaps our brothers are more alike than it first appears.
[Well, there are still chances for more head pats!
Ichigo smiles fondly at that and laughs.]
You should have seen how excited he was playing with sparklers on the beach the other day! Yagen is always trying to be all grown up in front of the others though... [He sighs a little.] ... so he doesn’t like it when I pat his head in public. He’s much more accepting of it when we’re alone though. Anyway, he’s a good little brother and always helping me look after the others.
[He can relate with you on the headpats, Yagen-dono. But of course, it would be inappropriate to tell him that Ichigo shared such a fact. Your secret is safe with Tonbokiri though.]
[Tonbokiri laughs, shaking his head.]
He sounds like a splendid sibling. He was always acting very mature and diligent on mission, so I am honoured to hear about this other side of himself he shows you.
I must admit now though, our brothers are actually still quite different. But at least there are some points that intersect. Enough for me to relate to, at least a little.
[He does! And that's the problem... He can't be here all evening enjoying headpats...]
[Tonbokiri puts a hand to his chin as he thinks that over.]
In that he doesn't like me to be concerned for him, but he does appreciate it, and that he puts on a front that is a bit different from how he really is.
[He pauses. And for himself, he wonders if he'd feel lonely if Muramasa suddenly acted so responsibly that he didn't have to look after him so strictly anymore...]
Ah, well. Perhaps it's not that many points after all; but still, more than I saw before.
I see. Well, he is older than Yagen, so I guess there are bound to be differences. But as long as you know he appreciates your concern, you don’t really need to mind how he tells you not to worry about him. I guess he just has a certain image he wants to project to everyone, like Yagen does.
[Ichigo tries moving his injured ankle a bit.]
... I think my ankle feels better. Perhaps I can stand on it now.
[Tonbokiri nods thoughtfully. It is true... Muramasa has an image that he wants to show, while at the same time disdaining the legends that give him that image. What a guy that sword is.
As soon as those final words are out of Ichigo's mouth, Tonbokiri urgently holds a hand out.]
D-Don't put weight on it yet! Even if it feels better, it is not mended. You might do yourself more damage.
[Elegant and fast. Tonbokiri can't keep up. But at least he can get an arm out to catch Ichigo as he falls. Or more like, an arm out for Ichigo to fall onto. It's not elegant, but it works?]
[... and rather stubborn. Ichigo manages to grab hold of Tonbokiri’s outstretched arm so that he doesn’t fall onto it completely. Then he rights himself, holding his arm for support.]
Sorry and thank you, Tonbokiri-dono.
[Then he sighs.]
... why is this body so weak...?
[It’s because of his retempering, isn’t it...? No, it isn’t Ichigo... Stop being so self-conscious about that...]
[He steadies his grip on Ichigo, helping him stand but wishing he'd sit down again.]
Because Aruji made us human. [The straight answer to what well could have been a rhetorical question.]
It is true, this body is ...strangely weak to some things. My former master, legendary for being unharmed through hundreds of battles, died to essentially a tiny knife wound.
However, I would still take all a human's weaknesses for the chance to live this life.
[He stands for a while longer then decides to carefully sit down again, still holding Tonbokiri for support.
Well, it is true that there a great number of benefits to this life. He would never have been reunited with his family and his beloved otherwise.]
I’m very sorry to hear that... Were you there when he passed? [He pauses a bit, trying not to think of his own former master’s death] What was your life like before coming here?
[Although the situation of his former master illustrated the idea well, Tonbokiri somewhat regrets bringing it up. The passing of former masters is never easy to talk about. He smiles dimly as he answers,]
Thank you. I was. It was a time of peace, so I was proudly put on display by Tadakatsu himself in his home. From that place, I saw and heard much. Then... before coming here? I was in storage for a time. Then I was brought out again and found I was named one of the Three Great Spears of Japan. I was on display in museums... [He shrugs slightly. To a sword like Ichigo who had a tragic past, it is a bit embarrassing to talk about how uneventful a time it was.]
[He’s going to reach out to hold your hand gently now out of empathy for your situation, Tonbokiri. Try not to take this the wrong way. This is just how he is.]
I’m very glad to hear that you were much loved and that you were able to live in a time of peace, Tonobokiri-dono.
[And he is sincere about it. He would not wish what had happened to him on everyone else, especially not one as kind-hearted as Tonobokiri. Then he smiles a bit.]
I can see why you were named one of the Three Great Spears. What is it like being in a museum?
[Truth be told, he doesn't know what way to take it, let alone a wrong way. Ichigo-dono is very... emotive, isn't he. But although it is unusual, it is comforting.
