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.
Tonbokiri wants to warn him that sweeping quickly just spreads the dust everywhere-- but he seems to be doing all right.
Although feeling a little badly for reprimanding Izuminokami like this, he trusts that the sword will find a balance between the pride of a warrior and the humbleness of service in time.
But that will take time. Now, Tonbokiri lets him work on in silence, trusting that Izuminokami will feel better once he accomplishes the task set before him. Tonbokiri also resumes sweeping, although his pace is slow. Part of that is just how he is, but part of it is because he doesn't want to get in Izuminokami's way.
On a bright side, Horikawa will be rather surprised and impressed with Izuminokami's sudden change in attitude about chores. Honestly, Tonbokiri did everyone a great favor in scolding him.
He coughs up a bit from the dust he kept kicking up from his quick broom actions, but it wasn't enough to stop him. He continued on sweeping and sweeping until the floor actually seemed to start looking rather clean.
He stopped when he reached the other side, wiping his forehead with his arm. All that sweeping... was actually pretty hard work.
Nope, that's not what he meant, although he appreciates the honest feeling.
"I am pleased to hear that. Growing in understanding is important, particularly to leaders. Now! With our tasks accomplished, let us do something about your condition of 'hot and sweaty'."
And dirty, he might add. All that dust plus Izuminokami's uncovered and sweaty body... He probably won't appreciate if someone else sees him in such a dishevelled state.
Handing Izuminokami the (slightly drier) yukata he offers, "Why don't you go on ahead to the bath. I'll bring your clothing from my room to you there."
He really did look like he had gone out playing in the dirt again like it did whenever he'd play around with the toushirou siblings. Horikawa would probably scold him greatly if he happened across him right about now, but he didn't seem to have a single worry about that right now.
"Are you sure...? I mean..."
He still felt like he had to do something... He wasn't sure what but something...!
Tonbokiri even insisted that he go head off. So he supposed it was okay. Awkwardly he tries wiping off some of the dirt that he could feel and slips the borrowed Yukata back on, loosely but it was better than nothing. He'll have to clean it for Tonbokiri later.
"Yes, I shall follow promptly," he assures him. "I could use a bath as well."
And true to his word, Tonbokiri won't be long in getting to the bath. The walk-around of the stable is a familiar habit and he sets everything in order. He then returns to his room to pick up Izuminokami's clothes, and a fresh change for himself.
In the change room, it is a simple matter to find the yukata, take it out of the basket, and replace it with Izuminokami's normal clothing. It's almost a waste, that he didn't get to enjoy a cool yukata for long. But with the time they've spent, evening will descend soon enough and hopefully it will bring a break in the heat.
Undressing, he has the two dirty yukata folded up, clean clothes prepared, and all is set for him to have his small reward as well.
As he walks into the bath he tugs uncertainly at his braid for a moment. He'd like to keep it in a little longer, but he also wants to wash his hair... While thinking it over, he finds Izuminokami.
Unfortunately for Izuminokami, Tonbokiri was walking in on a rather embarrassing sight. Well, it wasn't that embarrassing, but Izumi would find it so. He wanted to wash the dirt out of his hair but just felt so hot and lazy once he got here that now his long hair was plastered all over him, making him look similar to one of those scary modern horror movie girls.
He frantically pushed the hair out of his face as he turned his head up to look at Tonbokiri, cheeks flushing a little.
At the sight of Izuminokami's hair all over his body like that, a breath of a surprised laugh escapes him, and Tonbokiri lifts a hand to cover his grinning mouth for a moment.
"G-good. We did speak earlier about how long it takes our hair to dry, but washing it is a challenge for you as well, isn't it... At least, as the bath is where one goes to groom, it is natural to appear somewhat untidy in the process while here."
By Aruji, does he always look like this when he washes, though? The poor guy.
Unfortunately without Horikawa around to mother him to death most of his beauty care was rather sloppy at best. And don't think he didn't hear that laugh, Tonbokiri!!!
Trying to hide how embarrassed he was, he slinks into the waters a little more while moving off to the side a bit to give Tonbokiri some space to step in. His long hair trailing behind him... ugh.
"Go ahead, laugh... I'm sure I'm quite a sight right now."
"it really is the best sensation. If it weren't for the way it makes my skin get all... wrinkly, I would spend so much more time in these waters."
He pushes his hair back which was a strange look for him without his bangs flaring to the side, but it was getting more difficult to relax with his hair plastered over his face.
Why does skin get that unpleasant, wrinkly texture after a while...? It's a shame.
