open post, cuts ribbon to musebox proudly

[kbcctv]

[The Citadel is huge, so it's a good thing they have all the time in the world to dick around.

--Well, no, they don't. But the point is, it's a free day. There will be absolutely no work done at all. Unless you want to or something. If you do, you're pretty weird.

The dojo is always open for sparring and practice. If there's any sparring errand you've slacked on, now's the chance to make up! The horse stables are also full of activity, whether the horses are being tended to or rode around-- be careful not to let them trample the fields, though, which is full of rice sprouts and budding cabbage. The lake in front of the saniwa(s)' room has tiny frogs jumping about, and you could catch them in the palm of your hand.

The kitchen is full of food, if you're volunteering to make lunch or have decided that meal time cannot possibly come any later and you simply must prepare something before you die from starvation. While there has been a considerable effort made to make the Citadel look as homely as possible to the swords which come from Japan's past, there's speckles of technology here and there.

The TV room is a good example, with a huge screen sitting on top of a few console systems. Don't break them, you'll only be getting this luxury once. Take turns and play nice. The swords may also find themselves tending the fields with water sprinklers and hoses instead of watering cans, for instance, or heating up some leftover pie in the fridge instead of making another one from scratch since there's technology to preserve food well over a week. The armory and smithy are definitely a little bit more modern than they'd be back in the past, though much is still made by hand-- nothing beats the fine work of a master. Perhaps you'll have a few new friends today, or you want to try creating a cute little soldier spirits to die for you accompany you in battle. Make sure they enter the orb completely, or else it'll turn brown and crack.

Or perhaps you're one of the unlucky swords still stuck in the repair room, sword body still being re-smelted and fixed. Hope the saniwa is good at making you all shiny. If you want to skip all that waiting, perhaps you can try to use a helper token... but they're all in the saniwa's room! Guess you've got to use that Camouflage stat...

But if you truly cannot bear with staying in the Citadel, the time device the saniwa(s) have isn't locked away. You can go on sorties or expeditions to fill your time with something productive.

Just a warning: don't change the past. You won't succeed.

...You could always try, though.]

Comments

Hotarumaru | OTA

[muskatto]

Horse Stables

[ It's Hotarumaru's turn to take care of the horses today! That includes brushing, cleaning up manure, and then placing fresh hay in front of them. He's humming a random tune as he does his task when all of a sudden.... ONE OF THE HORSES TOOK HIS CAP!!! ]

Wah!! Horsey, give it back!!

[ Nooo, his beloved hat ;n;!! ]

Dojo

[ Sparring is finished for the day and Hotarumaru is feeling stronger than ever! Just look at those biceps!!! Well, even if he tries to flex, there's nothing to see. But that doesn't keep him down at all. In fact, he'll show you just how strong he has become! ]

I bet I can carry you now!

[ So he holds his arms out and expects you to just nod and jump into his arms let him haul you up. Or try to. If he believes, then he can succeed!! ]

dojo because why this life.

[hoasen]

[So this is how the swords train? It's not so different to how humans and countries train too! (HAHAHA how countries train lol).

But she clearly didn't expect what came after. Why are his arms open.]

Excuse me?

you wanted this

[muskatto]

[ Look at this pipsqueak, looking so excited and waving his arms. ]

I'm gonna carry you!

[ He's so ready, Vietnam. Just go with the flow!! ]

so they will really be the tallest after this (nope)

[hoasen]

[It's okay, it's two shawties talking here and this makes it the shortest conversation ever (I'M KIDDING).]

But...are you sure?

[She's caught between shuffling over and...oh why the hell not, she's seen them be strong.

Even though this one is tiny. TANTO???]

Do I just stand here? [Awkwardly situated between arms now.]

Stables:

[realmenknitplushies]

[Oh no you didn't, horse. Have seven foot of sword and six foot of angry-looking (apparent) youth glaring at you for that stunt as soon as he walks in. He was planning on handing out a couple of carrots, but...]

C'mon, that ain't playin' fair!

[muskatto]

[ The horse must have mistook his hat for a meal. It's busy chewing on it, but soon realizes it's inedible. However, the animal refuses to drop the hat, probably expecting food as a trade.

This is one mean horse.

