Chapter 11: Matsuri

“So you didn’t kiss?” asked Katya as Hana poured a blend of tea for the four of them.

“No!” blurted Hana, simultaneously annoyed, confused, relieved, and confused again as to why she was feeling all of that.

“But you wanted to?” asked Lunara.

Hana jokingly swatted at her then covered her face with her hand.

“Lunara, oh my goodness you are so forward,” laughed Hana.

“Somebody has to be. You Japanese are so reserved,” laughed Lunara.

“Well. Yes, to answer your question, yes I wanted to kiss him. That’s the first person I’ve wanted to kiss or even thought of kissing in years,” said Hana, feeling color rush to her face once again.

“Oh dear, you’re blushing,” laughed Katya.

Hana pulled a pillow to her face and they all laughed. This feminine friend-circle was not something Hana had known before but was now very grateful.

“So you wanted to kiss him. Did he want to kiss you?” asked E’twobe.

“It is Shreve LeBlanche. Not even the gods know what that man is thinking,” said Hana, exasperated.

They all laughed in agreement.

“Out of all the men to swoon over, he’s the best and the worst for you to pick,” laughed Lunara.

“Tall, brooding, honorable, about as opaque as the very rock he works on,” said Lunara.

“Ooooohhhh, whyyyyyyy???” sighed Hana, rolling onto her stomach and kicking her feet.

“Well let’s assume he did want to kiss you. Why didn’t you kiss?” asked Katya.

“I don’t know. I’m not a good kisser. I know tea, I don’t know- that stuff,” groaned Hana.

“That stuff, being?”

“Kissing! And everything else,” said Hana.

“Everything else!” said the three other women at once.

“Someone’s got some thoughts she needs to share!!” laughed E’twobe.

“NOOOOO!!!” screamed Hana with tears of laughter in her eyes.

“Well look, you’ve got a southerner from the United Federation, and a Japanese from Kyoto. If we wait for one of you to move past politeness to actually make a move, we’ll all be done with our contracts before that happens. Ladies, it’s up to us to make these two have some form of physical contact,” said Lunara, standing and saluting the sky as she spoke.

“To physical contact!” said E’twobe.

“And ‘everything else!’” said Katya.

They all collapsed on the floor in a fit of laughter and Hana felt a joy that she had perhaps never felt before. Even if Mr. Shreve was a lofty dream that may never come to fruition, these moments were enough, and she made sure to savor it like the flavor of the ginseng in the bowl she held as she laughed.

And there was nothing else to report for many many weeks. In true Mr. Shreve fashion, Hana did not see him or hear from him again for almost two months, until one day she got a message.

“1-year festival coming up. I was in the outpost operations meeting this morning and thought of you. You should be a part of the festival as a vendor if interested. -SLB.”

Hana pondered the digital communication for a moment. She had not thought that it was almost a full year since she’d arrived the the colony outpost. One full year and so much had already changed. Life back on Earth was now becoming a distant memory, and the rocky terrain out her window each morning was as familiar to her as anything in Kyoto. One year down, twenty-four to go. Twenty-four left.

Hana opened the attachment from Mr. Shreve’s message and accepted her vendor invitation. The festival would be hosted in Sector One, in the square, with vendors and food options welcoming the guests who came from across the outpost. Hana agreed with Mr. Shreve’s logic. This would be a good opportunity for her to share her tea with residents that might not make the trip to Shinrin-Yoku on their own volition. If they enjoyed the tea, they might come to Sector Seven and enjoy a ceremony.

New blends were mixed. Hana could not settle on a single blend, and thus created three new blends for the festival. First; magnolia-scented oolong with jasmine blueberries and cream tea with Lion's Mane sprinkled in. Second; matcha with blackcurrants and almonds with sun-dried leaves. Third; Sri Lankan black tea with vanilla extract and pomegranate shavings. In lieu of patrons, she took the free time each day to prepare more jars with her new blends. Katya and Jax joined her each day at lunch to try new options and assist in the preparations. Jax was excitedly learning to cook and was quickly becoming one of Shinrin-Yoku’s most avid fans. Days spent preparing for the festival flew by in happiness and optimism as the approaching deadline brought a newfound sentimentality to the life they all shared on this isolated asteroid.

Festival preparations were completed, and it was time for the actual festival. Hana wore her summer yukata and tied her obi belt in traditional fashion. For a brief moment, she feared she would be overdressed or out of place, then Lunara arrived at her door with her hair styled and wearing a dress.

“You look beautiful!” they both said in unison.

Hana and Lunara linked arms and then made their way to Katya and Jax’s residence. Soon the four of them were on their way to Sector One.

Sector One was decorated more elaborately than Hana could have imagined. String lights ran across the scaffolding along the entirety of the central square. Digital lanterns glowed red and yellow. Holographic fireworks quietly erupted overhead in a continuous loop. The single tree had grown and was adorned with ribbon, talismans, beads, and more. Hundreds of people were already present as Hana made her way to her booth. Waiting at the booth was a surprise guest.

“Mr. Shreve?” asked Hana as she approached her booth.

He stood and faced her. He was out of his work clothes and in a suit that fit him well. Hana realized he cared enough about himself to have a suit that actually fit. His beard was trimmed. Adorning his shoulder was a formal shawl drape that was the same color as the blue bowl he had drank from at Shinrin-Yoku.

He bowed to Hana.

“If you need assistance tonight, I would be happy to help however I may,” he said.

