Susato Mikotoba 🌸 御琴羽 寿沙都 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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dreamcrystals2023-01-09 08:01 pm
judicialassistant) wrote in dreamcrystals2023-01-09 08:01 pm
[02] three lies, one truth
Sender: Susato Mikotoba
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive dream recording
Warning: Descriptions of death (specifically: falling/burning, stabbing, freezing, drowning) and the crippling fear that comes with that.
When Susato is first seen, she is nigh unrecognizable. There's only a glimpse of her. Her hair is frazzled, long well past her shoulders, and the white dress she wears, accented by pinks, does not match the grim darkness of the cage she is in. Seconds later, there's a loud metallic clang as the cage is shut.
There's movement like a shaky camera, and you... no, Susato is looking into the eyes of one man who looks almost surprised to see her. As if he hadn't been the one to put her there.
"Mr Vigil?"
The voice is small and cracks like glass over the flames below.
Before he can respond, there's the sound of a lever and a deafening scream as a feeling of terrifying weightlessness takes over your body.
You're falling, and you don't know when you'll stop.
* * * * *
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
When the dream spits you out, you can taste a mixture of blood and dirt as you blink your eyes open. They sting like you've been crying, and when you bring your filthy hands up to look at them, you can see the pink of your kimono sleeves. The loops in your air feel looser and messier than usual as you can feel the terrifying glare of a man before you, bleeding and in chains, and yet no less threatening.
All around you are corpses. You just barely manage to struggle to your feet when he moves to strike you down with alarming quickness, his blade and scythe at his call. Something hard and sharp pierces your stomach as his voice booms:
"You will not tarnish... my brother's memory...!"
You were so close. You can see some of the broken chains you worked so hard at; he was almost free.
But it's too late.
A laughter seems to be coming from the noble in the portrait behind the Reaper, and an eerie red glow bleeds out from the canvas as your consciousness fades.
* * * * *
The laughter transforms into something else, another voice. It is almost pleasant; and the scene is entirely different now. A gorgeous ballroom surrounds you with an air of celebration, you are humbled, taking the man before you in a dance. Here is the face that everyone says you can trust, and yet you can hear suspicious whispers coming from the walls.
Something is wrong.
You feel cold in a way that is inexplicable. Your very core is frozen, and it feels like you will never get warm. suddenly it's a struggle just to move with the music; but eventually you stop listening to that, too.
"Don't struggle." The king pulls you close in what is most certainly a threatening manner. Beneath your gloves, your fingers have already become ice. "Your death is inevitable now. Accept it with grace, and don't scream."
But even if you wanted to, you can't.
Pathetic gurgles escape your throat as ice travels up your chest and your neck. A piece of your white hair falls across your face, but when you go to brush it away, your hands won't move. Nothing will.
There is stillness. For a moment, you have hope, because you can still move your terrified, wide eyes, but soon that too is gone.
* * * * *
In that moment, you're not able to look at anything else.
Your neck is craned upwards and suddenly, the dream has shifted one final time. You're staring at the surface of the freezing cold water from below, unable to breathe, but the Gods above have mercy on you, and it doesn't last long. A glaring white starts to creep into the corners of your vision, filling everything in haze, and the dream ends as suddenly as it began.
* * * * *
[ Back in the comparative comforts of her home, Susato awakes with a start. She gasps for breath like she's just been held underwater, sitting up and gripping at her blankets. For all she knows, they are her lifeline. She is shaking, the faded memories of dreamscapes past rushing back to her, and she feels her arm knock something off the bed she's on.
......All she can do is breathe. ]
(( ooc: tl;dr, just a fun throwback to the fun deaths i've been able to put her through this past year. <3 please assume delayed responses where appropriate/etc. ))
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive dream recording
Warning: Descriptions of death (specifically: falling/burning, stabbing, freezing, drowning) and the crippling fear that comes with that.
When Susato is first seen, she is nigh unrecognizable. There's only a glimpse of her. Her hair is frazzled, long well past her shoulders, and the white dress she wears, accented by pinks, does not match the grim darkness of the cage she is in. Seconds later, there's a loud metallic clang as the cage is shut.
"Mr Vigil?"
The voice is small and cracks like glass over the flames below.
Before he can respond, there's the sound of a lever and a deafening scream as a feeling of terrifying weightlessness takes over your body.
