1st Card {Text}

[keystaff]

Sender: Kinomoto Sakura
To: All
Subject: Birthdays?

I hope this works. The journals we would have back home weren't like this. Showing everyone. Not unless we wrote online and it was public. I did only recently get here though. I'm Kinomoto Sakura! Sakura being my first given name, Kinomoto being my family one. I'm from Tomoeda in Japan. I'm thirteen fourteen now? I think. I'm not sure if this really counts as my birthday or not. I've never had one apart from my family and friends before. If this does count. That's a little strange to think about.

Back home, I'd have weird dreams but not quite like this exactly. And there was magic but not quite the same as this what I've seen so far at least. I'm still figuring all this out. This dream magic? Or whatever it's called. I do at least have one familiar face though! Kero-chan is with me. I mean. My stuffed toy came with me. Otherwise, I guess. I'm not sure if I should ask on how it works exactly? Dreaming? I mean. If others might be able to see my dreams here or?

[Because. Well. There's some things she is still trying to keep secret. And given her dreams are often prophetic and rather odd or dangerous sometimes. That might be important to know.]

Comments

[lonelysmiles]

It seems your language has quite a few exceptions to its own rules, my dear. I don't understand why you used "chan" in this instance.

[refire]

That makes both of us then.

We just have to wait and see how things will turn out. None of us really know what tomorrow will bring.

Isn't that why life is worth living?

[multidisciplinary]

In my kingdom, those born on the Goddess's day are said to be favored by Her. Your friend must be quite special.

You haven't? Well, I will say you are doing quite well. But do not worry overmuch. I am not technically a princess here.

[keystaff]

Ah, that's just I guess my default for him since I'm younger. I grew up calling him that.

Trust me, he isn't cute or anything at all. He's always eating my food and snacks and calling me a kaiju. Ah, that's a monster, basically, a kaiju.

[keystaff]

None of us do. That's true.

As long as I can still help, still do what I can for my friends, my family. Eating delicious food, spending time with Tomoyo-chan and Syaoran-kun. Going to school with the rest of my friends.

[keystaff]

Favored? But yes! He is very special! And very dear to me.

[For all that she. Might not so much get whatever it is he sees in Touya. She does accept that regardless and just hopes the two are happy together.]

I suppose not princess of this dream place. But that still doesn't mean you aren't royalty?

[lonelysmiles]

Ah. I see.

Sibling dynamics are a bit of a mystery to me at times!

[multidisciplinary]

[ There's a minute-long pause before Zelda writes back. Is she even royalty anymore? Her kingdom has been destroyed. Even if Calamity Ganon was one day defeated and Zelda was freed from her imprisonment with the monster, would she still be the Princess of Hyrule? Does Hyrule even exist anymore? ]

Well, to tell you the truth, I am not sure. I suppose it would be most accurate to say that I am not a princess anymore. My kingdom no longer exists. I believe that makes me a former princess, rather than a current one.

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato gives her a knowing nod. That's about as far as she'll push the issue, but she does hope she sees Sakura's face there someday. ]

That is how I started as well... just family. [ She wouldn't have imagined she'd ever have the input of strangers. Let alone somewhere so diverse. ] Have you found a place to live?

[keystaff]

Maybe other siblings don't tease their younger sisters or eat their snacks but my onii-chan does at least. Tomoyo-chan doesn't have any siblings and I haven't met Syaoran-kun's sisters to be able to compare.

[keystaff]

No longer exists? Oh. I guess I can see that might make it complicated?

[It is not such a thing Sakura might necessarily have encountered hearing about so much. She isn't sure if Zelda means the likes of her kingdom being taken over by another, boundaries shifted for one reason or other, usually the result of war and redefining borders.]

[refire]

I enjoy a good meal myself.

I'm really fond of spicy food. Would you happen to like curry by any chance, Sakura?

That might be a fun meal to have.

[keystaff]

I figure that's probably how most get started with cooking.

[Sakura figures at least. With someone learning to cook. Taste testing, checking out family recipes or such sort of thing. Or just generally learning some basics. Basics with recipes families make a lot, simpler ones initially before gradually figuring more complicated dishes.]

Oh! Yes. I have.

[keystaff]

I can cook! Mostly basic dishes but still. I'm definitely getting better! I like curry!

[hearthwarming]

That's right. I believe it was related to a particularly strong blizzard that was taking place during that time... I can't say for sure if it will always be related to the weather, though.

In my experience, it was very helpful when the people in my dream helped me realize that I was just having a nightmare. That helped me wake up!

[keystaff]

A blizzard? I suppose. That might be somehow possible, with this place with so much magic.

How though? How would I help someone realize?

[hearthwarming]

Exactly. I have been here for nearly half a year, now, but I always find myself surprised by the next thing. But we are all in this together, so it doesn't feel so overwhelming!

Nightmares can be scary, but they aren't real. Helping to remind the person having a nightmare or a powerful dream realize what is or isn't real is really helpful. I suppose that usually means putting yourself out there for the person whose dream it is, since you would be the only other 'real' entity within it.. . Ah, I hope this is making sense!

And I'm sorry to talk about such things on your birthday, Sakura. You should be out having fun and doing lighthearted things, not thinking about nightmares...

[refire]

Hey, being able to cook basic dishes is still pretty good.

Food keeps you full and happy. I'm glad you like curry just as much as I do!

[keystaff]

I like being able to make something nice. Like making bento for Syaoran-kun!

I wouldn't mind trying your curry at least. Maybe it might be a different recipe to what I usually have back home.

[keystaff]

I guess. What's the saying? Expect the unexpected? But I do want to try help if I can. If others have a nightmare.

It's okay though! This is important to know.

[refire]

I use a combination of rice, potato, beef and peppers!

Can't go wrong with those ingredients.

Do you use something else back home, Sakura?

[keystaff]

That sounds pretty standard. I usually use carrots instead of the beef, but having some meat is nice too! With peppers I guess how spicy, how much you use depends on your tastes on how hot you like it. Some might prefer it hotter or more mild than I make it.

[refire]

What matters at the end of the day is food keeping you full. It'll give you the energy you need to focus and take action.

Personally, I enjoy adding really intense spice in curry. Spicy food just so happens to be my favorite.

You add carrots to your curry? It already sounds really good.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda's not sure about sharing the horrible story of Hyrule's downfall with a fourteen year old girl on her birthday. (Nevermind that the kingdom fell on Zelda's birthday.) ]

Yes, it is rather complicated. Someday, when I return home, I hope to be able to help rebuild. But for now, it is easiest to be simply 'Zelda.'

[ No more sad talk on Sakura's birthday. Time for a chance of topic! ]

So, have you received any gifts for your birthday?

[keystaff]

Healthy food! Yes. I guess I can try yours? And see if I like it? We can make some for each other and see how we like it? Mine might be more mild compared to yours though.