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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I hesitate to say author. No. Not like that. I suspect he has penned things before, but perhaps not things like poetry.

[Work, she suspects. She's not really certain how deeply he got involved with his work as a lord. She isn't sure she wants to ask either. He wants those days to remain behind him. Not because he wants to forget, but because he's trying to forge himself a new path. She can understand all of that.]

I think he is most passionate about music, honestly. I think it is what he would have pursued if he could have had that opportunity. He is quite the violinist.

~~[Boy is he ever. He can pluck her strings anytime.]~~

...Hmm.

[ It feels like she has to shift her focus somewhat, then. She looks thoughtful. The inkwell had been the first thing that came time her mind, but perhaps more care and consideration is needed. ]

You know, Mr Sholmes plays the violin. Perhaps he would have an idea... [ ~~Alas.~~ ] Or maybe I could get to know him myself.

I was not aware of that.

[For just a moment, she looks surprised, but as she's thinking to everything she's learnt about the man, it almost suits him. Master Sholmes certainly is a man of many talents... Perhaps she'll gain the amicability to eventually say so, instead of ridiculing him as she is wont to do.

Her attention is diverted by what Susato says next and she dips her chin for just a moment.]

He tends to be an overly friendly sort. [Coming from Beatrix who... is not friendly at all, really.] I think you would like him a great deal. If you have an interest in learning how to wield a staff, he could provide you tutelage. I believe he is assisting Tifa with something similar.

[ Susato listens dutifully. She doesn't know what it is that reminds her, but at some point, it clicks like a switch: she should be writing this down. She reaches into ~~hammerspace~~ her kimono sleeves, suddenly pulling out not her network journal, but a normal, everyday notebook.

She starts scribbling bullet points of what she's learned, though talk of the staff seems to make her pause. Leia wielded a staff, too... a longstaff. ]

What was his name again? [ If Beatrix doesn't mind saying so. ]

[Ah, right. She never gave his name, did she? She doesn't seem inclined to provide that. Maybe because without a name it doesn't feel as real or as solid. But that's not fair to him. Or to her, she supposes. Or... anyone else who has the mind to inquire. So after a moment's breath, Beatrix clears her throat.]

Dohalim. It is possible you already know who he is.

[She considers how to describe him and then continues.]

Tall. Red of hair. Brown eyes. Difficult to miss.

[ Susato blinks at the way Beatrix clears her throat, but scribbles down the information. Her face does seem to light with recognition, as if she's heard the information before, but she has not met him.

The reminder is greatly appreciated, either way. She nods. ]

...You can count on me. I will send word as soon as I have something.

[ Though, now that she says that-- ]

Is there a... some sort of deadline I should keep in mind?

[Beatrix shakes her head without much hesitance.]

No. Of course not. Whenever is fine. Sometimes the things that mean the most must not be rushed. I understand the value in taking one's time. I suspect if I were to make such a thing for him, it would be years before he saw it.

[If only because Beatrix would want it to be perfect and she can't help feeling that nothing coming from her hands ever will be.]

[ ...It wasn't meant as a joke, but Susato finds herself chuckling anyway. She doesn't even know if any of them will be here after "years," but a part of her hopes so.

A small part, but bigger than she'd anticipated. ]

A week or two should suffice. I merely wondered whether there was a special occasion for which you wished to convey your feelings. A birthday, or... something else.

[ An anniversary, perhaps? The holidays were too far off, and they'd be much too busy with helping Tifa's wedding by then. ]

O-oh. No. Nothing like that. The instance with Eustace made me think of it. That, and the one you gifted me.

[She wouldn't call that a special occasion, but in a way, she supposes it could be.]

Take all the time you need. I suppose it has been nearly a... a year, by this world's standards since he and I met. I wonder if that is something that ordinarily ought to be celebrated. I wonder if even he should want such a thing.

[Beatrix tilts her head thoughtfully.] I would not have considered that without your input. I appreciate it.

[ She nods, with a respectful tip of her head in acknowledgement of her thanks. ]

As long as it is from you, I'm sure he would.

...Although... now that you mention it, how did you meet?

We arrived in Reverein at the same time. He mistook me for someone else.

[Although as she thinks about it now, she knows who he mistook her for. Kisara. Beatrix tips her head thoughtfully as she takes a moment to turn that over in her head. Maybe she didn't realise it until saying it.]

I think he believed I was in this world on my own, or rather that I spurned the companionship of others. There were dinners. Poetry, I suppose. Spars. Festivals. ...I suppose we have spent more time together than I realised.

[Folding her hands together with consideration, she continues.]

I also think you are right. It is very likely he would find favour with anything I gave to him. Simply... because it came from me.

[ He thought she was someone else, huh? She considers Beatrix's features, watching her as she speaks. Things like her long brown hair are probably common, but she can only imagine the mistake was rectified quickly. She is rather exceptionally beautiful, and uniquely so.

A hum. ]

I hope you'll forgive me for saying so, but those sound like "dates."

[Beatrix, for a moment at least, just the one, looks incredibly annoyed. Not by the idea because yes, certainly that is a very logical conclusion to draw based on what she's been willing to share, but she continues to really dislike the word. It sounds so casual. So informal. So impersonal. So... beneath her. And that is likely a result of where and when she is from.

It sounds like something Zidane would say and she can appreciate the man, but not his casual method of speaking.]

I do imagine he would agree with you. I cannot very well be upset about it, though the wording is not my preferred. The General of Alexandria does not have dates.

[ Susato asked for forgiveness before she even called it as such, so Beatrix is not even allowed to be mad. Her issues with the wording aside, she didn't even disagree, so Susato continues innocently: ]

But... why not? Is it not allowed?

