Entry 001

[chippedsoul]

Sender: Kazuma Asogi
To: Everyone
Subject: Apology

A few days ago, a coward led some people uninvolved in the situation to confront me in the forest, despite being aware of how dangerous that was. I would like to take this moment to apologize to those that I've caused harm to. It was not my intent and that outburst won't happen again.

Locked To: Castmates Only
If you're worried I will come after the Prosecutor again, don't be. I have questions that need answers, not from that man.

Locked To: Soldier: 76
76. How are you doing? And are you available to meet?

Comments

[judicialassistant]

[ She is happy for him. Honestly, she is glad he found someone as stubborn as him, scary a thought as that is. Even so, she's not strong enough to ignore what he said. She tried. ]

I see. Then perhaps you will at least find it within yourself to confide in him, if not me.

[chippedsoul]

. . . [He bows his head to her, almost to apologize.] I thank you for understanding. [He feels bad, truly, but there are some things he feels Susato shouldn't hear. At least not right now.]

1/2

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato's eyes widen at the gesure, and she has to fight every urge to tell him to stop, to stand straight.

...But no. No, he can just stay there for a second. ]

[judicialassistant]

[ She hesitates at first, reaching forward to run a hand through his hair... but after a few strokes, she sighs and just pulls him in for a hug outright. ]

...I forgive you.

[ Did he actually apologize? Maybe not. But she heard one. ]

I do have another question, however.

[ Of course she does. ]

[chippedsoul]

. . . [He's not sure what he did to deserve another hug like this, but he isn't going to fight it, just quietly embracing it. He rest his head on her shoulder, not realizing how tired he actually was.]

What is it?

[judicialassistant]

[ ...Susato closes her eyes, as if to heighten her other senses to get the answers she seeks. It also happens to be very, very comfortable indeed. ]

...It is about your injuries. [ Or lack thereof. ] When I saw Lord van Zieks, I feared the worst for you, but it doesn't seem like you've retained any wounds from your other form...

I wasn't sure if I've missed something, or whether they might have manifested in... another way.

[chippedsoul]

. . .That power was dangerous, but it had some other unique properties. [He lifts his head, leaning back.]

It kept me from being harmed, healed any wounds I sustain. [Don't ask him how it works, because he doesn't know. He lets out some air, with a light shrug.] The only thing that manifested from it all was feeling a little under the weather and very tired. A minor inconvenience that a few days of rest will fix. [He did put out a lot of energy. And at this point in time, he truly believes this will pass.]

Were his injuries that bad? [Is it out of concern or perhaps curiosity of how badly he damaged him? Or maybe a mix of both.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Her eyes flash with recognition for a moment, remembering that Lord van Zieks had mentioned something similar, about him being healed. Then she opened her eyes again, looking off to the side in thought. ]

To be honest, my father had already got to him by the time we met, so I missed the worst of it.

[ ...yeah, it was pretty bad. ]

...but pay it no mind for now. If you're feeling ill-- [ She pauses to consider her words, to keep from being too invasive. ] ...well, perhaps you shouldn't be alone.

[chippedsoul]

[He tilts his head. An amused smile rest on his face, catching onto her words.]

Well, now that you mention it, I could use some assistance preparing dinner today.

[judicialassistant]

[ Again!! With the smile!! ...Yet it is all the reassurance she needs. ]

Oh? I might know a young lady who would be willing lend a hand... though I suppose that depends on what you are making.

[chippedsoul]

Hm. [He rests a hand under his chin, thinking.] I recently got some honey and deer meat. Soy or garlic honey based deer, perhaps?

[judicialassistant]

Oh, my. [ She claps her hands together. Of course, he could've said anything, and she would have thought it was amazing. ] ...That sounds divine. Did you hunt it yourself?

[chippedsoul]

Haha, no. The credit goes to 76. The same goes for the honey. [He'll go ahead and stand up, walk into the kitchen to bring back a jar filled with a rainbow swirl of liquid inside.]

This is some dream honey. [He thought maybe Susato would like to see something like this.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Somehow this answer doesn't surprise Susato... though she has to admit, the mental image of Kazuma, taking down unsuspecting critters with his sword, all cool and collected... it's very fitting.

