#(or orchestrated his death the same as with Chay's mom)

[the-cookie-of-doom]

Chan waits three days before he approaches Kim. Determines that three days is enough to mourn the loss of the man he called father. He's right, of course, or Kim tells himself that it's enough.

His feelings on the matter are... complicated.

Kim hasn't seen Chan at all since the funeral, actually. Maybe the three days were for his own benefit. Chan served Korn for a long time, after all. Since before Kim was born. A loyal guard to the end.

Still, he isn't surprised when Chan slots into his space, closer than any other guard would dare, but still with a respectable distance between them. Kim braces himself for attack. He thinks Chan does, as well, recognizes the tightness in his shoulders from their days on the training mat. Days that seem so far gone, now, from another life.

"My condolences for your loss," Chan says, his voice even, betraying nothing.

Kim nods his thanks. He still isn't sure what kind of loss he feels - the loss of a father, or the loss of a burden he's born for far too long, since far too young. Both, perhaps.

Chan draws himself up, and Kim does, too. Here it comes.

"Your father revealed most of his... schemes, before his death, but not all. If you still want answers-"

"I don't." Kim's voice is sharper than any blade. He sets his face with the haughty mask he always wears at home - doesn't know when it slipped, whether it was before Chan walked into his father's office, or after. He makes his voice strong. "I am Khimhant Theerapanyakul. My father is dead. Whatever secrets died with him- none of it matters anymore."

Chan's expression never once wavers. He bows his head, dismisses himself with an even, "Khun Kim," and Kim doesn't allow himself to falter as he watches Chan's retreating back.

He doesn't want an answer to this last question, afraid of what it might be. Better to let himself live in blissful ignorance, and a child's fantasy of what might have been, than have it torn away by cold certainty.

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

A relaxing riverside picnic

Today was a super relaxing day, the kind of weather that makes you want to snuggle up and get cozy with a hot cup of tea. Spring came a little early today so I wanted to make the most of it before winter comes back tomorrow. I don't mind the cold too much but sometimes it's nice to have a bit of spring peek through.

An occasional break from the cold winter: good, provides some variety, something that makes me look forward to the warmer weather. Sudden changes in weather going from cold to hot with no in between: bad, unpredictable, and usually ends up with me getting sick for like a week afterwards.

On a day like today, a riverside picnic sounds splendid! It's still a bit chilly, but it's nothing a steaming cup of chai tea can't help with. Lately I've been obsessed with this chai tea my mom brought for me from a small Indian store that's become one of her new favorite places. It's a wonderful blend of spices that's not too strong or unbalanced - just right! Add some oat milk and rock sugar and it's so much better than what they serve at most coffee shops, which are usually good but tend to be either too sweet or milky.

Jamie's visiting the camp, having dropped by a couple days ago for a long overdue visit. She also brought along Asher, who's all grown up now!

It's been years since I've seen Asher, who was kinda like Jamie's protégée/little brother back in the day. I think he still is, though he's flown the nest and taking on the world by storm. Jamie stuck with him through difficult times so that's why they have a special bond. I'm glad to hear that he's making strides as a writer - maybe one day he'll have his own show!

Asher's been through a lot - as in he's been through some shit. He was orphaned at a young age so he and his brother Marcel were raised by their aunt Cassie, who also raised his cousins Scott and Nolan, also orphaned around the same time. Sadly, it turns out that tragedy tends to strike more than once for the Woodley-Hiroko-Hamada family.

At fifteen, Asher was the youngest member of the entourage. With an IQ of 200, he graduated high school at fourteen and was a published writer, which caught Jamie's attention. He was originally going to join his brother and cousins at Seashore Path College, but after experiencing back to back tragedies, he couldn't see himself going there, not without his family.

In the span of a few months, Asher lost Marcel, Scott, and Nolan. The four of them were on their way home after homecoming at Seashore Path when a drunk driver - later revealed to be a professor and mentor of the latter three - crashed into their car. Marcel and Scott were killed while Asher and Nolan survived with serious injuries. The two fell into a deep depression and retreated in their own ways. Asher kept to himself while Nolan ended up getting tangled up in something that would set off a chain of deadly events.

