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

[judicialassistant]

[ Don't talk to strangers, Sakura. Unless they are young, wearing a pink, floral-themed kimono without a mean bone in their body. (But even then--?)

Susato shows up sometime later. She hasn't timed herself or anything, but she will certainly hope Sakura hasn't been waiting long. Distantly, she thinks she probably could have offered more information for Sakura to go on. Did she even mention her age? It's probably lucky that she even agreed, but Susato, at least, knows she's looking for someone young and impressionable, who's missing her friends.

She spots Sakura's head of brown hair near the Dream board and decides to take a chance, walking up to her with what looks like a gift bag of sorts--purple, with a pink ribbon tying the cloth of it together at the top. Attached to the ribbon appears to be a tag of some sort. ]

Excuse me, are you Sakura-chan?

[keystaff]

Hm? Ah! Yes! That's me!

[Sakura maybe should have figured giving a little more detail on her appearance or clothing or something as more of a clue for Susato, in hindsight. But at the least, it seems things has worked out. She does give a wave and smile in return at the question, relieved that they did manage to find each other. While the board is public and rather busy, she doesn't figure it to necessarily be a popular place to just be waiting around, that it should help her stick out some at least.

Well. That and her uniform she is wearing.]

So you must be Susato-san?

[judicialassistant]

[ The uniform definitely screams "student," but it's far more modern than Susato is able to recognize. Either way, her face lights up when Sakura calls out her name, happy that she is able to confirm. ]

I am! [ She curtsies, a little excited to show her the respect she undoubtedly deserves, but also relieved that this meeting is already going so well. ] I am sorry to call you out here so suddenly, but I did want to give this to you in person. ...Happy birthday.

[ She offers Sakura the gift bag, which was rather hurriedly put together, all things considered, but hopefully she'll appreciate it anyway. Upon closer inspection, the tag is for somewhere called The Wild Harvest, and if she opens the bag, she will find a small batch of sakura-shaped sugar cookies. They're not quite freshly made, probably the equivalent of something store-bought (though she did hand-make them herself), but the thought is there regardless. ]

[keystaff]

Oh! Thank you!

[Susato had mentioned something about this. But at the same time, Sakura isn't really expecting all that much. She only recently arrived, so most here don't know her too well yet and all. But that Susato made the effort, the thought to give her something at least, was nice. Sakura appreciates it, as she takes the offered bag.]

I don't mind. Maybe next time, I can make you something!

[Sakura isn't the worst with cooking, at least. She could make something in exchange.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato grins. She clearly isn't expecting anything, but she isn't about to say no, either. She knows how important keeping busy can be, and in this case, it can help, with someone so young being stuck somewhere otherworldly and unfamiliar. ]

It's not necessary... but I'd bet you are as skilled in the kitchen as I am.

[ Okay. So maybe she doesn't actually know, but she'll encourage her regardless. She indicates the Wild Harvest tag. ]

That is the restaurant where I work. You are always welcome if you are in need of a good meal, or any help in general. The staff are all very friendly. [ She might be biased. Sue her. ]

[keystaff]

I'm not sure. I don't work in a restaurant or anything. I just cook at home or school, for my friends, my dad and onii-chan. But ah, thank you.

[Sakura makes a note of the Wild Harvest tag. At the very least, she might go at one point while out exploring if she gets hungry for a snack or something. Though knowing Sakura she will still try mostly make a go of it herself as best she can. Not wanting to worry or bother others unless she has to.]

[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]

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.