minutemen | 7 ❀ Assignments

7 ❀ Assignments

1. Internal Affairs Perhaps the most mundane of assignments but someone has to help keep this citadel running, right? There are hoses to be fed, fields to be weeded, and don't forget the other odd duties here and there. With this many spirits inone citadel, someone has to help make sure everyone has dinner and the laundry is done! Hopefully you have a good partner helping you today but as some might know, sometimes the bigger question isn't who they are but where they are... Someone has to do the dirty work! So where are you?!

2. Expeditions Not everything is about fighting. Sometimes there are assignments to gather intel or help clean up after another squad. There are small things that can be done to make sure history follows its course and some fo those things include feeding the hungry after a disaster or just making sure the right people meet after their paths were thrown off. Expeditions are perfect for the new addition that needs to be eased into missions before being sent to the frontline.

3. Frontlines - Before Whether you're ready or not, it's time to go out to the frontlines. There's a big mission everyone needs to do and history is wildly off course. A squad is gathered up and sent to a difficult time and a battle is inevitable. Is this moment painful for you? Well, such is the nature of a touken danshi, right? Don't get too close to "That Person" and don't get any funny ideas. ... Also, where's [insert name of problematic sword boy that was assigned on this mission for some god unknown reason]? Or maybe it's been 20 years and you're still on this mission! Sometimes missions last longer than a few days or weeks. They can drag on for months and those months sometimes become years. How have you been keeping your cover and making a living in this era? Remember, don't stand out or cause too much trouble. Are you homesick? When was the last time you saw the saniwa or your friends back home? Will this mission ever end?!

4. Frontlines - Battle Finally, it's time to fight! Everything you've done has prepared you for this moment and it's time to resolve it once and for all. Did you gather enough information to prepare for all of these enemies? You didn't get any funny ideas that might put you on the wrong side of this assignment, did you? Regardless of what happens, it would appears that [That Person You Keep Losing] has finally decided to show up when you needed them the most so at least you don't have to worry about that anymore.

5. Frontlines - After The battle is finally over and it's time to go back home. Was the mission a success or a total failure? Maybe you're coming back home with a +1 in your party. Regardless, it's time to get yourself checked out now. You've worked hard and it's time to get those repairs in. Hopefully they aren't too severe! But those with heavier injuries can expect to be down for a few days. Don't worry, there will certainly be plenty of bedside visits.

6. Wildcard This is basically an open post to deal with swords doing miscellaneous assignments whether it's mundane chores or mission based assignments. Feel free to come up with your own prompts for things like "babysitting the problematic sword boy," "have you seen Mikazuki Munechika?," and anything else you can think of.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... Tonbokiri had a bad dream concerning him...? That doesn't seem to bode well for this mission, but now is not the time to worry about that.

Icihgo hesitates for a moment, before moving over to gently rub Tonbokiri's back.

"It's okay, Tonobokiri-dono. Just let it out. Let it all out."

Under his hand, Ichigo will be able to feel Tonbokiri's body tremble with silent gasps.
After some time the trembling abates, but he still remains curled up on the floor, his face pressed down.

"... It was all too real. So vivid... I can still hardly believe you're here." Ichigo's hand is warm on his back, but even so he at last turns his head to look at Ichigo intently. He is not being deceived, is he?

"Nothing is amiss with you? Think carefully. Not even the slightest thing?"

He continues patting and rubbing Tonbokiri's back softly as Tonbokiri gradually calms down. From his words, Ichigo slowly pieces together what he thinks the nightmare was about... It sounds like he might have become corrupted..?

Well, it's true that he's perhaps one of those who may have a high chance of turning to the other side, but he doesn't think he will, not when he now has people he wants to live for and remain with.

He smiles softly. "I feel fine, Tonbokiri-dono. Nothing is wrong with me. It was just a dream."

Tonbokiri has to take Ichigo at his word. So with a last long breath out, he finally relaxes somewhat.

"I apologize that you saw me like this. It is unusual for me to have such a ...vivid dream. I don't have near the spiritual power that other blades do, either. But that--" He shakes his head sharply, cutting off the words. It was not a premonition. Trying to smooth away his scowl, he rubs at his face.

Lowering his hands again, he self-consciously starts to untangle his legs from the blanket. As he does so he admits, "...If anyone had to see me like that though, I am glad it was you, Ichigo-dono." He feels like the sword can understand.

He moves away to kneel nearby as Tonbokiri sits up and untangles himself.

“It’s alright, Tonbokiri-dono. There’s no need to apologise. Don’t worry, I won’t anyone about this.”

A pause before he continues.

“And perhaps I should thank you for caring so much about me that your worries have invaded your dreams. I am honoured to have you as a good friend, Tonbokiri-dono.”

That makes Tonbokiri pause as he is about to shake the blanket out to straighten it, so he sits there with the blanket between his hands, giving Ichigo a round blink before lowering his head with a small smile.

"That is a very optimistic way to see it. My thanks." He shakes out the blanket, settling it back over his futon. 'Friend'... It is still a new enough relationship to him that he feels awkward saying the same in return but--

He looks over to Ichigo with a modest smile. "It is my honour to have you as my friend."

He then looks down at the futon and sighs to himself. He certainly doesn't feel like sleeping now, nor any time soon.

Well, it is better to see it this way than to consider it a premonition of some sort...

He smiles back, then he suggests, “Would you like to go for a walk?”

Although a little surprised at the suggestion, Tonbokiri is glad.