It's not often one gets to see the other swords with their hair down, or up, or pushed back, as the case may be. So Tonbokiri blinks at the transformation that comes over Izuminokami's face when there's no hair falling past his eyes.
"Mm... Having your bangs back is a good look for you."
It makes him look handsome in a different way and younger-- although the sword likely wouldn't appreciate the latter.
"You look handsome no matter what, though. It is very much your nature." Even with his hair plastered about wildly. Even dropped in a watering trough. Tonbokiri is an honest blade, so Izuminokami will know it to be true, right?
While it was embarrassing to hear, he perks up right away. Handsome.... He said he looked handsome.
"Does it make me look more mature?" if he wore his hair back like that, would he look more like Hijikata-san?? He fidgeted in his spot, but he looked like he was absolutely vibrating with excitement.
Although Tonbokiri had already thought of the answer to this question, he does pause a moment to look like he's thinking about it. It's only fair to show Izuminokami that he's giving the question due consideration, even if it's a bit of pretense. And just look at how adorably eager the young sword is for praise-!
"Mm. Honestly, I feel your usual look suits you best. Although I don't understand all of how Aruji summons us, I think how we initially appear must be an image close to our hearts. I resemble my former master Tadakatsu in many ways." And proud he is of that.
Huff! Not an angry one mind you, but one of confidence as he pushes his hair back again out of habit. Apparently those are the exact words he wanted to hear from Tonbokiri because he was positively sparkling.
"Well of course. I'm a rather handsome man after all. My looks are part of my ever growing popularity."
Hahaha! Izuminokami has a similar pride, it seems. And doesn't hold back in showing it. (They might soon have to fish sakura blossoms out of the bath water, at this rate.)
"That's the spirit. Are you trying to become more popular than anyone in particular?"
In a silly way, even though he didn't look quite like his old master, he felt like this form is the form his old master would have been proud of. Big, tall, handsome, ect ect. So this form is how he wanted to stay. So hearing such words from Tonbokiri really just made him perk up even more.
"Not exactly. I just appreciate how handsome I am, and I feel those will too."
Or something like that. He's honestly just trying to sound cool.
"You just appreciate how handsome you are..." He repeats it back thoughtfully. "I certainly appreciate your perspective. I've not thought too much about whether I'm handsome or not."
Although he does have moments of seriously wondering about these sideburns.
"I don't know if my opinion on the matter is important to you, buuuut I would certainly say you bring a lot to the table that many swords can't in the looks department and the strength department. Strength is also incredibly important to ones looks, I think. Whether it's their physical strength or the strength of their resolve."
Yep, this was in fact Izuminokami taking attractiveness incredibly seriously. But if he were to ask him to go into his thoughts further, he might get an hour lecture on how his old master had everything in attractiveness.
Of course, Tonbokiri will listen to your opinion, Izuminokami! He tilts his head thoughtfully, trying to take in the sword's points. So... he's uniquely handsome, and his strength is a strong point?
"Thank you. I hadn't particularly thought of even mental strength being important to how handsome one is."
And you know what, Tonbokiri will ask further about it. He's got nowhere to be other than this bath, listening to the young sword speak with full enthusiasm about his former master.
Just, wrap it up once their fingers start to look like raisins, okay Izuminokami?
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Although feeling a little badly for reprimanding Izuminokami like this, he trusts that the sword will find a balance between the pride of a warrior and the humbleness of service in time.
But that will take time. Now, Tonbokiri lets him work on in silence, trusting that Izuminokami will feel better once he accomplishes the task set before him. Tonbokiri also resumes sweeping, although his pace is slow. Part of that is just how he is, but part of it is because he doesn't want to get in Izuminokami's way.
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He coughs up a bit from the dust he kept kicking up from his quick broom actions, but it wasn't enough to stop him. He continued on sweeping and sweeping until the floor actually seemed to start looking rather clean.
He stopped when he reached the other side, wiping his forehead with his arm. All that sweeping... was actually pretty hard work.
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"Izuminokami-dono, you did very well. Your resolution truly shone through in your work. How do you feel now?"
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That's not what Tonbokiri meant and he knows it, but he still felt a little huffy inside about being scolded like that.
"But... I suppose I can understand the effort everyone truly does now..."
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"I am pleased to hear that. Growing in understanding is important, particularly to leaders. Now! With our tasks accomplished, let us do something about your condition of 'hot and sweaty'."
And dirty, he might add. All that dust plus Izuminokami's uncovered and sweaty body... He probably won't appreciate if someone else sees him in such a dishevelled state.
Handing Izuminokami the (slightly drier) yukata he offers, "Why don't you go on ahead to the bath. I'll bring your clothing from my room to you there."