You're falling, and you don't know when you'll stop.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
All around you are corpses. You just barely manage to struggle to your feet when he moves to strike you down with alarming quickness, his blade and scythe at his call. Something hard and sharp pierces your stomach as his voice booms:
"You will not tarnish... my brother's memory...!"
You were so close. You can see some of the broken chains you worked so hard at; he was almost free.
But it's too late.
A laughter seems to be coming from the noble in the portrait behind the Reaper, and an eerie red glow bleeds out from the canvas as your consciousness fades.
Something is wrong.
You feel cold in a way that is inexplicable. Your very core is frozen, and it feels like you will never get warm. suddenly it's a struggle just to move with the music; but eventually you stop listening to that, too.
"Don't struggle." The king pulls you close in what is most certainly a threatening manner. Beneath your gloves, your fingers have already become ice. "Your death is inevitable now. Accept it with grace, and don't scream."
But even if you wanted to, you can't.
Pathetic gurgles escape your throat as ice travels up your chest and your neck. A piece of your white hair falls across your face, but when you go to brush it away, your hands won't move. Nothing will.
There is stillness. For a moment, you have hope, because you can still move your terrified, wide eyes, but soon that too is gone.
In that moment, you're not able to look at anything else.
Your neck is craned upwards and suddenly, the dream has shifted one final time. You're staring at the surface of the freezing cold water from below, unable to breathe, but the Gods above have mercy on you, and it doesn't last long. A glaring white starts to creep into the corners of your vision, filling everything in haze, and the dream ends as suddenly as it began.
[ Back in the comparative comforts of her home, Susato awakes with a start. She gasps for breath like she's just been held underwater, sitting up and gripping at her blankets. For all she knows, they are her lifeline. She is shaking, the faded memories of dreamscapes past rushing back to her, and she feels her arm knock something off the bed she's on.
......All she can do is breathe. ]
(( ooc: tl;dr, just a fun throwback to the fun deaths i've been able to put her through this past year. <3 please assume delayed responses where appropriate/etc. ))
sender: Barok van Zieks
But he doesn't like to dwell on dreams, if he can help it. Once he wakes, however, he eventually comes to realize the source, and what those other fragments must mean. Shortly after dawn the next day, he convinces himself to write to her.]
Are you available this morning, Miss Mikotoba?
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It's so innocuous, but she knows what it's about. Barok is not the type to discuss such matters through letters. ]
I've been banned from working this morning, so yes.
[ Please, Susato, banned is such a strong word. Though it was quite the Strongly Worded Suggestion that she take some extra time to sleep in. ]
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My regards to Mr Asogi. [The man can be smart, at times... when it comes to things that are not himself.]
Might I ask you to accompany me for a ride? It shall involve nothing strenuous. [In case any concerned parties ask, or anything.]
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Well, that's a little unexpected, but Susato's brain feels kind of like mush, so it's hard to judge. Hot tea seems to be helping though, and the book she's picked up has done wonders to keep her mind occupied, but it definitely doesn't feel like she can say no here. ]
A ride to where? Shall I borrow Fang?
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[whomst? wait, he didn't answer the other question, either.]
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Well, except for one. ]
Where may I meet you?
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[He can connect the dots as to where she likely is at the moment.]
If it is not too soon, I shall arrive within the next half hour.
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There's a glance downward at the general state of her... everything. Her hair probably isn't even done yet. But it's fine, this is just the fire under her butt that she needed to get going. (Or however the saying goes.) ]
I will be waiting outside.
action tiiiime
[But honestly, he'll end up showing up in a little more than half that time, atop his steed, a native horse with a dark coat and red flowers blooming around its mane and hooves.
He doesn't rush to let his arrival be known. He does have to stop Svalinn from trying to examine and possibly take bites at whatever plants are clearly not simple weeds, though, gently pulling at the reins every time the horse tries with a mild but exasperated:]
Enough.
no subject
She is waiting as promised, but busies herself with idle work. Adjusting plants that are likely to capture the steed's attention, and also their signs... Most notably, there are rows of larger paper cranes hung up, all adorned with the number 1, billowing in the wind. It's about the time that she lets go of one of these rows that she can hear the hoofbeats. ]
...!! Th, That's...?
[ There's a neigh in response to another tug of its reigns as Susato turns. The horse certainly seems to be happily chewing something or other. Susate doesn't seem to mind; just staring rather speechlessly at Barok ]
This is... Svalinn? [ Did she even say that right? Her tongue feels so foreign and stiff. ]
no subject
Miss Mikotoba.
