For the Times They Are A-Changin'

[steadypulse]

Who: Soldier: 76 & Wild Harvest Staff+friends, Others
Which: Open Log - doubling as a Catch-all
Where: The Wild Harvest, Various
What: The Wild Harvest is closed for the first week of February, time is needed. Then back to business as usual.
Warnings: Will add as needed.

Wild Harvest Staff Only +friends 🍃click me

[He couldn't remember when the last time that he and the others had locked the doors of The Wild Harvest. Hung up a sign outside the doors that at least put a clear date when they could be open, to contact Soldier: 76 if something was needed but...

It felt wrong to do anything else, anything less. Letters sent to the other staffs and those he knew had known Kazuma and Susato both, just if they wanted to come by for a little food and drink. Talk of better memories before both of their names would officially be added to the Memorial Wall out in the garden. Even if just gone home there was still that distance that could feel so much larger.

... Especially to him, after so many years. Knowing the possibility was there, it didn't make it hit any less.

Which was why 76 could be found out in that garden, sitting by the memorial wall on one of the benches there. Th water of the pond and the wind the only real sound.]

... I'm not going to let this place close up. Don't think either of you would want that, huh kid.

[Just because they weren't there. Just meant the place was his now.]

It's almost funny. Was making all these connections and arrangements thinking I'd be the one that ended up waking up eventually.

Wildcard 🃏
[Feel free to catch 76 still cooking up meals for Staff+ throughout the closed week while preparing the Harvest for re-opening, or even help out. Bring your own starters etc.]

For the first entire week of February there was a Closed sign hanging at the doors of the Wild Harvest. An apology, along with instruction to simply get in touch with Soldier: 76 over the journals if anything to help with dreams or sleep was needed.

The Wild Harvest would be open again come Monday—


New Management
[With the doors of the pub-style restaurant back open the atmosphere was as welcoming as usual- even if by the door there was a temporary sign announcing that it was under new management- one Soldier 76.

There was also a brief help wanted for those who were looking to help cook or even just bus tables and help wait on them as well. Could use a few extra hands outside of those who decided to trade in a little work for their meals. Just had to talk with 76 himself.

Couldn't hurt, right?]


Within the Wild Harvest
[There were pink bubbles floating through the air, drifting about almost lazily and hanging around a few of the glowing yellow crescent mood shaped fruit hanging from vines wrapped around -and hanging down from- the rafters. Almost made it look a little magical with the small noodle-shaped dragons flitting about through the air as well.

Along with the scent of food, the place as warm and welcoming as always.]

Watch your head- low flying kittens got some energy to work out.

[Called out by an older man walking from the kitchen, the door closing behind him, with a tray of food in hand.

... Welcome back to the Wild Harvest?]


Wildcard 🃏
[Bring your own starter, or if something a bit more structured is wanted PM or get in touch via the game's Discord ᓚᘏᗢ]

Comments

staff + friends

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke's been a bit of a mess since it happened. Not a mess in the noisy, weepy sense of the word, but more just... Clearly out of sorts. Quietly distracted, depressed, distant. He's spent most of this get-together so far sitting quietly in the corner... Nursing a drink, the ambient dreamotion generated by his mood making the air temperature in his immediate vicinity drop by about 10 degrees.

It was hard enough losing Susato. Maybe he should have expected this to happen, once they learned that she'd woken up... He should have known that it would only be a matter of time before Kazuma followed suit, bonded as they were. He can't blame either of them.

But knowing that they're both fine, that they're out there living their waking lives somewhere? He's so, so glad for that, but it doesn't make being left behind any easier. Ryunosuke truly loves the people he lets into his life; he loves them completely, with all his heart and soul... And being apart from them always leaves him gutted, no matter the circumstances of their parting.

He still has Iris. Needs to put on a brave face for her, if he can. He knows he still has Gina too, and these days he can even say he has Barok, as much as their friendship has developed. But there are still two huge holes in his heart, and it's going to take him some time to get over it.

Eventually he decides he needs a break and some fresh air, which the garden is perfect for, even if the chill is a bit much. He isn't expecting anyone else to be out there, though; he's not being the most attentive right now either, and kind of blunders up right as 76 is finishing talking. Ryunosuke halts in his tracks then, boggling in his typical wide-eyed manner (there are some FIERCE bags under his eyes, too,) before a complicated series of expressions passes over his features. Eventually he lands on 'apologetic', stammering.]

