dreamcrystals | Entry 001

I never pressed, because I felt I had enough information. I didn't want to be constantly told information I would eventually experience myself. [So in a way, it's not really Susato's or anyone's fault. Kazuma is just stubborn about putting faith in just words.]

I just want to confirm some of the things Prosecutor Van Zieks has told me.

[ She understood, in a way, which is why she was reserved. He had to be ready for the information--and there was a lot they learned at that trial. But it's still hard to convince herself she couldn't have somehow prevented the whole ordeal.

It is interesting, however, that Lord van Zieks reached out to him. How she would have loved to be a fly on that wall... ]

I can do that.

[ But--now? ]

[Yes. Right now.]

Meet me at my home. [And he'll give her directions. He could just not tell her where he lives, but Ryunosuke lives literally right next door. He also doesn't really have anything to hide in his home at this moment anyway.]

[ Susato had been out and about, but stopped almost immediately at a nearby bench to write him as soon as she saw. She's basically prepared to drop everything--she had been waiting for this, after all.

So she stands now, determined, after writing her last message. ]

Of course. Wait for me.

[ And after following his directions, she will find herself at Kazuma's house as fast as her legs would carry her. She can't help giving it a good look over before she knocks at his door.

Hi. ]

[Kazuma had barely gone through the journal, looking into something when there's a knock at his door. Ever so punctual. Susato will be greeted by Kazuma, looking like nothing had occurred a few days back.]

...Good day. [With a slight bow of his head, he opens the door wider to let her inside. The interior is as neat and tidy as it's owner. There's nothing really outstanding about it, besides a snowglobe sitting on a nearby shelf.] I've prepared us some tea. [He gestures to the main room, table sitting near a window with a teapot and cups set on top of it.]

[ Certainly, Kazuma looks no worse for wear. Susato is not stupid, however, think things are okay. There is just something about him that she cannot explain. He is not well. ]

Oh...? [ She enters, looking for anything that might catch her attention until he points out the teaset. ] Thank you. That used to be my job when we were little, you know.

[Indeed, the warm breeze that normally follows him feels a little stuffier than usual today. It's subtle, but there.]

I remember. I thought I would return the favor. [He says, but it's more out of habit when he's been on his own for a while. He'll go ahead and walk over to pour the tea for them both. The smile he wore slowly comes something closer to a frown, more neutral.] I know I invited you to answer my questions, but I have a feeling you have some questions yourself that you're withholding.

[ Susato has noticed that it is a little harder to breathe when she is near him; but it is so subtle that she dismisses it. At least for now.

She casually enjoys the first sip once he pours the tea, though at his comment, she does pause, mid-drink, to stare at him. Now, what could have possibly given him that idea? ]

I have plenty, as a matter of fact. After losing you once already, and getting you back... Just when it felt like I was to get to know you again, it is almost cruel to believe you have lived over three years in some strange world without me.

...But... I admit, that may just be my own selfishness.

[ She bows her head, as if to ask for forgiveness. After all, the distance, the three years--they aren't his fault. ]

...and I don't mean to derail the real reason I am here.

[He was just about to sip his tea when she mentioned the three years. He doesn't recall telling her that. Must have been Mikotoba.] You're not. Three years is a long time.

[He sips from his cup.] When I've gotten my answers, you may ask. [Will he answer all of her questions fully is another thing. He sets his teacup.]

So, Prosecutor Van Zieks ends up proven innocent in the end? Innocent of the crimes committed by the Grim Reaper?

[ Will he, indeed? Because after all he's left out the first time, she's not so sure. Then again, she didn't actually know the right questions to ask, that first time around, so they'll just have to see.

She sighs, nodding quickly to agree to his conditions, and... well, to answer his first question. ]

Yes. Lord van Zieks was never the Reaper. He did not kill Inspector Gregson... he was simply investigating him.

...That lines up with what I heard from the detective. [What detective could he be talking about?]

Was it Lord Stronghart?

[ It's the second time he's mentioned the detective. She's surprised at first, that he would be able to call out Lord Stronghart like that, but then she remembers she's here to confirm.

There's a hatred in her voice when she speaks, which should tell him quite a lot. She refuses to call him Lord. ]

Mael Stronghart... was the heart of it, Kazuma. The Reaper was not one person, but an entire organization, all manipulated by him to sate his twisted sense of justice. To eliminate crime in Great Britain for his own personal gain. All so he could gain some title.

...I came to that conclusion myself. That it was an organization and at the top was...Barok Van Zieks. Hm. [Maybe deep down he did suspect something of foul play when it came to dealing with Mael Stronghart. But in end, Barok was the still the one to sentence his father....no, even that was staged.]

The evidence used against my father was fabricated, wasn't it?

[ Susato’s heart sinks, hearing bring up his father. She nods solemly. ]

Yes, the ring… you can thank Stronghart for that as well. He had the ring stolen and had Inspector Gregson push for the autopsy of Lord Klint van Zieks, all so that it could planted.

