S-2878 • L7 Uneluna • D22 Abete
"Uneluna unites sky and path in a gentle thread. Abete opens space in the silver descent. The tide traces a curve in low light. The story continues steady, in a full tone."
The solar cycle was approaching the lunations of passage. Sunny spring days heralded summer, and temperatures already exceeded forty degrees Celsius. Hot air invaded my nostrils and traveled down to my lungs. The joy of those sweltering days also announced the most anticipated time of the cycle: the Nativity Celebration.
São Paulo's streets looked like magical settings from a tropical tale, overflowing with decorations. Golden, blue, green, and silver lights hung from the sky like pixelated stars. Saci-pererês and iaras sprang into pedestrians' paths, scattering golden pixels and wishing them Nativity blessings and positive energy.
The Nativity spirit seemed to fill people's souls. Everyone smiled more, almost excessively friendly. They wished one another well as though doing so could make them shine. After all, they wanted to be aligned before the passage truly began.
Love, trust, freedom, circulation, harmony, evolution, Gaia, and Corchesweave…? What mattered were the Nativity deeds. Donations, jokes, gifts. Gestures concealing the disconnections cultivated throughout the cycle. After all, Nativity… ahhh, Nativity…
"I hate Nativity." I hurried into my office. Argh, those damned sacis throwing their holodust! I flopped into my chair. That lunation's energy challenged my Enchantress, who was already irritated. A true test of my intensity. The blood would come in a few hours.
"Doctor?" Takashi entered wearing a straw hat with colorful ribbons.
I frowned. "What's that?"
He adjusted the hat over his perfectly arranged brown hair. "All staff have been asked to wear one. You received one too."
I tucked a strand behind my ear, avoided looking at the trash, and cleared my throat. "They must have forgotten me."
Takashi approached. "Are you sure? I put it on your desk."
I bit my lip and drummed my fingers against the surface. "Did you? Well, I couldn't find it. Bring another. That one's disappeared."
He nodded. "Regarding your request, I found something interesting while comparing it with other results."
I listened closely. "What?"
"This is a corrupted file, scheduled for destruction next seluna. Fragments remain. I tried identifying the codes to reconstruct it, but without success." As he spoke, Takashi sent me the files. "New York wasn't the pioneer of this nanodevice. NB-Mend testing began earlier. UNITED purchased Nanoverse's bankruptcy estate and, after cycles of legal battles, obtained partial knowledge of that nanoengineering."
"What does that imply?"
He hesitated. "Well, having acquired an incomplete and corrupted theory, they were unable to replicate the nanotechnology effectively."
I froze. My heart raced, and my finger joints stiffened. "They began testing without establishing the validity of the theoretical research? That would explain the disastrous results."
Takashi stared at me, equally perplexed.
Had the GMC approved that? No. They must have… I swallowed. They must have forged the documents. It was the only explanation I could find. "Can we access that nanotechnique?"
Takashi shook his head.
Of course. UNITED must have locked everything away. I rubbed my temples. I could ask Hideaki to reassess the case. But if those documents had passed through the GMC, picking a fight with a company of that size wasn't exactly what I needed right now. I wanted to concentrate on what mattered: helping Maia. "Keep a copy of that document. If possible, remove your access to the original file."
Takashi bowed and left.
I leaned back in my chair.
Shortly afterward, I heard another knock. "Doctor?" Takashi reappeared, carrying a straw hat decorated with golden stars. "For you."
Damn it. Why so fast? I studied the object for a few moments before taking it. "Thank you." I forced a smile through clenched teeth.
He left.
I poked the hat as though afraid it would bite me and left it on the desk.
I sighed. I could hardly believe it. That could explain why UNITED was failing to identify the causes of the deaths. If the information it had obtained was incomplete and corrupted, the company should never have begun testing NB-Mend. I clenched my hands so tightly my nails left marks in my palms.
Still, I decided to do something. Takashi had gathered enough documents for us to begin a deeper investigation. I would analyze them, study the available theory, and try to understand how the nanoprototype worked, searching for its flaws.
It would take time. After all, I would have practically only Takashi to rely on, and I still had CogniSynth to handle. I estimated between one selunaria and two solar cycles to complete the theoretical work, perhaps another thirteen lunations for the practical stage.
Even so, I felt quite optimistic. I hoped Maia would let me help her. I would find a way. We would find a way. Those cretins…
A notification interrupted my thoughts before I could start cursing them.
📩 "I wanna see you." It was Maia, inviting me out. The message swept away all the negativity surrounding me. I smiled like an idiot.