[The animal's attention is at least partly drawn towards Susato when she asks about the name; it's already lived for some time without any humans addressing it (or being around, really), but it seems to be humoring the residents of Reverein well enough. The rider, meanwhile, bows his head politely, unlike the horse's blasé behavior.]
Pray forgive the discourtesy of his careless vandalism. I have come to surmise such a fairy creature cannot be fully tamed.
no subject
Eventually, her lips twitch into a smile. ]
He is forgiven.
In fact... I may have something else he'll quite enjoy, if you'll allow me a moment before we go.
no subject
As I've learned just tonight,Svalinn's breed is about as pleasant as they come, and his own personality leads to very tolerant but curious behavior. The animal sniffs Susato's hand and then huffs, regarding her with a clear gaze. Yes, hello, pink one.Barok nods his response.]
We are in no great rush.
[Even if Barok was inclined to stop the horse from this in particular, he probably could not; Svalinn takes a few steps to the side as if to investigate her, forcing van Zieks to adjust for the movement. What is this thing she's promising?]
no subject
You'll see!
[ Nobody asked! Yet Susato seems to answer him anyway. Then after a moment, she will slip back into the restaurant, disappearing past the dining area and into the garden.
She reappears after some minutes, carrying a basket of colorful carrots. ]
no subject
... Allow me to express gratitude on his behalf.
[At this point he does finally dismount while keeping the reins in his hand, his iron-heeled boots hitting the cobble heavily. It would be difficult to pull her up from that position, after all. He gives the horse a pointed look. Svalinn pretends not to notice.]
Perhaps the rest might be offered... after we've reached our destination.
no subject
An excellent idea... Here. I will fetch my bag so that it will be easier to carry.
[ Aaand off she goes again. Think this through, Susato.
A while later, the carrots are placed in a very Susato-flavored bag along with any other miscellaneous items that a girl may keep with her, ready for travel.
Though she still has no idea how far they might be going. ]
Um... If I may ask, what IS our destination today, Lord van Zieks?
no subject
The fact that it took her this long to ask again is likely a sign of her trust, though he wonders how much of it is due to her more polite, passive side. He plans to take advantage of whatever the cause, in any case.]
A spot in the wilds. It should take little more than half an hour to reach.
[He can't say any more. It's a SURPRISE.]
I find appreciating the sights of nature at times may help to clear the mind.
no subject
He's trying to help her feel better. ]
I see. I believe you're right.
[ How many days has she spent in the Harvest's garden doing exactly that? ]
Then... will you assist me? [ To climb on... She's ridden a horse all of one time. ]
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Whether she sits sidesaddle or astride, he'll soon climb on himself and sit behind her. He has no idea if she's ever been on a horse, and he'd rather make sure she doesn't end up falling. Thankfully she's small enough to minimize any awkward positioning with the reins or saddle, given the size of steed and rider both.]
Are you ready?
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She takes a breath when she feels his weight behind her, and she makes an attempt to glance back at him, but in the end, she simply nods. ]
...Yes. [ The sooner they get moving, the less nervous she'll feel, actually. Let's do it! ]
today's topic i know nothing about: horses
For some time, he remains quiet and focused on directing them into the woods, alert for any potential disruptions; while he doesn't foresee any danger, he knows this place to be unpredictable, especially the further they move from town. Eventually, though, once he's sure they're both steady and the surroundings are relatively quiet:]
I pray you did not lose too much sleep last night.
i'm ngl to u i googled sidesaddle just to make sure it was what it sounded like
She doesn't say anything at first. She can see birds flying overhead, casting their shadow that glides smoothly over the snowy grass. No reason to play dumb here. ]
Is this about my dream?
we're learning together...!
That said, he has no plans of being ungentle about it.]
Did you think I hadn't seen it?
[It isn't a question coming out of incredulity, or of judgment; it is a neutral curiosity that his tone conveys well enough.]
I only realized its origins after I awoke early this morning. [It's currently still early, so that may indicate something about the quality of his own sleep.]
no subject
It is not something I meant to hide from you.
...Though I would have preferred it not to be broadcast to others, of course. [ Her journal sure kept her busy... ]
no subject
[It would have been acceptable, certainly, for her to keep her dreams to herself—as long as they were hers alone. Far be it from him to ask invasive questions when he was uninvolved, however much she may have done the same for him. He still can barely bring himself to express his concerns.
Speaking of expressing himself.]
I admit... the memory haunts me, as well.
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