S-sorry, I. I didn't mean to intrude.

[He takes a few steps back and turns to leave.]

[steadypulse]

[76 looked up then- and his own expression softened up a bit, letting out a breath as he shifted to the side and gestured to the spot on the bench beside him—]

You're fine- why don't you come over here and take a seat?

[Because he knew he wasn't the only one who would miss them on a deep level; he only knew them here, had known Kazuma for longer because they'd met in a world before this one. Had only grown closer here and, well.

...]

Besides, you of all people I wouldn't consider it intruding.

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke still hesitates for a moment; not because he doesn't trust that 76 is being truthful, or that he doesn't appreciate the gesture. It's more about his own tendency to be hesitant and reserved in how explicitly he expresses his grief, and he's not sure he'll be able to keep it under control in this situation.

He quickly winds up relenting though, nodding lightly.]

...Thank you.

[He makes his way over and sits down delicately, hesitating again before speaking. His words come out with more a wry rasp to them than he intends, his tone hollow and weary.]

...At least this time I know he's not dead. That's an improvement.

[steadypulse]

Definitely an improvement.

[He knew bits and pieces of the story, what he had pulled Kazuma out of in nightmares and just... time spent talking. Long trips out into the forest here and there. Putting a few things together himself but never really poking that much further simply because it wasn't his place. Not unless it was brought up.

There was still a stone star fish in hand, and it was offered without a word about it.]

Judgement free space right now, by the way. Make of it what you will, kid.

[An offer, that knowledge that those words were meant, but nothing pushing.]

Also? My name's Jack, and I just ask you don't use it when there are other folks around.

[Didn't have to stick to 76, not now.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke numbly takes the stone in hand, but glances over at 76 in obvious surprise. He hadn't really thought that a number was the man's actual given name, but he also never expected to be privileged enough to learn his real one.

Once the initial surprise wears off, he gives a small but appreciative nod.]

...Jack. Got it.

[He looks towards the memorial wall again, stone still clasped in both hands, though he refuses to actually look down at it just yet.]

Thank you. And... Thank you even more, for stepping up to keep the Harvest open. I... I don't think I could have handled seeing the doors shuttered, on top of everything else.

[steadypulse]

[It had been long enough, and... well. It was just one more way that Jack felt he could show that he would be there for Ryunosuke as much as he had been for Kazuma or Susato if he wanted that. Knowing the both of them, caring. He felt that loss. How empty the Harvest and so much of the world was going to feel even if it was only waking up.

Still wasn't here.]

Mm, doors are always going to be open to you. Staying upstairs, and if you feel like you can still lend a hand around. Whatever you feel up to when the doors open again after this temporary break.

[Because he needed that time to let it sink in, not wanting to pick right back up immediately despite the choice to keep the Wild Harvest going.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke nods stiffly, trying to hold back the tide of sadness that keeps threatening to wash over him. He hates how much this feels like a funeral, in so many ways.]

I'll keep helping here as much as I can. I mean, it's not as if I have any other prospects knocking down my door...

[It takes a second for him to register how his own words just sounded, but when he realizes how that might come off badly, he turns to Jack and quickly adds:]

N-not that I don't WANT to be here, or that I'm only doing it out of a sense of obligation, or lack of options! Um... It's just. What I mean is... This is the only place in Reverein where I really feel at home...

[Even if several of the people he was closest to are gone, that still holds true. Though Susato and Kazuma departing sort of changes some things... It's only now that he's realizing how little time he's actually spent with the others here. He feels like a hanger-on, a friend of a friend who has never really quite settled or ventured too far outside his little niche. That worries him now: the irrational fear that others here won't know what to do with him, now that he's not an accessory to Kazuma.]

[steadypulse]

[Hard not to feel so down about it, even knowing Kazuma was fine- no matter how strangely final it felt. Did each time a new name was placed on the wall, just to remember they had been there. Some change made, no matter how small or large.

There was a soft noise made, not a laugh or anything like that, but Jack put a hand on Ryunosuke's shoulder. Something firmly there but easy to shrug off, a sort of squeeze made just to help ground the guy a bit.]

Can get that, I just want to make sure that you know you are more than welcome to stay, got my support. You're a part of this, too. Doesn't matter if you weren't here from the start, still just as wanted to stay if you're up for it, and you'll always get support from those of us here- even if Reaper's way of showing that is real weird.

The Wild Harvest has always been -at it's core since Kazuma, Susato, and I opened it- about supporting each other, and ensuring folks are fed well.

