minutemen | 0 ❀ INTRODUCTION + FALL MEME

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0 ❀ INTRODUCTION + FALL MEME

0 ❀ FIRST MONTH / FALL MEME

1. HOME SWEET… HOME?
Born from the flame and given life by a saniwa sage, you come into the world with your self introduction all ready to go. When it's all said and done, you finally take a look at your surroundings and… did someone actually summon you or did you wake up in an abandoned warehouse? This citadel is completely run down and in desperate need of some TLC… and help getting together. Did the saniwa actually summon you to help clean house?! Clean the floors, fix the shoji, exercise the spirits that have gotten a little too comfortable in the run down citadel, and find out which loser is going to have to clean the baths.

2. GRAND TOUR
A new sword has arrived at the citadel. Are you getting the citadel ready for them? With enough swords in the citadel, it might be hard to figure out which room to fit their bed in. Or maybe you're the new arrival being greeted and touring your new home… it looks kind of run down, doesn't it? Or maybe you've come a little later in the month when things are mostly up and running. Anyway, happy birthday and everything so go make friends. Say hello!

3. LIMITED SUPPLIES
It's hard starting off as a new sword army. You never seem to have enough resources and I'm not talking about coolant (though, forging all of those swords to help set up the citadel wasn't pretty costly). Fall is ending and winter is coming and that supply of blankets, heaters, and winter clothes hasn't come in yet. It's cold outside and you may have fixed it up but this citadel still isn't insulated. But hey, at least there's plenty of food… right?!

4. HOW MUCH BLOOD DO I REALLY NEED?
You're human now! Isn't that exciting? These new bodies come with a lot of responsibilities so you better learn how to take care of yourselves. Remember to eat when you're hungry, rest when you're tired, and drink when you're thirsty. Also, if something hurts then that probably means you should stop. Test your limits, learn new feelings, and try not to die.

5. THE FUTURE IS HERE
It's been awhile since you guys were last out and about, right? There's a lot of catching up to do with history and technology. Did you know man can fly? And they've even flown all the way to the moon? No? Well, maybe you'll have better luck learning how things work around here. The technology is pretty out dated by the saniwa's standards (seriously, who still has landlines?) but that electric rice cooker is pretty high tech for the average sword! Maybe you're a fast learner, maybe you were around when the saniwa was able to teach you how to function in the kitchen, or maybe you're trying to figure out how many swords it takes to change a lightbulb.

6. PEST CONTROL
The citadel was left alone for a long time before we showed up. Some of the spirits in the surrounding woods had gotten comfortable here. Most of them are pretty harmless nature spirits and have timidly retreated back into the forest but there are some more troublesome ones sneaking around. They're two-bit, lowlife spirits that tend to keep to the shadows or skulk right outside the citadel's perimeter but you should probably take care of them before they really start to cause trouble. You wouldn't want the spirit of that dirty cotton ball you found in storage to smother you in your sleep, right?

7. AUTUMN ASSIGNMENTS
You've been on a few sorties and expeditions by now and with fixing up the citadel, it probably feels like you've been doing chores every day but there are also other things to do this month before the season ends. Next to the assignment board is a piece of paper tacked on the wall with a few extra assignments for all of you to try out.

A. HARVEST CHESTNUTS. Go into the woods and you'll find plenty of trees full of chestnuts. Take someone tall and strong harvest them by shaking trees and beating branches until the spiky cupules fall on the ground. For all of you tiny ones, too short to reach the branches, run along the ground and pick up as many chestnuts as you can. Bring them home and ask someone to make a delicious snack.

B. MOON VIEWING. We may have missed the actual day of the autumn moon... but autumn isn't over and the moon isn't going away anytime soon. The saniwa has brought some assorted snacks from the town and you can buy more at the general store. Stay up late after a hard day of work and watch the moon from the citadel's garden. Some say curious things happen when you watch the moon.

C. AUTUMN COLORS. Even though we missed the equinox, we're just in time to see the fall colors at their peak. The forest around the citadel is an autumnal rainbow. Relax under the falling leaves or collect a huge pile and watch someone jump into it. The air is crisp and clear but you can smell something smokey as someone grills/roasts traditional food on a small fire. Stuff yourself with fish, chestnuts, sweet potato, mushrooms, and more. You could even eat up some of those left over sweets from the late moon viewing.

D. ~~CAMPING~~. TEAM BUILDING. Before it gets too cold, go camping! The saniwa has left a few camping sets in the room where they leave all of the extra things. the sleeping bags are warm and the tents... might be a little complicated to set up but it's going to be a lot of fun! If you plan on camping, please let the swords on cooking duty know ahead of time so they can pack you meals for 2-3 days and nights. Gather up your team and head out into the great wild! And try not to die alone. (An additional note is written at the end of this mission asking the attendant sword to please have search parties ready whenever a party is out).

