dreamcrystals | Entry 001

[ 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.]

[ When he leans back, so does she. She finally drinks some of the tea he originally offered her as well, but still listens intently, even though she was wrong there.

... Maybe especially because she was wrong. ]

What kinds of situations?

. . .It put me in a nightmare, relive memories, made me see things that weren't there. [It put him a nightmare with nothing but chickens, but we're not going to bring that up.]

This world has a way of finding what makes you vulnerable.

[ Chickens...... can be scary (just ask Link.) But the last part catches her attention. She asks softly: ]

...Then... have you ever had nightmares of your father? Or the Professor?

. . .Since the day I received that letter. [Lately it's been reoccurring nightmares of murdering people, but she doesn't need to know that part. He takes in some air, waving a hand.]

But that's all they were, nightmares. They can't hurt me if I don't let them, even in this place.

[ Susato really flippin' needs to know that part. It doesn't even matter that she could barely breach the subject of his father dying without tears before... She can sense him leaving something out. She frowns. ]

...But, isn't it like you say? Sometimes, it isn't your choice.

[Little sister does not need to know he killed some people!!]

Yes. There are forces at play here beyond our understanding. Even if I do everything to repel them, it may not be enough. [He shakes his head.] I won't be the first or the last to be go through a change in this world.

[ Little sister has her eye on you. ]

...I meant the nightmares. Even though you say can choose not to let them hurt you, that's not really true, is it? They can affect you quite a lot.

...It hasn't reach that point, but yes.

[ Susato stares at him, even leaning in to do so as she continues studying his expressions. ]

And if they had? Would you tell me?

[He sees examining his reaction, but all she gets is a pensive look. He's quiet, considering her question for a long moment while pouring himself another cup of tea. She isn't going to like his response, but it is what he feels is right. Some things are best left not mentioned.]

If I found it necessary to do so, and had no where else to turn, yes. [That may as well be a no with Kazuma.]

[ Susato does know a “no” when she hears one, yes—but at least he was honest. There was a time when she could always count on him for that.

She would be lying if she said she didn’t feel a slight knot in her stomach at the words, but she doesn’t know why that would be. How soon this place makes her forget: Kazuma was no longer her charge. ]

…You wouldn’t find it necessary. [ She chuckles, as if it were a laughable thought. ] You still have plenty of room to turn, correct?

[ Her joking tone turns into something a little more serious. ]

Have you made a lot of friends here, Kazuma?

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