I left, remembering to take the damned hat, since I had to wear it in the hospital corridors. Before putting it on, I poured all my contempt onto it. It's not you. It's me. I put it on. It was a little uncomfortable, but I soon forgot it was there.
"Happy holidays! Happy Nativity!" A holoSaci greeted me at the exit, wearing beach clothes, his cheeks exaggeratedly red and a silly smile on his face as he waved.
I quickened my pace, afraid he would say something else or throw those irritating golden pixels over me.
Before I could enter the car, an Ipiapara sprang out of nowhere, showering blessings over my shoulders. "May the rivers bring prosperity to your Nativity!" an echoing voice wished beside my ear.
I tried to wave her away, and the apparition disappeared. I huffed. "AHHHHHH! They never stop!"
The traditional Summer Fair was taking place in Art Hive. The car glided smoothly through Centrália's streets until it crossed a holoportal whose translucent stained glass depicted mythical stories. Above it, ethereal figures were projected: Iemanjá crowned with stars, Tupã casting golden lightning, and Curupira suspended in an eternal leap between dimensions.
When I stepped out of the vehicle, tropical heat bathed my skin. A salty breeze came from water fountains programmed to release ionized vapor, spreading aromas of pitanga, açaí, and guiné leaves.
Biomechanical saci-pererês ran laughing between pedestrians' legs and vanished in whirlwinds of holosmoke. Some settled on lampposts, smoking pipes that released animations of dancing stars and moons.
Boitatá, the guardian of lights, had come alive through LEDs and glided across the sky between the buildings. Her pixelated form reflected in their glass surfaces, while fiery eyes blinked rhythmically to the drumbeats echoing through illuminated alleys.
At the virtual craft fair, holointeractive statues shared space with other attractions. Iaras emerged from suspended cubes of water, offering blessings in exchange for e-credits with their enchanting voices. "Come, dear traveler, soothe your spirit and find your path in the song of the waters…"
I hurried past, avoiding the spectral mermaid's captivating gaze. The ground vibrated beneath my feet.
Along the sidewalks, digitized maracatu processions advanced to the percussion's rhythm. Groups of cyberfolkloric capoeiristas spun in the middle of the square, their legs painted in luminescent patterns that moved like gleaming blades and changed color with the circle's rhythm. The players alternated strikes with holoprojections that scattered luminous designs across the ground.
At the center, a holographic Negrinho do Pastoreio swung an energy whip, conjuring images of Brazil's Nativities past. Scenes appeared of a starry night in Belém, where an Indigenous family celebrated the solstice, and festivities in Rio's alleyways, brimming with samba and dreams.
A digital Uirapuru sang in the sky. The legendary bird of the Amazon rainforest emitted crystalline sounds, converted into waves of light that created colorful mosaics across the buildings, as though the whole city existed inside a moving painting.
The air carried aromas of cinnamon, fresh fruit, and smoked spices. Nanosynthetic caipirinhas offered relief from the spring heat. Children ran among interactive stalls where holograms recreated Brazilian legends in Nativity versions, while adults competed for samples of molecular rabanada.
In the middle of the main avenue, a group of frevo dancers synchronized precise steps with electronic beats. Above them, a flying sound truck poured out northeastern rhythms remixed with synthwave.
The Nativity spirit seemed to kindle in the drumbeats, the gleam of lights, and the vendors' lively voices.
"Açaí Nativity bacurizinhos, three for ten!"
"Rabanada with Amazonian honey! Who wants some?"
"LED wreaths on sale! Open your E-Pix, ma'am!"
And, as happened every lunation before the passage, her presence hovered in the air.
Mother Nativity.
The protector of love, connection, joy, generosity, abundance, prosperity, and divine purpose. She came from the mangroves, forests, backlands, and hills. Her face seemed to bring together all mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers. Within the same flow, she was new and ancestral, natural and technological, human and mythical.
By day, she wore summer's golden sky. At night, she covered herself in starry cloaks shining like the Milky Way, adorned with vibrant Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian fabrics.
Nativity traveled along rivers, dirt roads, and digital currents in her Celestial Canoe, scattering blessings as seeds, fruits, stories, and memories. She left a trail of golden fireflies across the sky and purified the paths with rue and guiné leaves, sweeping away the previous cycle's pain so the new one could begin clean and full of life.
Carrier-Pigeon Saci appeared to spread Nativity messages and blessings. His laughter echoed through the alleyways, bringing omens of abundance and joy.
The Star of the South.
