video: un; rosestorm | early morning 8/7

[thunderingcourage]

[Makoto had spent the last few days looking in the mirror several times, looking for a mark that used to be there, that was gone now. The one that had been placed when she’d formed her bond with Atsushi, back when the handprints had been clearly visible and easy to see. With time they weren’t as vibrant but the bonds and marks were still there, the one with Usagi, Minako, Vira-Lorr, and one or two others. But his was gone.

As the video started, her hand lingered on the pink rose necklace that she was wearing, as Makoto seemed to be nibbling on a few cookies, the inside of Flour and Bloom clear in the background along with the early morning light.]

A lot of things keep happening and changing, but then they haven’t really changed either. I mean I’m still who I was before, and I have those that I care about, and they’re still who they are, but we’ve all grown too. Gotten stronger.

I wonder though, now that it seems like more people are returning. What’s a way to remember someone who’s not around anymore, but will always be a part of you?

[Clearing her throat she brushed away a few crumbs and smiled.]

Sorry, I actually just wanted to share some of the new selections that we have coming in at Flour and Bloom. We still have plenty of roses and Lavender. But now we have purple passion flowers, cardinal flowers, and Rosy honeymoon blooms.

There are also a few recipes that Snow and I have been trying out, so we’ll have a few samples to see how everyone likes them. We’re open until it starts to get dark.

Comments

video: un: vi

[faceblocks]

[oh. hey. vi recognizes this face. it is one of several friendly faces responsible for feeding her (and her friends) for the last few days since the fish shortage started.]

You had my attention before you mentioned samples, but count me in on samples, just so we're clear.

[but. that's not really why she's responding - surprisingly, the food is secondary.]

About the other thing, though? People who've ...left. I think there are a lot of ways to remember someone like that. Not too long ago I did this. [she moves her omni so that her forearm's visible - there's a fairly fresh tattoo of a pipe - not exact, but extremely close with a distinct artistic style. ] Well, my friend Saeri did the ink over at Ursula's Place.

[thunderingcourage]

Of course, we're happy to get everyone's thoughts.

[Makoto took a moment and looked at the tattoo, it wasn't something she'd really thought of before. But they were pretty and it would be something she wouldn't haven't worry about fading or disappearing randomly.]

I didn't know there were able to do tattoos here. Not real ones.

[It certainly would have been impossible before with her powers unstable, but now it seemed like everything was pretty settled and she didn't shock whoever touched her anytime she was injured.]

I wonder what all they can put on one?

[faceblocks]

Good to know. The more cookies you give me, the more thoughts you'll get back. I'd be happy to bring them around to some people and report back, too. Anything to help get the word out.

[people like viktor or pal, who are often so busy they forget to eat. and carver, who could use a treat of his own that's not for his omen. people like alayne, who is always baking her own (very good) things. shoyo and jun, who need to keep up their energy. luz, because she's still sorry. maybe bakugou, because eh what the fuck. anyone she knows at the sanctuary will be looped into this, as will the rookery, other outpost people. anyone she knows in general.

better business means better and more cookies.]

It's more than just ink, and I'm still learning how to do that part. There's sleeper blood mixed in. It's safe, and this one? It's protective. Saeri knows more about different kinds of tattoos, but I ...thought that it'd be fitting if the one I got could help keep me safe.

It felt like the right thing, because that's what he'd try to do if he were here.

They can be just about anywhere, and of anything. Big, small, even hidden somewhere where only you see it.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny [Private]

[lightthedarkness]

I write them letters, all of them. Mamoru has the most letters but I write everything I wish I could tell them, everything I could ask them, everything I want to share with them down in a letter and I'll add pressed flowers or a picture of the place and then seal it up. Sometimes I send the letters out into the ocean, sometimes... I burn them, and some I save in this pretty box I have.

But I write to them, and in that way, they're always nearby.

[Private]

[thunderingcourage]

I still pretend like he's here sometimes, and just talk to the pillows. They're not as warm and don't really smell like him anymore, but it helps a little. But I want to make sure that others remember him, that they know how much he meant and how much he is a part of me and how strong I've gotten.

I wish I could have kept the mark from our bond, just to hold onto and remember him by.

[Private]

[lightthedarkness]

You have his kigurumi still, yeah? I won't give that away, promise. And we have his mug. But maybe we could plant a tree or something or have a special hybrid flower or dessert you sell that you could name the "Sushi" or "Atsushi" and that's something for others to remember. Maybe little tiger white buns at Flour and Bloom or something.

Video | Clickclickbloom

[onekindsoul]

I think...