Months later Nolan died in a mysterious fire along with another Seashore Path student in an abandoned church. The whole thing was mysterious - two people who as far as anyone knew were never seen interacting who somehow started investigating criminal gangs and end up being murdered. Their deaths were one of many orchestrated by two notorious serial killers that plagued Golden Sunset Hills in a series of events that became known as the Golden Sunset Hills Massacre.

Jamie was the one who not only helped Asher get through a tough time, but also get justice for Nolan's murder. Thankfully he and aunt Cassie were staying in Peace Coast when the massacre occurred and the neighborhood they live in was one of the few that wasn't too destroyed by the crime spree. The damage that took place in the city was devastating, all of that was in a span of a few days caused by a handful of some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.

That was a terrifying time. Hard to believe it was almost six years ago. I remember hearing about it on the news and being worried about friends who lived on the island or nearby. It was nothing but pure chaos and mayhem, a literal bloodbath. The friends who did live through that hell are doing fine right now but it's one of those things that haunt you for the rest of your life.

After graduating summa cum laude two years ago, Asher became a writer for Orla and Ozzie, a show created by fellow entourage member Levi Romero. When it's an Asher episode, expect wholesome fun with some unexpected feels and peak chaotic sibling energy. Some of my favorite episodes happen to be his - Stars That Shine being one of my absolute favorite of all time, not just from the show itself. Asher won an award for that episode and he rightfully deserves it because Stars That Shine is a masterpiece.

It's nice catching up with Asher since we kinda lost touch after he joined the Orla and Ozzie crew. I mean we follow each other online - he's one of the more active crew members on social media, making him a fan favorite - but obviously it's not the same as actually hanging out. It seems like only yesterday he was tagging along with Jamie on her many escapades on the island and now he's all grown up. I'd hate to think what would happen if Jamie wasn't there for him during those rough times.

Aunt Cassie and Matcha are doing well - Cassie's taken in interest in making ceramics and Matcha's up to usual cat stuff. Asher's considering the idea of adopting another (or three) to keep Matcha company but Cassie's on the fence about it. With Marcel, Scott, and Nolan gone the apartment feels a bit too big and lonely for the three of them. Since moving out is not an option - sentimental reasons - Asher wants to fill that empty space with cats to liven things up a little. Obviously that won’t fill the void his brother and cousins left behind but he thinks it’ll make the apartment a little less lonely. Basically, it's a win-win-win situation for everyone, or so he believes.

Jamie and Asher still hang out once in a while, though it's a little hard to meet up with their lives being so busy. This week's actually the first time Asher's had a break in a long time so he wants to make the most out of it. Likewise, Jamie's got some well deserved downtime from her many adventures, so she decided to drop by Golden Sunset Hills and catch up with Asher. Before coming to the camp, the two spent a couple days in Wizpire harvesting fruit and visiting the city.

Speaking of the city, I should make a visit there next time I drop by Wizpire. It's been a couple years since I last hopped on the bus and spoke with Kapp'n. Now that I think about it, I miss our bus ride conversations. It'll also be nice to run into some old villagers there and maybe (hint, hint) bring some new visitors to the camp. Yeah, I should be able to squeeze in a quick trip to the city one day. I'm even willing to check up on Redd and try my luck in buying a painting for the Wizpire Museum.

Since today's weather was so nice, it would be a waste for us not to be outside. I was running low on fish and bugs so we spent most of the day traveling between Lost Lure Creek, Saltwater Shores, and Sunburst Island. Jamie, as usual, was the master of catching bugs - no one can do stealth like her! Asher's pretty good at bug catching too as well as fishing, so I'll be well stocked for a while. We also stopped by the garden to cross pollinate flowers - something Asher seems to have a knack for since he accomplished getting quite a few blue tulip seeds.

In between fishing and bug catching we went for a short hike in the quarry and prepared food for a picnic by the river. I made tea - chai with rock sugar and oat milk - Mira made seafood salad sandwiches, Daisy Jane baked a chicken curry pot pie, Asher and Opal made strawberry daifuku, and Jamie made miso seaweed soup.

There's something so peaceful and soothing about sitting by the riverside. Lying in the grass under the gentle sun, listening to the water and enjoying the lovely picnic. It doesn't get better than that.