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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[ 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. ]

[It was a surprise at first, but a welcomed one as he let out a breath and a warm hug was given right in turn. Enveloping just from his size compared to Susato, but jut as warm with that little brief squeeze added—

Before a nose was moving in and Jack laughed, a hand moving down to ruffle fur between ears.]

Looks like someone wants to make her feelings known, too.

[Voice soft and warm, a trace of amusement, and that faint smile directed at Susato. She would be alright, he believed in her- and he'd be one of those people ready to help catch her balance as needed.]

Come here, you.

[ Spoken in a fit of laughter as her hand also moved at the same time. It doesn't quite clash with Jack's, but both are definitely giving Cherry the ruffles she deserves. The pup is pulled into the hug and by now her blossom petals are shed everywhere. ]

You'd just like us to finish with that jam, I'd wager. It smells good, doesn't it?

[ Looks just as heavenly, too. ]

[A little touch of brightness in a variety of ways—]

It has turned out well. Think you're ready to get it all into the jars? I can hold them steady in the pot of hot water.

[All to help the lids seal and let the extras be preserved so they'd last for however long it took to get through whichever was opened. Easier to label that way, too-]

And I'm sure any extra will make a good treat.

[ Susato gives him a nod and backs up to give him some space. Cherry follows suit, sitting down like she's waiting for a treat. Her tail swishes her petals about like a duster; definitely some cleaning to be done later. ]

Yes, absolutely. I'll pour what's leftover into her very own bowl.

[ She grins, giving Cherry a pat on her head. ]

By the way, what should we call it?

[He turned the stove under the fruit mixture off, a hand moving to test the water the jars were in with a bit of a hum before he was getting a good ladle out to be used for scooping the mixture into the pre-heated jars still sitting.

The ladle was offered over to Susato, giving her the honors of scooping it in as he kept the jars steady for it.]

Starfruit jam is one idea and straight to the point, unless you want to get creative like- starry night jam, or space jam.

[76 naming anything was not always the best of ideas.]

[ Oof... That's his idea of creative? She'd always known that 76 exuded "dad energy," though the concept may have been too modern for her to put into words. It's clear she's trying to think of another alternative as she accepts the ladle, scooping in the jam mixture a little bit at a time. ]

Hmm. Or perhaps... something to do with "galaxies"? Or constellations.

[ A light gasp-- ]

I wonder if constellations could appear when it's spread! [ Well, she's manifested it now. ]

[It is all very clear as to why Blue was... Blue, amongst other things. For everything else he could think up were all more geared towards survival and fighting. The touch of everything else was rusty and the naming department was all but empty.

He kept the jars in place, hand moving away once one was filled and placing the lid on to let the heat form a seal; they'd know it happened once that little popping noise was made from the lid after all.]

Constellation jam works rather well.

[It was sparkling still in the pot, and despite the stirring the colors remained separated enough each could be seen. Almost glowing the same as when the star fruit was cut into.]

I think you're onto something, and that would be quite the sight. A sight to see, all spread out over bread- or anything really.

Constellation jam...

[ A tilt of her head as she continues idly filling the jars. The popping noise seems to bring her out of it each time, at least; meanwhile Cherry barks her approval, waiting patiently. ]

Oh, alright. Don't worry, it's your turn soon.

[ A while more of this and they have a good few jars full. She's stirring the very bottom of the pot; the perfect amount for Cherry. ]

Spread a night sky on your toast- or whatever else.

[Could be good on flapjacks, with butter or sugar cookies, too. Could do just about anything with it that someone would do with jam.

When the lids popped sealed? Jack was careful to fish them out of the pot and place them on a cloth he'd laid on the counter so they could air-dry and not shed water anywhere.

With that done? He got out a bowl with a soft warm sounding chuckle—]

Here, easy for Cherry to get her jam treat from.

[And he could clean the pot after it was emptied.]

Edited 2022-10-06 06:19 (UTC)

[ Totally sounds like a tag line on a flier or some sort of advertisement. Susato giggles, reaching for the bowl 76 has selected for her, and set it down for Cherry as she watched hungrily.

Still stirring, she tips the pot to pour its starry contents in, and Cherry doesn't wait. ]

Something to add when we change our menu next, for sure. Let's do it again sometime! Perhaps Cherry's friends will enjoy it as much as she does. [ Meaning: Barb and the other wolves. ]

We can experiment a little on slow days- or just enjoy it on toast while thinking about it. I know we could fill things with the jam- cookies, doughnuts....

[There was more than that of course, more or less leaving it so Susato could get her own ideas going if she wished to.

He took the pot once she had gotten all she wanted out to go ahead and start washing it out. Warm soapy water would do the trick this soon after use.]

More fruit where that came from after all, and I bet they would. They all seem to enjoy fruit as much as they do meat.

...Celestial pastries.

[ Saying the phrase aloud distracts her and allows for 76 to take the pot, otherwise she might have insisted to be the one to do it. She's thinking as she watches the water wash over the insides of the pot. ]

If it goes well, maybe we can offer the jam separately in smaller jars as well. That way other dreamwalkers can experiment for themselves.

[Rather quick, and a once-over sort of rinse to make sure everything was washed out an the pot was clean before it was being set to air dry like that.]

Honestly? Sounds good to me, pastries and small jam jars both. We can even offer jam mixes- a few different small jars for them to combine or use separately as they wish of various fruit jams as a treat.

[Keep some people coming, and just add that something else special.]

[ Susato smiles. Once it's clear that Cherry has gotten every single drop of jam she's going to get, she adds her small bowl to the pot Jack is already washing. ]

Sounds like we have some experimentation to do, too.

Sounds like it- and it'll be fun I'm sure.

[What wasn't fun about food experiments when there was very little chance they'd taste bad? Could change up how something looked, a few different techniques used...

Imagination the limit here.]

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

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