( closed to geishake )

[wenming]

[Here it is. A seemingly normal day at the Citadel, and Yuanji does what all girls her age does not do; walk down the hallways with piles of paperwork in hand. She thanks the swords who are helping clean up along the way, until she reaches a quiet room where she can put this all away.

Upon reaching this room, she looks outside to see a training session underway. Putting the paperwork away in a drawer, she heads out to watch. Do they have a supervisor? If not, she can help. Not that this was part of her expertise.

And look at that, even Jiroutachi was actually here, ready to train too. Did he take her instructions yesterday seriously?]

Comments

[geishake]

[It was either follow her instructions or risk the life of his precious sake. And it's not as if Jiroutachi minds following instructions in the first place, he simply prefers to work at his own pace and time.

Which he would like to spend drinking sake and relaxing.

As it is, Yuanji would rather see him practise thank drink and Jiroutachi cannot deny their saniwa. Not that her genuinely wants to in the first place.

It's a warm day and Jiroutachi has shed his usually fancy outfit for something simpler, something he won't suffocate in. It's still hot, however, and Jiroutachi contemplates ditching the shirt. Sweat trickles down his collarbones as he lifts his training sword to block a blow and with a powerful shove, Jiroutachi sends his training partner sprawling.

Some good natured banter is exchanged as Jiroutachi helps the other up and it's when the other is up on their feet that Jiroutachi notices their Yuanji watching. Grinning slightly, he waves.]

Aruji~! Have you come to watch?

[wenming]

[Exactly, and it would be better to do the work and she'll actually deliver him the sake herself! She's not completely heartless! Yuanji just likes work done and order.

And right now, there is order. Seeing Jiroutachi wave nearly brought a smile to her face, but she can't let him have the pleasure of seeing that when she just got him to be productive!

So instead she nods him a greeting.]

Yes, Jiroutachi. Please continue, don't let me interrupt.

[geishake]

Ah?

[Wait, her appearance doesn't mean that he gets to stop? A sulk spoils Jiroutachi's pretty features and he puts his hands on his hips as he directs his pouting face at Yuanji. He knows she won't be swayed but why not give it a try?]

Mhhh... But only because Aruji asked!

[With a flick of his wrist, his hair is brushed over his shoulders again before Jiroutachi takes a battle ready stance. His opponent does the same.

And with a dull noise, the swords connect and the fight is on.]

[wenming]

[She sighs as Jiroutachi tries to protest, but she can't be swayed! And hey, he's gone ahead and went back to sparring again. She chuckles lightly and shakes her head at how quickly he made it sound like it was because he wanted to do it. Well, it probably was, anyway.

She decided to move in close to the sparring area, then she can watch it more closely. Jiroutachi's huge form gives him an advantage in strength, even if he's slower than the shorter swords. She often wondered how the others felt about it, since he was so naturally strong without need of training.

Oh, that was a pretty good move there.]

[geishake]

[Dodging a tantou is always a lesson in caution. Their reach is short and it's easy to drive them back with a show of strength, a push or a shove. But they are fast, quick on their feet and always thinking three steps ahead. And when you think you've figured them out, they surprise you.

Such as the lightning fast dart of their newest addition to the team. Hakata is a fresh breeze and Jiroutachi barely manages to block the attack in time. He's able to deflect the blow with the hilt of his training sword and then, deciding that conventional strategy as been abandoned, bend down to scoop the tantou up.

There is a noise of protest and a struggle before Hakata lets out a peal of laughter. Jiroutachi joins in for a few seconds before setting Hakata on his own two feet again and ruffling his hair.

...oh wait, Aruji was watching. Probably shouldn't have fooled around.

Looking sheepish but also entirely unrepentant, Jiroutachi looks to Yuanji again.]

So-rry! Won't happen again, Aruji.

[wenming]

[Finding Hakata surely was worth all that effort, with the merchant tantou being even faster than their fastest, Aizen. (Somewhere Aizen wails). Not to mention, he managed to survive fifty levels of Osaka Castle hell, not knowing if he'll even be found.

And then here he is, even giving Jiroutachi a run for his money. Until he cheated. It was actually quite endearing to see Hakata mesh well with the other swords outside of his family, and that Jiroutachi was willing to be a surrogate big brother.

She laughs behind her hand before stopping herself, making her face look as stern as possible.]

I suppose once in a while is harmless. Hakata is still adjusting.

[geishake]

[He saw that smile, Yuanji. And he heard the laughter, too. You can't deny that you found this little display of affection amusing, alright.

Jiroutachi watches as Hakata picks up the practise weapon and hands it off to the next challenger (poor random npc unit). No rest for the wicked, is there? Sighing glumly, Jiroutachi routes the shoulder of his swordarm and flexes his fingers before he gets into position again.

