Planetes
1.d. New Neighbor (edited)

That day his apartment arrived a new occupant again after a long time the door on the right of his room was empty. Elliot was thinking about what topic he wanted to discuss in his essay.

While thinking, his net accidentally caught his reflection in the mirror. Elliot had almost forgotten that it was his real figure. Man with short bluish curls with unique netra. His parasites look more friendly and friendly than they used to be, that's what he values today.

A subtle knock on the door rang out, this embodiment of Neptune immediately got up from his chair and opened the front door.

"Who?" elliot asked without letting go of his gaze from the figure standing before his door.

A long dark-haired man with light brown highlights. His figure looks young, oriental, and looks so polite. At least that's Elliot's first impression on the lanang in front of him now.

“My name is Shen Guo, just call Shen, please help him.” he said while offering a basket containing several oranges. “Please accept this parcel.”

The planet opened its eyes several times. Ah, the Chinese. Of course Elliot respected this man and accepted him well.

"I'm Elliot Alexis Bouvard Urbaine Le Verrier, Monsieur Shen. Call me Ellie, or Gege can too."

As if it was a fitting call.

Just as this person had introduced himself, Shen felt amazed by his ability to make the right call.

“And you are a stranger, but you can already know our culture.” he said with a smile. Even Shen chose a formal sentence. “As an appreciation, let me invite you to have tea with.”

Because Elliot lived so long, his ability to adapt to other cultures is certainly quite high. It means he does not live for a short time in a place, so he can be familiar with the culture.

"Thank you for the compliment, Monsieur Shen," Elliot gave a Chinese greeting in general. "It is with great pleasure that I accept your invitation, Monsieur."

Smile in the planet. Earthling this one seems interesting. Therefore, Elliot accepted Shen's invitation to have tea together.

“Can I know your schedule first? I happen to be empty today, the next two days, and three weeks away.” Shen said as he tried to remember the schedule that had been prepared in advance. “I must do a lot of work.”

Data about a story has just been collected. Of course, it was good that Shen did not delay to analyze it.

"Today it just so happens that I don't have any work, so it doesn't matter." without a doubt, Elliot explained his activities today. "Two days are still empty. Afterwards I went out of town for a photography project to exotic places."

After leaving work as an obstetrician, Elliot turned to freelance photographer. The doctor swore, he forgot it.

How else would you like? Elliot won't be able to become a doctor again after all that. Ah, Elliot had forgotten about Shen's invitation.

Elliot snatched his jacket and took the keys to his apartment. Lock it up before walking hand in hand with Shen.

"Ah, if I may know. What is Monsieur's job?" Elliot couldn't hold back his curiosity. His habit of talking while walking does not seem to disappear.

“Writing.” Shen replied back. “Writing and deducing history, historians to be exact. It just so happens that today has already completed a certain chapter. Therefore we can go have tea now.”

Steps began to be done slowly, tracing the city there.

“Teh what do you usually drink?” shen asked trying to start a conversation to get more familiar. “Wearing sugar or without sugar?”

Historian. A very interesting profession according to Elliot. Somehow he could not hide his admiration for this man for the profession he had.

"Your job is great, Monsieur." Elliot praised Shen Guo's hero sincerely. "Oi."

Elliot nodded his head and followed Shen's footsteps. His net combed through the area they passed through. Who knows if something is interesting, he thought.

"Ah, I don't have any particular preference for tea. But usually I drink Darjeeling or Lapsang tea." as much as possible he stayed away from alcohol even though the drink will not affect him. However, it is better to choose a fairly common drink, right?

"Without sugar, because if served with food it is more appropriate to drink tea without being given sugar."

Tea that is not given sugar will taste sweet when accompanied by eating sweets. That's how Elliot knew.

"What about Monsieur himself?" elliot asked Shen to know his preferences.

The explanation of that taste Shen listened to seriously. Likely, Shen smiled, “I drank without sugar. Green tea, without any confectionery.”

For Shen, the most important thing about a tea is the taste and aroma. So according to him, with the confectionery will damage the taste of the tea itself.

