songerein | [07] move along, move along just to make it through

Entry tags:

[07] move along, move along just to make it through

Who: Susato and anyone
Which: Open catch-all log for September + network option
Where: The Wild Harvest garden, but open to other locations.
What: Yujin Mikotoba has left Songerein.
Warnings: Will add if needed.

🌸 A. an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Sender: Susato Mikotoba
To: Everyone
Subject: Reverein's clinic

[ It's short, and to the point. Susato doesn't use the journal often to broadcast like this, but now that she is, she feels it prudent to be as direct as possible. ]

To whom it may concern: For the past couple weeks, the Reverein communal clinic has been without a proper doctor to run it. If you are in need of aid, please be patient, as the volunteers are doing the very best they can. If you have medical experience and would like to help, please let me know. Thank you. Regards, Susato Mikotoba

🌸 B. move along, move along, like i know you do.

[ Within the garden of the Wild Harvest, among the faint hissing of snakes and the lull of the waterfalls, Susato closes her journal and tucks away her pen. She takes a deep breath as she moves to stand from her favorite bench, and she walks with purpose into an area littered with stars that look like stepping stones upon the ground.

For a moment, she stops and simply stares. There it is. A blank star, waiting for a name. Perhaps it appeared some time ago. Perhaps she simply ignored it, but after digesting recent events, she has no time to wallow in the remaining stages of grief. He's not even dead, but she wonders if that doesn't make things worse.

Either way, she doesn't even need a pen. She slowly bends down, spending another moment feeling the rough surface of the starfish with her hand before she commits with her pointer finger.

The strokes appear in a glow, and the end result looks engraved. ]

御琴羽悠仁

🌸 C. wild card.

[ If neither of these fit! ]

(( ooc: Feel free to write your own prompt/starter, or if you'd like me to write a personalized starter for you, hit me up at

yammdere or via PM!

Side note: I would love to incorporate Quest #902. Hug it out if you hit prompt B. uwu ))

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[ As she considers this, she actually bends down to pick up Cherry, holding her up proudly as she licked her face. ]

Can Cherry come, too?

[76 chuckled a bit, leaning forwards so he could ruffle e fur between Cherry's ears a bit, but that soft smile lingering like some ghost was for Susato.]

Of course she can. Got most of them house and kitchen broken, so other than maybe lingering by feet and legs too much, she'll do well in there.

[The star fruit really was a sight to see- and he wondered if it would continue to look like a colorful and star-filled sky in a jar like the honey did. Hoped it would, but even if it didn't....

Well, it'd still end up a striking color.]

Cherry's learning to be a good kitchen helper.

[ His chuckle feels like a treat in and of itself. She can feel Cherry's tail start to wag at the approval, and even now, blossoms are shedding from her fur as she is pet and spoiled with attention.

It would just give her some sweeping to do later on. ]

In that case, we'd be happy to assist. We did bring back plenty of the fruit, after all... and we have some excellent taste testers at our disposal.

[ Cherry included! ]

That we did, and that we do. If we can make this jam? Might be able to work it into some of our recipes for that nice added touch of sweetness and the nice flavor it has.

[Reminded him a little of a wild muscadine almost with that sweetness the flavor carried~~similarities ended at taste-like at least~~, but there was some other flavor he couldn't quite pinpoint. Still, it came of as something that would make a very good jam.

A good compliment to toasts, waffles, flapjacks- hell, even on some meats and other savory things. Could do a lot with it if it turned out well.]

Hopefully it keeps its color like the dream honey does even when cooked, yeah?

[ Susato starts to feel Cherry's weight pull at her arms, so she sets her down again, seeming satisfied. She grins, allowing her to sniff at her boots as she waits for them to head for the kitchen.

Or drop something to eat suddenly.

Or both. ]

I hope so, too. I'd love to try it with some bread, for starters... Its color reminds of the wine I tried with Kazuma once, when we first went to the beach.

The dream-honey that I gather seems to manage it, so there's hope for the star fruit jam.

[Be an easy walk to the kitchen at least, even the garnish and spicy noodly-dragons snoozing a bit around the place given the lull. Good time to try a hand at this, far as he was concerned.

Setting the jar of pectin down as he was gathering a few of the starfruits, setting them on the counter.]

Starry sky and all, huh?

[ It's Cherry that darts ahead of them, stopping at each noodle dragon as she passes by to sniff and inspect, tail wagging as they respond with sleepy blinks. Just as quickly as they're waken up, however, Cherry is gone, moving on along with her humans.

While 76 brings out the fruit, Susato is opening up cabinets, taking out a couple of empty jars to put the jam in as she meets his eyes with a grin. They both look quite at home here. ]

Starry sky and all. [ She repeats, and after setting aside the jars, she reaches for her favorite knife to cut into the fruit. ]

[Sugar was also brought out, along wit a few lemons; both would help in the jam making process, since the fruit needed to be cooked. That would be what got it all rolling after all and- well. Lemon juice was essential.]

