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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[ There is a warm kindness in his eyes, and she's not sure she's ever seen it before. At the Christmas party, maybe... It certainly makes it easier to smile, but once the novelty wears off, it feels normal. Of course he is kind, and the quiet nod of her head that follows is probably closer to the subdued reaction he expected. ]

Yes. I took some time off from the Harvest today to do some cleaning at the clinic, but... [ Is there any good way to explain that she took a break from her break? Also, she won't tell him (because she values her life), but his comment about being absorbed in work and forgetting other engagements...totally reminds her Sholmes. ] I came looking for more glass bottles.

For protection charms. For...

[ Still not sure how much she will end up telling him at this point, she pauses, but finishes easily enough. ]

For some friends.

[As occupied as he's been with his business, he doesn't have any idea that Susato would have been involved in something particularly dangerous that might have spurred her on to such thoughts. At most, he's noticed that Miss Oriphi has seemed somewhat more tired in the moments he's seen her, but it's hardly his business to pry, and frankly he isn't even aware they've met.

It lines up with his expectations that she would simply provide such things to those she cares about without prompting, regardless. So, he remains without suspicion for now.]

Would that all were so fortunate to have friends such as yourself.

[He turns his eyes to the glass.]

Is it a difficult endeavor?

[ Oriphi is indeed one such friend. In truth, it occurs to Susato just then that she gave Lord van Zieks a charm as well. She wonders if he would ever consider her a true friend--true enough to wear it--but thinking on it now, even if he was to wear it, it wouldn't be so overt. It would be tucked away, along the same vein as her father.

She doesn't look for it though; nothing more than a cast glance during which she tries to assess how this dream world has been treating him. Perhaps his interest in her endeavors is good enough to start, and the compliment does not go unnoticed either. There's a sidelong glance during which she doesn't really know how to respond to that, but she easily passes it off as thoughtfulness. ]

Hmm... I do not know that I would use the word "difficult." [ At this point, she's not yet begin to make the bottles from scratch. ] It is merely a matter of finding which one suits the person best, but perhaps I am giving it too much thought.

[ After all, the shape of the bottle doesn't appear to affect the magic, but at some point, she has started to personalize them. ]

...What of you? What brings you to the market today? [ There is a similar tiredness in her eyes that he would have seen in Oriphi, though the interest she takes in return is no less sincere. ]

[How mysterious, that the man's preferred way of wearing such things makes them completely concealed to the outside observer, should they happen to be on his person.

Although he's certainly been something of a recluse lately, there are no particularly horrible nightmares or other miseries to blame; in fact, his time in the sun of his vineyard has actually returned the slightest amount of color to his complexion. Will wonders never cease.

He shakes his head to dismiss the question.]

It is no urgent matter. [He can't give away the game so soon. He has to be stoic and indirect and all of that.] If I may... what sorts of characteristics would you consider to "suit" certain personalities?

[ No wonder he seems like he's in slightly better spirits than usual. It seems like she hasn't quite pinpointed the change in his complexion, but she seems to like it--and the interest he seems to be taking in her girlish matters. ]

Well... [ "Certain personalities"? ] It may be even more specific than that. For example... seeing something bat-like may remind me of you or Maria. Similarly, something like this...

[ Her eyes glance over the selections again. She reaches for another round bottle, except this one seems to be tinted a thick rainbow, colors catching in the light. ]

...This looks exactly like the beads I won with someone in a game called "dodgeball."

[His eyes follow her motions, examining the uniquely colored glass for the moment, but his thoughts some steps ahead. Is she thinking of giving such a charm to that particular someone? It seems like she would make new friends easily in a place like this...]

More of an idiosyncratic process, then.

[It's still somewhat strange to think of himself as remaining within the thoughts of another in any positive sense, although he's coming to accept the idea in some cases. The bats, though, he can easily accept as something Susato thinks of with fondness.]

... I'm certain they would be pleased to see you, should you have the occasion to visit.

[ ...It is more difficult to explain than she anticipated, but she decides that he understands. There's a smile at the thought, though--not quite an invitation, but the closest thing to it, coming from Barok van Zieks. ]

Perhaps I will find one soon.

[ The holidays are right around the corner... An actual invitation might be nice. Though before she can think too much on that, Ryu the snake finally decides to poke her head out, as if to check check on them both, or perhaps just to get some air. She speaks with affection: ]

...When I do, I shall have to leave you at home.

[It just doesn't seem appropriate to invite a young lady into his home without ample reason when he's not even that great of a host, okay. Blame his Victorian sensibilities. ~~and his personality.~~]

If your friend is as well-behaved as the one Mr. Asogi brought during the opening of the winery, that may not be entirely necessary.