Even while standing at the tip of his toes, Hotarumaru is unable to reach. This is a job for someone with height. That's why he's looking at you now, Futsu-no-Mitama. Save his hat!! ]

It's not letting go...

[realmenknitplushies]

Ugh. Here, gimme a minute.

[Some things apparently never change over time. One of those things being that horses can be jerks.

He grumbles out a rather archaic-sounding curse and reaches out to try and yank the hat back from the animal. Not too roughly, he doesn't want to damage the thing after all... ]

Spit it out!

--yes I did

[acclimates]

[ Today's sparring was a successful exercise. Izumi no Kami Kanesada was rather pleased with how it ended. That should have been the end of it, however--

...did Hotarumaru just-- Yeah. He did. ]

Like hell you can.

[ Not a chance shrimp- he knows how that would end. ]

what a party pooper

[muskatto]

[ First comes the trembling as he slowly draws back his arms. ]

Uuu...!

[ Then what sounds like a child that's ready to cry. Is he going to cry...?

No.

He puffs out his cheeks, looking more determined than ever. Kane doesn't want to be carried? Well, it's going to happen anyway!! Hotarumaru spreads his arms wide open and takes one brave step forward. ]

Come here! I'll show you that I definitely can!

[ Do not run away from him. ]

your party stank anyway

[acclimates]

[ If you cry he is going to smack you. Does he look like he's good with dealing with waterworks? No. That's the last thing he needs. so he's glad when it looks like that landmine was avoided. And yet...

Now he was coming back more determined than ever. That wasn't quite as expected. Was he losing his edge? ]

...you've gotta be kidding me.

[ He's not running from you, but he's not running into your arms either. ]

dojo

[abbloodt]

[Ah, how adorable. He's almost as short as Imanotsurugi. (Yet, he's an oodachi??? Iwatooshi would question this further if he actually considered this worth questioning.) His arms are outstretched while Iwatooshi barely broke a sweat during sparring practice.

...Well, why not, right. This is an A+ life decision.]

Gahahaha! Carry me, then!

[--And Iwatooshi throws his cloth onto Hotarumaru's face before 'jumping' into his arms to give the illusion that Hotarumaru is actually hauling him up, when in reality, he's barely balancing himself on his tiptoes.

Can't break the kid's spirit. (Or his bones, if he actually does try to haul him up... though theoretically, Hotarumaru might seriously be able to lift Iwatooshi up, but...)]

[muskatto]

[ W-what a bro... (for both of their sake, it's probably better this way.)

Lifting somebody as big as Iwatooshi will definitely boost Hotarumaru's confidence levels. Just as long as he doesn't notice that he isn't actually lifting the naginata up. Thankfully, the cloth is doing a great job at obstructing his vision. With his arms occupied, he's unable to pull it away from his face.

That tiny "lift" was more than enough to satisfy Hotarumaru though. A few seconds up is about the right time to prove his point. He'll set Iwatooshi back onto the ground. At that moment, he pulls the fabric away from his face to reveal that proud face. ]

Success!

[ insert victory gesture here!!

It's fine if he doesn't know any better. ]

[abbloodt]

[Since Imanotsurugi's probably asked to lift him before, he's got experience with this... and also when the saniwa sends him to grind tantous show tantous how to fight. Iwatooshi 'touches down' on the ground with a 'hmph', as if he was set down quickly.

Hopefully, he doesn't decide to go around trying to lift Kousetsu after this, or... someone else who may take him seriously and actually crush him to bits.]

Not bad, not bad! I see you've been training hard!

[And Iwatooshi shows off his own biceps, which... are probably the size of Hotarumaru's head, but whatever. That only makes Hotarumaru's ability to lift him all the more impressive, right!?]

On your free day too, eh?

Dojo

[reprizesal]

[Although he lost the sparring match, Sayo do feel like he's been hitting faster and landing more critical lucky hits than before. Just a little more and he can seek revenge more efficiently!

But he blinks and stares at Hotarumaru and his outstretch arms. Sayo looks around, before turning his gaze back at the oodachi and point to himself.]

...Do you mean me?

[muskatto]

[ He nods his head, arms still stretched out towards the tanto. ]

Yes, come here! It's a test of strength!

[ Except Sayo is around his size, so it's probably not worth bragging about if Hotarumaru is able to lift him. He wants to do it anyway even if it seems like lighthearted tomfoolery! ]

[reprizesal]

[He just stands there awkwardly with a blink.]

