Outside the exhibition area's cafe, Stella and Hesta stood before the wooden bar drinking coffee, waiting for the staff to pack the hot drinks she wanted to take away.
Stella observed the staff, finding it slightly difficult to tell the precise ages of these young women; she only felt they should have long since ceased to be students, yet they lacked that specific fatigue characteristic of adults—even now, with their feet moving so fast they practically sparked, they still proactively chatted with every customer who came over to order, and even carved out time to tell a joke or two, having the waiting customers around laughing uproariously.
"When are you leaving?" Stella turned her head to look at Hesta. "Is that place somewhere only you can go, or can others tag along?"
"Just myself tonight," Hesta said. "Not taking anyone."
"Victoria isn't going either?" Stella felt somewhat surprised. "I saw her make a special trip out here, and I thought you guys—"
"Ah, what are you saying behind my back?"
A familiar voice arrived, and before Stella could even turn her head, Victoria had wedged herself between her and Hesta.
"I was asking Jane whether you're going with her to the base side today," Stella said. "Turns out you came specifically for this tech exhibition?"
"That's right, isn't that allowed?" Victoria's gaze swept toward the menu hanging deep within the storefront. "I—"
"Your order's up, waiting to be packed," Stella reminded her.
"What did I order?"
"Just a regular latte, hot."
"That's fantastic, I just wanted a hot latte!"
The two of them instinctively reached out and high-fived.
Hesta stood off to the side holding her coffee and watching, feeling as though Victoria had suddenly become exceptionally lively.
Victoria turned her head right then, looking at Hesta. "Your farm really