[... it may very well be the same friend, but frankly, he is no expert in snakes and can't remember well enough to tell even if he were.

To inch back to the more relevant subject at hand, though:]

How many bottles do you intend to acquire today?

[ Ooh, she remembers that snake. They didn't have any names then (at least not ones they could pronounce), but that was probably Aura. If she remembers, she'll ask Kazuma later, but that's not really important right now.

There's a look like Susato as just remembered something, though the answer is: as many as she is happy with. There are still a few of her friends she is thinking of from their group, and then there is Dohalim's as a favour to Beatrix. Susato's not in a rush, though maybe she should be. ]

Actually, I almost forgot that I need to replace my own. If you help me pick one, I can assist you in turn. [ They can avoid Madame Blackbird's. Besides, she's kind of curious what kind of qualities van Zieks might associate with her... ]

[His icy gaze turns to her in a somewhat sharper fashion, eyes narrowed for a brief moment, though in his usual delayed manner. Replacing her own? Hm. Van Zieks would very much like to think it was an accident, but he's not exactly an optimist.]

... was it damaged?

[His previous question wasn't answered, but this one is actually important, rather than a conversational turn.

he would like to avoid that strange woman, though, yes.]

[ She can feel her back straighten under that icy gaze, and it's not because of Ryu. She's a little nervous at what he might say if she answers yes, though luckily for her, she doesn't have to. She shakes her head. ]

Oh, no. [ Saved her life, actually. She wants to say as much, but... ] I gifted it, to General Beatrix. It had a rose shape that I felt suited her, and she seemed to like it... I think. [ Hard to tell, admittedly. ]

She came to check on me recently, and gave me something first, so I felt somewhat... compelled.

[Ah. Suspicions averted, and that's very in character for the young lady. His expression relaxes... marginally.]

The general does have a roundabout way of referring to her preferences. I'd wager she'd similarly deflect any attributions of kindness or thoughtfulness to her actions, however obvious it may be.

[Relatable!

But with his concern abated, he turns his attention to the bottles at hand, as requested—even if his query about how many she wants hasn't been answered, he's going to get that information by the time they're done, anyway. He's in no particular hurry. ... and there are a lot of bottles to look through. Susato may not have taken Barok's perfectionism into account when she asked for assistance.

Hmmmmmm...]

[ . . .

She watches Barok, surprised that he seems to be taking this request seriously. She is not a literal mindreader by any means, but she's had her moments--mostly with those like the Naruhodos, who wear their heart (and their intentions) on their sleeve. With Lord van Zieks, this is considerably harder and less likely, but this is a world of dreams. As if sensing is query, she speaks, idly turning her attention to another bottle. ]

There were eight, aside from me.

[ That night... ]

Eight of us... Four I've already gifted charms to this week. So I suppose that leaves four more.

[A set of frosted bottles catches his eye at first—but no, that won't do; it would block the view of the cranes inside. His eyes pass over a hexagonal one decorated with the vague shape of a bee, and an ornate, curved sort likely meant for perfumes. None of that will work...

Though van Zieks wonders what that means, and he allows himself a brief glance at her—there were eight what, exactly?—for now he keeps his attention on the task in front of them.]

That must have had you running about town. [Alone it wouldn't seem much, but with the Harvest, and the clinic, and whatever else she gets up to...

...]

I pray you have been resting appropriately.

[ Eight people. That's... six, that Tifa reached out to in via her dream, whether she meant to or not, plus Tifa herself, and Eustace. Eight.

Coming from Barok van Zieks, however, such an innocent comment about resting feels more like a call-out than it should. Susato tenses, hands tightening around a bottle that she'd forgotten she grabbed. Well, it's not like she's about to lie to him, and even if she did, he would immediately spot it. ]

It has been... a bit of a whirlwind since father left, actually. [ Can't stop. If she stops, she'll lose the momentum. She'll remember the pain. ]

[Here comes the uncle lecture—]

One I am sure might be assisted by a number of others.

[His tone is straightforward, not quite stern but closing in on that mood.]

You have an admirable work ethic, Miss Mikotoba, but your father would not wish it to come at the expense of your health.

[Maybe that's a bit much for him to say—he hardly feels like he has a right to speak for Yujin, and he knows it must be a raw issue, but even so... perhaps the idea of it coming from the doctor will mean more than coming from him, personally. He may not trust himself to take care of the young lady, but he can try to encourage her to take care of herself.]

[ Can't believe she is being dad'ed like this. It certainly feels like the beginnings of a lecture, one she probably deserves. He likely would have been as angry with her as Kazuma was that night, yet the same bitterness seeps into her voice now as it did then.

Why didn't he just stay and tell her himself, then? It's a question begging to be asked, and one that she has held to herself for some time.

