2023-02-18: Cultural Study

• Cutscene: Cultural Study
• Cast: Eight York's Crew Members Enba Rezza and Licia Chovan
• Where: The Ra Mari II, Officers' Quarters
• Date: 0097-02-18
• Summary: The hunt for snacks is an age-old one, even on a spaceship. Enba Rezza and Licia Chovan hang out at the latter's quarters, and talk about a few things that may even be serious.

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"Empty calories, excessive sugar, pointless and wasteful packaging…" Enba Rezza regards the contents of this cabinet with great suspicion. As it happens, they're standing in the little kitchenette in Licia Chovan's quarters.

The cabinets are off-brown fake wood, and this one is full of delicious snacks, both salty and sweet. The brand names are brightly colored, emblazoned with logos and cute pictures. And…

"The healthiest thing you have in here is a CalorieMark," the green-haired Enba remarks with a frown. "'Strawberry and Tomato PaPPy'...?"

"You left out the limited edition green 'Space Punch!' from the fridge, you know," says Licia, who stands in her quarters in jeans and a red sweater. "That's very important."

"Why," articulates Enba, but it is not really a question.

"Because," Licia indicates, turning to lean on the counter as she looks over at the taller figure beside her, "You gotta appreciate the flavors of civilization! The snack of countless people, all over the Earth Sphere! It's really beautiful, if you think about it."

"I don't think that's why." Enba lifts a single green eyebrow as they look down at Licia. It's not a huge height difference, but it's enough for this purpose.

"Aww." Licia then starts laughing, "Your face! …No, no," she says, "It's not bullshit, honest. I mean, yes, snacks are tasty, and I don't care that much about 'healthy'. But I do actually like trying snacks from new places. You really get to know a place by what it likes to munch on."

"...So, it's a cultural study sort of thing?" They are slightly mollified. Slightly. "Still, you should have something fresh around here somewhere…"

"Not everything has to be that big a deal," Licia points out in return. "Some things are just what they are. Don't think too hard about it." A beat, "Besides, I can find you something fresh…"

"Licia," Enba says, with a dour tone. "Your innuendo is not going to make me any less hungry." They pause. "...I like to think, though. It's what makes me good at my job."

"It was worth a shot!" Licia replies shamelessly. "But that's true. It's not overthinking if it actually works, right?" She pushes off the counter and opens another cabinet, "Anyway I think I've got some crackers and peanut butter here somewhere…"

"That will do," Enba answers with a tone of finality, and they lean on Licia to peer into the other cabinet. "Hmm…"

"There we go. Happy? I'm going to have the tomato PaPPy." Licia leans back to reach into the other cabinet that was such an issue in the first place.

"Of course you are. Yes." Enba takes out the crackers and the peanut butter, reaches into a drawer for a knife, and then looks back at Licia. "However…"

"Yes?" Licia inquires.

"We can reopen the topic of your innuendo after we eat something." Enba delivers the whole statement smoothly and pleasantly, like reporting on the outcome of a mission.

Licia has to catch herself on the counter coming back down. "Ahahahaha!"

—

"So the Captain yesterday," Licia ventures after a sip of her Limited Edition green 'Space Punch!'. "Coming back from that fight with the creepy mobile suit. The 'Banshee'. She looked like she'd seen a ghost."

"Didn't she?" Enba counters. "She doesn't like psychic weaponry. And reviewing the footage of the battle, apparently it was even stranger to her senses. And yours, if you'd gone."

"I don't… fight that way anymore," Licia answers, with a shake of her head. "Not really. But you're right I guess. After everything that happened with the Unicorn, seeing another mobile suit like except apparently terrible is… unsettling."

"I'm more concerned with its destructive potential," Enba says. "I think there's more to the story. I'd say 'I don't believe in ghosts', but that's not entirely true anymore. Nevertheless, I have my doubts that that's the answer here."

"So you think something's behind it?" Licia pops another strawberry and tomato stick into her mouth, and crunches it thoughtfully.

Enba lifts the last of their crackers, as if in toast. "I do. And…" Bite.

"?" Licia tilts her head.

"...Finished eating." Enba opens their hands, to show that they're empty.

"Ooh. Well, like I was saying before…" Licia sets down her soda and leans closer on the couch, grinning.