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"Are you sure...? I mean..."
He still felt like he had to do something... He wasn't sure what but something...!
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"Don't worry, I'll do the final walk-around of the stable to make sure everything is in order. It won't take but a minute."
He smiles encouragingly. "Go on ahead. It's just a little extra time, but you can consider it a reward for your hard work."
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Tonbokiri even insisted that he go head off. So he supposed it was okay. Awkwardly he tries wiping off some of the dirt that he could feel and slips the borrowed Yukata back on, loosely but it was better than nothing. He'll have to clean it for Tonbokiri later.
"Then I will see you in a bit...?"
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And true to his word, Tonbokiri won't be long in getting to the bath. The walk-around of the stable is a familiar habit and he sets everything in order. He then returns to his room to pick up Izuminokami's clothes, and a fresh change for himself.
In the change room, it is a simple matter to find the yukata, take it out of the basket, and replace it with Izuminokami's normal clothing. It's almost a waste, that he didn't get to enjoy a cool yukata for long. But with the time they've spent, evening will descend soon enough and hopefully it will bring a break in the heat.
Undressing, he has the two dirty yukata folded up, clean clothes prepared, and all is set for him to have his small reward as well.
As he walks into the bath he tugs uncertainly at his braid for a moment. He'd like to keep it in a little longer, but he also wants to wash his hair...
While thinking it over, he finds Izuminokami.
"I have arrived. How's the water?"
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He frantically pushed the hair out of his face as he turned his head up to look at Tonbokiri, cheeks flushing a little.
"It's decent enough, I suppose..."
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"G-good. We did speak earlier about how long it takes our hair to dry, but washing it is a challenge for you as well, isn't it... At least, as the bath is where one goes to groom, it is natural to appear somewhat untidy in the process while here."
By Aruji, does he always look like this when he washes, though? The poor guy.
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Trying to hide how embarrassed he was, he slinks into the waters a little more while moving off to the side a bit to give Tonbokiri some space to step in. His long hair trailing behind him... ugh.
"Go ahead, laugh... I'm sure I'm quite a sight right now."
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Tonbokiri unties the red ribbon, undoes the braid, and starts quickly washing himself before entering the bath.
"I somewhat regret that I have to undo your hard work with my hair."
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His expression softens quite a bit. He was honestly a bit flattered that Tonbokiri enjoyed his styling that much.
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"Oh, I'd be grateful."
He's also relieved that Izuminokami so easily took his comment as a compliment. The atmosphere is brighter already.
As he joins Izuminokami in the bath he sighs slowly in satisfaction.
"There is nothing quite like the sensation of being submerged in hot water, is there. This is among my favourite experiences of having this body."
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He pushes his hair back which was a strange look for him without his bangs flaring to the side, but it was getting more difficult to relax with his hair plastered over his face.
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It's not often one gets to see the other swords with their hair down, or up, or pushed back, as the case may be. So Tonbokiri blinks at the transformation that comes over Izuminokami's face when there's no hair falling past his eyes.
"Mm... Having your bangs back is a good look for you."
It makes him look handsome in a different way and younger-- although the sword likely wouldn't appreciate the latter.
"You look handsome no matter what, though. It is very much your nature." Even with his hair plastered about wildly. Even dropped in a watering trough. Tonbokiri is an honest blade, so Izuminokami will know it to be true, right?
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"Does it make me look more mature?" if he wore his hair back like that, would he look more like Hijikata-san?? He fidgeted in his spot, but he looked like he was absolutely vibrating with excitement.
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"Mm. Honestly, I feel your usual look suits you best. Although I don't understand all of how Aruji summons us, I think how we initially appear must be an image close to our hearts. I resemble my former master Tadakatsu in many ways." And proud he is of that.
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"Well of course. I'm a rather handsome man after all. My looks are part of my ever growing popularity."
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"That's the spirit. Are you trying to become more popular than anyone in particular?"
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"Not exactly. I just appreciate how handsome I am, and I feel those will too."
Or something like that. He's honestly just trying to sound cool.
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Although he does have moments of seriously wondering about these sideburns.
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Yep, this was in fact Izuminokami taking attractiveness incredibly seriously. But if he were to ask him to go into his thoughts further, he might get an hour lecture on how his old master had everything in attractiveness.
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So... he's uniquely handsome, and his strength is a strong point?
"Thank you. I hadn't particularly thought of even mental strength being important to how handsome one is."
And you know what, Tonbokiri will ask further about it. He's got nowhere to be other than this bath, listening to the young sword speak with full enthusiasm about his former master.
Just, wrap it up once their fingers start to look like raisins, okay Izuminokami?
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