He could silence John Wilson… He could silence Inspector Gregson. He could even silence Courtney Sithe, but he couldn’t silence my father.

[ The last one involved in that autopsy… ]

...Professor Mikotoba. [It's amazing he hadn't become a target. And now he understands what that assassination request meant.]

What about Judge Jigoku? What was his role? [Was he with Stronghart? Or another puppet?]

[ Another name that makes her recoil. This is going to be so hard. ]

…Seishiro Jigoku murdered Inspector Gregson, and took him to Fresno Street where he inadvertently framed Lord van Zieks.

[ If her voice is a little bit mechanical and matter-of-fact, it’s because that was the easy part. But then she swallows, bracing herself for the rest. ]

He also… was the one who murdered your father, when he was supposed to escape Barclay Prison.

…at Stronghart’s behest.

[ It was because Enoch Drebber saw them. Did she even explain the whole prison break plot??

Oh god. It’s too late now, she can’t help tearing up. Susato, you may have fucked up. ]

[He blinks, hearing Susato struggle to continue. He had been so fixated on ensuring the facts match up, that he didn't consider for a moment how Susato must be feeling to explain all this.]

...It's all right. [His voice softens as he leans forward slightly. There's a soft look in his eyes, a rare moment for Kazuma to willingly show a more gentler side. He just wanted to assure her that she didn't need to continue.] I already know about his part concerning my father, and the prison break. [One of the few things he trust Barok to have been honest about. Jigoku murdering Inspector Gregson though, that's a new detail and just reinforcing what Professor Mikotoba has already told him.

He sees her hand holding the teacup. He'll reach for hers, cupping her hand in his.]

I think...that about covers what I wanted clarified. [And that means...he really has no reason to be as bitter as he was towards Prosecutor Van Zieks. That is going to take some reluctant adjusting.]

Do you need a moment?

[ He already knew. That's right. That's right, she only had to confirm. Van Zieks had already spoken to him, did the hard part. Lord van Zieks had done that. Lord van Zieks had suffered.

Susato hadn't realized how badly her hands were shaking until Kazuma stopped them. She feels... warm. On the one hand, there is a comfort with him that she hasn't felt in literal years. On the other, it's like slowly-rising steam; not enough to suffocate, but enough that the air feels slightly thicker. Different.

She doesn't know what it is. His words sound like echoes under water, until the very last moment, when she tightens her grip under his on her teacup, which somehow still hasn't fallen. Looking rather doe-eyed, she wipes at her tears with the sleeve of her free hand, shaking her head firmly. ]

No. No, I'm alright. Thank you. [ After all, none of this is news to her. She shouldn't act like it is. ] Without my notes, that is everything I remember.

[Now we can't have his. He'll pull out a handkerchief as an offering to wipe those tears.]

You've given me more than enough information, and I thank you. [He'll just keep a hand on hers until he's sure she's calmed down.]

[ Wow what kind of loser just has a handkerchief--

Yeah, okay, it's better than her sleeve, she supposes. She takes it and smiles, happy that he is satisfied. ]

The question is... [ She's finally had enough of the weight of this tea cup. She pulls her hand away from Kazuma's to put it down, but then brings it back to lace their fingers together. ] ...what will you do with that information?

[He blinks, considering her question for a moment.]

...I suppose I'll have another word with Prosecutor Van Zieks. [There's some reluctance in his voice, but he understands he went too far and didn't leave things on best of terms. The other...he probably needs to talk to 76 about all this. He deserves to know. He squeezes her hand gentle, assurance.] I'll be fine now.

[ It's a gesture she takes comfort in, the gentle squeeze of his hand, but those are words she has heard before. Feelings also don't just up and change overnight, especially when they're so deeply rooted. She stares unwaveringly and narrows her eyes. ]

Really ... you won't transform again?

[He frowns. She may not have seen what happened, but she may as well have with the way she questioned him. Considering his own struggles, what he still keeps from her, he can understand why she would have doubts.] . . .I can't promise that. [A quiet admittance, but then he adds, not hiding his gaze from her:]

Because this world is capable of influencing others to make us feel a certain way. What happened to me that time was from my own volition. I can assure you that I won't let it go so far again, but there will be other times...when it won't be by my choice. [His brows furrow slightly, thinking about that other world where Hyde manifested. He's also coming to a slow realization. His transformation may have been rather extreme, but he has not been the first to be effected negatively by this world.] It could happen to you.

[ 'It could happen to you'... Somehow she feels like this was supposed to scare her, but the only thing she picked up was that he sure has a lot of intimate knowledge about the process.

3+ years will do that to you, she supposes. ]

They're called 'noctaere'... correct? [ She's been doing a lot of reading in her journal while waiting for him to come around, and it's fascinating what people will say. ] So it's happened to you before.

[ And yes, just in case he couldn't tell, 20 Questions: Susato Edition has officially begun. ]

Hm? [Before? He shakes his head.] No, that was the only time. [He lets go of her hand, so that he can lean back in his seat. He can feel those questions coming.]

This world has pulled me into various situations before, but I was able to overcome them. [With help.]

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