Year 3047
Midohira, Daikidageda
“You can leave my hand, Sei! I can use my echolocation now.” Jizen said as she flew a little higher in the air.
Seirouch kept glancing back and forth at Jizen and the stepping stones underneath in the river. Carefully, he took small steps to skip over the stones without falling into the river.
“Wait for me, Jizen!” he yelled at the top of his voice as she raced past him.
“You are slow, Sei!” Jizen teased him, as she managed to reach the other end of the stream even before Seirouch was half way through the river. She landed on the ground and curled her wings inwards, as they fused with her body.
Seirouch stood still on a rather large stepping stone in the river, taking a few deep breaths.
“At this rate, I may grow old before you cross this river.” Jizen mocked Seirouch, as she sat down on the grass, waiting for him.
“Just wait for it - the day I choose an animal for myself, I will beat you in every possible race, Jizen!” he screamed.
“Huh! I don’t imagine you ever being satisfied with one animal, Sei!” Jizen laughed out loud.
Seirouch resumed his cautious walk across the river, unfazed by Jizen’s teases. “I want to choose the perfect animal! I cannot settle for a one dimensional power and be stuck with it for the rest of my life!” he complained. “If only I could find that one perfect anim-”
“I want to wait for the perfect animal!” Jizen continued teasing him, unable to control her giggles. “The longer you wait, the more races I will beat you at.”
“Intead, how about you give up on your powers and we shall see who wins the race, then?” Seirouch irked, almost reaching the other side of the river.
“If I give up on my powers, my life will be meaningless. Without my echolocation, I cannot live my daily life. I will stop feeling comfortable and safe.” The usual cheerful smile on Jizen’s face stooped into sorrow.
Noticing the apparent gloominess in Jizen’s voice, Seirouch picked her up by his hand. “Don’t be sad, Jizen! Let’s go get ourselves a snack and an ice cream!”
Seirouch glanced towards her and said, “As long as I am here with you, you are safe, Jizen.”
“I know.” she smiled.
"Aww, look at the two love-birds here! Or should I say, love-bats?" Ilianna said, appearing out of nowhere.
Seirouch's face instantly turned red as he tried to defend himself, "Well, I thi-"
"Shut up Ilianna!” Jizen screamed, with a flushed face. “Stop calling us love birds, and especially, love bats! Sei is just a human.”
Iianna laughed in her usual sharp tone. “Why are you trying to pick a fight with me Jizen? I was just trying to pull your leg a litt-”
“Why are you moving around, Ilianna? I am unable to sense where you are standing!” Jizen said, moving her head haphazardly, in almost every direction.
“Catch me if you can, babe!” Ilianna winked and tiptoed silently to her left.
Jizen transformed into the form of her bat, trying to find Ilianna using her echolocation.
Ilianna continued her walk towards the bank of the river and tried to run in the opposite direction of where Jizen was trying to emit her ultrasonic waves, in an attempt to locate Ilianna. Her quiet walk burst out into a sprint towards Jizen, transforming herself into a lizard on her way. She playfully jumped towards Jizen and began tickling her with her talons.
“Got you!” Ilianna screamed, victorious.
“DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A SNACK AND AN ICE CREAM?” yelled Seirouch, starting to feel left out in this friendly encounter.
“Are you treating us? Sure!” Ilianna said as she started leading the way, waiting for Jizen and Seirouch to follow her.
Feeling bad, Jizen said, “I am sorry, Sei, I know you don’t like us showing off our powe-”
“Don’t worry about it.” Seirouch snapped and started walking behind Ilianna.
“Sei?” Jizen asked, “Why are you not smiling, like you always do?”
“I am.” he replied rather hesitantly. “Moreover, you do not know how I look when I smile, so you should not ask me why I am not smiling.”
“My instincts can sense it, Sei.” Jizen said.
“Then your instincts are wrong.” Seirouch began, in an irritated tone without the slightest hint of a smile on his face. “I wish you could see. You would know how brightly I am smiling right now.” he added, trying to control his passive aggressive sarcasm with a lot of effort.
“Yes, I wish I could see your smile. I wish I could see the world. I wish I could-” Jizen paused. “I wish I could see you.” she whispered to herself.
Ilianna, Seirouch and Jizen arrived at the food truck festival, in one of the busier areas of Midohira. Suddenly, a young boy jumped out of nowhere in front of Ilianna.
