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

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[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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[The house has been feeling somewhat less full with each departure. And the latest has been Yujin. She didn't know him that well, but she kinda misses him... and she knows it must be so much worse for Susato. That's her dad.

Gina wants to help Susato to feel better somehow! She just doesn't know how. How do you comfort someone for something like that? It's all been weighing on Gina's mind while having dinner at the Wild Harvest. It was hard to focus on her food, as she noticed Susato head out to the garden some time ago.

She went towards the garden to get a peek at her and make sure she's okay - but as she did so, she bumped into some being who was flying by! Irritated, Gina shoos the off the fae! It kinda feels like something zapped her, and she growls with irritation. Whatever, it's fine...

But now she finds herself looking right at Susato.]

Sooze...

[She starts to greet her, but then her body moves on its own. She approaches Susato, her arms spread, and she wraps her in a tight hug!]

Wot.

[ Gina would have likely noticed that Susato's been home less often lately. Never more than a day or two at a time, mind you; she's not that irresponsible, but it's enough that Gina's voice is a little surprising to her. She hadn't been expecting her, and this time, she's definitely oblivious to pesky fae. ]

G, Gina.

[ She's wondering if her friend is upset with her for not being at home (again), but she goes wide-eyed when Gina's arms wrap around her. She freezes, for a moment not knowing how to respond, but eventually she'll return the hug...

Even though this feels a little strange. ]

I... Thank you?

[ Wot, indeed. She's reminded of their time in the moonscape, at least, which was... one of the few nice moments she had there. ]

[The house has gradually been feeling emptier in recent times, and Susato's absences add to it. While she normally wouldn't mind her not being around every now and then, with the current timing, it's made Gina more worried for her.

The hard part is expressing her worries. And now she finds herself locked in a sudden hug with her! She almost never hugs others, so this is embarrassing, but as much as she tries to will it, her arms don't budge. She frets.]

Sorry! I'm sorry!

[She's trying to apologize for suddenly hugging her, but it's easy to hear as meaning otherwise. Right after saying that, Gina pauses. Susato is hugging her back, and she can feel the emotions swelling. Maybe this hug is a necessary evil... She can't say it feels bad, after all, aside from her feeling like a fool.

So she closes her eyes and feeds into the hug as she speaks with more sincerity:]

...I... I'm so sorry, Sooze.

[ Sorry...

She wonders if her father would apologize if he could see her now. She doesn't know what's come over Gina. For all she knows, Songerein has changed her, the same way Susato has changed. Either way, she doesn't seem to question it, remaining exactly where she is. ]

I'm sorry, too.

[ A pause. It seems more difficult than usual to pull back, but she at least wants to look at Gina's face. ]

Don't worry. I'm ready to come home.

[Gina does have trouble releasing her hold at Susato! But at least Susato's able to pull back enough to look at Gina. She looks back at her with concern, mingled with light confusion. She smiles lightly.]

Ya... ya don't got nuffin' to apologize for. I didn't mean to give you an earful or anytin'. I... I do miss ya bein' around more, but I get it.

[She pauses a moment as she tries to find words.]

Your pa's gone, an'... an' this must be 'ow ya deal wiv missin' 'im. An' that's alright! I just... I wish I could 'elp ya out more wiv it.

[ Susato shakes her head, her grip trailing down Gina's arms until they find the girl's hands. ]

There is nothing to be done.

[ Just caring for Toby and looking after the house, after Sholmes... That's all she can ask for. ]

I wonder if he is on his way back to Japan as we speak. If it is true what they say... that his time here will seem like nothing more than a dream.

I...

[ I hope not.

And yet there's a part of her that remembers when he had to save 76. When he had to see Kazuma like that. The stuff of nightmares.

I hope so, a part of her corrects. ]

[Gina feels the warmth of Susato's grip as she listens her. Maybe this touchy-feely nonsense isn't so bad? Just a little bit.

Gina does pause a bit before speaking. Partly to see if Susato finishes that sentence, and also because that concept throws her for a loop. Now that she's been here for several months, it's hard to think of this as really being just a dream. And just the idea that when she wakes up, it will be like she's never met all the people she's met here... or had the adventures she's had with the people she knows her. It's an unsettling idea that defeats her attempts at a smile. Still, she tries to focus on Susato's words.]

It- it's gonna be okay, Sooze. Your pa's awake now, right? So 'e, 'e's all well-rested now, 'e is, and all ready to return to Japan. An' I'm sure that 'e is rememberin' all the good parts o' the dream an' smilin' about it. Professor Mick... Your pa... 'e an' 'Oddo, they're awake and well now.

[ Naruhodo...... Ah. There's another name that twists her heart. It's been entirely too long since she's heard Gina's name for him, too. 'Oddo.' It's nostalgic in a way, but she swallows down the ache she feels. ]

Yes... Yes, you're right. Of course you're right. [ She shakes her head, as if to shake off those negative thoughts. ] They have entirely too much work to do to be burdened by nightmares. They'll go back to Japan, make it a better place, and...

[ There's a pause, as she squeezes Gina's hands. ]

Someday you'll get to come too, Gina.

[Gina laughs softly, a smile sneaking onto her face.]

I will, won't I? I just gotta figure out gettin' meself across the sea an' all...

[It's been a big jump just to get her own home and job. Going to the whole other country sounds like such a big task - but hey, if even 'Oddo could manage it in a wardrobe, maybe it's something that's possible for her.]

I guess the long an' short of it is... No matter wot, the lot of us'll always find a way to see each other again. It ain't bein' apart forever or nuffin' like that. [Some quick blinks. There weren't any tears in her eyes for a moment, nope!]