The people greeted Mother Nativity with songs before Tropical Nativity Mango Trees, adorned with colorful ribbons, wreaths of buriti leaves, and bioluminescent fruits grown in Centrália's hanging gardens.
People celebrated around holobonfires while griots and storytellers shared forgotten legends. Children listened to stories about ancient orixás, Cobra Norato, and Solara and Lunara's journey through Terra Brasilis.
The streets brimmed with the aromas of dendê oil, cupuaçu, canjica, and corn porridge. Cybernetic baianas served gleaming acarajés on levitating trays.
In narrow alleyways, participants carried LED candles, matching their glow to the rhythm of their own hearts. The luminous energy was absorbed by the Celestial Canoe, strengthening Mother Nativity for her journey.
Children ran up to holoprojections on the buildings and tried to touch the entity's translucent image. "If you're loving throughout the cycle, Mother Nativity will leave an enchanted fruit on your window," the elders whispered, their eyes heavy with longing for a time when magic and reality were still indistinguishable.
"They say if you make a sincere wish, she hears it!" a girl shouted, an innocent gleam in her eyes. "But it has to be a true wish!"
I wanted to laugh. Yet deep down, something wavered in my chest. True wishes? I looked at the projection. Mother Nativity hovered above us, watching, as though waiting for something. I shivered. The world around me was hot, alive, alight. Inside me, however, it was pure winter.
As Brazil's dances, rituals, and enchantments echoed through the air, my heart beat to a distant rhythm, trying to find resonance with the only presence that truly mattered.
I crossed my arms. I expected the cursed caiporas to spring up at any moment when something warmer than the summer air itself touched me. The warmth traveled through the fabric and reached my skin.
"Should I call you Mama Nativity?" a voice whispered in my ear, sending shivers through me from head to toe.
I turned.
Maia. She smirked, amused, as the lights shimmered over her hair and face.
I frowned, confused. "Hmm?"
"That little hat." She poked my forehead.
I took off the hat and tucked it into my pocket. "I have to wear it at work." I pressed my lips together in displeasure.
Maia laughed. "Don't like Nativity?"
I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my chin beside hers. "No. Do you?"
She smiled and nudged my head down with her jaw, giving me a quick kiss. "I don't know, but I wanna do Nativity things with you."
I returned her intense gaze. Her words turned my insides upside down, warmth spreading through my entire being. I broke into a broad smile and buried my face in her chest. "How do you do that?"
"What?" Her warm tone was like an embrace.
"Make me think good things about things."
Maia sought my eyes. "There's a name for that, you know." She smiled mischievously. "Starts with an L…"
I hid my hot face. "Stop." I stayed with my forehead pressed into her chest, breathing in her scent as she held me and swayed subtly. "What are we going to do?" I asked, looking up.
"Nativity things."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. What do you think? A lit-up mango tree…"
I bit my lip. "Alright… only because it's you. Will you help me decorate?"
"Obviously."
I let out a soft snort.
We wandered through the streets and entered the shops. Maia was so excited I began wondering whether the Nativity spirit had finally reached her.
She played with the holograms, showed me the attractions, and added items to our purchases. "Let's get this too." Even the little sacis seemed less irritating in her hands. Maia chose string lights and lanterns. Then she found a synthetic mango tree.
"It's too big." The tree she held must have been almost two meters tall.
"It's a little taller than me." Maia measured the distance from her head to the top, smiling.
How could I be angry? She was so cute. Having so much fun. "I'm not strong enough to carry that."
Maia placed a hand on my shoulder and pointed at her own chest. She winked charmingly. "Leave it to me."
I clicked my tongue. She was like a child. "What if we get the projection?" I pointed at the compact holotrees, which occupied no physical space and could be removed easily.
Maia placed her other hand on my shoulder. Ah… no… no… Her predatory aura enveloped me.
I held my breath.
She stroked my neck, brought her face close to mine, and gave a cunning smile. "Why? I'll help you. Imagine…" she whispered in my ear.
"Ahhhh, alright! But you're helping me take it all down afterward."
The intimidating aura withdrew all at once. Maia's expression closed. Her smile, which seemed to come from the sky, unraveled until it reached the ground, fragmenting into thousands of pieces. She said nothing. Didn't even tease me about getting her way.
I found it strange, though I was already used to those sudden changes of mood. I waited, respecting her rhythm.
"If you don't want to, it's okay…" she murmured.
"No… I know we'll have fun decorating this mango tree," I replied with all the enthusiasm I could muster.
I met her honey-colored eyes, now distant, immersed in something that belonged to her. Their light flickered for an instant. Too quickly to notice. But when I looked at her again, the excitement had already returned.