“Who do we have here! Hi sis!” Paras greeted her in his usual thrilled tone with a beaming smile on his face. “Hello, Seirouch, Jizen!”
“Uggrrrh! Why do you always have to be around where me and my friends go, Paras-ite?” Ilianna rolled her eyes.
“We came first, sis!” he said with a scowl on his face. “You are the one who has followed us here.”
“Us?” Ilianna asked.
“Hi Ilianna!” Tadashi waved at her.
Slightly astonished, Ilianna looked towards him, “Tadashi! You look,” she paused to take a good look at his toned body, “Different!”
Tadashi smiled feebly.
“The last time I saw you was when you were a notorious kid wreaking havoc every time you played with Paras-ite.” Ilianna mocked.
“Well, I must say, I did grow up, over the years.” Tadashi chuckled, trying to flex his muscles as he smiled at Seirouch and Jizen.
“I am Seirouch, pleased to meet you.” Seirouch greeted Tadashi with a handshake.
“So you are Seirouch, eh?” he muttered under his breath as he tightened the grip on his hand. “And you are?” he asked, looking towards Jizen.
“I am assuming that you are talking to me?” Jizen asked, looking across Tadashi at the tree behind him.
Tadashi looked over his shoulder, puzzled by Jizen’s misdirecting gaze. “Umm, are you talking to me?” he asked.
“Don’t be rude, Tadashi. She cannot see like we do.” Paras pulled Tadashi by his collar and whispered in his ear.
“I am Jizen.” she said with a bright smile.
Tadashi narrowed his eyes to look closely at Jizen. He was amazed by the fact that somebody who had lost the light in their eyes, could confidently live a normal life, like others. Tadashi crouched slightly and advanced towards Jizen with a very mystical aura surrounding him. Seirouch donned a puzzled look on his face and instinctively took a defensive step towards Jizen.
“Tadashi!” screamed Paras, as he pulled him by his color for a second time. “Leave her alone, she is blind. You should treat her politely.” he whispered in his ear again. Paras bowed slightly towards Jizen, apologizing for his friend’s rude behavior.
“Let’s go! We need to continue choosing an Idiosite for ourselves!” Paras said, tugging at Tadashi’s shoulder.
“Idiosite?” Ilianna asked in an amused tone.
“Sis, Idiosite is the animal or bird that I will choose for myself!” Paras exclaimed.
“Is that what you kids call it these days?” Ilianna asked. “Kids these days!” she chuckled looking towards Seirouch and Jizen.
“Stop acting so grown up, sis! We have always called it Idiosite.” Paras snapped at her. “Look what I have found!”
Tadashi and Paras walked near the tree, as Ilianna followed them reluctantly. Intrigued, Seirouch walked towards the group, along with Jizen. As they arrived closer to the huge tree at the side of the street, Paras kneeled and continued staring at the soil underneath with glitter in his eyes.
“What are you looking at, Paras-ite?” Ilianna asked as she bent down.
“Look at the ants!” Paras exclaimed.
“Ants?” Ilianna exclaimed. “ANTS?” Are you trying to tell me that you would use Idiosyncrasy with an ant?” Ilianna paused for a breath amidst her amused exclamation. “You will be really strong!” Ilianna held her stomach and started laughing out loud, as she walked towards her friends. “Did you hear that Jizen, Seirouch? Paras-ite wants to be an ant!” she said as she tried to draw a laugh out of them.
Paras glared at Ilianna, not amused by her mockery.
“Let’s find you something else.” Ilianna said in a bullish tone.
“Why don’t you let Paras decide for himself, Ilianna?” snapped Jizen.
“Babe, come on! Whose friend are you even!” Ilianna complained, at her failed attempt of domination on her little brother.
“Why do you find ants so weak, Ilianna?” Tadashi interrupted while looking sharply at her. “They possess far greater strength in proportion to the size of their body. They have the stamina to keep working hard, at a continuous pace. Additionally, they are experts of implicit communication, making them one of the best candidates for being an Idiosite.” he said as he kneeled, trying to eyeball the entire trail of moving ants.
“Did you just call an ant strong?” Ilianna asked, with a smirk on her face.