Tonbokiri is once again somehow abashed yet proud at Ichigo's kind words. He has such a sincere heart. But he shakes his head self-effacingly as he answers,]
I am only a Great Spear by the merits of my former master. As for museums though... It was odd at first, being stared at as an object of art and history rather than as a deadly weapon in the hands of a warrior. But such is the way of the times, and as I accepted it I grew more used to it.
[He might be a bit too used to giving his brothers little comforting hugs and touches, and he already considers you a friend. He did pour his heart out to you earlier after all and you have been nothing but truthful to him in turn.
He shakes his head a bit.]
I think that’s only partly true. Our masters do shape who we are but... there’s also a part of us that belongs only to us.
[He considers that for a moment.] I see. Were there others with you?
[Tonbokiri smiles sadly. Ichigo sounded a lot like Monoyoshi there. But he does not comment on that for now, instead moving on to the question.]
Others... Taikogane Sadamune-dono was in the same museum as me for quite some time. Occasionally I would be alongside other swords that have come to be here, as well.
...But it's hard to say they were 'with me'. We were simply in the same place for a while. It's not like we could make bonds then the way we can now.
[That sounds quite different from what he experienced at the Imperial Collection.]
That’s a pity... I was able to become quite close to the others who were with me at the Imperial Collection. But I suppose that’s because we were in the same place together for a much longer time?
I’m very fortunate to have met them. They helped me a lot during a very difficult time. [Namely walking up having no memory of who he was. It was indescribably terrifying...]
Well, Tsurumaru-dono is here. Have you been subjected to his mischief yet?
[The name of that sword connected with the word 'mischief' brings an understanding smile to Tonbokiri's face.]
Yes, I'm afraid so. [He chuckles.] He is very focused and dependable while on mission, but while at home... Well, he certainly makes our daily lives more interesting.
I don't suppose having known him a long time renders you less likely to be targeted for mischief?
[He laughs a little in return, then he shakes his head.]
I think it might be quite the opposite unfortunately... [Then he sighs.] Though I suppose his reason for targeting me might be a little different from everyone else.
[Since Tsuru kind of confessed his love for him a while back, before he was reunited with Mikazuki.... He still has to figure out how to deal with that.]
He was the first person I saw actually when I woke up again. He was waiting for me to wake up because he was curious.
... yes, I know now that he often hides his concern under a cover of mischief... [Even his confession was full of puns, so it took a while for Ichigo to get it...
He glances out at the rain again.]
He did leave quite an impression, He was such a lovely vision in white. And I guess... I left quite an impression on him too. [And he doesn’t know it yet, but apparently Mikazuki raised Tsurumaru, so perhaps he had also somehow seen Mikazuki in him and was attracted to that... It’s a very complicated love triangle!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
I'm sure that person appreciates your concern but maybe they're just too embarrassed to admit it. My brother Yagen is like that.
no subject
[Tonbokiri smiles knowingly when Ichigo mentions Yagen.]
I'd wondered if Yagen Toushirou-dono was like that. He doesn't even seem to like attention, never mind concern. But one can tell he is also very thoughtful and kind.
[Tonbokiri's smile becomes more thoughtful as well.]
To appreciate it but not admit it... Perhaps our brothers are more alike than it first appears.
no subject
Ichigo smiles fondly at that and laughs.]
You should have seen how excited he was playing with sparklers on the beach the other day! Yagen is always trying to be all grown up in front of the others though... [He sighs a little.] ... so he doesn’t like it when I pat his head in public. He’s much more accepting of it when we’re alone though. Anyway, he’s a good little brother and always helping me look after the others.
no subject
Your secret is safe with Tonbokiri though.]
[Tonbokiri laughs, shaking his head.]
He sounds like a splendid sibling. He was always acting very mature and diligent on mission, so I am honoured to hear about this other side of himself he shows you.
I must admit now though, our brothers are actually still quite different. But at least there are some points that intersect. Enough for me to relate to, at least a little.
no subject
He is, but I do wish he’d act more like a child sometimes... It makes me feel a little lonely that he doesn’t seem to need me anymore...
[Ichigo is just a parent who doesn’t want his adorable children to grow up.]
I’m glad that it’s helped you a bit. Which points intersect though, if you don’t mind my asking?
no subject
[Tonbokiri puts a hand to his chin as he thinks that over.]
In that he doesn't like me to be concerned for him, but he does appreciate it, and that he puts on a front that is a bit different from how he really is.
[He pauses. And for himself, he wonders if he'd feel lonely if Muramasa suddenly acted so responsibly that he didn't have to look after him so strictly anymore...]
Ah, well. Perhaps it's not that many points after all; but still, more than I saw before.
no subject
[Ichigo tries moving his injured ankle a bit.]
... I think my ankle feels better. Perhaps I can stand on it now.
[He can’t. Don’t let him hurt himself more!]
no subject
As soon as those final words are out of Ichigo's mouth, Tonbokiri urgently holds a hand out.]