Gods, it really is warm. It's a good thing he opted to go without make up today, it would have ended up all over his face and made himself look like quite the idiot.]

Will I have tomorrow off, Yuanji-sama?

[wenming]

[She did, but she will deny it till the end of time! Or maybe a bit before, but still.

But just like how he saw her face, she saw that glum expression too. Somehow his pain is entertaining too (whoa).

Since it is getting hot, she really should request someone to go get some drink, since she is still supervising. That said, they probably would not do it particularly right when it comes to Jiroutachi. She makes the request to a nearby aid for everyone else instead. She'll do his by herself when the time comes.

Before that though, she calls out--]

It depends on how hard you work today, Jiroutachi.

[geishake]

[Jiroutachi throws a calculating look over his shoulder. Yuanji-aruji can be an utter and complete slave driver but most of the time, she is fair and doesn't go back on her word. So when she says that he'll get tomorrow off if he works hard today, she means it.

Hopefully.

He nods with a hum before turning back to his opponent.

And the poor, poor npc unit gets trounced. Thoroughly.]

[wenming]

[DAMN RIGHT, he's learning. But really, she doesn't slave drive the hardworkers because they're not complaining! So as long as he does his work, he'll get his share of reward.

Mostly.

At least he will for being a strong warrior.]

Good work, Jiroutachi! [He gets this because it's actually true.]

[geishake]

[Does that mean he gets a day off now? Did he work hard enough?

Taking in the breathless sparring options, Jiroutachi takes a deep breath before putting the sword he was using into someone else's hand. He's going to take a break and swagger over to Yuanji. He picks up his vessel while he moving over, silently mourning the lack of sake. Taroutachi made him leave it behind, probably on Aruji's orders.

But when he wants in front of Yuanji, he shoots her a wide, comfortable smile.

And begins to peel off his shirt. Look, it is pretty warm.]

You won't mind if we take a five minute break, right~?

[wenming]

[A WHOLE DAY...that's pushing it. He'll have to swindle her.

But fine, he's worked hard enough now, she can let him have a break--...

...wait.]

A five minute break? Yes...I suppose you all can.

[Is he taking his shirt off. Is she staring. She's not staring okay.]

[geishake]

[It's a good thing Jiroutachi has perfected being a swindler centuries ago.

And yes, he is, in fact, taking his shirt off after getting permission for a brief respite. Jiroutachi pulls a face when he has to peel the cloth from his arms and chest, sweat making it sticky.]

Can you give me a hand with this, Aruji?

[Is that a wicked gleam in his eyes? Surely not.]

[wenming]

[God it's true. She's strong, and she can resist, but how much before he swindles everything out of her!!

And really, Jiroutachi? Really? Hot and sweaty? Oh she is so onto his game.

Unfortunately, what she thinks and how she feels doesn't quite match up. So as she gets up, trying her best to look like this is an IMPOSITION.]

Hmph, I thought you were more competent than this. [Ah that was a little mean, even she thought so herself--] But I suppose this is because you are tired. [There we go, much better.] All right, I'll help you just because you are having a break, but it is not something I will do often!

[And here it goes, she moves to help him slide his shirt off of him. If he really had to play this game though, then yes, she's going to do it slowly. She can play too.]

[geishake]

[That's Yuanji, alright. If Jiroutachi wasn't already so used to her harsh words and quick back-pedaling, he would maybe have felt hurt. As it stands, he knows she's just trying to deflect his attention elsewhere.

Unfortunately, Jiroutachi is having none of it.

He doesn't mind the slow movement, raising his arm this way or that way at her nudges and guidance, eyes not drifting from her face. She is pretty, would probably be prettier if she didn't look like a young girl being put under too much pressure. Maybe he can help her relax a little.

Once his arms are free, Jiroutachi sighs and stretches his arms above his head.]

Mhh! That feels better! [He blinks before laughing and reaching out to tuck Yuanji's hair behind her ears.] There! I can look at you properly now!

[wenming]

[It's a wonder anyone sticks around sometimes, after all, she was known among her superiors to be competent for being strict and harsh, unable to bend. Though she has noticed that she does bend to Jiroutachi's will every now and then. He bargains sharply (pun intended).

Like right now, while she's trying her best to make sure he doesn't notice how she is giving him attention. It does make it hard to look at him when his eyes are fixated on her face. Fortunately, having to help him from his shirt helps. Unfortunately, his muscles twitching as he moves does not help. Nor does having his whole just just out in the open.

Oh, she knows he knows that he's a gifted sword-man.]

I am glad that one of us is--... [Enjoying this, she was about to say, when she looks over at how his hand moves close, and then tucks her hair behind her ears. Her eyes widen for a moment before she tries to look away knowing full well that a bit of colour was reaching her cheeks. Curses.] You will waste your break time if you choose to use it to look at me.