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.

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?]

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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.

[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.

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

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

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?

[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.]

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

[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.

[ 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.

[Some of his tension eases at Shokudaikiri's reassurance, and Tonbokiri looks up again with a small smile.]

My thanks.
Under normal circumstances, I think he would be pleased with me. I have done all I can to follow his excellent example, and I hope he would respond to seeing the honour I wish to give him. However... [Again, his expression dims.]

There is a thread of history in which I lived out his life for him. Although in the end I played out that role by displaying the respect I have for that great man... [He shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck with a sigh.] Still, it was a horrible imposition.

You did it to preserve his history. I'm sure a man like your master would understand that and feel proud that you could do something so faithful and.... rather intimate just for his sake.

[Tonbokiri was with you up until 'intimate'.
He puts his hands over his flushing face and bends down again.]

I-- Yes, but-- I actually would never be able to face him, would I. This one was married to his wife... Produced his heirs...

[Even after everything Monoyoshi did for him, Tonbokiri still has Issues about that mission. But the memory of the little sword reprimanding him calms Tonbokiri down a little. He slowly lowers his hands.]

I could not let that great man be lost to history. Not in the slightest detail. But, forgive me. I still worry, for as a spear I was not always by his side. Did I do enough...?

[ While Tonbokiri seemed to be distracted by his feelings, Mitsutada takes this moment to slowly slip upward and shifts closer to Tonbokiri. He reaches out to ruffle his hair in an affectionate way before gently tugging him to lean against his shoulder. ]

I think that's... something any of us would ask. "Did I do enough?" "Did I keep his history as it was?" "How would he feel about this..." And it's something that has no answers I'm afraid... But you did your best. You did what you felt was right, whether it was big or small decisions... You made the choices you thought he would and that's what matters.

[Tonbokiri is indeed distracted by his emotions. Instinctively he relaxes again at the comforting feeling of a hand in his hair, leaning towards where he is being tugged as he listens to Shokudaikiri's encouragement.

He nods, and his cheek rubs against Shokudaikiri's shoulder. A little surprised to find himself like this, he sits up straight again, his face warm with a blush for a different reason, now.]

Thank you. You are a great comfort to me. ...Both your words, and your kind actions.

[ He chuckles quietly when Tonbokiri shoots back up again. It was rather embarrassing for him to accept comfort like this, wasn't it... Mitsutada didn't mind though so he reaches out to ruffle his hair just a tad bit more. ]

I just simply think you are being too hard on yourself.

[No... No, pretty sure he's being just the right amount of hard on himself. This is a Very Serious Thing, after all!
Such thinking clearly shows through the expression on his face, but after a moment Tonbokiri smiles faintly, yielding to the soothing feeling of his hair being ruffled. (He is so weak to that...)]

I suppose it is difficult to think any other way, when it comes to Tadakatsu.

Mmm... I can understand that. He was your very important master so of course, you would want to do everything in your power to show him justice. I just feel... that if I were naturally a human and you had been my blade? I would have been extremely proud.

S-Shokudaikiri-dono--

[Tonbokiri is moved-! So moved!
What can he possibly say in return? What could possibly equate to this feeling...?]

You are very cool. Just now, I think that's the coolest thing I've ever heard.

[He is 100% honest, and also hoping that it conveys his gratitude.]

And here I wasn't even trying to come off as cool.

[ His cheeks gain a little bit of color, but he was laughing. It was such a nice compliment from Tonbokiri. ]

[Tonbokiri smiles softly at his reaction.]

Then, that is a good thing. It must be your true character if you weren't trying.

[He blinks in realization, then chuckles. Kind of like how Monoyoshi had told him--] Like your master, but still yourself.

Like my master but still me.... that certainly has a nice ring to it.

It does, doesn't it.
Monoyoshi Sadamune once gave me advice along that line... It is a challenging lesson to take to heart.

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