Carrying me is a test of strength?

[There are still many things he didn't know and is learning about. But he does know that, well, both of them are around the same size and have similiar weight.]

dojo

[sheathwife]

[ Baby. c: Well, as fellow honorable swords, Horikawa respects the little guy for being so enthusiastic... Surely, their new master will be proud! He has to remind himself to train some more later as well. Maybe after today's laundry. (So why is he in the dojo? Of course, to collect dirty laundry!!) Speaking of that, he collects Hotarumaru's as he listens to the boy speak.

He almost lets out a chuckle, but holds back out of respect. He doesn't want the little sword to think that he's being treated like a kid. He didn't forget that Hotarumaru doesn't like getting head pats. So rather than that, he opts to pat his back. ]

You've done well! You're done training for today, I assume?

[muskatto]

[ Who are you calling a baby and a "little" sword?! His sword is bigger than yours!!

Hotarumaru is nodded his head, arms still stretched out towards Horikawa. ]

Yes! Now I'm testing out the fruits of labor!

[ And that test is to lift up the wakizashi in front of him. So come over here, Horikawa!! Let him lift you up! ]

[sheathwife]

[ Physically only. c: Spiritually, though... Poor Hotarumaru's appearance is really different. The insistence only makes Horikawa want to chuckle even more. He doesn't want the little sword to strain himself, especially since he just finished training. Look, there's still visible sweat on him...

Horikawa gently takes his handkerchief out, moving it to wipe the shorter sword's forehead, cheeks, and neck. He did all that without putting the heavy laundry basket down; and he still has time to look over the oodachi's condition properly. He's satisfied to see that he has no bruises or so, but Hotarumaru needs a bath! ]

Hotarumaru-san, I've already filled the bathtub for you. You should hurry before someone uses it.

dojo for the sheer hilarity

[sunnywa]

[ It's been a long day filled with strategies and looking at recipes and Koharu's head is smoking. And there is no better solution than taking a walk and clearing your head for a little while.

She didn't mean to stop at the dojo and watch Hotarumaru work and before too long, it seems that he has noticed her, too.

And he's as chipper as ever. Enthusiastic, too, flexing his arms as he is.

...Wait, what? Is he serious about carrying her with his twiggy looking arms? ]

Are you sure?

the master has picked wisely

[muskatto]

[ YES, he'll princess carry her. twig arms and all

Or he'll try to. Hotarumaru will not disappoint his new master. ]

Yes, please entrust yourself to me!

[ He's sparkling at this point. His arms are opened even wider. There's an invisible sign in-between them that says "Insert Saniwa here". ]

Dojo

[unwielded]

[ Hotarumaru plz. Taroutachi is giving you a look because man you totally can't lift him. Almost no one can lift him. He will oblige you with a wry smile though. ]

You look stronger already, Hotarumaru. But are you really sure you can lift one such as me?

[muskatto]

[ Don't rain on his parade, Taroutachi! Except, yeah... there's definitely an intimidating size issue between the two of them.

Not like that's going to stop Hotarumaru though. ]

We won't know unless we try, right?

[ He'll realize his mistake if they topple over and he gets crushed underneath the bigger oodachi. ]

dojo

[kokaji]

[Hotarumaru, Kogitsunemaru would flatten you if he jumped into your arms. A splat followed by a pancake'd Oodachi and a very troubled Saniwa. Who would likely not appreciate the state of one of the precious swords.

So Kogitsunemaru raises an eyebrow at the display, barely able to hide a smile. He knows not to judge a book by it's cover but the sheer mass and size he has on his side will make it impossible for Hotarumaru to lift him.

Right?]

I will admit to having some doubts about that.

[muskatto]

I'm full of surprises!

[ Not as much as Tsurumaru, maybe. But hey!! He's got this! Plus, Kogitsunemaru is suppose to be a "little fox" right? It won't be a problem at all. Nope.

Hotarumaru is running towards him now and wraps his thin arms around Kogi's side, regardless of consent. If the tachi won't believe, then he's going to have to show him what his little body is made of!

And really, his skill is mostly in sword handling, because right now, Hotarumaru is struggling. It just looks like he's giving Kogitsunemaru a really tight hug. ]