It was then I realized

[serrata]

Who: IT'S AN OPEN YUURI LOG! i guess this also functions as a catchall like all the cool kids are doing now
What: Yuuri gets out of the infirmary and sets to catching up on what she's missed around the station.
When: July 16th and onwards.
Where: A handful of places around the station!
Warnings: Passing mentions of injuries, probably a little murdergame talk.

[ You'd think, after getting chomped by a slightly savage wild dog, that Yuuri would've been in the infirmary a bit longer. But midway through the month, surprisingly soon after her close encounter of the dog kind, Yuuri's up and about looking... mostly no worse for wear. She looks understandably worn out but it doesn't seem like she's in pain and with that summer dress she's wearing, it's clear there's no scarring on her arms or her body. Hm.

Uncharacteristically for Yuuri, though, she seems to be actually taking things easy. She briefly stops by the two rooms in Keystone Apartments she and Junpei used to occupy just to give it a quick once over and make sure nothing's been left behind. Once she's done with that, Yuuri spends a good amount of time at their new doubles apartment at Keystone Rise, getting everything unpacked and doing a bit of decorating. Or, well, as much decorating as she can do with their limited resources. But look! They've got a kotatsu now. And some fairy lights and some other bits and bobs of furniture and nicnacs taken from Incendia. Much better.

With that done, you might also find her inspecting the kitchen and the common areas in Keystone. If this is where she's going to live now, she might as well familiarize herself with it. Though chances are good that she'll probably still be hanging around the main station for the most part.

In fact, you'll probably catch her around her usual haunts without much effort. She spends a lot of time in the greenhouse, tending to the plants and you'll just as often find her down in the Farm Chambers, up to the same sort of thing. Occasionally, you'll see her on the viewing deck as well, writing away in her notebook and just appreciating finally being outside after being stuck in the infirmary for so long. ]

Comments

Rise kitchens

[founderinglight]

[And when she does eventually venture out...

Well, honestly, who else would be hanging around the kitchens here? It's Izunia, for the moment not paying particular attention to anything else as he empties a sack of tater-tots into a glass casserole dish. There's a couple of other pans in use around the stove, now turned-off but retaining the smell of frying onions and peppers.

So Izunia doesn't notice Yuuri immediately. But you know who does?

A certain grey fluffcloud of a kitty, who leaves his ankles to come bonp into Yuuri's and mew.]

[serrata]

[ Ah, yes, it's her favourite new neighbour – Izunia's cat – unfortunately accompanied by her keeper. It occurs to her now and only now that living in these new apartments is going to mean living in teeth-grinding proximity with the Founder King but... it's fine. She's a grown up. She can handle it.

She's not rude enough to ignore such a polite kitty though and she stoops to pet the floof, addressing the cat before she does Izunia. ]

Oh, so you're moving in too, hm? I'll have to make sure I introduce you to your new friends properly.

[founderinglight]

[Verity gives her another mew before bonking her head into Yuuri's ankles again. Pet her!

Izunia himself starts a little and glances over.]

Did you bring all of them back, then?

[Perfectly neutral conversation about cats that in no way involves Issues.]

[serrata]

Absolutely. I couldn't just leave them there.

[ She's definitely addressing Verity more than Izunia as she administers some pets, but her tone and expression are even enough. Perhaps this is just how we're doing our coping today. ]

I want to get them double checked over by Strange but I already have a few people in mind for homes.

farm

[nojohnyouare]

Did you see the new bird-san.

[Mai is without her bear today, probably due to said bird-san, and is back in the red tank top, white denim jacket, and black cargo shorts because that's actually somewhat practical. She nods to Yuuri.]

Small.

[serrata]

Oh! From the Fissure?

[ Yuuri's got her hands right in the dirt, so nodding back is all she can do. ]

Did somebody bring them back for safekeeping?

