chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

[ Susato pauses in her eating, for a moment thinking: Should I have been working on it? ...Truth be told, however, 76 seemed to be busy with his own thing, and she didn't want to bother him with the heavy lifting. She takes another bite, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing, then answers: ]

Um, well, yes... A little bit.

I've rearranged the dining area a tad to create a space for it, and I think I've found a tree we can use in the garden that's not too small or large. It still needs to be hollowed out, however, and the shelves in the dining area still need to be built.

Ah, so you left me with the heavy lifting. [Teasing, of course he would have to do that.]

I'm sure with me and Jack on it, we'll get it setup and built in no time. [Reaper who?] But...I like to look over the restaurant and anything else I've missed before getting on with it. Like the fish.

[ It was always going to be Kazuma or Jack, or both of them, come on. Although Susato could probably make use of that clearly awesome upper body strength of hers. If he'd let her that is.

And what is she gonna do, say no to him seeing his own restaurant? Pfft. She nods. ]

Of course. The snakes will be happy to see you as well. [ Aura's been especially whiny, and Susato had to bring her up to the room so that she could curl against him, but you didn't hear that from her.

...

...... It's still raining. ]

Ah, they must have kept you up. [A lot of them are very needy. He's taking a glance, just to see if any decided to sneak up here and lurk.

It is indeed still raining, but Kazuma isn't bothered. He's sure Susato appreciates his not!sleeping company right now. His feet might have bumped hers while he shifts in his seat.]

So you mostly just had to deal with restless animals?

[ They did indeed keep her up, but she was thankful for the company in the end. Who else would she be able to speak with as she drifted off to sleep? Well, besides the characters from the stories she reads, but it's not the same.

The rain creates a very cozy atmosphere, but there also seems to be a dreamy mist that comes with it, obscuring visibility as she tries to enjoy the view. ]

There were some other things. The wisps that we saw floating about town, for instance. And... what happened with Trahearne.

[He's pouring himself a cup of tea as he's listening.]

Care to elaborate? [They can't exactly go anywhere right now, and he wants to get caught up on anything he should know.]

[ ......

She stops eating for a second. Clearly concentrating, because it is important how she'll explain this. In the end, she decides that getting straight to the point would be best on both counts. She speaks clearly, despite everything. ]

Well, the wisps were mentioned on the dream board. They were dreamwalkers, just like you and me, whose dreamotion was depleted upon death, and it left them stranded, waiting for it to return. We were able to help one find peace.

Gina, Naruhodo-san, and... Lord van Zieks.

[Ah, so the whole crew were on the case. There might have been a nose twitch at the mention of Barok, but otherwise...he's just sipping his tea.]

I missed all the fun it seems. So these wisp were like wandering spirits.

Exactly.

[ She nods, taking note of the twitch of his nose. If he disapproves, he hasn't said anything, and she doesn't exactly wish to offer him the opportunity. She tightens her grip on her teacup slightly. ]

I, I even learned to make a bow and arrow out of light!

[He's not about to admit that he's somewhat glad Barok was with them in a potentially dangerous situation when he could not-]

Did you? You'll have to demonstrate sometime. [Genuinely curious.] More importantly...all of you returned safely?

[ Susato gives him a nod. She can't say she was expecting anything quite like that, but with a team effort, she seems proud to be able to answer in the affirmative. ]

We received charms that will guide us if we are ever lost. Perhaps you can use it the next time you find yourself in the Wildlands.

[ ...Of course, he also still has the ring. ]

It was given to everyone? [He leans into her, stiffling a yawn. How is he tired after sleeping for a whole month?]

Might be some time before I take another trip out there. [There's things to do here first of all.]

[ Everyone in the "party," anyway. She tilts her head at the yawn (really?), but doesn't say anything more. (Maybe she's boring him.) ]

That's alright! I didn't mean right now.

[ ......So that leaves Trahearne.

Well, and the Starflower, and the corgi puppy Eustace has on hold for her there. But she can leave that for the end. While she decides, Fang has finished her bowl and pokes her head curiously to see what the both of them are eating. ]

[He looks up, raising a hand so he could give Fang some pets. She coos, very happy to have her master back.]

What about Trahearne? Is he all right?

[ Seeing Fang so happy makes it easier to keep smiling, at least. She hesitates still, but only slightly. It is better if she gets straight to the point. ]

He is now. But... He got pulled into a nightmare of his own making.

It appears he has had many issues that he has been keeping mostly to himself since— [ ...There's a pause. She may have just realised some similarity between how these two deal with their issues, but she digresses. ] Hm. Well before the wedding, I suppose...

...This place certainly has a way of forcing things out you don't want. [He sure knows. He looks her over for a moment.] And you came out of that all right? [He's not referring physically.]

[ Like Kazuma, perhaps some things will haunt her for a while. If anyone would understand, it's him. She eyes Fang, who is still enamored with her master, but seems to look at Susato encouragingly.

She pulls up the sleeve that once covered a nightmarish scar on her arm. It is clear now, barely visible. ]

I wasn't alone. [ Yes, she realizes that doesn't answer the question. ] I am fine, so long as you are back!

[He considers her for a moment, his eyes wandering to her arm that he vaguely recall there was a nasty scar. She said she was fine, he wants to press, but he will choose to trust to her words.

He leans in, pressing his lips on her forehead.]

I'm here. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[ Susato blinks, because kisses are her job, but as the smile grows on her face, Fang leans in, too, to nuzzle both of them (and probably demand attention). Susato chuckles and is forced to push at the dragon's poor head once she starts eying what little remains of their breakfast. Girl, you just ate! ]

I was in good company, wasn't I?

[ She licks Susato's face. ]

Anyway, there is one more thing I should tell you about. It is about Tifa's cafe. [ It's been in the works for at least a couple months now, so it shouldn't come as a surprise. ] ...She's opened it.

[He chuckles softly at Fang trying to make her way into their company. He can't blame her, and just allows it. As long as she doesn't knock anything over.]

Ah, so I missed the opening. I'll have to make up for it at some point. It'll be strange without her, she had been with us since almost the beginning.

[ It's been weighing on her for a couple weeks. Already, she realizes how things are different, despite Tifa not even being very far away. She nods to agree with him, but that's not really the reason she brought it up anyway, she supposes. ]

Two of their corgis had puppies that they are trying to find good homes for. I got to meet them and she—

Well, Eustace... offered one to me. I wondered how you might feel about that.

Having a puppy? [He blinks, recalling the animals they've been accumulating between everyone running the restaurant.]

...Well, I suppose it's fine, as long as they're cared for and we have space for one. [He really wouldn't mind, but he is concern about there being room for another member in the family.]

[ They have a magic house that grows, Kazuma.

Not that she could confirm that one way or the other, but she has to believe they'll make it work! She seems relieved to have his blessing. ]

Well, I shall have to see how he gets on with all the others. ...But so far, he may be competing with Mr Turtle for my hair.

Heh. There's just something about your hair. [How does she wear it up like it is?]

Did you name him yet?

[ Magic.

Susato reaches up to touch her hair, perhaps seeming a little shy about it. ]

Well... I didn't want to appear overeager, but I've given it some thought. I wondered if...

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