Her unwavering resolve

Half-opening my mouth, I can perceive an amused glance in his eyes, and I cannot help but return an equal smile. There is something about him that put me oddly at ease, and I intent to lower my fingers as well, until I hear an energetic voice.

“You won’t capture anything, you brat!”

     Before I even have the time to react, my cockatiel lands on my shoulder. Hopping on my forearm, he leans to put his beak round one of Marygold Leafeyorb’s fingers, as if in an attempt to remove it.

     An improbable scene to behold… And somewhat I feel amused by this curious unfolding of events.

     Bringing the back of my free hand to my lips, I let out a soft whisper, a muffled laugh. Sharing my amusement more than getting upset by my bird’s behaviour, the director laughs more honestly.

     We stay like this for a few moments before Mr. Leafeyorb retracts his hand, letting go mine.

“Well, we achieved to find your parrakeet. All’s well that ends well.”

     I nod gratefully.

“I suggest you go to the cafeteria before you run out of time. Don’t forget the tests begin early this afternoon.”

     He’s right. I should profit from my remaining time to get and eat something. My cockatiel settling back on my shoulder, I bow slightly in sign of respect before parting with the director.

     Once he’s out of sight, my feathery companion leans in closer, taking a look at me.

“Wasn’t I helpful there?”

“…?”

“Back in that room, you seemed like you wanted to talk to him.”

“Oh… That is right.”

     At this moment, I hesitated. I didn’t know what I should do, whether my intercession would be else than meaningless. Did he try to help me by giving me a pretence for interacting with the director?

     Extending a finger towards my mischievous bird, I brush his small head. The feathers are soft, of a greeting warmth. He seems to appreciate the gesture a lot, closing his sparkling eyes.

“Niji.”

     Surprised to hear my voice, the cockatiel opens his eyes and raises his head to stare at me.

“You spoke!”

     I gaze gently at him.

“It is your name. It means… Rainbow.”

     Silent for a while, Niji suddenly unfolds his wings, beating them joyfully as he begins to fly in close circles around me. I think he likes his name, that is a good thing to know. For, now, this word will be his.

***

At a round isolated table in the cafeteria, I take a spoonful of chocolate mousse, light and doted with prints of burst bubbles. For a brief instant, I close my eyes. The foam melts as if it has been nothing but an illusion, letting a faint cocoa flavour in its wake.

     Focused on my desert, I don’t notice that someone approaches the table.

“Errr, sorry. Can I sit here?”

     A young woman is standing in front of the table, holding a tray. At each side of her head dangles a puffy pigtail of the tint of onyx. Wearing a purple and white jumpsuit, she stares at me with an unsure expression, waiting for my answer before making any other move. I simply nod at her attention, and she takes place on the opposite side.

     As I keep on relishing my chocolate mousse, the young woman hustles to eat her lunch.

“You are also a participant in the project, right?”

     I take a glance at her emerald eyes. She seems genuinely curious, and I briefly bow my head in response.

     Silence falls again for a few minutes.

     As I finish my desert, I stand up to clear my tray. Only a few steps further, I hear the hurried ones of the young woman.

“Wait, please!”

     Casting a glance back, I behold her black strands of hair circling, whirling in the air as she joins me rushing in small steps.

“I- I don’t know where we need to go for the tests. I am afraid of getting lost.”

     Her apprehension is senseful. The buildings are vast and as the corridors’ design is quite simple it makes it difficult to get landmarks. When trying to find a precise point, it may seem labyrinthine.

     Resuming my walk, I soon quit the cafeteria, the black-haired lady following me. I can feel that she casts a few glances at me, visibly hesitating to say something else. I wonder what she can be possibly thinking. Gazing at her, I take an interrogative expression.

     She averts my gaze, a soft shade of pink blooming upon her cheeks. Raising a hand to her head, she wraps a lock of hair around a finger.

“By the way. Wh- what is your name? Well, not that I really mind…”

     I smile faintly.

“Aurora Andersen.”

“Oh. I see.”

     As we keep on walking, I carefully brush the air with a finger I point at her, slightly bending my head to the side.

“Uhh? What?”

     The young woman blinks several times before widening slightly her eyes as she understands the meaning of my gestures.

“Oh! My name? It’s Aki Hanayama. I’ve always lived in Ōnomori. And you? You aren’t Japanese, are you?”

     I shake my head. In fact, it is barely the first time I come to Japan. Though I have not seen a lot of it, I already find that country quite interesting. Its landscapes are really different from the ones I am used to.

     Of course I am not sure my feeling is that reliable, as I spent my whole life in a secluded manor.

“Where are you from?”

     I take a while before responding, lost in thoughts.

“Lapland.”

“Huuh?! Really?”

     Widening her eyes, it is obvious she didn’t expect there would be participants coming from so far.

***

Participants are divided into groups of five to make it easier for the researchers to control the situation in the eventual case that things go wrong. Indeed, they cannot foresee all the possible side effects, especially as the natural compounds used by the scientists have been artificially modified to enhance the efficiency of the sought-after properties. What means they have no comparative data.

     In the same mindset, the experimentation occurs in large rooms without furniture.

     While the researchers finish putting some sensors on our foreheads, I can hear the annoyed voice of Aki.

“Hey!! It’s the second time you push me!”

     She turns to face a man of a towering build. Aki seems really small and child-like near him.

“Ohh?”

     The living mountain, gifted with a bushy beard, turns to glance at the onyx-haired lady. His big eyes of the same dark tint that his beard convey an obvious innocence.

“Don’t “Ohh” me! You take so much place, you should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

     She crosses her arms, taking on a gruff expression. Though, somehow, it solely makes her look cuter.

“Ohh-” he corrects himself. “I mean, I am sorry.”

     Running a hand to the back of his head, he genuinely apologizes. Maybe he often gets trouble from his massive stature. This shouldn’t be easy every day. Somehow, I suppose I can relate…

     The researchers having left the room, a few minutes later the experiment starts.

     A colourless emanation of plant-based particles is injected to the ventilation system. The smell is not unpleasant, it reminds me of the scent of waterlogged woods after the rain.

     However… I can’t say that I feel different. Maybe it is because I am often rather… calm.

     The researchers behind the large window observe our behaviour closely, especially what they see on their screens concerning our nervous system’s reaction. I take a glance at the other participants in the room. Aki seems to be less nervous.

     I am not sure I am the best subject for experimentation, but I will do my best to be helpful to this project.

“Aurora. Our world is beautiful, right? We should all help it to remain like this. Do you know the way you will contribute?”

     My father’s voice echoes in my mind, strengthening my resolve.

     I want to find my own way.