[locumstudentesquire]

[A simple touch like that is far more helpful than Ryunosuke could have guessed. His shoulder trembles ever so slightly under Jack's hand, then relaxes as he lets out another sigh.]

Thank you. That... That means more to me than I can possibly put to words.

[He hesitates before adding:]

...If it also isn't too much to ask... I imagine I'll need a hand keeping an eye on young Iris as well. She's brilliant, mind you. Far smarter than I could ever hope to be. But she is also still a child, and I've not exactly prepared myself for fatherhood. It would put my mind at ease if I knew there were other adults around willing to be there for her.

[Considering how much closer Ryunosuke has grown with Barok van Zieks over recent times, one might expect him to ask the Reaper for aid with this, but uhh. THERE'S A REASON, FOR WHY HE'S NOT GOING THAT ROUTE...]

+ friend | also ota if anyone wants

[herlockian]

[As much as Iris had taken advantage of their herb selection to start working on tea brews here, she actually hadn't managed to spend much time inside the Wild Harvest properly. She was still very new here compared to most of the others invited, so perhaps she took the window opportunity for granted.

She's been pretty down since she heard what happened. While she hadn't been particularly close with Kazuma, she had been enjoying the opportunity to become so. Susato, though, stings her pretty good. It seemed like no matter where it was, Iris would only get to see Susie for a few months at most before she left again.

Iris has been trying to keep it to herself more than she otherwise might have because of Ryunosuke. He's been terribly upset, and after his departure from London with his friends from Japan, she hasn't been able to stop fretting that he'll follow them out of here too. She hasn't wanted to make things worse for him and knows he needs his own space, but it's also been a bit hard for her to let him out of her sight for very long.

She still wants to check in with everyone else, and this seems like a safe space. Once she gets too cold, Iris starts wandering the premises to both examine it and strike up conversations with people.

When she moves to the garden, Iris happens to get within hearing distance of 76 as he makes his comments. Of course it stirs up the thoughts she's already been having, and since he's not Runo (or Ginny or Mr Reaper, they need to stay too), she heads toward him and finally voices one of her questions.]

Do people really wake that often here?

[steadypulse]

Often enough. There are some folks that are only here for a month, others- well. Kazuma and I arrived here the same time from another place. [While his voice was a little graveled, there was an odd... softness there.

He had tipped his head to acknowledge her when she spoke, but his eyes remained there on the wall. The amount of names there. The two recent additions.]

... Four or so years? Almost.

[Close enough. Felt like longer at times, and others not so much.

Still, there was a small gesture; a space to sit if it was wanted.]

[herlockian]

[Iris is a bit too surprised by that revelation to take the seat just yet, but it hasn't been rejected.]

I had no idea he'd been somewhere else for so long! You must have known Kazoo almost as well as Runo does, then.

[Iris glances toward the wall as well as she's responding. Most of the names meant very little to her, but there were two or three other familiar ones. It was odd that her arrival had happened after they had already been and gone.]

[steadypulse]

[At least for most those names just meant they were awake, continuing their lives. Even if there was no memory of this place, but that was the reason for the wall in the first place.

A hand smoothed over his beard somewhat.]

Been through a lot with him, that's for sure. Even before I helped him open this place.

[One of the reasons that 76 wasn't just going to let it go. Felt he should step up and keep the Harvest running.]

That's the funny thing about this place I suppose, huh?

[herlockian]

I guess so. I've been here just over three months, though, so it doesn't sound like much in comparison.

[Iris keeps staring at the wall, gradually growing more somber.]

So...is there some way to tell if a person is about to leave?

[steadypulse]

Long enough you might start to get a sense of things. Step by step, heard you're a clever one after all.

[Who from? Hard to tell given the people from the world she was from he'd known over time here. Lived with the Mikotoba's for a bit.

Arms rested across thighs as he let himself lean back somewhat.]

Sometimes you can- might see them less than you once did, or it's as quick as hanging out with them one day and them being gone the next. Getting worried about it?

[herlockian]

Oh, have they spoken about me?

[She seems flattered at the thought. It was a shame she hadn't been able to speak to them frequently enough to know much about him in return.

That notion is fleeting as she thinks of her worries again. She nods.]

Could someone decide that they would rather wake up, as well? To be with people who've left before?

[steadypulse]

Here and there. During down time, or just while out in the forests gathering things for the Harvest.

