[D1, EA] Crab-a-cake, crab-a-cake crabbu-san

[Tamori Kanna]

(expecting but public place and all)

Kanna had made sure to pack clothes that would also be in good taste with the locals, and what could be more good taste than a cute summer-haori with crabs over her tropical outfit. And when she had seen on the list Igoro had compiled for her that there was a place named Crabkaku, she knew she had to visit it first!

So with Igoro and Kaida along, the little trio showed up at the establishment. Igoro was standing outside holding Kaida as Kanna was distracted for a good while in the gift shop, until finally remembering to ask the staff to speak with the lady in charge. And to the surprise of the staff, it wasn't a Karen-request, but a very polite and cheery question.

"If it's not too much bother of course, I just really want to meet the ones making waves in the business here!"

[Yasuki Honoka]

From the moment Kanna entered Honoka had been eyeing her. Not in the most intrusive way, as she didn't want to scare away a guest, but from her little makeshift office table in the back she had caught sight of Kanna's crab themed attire. It was safe to say that Honoka was absolutely enthralled, but knew better than to allow herself to be carried away. Yet when one of her staff members informed her of Kanna's request she couldn't help but let her smile show. Luckily, it wasn't from the most public location but if Kanna tracked the staff member through the aquarium at the shops center she might have seen it.

Collecting herself the young woman Honoka ensured her makeshift work station was tucked away and departed for the front. Walking up to Kanna she would first offer her a bow, "Thank you for your interest in my business Tamori-san!" she said with barely contained glee at the closer look of her attire. "If there is anything I might be able to do for you I would be happy to oblige the request."

[Tamori Kanna]

tag

Kanna hadn't been aware she had been observed, but she seemed a bit like the kind that just existed in her own bubble a lot of the time. "Yasuki-sama, thank you for meeting me!" she bowed in return. "I'm Tamori Kanna, a visitor to the wonderful Green Carp on invitation of the Governor for this business-convention."

It pretty much was a convention, really. Just with less costumes and merch. Or was it???

"It's my goal to visit as much of the local establishments as possible while I'm here, and meet those who make Nakahama so wonderful! And this place is so cute!" The short woman was practically radiating with bright enthusiasm. "It must've taken a lot of effort to collect so many crabs here... are all these native to the area?"

She had already gotten off track from the original polite-talk and went straight into talking about the crabs she had seen in the aquarium. Like someone easily distracted by a shiny object.

[Yasuki Honoka]

"If memory serves there is only one Tamori on the list of visitors of note," she nods with an affirmation recollecting one of the many dossiers on potential visitors to their home. "Which would of course then be you Tamori Kanna," she nods, and bows again.

"Before I answer," she places a hand on her chest, "I am Yasuki Honoka. Proprietor of this restaurant, but also senior manager after my father at Yasuki Data. You, of I am correct, are Tamori Kanna respected ambassador of Usagi no Yomogi spa, and am glad to receive you here-" she says, finishing her brief introduction and assurance of noting Kanna's own reputation.

"As far as the crabs, yes! Well, some have come along with the Crab many years ago- by happenstance or intent, and some even fewer exist only here in non-breeding capacity, we select only the males, but all are treated with the utmost care I can assure you of that. I sincerely wish that everyone who comes here can learn as much as they can about this wonderful species of creature which has shown to exist on many worlds, not least of them our original homeworld from where the Crab gain our name."

[Tamori Kanna]

Kanna seems genuinely surprised at Honoka's introduction and knowledge of her arrival, and bows in return. "Wow, you're really smart, Yasuki-sama," she says honestly, surprised with the level of detail Honoka seemed to adhere to.

"They really are a wonderful species though, yes," Kanna agrees, focusing on the crabs again. "Hermit crabs are my favorite, because they're so small, and they're so cute when they peek out. But, may I ask, why male crabs?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Oh-" she halts up a moment, reassessing and recovering the reasons from her brains recesses. "That is in adherence with Imperial law when importing particular species. By ensuring only male crabs are imported we are certain that there are no mistakenly brought young, or other potentially breeding pairs. This way we do not accidentally seed a planet with a new species of crab, or other such creature. Of course, the rules are different depending on the specifics of each species and how they mate but-- for most crabs the young are tended by the female of the species. Heavens, we would not wish to clear the young from a mother only to miss a few and have them disrupt a planets eco-system!"

[Tamori Kanna]

"Oooh..." she nods along, but was actually thinking but why male crabs?, but it would be rude to ask the question again! A Crab might answer with a tetsubo if insulted... or a claw.

"And for the dining area... uhm, are pets allowed in the establishment? I promise Kaida-kun is well-behaved, and adorable, but I didn't want to assume or cause any trouble if I were to bring him inside!"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Not- normally no," she says. Glancing over Kanna's shoulder toward the entrance in thought of the particulars. "I was advised that allowing pets inside could disrupt other people's eating experience. Especially if they are allowed to wander," she says, her voice growing softer as she speaks with the unspoken uncertainty of this decision.

"D-does he sit still?"

[Tamori Kanna]

"He does, because he is a very good boy, BUT... I respect Yasuki-sama's decision, and it's important to maintain the reputation of this establishment's good vibes for everyone else too!" Kanna would never push for others to accommodate her needs, especially if it could hurt their business.