[ Yeah, that's probably it. She could probably believe it if she said it wasn't. ]

[...
It's an incredibly good question and one that Beatrix doesn't actually have the answer for.]

Ah—

[She frowns and her weight shifts a touch.]

Well. I suppose Alexandrian nobility would refer to it as 'courting.' I am not nobility, however, and I am only a knight. I am not familiar with courting rituals in the knighthood. I know that knights take lovers and that such is commonplace enough.

[She so awkwardly fumbles through this conversation that it becomes very real to her that she's not tried to have this talk before. All things considered, she's probably overdue.]

I never thought about courtship back home. I rather assumed I would not have the time to do so. It was not important to me. I thought it foolish and irresponsible for someone in my position to involve myself in such affairs. I have to be prepared and accepting of the knowledge that as a military general—

[...How is she supposed to say this?]

—It. It is complicated.

[Yeah. Sure. She'll go with that.]

[ As Susato listens, she realizes that all of Beatrix's stuttering and stumbling over words make her seem very human indeed. Susato's expression softens, ending in a brief chuckle when the General appears to give up. ]

Speaking honestly, I only learned of "dates" in this context recently myself. I can't claim to be an expert on such courting rituals either, but...perhaps it does not have to be complicated.

[ They're not in Alexandria anymore. ]

Do you enjoy the time you spend together?

[It... Well. It kind of does have to be complicated. She can just hear Dohalim telling her it doesn't. It doesn't really work that way, in her opinion. As much as she's not in Alexandria, as much as she's not a general of anything in this world, those pieces are still deeply a part of her. There's not removing them and there's no chance of her just ignoring those sides to her either.]

I assume we do.

[That's not much of an answer, is it.]

It should not be oversimplified, however. My habits will not magically change whilst I am in this world, regardless of the situation. And I am not fond of compromise.

[ It really doesn't, but Susato is starting to get it. Those pieces of Beatrx make up who she is. Susato shakes her head. ]

No, I did not mean to imply anything that instantaneous or drastic.

But if you enjoy the time you spend together, then you should continue to do so. You may find that your habits might change on their own with time... or perhaps his will. Whatever you call it, I'm certain you will figure it out together.

I...

[For more than one moment, she looks uncertain. Not because she doesn't believe Susato, but because it seems like even if she were to attempt outrunning Dohalim, it would never happen.]

I imagine we will. Dohalim certainly seems intent on it. I am just as much to blame, really. Time will tell. Or his patience with me shall wear thin.

[Beatrix doubts the latter. It would have far sooner. He knows even the deepest parts of her shame, now. The things that have made her an awful woman and still he remains. If that has not warded him off, then perhaps nothing shall.]

[ From what she has heard, the latter seems highly unlikely. She seems to shake her head, though can't quite find the words to actually say as much without the actual proof. Still--if they make each other happy, then she'll support it.

However they choose to define their relationship, or not. ]

Do you think he could be the one to convince you to take up your armor and sword once more?

[Beatrix is careful not to respond immediately. It’s another question she doesn’t know how to answer. She doesn’t know if Dohalim is capable of that. She’s already admitted that she can’t protect him. Why would he even want her to at this point? It just seems like a poor idea to try penetrating that conversation with him.

Her head tips.]

Unsure. That is not his responsibility. It is not anyone else’s save mine. Oriphi has asked me to teach her how to use a sword, so perhaps it will be her desire to protect others that would make me do so out of necessity.

[Dreamscapes, in hindsight, will do the same. If she has to guard others, she will do so.]

[ She hadn't meant to imply that it was his responsibility, though what she gets is interesting. Oddly enough, a similar topic had come up between herself and Kazuma, and there's been talk of using wooden swords to start. Maybe sometime soon, it would be time to breach the topic again. ]

I see. Well, I look forward to the day when you are able to wear them proudly once more.

My best wishes to you and Ori in your training.

I… yes. Of course.

[Susato is… Beatrix doesn’t know how to put it. In truth, perhaps she feels a bit ashamed. They are very, very different individuals. Beatrix has to wonder that if she had been born a different woman into a different family with different circumstances, if she might have been half as endearing as Susato is. It’s a shame that she has become this woman that she is today. It is a shame that her experiences have turned her into who and what she is.

But through that, she fosters a great admiration for her current companion. She would like to make Susato proud of her. Perhaps that is just one reason of many that she needs to piece herself together and fix things as she’s able.]

I would not like to disappoint you. I suppose I have need to do my utmost. I have no doubt you have your own protectors, but it would be good if you felt that you could rely on me. That is something I have need to earn.

...I feel I already can. I think I speak for both Tifa and I when I say that we can both count on you. [ After all, would she have asked her to be a bridesmaid if she couldn't? ]

But the fact that you wish to earn it is...

[ She thinks back on the woman she would have seen in Beatrix's dream. The woman who committed unforgivable acts, and who was apparently given a second chance here, with all of them. ]

Well, that feels like growth to me.

[...

Susato is probably too kind. In Beatrix's opinion, that is. But Beatrix is far more inclined to be harder on herself than others would be. That's just how she is. It's how she's always been.

Her head tilts thoughtfully and she bites back the temptation to argue or find a way to refute the kindness. Growth. Yes. Perhaps. Dohalim would likely agree with the statement.]

I have always wanted to do what I believed to be the right or the just thing to do. How I conduct myself and the place I want to be when it comes to those I would consider close, the same holds true. Protecting you. Protecting others. That is not a right. It is a privilege.

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

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