What we don't need for the jam, we can take the time to enjoy, too. This is definitely a good eating fruit.

[Flexible with the sweet flavor it carried- and it was very pretty, no denying it.]

Last time I went down, looked as if some kind of melon was starting to grow. Can bring a few back here with me once they're ready. [Idle chatter as he arranged things, measuring out what sugar they might need along with lemons to juice.]

[ Idle chatter is exactly what she needs. She is using the knife to cut slices and scoop out the tasty insides into the jars, all while sneaking in a few bites herself. The second anything is dropped, Cherry is there to pounce.

Susato can't help but laugh, bending down to give her some more. ]

I wish would could bring back the entire forest. But... the melons sound great. I'll help too, when the time comes.

[ A pause. ]

You'll take us again, won't you?

[He had hoped because- well, it wasn't as if 76 didn't know who was missing, that something had happened as well. No matter how much he had withdrawn himself after OZ, and what he could think to do was offer exactly what he thought could be needed- even if it was only something temporary.

A relief from everything else.]

Right? Some of the trees may have made it up here due to the animals, but not quite like how it is down there.

[Maybe the Lunarbore had put some in places themselves as they worked.]

Of course I will- and, hopefully, should any other places like that be found can take trips to them, too. Bound to be other things growing.

[ She still has thoughts of creating an encyclopedia of sorts of all the wildlife found out there. Something like Trahearne's Wikki Archives. Her father would like that, she thinks. Maybe he would even be proud of her.

Someday she would find out, but until then, she maintains a quiet smile as she shows him her first jar-full of night sky goodness. ]

How's this? I've never made jam from scratch before.

[ What goes in next? ]

[76 chuckled, the sound soft, and he was moving up a pot he was sure was clean- but wasn't putting it on their stovetop yet.]

That looks good, and hopefully it remains like that. Now? We just need to cook the fruit mixed with a bit of lemon juice, some sugar, and this pectin that I've made.

[He tapped the jar that contained the pectin he'd made using apples.

The fruit that 76 had been cutting was going into a pot with sugar to mix it together, the lemon juice would be added eventually. The sugar was causing the fruit to take on an almost jewel-like look as the color remained so much like a vibrant starry sky. There was going to be a few batches, and for now-]

Could you get a cup of water and mix a spoonful of the pectin into it? We need to get it dissolved in cold water. It and the lemon juice is what helps make it jam-y as it sets up. [It was a nice little process-]

After this? You'll have a basic recipe that you can start experimenting with if you want.

[ For a moment Susato just stares at the fruit going into the pot. She may have leaned onto her tiptoes to get a better look before taking a step or two closer, admiring his work, but before the starry skies can pull her in too far, 76 has given her a task.

Such is enough to pull her out of it, and already she gives the jar of pectin a glance as she scurries to the nearby fridge.

It's amazing, truly. No matter how long she's been here, a part of her still can't get over the way the water comes out at the push of a button, seemingly without a source. She places the cup of water onto the countertop and grabs a spoon before twisting open the jar holding the pectin. There's a light metallic clang as the lid is gently placed onto the counter as well, and then she dips into the open jar with her spoon. ]

Like this?

[ There's a scoop, and without waiting for his response, she lets it fall into the cup. ]</small<

Just like that, yeah.

[He was slow in stirring, just to sort of get a feel for how the fruit felt and how much liquid would really need to be added; each fruit was different with how much liquid it contained after all. Adjustments needed here and there, as the sugar helped liquify.

The glittering was very much distracting, and for now it was all just cold. Taking half a lemon and squeezing some of that juice over to stir in. So far? The starry sky affect remained clear and bright. Vivid and glittering all the more.]

Want to take a hand at stirring this a bit? Need to make sure the sugar has dissolved enough before we put it on heat and add the pectin water.

[ Susato is already using that spoon to stir the pectin into the water. She doesn't stop when 76 makes his offer, though she does look over the pot of glittering sky with childlike wonder. She can't help laughing as she agrees. ]

Sure. We can switch?

[ She offers the pectin water in return, though she's pretty sure she's getting the better deal out of the trade. ]

Sure.

[Pectin was nearly dissolved, but the sugar, lemon juice, an star fruit mixture was a bit more important; had to get all of the sugar dissolved before turning on the heat and adding the bit of water with pectin.

Still, it really was looking good that the chances of the star fruit keeping this appearance was high.]

Just say when you think all of the sugar has dissolved in there.

[ Susato nods in silent agreement, handing over the jar as she takes over at the pot. It really does seem to be keeping that colour... She wonders quietly if they are the ones making it so by wishing for it hard enough. There's a clinking of wood against metal as she stirs, 'round and 'round.

