starswing | Summer Scramble; Cherche and Olivia

Cherche: Olivia? What are you up to?
Olivia: Oh, just collecting seashells.
Cherche: Really? What for?
Olivia: I was hoping to take one back as a memento of our visit here. As a dancer, I've been lucky enough to travel all around the world... And each new place I go, I always try to find a keepsake to take home with me. I thought a nice shell would be a perfect way to remember this pretty seashore.
Cherche: What a novel concept! For better or for worse, I spent most of my days in and around Virion's manor. I barely ventured far beyond the grounds, let alone far enough to warrant a memento... So to be perfectly honest, I had no idea such a practice even existed.
Olivia: That's so sad...
Cherche: Ha! Well, not really. It was all I knew, so it seemed normal to me. That people can lead such widely differing lives is really quite eye opening.
Olivia: ... Ooh, I just had a thought! Why don't you look for a memento of your own?
Cherche: Hmm, yes... I would hate to forget any of the wonderful places I've visited. But it doesn't seem right to copy you. I'll need something other than a seashell.
Olivia: Well... how about this? I found it earlier, sparkling in the sand. Isn't it pretty?
Cherche: It certainly is... Hm? Wait a second... I know what that is. It's one of Minerva's scales.
Olivia: Oh, gosh! I-I had no idea!
Cherche: Hee hee. I'm glad you like it, but it's not much of a memento-- for me, at least.
Olivia: I guess not. You could pick one of these up just about every place you visit.
Cherche: Exactly. I need something that comes from here and here alone. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. There's a battle to be won here!
Olivia: Ah, yes! But if you do find something, promise to show it to me, all right?

Part Two

Cherche: Hi, Olivia.
Olivia: Hey, Cherche! So have you found your memento yet?
Cherche: Well, I've been scouring the ground and sifting through the sand... You know, beachcombing. Hunting for something as fitting as your seashells. It's really amazing the kinds of things you find out here!
Olivia: Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself! Did you find anything good?
Cherche: I certainly did! Take a look at this.
Olivia: Er, is that...? EEEEK! It IS! Augh, YUCK!
Cherche: What's gotten into you? It's just an insect husk.
Olivia: JUST an insect husk?! Look at that thing!
Cherche: Yes, it's quite a sight, isn't it? This type of insect only lives in warm, tropical locales like this one. It starts life as a grub, then transforms into an adult, leaving behind this larval husk. All that buzzing you hear in the palm trees are the adults singing to court mates. If you look closely, the ground at the foot of the palms is littered with their corpses.
Olivia: ......
Cherche: They shine ever so briefly, live fleeting lives, then die-- all in the blink of an eye. Then their dried husks flutter to the ground, marking the end of an ephemeral existence. It's ever so beautiful, isn't it? *sniff*
Olivia: Ever so beautiful?! More like ever so GROSS!
Cherche: Oh, come on. I thought you of all people would appreciate the poetry, Olivia.
Olivia: Don't look at me like that! There's no poetry in dead bugs falling out of trees!
Cherche: I think you're allowing preconceptions to blind you to the wonder of the creatures. Here, look at this little fellow. Completely adorable! Up close, it almost looks as if he's smiling-- like he's found peace in death.
Olivia: S-smiling?! ARRGH, I can't do this! Get that thing away from me! (exit stage right)
Cherche: *Sigh* That girl's far too high strung... If you ask me, these little guys make for perfect mementos of this place. Once this battle's done, I think I'll collect a whole sackful of them!