0 ❀ INTRODUCTION + FALL MEME

[konnosuke]

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.

Comments

[130]

You're learning. ( Once she has the kit, she'll set it down between them and go to check his forehead, pushing back his bangs properly to see. ) You've only been human for a little while so you have a lot to learn still.

( And now that she's had a chance to look at it properly, )

It isn't too bad. ( She was afraid he'd maybe cut his forehead on the doorway or something along the way too. ) How do you feel?

[toobigtohandle]

[He bends forward so she can see better, because even kneeling he is still quite tall.]

I was dizzy at first. Now it is just... throbbing a little.

[It looks rather spectacular because he really didn't expect the doorjamb to be that solid and not move out of the way, so he almost knocked himself out, but that's pretty much it.]

Someone gave me ice to put on it and I think it helped with the swelling a little.

[He still has a bit of trouble remembering names, but he's trying.]

[130]

( Why are you so tall, Tarou... )

If you remember who it was, you should thank them later.

( Once she's finished checking, she'll step back. )

We'll get you some more ice and I want you to rest until you're healed. Does it hurt bad? I can give you some medicine too.

[toobigtohandle]

[He wishes he knew, Aruji. Why don't you ask whoever made him why they thought a 2-meter blade was a good idea.]

I'm... not sure how much it hurts. I don't have anything to compare to.

[It is definitely uncomfortable, but ice seemed to help earlier, so he should be fine with just ice. He probably doesn't have a concussion. Probably.

Once Hana steps back, though, he looks down.]

Aruji, why did you call me here? I am too big to be of any use to you.

[130]

( Give her a second to duck outside the room for a second and ask a nearby sword spirit to fetch some ice for them. It's quick and she's back without ever missing a beat, )

I'll give you some to take with you just in case. Hopefully, it looks worse than it really is... but just in case, I want you to rest tomorrow. I'll find someone to do your assignment tomorrow so don't worry.

( It's business as usual, so it would seem, until he lowers his head and has to ask. It's enough to get her to stop going through the first aid kit for the pain medication. Her mouth hangs open for a moment because she's not sure how to answer. She doesn't really have control over which spirits she summons but that doesn't mean she regrets calling any of them here. )

Are you not happy, Taroutachi-san?

[toobigtohandle]

[He doesn't look up. Instead, he's staring at his hands on his knees.]

I've always been deemed to big to be wielded by humans. There was one once, who used me for my intended purpose, but he died and there were none who dared pick me up. So I was left at the temple with Jiroutachi.

[Suddenly he looks up again. He mostly looks... confused. He's confused a lot as a rule but it's the first time he's managed to put words on it directly and ask his new Master. She's such a small woman, just a girl, really. How can he hope to be of any use...]

What is it that I can do for you, Aruji? Is there really something that can be accomplished by someone like me that would be of use to you?

[130]

To be fair... I can't really use any of you like that.

( It's an attempt at a joke as she tries to buy time to say the right words in the moment. It clearly isn't enough time, though, and she frowns a little bit to herself, straightens her back, and tries her best in the moment. )

What I mean is... I trained for a long time to meet all of you. I practiced making seals and shikigami and I studied a lot about history and swords and how to be a good master for all of you... but I'm still not a swordmaster which is why I really need all of you right now. ( She looks up at Taroutachi, trying to see if that makes enough sense on its own. ) I want you to be able to carry yourselves now that you're able to. If I can leave the fighting to you, then I can take care of everything else, like if you ever get hurt like now.

... But I would be happier if you would all be careful and learned to carry yourselves in other ways too.

( And here comes a brief interruption from another spirit as they drop off a bowl of ice and a pack for the two of them before excusing themselves. )

You were at Atsuta Jingu for a long time, isn't there anything you want to do now that you're out?

[toobigtohandle]

I was kept away from human concerns for so many years...

[Basically, he doesn't know what it is that you people do with yourselves.]

I have been glad to be assigned things to do. I am not very good at it yet, but I have been striving to improve. If there is anything at all that that I can actually do, then that is what I would like to do.

[Because being called too big, too heavy, too unwieldy and basically being left to rot in a temple takes a toll and he wants to believe he's good for something else than that.]