8. PICK YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.
You know what to do.

This is our first catch-all open post! I'm combining the first month with the fall catch-all.

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( Maybe in a few months she'll let Kashuu and all the other swords slide by with their tiny injuries but right now, it's important for them to learn how to take care of their new bodies. Whether it's learning how to not get hurt or now to take care of scraping their knee, these early days are important! )

They can get really hot so you should be more careful. ( It's a gentle reminder followed by a suggestion, ) Make sure it's unraveled before it gets too hot, okay?

( And she'll sit down in front of Kashuu, the kit between them, and hold out her hand. )

Let me see.

I didn't know it'd be that hot.

[Or, more accurately, he didn't know human flesh burns so easily?? Like, he knew, but he didn't know know until the iron was actually touching his skin. He loves these new human bodies but dang if they aren't super fussy and finicky and hard to manage...

Anyway, he holds his hand out, showing his burn wound. It's not that bad - from the looks of things, he probably yanked the iron away from himself as soon as it touched him, so it's only left behind a shallow dent with red and white markings that aren't even becoming blisters yet. He looks more self-conscious than anything, honestly.]

( Reaching for some burn cream, she'll dab a little bit on her fingers then reach out to take Kashuu's hand with her other one. )

Well, now you know. ( There's a playful lilt in her and she makes a show of inspecting the burn carefully, ) You'll be fine in no time; this won't even hurt. Lucky, right?

( Stick around the next time Mutsu or Kane need their cuts and scrapes tended to. They're huge babies. And she almost lets all of this slide without another comment. She's already applying some of the cream and then she stops, holding Kashuu's hand with both of hers, )

What's wrong?

I guess, yeah. Is this the kinda thing that'd normally leave a mark?

[Color him morbidly curious... He knows that it doesn't apply to him either way, but it'd still probably be a good thing to know, right? Just in case.

He's a very good patient, either way. Unlike SOME whiny swords... not naming any names... he saves all of his whining for more trivial things, like wrinkles in his clothes or frizzy bedhead that won't be tamed. As for her question, time to play The Dodging Game!]

Nothing. All you need to do is bandage it now, right?

Maybe. ( Just a vague "maybe" as she holds Kashuu's hand and waits to see if she can sense any sort of change. Maybe it's a little mean, given Kashuu's personality, but if he won't tell her then she'll have to find out what's bothering him by her own means. ) Are you worried about a little scar?

( And turn his hand over and give him the burn cream, )

You won't need a band-aid and if you do exactly what I say, you'll be as good as new.

( Ready to hear Dr. Saniwa's advice??? )

[There's definitely a change, given the immediate tensing when she says maybe like there's actually a possibility it might scar for real?! Of course he's worried about a little scar!]

But it won't for us, right? 'Cause you can fix it?

[Or so he hopes?! Apparently he won't even need a band-aid, though, so surely that bodes well for any potential scarring... Right?? He's ready to listen to Dr. Saniwa's Sage Advice, either way.]

What should I do?

I can fix swords but I'm not sure how much I can do for your bodies, yet.

( It's pretty vague? But just as she thought! There's more to it than Kashuu was letting her know. With both hands now, she hold's Kashuu's hand with one and closes his fingers around the little tube of cream, )

You'll put this on tonight before you go to bed and tomorrow when you wake up. And even if you really want to, you can't cover it up. You have to let it breathe.

( Easy instructions! Or at least, easy until you get to the part where he can't hide it. )

If you can do that, I'll go to the store tomorrow and buy some lotion to keep it from scarring. But if you can't take care of yourself, I'm going to think you want it to leave a mark, got it?

[Those aren't easy instructions at all!! Primarily because of that one detail, yes. The thought of having to walk around outside with a burn mark so obviously there doesn't sit well with him at all. But he doesn't want it to scar, and he doesn't want her to think he wants it to scar...

After a second of thinking:]

Um... Sooo, y'know how I have horsekeeping duty tomorrow? Is it okay if I find a replacement just for then?

[At least that way he can just hole up in his room until she returns with the magic anti-scar lotion and keep it uncovered like she asked.]

. . .

( She seems to seriously consider this for a moment, crossing her arms and thinking with utmost seriousness, )

I wish I could, Kashuu, but if I let you find a replacement, I have to let everyone else find one too whenever they don't want to work. It would be different if you weren't able to work but you're fine.

( And she folds her hands in her lap, watching Kashuu, )

... Unless... something's wrong, after all?

[Ah, not the answer he'd been wanting to hear... But he doesn't want to go into detail explaining things, either! He wonders if he could get away with something a little more vague, but it's not like he enjoys the idea of lying to the saniwa either, even if it's a white lie or a lie through omission.

He shifts his hands a little while he thinks on his answer, shielding the burn so it's out of sight.]

I just - I mean, it's pretty uncute, right? And whoever I'm working with is gonna be looking at the horse while I'm brushing him, so...