A part of her wants to shout it from the Wildlands; but instead, the question becomes, ]

Do you suppose those were his last thoughts before he woke, Lord van Zieks...? A fervent wish?

Edited (SORRY FOR MY 3AM MESS) 2022-12-09 19:04 (UTC)

[He should tread carefully, Barok thinks. The girl has had enough to deal with without any clumsy missteps from a man who once disparaged her.

His expression softens—somewhat. Perhaps it would be barely perceptible to any who weren't already familiar with van Zieks.]

I could not say.

[Likely the man didn't think much out of the ordinary before he left, but he doubts the departure was voluntary, judging by Susato's reaction. Van Zieks hadn't fully considered how she must have felt while her father was in London, before now—there had been so many elements for all of them to deal with, so many pieces he was unable to perceive by himself. He still feels... humbled, though, at the idea he's only just now recognized this facet of her situation.

His lips press together briefly as he considers. He would not belittle her by reminding her of her father's good health and the inevitability of their future reunion.]

But I know well the practice of avoiding one's grief by way of obsessive productivity. It is not one I would encourage.

[if he knew about your nocstace shenanigans, missy, he'd be chucking you into bed himself.]

[ No... It wasn't voluntary. The irony being now that, if the topic had come up at any point, Susato would have encouraged it--and still feel the same way she does now. Abandoned, lonely.

With the mess of new friends she has made, however--a budding relationship, and someone to look after her like Mr 76, and even Barok himself--she knows that is just the nightmares talking. She has always thought she's formed more of a support system than she deserves here, when she's supposed to be the one in the support role. Recent events have only cemented the fact.

She looks up at the older man, fully aware that she needs to tread carefully herself. ]

You speak from experience... [ His relentless pursuit of the Professor, no doubt, and the identity of the true Reaper of the Bailey. ]

[Barok does not hesitate to admit it. He nods, folding his arms.]

Yes. From the start of that life-defining trial... I managed every case I had with as little assistance as possible. Saw to every detail myself. And when that burden became too heavy, I fled to another complex process to control, lest I give myself time to feel.

[Those five years he was away from the Old Bailey did very little for him, in terms of emotional processing. He gave himself a moment or two, but they were far too short for the impact his brother's death and the surrounding circumstances had; he can recognize that.]

Even now, I occasionally find myself escaping to those habits. There is... much I have yet to confront.

[But he shakes his head; he's not here to ask for Susato's sympathy.]

I pray you may learn from my poor example.

[ . . . As little assistance as possible. Susato recalls then that Kazuma being assigned to him as his disciple was Stronghart's doing. She can't help but think of him now, wearing that mask; but when Barok admits that there are still things he's struggling with, she's taken right back to that hellish dreamscape.

Though he eventually came out of the creature's spell, she knows the feelings it exacerbated would not be buried so easily. ]

Thank you. [ The words seem to hang in the air. It looks like she wants to say something else. She seems to continue, cautiously: ] I... I pray for your strength in facing the demons that still plague you. In the meantime, I...

[ It's not like she doesn't want to be honest. Barok deserves that much, and she honestly feels like she's been dancing around the topic enough. ]

Well.

It... It is more than just losing my father.

[He knows that despite everything, Susato's expressed wishes for him are genuine—and though a part of him would like to show his gratitude for that, he didn't share those words for the focus to be on himself. So, when she admits there's more to the issues she's facing, he turns his attention fully to her.

... the discussion of her protection charms is prominent in his mind.]

Has something happened?

[ 'I almost died.' Honestly, she should have just left it at that, but it's not in her nature to be so crass, even if she is direct. She takes a deep breath and swallows down any thoughts of backpedaling now. ]

A friend called out to me for help and I couldn't refuse.

[ ...He has full intentions to continue, though before she does, she'll take a glance as someone passes by. Another couple stops to look at the bottles as well, and Susato takes a step back to make room for them. One animatedly asks the other which one she should choose.

...Hmm. ]

Um, we should find a place to continue... If you're able to leave At Day's End unattended for a little longer. [ Or his vineyard. This can absolutely wait. ]

[His brow knits further with concern, though it may look like suspicion on the surface; he understands almost immediately that there was danger involved, and that the truth is simply that she couldn't refuse due to her character, rather than any other circumstance. He cannot picture her otherwise.

If they're to be discussing grave matters, this space is indeed not the right one for it.]

... I am in no hurry. We may return here later.

[He had, after all, taken this time for her specifically, even if he hasn't mentioned that outright. He turns to exit the shop, keeping an eye on her momentarily.]

With me, Miss Mikotoba.

[Though he prefers to keep private matters that way, to retreat to a proper venue would require too long a walk. He simply heads for whatever area is less densely traveled nearby, towards whatever seating is available.]

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