songerein | Open | Network/Action combo!

Entry tags:

Open | Network/Action combo!

Who: Yujin Mikotoba, OTA
Which: Open Network post and February log.
Where: Optionally at the greenhouse
What: A network post about ~politics~ and ~law~. Also some action prompts!
Warnings: None!

[Journal]

> Sender: Yujin Mikotoba
> To: Everyone

[This message comes in some very distinct handwriting. He's actually writing in Japanese but, y'know, magical mechanics. Though it might be recognizable to those who've conversed with Yujin over the journal before, it's also perfectly legible. (C'mon, not all doctors have terrible handwriting.)]

Good afternoon. If I may have a moment of everyone's time, please.

Should we not be acquainted yet, my name is Yujin Mikotoba. Currently, I am working with Dr. Mathis to get a medical clinic up and running. Back home, I am a university professor of forensic science and on rare occasion, I serve as a diplomatic advisor to my government.

I am writing to you today with the intention of discussing the ever increasing criminal activities within Reverein and its neighboring areas. It has come to my attention that there are no true written laws to be found, nor official law enforcement. There is no ruler of any sort here, and as a result, no one who has the final say in conflicts. I fear that before long, we may be opening ourselves up not only to vigilantes, but to those who may take advantage of the lack of structure and authority in order to get away with more nefarious deeds.

However, I am aware this is not a simple discussion by any means. As our community continues to grow, so does the diversity within it. We all hail from different worlds, with different cultures and values. What may be common courtesy to some may be an entirely foreign concept to others. For that reason, I propose that there may be merit in assembling a council of sorts. Not to rule, but rather, to offer perspective from different angles. It may be too early to construct true laws, though that needn't stop us from coming together and building a bit of moral structure. The more feedback and experiences we gather in this council, the easier it will be to construct regulatory guidelines. Then, in due time, perhaps we may gather some volunteers to be certain these guidelines are adhered to for the sake of keeping the peace.

This is only a humble proposal, of course. If you have any thoughts on the matter, or an interest in this hypothetical council, please feel free to respond. I would very much like to hear more opinions. Thank you for your time.

[Greenhouse | OTA]

[It's a brisk day out, a light drizzle of rain pestering anyone who dares to venture outside. Luckily, Yujin Mikotoba is working inside. Inside the greenhouse, that is! The Glowing Dawn flowers, an impressive collection in all, are glowing with a discreet blue light and the rain is tapping against the glass roof in a relaxing manner. All in all, it's not a bad place to be! Yujin is crouching by some of the flowers, checking the leaves for any infestations and taking notes on their growth.

While the greenhouse is just behind the Mikotoba treehouse, it's not exactly private property. Anyone is free to stop by and investigate!]

[Clinic | Closed to Jude]

[Another location where Yujin spends his time is the soon-to-be-clinic! It's still being prepared together with Jude, but they're getting very close now. The place ought to be operational soon enough.

At the moment, Yujin is preparing a bed in one of the patient rooms. After what happened with 76, it's become extra clear to him that the clinic needs to be ready to accept patients as soon as possible, so they can recover in a controlled environment with all the necessities within reach. The room has to be clean and it has to be comfortable.]

[Wildcard]

[Want to do something else with him? Go wild, or hit me up on Plurk or Discord for plotting!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yujin is absolutely still learning. He knows a bit about gardening, but he'd never presume to call himself an expert. He's just doing what he can, really, and hoping that it's enough. If he ends up responsible for the loss of these flowers, he'd never forgive himself. That's one of the reasons he's keeping such a close eye on their progress.

He's very thankful for his daughter's help, of course. Not only may she spot things he's missed, it's nice to be doing something together with her.]

Nothing too significant in this area. A few limp leaves here and there, but nothing a bit of additional nutrients can't fix.

[ If a library is ever discovered in Reverein, she would check out every single book she could find on flowers and plants and gardening. Also snakes. For no reason other than that they might find one or more visiting their greenhouse one day. No, no other reason at all.

Until that time, Susato will lean in to get a closer look at the leaves on the glowing dawns when he mentions them, going from one plant to another. Yes, she can certainly see what he means. ]

Hmm... well, we've given them plenty of water, so you're probably right. [ Which is funny to think about, watering the plants when it's been raining outside, but it's just been too cold to risk exposing them. ] Let me go grab some of that special soil you picked up last week and see if that won't perk them up!

[ Special as in magic or special as in nutrient-infused? Both?! ]

[Yujin would lose so much of his time if there were ever a library in Reverein. The things he could study... And a good murder mystery novel wouldn't be too bad either. Unfortunately, as it is, he has to make do with his own notes and nothing to compare them to. The soil seemed to work well enough last time they tried it, but it does worry him that there was some sort of green substance in the original soil from the caves that he never properly identified. Algea, perhaps? Who can say?]

Yes, good idea. Let's give that a try, shall we?