Is the colour becoming more vibrant, actually? She can't help lifting the large wooden spoon she is using to stir, watching as the dark and glittery substance oozes off.

After a while-- ]

This feels perfectly thick and sticky. I think it's ready now. [ Sugar's been dissolved and likely absorbed, at least. ]

[Did look as if it became a little more vibrant, didn't it...?

76 hummed a little before he was moving back over and carefully adding in the water and pectin mixture- and a little half-cup of extra water.]

Alright, shift the pot over the stove's eye and we'll get things heated up. Keep stirring for me and I'll make sure we've got enough jars for this batch.

[Make sure there were enough lids and lid-rings, too. The extra pot of water to warm them up so they could get the jars to seal. Wanted the jam to last for the un-opened ones, right? Right.

He was setting to that task-]

Can also let me know when you get tired of stirring that over the heat.

[ Susato lightly shakes her head in lieu of waving a hand, moving the pot as instructed. She continues stirring, and will likely be able to do so for a while yet before ever giving up the comforting, rhythmic motions. Sadly, being idle motions at best, it also gives some time for thoughts to rise to the surfuce, ones that she'd been content to bury deep down. ]

Thank you for this.

[ All of this-- ]

You know, it is rather upsetting to think that father won't be able to taste it.

[He paused in his own work -it was fine to, the water was in another pot and heating up, letting jars sit with hot water in them so they'd be of a close enough temperature not to shatter once placed in with the jam weighing them down so they could let the lids seal on them.

A hand rested lightly on Susato's shoulder, squeezing gently once.]

Not surprising, but doesn't make it hurt any less when the thoughts come up.

[Could lessen with time, but no one wanted to hear it. Already knew it from being told by others half the time.]

Be a lot of moments it might, too. If you ever need a quiet moment, or something like this? Just let me know, even if it's the middle of the night. Always got a shoulder to offer you.

[And an ear to go with that was implied in that soft tone, somehow.]

Still, better to let yourself feel it.

[ Mention of her father comes quite naturally. A part of her had wanted to avoid the topic, perhaps: spending more time here, at work, at her second home. But with Gina and Mr Sholmes still here to rely on her, she can't very well shut them out. Susato freezes when she feels the hand at her shoulder, firm but gentle, and she starts to crack, just a little bit.

Let yourself feel it.

She reaches up to place a hand over his, an appreciative gesture, though she certainly won't make it a habit to bother him in the middle of the night. (Besides, what if he's at the safehouse?) ]

I miss him... but there are still people here who need me. [ Odd thing to admit, that. Perhaps she'd never been so bold enough to assume such a thing, that she could be needed. But she's finally gotten to that point. ]

I... know the feeling, far better than some might think looking at me these days. [There was that soft tone that 76 could fall in to, despite the rough gravel of his voice. Kept his hand where it was, like a warm sort of weight that was meant to more wordlessly state he was there.]

People need you, but you can't bottle things up. One of the worst things you can do to yourself in a way- still take up that strong front, but you need to be able to just. Cry, yell, scream... whatever, sometimes, to keep it from building up.

[His head tipped a bit.] Can sometimes use that energy for something good- take a memory that hurts and make something good with it.

Can keep being there for those who need you, but don't forget you've got folks who are willing to be there when you need them. [Not wanting to be a burden, taking all of those feelings and hurt and bottling it up... Sure, he still did it, but that didn't mean he wasn't aware ho bad it had been for him when younger.

Or now.]

[ Susato doesn't interrupt. As she listens along quietly, however, 76 will feel a light squeeze from her hand as it sat atop her shoulder. She then loosens her grip, perhaps meaning to pull back, but ends up lingering.

There's a pause, but instead of breaking into tears again like she probably wants to, she manages a laugh. ]

I've... I've done my fair share of crying already, but I can still be strong. Without bottling it up.

I promise.

[There was that squeeze again, as far as he was willing to go given he knew folks could be funny about hugs-]

You are a strong young woman, that's for sure. Seen it in you a lot of times here, and you only get stronger as you go. Capable of so much, but never take crying for a weakness if it ever crosses your mind.

[He hummed, the sound more thoughtful and brief in it.]

I believe you.

[ His words reach deep within her soul, pulling at its seams like his shadows. She recalls that he has said something similar to her before--when they first met, in the forest, during cold, dark times--but it's still something she appreciates. Nothing she could say to him in response could show that enough, though she does seem to try.

There's a hum that seems to linger as they both go about their business, without getting in each other's way; and then, in a brief moment when both of their hands are free, she slips in for a hug.

Quiet. Warm.

She's content with just this, though she does open her mouth, probably to thank him again. It is just then though that a little bark rings out in the kitchen, courtesy of Cherry as she noses her way in between them--tail wagging. ]

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