It's best to remember people in little ways-

Do something they'd like to do here or there.

Maybe jot down notes when you think of them.

Something that you can keep close and remember how they were a part of your life.

[thunderingcourage]

Those sound like good ideas. thank you. Everyone has been pretty helpful.

I can still make his favorite dish occasionally, and I have a few things that were his still here too. Along with the gifts he gave me. I was just trying to think of something more.

Though I might have an idea.

[onekindsoul]

Of course-

I think we've all got your back here if you need it.

Oh! Oh! Do I get a hint or is it a little too personal?

Video; UN Lothrat

[ezra_of_lothal]

I talk to the people I miss. Try to imagine what they might say back. I have pictures of some of my family; I usually look at them while I'm doing it.

Sometimes I try to make or find a food they like.

[thunderingcourage]

I've talked to him a lot. Almost every night, and have the notes we'd leave each other around the house.

I was just thinking that there has to be a way for showing the bond, like when we left the mark on one another at the start of the year.

video; un: firefly

[melodyofsilence]

You could tell someone all about that person, sharing all the memories you had with them. If there are some you want to keep just for yourself, write them down and put them in a box you can take out to look at. I'm going to use my journal to write down all the things I want to tell my mamas and papa, and Chibiusa.

[ Hotaru would like to hear about whoever Makoto is thinking about. ]

Can I try your samples and put some flowers in my room? I promise to be a very good taste-tester.

[thunderingcourage]

I have a shoebox with all the notes that we'd leave for each other, and the small things that he'd give me from time to time. But a journal sounds wonderful, I'm sure Michiru, Haruka, and Setsuna would like that idea.

[Her hand rests on the necklace again.]

Of course, whichever ones you want, and we have plenty of spare vases too so we can pick out the ones that you like. You can help pick out the ones for the living room and stairwell also.

voice | un: zing zang voombah

[spiritwalks]

Who are you wanting to remember?

[thunderingcourage]

Atsushi Nakajima. He went home about a month ago, and it's not the first time we've been separated. But this time, it feels different. I'm not sure if he's going to return.

voice; un: gamemaster

[chessboardturn]

I feel like that's the nature of change. Of the world. We keep growing, we keep moving forward. And the people we can't talk to anymore... that we can't see anymore... we have to wish for the best and the universe will bring you back to them eventually.

[ He pauses. ]

Oh, hey - I like those flowers! Reminds me a bit of my grand-dad's garden, actually. I might have to drop by and get some.

[ For... you know, someone. ]

[thunderingcourage]

We'd be glad to have you come by. If you like them we can even make different arrangements for whatever purpose that you need. We have several that are ready to plant if you're trying to make your own garden.

video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

[tealeafs]

[ .. oh. There's something sad in there, huh. Something in that message, and that specific question.. It makes Chizuru practically unable to ignore the post without wanting to try and help in at least some way. ]

Um, as to remembering someone.. You could always make them a small memorial, if that's the kind of thing you think might help you. People do it a lot where I come from, especially to remember family members who had passed..

[thunderingcourage]

I hadn't thought about that, it does make sense. Only I don't really have a picture printed out. The the ones that we took on the device.

private video; un: idoloflove

[loveandduty]

I assume you are asking such a question for a reason?

As for ways. I find writing helps me. How else do I remember all the boys I ever loved?

[Makoto she had a lot of loves. It was the only way to remember all of their names.]

[thunderingcourage]

I want to do something to remember Atsushi. His mark has completely faded away.

Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

[She didn't really need to ask if this was about Atsushi. Of course it was about Atsushi. Why should it not be? Someone so precious to her friend had been gone, and she'd been fighting with the coping.]

I... try to craft keepsakes of them, pieces that call the mind back to the memories that I have. I suppose that it reflects what I started to do back in the nightmare, when I took my memories and stored them. It feels like they're always there with me.

A lot of my memories get tied up in things... if that makes sense. [Swallow] You never want to forget him, do you? Of course you don't. You love him.

[thunderingcourage]

[When the last of his mark had faded, and all that was left was a few of his things, Makoto had come to accept that this time he was likely back home for good.]

I'm not worried that I'll forget, I just want a way to show how much a part of me he is.

[The courage and self confidence that he had given her.]

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

I have been learning how to draw so that I might put down their faces. Memories are a key part of love after all.

[He holds up a sketchbook where he's created one of Lucille. She was a good friend to him, and even with Maul's limited experience with friendship, he knows those don't grow on trees.]

[thunderingcourage]

That's really pretty, she must have been really important to you.

I don't think I drew would look anything like Atsushi.