"I am sorry to keep you from your rest-- indeed, that I woke you in the first place. But I am glad for the suggestion, and the company, if you are willing."

He puts on another yukata to replace the one he'd been sleeping in, takes up his spear, and is ready to follow Ichigo's lead. As he touches his spear he recalls a bit more of how he'd been awakened by Ichigo, and he feels riddled with guilt. He'd been surely trying to help, but Tonbokiri had literally fought him off...

"Do you... usually take a walk after having a nightmare to calm down?" Is is a delicately asked question, all too conscious that Ichigo has had far more nightmares than Tonbokiri can imagine. But he could use some advice about how to clear his mind right now.

Ichigo shakes his head and smiles. “It’s fine, Tonbokiri-dono. I don’t mind and I understand.”

He waits as Tonbokiri changes, looking away to give him some privacy. He is a little surprised when the other takes up his weapon. Surely their camp is safe? Or perhaps his friend is just still on high alert after his nightmare.

“Yes, I do. Looking at the moon calms me down.”

Absolutely still on high alert. But besides that, he doesn't like to be far from his spear when on assignment.

Tonbokiri nods thoughtfully, looking towards the moon. Although it's not too windy on the ground, above them the clouds are moving at a quick pace, hiding the moon with a glowing veil then revealing it again.

He walks along in silence a long while, eyes mostly on the moon, his fingers absently fiddling with the ribbon twining his spear, before finally giving voice to his guilt.

"I apologize for how I behaved when I awoke. I know you were only trying to help as you know best."

Ichigo walks in companionable silence beside him, enjoying the light breeze as it was rather stuffy in their room. He shakes his head again with a smile.

“There really isn’t a need to apologise, Tonbokiri-dono. You were trapped in a terrible dream and just trying to protect yourself.”

"Thank you for saying so. ... You probably understand my actions better than I do myself."

Still, having received Ichigo's forgiveness, Tonbokiri can be at ease a little more.

"Is there... anything else that you find calming? As I said, I do not normally have such vivid dreams, so..." He trails off, unsure how to put it into words. He is sorry that Ichigo even has such experience with nightmares - shadows of his personal history. But he very much values Ichigo's advice.

“You’re welcome and... I suppose so.”

He falls silent for a little while.

“Anything else...? Well, being held when I sleep helps, but I guess that doesn’t really work for you.” Then there are the other things Mikazuki does at night to distract him from his darker thoughts, but those aren’t things to be discussed in polite company.

“We could try some tea. I find that either peppermint or chamomile tea helps me. I have some with me.”

No, being held didn't work for him... He gives another apology.
But he is interested at the mention of tea. He's a big fan of green teas, himself.

"Peppermint tea is delicious. I don't think I've ever had chamomile before, though. How does it help?"

“Well, both of these teas help relieve the stress I feel after... a particularly distressing dream. I find the warmth of the tea and the its fragrance very relaxing.”

Tonbokiri nods seriously, but smiles slightly in the end.

"Then, as you are willing to share this remedy, I would like to try some." Besides that, he is so used to serving others macha, it will be a bit different to be served for a change.

“Certainly. Shall we return to the room to get the tea then? Or would you like to walk around a little more.”

"Perhaps... just to the edge of town, and then back, please."

This much won't make him physically tired, of course, but the fresh air is refreshing and he appreciates that he and Ichigo can walk along in amiable silence. The quiet is good, but he doesn't want to be alone with his thoughts in the silence.

When they have nearly returned to the room he finally speaks again, "Is there anything I can help you prepare for the tea?"

“Sure.”

He walks silently alongside Tonbokiri to the edge of town, just enjoying his company and the fresh air.

“Could you go boil some water? I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” And he’ll return to the room to get the tea.

"Very well."

He can certainly do that, enough water for not only the drink but to warm the cups as well. It's an important thing, to warm the cup.

Of course, neither getting tea nor putting on water to boil takes long, so the water is still a little short of boiling when Ichigo returns. Tonbokiri has set two chairs and a table closer to the fire, but hasn't sat down yet. (He's watching the water, which will never boil at this rate.)

Ichigo soon enters the kitchen with two little bags of tea leaves. He chuckles softly when he sees Tonbokiri staring at the water.

“A watched pot never boils, Tonbokiri-dono. Now, which do you want, peppermint or chamomile?”

Missing Ichigo's quiet arrival, he gives a slight start at the comment, and abashed busies himself with adjusting the chairs.

"I'll try chamomile, please. ...Do you think it's true, that a watched pot never boils?" He'd just been zoned out while staring at it, but he's very pointedly not looking at it, now. "I'd regret having delayed the tea."

He notices that and quickly apologises as he comes closer.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you, Tonbokiri-dono.”

He nods and hands Tonbo the packet of chamomile tea leaves.

“Mn? Well, I’m pretty sure it’s just a saying. As long as there’s a flame under the pot, the water will eventually boil.”

He shakes his head- it was his fault for so uncharacteristically letting his attention wander.

"Right? I believe so as well." While still embarrassed to have asked such an inane thing, it is oddly very relieving to him to have Ichigo so straight-forwardly answer.

He turns his attention to the packet, peering inside. The little yellow and white flowers look so cheerful, and the fragrance that comes from them so mild, he feels a little better already.

"It smells nice." (Not the most inspired comment, but it's true.)

And still waiting for that pot to boil...

“It’s a really relaxing smell, isn’t it? I hope it does help you sleep.”

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