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

[candlestickslayer]

Would you mind if I brought company as well sometimes? I'm sure Tsuru-san and Kara-chan would enjoy themselves.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Kara-chan? ...As in, perhaps, Ookurikara-dono?

[For all the time he's known the sword, 'enjoy' did not come up much with him... (And that nickname-!) But through his uncertainty he smiles kindly.]

If you think so, by all means bring them. More will make for a merrier time, right?

[candlestickslayer]

[ Just hope he doesn't get that close with you, Tonbokiri, or you might find yourself being called Tonbo-chan. ]

I'll even make a treat for everyone that will go well with the drinks.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[ (How is this a bad thing? XD) ]

[He gives a hearty laugh.]

Then you will be absolutely welcome, by open arms and willing stomachs.

[He shakes his head, still grinning.]

You certainly know how to treat us well, Shokudaikiri-dono.

[candlestickslayer]

[(Good point, but Tonbokiri would surely get embarrassed... which would be worth it) ]

It's thanks to my old master that I learned to appreciate cooking. I want all of you to feel how much I appreciate you as well and what better way than through my cooking.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[ (suddenly, embarrassing Tonbo is the newest sport...) ]

That is a splendid way to honour your former master. --And I don't just say that because we benefit from it. I hope that you can feel satisfaction in carrying on some of his traits.

[candlestickslayer]

[ (Whoever embarrasses him in the kindest way wins dinner of their choosing, or something like that.) ]

I do. It brings me great pride in myself to know I can carry on some of his traits like this.

[ Even if he feels that he could be a little cooler sometimes... ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[ (Looks like Shokudaikiri has a good chance at winning, though XD)]

[Tonbokiri nods, feeling nothing more need be said after that. He himself likewise feels satisfaction at carrying on Tadakatsu's traits. (Although living the life of that man was a tremulous experience.)

There is a comfortable, quiet pause, in which Tonbokiri appreciates the sights and sounds around him that he couldn't appreciate fully as a spear.]

[candlestickslayer]

[(in that case it looks like everyone is eating Zunda tonight! ) ]

[ Honestly, that's something Mitsutada could admit to not envying at least a little bit. He wouldn't be able to handle the sort of life his master lived... Well not the more intimate life anyway. ]

You know... it's kind of nice to talk about this sort of stuff freely. Perhaps it's similar to an old man reminiscing on the past.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[ (hahaha, you have to call him Tonbo-chan first for it to count! ^.^) ]

[Tonbokiri nods. It is nice to just shoot the breeze and chat freely-- eh?]

You think so? You are much easier to talk with than --ah, some of your contemporaries, though.

[Tonbokiri didn't want to sound rude but... there are some old swords that are much more difficult to talk with than others.]

[candlestickslayer]

Perhaps it's just a little easier for me to keep a cool head about things.

[ Get it... because he always tries to look his coolest...? ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Not that any of the older swords are particularly hot-headed...
He tilts his head, then grins.]

So it must be your nature. You did say you want to always look cool.

[candlestickslayer]

It's another part of my former master's old habits I think...

[youwillbeunequaled]

It's a little amazing to think about, what we've retained from them.

[He becomes curious again, but hesitates for a moment. Former masters can be a challenging topic, even with the best intentions.]

... May I ask, did you have only one master that you related to strongly?

[It feels like an awkward way to ask that question, but Shokudaikiri is (almost exactly) 300 years older than him. He must have had more than one master, so does he take after the traits of one master in particular?]

[candlestickslayer]

[ He let out a soft hum, his eye looking upward as he thought on the matter. It's true he has been around for quite some time but... ]

Date Masamune... he comes so clear to my mind. I can picture him so clearly, down to every little scar. And... if I think hard enough I recall being passed down quite a bit, but it gets really hazy in my mind.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Although he'd heard from Ichigo that Shokudaikiri's memories had not been damaged by fire, Tonbokiri worries a little at his admission that his mind is hazy.
But it is reassuring that his time with Date Masamune-dono is so clear.]

It is a valuable thing, to hold your former master in your mind so clearly.

Do... you ever think about seeing him again, in this form?

[He is hitting all the odd topics today, isn't he. But it's so easy to talk to Shokudaikiri-dono, he can't help but feel like he can ask.]

[candlestickslayer]

[ His expression softens considerably. Being able to meet his former master in person would be like a dream come true. Being able to be by his side, talk to him face to face... It's probably a dream many of the sword warriors have from time to time. ]

I'm sure... if I ever had the chance, I would pull some rather uncool faces.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[That soft expression speaks volumes, doesn't it.
And although sympathetic, Tonbokiri laughs at what he says.]

Perhaps so. Although, if your former master knew the truth of the situation, he would certainly make a surprising expression as well.

[candlestickslayer]

Knowing him, I'm sure he would tell me something like 'You're one of my deadliest claw's show more pride in that!'

[youwillbeunequaled]

Hahaha! It's good to know he wouldn't be fazed even by meeting a sword tsukumogami!

[candlestickslayer]

He might feel a little startled by it, but he was the kind of man that hid those sides of himself from people. Always had to show off his cool sides, you know?

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He nods to agree, still grinning.]

Such was the way of great men through all eras - they had to present their pride and prowess.

[They didn't have to put up a front alone before their swords, though. So it's a bit mind-bending to think of a master not being honest with their human-form sword.]

[candlestickslayer]

What of your old master? How do you think he would feel if he were to see you in person?

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Honestly, Tonbokiri should have seen this question coming. It's only natural that Shokudaikiri would ask the same in return to him...
But he didn't, and the idea hits Tonbokiri between the eyes like a sack of bricks.

He blinks at Shokudaikiri blankly for a moment, then seems to fold in on himself, his proud confidence evaporating. His head bowed, his shoulders hunched, his fists tight in his lap, it takes a long moment for him to answer. His mind is full of the years he spent living that great man's life. If Tadakatsu were to learn of his spear's imposition...]

I can only hope that he is somehow pleased with me.

[candlestickslayer]

[ It was easy to tell this was... a dicey subject to bring up. With the way Tonbokiri was hunched over, and that smile on his face from earlier seemed to disappear. Maybe he shouldn't have asked...

He frowned thoughtfully and reached out to pat Tonbokiri's knee. ]

I know I would be if I were him.