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]

Is there a limit of questions I can ask? I don't want to waste any on anything simple if you only want to answer a few....

[tsukijiji]

..... Why would there be a limit?

[He seems to find the whole concept entirely alien.]

If there is anything I do not wish to answer, of course I will tell you. But barring that...

[morewarriorlike]

I once asked Kashuu if I could ask him a question and he wouldn't let me asked because I quote "already did".

[ He lets out a tiny huff and turned his head away to hide his embarrassment. ]

and I realize that some of you like to tease me on ocassion. [ All the time. ]

[tsukijiji]

[Welp. That's... very Kashuu, to be honest. Also, A+ trolling, he approves. But no it's fine.]

Ask whatever you want, Izuminokami Kanesada.

[morewarriorlike]

[ hmmm.... ]

What is your favorite hobby?

[tsukijiji]

Well... this, probably.

[A head tilt towards the paper and ink.]

Unless you count drinking tea as a hobby, hahahahahaha!

[morewarriorlike]

Well you are often found out here drinking it like it might as well be a hobby...

[ He gives Mikazuki a teasing grin.]

Even though our styles... don't mesh. I can appreciate a hobby such as that. You are good with your imagery...

[tsukijiji]

I do have quite a lot of practice.

[Mostly because he is literally a thousand years older than you.]

... I must say I did not quite see... well, any imagery in yours. Is this what modern forms are like?

[morewarriorlike]

I was going for a more straightforward approach to give you a little taste of my skills, that's all.

[tsukijiji]

Ah, I see, I see, hahahahaha!

[Well, you did give him a taste of your skills. Your... non-existant skills, Kane.]

But really, my life isn't that exciting. I am just an old man.

[morewarriorlike]

Sometimes I have to wonder about that.

[ He gives a soft huff to that. Jiji only acts like an old man when he wants to be pampered!]

[tsukijiji]

Oya, what is there to wonder about? I am 900 years older than you are. How does that not make me an old man?

[Who needs to find some amusement somewhere, so clearly writing lewds to surprise people with is the solution.]

[morewarriorlike]

Because you don't act it sometimes.

[ He huffs a bit as his whole position changes. His legs cross as his hands go right into his lap as he staes at Mikazuki. ]

[tsukijiji]

Really, now?

[Yes, really, Jiji, when you flex ont he battlefield and end up one-shotting ootachis, for example.]

Well, here I am, having tea and writing poems. Any other questions?

[morewarriorlike]

[ he falls silent, gently pulling his hair over his shoulder so he could stroke it. Just a small little habit he's gained since getting a human body... ]

Is there... anyone you dislike?

[tsukijiji]

Do you mean among the Touken Danshi?

[What a weird question... although of course he is aware others have affinities and certain people they don't mesh well with... but the Citadel is big enough for them to avoid each other when that is the case.

And also you and Mutsunokami are actually good friends, you're just too tsun to admit it, Izuminokami.]

No, there isn't.

[morewarriorlike]

[ Listen. Listen!!! He's not going to admit it until Mutsunokami admits it!]

I suppose that shouldn't be surprising...

[ Why did he look so relieved? Well... he might have got it in his head that Mikazuki made everything so confusing and complicated to him because of said reason... Look he's a babysword, what do you want from him. ]

[tsukijiji]

[Izuminokami, you are a complex person sometimes.]

Sorry, were you expecting me to?

[he's confusing and complicated to everyone, babysword.]

Or did you think I disliked you in particular?

[morewarriorlike]

I didn't think anything. I was just asking a question...

[ Translation, Yes. ]

[tsukijiji]

What reason would I have to dislike you, Izuminokami Kanesada?

Or anyone else, for that matter?

[Come on, out with it.]

Have I ever done anything to make you believe so?

[morewarriorlike]

Not exactly no...

[ As he speaks he awkwardly shifts around again. This time one of his knees comes up and he leans his head on it so he could avoid looking at Mikazuki. ]

I just thought maybe...

[tsukijiji]

... Maybe?

[At least Mikazuki is used to people being awkward around him.]

Maybe I was teasing you because I dislike you? Hahahahahaha! In that case you can reassured. You are definitely not the only one I have done that to.

[morewarriorlike]

[ He visibly jumps when Mikazuki answers. Since his face was turned away it might be hard to notice, but Mikazuki probably knew regardless just how embarrassed he probably was. ]

I just thought maybe... since I'm just... a little younger, you might find me to be a pest.

[tsukijiji]

Well you are hotheaded... and impulsive... and loud... and prone to flustering.... but those are not what I would call character flaws in your case, hahahahaha!

[A 'little' younger, Kane? There are maybe three swords that you have a bigger age difference with than Mikazuki and two of them are Sanjous too.]

Did I make you uncomfortable? I apologize.

[morewarriorlike]

What..? It’s nothing like that..!

[ He finally turned his head to look back at Mikazuki, a genuine look of surprise on his face. Why was he apologizing. Mikazuki was just... being Mikazuki right?]

I’m not uncomfortable not even a little bit.... I’m just... confused. I know I must seem completely cool and put together (to who???) but... there’s still a lot I don’t understand about these human bodies and human feelings...