Katya patted Hana’s shoulder and she took her exit with Jax. Jax and Mr. Shreve shook hands as old friends as they crossed.

“You don’t have to do this,” said Hana.

“Neither did you, yet here you are. I am at your service however you need,” said Hana.

“But you don’t even like talking to people,” laughed Hana.

“Working on it. Part of being on the leadership committee,” he said with a grin.

To Hana’s surprise and delight, dozens of guests came to the booth within the first hour. Several jars of tea blends were distributed. Mr. Shreve had the idea to boil water and offer samples, and soon small cups were filled with all three blends for all to try. Remarks of intrigue and joy reverberated in the booth as more and more guests tried the teas. With each remark and positive expression, Hana’s heart became more and more full.

“Your creations are very popular,” said Mr. Shreve towards the end of the evening.

Digital fireworks burst overhead in a soft thud. The pixelated explosion illuminated his face in blue and gold as he spoke.

“I am very happy the guests are enjoying them. I hope they come to Shinrin-Yoku for more whenever they wish,” she responded.

“I’m sure they will. Well done.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

He was still. So was she. Thuds from fireworks boomed above them. They were alone for the moment. Hana decided to gather all of her courage. Her hand slowly reached out and found his. Skin touched metal. Their eyes met. He didn’t pull his hand away from hers. Hana’s fingers slid along the cool steel, tracing the grooves and etchings of his metallic form. Then his fingers were on her palm and wrist, softly running along the ridges of her knuckles and wrist bone. It was enough for Hana. It was enough, but it opened her heart to thousands more questions. She dared not press her luck beyond that.

“Happy one year on Colony Outpost 1117, Hana-sama,” he said.

“You can call me Hana-chan. I’d like that, Mr. Shreve,” she replied.

“You can call me Shreve.”

It was more than enough. Hana’s heart was more full than she could have imagined.

“Thank you for everything, Shreve.”

Festivities came to an end and all that was left was the evening dance. Hana had not danced in many years, but Lunara insisted they attend. Shreve agreed to follow along, surprising Hana that he was open to dancing. The square was cleared until the lights dimmed to allow the stars above to shine down into the open room. Music began and hundreds joined together on the floor in rhythmic release. Hana, Shreve, Lunara, Katya, Jax, Sol, E’twobe, and others all joined together in the sound. Hana found herself dancing with Lunara, E’twobe, Jax, and Katya, but not Shreve. He kept to himself, subtly shifting and pivoting in a moderately successful representation of dancing. After a moment, he excused himself, and Hana did not see him for several minutes.

Lunara and E’twobe became her partners for several songs, and as they swayed together closely Hana realized she had become familiar with each of their scents. Beyond the scent of their daily work, they each had a scent that was their essence as women. At that moment, she breathed them both in as they moved against one another. As E’twobe’s hands held her waist, Hana allowed herself to experience release. There, amidst the swirls of bodies and drifting pheromones, Hana was alive and present.

Jax let out a cheer and Hana turned to see what elicited the reaction. Shreve was returning, and with him was RAM-71, IRAM-88, and several other automatons.

“Figured y’all would be okay if they joined,” called out Shreve.

“Of course!” shouted Hana.

Thus the automatons joined the dancing humans.

“We are contemplating rhythm!” bellowed RAM-71 to everyone’s amusement.

“You and me both,” laughed Shreve as he took RAM-71’s hand unit.

Hana watched as Shreve comfortably began to dance with RAM-71 as partners. Jax joined in and began to dance with IRAM-88.

“Okay, we need to loosen up, I think I’m more mechanical than you!” Shreve laughed to RAM-71.

Hana couldn’t help but blush as she watched Shreve’s and Jax’s hips move as they danced with the automatons who were quickly learning how to move as the humans did.

“I’m into it,” whispered Lunara to Katya and Hana as they watched.

“Me too actually?” laughed Katya.

“Me too,” said Hana, feeling a slight hint of jealousy that Shreve had not yet touched her like that.

As the song ended and another began, Shreve exhaled with a smile and extended his hand towards Hana and RAM-71, inviting her to join. Hana nodded in agreement.

“71, Hana is a much better dancer than me. Y’all have at it. She’ll teach you much more than I can.”

“Perhaps you should stay with us then,” chimed RAM-71, to everyone’s laughter.

With that, Hana found herself moving against RAM-71 and holding Shreve’s hand. The metal in her hand and the metal against her back stirred something within her, and she pulled Shreve closer while moving closer against RAM-71. Shreve’s head pressed against hers as he leaned down. Hana caught a glimpse of a sincere smile on his face as they all moved together.

“You can get closer,” she whispered.

Without a word, he was closer and one hand was on her waist, the other on RAM-71’s shoulder. Hana slowly lifted her arms and put one hand on Shreve’s face while the other rested on RAM-71’s side. The music slowed and the tone went deeper. The three of them moved in unison, with Hana in the middle. Thoughts turned to movement, and before Hana could stop her fingers, they were touching Shreve’s parted lips. He didn’t pull away. His hand stayed on her waist, and lowered just slightly to now touch her hip. RAM-71’s hand unit slowly moved to her obi belt then to Shreve’ side. Then Lunara was there moving with them. Hana could feel her leg against hers, flowing with her and Shreve. Lunara and Shreve shared a small laugh. Then E’twobe was there against RAM-71, pulling Sol with her. And last, Katya, Jax, and IRAM-88 were there.

The group moved in unison, skin on cloth, cloth on metal, metal on skin. Not a word was spoken. They remained that way for the rest of the night.