A/N – More shorts, rejoice! Pairings are to be determined, depends on how I feel as they go. Also, Hitsugaya will be a constant throughout; other characters will come and go – that's more as a challenge to myself – keeping him involved.

I own nothing, blahblah. Prompts come from SilverEmerald-DAS on DA.

Also – spewing out as many words as I can for NaNoWriMo.

Formal

Upon his promotion to the captaincy, Captain Yamamoto had suggested (read: ordered) that he meet with the Captains of the Seventh and Thirteenth, to teach him about courtly protocols. Apparently these two specific Captains were masters of such graces, and would mold him into something more socially acceptable.

He couldn't deny that he needed the help. Sure, he had been from the highest of the Rukon districts - but it was still the Rukon. He might as well have been gutter-trash to the clan-born members of the Gotei 13. His bearing had improved through his time at Academy, but he was still nowhere near ready to be introduced formally at Court.

So, a week after his promotion, he found himself standing outside the gates to the Seventh's barracks. He had only briefly met the massive Captain at his promotion ceremony, and had been rather intimidated by size difference. The masked man easily had a full five feet over him. He could probably step on me and not even notice, he thought as he tried to suppress his nerves.

Hyorinmaru chuckled in his mind.

The door cracked open, and Lieutenant Iba stuck his head out, sunglasses flashing in the early day's light. "Ah, Captain. Welcome to the Seventh, sir. If you'll follow me?"

That didn't leave him with a lot of a choice. So much for trying to escape.

Iba himself was a fairly tall and broad. In fact... perhaps everyone in the division was a hulking brute? As he progressed farther through the barracks, he solidified this hypothesis. Not a single Shinigami he saw was under six feet tall.

Master, the entire Division does not exist to give you a Napoleon complex.

"I don't believe you," he muttered.

Iba peered down at him. Toshiro was so short he could almost, almost see under the rims of his ever-present sunglasses. "Did you say something, sir?"

Great. Now the Seventh was going to think he was insane, to boot. "No, just clearing my throat, Lieutenant."

Good cover.

He had the sudden urge to use his katana as a letter opener, or to leave it out in the snow. How do you feel about rust, Hyorinmaru?

The dragon didn't sound too affronted by the threat. Really, little one? Such jokes are below you. He guffawed, tickled by his own cleverness.

Toshiro grit his teeth as Lieutenant Iba opened a door for him, waving him inside.

The hulking form of Captain Komamura stood behind what looked like a formal dining table, complete with candelabras. Just what exactly did I get myself into?

"Captain Hitsugaya," he gave a formal bow from the waist… and still towered over Toshiro. By a lot.

He returned the bow, curious as to what this "lesson" was going to consist of. The table wasn't set anything like a traditional table should be set, with forks and knives instead of chopsticks.

The senior Captain gestured for him to sit, and they did, Toshiro forcing himself to not swing his dangling legs.

"Captain Hitsugaya," Komamura began, his voice tinny beneath his mask. "I've been asked to give you a tutorial on courtly behaviors. Recently, there has been a move towards modernization. Trends are now favoring more… Western… customs. I will begin with dining customs, and Captain Ukitake will be in shortly to expound upon them," The huge man sounded derisive.

He bobbed his head in acknowledgement and sat back to listen

Ukitake had to suppress a giggle when he walked in, some hours later. Seeing hulking Captain Komamura sitting with a delicate teacup in his hand, pinky sticking straight out, was a priceless sight.

Toshiro growled at the newcomer, trying to force his pinky to stay straight while not having his elbows on the table.

Hyorinmaru was also enjoying the affair. How can you be so coordinated with a sword, but defeated by a teacup?

He was not about to dignify that with a response.