D-Don't put weight on it yet! Even if it feels better, it is not mended. You might do yourself more damage.
no subject
no subject
But at least he can get an arm out to catch Ichigo as he falls. Or more like, an arm out for Ichigo to fall onto. It's not elegant, but it works?]
Ichigo-dono! It is not good to rush.
no subject
Sorry and thank you, Tonbokiri-dono.
[Then he sighs.]
... why is this body so weak...?
[It’s because of his retempering, isn’t it...?
No, it isn’t Ichigo... Stop being so self-conscious about that...]no subject
Because Aruji made us human. [The straight answer to what well could have been a rhetorical question.]
It is true, this body is ...strangely weak to some things. My former master, legendary for being unharmed through hundreds of battles, died to essentially a tiny knife wound.
However, I would still take all a human's weaknesses for the chance to live this life.
no subject
Well, it is true that there a great number of benefits to this life. He would never have been reunited with his family and his beloved otherwise.]
I’m very sorry to hear that... Were you there when he passed? [He pauses a bit, trying not to think of his own former master’s death] What was your life like before coming here?
no subject
[Although the situation of his former master illustrated the idea well, Tonbokiri somewhat regrets bringing it up. The passing of former masters is never easy to talk about. He smiles dimly as he answers,]
Thank you. I was. It was a time of peace, so I was proudly put on display by Tadakatsu himself in his home. From that place, I saw and heard much.
Then... before coming here? I was in storage for a time. Then I was brought out again and found I was named one of the Three Great Spears of Japan. I was on display in museums... [He shrugs slightly. To a sword like Ichigo who had a tragic past, it is a bit embarrassing to talk about how uneventful a time it was.]
no subject
I’m very glad to hear that you were much loved and that you were able to live in a time of peace, Tonobokiri-dono.
[And he is sincere about it. He would not wish what had happened to him on everyone else, especially not one as kind-hearted as Tonobokiri. Then he smiles a bit.]
I can see why you were named one of the Three Great Spears. What is it like being in a museum?
no subject
Ichigo-dono is very... emotive, isn't he. But although it is unusual, it is comforting.
Tonbokiri is once again somehow abashed yet proud at Ichigo's kind words. He has such a sincere heart.
But he shakes his head self-effacingly as he answers,]
I am only a Great Spear by the merits of my former master.
As for museums though... It was odd at first, being stared at as an object of art and history rather than as a deadly weapon in the hands of a warrior. But such is the way of the times, and as I accepted it I grew more used to it.
no subject
He shakes his head a bit.]
I think that’s only partly true. Our masters do shape who we are but... there’s also a part of us that belongs only to us.
[He considers that for a moment.] I see. Were there others with you?
no subject
But he does not comment on that for now, instead moving on to the question.]
Others... Taikogane Sadamune-dono was in the same museum as me for quite some time. Occasionally I would be alongside other swords that have come to be here, as well.
...But it's hard to say they were 'with me'. We were simply in the same place for a while. It's not like we could make bonds then the way we can now.
no subject
That’s a pity... I was able to become quite close to the others who were with me at the Imperial Collection. But I suppose that’s because we were in the same place together for a much longer time?
no subject
That is splendid that you have comrades from that time. I hope that Aruji might summon more of them here so you can meet them again.
no subject
I’m very fortunate to have met them. They helped me a lot during a very difficult time. [Namely walking up having no memory of who he was. It was indescribably terrifying...]
Well, Tsurumaru-dono is here. Have you been subjected to his mischief yet?
no subject
Yes, I'm afraid so. [He chuckles.] He is very focused and dependable while on mission, but while at home... Well, he certainly makes our daily lives more interesting.
I don't suppose having known him a long time renders you less likely to be targeted for mischief?
no subject
I think it might be quite the opposite unfortunately... [Then he sighs.] Though I suppose his reason for targeting me might be a little different from everyone else.
[Since Tsuru kind of confessed his love for him a while back, before he was reunited with Mikazuki.... He still has to figure out how to deal with that.]
He was the first person I saw actually when I woke up again. He was waiting for me to wake up because he was curious.
no subject
But that story makes him more curious himself.]
That sounds very much like him. Very curious, but likely he was concerned as well.
Did he make a strong impression upon you, as he was the first you saw?
[Because he can relate, even if his first strong impression was the taste of daifuku. (A sense of taste is an amazing thing to a blade, okay?)]
no subject
He glances out at the rain again.]
He did leave quite an impression, He was such a lovely vision in white. And I guess... I left quite an impression on him too. [And he doesn’t know it yet, but apparently Mikazuki raised Tsurumaru, so perhaps he had also somehow seen Mikazuki in him and was attracted to that... It’s a very complicated love triangle!
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)