tushanshu | video.

[For someone who's just found himself the winner of a cheap turtle cruise, Scott looks pretty calm sitting in his suite with his chin propped on the palm of his hand. He's skimmed the console posts and wheedled tiny bits of information from the kedan. He knows something is up with the turtle. ]

God only knows I deserve a vacation on a tropical turtle paradise right about now, but usually when I take my days off I like them sunny, not sickly. [Here he straightens, features losing some of their humor.] I know I'm the new guy around here, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Admittedly, this might not be his best move considering he still has no idea why or by whom he was brought here, but no one's killed him (yet) so Scott's taking that as a good sign.]

Oh, and.

[The levity's back in his voice now but it's harder, more forced, and anyone paying attention can hear the undercurrent of worry slowly rising to the surface. He's already asked Tea but she'd only been one person and this turtle place is massive. Can't hurt to ask around more.]

If anyone's seen a group of nine kids - including two fish kids and a head in a jar - I'd also like to know, thanks. You can't miss 'em. Really.

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Just Scott is fine.

[Wincing because he really doesn't want to feel older than he already is.]

And New York is pretty— [full of newspapers eager for any sign of a scandal, overrun with monsters and bad guys ready to attack at a moment's notice, expensive and overpriced—] —yeah, it's pretty nice.

[Close....enough.....okay, time for a topic change.] Why are you going to miss cooking, though? They have farms and gardens and stuff here, don't they?

Okay! [She's really not accustomed to addressing adults informally, but if that's what he wants.]

Maybe I'll visit sometime...er...well if I can find a boat to take me. [Because flying...not so much.

New York sounds an awful lot like Tokyo though.]

Yeah, they do, but food is kind of a precious commodity as far as I know...I think I could make something tasty if the ingredients are similar to the ones I work with back home. I'm not so sure I could make a hobby of it though.

And if we get off this turtle.

[Wry, quiet, not meant to be pessimistic in any way. And though Scott's not much of a traveler himself, even the things he wants to do are kind of impossible at the moment.]

Flying would be faster though, if you really wanted to go. [If she displays any hesitation about the idea, he doesn't notice it.] Maybe not cheaper, but definitely way more comfortable.

[If you count screaming kids and cramped seats and the smell of unwashed bodies 'comfortable.'

The food thing's a little weird though, but he supposes it makes sense after a moment's thought.]

The rationing, right? [The kedan had mentioned something about it on the way.] Hopefully it doesn't last forever, and then you can get back to that hobby of yours. What kind of food do you like making?

That too! [Makoto's kind of an optimist, believing in the best outcome is what she does.] I'm sure we'll be able to get back...I mean if there's a way to bring us in here then there must be a way to get back through.

I'mscaredofairplanes! [That came out pretty fast and abrupt.] Er...sorry...I'm scared of airplanes...not of flying or heights or anything, just planes. [She wrings her hands together.] It's kind of silly...to be scared of an airplane...I know, but that's how I lost my parents...so I'm afraid.

[When the topic comes back around to food Makoto perks right up.]

I'll be looking forward to a food reprieve! [If there is a little excess she'll take advantage of it.] I can cook anything, but I like making cherry pie and meatloaf...my favorite. I really like to bake though, opening a bakery is a dream of mine, it's tied with getting married!

[Makoto's sudden admission is somewhat surprising, and Scott can't help but blink a few times at it, though the surprise lessens immediately once she brings up her parents. Ouch. She'd seemed so well-adjusted that he never would've guessed.

Shows what he knew of people.]

I'm sorry about your parents. And it's not silly at all, if that's how they died. Pretty normal, actually, even if airplanes are supposed to be pretty safe. There's always something that can go wrong.

[Here he pauses, considers what he's saying, and then backtracks a bit.]

....But I'm probably not helping any. [He winces a little bit and moves on.] Hopefully we won't be here long enough for you to meet someone and get married but you could get a job at a bakery maybe. That'd be a good place to start.