[nojohnyouare]

Unsure. But they're there now. Prompto took care of them. And let me pet some. ...They look scared. I won't bring Bear-san here anymore. He might think they're food.

private text; luciferskylight

[burninglight]

Yuuri-

Don't panic, this isn't that kind of letter. I'm putting it in this format because I need to be certain I have my thoughts in order, when such a thing is becoming more and more difficult regarding this specific tangle of subjects. But I feel you and the others--you especially--should know this from me, and though I'm aware I've made poor decisions in this situation I will not allow lying to any of you to be part of them.

Given the choice, I would sooner have nothing to do with my brother and put all tangible remnants of my old self behind me as best I can. But this place won't afford me the option, and even my attempts at coexisting with him keep running up against a barrier he can barely comprehend. He sees me as someone I no longer am, and every time I try to communicate the difference it boils down to an argument bordering on a nervous breakdown. I can't get him to understand, and it's breaking me apart to make the attempt.

I found a tablet in that last Fissure, along with all the other items that tend to turn up in those places. One storing a collection of all the episodes of Airlocked across seasons. Yuuri, I know I shouldn't have, I know it was a mistake, but I locked the whole thing down with passcodes and handed it over to him. I swore him to secrecy, and if he says a word of it to anyone but me I promised myself to do far worse than simply kill him.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't discuss this beforehand, didn't clear it with any of you when none of it is mine alone to share in the first place. I've no excuse for that, save only to confess the reasoning that I feared any argument that followed would drive some terrible wedge between us as Airlocked has already done so much. Especially where my brother is concerned; all of you hate him and I barely even tolerate him at all. I knew it would turn into some shouting match and I just-

I want him to understand who I am and how I got here. That I'm not the brother he knew. It's selfish and terrible, I know.

You don't have to forgive me. I'll understand if you're furious, because I deserve it. Even in all my foolish mistakes and reckless stupidity, it is all of you and not him that are my real family, the ones who I love and trust above all else even should I fail and falter.

I love you,

-Ardyn

[serrata]

[ There's a pause. A very, very very long pause – the kind that makes it seem like Yuuri's not even going to respond at all. Thankfully for everyone, there's no hell of typing notifications to keep him dangling over the edge while she tries to work out what to say, but it's still a hell of a wait.

Eventually, she manages an – ]

Okay.

[ ... Which, in any other circumstances, probably would've been a little comical. It's followed not too terribly long afterwards by another message, thankfully. ]

Let me get this out of the way first: I'm definitely angry. There's no right way for any of us to go about this, but I'm definitely angry that this is the way you did. I haven't told anybody here much about what happened to me, personally, before we came here. Maybe I would've decided I could talk about it eventually, just like I did with all of you.

But now he's going to find out about all of it – even Ruu-chan, and I don't get a say in it. I don't get to decide how that story gets told.

So yes, I'm definitely angry. I'm angry with you, for taking that choice away from me. But I'm also angry with him, for pushing you that far and refusing to take no for an answer. You shouldn't have had to hand over everyone's secrets to him like that for him to finally get it into his stupid head that just maybe he won't be getting his way about you, or me, or any of us.

I understand why you did it and I'm not... this isn't the kind of thing that's going to change anything, okay? I'm still your daughter and I still love you very, very much. I'm just also pretty pissed off at you right now. I think that's fair.

If you can give me a few days to cool down and think it over, then I'd appreciate it. Messages are fine and you don't have to go out of your way to avoid me if we run into each other. I'd just like a little bit of space to process. Okay?

[burninglight]

It's fair. I was selfish and cowardly about the whole thing, so you should be angry; I'll accept that without argument.

I love you too, Yuuri. Whenever you're ready to talk or even if you want to yell at me about it, you know I'll always be here. Promise.

Rise apartment

[daughterofthemark]

[Knock, knock, it's the little sister. She has a little vase of flowers with her.]