When he goes to the kitchen, she peers after him curiously. It takes some effort not to follow him around, like when they were young, but eventually he returns. She lets out a very audible gasp, so much so that she has to cover her mouth. ]

I, It's-- dreamy. [ Wow, nailed it. ] I mean, colorful! Does it still taste like honey?

[ She must try it at once. And also possibly keep some for herself. For science. ]

[chippedsoul]

Of course, mostly. [He'll twists off the lid, taking a nearby spoon to scoop some for her to try. It's base is definitely honey, but there are hints of different flavors pending the coloration. It can be more sweet, fruity, flowery, or sour. Whatever one can imagine it would taste, it's likely a flavor.]

[judicialassistant]

[ 'Mostly' ... That only makes her more curious. Once the lid is off, she gently takes the spoon and takes a small sample, licking it tentatively.

For her, there is a fruity texture to it, which satisfies her sweet tooth immensely. ]

Mm. Tasty, and pleasing to look at. Someday I must thank Mr. 76 in person.

[chippedsoul]

You can ask him for some if you like. He doesn't mind sharing it. [He gets a lot, and he needs them taken so he can cut back on the moonshine. He'll pick up the jar.]

Not sure what else I have we can use. The world didn't have much when I first arrived.

[judicialassistant]

[ Well she’s not going to ask him on their first meeting!!! But it is something she makes a serious mental note to consider... ]

We can use this to marinate the deer though, correct? That would be a good start.

I can light the stove.

[chippedsoul]

[He nods.] I don't have any coal, but there's plenty of wood you can use. [And he'll show her where the wood is stashed. Afterwards, he'll proceed to take out what ingredients they had. He did have a few herbs and vegetables from the communal garden, which has him thinking.]

Have you been to the communal garden yet? [He pulls off his gloves, not wanting to stain them while preparing the food. From a certain angle, a faint scar can be seen in his right hand.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Heavy-lifting! Susato never did get to do much of that when she was younger, so she's rather excited at the chance. She pulls out some wood from his stash until she feels like they have enough. ]

Ah, the garden right outside the residential district? With the singing fish?

[ She tosses the wood into the stove, brushing her hands off from the dirt. ]

Only once, I'm afraid. But I should like to go back. [ From the way her expression is lit up, she quite enjoyed it. Once she got over the shock of said singing fish. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Clearly this is why Kazuma is letting her freely handle the stove. Although he's checking occasionally to be sure she doesn't actually need help.]

...That be the one. [He didn't want to think about the singing fish again.] I go there often to help tend the plants. Maybe you can come with me next time.

[He slices the deer meat into more manageable pieces, setting them into a tray as starts to pour the honey over it.] When you're finished with the stove, you can prepare the garlic for me.

[judicialassistant]

[ Somehow she manages the wood without getting a splinter, or breaking a nail, or other such girly things. She takes a moment to get a fire going, and then turns her attention to mincing the garlic.

...But not before admiring the honey being poured over the deer meat, of course. She stops, mid-chop, mesmerized by the colors again, before--what was she doing again?--oh, yeah.

She brings the garlic over when she's satisfied. ]

I think I'd quite enjoy seeing you get your hands dirty, actually. [ She smiles innocently-- ] I take it that's where these vegetables come from?

[chippedsoul]

Is that so? You just pick up on a lot of things when you're living on your own. [That honey is making the deer meat look out of this world with all the colors. He'll take the finely minced garlic afterwards to add to the honey.]

I did grab some out in the forest, but yes that's where I mostly got them.

[judicialassistant]

[ She nods. Even as he says that, she is still grappling with the idea that he has lived those years all by himself--but then, she supposes it is not so different from losing your memories, being left for dead and having to find your way from there. ]

I suppose I am lucky. Here, I have father with me. [ As he's adding the garlic, she's poking around at the other vegetables he's brought out, washing and prepping them to be cut. ]

[chippedsoul]

...I'm glad the both of you arrived together. [Being on his own wasn't really that bad. It's just the stuff the worlds would throw at him that are a pain to deal with.]

Even if it wasn't the case, I'd look out for you.