“The comparative strength of an ant is unparalleled.” Tadashi responded, as he narrowed his eyes to look at her. “You should appreciate their algorithmic approach for planning and executing complex tasks. Just brute strength does not make you strong, Ilianna.”
“Tadashi, let’s be ants together! You will also be ready to use Idiosyncrasy with me next year!” Paras yelled, as he learned about Tadashi’s affinity towards ants.
“We shall see.” Tadashi said, coldly. “I am not sure if I want to use Idiosyncrasy,” he paused, “Just yet.”
Everyone continued staring at the trail of ants, carrying small bits of food back to their anthill.
“I am heading home. Come on, Paras.” Ilianna broke the silence with a groan, as they walked back home.
Paras exchanged goodbyes with Tadashi and the group dispersed.
“Should we get some ice cream, Sei?” Jizen asked politely, as she walked up close to Seirouch.
“I don’t feel like it. I am heading out for another walk-” he paused, “You must be tired, you need not come with me.” Seirouch said as he started walking.
“Wait!” Jizen said. However, Seirouch had already walked further away from her. Jizen’s face grew depressed, as she turned around and transformed into a bat. She took off and started flying low from the ground. She arrived at a quiet spot and hung herself on a sturdy branch of a tree in an attempt to breathe some fresh air, trying to calm herself down. “I always end up disappointing him.” she whispered.
Jizen continued hanging herself from the tree for some time, clearing out the depressing thoughts from her mind. Suddenly, she felt the dense leaves of the tree rustle vigorously.
“Who is it?” she questioned, turning her head in both the directions cautiously, trying to locate the source of the noise. Using her echolocation, she sensed someone approach closer to her from her left. Jizen fixated her empty gaze in that direction.
“It is me again, Tadashi.” Tadashi said.
Startled, Jizen asked, “Why are you following me, Tadashi?”
Tadashi let out a low laugh, and ignored her question. A few silent moments followed thereafter.
“Is this a usual place you come to, when you feel left alone?” Tadashi broke the silence.
“You did not answer my question, Tadashi.” Jizen snapped. “Why are you following me?” she asked sternly. “Also, how did you climb up this tall tree?”
“Just like you did, Jizen.” Tadashi winked.
“Have you used Idiosyncrasy?” Jizen asked with a confused expression on her face. “Aren’t you too young to be allowed to use it? Also, didn’t you mention earlier that you are not keen on using it just yet?”
“Hah!” Tadashi exclaimed. “I have been a salamander for quite a few years now.”
“How could a boy of your age be in a position to take such an irreversible decision? This is a very important decision of your life and you should take enough time to think about it.” Jizen said in a bold voice. “The law does not permit kids of your age to use Idiosyn’”
“When I was a kid, she inspired me.” Tadashi responded.
“She?” Jizen asked.
“She was a good friend of my father. She used to visit us often when I was a kid.” Tadashi paused, “She was one of the founding members of the Rini Chen facility. Have you heard about it?”
“Rini Chen facility?” Jizen said with surprise in her voice.
“She often preached of a perfect society.” Tadashi said. “One day, she told me about an old promise she made to her friend.”
“Why are you telling me about this? What has this got to do with me, Tadashi?” Jizen asked in a confused tone. “Moreover, does anybody know that you have used Idiosyncrasy at an age that the law restricts?”
“Nobody knows about my little secret, and about the promise she made.” Tadashi said with some suspense in his tone.
“And what is the reason behind you wanting to share this long-kept secret with me?” Jizen asked, “Someone you have just met?”
“Because I know you will help me achieve the perfect society.” Tadashi responded, rather impatiently.
Jizen extended her little wings and unhinged herself from the branch. She flew down towards the ground in a swift motion. Tadashi took a quick hop from the branch, landing beside Jizen with a soft thud.
“You are not making me feel comfortable, Tadashi. I need to leave.” Jizen said as she started walking.
“Hold up!” Tadashi tapped her shoulder, almost startling her.
Jizen whisked her shoulder to push away Tadashi’s hand, as she broke out into a brisk walk. “Please find someone else who could help you with the promise she made. I do not intend to help you achieve the perfect society.” she said coldly.
“Even if I tell you that she was your mother?” Tadashi asked, rather coldly.
Jizen froze. Beads of sweat started popping up on her forehead as she turned around. “Have you met my mother?” she asked, gasping for a breath.
Comments (0)
See all