Sebastian stands alone in the kitchen. The stove is off, leaving only the fairy lights and paper lanterns to illuminate the space. There isn’t a sink, but instead there’s a large, raised tub with a coiled hose hanging by a hook along the side. He collects all the empty plates from the dining table. He leaves the wine glasses for the supposed continued celebrations to be had. Sebastian returns to the kitchen, stacking the plates in the tub. He finds a mostly used bar of soap resting at the tub’s base. He twists the valve connected to the hose, but nothing happens. With a brow raised in confusion, he continues to troubleshoot the hose, looking for a way to get the water going.

A dark shape passes behind him quietly.

Sebastian stands up straight and looks behind him. He thought he had heard something. He turns around and continues fiddling with the water supply. He hears movement again. Or more accurately, he feels a presence in the room with him. He nervously looks around the space.

A pale figure stands next to him silently, obscured by the darkness.

"Whoa!" Sebastian jumps.

The figure laughs and steps out into the light.

"Calm down! I’m not Gensia!" She says.

"You’re… not Gensia?"

"No. I’m not her. I’m Olsa. Night shift." She says as she steps further into the light.

"Oh. Hello, Olsa." Sebastian is confused. "Then who’s Gensia?"

"Gensia Frey? She’s a ghost. The ship’s ghost. But you don’t have to worry; she only comes out at night." Olsa says.

She pauses for a moment, realizing that it is currently night time.

"Oh. Well. You don’t have to worry; she doesn't visit newcomers." She says.

"Okay…" He isn't sure how to respond to any of this.

"But she does enjoy dark rooms like this one. Are you going to turn the lights on? Or are you trying to invite her?"

"Uh… what—the lights are on, aren’t they?" He looks around.

"No. These are just the auxiliaries. Or… night lights." Olsa giggles as she says the words ‘night lights’.

"Where’s the switch at?" He asks.

"Over here." Olsa is suddenly on the other side of the room. She flicks the switch and the room brightens up drastically. There are large LED bars mounted to the kitchen ceiling.

"I was hoping you were fond of the dark." Olsa says with a flinch. "But, this is helping me wake up. You want any coffee?"

Olsa’s hair is strawberry blond, and her skin is very pale—almost grey.

"I’m… okay." Sebastian answers.

"Understandable. Wow it smells really good in here!" Olsa opens a cabinet and pulls out a steel mug and a large French press.

"I just cooked dinner for the crew—"

"A cook? I didn’t know the Captain hired someone. I’d question her timing of picking up a new hire after the bloody mess we just got out of, but who am I to question she who sees all?" She opens another cabinet and pulls out a large iron kettle. "What did you make?"

"I made skyray wagyu—"

"You fucking made what? And nobody woke me up?!" Olsa looks betrayed.

"Oh… um… I actually have some left on my plate. It’s a lot, I have no clue how everyone else ate theirs so fast."

Sebastian hands Olsa his plate of wagyu. Without hesitation, she picks up the brick with her hands and takes a huge bite out of it. Opening her mouth wide reveals her exaggerated canines. Her fangs sink into the wagyu and pull it apart with ease. He recognizes her features. She’s a night person.

Night folk are a rare sight in Lunar colonies, but they’re very active in the Pacific Archipelago. According to the Lunar Federation history books, Night folk are the descendants of those who sheltered underground when the Sunshine asteroid destroyed the old world. They are similar to people who live in orbital colonies throughout the solar system in that they’re sensitive to UV light. They prefer to be active at night—thus the nickname.

"This is amazing!" Olsa says. "How much is she paying you? Whatever it is, it isn’t enough. You should be working on the moon!"

"I uh… did for a while actually."

Olsa stops munching. She quickly scans Sebastian with her eyes and stops abruptly when she sees the Lunar citizen signature on his arm. She glances up with a look of concern, then transitions into a gentle smile.

"So, it’s been a bit rough for you, has it?" She asks.

"…yeah."

"Well, hey I’m surprised to see another lune breathing on this ship. I thought June would be the last one for sure."

"Hm."

Olsa takes another large bite out of the wagyu. "So, what’s your name?"

"I’m Sebastian."

"Hello, Sebastian. It’s nice to meet you."

Olsa extends her hand. They politely shake hands. Her grip is very tight.

"So, what’s your deal? Are you Indigo’s pet project or what?" She asks.

"Well… no. She said that I'm working with Dusty. Well. That I'm her responsibility." He explains.

"Oh…" Olsa looks very concerned again.

"Hm?"

"Well… it’s just that the last guy she worked with turned up dead one morning."