songerein | 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

[They're taking turns apparently, because it's Jude's turn to grind his pace to a halt.]

--She's a princess?!

[He had no idea, apparently. Very obvious now, actually...!]

[That is not the sort of reaction Yujin had been expecting. Has he spoken out of line? Zelda was rather direct about it when she introduced herself. Then again...]

Ah, well, she did say her title is of little consequence here, and I suppose that much may be true. Even so... She introduced herself as the Princess of Hyrule. [And it may be clear from his somewhat lost expression that he's never heard of Hyrule.]

[R-recovering...]

She did tell me to just call her "Zelda" when I wrote back to her with the "miss" address, I had no idea. We did meet in person after she sent me a message through the journals first, and she didn't mention her actual title in her initial introduction, only that she's studied botany and chemistry. [H-haha... Wow now he feels EXTRA awkward about the drink misunderstanding they had at the café, OOPS. Your cringiest moments truly stay with you forever... But the fact that she contacted him out of purely academical interest may be why, he'll stumble onto that reasoning once he calms down a bit more and finds it in himself to fully digest this later.]

But you're right, she doesn't seem to place much importance over stature, and we should respect that. It just... caught me off-guard, that's all. Sorry for the outburst...

[A princess who studied botany and chemistry? Color Yujin impressed. He'd already gathered Zelda had an interest in such things, but to actually have studied them despite being royalty... That'd be unheard of, where he comes from.]

Ah, no, don't worry about it. I must admit, I too was taken aback when I first heard of her title. I've never met royalty before; it's a bit daunting, regardless of how she herself feels about it. There appears to be a prince among us Dreamwalkers as well.

[And much like Zelda, Hans also appeared to attach very little value to his title. It's astounding, but a refreshing change, Yujin feels.]

She wants us to call her Zelda and treat her normally, so it's the least that we can do to just let it be, I think. Maybe she's just very devoted to her interests? I know a king back in my world who pretended to be a regular citizen complete with a cover name, so that he could travel the land and walk among his people to better understand their everyday life. [Gaius...] It's shocking to learn she's royalty, but I can understand not wanting her title to get in the way of what she herself really wants to do.

[Another prince...]

Maybe that prince you met is like that, too?

He certainly appeared that way, yes. The address of "Your Highness" did not appear to sit well with him either. [Gosh, what a swell and humble guy, that Prince Hans.]

I must admit, it is very different from the monarchy I've heard of in my own world. However, it's a good sort of difference. Rulers do need to understand the everyday plight of their citizens if they are to act in their best interest. To remain secluded in a luxurious ivory tower, blind to the true nature of their land, can only invite disaster.

...Yeah, indifference to the people and centering everything around themselves is unfortunately common with nobility. [He's not exactly super familiar with the six ruling houses of Rashugal, but learning Agria's story alone was enough of a glimpse to acknowledge the reality of how things were. No one there could hold a candle to Gaius, who rose his way to the top from grounds up.] Overseeing a whole country of people's well-being is a lot of responsibility.

[Politics is nevertheless a bit out of his depth, though this does briefly make him think of Milla, who prized all lives humans and spirits alike. She and Gaius were truly exceptional individuals he was immensely lucky to meet. Thankfully, it seems like they've arrived to the kitchenette area, so Jude straightens himself to get ready.]

I'll start the kettle. Green or black?

[A little plain, maybe, but they get the job done. They're no Dreambucks café, but maybe they could ask one of the faes there to drop by every once in a while...?]

[Politics is the sort of thing that Yujin's gotten tangled with more times than he would like. Not too many fond memories there, to say the least. Still, he likes to think that things will be different here in Reverein. It's a fresh start of sorts, where they're all free to work together on a framework that isn't bogged down by archaic notions of privilege. Not the sort of thing to pester Jude with, though. The clinic's already keeping him busy enough.]

Hmm... I think I'd prefer green today, if that's all right. [Yujin's not picky about his drinks, but if he has to choose, he'll choose. And if one day, their tea selection gets an upgrade, he certainly won't complain.]

Of course.

[Nuff said, he'll proceed to do just that, and start the fire itself with dreamotion. Integrating everyday chores into your practice routine does help, and it's good to stay in form. Then it's getting the leaves, a plain but functional teapot, and two cups; Jude's no expert, but Rowen's taught him a thing or two back home. The proportions and length of time depends on the tea, and...

...

He's going quiet to focus. Not that he's trying to impress anyone, but doing anything in front of someone you respect and look up to DOES tend to make one try harder, completely normal right? Give him a few minutes...]

[Jude's quiet, pensive attitude while working is not one unfamiliar to Yujin. He saw it all the time in students he taught, back at Yumei University. He always thought it was a bit unnecessary; there was no need to impress him or do anything perfectly. One learns the most from mistakes, after all. Still, he also knows it's not the sort of attitude to be shaken easily. It's ingrained into one's very being. For that reason, he simply takes a seat in the nearest chair and allows Jude to work in silence until the young man's ready to speak again.]

[Honestly, Jude isn't too sure himself if it's not just a habit for him at this point, or simply part of who he is. Of course he wants to do well at whatever he sets out to try, but at the same time, those honor student habits ARE quite deeply ingrained...

He doesn't take too long at least, having made tea plenty of times on various occasions before. Heating the kettle via dreamotion probably took the most concentration and effort, as he's seizing the opportunity to practice and is fairly confident to have it down well enough for everyday use. He'll be joining Yujin at the table with a tray once he's finished, holding just the teapot and two cups with nothing else.]

Thanks for waiting. Do you take your tea with extras, Dr. Mikotoba?

Open | Network/Action combo!

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