[serrata]

[ flowers and sisters!! two of Yuuri's most favourite things. ]

Oh, you're just in time. I just finished getting the kotatsu set up.

[ And so she is! She's still on her hands and knees getting the last few bits and pieces into place, but it looks like the whole thing's in working order. It's definitely too warm for a kotatsu currently, but so long as the heater's off, it's a comfy enough place to sit still. ]

Come and find a cushion!

[daughterofthemark]

[A KOTATSU! One of the great precursor society's greatest lost technologies! Also a good place to set the vase for the moment while Arianna finds the pinkest and frilliest cushion in the room.]

You've truly done an incredible job of decorating! My room still looks like I'm only spending the night.

Viewing deck

[moarlazersplz]

[Ruto steps out onto the deck and into the sunlight with an appreciative sigh, head tilting back for a moment as she breathes in the fresh air. The station isn't bad, but she likes the open air the most.

She's not wearing the dark robes that she'd donned her first few days here, but instead has on a shimmery, metallic silver dress, with ornate silver wrapping around her arms and legs, with a hairpin of preserved purple flowers pinning back some of her hair.

The Miqo'te catches sight of the young woman out on the deck with the notebook and pauses uncertainly before continuing forward.]

Hi! If I'm bothering you at all, don't hesitate to tell me.

[serrata]

[ Yuuri glances up and blinks, like she's clearing her eyes of all the words and numbers still swimming around in her notebook. But she hastily puts on a smile and shakes her head. ]

Oh no, of course not! It's everybody's deck and there's plenty of chairs so I can't go hogging it all to myself.

[moarlazersplz]

[That's an incredibly familiar look, and Ruto grins, settling herself onto a chair comfortably close.]

Were you onto a good thought, then? I hope that I haven't interrupted anything.

[It hasn't escaped her notice that this young woman looks at least somewhat more banged up than most of the others, even if it isn't too badly so. Still.]

Greenhouse

[hurt_comforting]

[The one good thing about this horrific heat is that it and water has been excellent for the plants. She's collecting some that seem about right, taking a stepladder and going for the ripe fruit on taller branches: Avocado, stonefruit, greens, eggplant, corn, berries, tomatoes.]

Thank you for tending to these, [she says, as she steps down with her basket.] I'm going to see what I can make of it. A lot of salads in our future, I think.

[serrata]

[ Though she's a touch surprised to be thanked, it doesn't show on Yuuri's face. She's quick to put on a smile and makes her way over, just to see if she needs to lend a hand. ]

I'm just glad people are getting so much use out of it. If we're going to be stuck here, it's nice to have fresh food, isn't it?

[hurt_comforting]

Fresh produce is the morale boost that keeps on giving. Gimme these and some salt and I can happily endure most anything - and whip up things that help others do the same.

...any ideas on what you're doing with the zucchini? As usual for the plant, there's much too much of it.

Also greenhouse, belatedly

[bloodyashes]

[Well, Yuuri's not the only one hanging out -

Though she's more likely to find that Asch is just kind of... glaring at some of the tropical fruit trees. Aggressively.

With far too dramatic of a soundtrack for this sort of thing.]

[serrata]

[ ... she just came over here to see who was blasting their music so angrily at all these plants and instead she found... this. What a day. ]

Is there something wrong? You seem a bit... upset. With the trees.

[bloodyashes]

[As soon as Yuuri speaks up and Asch notices her, the music flips like a switch to something lighter. The blinking that results is as much that as anything.]

Just... thinking. Sorry.

greenhouse

[darkcure]

[There's one (1) curious little girl and her floating doll curiously watching you, Yuuri.]

There's so many different kinds...

[serrata]

There's thousands. It's a shame we can't fit more in the greenhouse, but we might choke out the plants here already if we tried.

[ She's carefully pruning some of the overgrowth as she says this, as if to demonstrate. ]

Which ones do you like best?

[darkcure]

I'm not sure there's any here, but... I really like Princessias.