[ For a moment, Susato is right back on the port of Dover. She'd told herself much the same thing then: that it wasn't goodbye, that she would see them again. The difference is though that she had gotten that closure, where as Songerein afforded her no such thing.

She sighs, lifting a hand to wipe away Gina's tears that are totally not there. ]

Well, in that case, that is quite enough of that.

[ Knowing her luck, her father would suddenly come back like nothing at happened, and find her a weeping mess. Gina mentioned getting herself across the sea though, which brings back more memories. ]

You've never been on a steamship before, have you?

[She timidly ducks her head a little after those alleged tears are wiped away. Why's Susato got to be so nice, huh?

At the same time, Gina feels glad that they're moving along. She can just hope that she helped Susato find some peace.]

Never once. Wot's it like to ride on 'em? I can't even begin to imagine bein' stuck on o' those for weeks on end. I'd lose me mind, I would.

[ She grins. Despite how horrified Gina seems to be, Susato actually looks back on the experience with a bit of nostalgia; but then again, perhaps she'd become used to it. She spent way too much time aboard one in that year of travel. ]

It is not so bad, actually. The rooms are comfortable enough, and the ships are spacious... provided you are not a stowaway resigned to hiding.

[ She is poking fun at Ryunosuke here, and yet...... she can see Gina doing much the same. She'd probably fit in a suitcase just as well. ]

[It seems overwhelming more than anything. But Susato paints a nice picture of them, at the very least. She chuckles at the little joke.]

I ain't lookin' to join 'Oddo in that department. [And she'd rather not think about anyone else in the suitcase club.] I'd rather get me way onto the ship straight! So ya got lots of space to work wiv, right? But then wot d'ya actually do wiv all the time?

[Now there's a key issue. It seemsks like weeks of boring!]

[ Man... Gina's about to think she's boring. She thinks back, closing her eyes a bit in a quiet sigh before answering honestly. ]

...The very first time, Naruhodo-san had a lot to catch up on before we docked in London. He had to prove he had what it takes to be a lawyer if he was to take Kazuma's place, so... we did a lot of studying.

The next time... Well.

[ The truth was, the second time was a haze. All she could worry about was her father and why he had fallen so ill. What a devilish ruse. ]

[She doesn't take Susato to be boring, but the ship sure is sounding like it. She listens to her, with a thoughtful frown. She's really sure why Susato went back to London, but it kinda felt like it was something personal. So she tries not to dwell on it.]

...Oh. So, loads o' readin' then. Guess it'd be a good chance for me to practice it more and do get some more learnin' in me. See, coves don't need no stinkin' classroom when they can just get 'emselves stuck in a boat for a few weeks! [She suggests that with a light smile.]

[ Susato is a little relieved that she doesn't have to clarify. She laughs, easily moving on when Gina does, amused by her quip. ]

Well... We don't need the steamship, or a classroom, really. [ Though she does wonder hwo Mei's efforts are going at setting up a school...? ] Are you still interested in practicing?

[Gina thinks she's better off without a classroom anyhow. She made it this far without one, she can keep on going!]

Yeah. [She nods.] I've been tryin' to pick things up 'ere an' there. Been practicing me readin' an' writin' too. ...I did just get a lot of it down before I ended up 'ere, so I didn't wanna make rubbish of it.

[ Susato brightens, seeming impressed by the progress Gina describes. As far as distractions go, it seems to be working pretty well. ]

I will help! We can write to each other in our journals every day.

And... maybe we can spend some time in the Tree of Stories together every week.

[She thinks that over for a moment, with a smile.]

Writin' to each other, eh? Even though we're right 'ere? [Although they haven't always been staying in the same house lately.] ...That could be nice.

The Tree o' Stories sounds nice too. So long as I don't get sucked into one of 'em again!

[ Yup, even though they're right there together in the same house! All in the name of practice. There is a determined, playful pump of her fists. ]

Well, if you do, I will be there to get you out. I promise!

[Gina grins.]

Oh Sooze! I know ya'd do anytin' to 'elp me out! I'd rather not 'ave to rely on ya savin' me skin again, but I appreciate that, I do! We'll just be careful with them books. An' I know I couldn't ask for better when it comes to studyin' partners!

[Susato is easily one of the smartest people she knows! And she definitely surpasses Sholmes in terms of being coherent at the same time!]

[ It's the one thing she feels confident in, and it never hurts to have that reassurance. She allows her words to sink in... It's been a while since she's had a true study partner. ]

Hehe. Well, I appreciate you saying so.

I should get back to work, but feel free to stay as long as you like. [ She is always welcome. ] Would you like something to eat while you are here?

[Now this business is coming to an end, and Gina feels like she's helped Susato to feel a little better. That, and hugging felt a lot nicer than Gina thought it would? Who knew being touchy-feely could feel nice? In any case, she smiles softly at her study buddy.]

I already ate, but I appreciate that. Thanks, Sooze. [She takes a moment to adjust her hat before she turns to depart.]

I'll see meself off now! But I'm lookin' forward to our studyin'. And if ya need anytin' else from me, just say the word!

[ Susato waves after her with quiet enthusiasm as Gina turns. ]

I will. We can start tonight. I'll write to you before I make my way home.

[ She then pauses, visibly pulling back with that hand as her eyes meet the back of Gina's head. ]

...Look after Mr Sholmes for me until then, will you?

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lestray - 2022-09-27 03:50 (UTC) - Expand

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

B!

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