To any who knew them, Homura the demi-god, Yamazaki Ayumu and Hijikata Toshizou have all returned home. I'm afraid they didn't leave much when they left and so I cannot give out letters as others do.

[He's quiet for a moment, trying to steady his voice regardless of how much this hurts. Everything is wrong and he can't do a thing to fix it. They're all gone, most of them off to die, leaving him behind, possibly never returning and he knows that he will end his days here without ever seeing them again. Ayumu has returned to oblivion, Homura as well. And Hijikata has gone back without the knowledge of the future so vital to his survival. He can't do a thing to change history or the future and here he is, living out his days in sloth and loneliness.

Despite all that, he almost doesn't want to see them again. He isn't sure if his heart could take it, if his soul wouldn't warp and begin to hate them for leaving him behind. Hijikata had promised to never leave him behind as long as he was useful.

Perhaps it means he isn't useful anymore. He wouldn't be surprised. His swordsmanship is suffering now that he can't breathe as well as he used to and without his swordsmanship, what is he?

.......

As if realizing that his silence is stretching uncomfortably long, he clears his throat and forces himself to be cheerful again.]

If anyone needs help repairing their homes or fixing anything, please let me know. I have little else to do around the house here and I think if we stay indoors any longer, Tammy might start eating the furniture.

[Humming is heard over the journal system in the early morning of the 15th. It's a pleasant enough tune, even if it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

In the background, there is curious grunting from Saizou as he noses around at the book. Then the sound of water being poured onto dry earth can be heard as the humming stops so he can speak.]

I think it's time to start a garden, don't you? A friend of mine had a garden a long time ago. Another friend made one on his rooftop. Everything was ruined in the earthquake, but now, I think, it's time to start again.

[Saizou stops sniffing the book and his footsteps can be heard trailing off.]

I've heard some of you are doing just the same thing. I'd like to speak with you, if you would allow me to.

Oh and welcome to all the New Feathers and the not-so-new-New Feathers, too. I hope you all enjoy Selphie-san's party. You really should go. It's a good way to meet people.


[For any action posts: Souji is behind his house using a ladle and bucket to water some random flowers that happened to start sprouting and flowering back there.]

Everyone seems so happy today~ Is this that Valentine's thing? How cute~

I hope you're all having fun today then!

[And with that, Okita heads out with Saizou because yeah. Things feel weird at home with Susumu gone and Hijikata missing and Ayumu and Shinpachi....well, yes. Heading out with the pig for a walk around town.



ooc; first threads go to Ramirez and Homura! POST AWAY, YOU CRAZY DIAMONDS.]

[Okita is feeling better so he went back to his graveyard shifts at the Welcome Center, mostly to distract himself from Nagakura leaving and now Kohaku being missing. Now that the New Feathers are arriving, he's been somewhat busy with preparation for the morning shifts so that helps keep his mind off things. He likes to leave breakfast ready for people as he leaves in the morning, so people in the Welcome Center might find a traditional Japanese breakfast (fish, rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables) left for them when they wake up.

After, he heads toward the barracks for practice, which is when he opens his journal.]

Good morning, Luceti! And welcome to all the new arrivals who are beginning to settle in. I hope you're all doing well. I sure am! Much better than before, at least. Especially now that the weather has cleared!

I know it's quite early yet, but if anyone would like to train a bit in the barracks? I'd love to have a partner. Kaku-san? Anyone?