[Honestly, he doesn't like the idea of potentially running into a metric asston of other swords while he's out either, or even bumping into Hana again. Just letting her look at it this long has made him pretty obviously uncomfortable, even though it's small and not that bad.]

It's just a little burn, Kashuu, I don't think anyone will care.

( She's doing her best to be reassuring but really, it didn't take her long to figure out Kashuu was particular about his appearance. And while she isn't sure how deep that runs just yet, she can see now it's important to him and that's what matters right now.

There's a long, thoughtful and probably uncomfortably awkward silence as she takes a moment to decide what to do. Let Kashuu have his way and potentially set a precedent for the other swords? Or put her foot down and have Kashuu miserably tough it out? Neither seems particularly appealing when they're in their early days, still learning their roles and how to work together. )

I have three conditions.

[KASHUU WILL CARE!! But he doesn't say that, since he knows it's probably pretty dang obvious by now.

He just stays silent while he waits for Hana to continue. He's about to speak up just because it's taking so dang long that he's not sure if he missed a cue somewhere and was supposed to have something to say-- But he perks up a little instead, at that. Does that mean he's getting off the hook? Dang, he hopes it means he's getting off the hook.]

What are they?

( She holds up a finger for each point, )

First, you only have tomorrow off. ( Look at who got out of horse keeping duty tomorrow, peanut. But it looks like asking for another day isn't going to fly. ) And I'll try to find you another assignment for the week.

( Which will probably be something in the fields so he can wear gloves at least. As for the second condition, )

I'll ask Aizen to cover for you tomorrow. I don't think he'll mind but you'll have to make sure to thank him or whoever takes your place.

( There's a pause, as she watches Kashuu's expression to see how he's following her and she slowly raises her third finger, )

If you're ever hurt again, I want you to tell me. Even if it's little. I can't take care of you if you hide things from me, do you understand?

[He's watching and listening very carefully, and his expression shifts from tenseness to relief to understanding to something neutral as she talks. It's not like he's just trying to weasel out of work for the sake of being lazy (though that's sometimes a concern...) so he has no qualms with doing something else, or with thanking Aizen appropriately.

It's the third point that sends a little ripple through his expression - just the softest shade of unhappiness and uncertainty before Kashuu straightens his back and nods.]

—Okay, I can do that.

[He doesn't want to lie to Hana, so he'll just have to make sure that he takes good care of himself. If he doesn't have injuries, he won't need to show them.]

Thank you, aruji.

( If she's bothered by his reaction, she doesn't show it. Nodding once and smiling proudly between the two of them, she closes the kit between them and takes it back. )

Don't worry.

( "You're welcome." )

Do you want me to get anything else from the store tomorrow while I'm out?

( Because even if she doesn't show it, she can tell that the topic is unsettling for Kashuu so she'll help to move it along. )

[He's grateful to be able to leave it behind, even if he doesn't say as much with actual words. It shows in the way the lingering tension is easier to shove to the side, and he goes for the new topic without pause.]

Mmm, well, now that you mention it... Y'know that magazine you brought home last time? They have more of those, right?

There are tons.

Do you want the same title or something else?

( Consider it a get well soon gift, Kashuu. )

[Not having to show off his nasty burn and getting a new magazine? Heck, he feels better already.]

The same one is okay! I liked it a lot.

(Kashuu is a simple creature with simple wants and needs beneath his deep and complex issues. Like a river that looks chill only to drag you down...)

I'll see if there's a new at the store, then.

(And that's all! She's getting up and going to put the kit back and everything because someone has to get back home before it's too late or else someone else will never get their care package.)

That's it. Take care of yourself, okay?

[A good description... But hey, at least that means he's somewhat easy to handle after a person gets to know what to predict!]

Thanks, aruji!

[He's still hiding his burn, but he doesn't seem as distressed or like he's just trying to mask it now.]

I'll be careful. Come back soon, okay?

( The next day, there's a brown bag from the general store with Kashuu's name on it! Inside it is the magazine Kashuu asked for, some skincare cream that promises to prevent and reduce scarring, and some band aids with a note saying not to cover the burn too tightly. The chore board also shows Kashuu has field duty for the rest of the week.

Hana herself is going to be working in the office and Mr. Attendant Sword isn't going to allow any interruptions for the day because important things are being done ♥ )

[By now the dang thing's probably mostly healed on its own anyway, but Kashuu will carefully use everything Hana left for him anyway. She went out of her way to get it, after all...! He won't even complain about being stuck on field duty for a whole week (very loudly or in Hana's earshot, anyway) and he remembers to thank the person who took over with horsekeeping just as promised!

Of course, he does stop by her office to say thanks. He'll come back a little after he's turned away by the attendant to leave a note behind instead. Whenever she gets it, it's just a simple Thank you! with some He Tried His Best doodles of cute animals.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

0 ❀ INTRODUCTION + FALL MEME

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