One week later…

After getting past all the tedious paperwork, Nova decides on a small building on the edge of Axiom City. It's close enough to the city to get foot traffic, but not so close to the center that the building is ridiculously expensive. The space has been thoroughly cleaned, so now's the time to make the necessary connections.

Nova sits at the front desk, the empty case of food at her left. On the desk's table, she flips through her recipes, already mapping out what desserts will go where. Clank sits at a nearby table, completing a checklist of necessary tools and utilities. They have the mixers, bowls, pans, and other tools they need, and the list is almost complete. The young woman beams at the robot, bouncing with excitement. "I can't believe this is actually happening! In a few days, we'll be ready to set up shop. Just have a few more calls to make, right?"

"That is correct," Clank confirms. "We currently have power flowing through the building. We still need to establish a connection for gathering ingredients, as well as confirm that the plumbing is in working order."

"Oh yeah, Grummelnet has a branch for food stuffs, so they can deliver, right? That way I don't have to take a taxi into the city every time we run out of something."

"They can certainly deliver for a modest fee. I believe that would reduce the risk of ingredients spoiling or becoming damaged."

"Oh, and maybe they can deliver our stuff! It tastes better fresh though."

"I have heard the same. Customers will most likely buy directly from the source, but we may expand at a later time."

Nova closes her book, walking around the desk to sit across from Clank. "By the way, are you sure that you still want to do this with me? I know you've probably got important stuff to do elsewhere, and it must be boring being around food you can't eat."

"Sigmund can attend to my duties at the Great Clock while I am gone, he has done so for a while since Orvus has been gone. He will call me if he needs my direct attention, so I do not mind staying here."

"Yeah, I'm sure that the Great Clock could spare a few...Wait, you mean the Timekeeper? Oh, that's right," she remembers. "You're Orvus's son. You came from there, all Zoni do."

"Yes, my soul was created there. As for boredom, I may not be able to taste the desserts, but I have always enjoyed the creation of said treats."

"You like to bake?"

That nostalgia paints Clank's face and tone again, and Nova listens intently. "I would cook most meals for my friend. He was always quick to set something on fire!"

Clank laughs at the memory, and Nova chuckles in return."Your friend couldn't cook?"

"Indoors? No. He was quite skilled with a grill, however. His organic colleagues never had any complaints there."

Nova would imagine the scene, but there's not quite enough details to make an accurate depiction. The failed attempts pulls the cheerful tone from her mind. "You know, Clank, you talk about this guy all the time. You met at a young age, and you lived together for a long time, right?"

"That is correct."

Nova's face drops to a more curious expression as her face tilts, raising an eyebrow to call Clank out. "If he was so important, then why are you so vague about him?"

Before Clank can respond, the bell at the door chimes. A large, bearded man walks in with a small toolbox in hand. His skin has a bluish tone, and he wears brown overalls over a stained white shirt. "I like what you two have done with this place! It's been empty for years, it's nice to see it come back to life."

Clank speaks with the stranger, and Nova is a bit thrown off. They speak with each other as if they have known each other for decades. That can't be possible, though. He looks organic enough, but there's something about him that's..strange. He gives off this vibe I can't put my finger on.

"Hello, Plumber. You are just in time." Clank stands on top of the table, shaking hands with the man.

"It's good to see you, Clank. No one around here's seen ya since...Anyway, It's nice to see you out and about."

"Thank you, I am glad to be back. This is Nova, the young woman I have told you about."

Clank smiles, gesturing for Nova to meet their guest. She snaps out of her spaced out musings long enough to step towards the man.

"It's nice to meet ya again, kid. You can call me the Plumber." He reaches out a hand to shake hers, which Nova accepts nervously. His grip is firm, as if greeting an old friend. He releases her hand, then turns towards the back of the shop. "Well, duty calls. I'll see you two in a bit."

As he disappears behind the door, Nova's confusion doubles. Again? The minutes pass, and questions fester in Nova's mind. She finally speaks up, pulling Clank from the checklist he returned to. "How do you know each other, Clank? And what exactly is he? There's something weird about him, like there's more to him than he lets on."

"The Plumber is simply the Plumber," Clank answers. "He is a wise man, but even I do not know the details of his personal affairs. He has given life-saving advice in the past, so I trust him. He is a useful ally, and quite skilled in his craft."

"It's rude to talk about people when they're not around, you know."

The voice makes Nova jump out of her skin and turn around to its source. Sure enough, the Plumber is standing right behind her. "What? But how did you..I didn't even hear you walk in!"

"You've always been ready to go; I didn't need to do a thing. It's gonna be great, I can already tell."

"The bakery? Thank you for checking anyway. I'll be sure to let you know when we start selling."

"Well, in that case, I'll be sure to pop in again!" The Plumber steps toward the door, opening it slightly. The bell rings again, but the man stops in his tracks and turns around. He fumbles around in his pocket, revealing a box that's a bit larger than Nova's palm.

"I almost forgot! I promised I'd give this back. Here, catch!" He tosses the box toward Nova, who stumbles to catch it. She looks back up to the Plumber after it's in her hands.

"Give it back? But I never-"

"Sorry, in a rush. I've got other jobs lined up. I'll see you around!"

As quickly as the stranger arrived, he's gone. Nova stands there, clutching the box in her hands. "What just happened?"

Clank walks over to Nova, pointing towards the box. "Will you open it?"

Staring at the black velvet, the markazian's thumb caresses the fabric. "I guess I should. It would be rude to refuse a gift."

Nova lifts the lid, revealing a brooch. The base of it is a silver gear, and in the center is a shimmering moonstone. The piece catches the daylight from outside, and Nova lets out a soft gasp at the sight of it. "It's so pretty. What do you think, Clank?"

She removes it from the box, clasping it over her heart. She smiles at the piece, asking Clank's opinion. I think I'll keep it. It's a good luck charm, a sign of good things to come.

"I believe you were meant to have it," he claims.