Chapter 5: Rocky Starts

Two months passed and Hana did not have a single other ceremony. Sixty-three days bled from one to another from the time she had served the automatons to the current day where she was in her living space reorganizing her bedroom layout. Using her futon meant she had more free space during the day so she had begun to implement tai chi practice twice a day.

Requisition order requests sat unsent, as her lack of patrons meant a lack of supply usage.

“To think, I was afraid I was going to use my total requisition requests for each year…” she said to herself, thinking of the discussions she’d had with the outpost councils regarding colony supply limits.

Water usage was heavily regulated. During her presentations to The Council, months ago, that was the main concern they had with her proposal. Now, it seemed she would not remotely come near overusing her water stipends for each month.

Lack of daily tasks had led Hana to start exploring the outpost more thoroughly. She had successfully seen almost everything to see in Sector Seven. Beyond her shop were other vendors, though most were more utilitarian and what some would consider “necessary”. Across from her was a parts vendor where one could trade stipends for upgrades to machinery and personal mods. Down the street was a requisition office where one could request unique items from other colonies, or if the wait was tolerable, from Earth itself.

Numerous storefronts lined her street, all beckoning passersby to enter their establishment. Only the shop nearest her was still vacant, though Hana had been told the supplies would be arriving soon, implying the space would be occupied soon enough. Beyond the stores were housing units for the vendors, as not every storefront had attached living space. Some did not want to have their home directly attached to their business so they had requested the other units. Hana did not mind and in fact found the combined location to be convenient, even ideal.

Hana did not leave the tea shop during the day, just in case anyone showed up. No one ever did. Night time walks became her newest ritual, where she would reflect on the environment around her, sing to herself, or try her hand at internal haikus. Today’s nightly stroll saw her leaving Sector Seven to return to Sector One and the colony’s central terminal. Closing time arrived at Shinrin Yoku without any guests, so Hana cleaned, then locked up and exited, making her way to the rail station.

Despair was not what she was feeling. Vendor contracts were different from worker contracts. She would be able to cancel the contract if needed, and would only be forfeiting the remaining credits she was expected to receive. As credits were not of interest to her and she had no one to share them with or send home to, it was a small sacrifice to her. The Council did not want to keep supplies running for inconsequential businesses, so they would not fret at her cancellation. In reality, Hana merely had nothing to return to and was seeking a new beginning she’d hoped she would find in the stars.

If things did not change, Hana imagined she would accept defeat after a few years and return to Earth. For now, she was content and chose the window side of the tram, looking out at the asteroid’s stabilization thrusters firing fusion lines into the abyss. Thrusters covered the asteroid, constantly ebbing and flowing, keeping the massive rock balanced for its occupants. The white glow from their cylindrical coils was soothing to Hana as they drifted by along the rocky surface.

Soon Hana was back at Sector One and immediately saw the activity of the colony amplify. Shuttles came and went in silence, transferring cargo and passengers between colonies. Space side automatons loaded cargo onto hypersonic freighters bound for Earth. Voices from hundreds of people moving to and fro welcomed her into the livelihood of the colony’s main district. Neon signage reached dozens of stories into the sky. Cabling swung between buildings. A single large red maple was in the center of the square; a testament to livability that each colony received upon its creation.

Hana made her way to the terminal center, towards the maple. Its red leaves sat silent in the windless vacuum. Misting machines lined its base, spraying it every morning to keep it nurtured. A single, softly emanating sun reflection light shined from the top of the terminal and down onto the maple like a spotlight, providing it with nourishing natural light. Her fingers reached out absentmindedly and caressed the leaves with gentle appreciation. She stood there alone for several minutes, feeling the tree’s aliveness. People drifted by like waves, but she stood there like a statue with the red tree.

“Utsukushisa ni michita sekai. A world filled with beauty,” she whispered to herself.

That was enough. She was satisfied with tonight’s walk. She surveyed the dining options provided at the mess hall. It had the most variety of any food station on the colony and this was her first visit. Foods were selected by The Council and sent out in rotation to all colonies. This month, Colony Outpost 1117 had Korean, Chilean, Irish, Ugandan, and Indian dishes being served. Hana decided to order some Kimchi Jjigae and sat by her new friend, the red maple tree as she ate.

As she ate, she practiced her haiku-writing skills.

“In a foreign land,

Daily peace in small moments,

Home in heart and hand.”

Then she was done and back on the rail, intent on having a cup of Kukicha Kukicha before reading and ending the night. Back at Sector Seven, she made her way down the street and towards Shinrin-Yoku. Rounding the corner and nearing her destination, she was greeted by workers silently unloading storage and transfer crates at her neighboring shop.

“Oh wow! A neighbor finally?”

The automatons continued to work and Hana couldn’t help but watch to try and catch a glimpse as to what was being unloaded. The crates were minimalist with only packing displays; nothing to provide a clue towards what would be opening beside her. Accepting temporary defeat in identifying any details, Hana unlocked her door and began her wind-down routine.

The next morning, Hana woke to the automatons already working again. Excitement convinced Hana to temporarily leave Shinrin-Yoku to go view the progress. To her surprise, a woman was standing outside, watching the progress. Tattoos peaked out from her clothing and lined her intense jawline.

Hana approached her and smiled when they met eyes.

“Are you my new neighbor?” Hana asked in an optimistic tone.

The woman barely met her glance and smirked.

“Seems that way,” she replied in a gruff, tired voice.

Hana extended her hand in greeting and the woman shook it without looking away from the laborers. The lack of civility caught Hana off guard but she knew she should accept that many people rockside would not have the level of civility that she did.

“I’m Hana. I operate Shinrin-Yoku. It’s a tea room.”

With that, the woman turned towards Hana for the first time.

“Tea room? Here?”

“...Yes…”

Hana felt herself getting slightly annoyed but kept her poise.

“Lunara. I’m opening this. ‘On the Rocks’. Bar.”

The word hit Hana like a punch in the throat.

“B-Bar?...”