Molting [Flashback, 1 Year]

[Yasuki Honoka]

Breaking down on the side of the road the new vehicle dispensed to her rests as Yasuki Hiroto attempts a basic repair while Yasuki Honoka watches on. With a grumble we next see Hiroto speaking with a young mechanic, a Kaiu, in the belly of her shop as Honoka watches on from just outside the work area. We come to rest next on Honoka sat alone, her personal computer in her lap as she looks over the hosts of new programs and files installed so she can grow into her father's old position. Over a month ago her grandfather passed on, and as it is with many in the line of her heritage her father now claims governorship of long held land within her blood right. Now, sat in the birthplace of herself, her mother, and her mother's mother she holds the weight of her father's lineage in her lap.

Sound returns to the scene as Kaiu Nagisa enters the space. Having been lost in overwhelming thought Honoka glances to her with an expression worn by lost children and amnesiac's. Snapping back to attention Honoka guards her expression, putting up a pleasant face and calm smile.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“I know this has been a bit of a hassle for you and your Yojimbo. I’m sorry for the wait and all that.” The Kaiu in question rubs at the back of her neck before bowing apologetically. “The coolant needs to be replaced. Looks like there was a bit of overheating but everything seems to have survived.”

There’s a bit of an awkward pause before Nagisa clears her throat. “So, are you thirsty at all? I have some bottled green tea or some sweet melon juice in the fridge.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka sets aside her computer on the chair to her right- revealing the small plush crab hanging from her Obi in a little bowler hat. Nodding, she accepts the apologetic bow with an easy and practiced ankle. There is no recognition in her eye of the specifics Nagisa offers, but she politely listens along.

"Green tea would be wonderful, thank you. I didn't properly introduce myself earlier," she rises from her seat and bows. "Yasuki Honoka. I assure you that whatever compensation is required for your time will be more than adequately handled. We were glad you were so close, my yojimbo only needed to push it a block or two."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“Ah, Kaiu Nagisa if was missed. I think I introduced myself to your Yojimbo while we were going over the diagnostics.” The mechanic stepped behind a counter and crouched down to open a mini-fridge stocked with bottled beverages. Now with a green tea in hand, she returns.

“Cute crab, by the way.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

Focused on the minute task of accepting the drink, Honoka processes the compliment rather delayed. Blinking she smiles a sheepish, and reserved smile. Within it the glimmer of warmth.

"Oh," she says, brushing a hand over the plush, "this is Crabbo, he's a good friend," she says, half embarrassed. "So is Yasuki Hiroto," she explains, "well, sort of, we just met. Myself and Hiroto-san that is. Part of the position," she shakes her head, "But Crabbo and I have been together for quite some time. A gift from my mother, he's dear."

Honoka leaves a place for pause, a breath, long enough for Nagisa to intercede with the assumption Honoka's thought finished.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“Crabbo? Cute name. And I get having a special connection with anything gifted by a family member.” Nagisa takes a seat nearby on her work stool, spinning around before leaning forward with interest.

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Do-" a hesitant breath. Glancing over toward the door Nagisa entered from with some slight hesitance to see another there but he appeared otherwise occupied. This was not the assignment Hiroto was expecting for certain, nor the one he was trained for.

Begining again, refocusing on Nagisa, "I used to watch them by the waterside with my mother when I was younger. We even sometimes caught a few. They're.." one more breath to gather resolve, "do you find them interesting at all, Kaiu-san?"

