02 Rabbit: Lin wonders about Celica's friend Rock.

All the good things belong to MonolithSoft.

The editorial board had wrapped up the latest issue of Pretty Skell (N)e(x)t, New Los Angeles' premier zine. The stragglers had moved to the lounge to finish the snacks that Lin had prepared. As she passed the tray of home-baked cookies, she worked up her nerve to ask Celica a question. "I want to ask you something, but it's kind of weird."

"Please, I"m sure I'm happy to share any information," the pretty blonde answered.

Lin nodded and her short bangs swung. "Here goes. How soft is Rock?"

Celica laughed in surprise. "I know Mira is different, but the rocks are just like everywhere else."

"No, I mean, your friend Rock. You know. Can pick up a skell, wears a bracelet the size of this table, that guy. Is he soft?"

"Do you mean emotionally? Because he is the sweetest, most protective person I know. You mustn't fear him," Celica said defensively.

Now Lin was frustrated. "I mean literally. Soft. Is he soft?" She lunged behind the sofa and pulled up an irate tabby. She petted the barrack's cat, cuddling it into a manageable mood. "Like, is he any good to pet?" She and the animal parted ways with mutual satisfaction.

Celica had to laugh. "I wasn't even thinking about that meaning. How strange."

"What are you two planning?" interrupted a gruff but friendly voice.

Lin wordlessly passed the tray and watched Commander Vandham swipe a half dozen cookies. "I was asking a highly personal question of my colleague. Nothing for you to butt your mighty mustache into," she said cheekily.

"Commander Tanktop always arrive to finish snacks," lamented one of the several Nopon magazine contributors. The over-sized human guiltily offered him one of his cookies.

"Don't you let Tatsu guilt you," Lin scolded. "He had already had his share of treats long before the meeting began."

"Important taste testing work!"

"I'll taste test you!" threatened Lin. Their play-act of menace and terror went ignored, and they dropped it after a second.

"I don't think it's too personal," Celica began, redirecting the conversation. "I suppose it's natural to wonder about someone as striking as Rock. His fur is very nice, I would say, but I don't think it qualifies as soft."

"That was your question?" snorted Vandham. "Seems random."

Lin stuck out her lower lip in a pout. "It was because of a dream. It was about Earth," she added quietly.

"What about Earth, dear?" Celica asked.

"Back in school, it was years ago, my class had a bunny. It was so soft. I must have been dreaming about it, I guess, because I woke up thinking about it. Soft things and so on."

Vandham flashed a worried look at Celica. It wasn't like Lin to think about the past, much less dream about it. "That's it. I'm posting an official Outfitter mission. Find the softest thing on Mira. Take Mr. Ambassador for All Nopon along with you to smooth over any inter-species issues, and don't forget to ask nicely first."

Next up: Dentist. Sheldon ahoy!