[A lot of what was grown had been found out in the wildlands or... other places, like the glowing berries that grew inside. Long trips out there, or simply during the slower hours.

There was a slow exhale.]

Can't say I know for sure of anyone intentionally waking up, or else a lot of folks here now probably wouldn't be.

+ friends!

[starshower]

[Tifa has come by with one of her regular visits, bearing some gifts for the staff in the form of baked treats—some leftover cakes from the previous day's batch, some brownies, plus a couple of containers of freshly made soup for 76 to take home for him and Reaper. She's half expecting him in his usual place, through the usual door that she's so used to finding him at, but today is different.

She wanders the restaurant before she finally comes across him in the garden looking a bit... dare she say, melancholic?

Her approach is careful, quiet, as she adjusts the bag around her arm, and as she hears that last little piece of what he has to say, she feels like she's just interrupted something very personal. Still, she'll greet him carefully anyway.]

Hey.

[Her voice is as gentle as it's ever been, her smile equally so.]

Sorry... if I'm interrupting anything...

[steadypulse]

[His head tipped a little before Jack was sitting up a little more where he had parked himself on one of the few benches there, an arm rested across thighs.]

Hey, kid. You're alright.

[Just an old man being a little sentimental— But it was more than that, wasn't it? As much denial as there'd been about who would be the one to wake up, Jack always thought he'd end up being the one before Kazuma. A lot of fail-safes put in so they he and Susato would be able to keep this place going on top of whatever else they ended up doing here.

... Felt strange being here after that.

There was still that soft smile in place, Jack gesturing towards the space on the bench beside him.]

I'm just taking a moment.

[starshower]

[She hesitates for only a heartbeat before she's sliding onto the bench beside him, setting the bags on the other side of her before peering up at the Memorial Wall they're sitting next to. There are a lot of names on there that she doesn't recognize, but the ones that she does... they make her heart ache a little.]

Everything okay?

[Her head tilts in his direction.]

[steadypulse]

For the most part, yeah.

[For the most part. Taking it the more recent names there on the wall, some he knew others around had put up as well. This was nice to have, that little reminder they'd been there even if only a few knew; they were cared about enough to have their name added.

A hand did move over his beard, smoothing it down as just some sort of idle motion.]

Just reminding myself there's plenty good reason to keep this place running, even if we close the doors for a little bit. That its okay to take that break.

[starshower]

["Plenty good reason to keep this place running..."

Her heart twists and knots a little at that.]

You weren't thinking of closing it, were you?

[steadypulse]

Briefly, wondering if I could manage on my own in both the kitchen and keeping an eye on making sure we're supplied and the front is running smoothly.

[There was just... some faint huff of a laugh-]

I know Reaper would be willing to help, even if make a show of grouching about it. Percy as well- worry a little about Ryunosuke, but I'd rather have a talk so he can make that decision. [How close he was to both Kazuma and Susato- if he could bring himself to remain.]

And we do take in temporary hires for when they wan to trade labor for food, rather than just talking to others about the place. I can keep it going, but taking some time off to adjust won't hurt.

[- was a But there, a bit of worry and twist of his own heart.

Quiet, a hand dragging over his face slowly before actually turning his head to better face Tifa.]

... I made plans thinking I'd be the one to wake up, you know? So they could run things smoothly without me, made sure the farmers and all I trade with for fresh produce would keep supplying it easily. Didn'y really plan for it to ever be the other way around.

[starshower]

[These are all things that she's had to think about too, so as he explains, Tifa can only nod. While they are looking into finding ways to stay permanently, that worry is still ever-present in the back of her mind... In all of theirs. The small what-if that keeps her fretting about it when she should just live in the moment.

She waits for that 'but', though, hearing the unsaid words that hang heavy in the air. It's just as she thought, and Tifa offers him a small, apologetic smile.]

Guess this place is always full of surprises, huh...? People still come and go, even after all this time.

[There's a small pause, and Tifa looks up to the wall.]

I miss Susato.

[steadypulse]

I do, too. I'm not surprised Kazuma has followed after- and I hope they can manage something good for themselves.

[That Kazuma could finally get the closure he desperately needed- because it sounded like he would. That Susato could do what she wanted, follow a path and make something rather than have to sit back simply because of the times. He only ever wished the best for both of them.

Shame he'd not be able to see them shine in their own world.

Still, Jack could manage somethin of a small smile.]

The kitchen will feel empty without her working right there with me, along with quite a few outtings.