[Kaiu Nagisa]

That’s an interesting question to be asked. But, regardless, Nagisa finds the answer relatively quickly. “Yeah. I think the body plan and shape of a crab is interesting. And the fact that there’s even such a thing as false crabs kind of shows that their body plan works really well for their environment.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Carcinisation!" Honoka says with a pep of excitement. Having to temper herself back. "It's true, yes! For their specific type of environment there are many advantages to developing crab-like body structures. Which is why, we have found, that across many ocean bearing planets creatures have developed into crab-like species like we originally had on the homeworld. As well as here of course! I am sure you know we have our own host of local species here on the Green Carp. From the small and elusive Opal Darter to the meaty Emerald Queen whom we traditionally use in many dishes."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“Yeah. Kind of hard to live here without having some of our local seafood cuisine. It’s nice being here. I was stationed off world for my service tour.” Nagisa leans back a little, raising her head up in what could only be described as in a thinking pose. “We also have a good few land-based false crabs. Various hermit crabs and the like. Which are more closely related to lobsters if I remember correctly.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka nods along as Nagisa speaks, a smile never far, "You know much more than most about the topic Kaiu-san!" she says, gleefully. Correcting her posture she stays focused in. "Do you have a favorite type of crab- or I suppose, any crustacean? There are so many."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

Another interesting question. But Nagisa doesn’t really have to think long on it. “Probably hermit crabs. They’re a nice little surprise when you go pick shells up off the beach. Plus, they’re quite cute. Well, the small ones are cute. Coconut crabs are kind of intimidating.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

""Did you know across our history there was one accidental report of a coconut crab, being kept as a pet strangely enough, that got loose on an archipelago world and has since become such an invasive pest as to have overtaken much of the territory? To this day there are conservation efforts battling the crabs particular fondness to the planets climate trying to ensure it finds an equal balance and does not overwhelm the local food supply," she says, rambling off the facts like they were popping out of a typewriter. "Or so, that is what I have heard at least. Perhaps it may not be true- some out there do like to spread misinformation. Which, is such a terrible shame- don't you think? Crabs are such wonderful things and I would hate to wonder why someone would lie about them."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“I could believe it. Archipelagos tend to have smaller predators on land, so those massive coconut crabs could be everywhere with very little predation.” Nagisa frowns, shaking her head slightly. “I feel bad for the animals that get accidentally introduced to different ecosystems. It’s not their fault, but the fault of the careless people that do it.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka nods in assent. However, when she opens her mouth to say something there's a pause and she holds back. A flash of a deeper thought crossing her expression.

"You know.." she sighs, then smiles softly, "this is the first time in quite some time someone has known anything about the topic. How did you come by this understanding?" she halts, "If you do not mind my asking that is!"

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“My roommate while doing my two years was an ecological engineer. She was from a planet that had some invasive species in the past. Someone brought in some pretty aggressive berry bushes and they kind of overtook the native plants. But she also told me stories of people letting cats loose and entire bird species collapse which in turn caused certain peppers getting rarer and rarer because the birds normally would have spread the seeds.” Nagisa scoots her chair over to her work desk to grab her own drink and rolls her chair back.

“So, yeah, that kind of stuff being the last thing you really hear before going to bed some nights really makes you think about it.”

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Do you learn a lot of things in that manner?" she asks without thought and an investigative tone overtaking her. It was almost like she wasn't just asking to further the conversation but truly had the chance to learn how other people might learn things.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“I mean… I like to listen to people. I guess I absorb information when I sit down and try? I’m kind of not used to talking this much, to be honest.” The Kaiu takes a sip from her bottle and places it on the floor by her foot.

[Boogiepop]

Chug, chug, chug.

The sound of a struggling and decades-old Kaiu Motors Type 34 "Ishiko" could be heard from afar. There were a few creaks and whirls as the car fought hard to keep operating, but despite the car's nearly legendary endurance, it unfortunately wasn't going to keep going if there was something wrong with it.

The car's front could be seen just around the bend from the garage.

"HEY! What's a matter with you?! Piece of junk!" Said the car, at least the occupant inside it.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

Picking up her drink before rolling her chair back to her desk, Nagisa neatly sets the bottled beverage in a spot where it would be out of the way and less likely to be spilled. “Seems like we have a guest. I apologize for having to pause our conversation, but I really should greet them and see how I can help them, Yasuki-sama.”

Giving a bit of an apologetic bow, Nagisa rises and steps in view of the new vehicle on the scene. “Ah, welcome to Tetsuo Auto Repair.”