As though she had overcome whatever it was, Maia gave an adorable smile. "I think so too."
We walked through almost every street in Centrália. With contagious enthusiasm, Maia wanted to see all the Nativity lights and decorations. Then we headed to my apartment, where we left the boxes in the living room and began looking for a place for the mango tree.
"It has to go there," I said, pointing near the window. "That's the best spot."
"No." Maia pointed beside the sofa. "Here's much better. Put it there, and it'll block the view." So stubborn.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "If it looks bad, you're carrying it over here, decorations and all." I stamped my foot.
She laughed, satisfied. "As you wish, Mama Nativity."
"How long are you going to call me that?" I tried to hide a smile.
"Until you admit you're a Sour-Goat. Then I'll call you Sour-Goat." Maia carried the tree beside the sofa while I picked up the decoration box.
"I'm not a Sour-Goat." I wrinkled my nose. Where did she get these things?
Maia assessed the arrangement of the buriti ornaments, handed me some woven-straw stars, and traced a zigzag with her fingers. "Let's put them like this."
I nodded.
She took charge of hanging pieces where I couldn't reach. "You hate Nativity like a Sour-Goat."
"That's not it…" I walked halfway around the mango tree. "It's a holiday I've always spent alone. I mean, me, my teddy bear, and Takashi. My parents traveled for work. But they left presents under the tree with a Nativity card that said, 'Happy Nativity, Akiko.'"
The memory resonated within me. Takashi and me. I hugged my teddy bear while watching dawn through the window on Zenith's highest floor. Crystalline tears ran down my face. Happy Nativity, Akiko.
"After a while, Nativity became just another day." I added a few little straw wreaths to the branches.
Maia remained silent. I turned to see what she was doing. Our eyes met.
"That's in the past. You were so enthusiastic that I got excited too. Maybe you can make me like Nativity. I'm loving doing this with you." I let out a little laugh.
Maia hung a small bow on one of the branches and approached.
"Maia…? What's wrong?" I let the wreath fall to hold her face.
Her eyes, so bright, were flecked with gathered tears. None fell, though. They remained there, making her amber irises glow until they seemed to lose their light beneath a sudden opacity.
Maia wrapped me in a warm embrace and stroked my hair. "I'm sorry."
"You don't need to…" My voice caught. Seeing her like that made my heart leap. I wanted to cry at the glimpse of such deep, overwhelming pain. A pain I would never understand. Not even if Maia told me. A pain belonging only to her. A pain that let me glimpse the chains crushing her. I didn't understand what existed inside her, but I wanted to be strong. Wanted her to see my strength and trust me. I would bear the world's weight with her.
"It's in the past," I murmured, trying to soothe her a little. I wanted to ease the burdens I had unwittingly placed on her shoulders. And I wanted her to share her own.
"I know that…" Maia locked the words behind her lips.
We remained embraced, surrounded by an immensity of intangible messages gathering between our pressed bodies. When we finally drew apart, they seemed to fall softly to the floor.
"Can we do these Nativity things earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
She touched her chin thoughtfully. "Can I come over earlier so we can do Nativity things?"
The unexpected request bewildered me. Well, considering everything Maia was… I nodded. She must have had her reasons.
When we finished decorating the mango tree, yellow and green shone, radiating vibrant beams of light. Holograms scattered through the living room and kitchen glowed simultaneously, while golden particles shimmered in the air and gathered across the floor. We added lights to the walls and windowpanes.
Maia decorated the door with a green wreath. "We're supposed to write our names, right? Saw that in movies…" She tilted her head.
"I don't know. Are we?" I burst out laughing.
"We can leave it like that."
"The Sour-Goat's color." Maia waggled her eyebrows, amused.
I rolled my eyes.
When we switched off the lights, everything shone.
"It's beautiful. Thank you." I smiled.
Maia hugged me and caressed my jaw. "You deserve the world."
I lowered my eyes, feeling my heart quicken. She lifted my face and kissed me.
Beneath the measured beats of our hearts and the crystalline Nativity lights surrounding us, I let happiness take over. I let my feelings for Maia flow freely. I allowed myself to trust that someone would be with me. That she would show me how life was worth living and how it could be so much more than the gray reality I had known.
In that instant, there was the embrace and the kiss. The Nativity Celebration vibrated with love, color, light, and warmth. And Maia was all of that within me.
I let my imagination wander through a colorful future. A future in which I would have company at Nativity. A future in which Maia would be by my side.
Beyond Nativities.
Under every moon.