Crabkaku's pristine reputation would be upheld.

"But if you wish to come out and say hi to Kaida-kun, it would probably make him very happy."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Barely noticeable there was the release of a breath, perhaps it could even be called a sigh, when the decision was accepted. That realization it meant she might not get to see little Kaida. Then! Then it was offered, "I would love to meet little Kaida," she says, doing her best to contain herself to the appropriate amount of excitement.

"Is he alright out there by himself?" she finds herself asking despite the speed with which she would surely have discovered the answer for herself.

[Tamori Kanna]

"Oh, he's fine," Kanna assures her with a smile as she leads the way back out, "he's with my assistant Igoro. Hey little buddy!"

The tone shifts even higher as she greets her little furry friend. Kaida had been sitting patiently by Igoro's feet, leashed and very curious about the smells coming from inside. And as Kanna comes back, his excitement is obvious as he starts to do a couple of twirls.

And then he sees Honoka, and then there's another spin. No barking, but his tail wags with unmatched enthusiasm, and the ears are all alert for potential pets. Would this human also be a potential petter?

Igoro on the other hand bows deeply to Honoka.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Rather unused to pets that could easily jump up on top of you Honoka trepidly approaches the last step slowly in some mix of intent on maintaining her demeanor but also for worry of sparking a reaction she isn't ready for. She wasn't afraid, not really. You just could never be too careful, right?

"Hello, little Kaida," she says, uncertain if this is the proper way to greet a dog.

[Tamori Kanna]

Kaida was, in fact, a very well-behaved and trained dog, with a good sense of human-feelings. Perhaps a trait of his breed, as they were made to be companions rather than hunters or guardians. (Even if Kaida insisted he was a fierce guardian too)

His little paws shifted around a bit as he stretched forward to sniff Honoka, his tail-wagging still engaged to near maximum enthusiasm. A tiny tongue peeked out as he licked his nose. "Good Kaida," Kanna encouraged her pupper. "Say hello, Kaida-kun."

The response to that was him gently flopping over on his side, showing his belly to Honoka. Pet meeeee.

[Yasuki Honoka]

With trepidation, Honoka kneels down to Kaida; always keeping an eye on him while she does. There was a very careful dance at play, at least in Honoka's mind. As she needed to appear like she wasn't afraid of Kaida, because she totally wasn't. Being afraid of pets is something that children do, and she is no child. Yes, she's an adult. Being an adult means all her worries are adult worries, and that means she was totally in control here.

So, she did, and squat down near Kaida she gingerly placed her hand on his belly, and her hand remained still.

[Tamori Kanna]

Yessss, belly ru--- wait what, nothing was happening? Kaida looked at first so excited, then confused. He rolled around a little to encourage Honoka to pet him!

Kanna giggled as she watched the exchange. "He likes it when someone rubs his belly gently," she offered kindly and knelt down near the two. "Don't worry, he is very well-behaved and gentle. I know small dogs can often be sassy, but he's just sweet."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Oh, yes of course," she says, giving a thought to bolster up some kind of defense to hide the truth of the matter. Rubbing Kaida's belly softly, uncertainly, it was becoming increasingly anxiety inducing with that thrumming in the brain how obvious this must look. Honoka was truly doing her best, and she didn't like that this was all it could amount to but one truth rings out as clear as any sunny day.

Honoka has never done this before.

[Tamori Kanna]

Honoka's efforts would be repaid with a warm and floofy belly, and very happy dog as Kaida's eyes closed in bliss. One leg twitched lightly in delight.

"See? He is very gentle and happy," Kanna says with delighted tones in her voice. "You must be a very good person, since animals like you - and you like animals too, neh? Only good people are kind with animals, I say!"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Only good people," she repeats to herself looking down at Kaida. Thoughts shifting toward the, but what about not good people? Surely they wouldn't be mean to animals. How could you be mean to a small creature like this. That didn't make sense. Surely it was not only 'good people's and surely all people had to be kind to animals, there was no justice otherwise.

Honoka, in an almost child like moment and manner decides this for herself. Though, her conscious adult brain did start edging in she just elected to stop thinking about it, about people.

"Then I am very glad he is in your care, Tamori-san," she says, as she rises again.

[Tamori Kanna]

"Thank you. I am so happy to have him - if I ever feel sad or lonely, Kaida is there to cheer me up, and I never feel alone with him," Kanna had no problems bragging about the benefits of owning a Kaida.

"And I'm glad the crabs here have you to look after them. You seem very dedicated to their well-being and knowledge about them... are you planning on bringing in off-world specimens too?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"O-oh, yes. We spoke about the single sex before, to make sure they aren't pairing. That was for the ones we bring in from off-world. I.." she ponders a thought, glancing off toward Yasuki Data Inc. tower in the harbour front.

"Actually, I have what I suppose you could call a pet. They are species alike the king spider crab," she says with a light smile. "Very long legs, and a very neat specimen. Has a whole comfortable tank with a little ecosystem designed to keep it comfortable. I like looking at him when I'm nervous so maybe it's the same?"