[ Well, the soil is in rather large bag, which Susato is not about to lug around the greenhouse. Instead, since the idea seems to have his blessing, she tucks her notebook and quill away and moves to the other end of the greenhouse, where the soil is. She uses a shovel and NOT a spade to put some of the soil into an empty pot, which she can then transport much easier.

She'll bring the pot over once she's done, which she can then distribute with the shovel (still not a spade) to all the hungry plants. ]

Here we go. Some for you... and for you... [ Your child is talking to the plants, Yujin. But luckily she stops after the first couple and turns to him. She holds up the shovel and pot in offering. Does he want get his hands dirty? ]

[Good lord Susato, why would you use a shovel for that? A trowel is clearly more suitable for that sort of thing. GOSH.

But yes, he absolutely doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. That's been par for the course ever since he first started this little project. Dirty hands, dirty shoes, dirty pants... When she holds the pot and the shovel out to him, he accepts them with a nod of the head.]

Thank you. Let's see what we can do for our friends on this side, shall we?

[He's not going to actively talk to them as he distributes the soil, but he does give them a tender smile. The 'some for you' sentiment is unspoken, but definitely there.]

[ She concedes the shovel and the pot to him then with a smile. This was his project, after all; she was merely assisting. So she goes to get another shovel Yujin has laying around, repeating the process.

He'll be happy to know she has stopped talking to the plants in favor of holding a conversation with him instead. ]

Father? [ Even as she speaks, her hands are deep in soil. ] May I ask you how your preparations for the clinic are faring?

[Yujin is perfectly willing to share this project with anyone else who wants in, be they his daughter or someone who just came in off the street. Everyone should get the chance to help out if they're up for it! Speaking of which, it's the same for the clinic.]

They're faring very well. Dr. Mathis and I ought to have it open to the entire town before long, and then we may begin searching for more volunteers. [He drizzles a bit of soil near the root of a somewhat limp-looking flower.] I do hope there are no major incidents before that time.

[ ...Last month had already taken a lot out of them--out of her, and she hardly did anything. There's a pause in her working--at some point she'd stopped to take notes again--but then she resumes, finishing whatever sentence she'd been writing. ]

I agree. I was just thinking it would be beneficial if the two of you were able to open as soon as possible. Though I do not wish to rush you, of course.

[ No sense in opening before they're ready. ]

It is a shame that Rei can't be here to volunteer.

[~~Just remember, Susato, if a ten year-old can be a doctor, how hard can it be?~~]

Oh, yes. I've never had an assistant quite so proactive, nor so diligent. She would've been a great asset to the clinic. Perhaps one day, she will be. [Because despite most of them arriving in the same month, from what he understands, it's not outside the realm of possibility that more acquaintances from home may arrive. He pats at some of the soil with the back of the trowel-shovel.] You miss her, don't you?

Edited 2022-02-09 14:26 (UTC)

[ She wipes her brow, though the rain and general weather had kept things relatively cool in the greenhouse as they work. Yujin isn't wrong, though. She frowns, letting out a sigh with a recognizable haaah. ]

Terribly... but I'm torn on whether I should wish this place upon anyone.

Getting to spend more time with you and Kazuma-sama is wonderful, but... there's quite a lot she wouldn't understand, and might find hard to accept. [ ...to put it kindly. ]

Oh, I'm certain she would find a way to adapt in due time. That's what I am doing as well, in any case. [He has seen and heard some things that have been very hard to swallow for his scientific mind. But he's getting there.

He idly prods at the soil with the tip of the trowel-shovel for a few seconds, his eyebrows knitting as he's getting a bit lost in thought.]

Regardless, it isn't easy to miss the presence of a close friend. And so... It's perfectly fine to have some selfish thoughts on the matter.

[ Susato had certainly done her fair share of adapting and swallowing herself. Being younger and less set in her ways, perhaps it was a tad easier for her, but she has quite the logical mind herself, even though it's not quite as scientific as his.

Sensing the way he kind of trails off, Susato glances at father, distracted as he is, and wonders how long it would take for him to notice her approach.

She closes the distance between them to find out. ]

Perhaps it is not so selfish, when you put it that way. I miss him too, you know.

[ Him? Yeah, him. She knows you, father. ]

[Susato's approach is noted fast enough, but he doesn't quite react to it. Not until she speaks up and calls him out on his distracted sentiments. Oof, that was not quite like a slap to the face, but it was a tap all the same. It's true, he does miss a certain someone. Being reunited after ten years only made things more difficult, because it reminded Yujin of what he's missing out on. Now he can't even exchange letters with his partner anymore.

He chuckles uncomfortably and quietly, ducking his head a bit.]

My, I've become quite easy to read, haven't I?

. . . [ She doesn't answer right away. It's quite rare that she gets to see him embarrassed like this, so she finds herself endeared. It's true. They both hoped that Herlock Sholmes might visit Japan one day, but now...