“On the spot I served that tea with a glass and bowl. But, since you said you wanted a snack, just order it. I will pay.”

Listen to Shen Guo's words carefully. Elliot does not impose his preferences on others. Everyone has their own favorite.

"It's okay, I appreciate your preference, Monsieur."

Due to cultural differences between Asia and Europe, he understood how the Chinese were more concerned with the taste and aroma of the tea.

Finally, they arrived at a shop that served tea. Shen said, “Please select the place.” Shen planned to follow suit, putting the comfort of the guest, Elliot.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Monsieur." Elliot lowered his head slightly as the tanned barley man said he would pay for his snacks.

"Excuse me." he followed Shen into the intended tavern and sat down at one of the available venues.

After the person he invited sat down, of course Shen was the one who finally followed to sit in front of him. The waiter was called and his order was also some sweet treats.

“It's been a long time that I didn't drink tea.” he said with a faint smile. “Last time, maybe two months ago. How you feeling? Are you comfortable here?” ask Shen. The smell of this room makes him feel calm.

Elliot's Netra glared around him. Great place, fun too, he said.

His essence was distorted when the voice belonging to the calamity of Shen Guo's eating hit his eardrum. Make him put full attention to the hero who has invited him here.

"Oui, I feel very comfortable here, Monsieur. Merci," Elliot nodded his head accompanied by a lip arch that formed a warm smile.

"Ah, that long?"

Unknowingly asked escaped from the gap of the ranum. Voiced astonishment.

A little confused by this man's remark yet, it seems to have a good meaning? Of course Shen nodded and smiled.

After that, then Shen chimed, “Many things to do. Starting from checking the data, matching, and also adjusting to the speech of the source with field data and facts. After that, write it and analyze it. I think it took a long time and full of precision.”

Shen then sighed.

“Even two months it feels too fast. How're you? Maybe we can exchange stories.” Shen now focuses his attention on Elliot.

Seeing the expression of a dark barbed caliph before him made the eighth planet of the solar system come to a realization. It seems Elliot forgot that not everyone understands French.

Elliot never said anything bad. So, just calm down.

Shen Guo listened intently to his explanation of his field that was similar to journalism. It's just that there's a difference on some side.

"It sounds so complicated and it takes patience and precision, huh? But I salute you for being so dedicated to your work, Monsieur Shen."

There was an expression of indescribable admiration on Elliot's face. Then slow to catch the question from this colleague.

"I visited various regions and even countries to find a good view for me to capture through the camera lens." paused the sentence before adding. "It takes months to get good and satisfying results. But all that was fun in my opinion. As well as adding new knowledge also when visiting other places that I have never stopped." said Elliot at length to Shen Guo.

Sounds like fun. That was what Shen thought. Laughter sounded at a glance and then, Shen replied, “Maybe occasionally I need to get out.”

It could be that Shen is going to bring someone along. Enjoying the view itself to various places seems to be lacking.

“From your story it looks like you're having fun.” Shen commented after hearing Elliot's story.

The tea is then served after the waiter comes along with the pumpkin cake. Shen ordered it first before proceeding to another sweet dish.

“I just ordered one kind of confectionery. Please taste. Later if suitable, we try another.” the suggestion.

Ranum belongs to the blue planet was curved to form a warm smile. The response from the friend is very pleasant and Elliot feels comfortable when talking to this hero.

"You'll get an amazing experience while traveling out, Monsieur."

Elliot voiced his opinion. He himself is free-spirited and according to him, Elliot is free to do anything as long as it does not harm the other party.

"Fun is relative to others, Monsieur. Fun in my opinion, not necessarily fun for others." Elliot looked straight at the hero with a hard-to-understand look. "I don't mean bad by saying so. I'm hoping when you take a walk out later, you get fun stuff."

If words are prayer, then let's say that Elliot just prayed for you to get good things out later.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the servant who brought them the order. Tea and sweets immediately sat on the table.

"Brand, Monsieur. (Thank you, sir)." Elliot returned to express his gratitude.

Although Elliot is not a follower of one of the religions on this earth, he still performs the ritual of praying before eating. To whom Elliot prayed, there was no need to ask. Enough he and /whom he worshipped/only knows.

"Good meal," her prick picked up one of the cakes, stalking it for a moment before swallowing it. Do not forget to take a slow sip of tea.

"It's delicious, Monsieur. It feels very fitting to accompany the tea event this time," praised Elliot with sparkling netra.

Shen noticed after before drinking his tea, it seems that even though their culture is different (maybe) the core of the process remains the same? After that, Shen also did his way before drinking tea with a bowl of tea poured from a glass.

“Enjoyed?” ask Elliot the guy. “Thank you once. Bring an apple candy from this store. That's delicious.”

There should be another person that Shen invited but, that person would not be out of the forest.

“So, can you tell us your recommended country to visit for three days?” shen asked after drinking the tea to Elliot.

"Oui, of course," although Elliot was not French-born, he continued to use French culture as his basis.

Maybe because Elliot lived there for a long time and used to use the language everyday. As a result he continued to use that language, although of course tucked with other languages.

"Acle-based cake? Mon dieu, I do not know what to say because Monsieur has brought me to a place as fun as this~"

Really, Elliot could not hide his happiness in his unique netra.

"Ah, let me look for a moment" he opened his journal and saw the row of names of countries he had visited.

"If it's three days, maybe Monsieur can come to Myanmar or Vietnam. There the location for the tour is also no less interesting," said Elliot explained to the galih about the intended destination. "Or if Monsieur wants a beautiful view of the beach, Monsieur can go to the Maldives or Fiji."

Because this one planet hobby to visit various countries with photography related affairs, so Elliot knows a lot.

The recommendation from the man was heard with a serious expression. Shen knew some of the mentioned lands however, not for some. After all, he thought the person Shen invited would not be interested in the beach?

“Is there a place that has the impression of shade and cool like a tropical rainforest? The person I am going to invite has a love for the forest.” Shen explained. “And the place if it can not be somewhere that has the impression of crowded.”

Maria didn't seem to be comfortable with the crowd, that was how Shen thought. The tea bowl was immediately taken and the teathing was gulped while thinking about the orange haired girl at once, Shen waiting for an answer from Elliot.

Listen carefully to the request of the interlokutor. Apparently the recommendation that Elliot made a while ago did not match the person this man was going to bring, huh?

"In a moment," another page of Elliot's journal opened and showed the location with a beautiful view trapped in a piece of photo. "It's the Hallerbos forest in Belgium, in spring, it's gonna turn into a bluebells garden."

The planet paused for a moment to sip its tea and then chalk the cake. Elliot then moved on to his next destination.

"The forest of Otzarreta is in Spain is also no less beautiful. Both are destinations far from the crowds and the view of the forest is like a fairyland. Spoiling the eyes."

"Or Sequoia National Park in California, America, is not a bad choice either." Elliot threw a smile at Shen who was drinking his tea.

"Hows it? Does anything fit your criteria for a vacation, Monsieur?"

Shen put down his tea bowl and for a moment, he tapped his chest on the table. Considering which one he would visit with Mary.

Helaan breath escaped from the gap of Shen's ranum. It seems that it is difficult to decide. Back this Chinese man called the waiter and asked to be brought along apple sweets and field tea.

As soon as the servant left, the netra as the color of Shen's amber was fixed straight at Elliot.

"It seems that I will visit the Hallerbos Forest first, only later to the Otzarreta Forest. Maria would have been happy." Shen unconsciously mentioned the name of his fiancee.

"Marya?" Elliot plainly asked.

"My engagement."

"Oh."

"I thank you, Elliot. You're really awesome." praise Shen sincerely.

Apple sweets and lapsang tea are now on the table. Shen poured his tea and enjoyed it.

"It's not much, Monsieur." Elliot responded awkwardly. "If later you need a recommendation to travel, I'll give you a brochure or booklet that I made for you."

After that, Elliot again enjoyed his tea and snacks. The journal he had shown Shen, he had already saved back.

"Maybe you can tell me a thing or two about your experiences during your stint, Elliot?" he is ready to listen to your story now.

— Connect