She puts a supportive hand on his shoulder in hopes that he would look up again. ]

Well, I wouldn't be much of a daughter if I hadn't figured that out. [ She may be naïve in matters of the heart, but his, at least, seems simple in this case. ] I think he would be quite proud of you and what you've written today.

...Though I also happen to think he would be fascinated by this world, and the rise in crimes as of late.

[Matters of the heart? Wow, careful daughter, you might almost imply he has a crush on his best friend. Gosh! They're just partners.

He does indeed look up at her when she places a hand on his shoulder. What's he ever done to earn such a kind, perceptive daughter? She must get that from her mother's side. And she's absolutely right about how Sholmes would behave in this world.]

Haha, that is, assuming he doesn't become distracted by the technology here. I'm certain he would wile away many hours simply taking objects apart so that he may improve them. I expect the amount of sleep he would get would be close to twelve hours a week. [And those twelve hours would all be fit into one day, because that's just how Sholmes rolls.]

[ Seeing her father laugh and reminisce, Susato feels comfortable allowing her hand back by her side again, laughing as she gives the glowing dawns her attention again. She shakes her head. ]

I remember doing that myself, though I wasn't so keen to improve them. I merely just wanted to understand how they worked.

[ . . . ]

Remember your watch?

[He shakes his head with a smile. Susato taking his pocket watch apart whenever her fingers found access to it had been so very similar to Sholmes's behavior, he couldn't possibly be upset over such memories.]

That's proven to be quite impossible to forget. I spent several months arriving to the university early, as I no longer had a functional pocket watch to tell time with. Not that I minded, of course. I quite enjoyed the additional time to prepare my lectures.

[ Susato laughs. There's still a touch of sheepishness, though the memory is clearly a pleasant one. ]

Perhaps I will get you one that wraps around your wrist for next Christmas. Or your birthday.

[ The mugs she got him were great, and definitely reminded her of him, but she also can't help but feeling like they were unimpressive. Perhaps it's the lack of magic. ]

I'd like that very much.

[He's seen them around in this place once before and he's intrigued by them. Such a watch doesn't exist back home- or at least, not yet. Having it strapped around one's wrist instead of losing it in the vastness of one's pockets sounds extremely efficient. Even so...]

Please don't worry if you cannot obtain one, though. I will adore any gift you give me.

[ Should she start a list? She's totally going to start a list. Though as she's auto-piloting, automatically opening up her notebook again, she sees all her notes and can't feel like they would be inappropriate to just add at random.

. . . Still, she will file that away for a future occassion. She can remember this one thing when the time comes, she's sure. It's just a matter of what design would be to his liking. By this point, they've both seen several. ]

I know. You always say that.

[ She continues working, having made her way from one end of the greenhouse almost to the other. ]

We're almost done replenishing the soil, in any case. We can probably take a break and wait for it to take effect after that.

...Oh. Unless you have to meet Dr Mathis today? [ She doesn't remember his exact schedule. It's not as predictable as it was at Yumei. She just knows he's been spending a lot of time at their clinic-to-be. ]

[The benefit of working on a project such as the clinic is that he has no true schedule to live by. It's more of a matter of getting some daily chores done than it is about being on time. That's an adjustment for certain, but one he can't get too accustomed to. Once the clinic is open for business, he likely will have to be present certain hours of the day.

So for now, the answer is clear.]

Oh, no, not just yet. He's aware that I intended to spend most of my day in the greenhouse. If you feel it's time for a break, then we'll take a break.

[He stands up straight, placing both hands against the small of his back as he stretches his spine a bit. Light discomfort is likely visible on his features. All this crouching is getting to him.]

[ Susato is, of course, hyperaware of the discomfort Yujin is feeling. Even before she'd been manipulated into hurting him, she always tried to be mindful of this sort of thing as he aged. ]

It's not about me. I just don't want you to overwork yourself.

[ Said the girl who's probably doing just that at the pub, it's fine. ]

Dr Mathis is more than welcome to come here as well, if you need to discuss things.

[Let's face it, they're both chronic overworkers who are in denial about it. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.]

Oh, no, no. There's very little to discuss at the moment. Truly, it's fine. [One last stretch of the spine! Ahh...] Let's go inside then, shall we?

[It's still raining out there, though. They'll have to jog through it.]

[ Just going to look at him with a healthy suspicion as he stretches... but once it's over, she does seem to relent. She takes some time to put all her notes away--by now, she probably has special notebooks just for the glowing dawns, which she keeps hidden around the greenhouse specifically.

Then she nods. Not that rainwater ever really hurt anyone, but she's not really keen on changing clothes again if she can help it. ]

Let's make a run for it. [ And by run, she does in fact mean light jog. ]

[Yujin's going to have to get himself cleaned up once he's inside regardless of how much the rain douses him. He's spent a fair bit of his afternoon tending to flowers and playing around with loose soil. A warm shower will do wonders. Even so, he'd like to avoid the rain as much as possible.

He begins a brisk stride towards the greenhouse's door.]

All right. I'm ready when you are.

Open | Network/Action combo!

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