S-2878 • L4 Abeluna • D06 Sintosi
"Abeluna opens a trail in new radiance. Sintosi tunes sky and path. The tide draws signs in living silver. The story carries on clearly, in a light thread."
Finally, I could breathe after two packed selunas. We treated the patients. Then prepared them to receive new stimuli from CogniSynth. After checking their condition, I headed to my office.
Takashi appeared shortly afterward. "There's a message from Aydan Russell. He asked you to contact him."
My eyes widened. Warm surprise filled my chest. "Thank you." My Maiden's voice came out far too excited. "Is that all?"
Takashi nodded and left.
I opened my contacts. It had been so long since we last saw each other. When I found his name, lost among the entries, I called. The line rang twice.
"Aydan speaking." The familiar sound of his voice hit me fully. "Anyone there?"
"Y-yes." I swallowed. "It's me. Akiko."
A pause. "Akiko?!" Laughter followed immediately. "Thought you were gonna ignore me, woman!" His playful tone drew a smile from me. "I'm in São Paulo." His voice held an excited brightness. "Busy today? Can we meet for coffee?"
I checked my appointments. They could be rearranged. It was still early. Outside, the sun shone brightly. "Of course. Where would you like to meet?"
"Wow…" He laughed. "I've even forgotten where the cafés are around here." A pause. "Does LeBraCafé still exist?"
"In Centrália?" I scratched my forehead, smiling. "Yes. It's still there."
"Perfect, then. We'll meet there."
LeBraCafé
I waited outside, seated at one of the tables.
Aydan arrived shortly afterward. Unmistakable. Even after so many cycles, he still radiated that aura, warm as the Sun. When he spotted me, he smiled. And, as always, lit up everything around him. Being happy came easily in his presence.
He approached, wrapped me in a tight hug, and kissed my cheek. "Been so long. I've missed you!"
We sat.
Aydan ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate éclair. I ordered black coffee and strawberry tart.
He chuckled. "Your tastes haven't changed." He rested his chin on his hand. "Anyway, tell me. How are things?"
I sighed. "Ah, so much has happened. I barely know where to start." I wanted to tell him everything.
Aydan studied me, raised an eyebrow, and placed a hand on his chin, intrigued. "You look different. More radiant."
My breath caught for a second.
"If I didn't know you, I'd say you had feelings for…" He stopped.
My lips parted. My hands grew damp. I shifted in my seat. Was it that obvious? "What?"
Aydan laughed. "I can't believe it. You're transparent as water, my dear. So… someone's captured your heart? Of everything that could happen, this was unexpected." He burst out laughing. "Thought you'd be my eternally single friend!"
I wrinkled my nose.
"Oh, stop. You know it's true!"
I rolled my eyes. "Why are you here?"
Aydan ran a hand through his curly brown hair. "I'll let that slide, but just so you know, you're telling me everything. Well… D'lmeé Gallery invited me to exhibit my art."
My jaw dropped. "That's incredible news!"
He looked pleased. "The exhibition's tomorrow. The entire gallery will be displaying my work. I really want you there."
"Obviously. Nothing in this world could make me miss it."
Aydan tilted his head. "Bring this special someone. I need to meet whoever won your little heart." He pointed at me with a teasing smile.
My expression tightened for half a second. Would Maia accept? I tried to hide my apprehension. "Of course." I rested my fork on the edge of the plate. "By the way… how's Kilian? Did he come too?"
If Aydan noticed my hesitation, he chose to ignore it.
Our orders arrived.
I picked up my cup.
"Absolutely. We couldn't wait to come to São Paulo." He sipped his cappuccino. "I've been exhibiting all over Gaia. Even though I've only just made it here, I always think of you." Aydan took my hand. "Glad you're doing well."
I gently squeezed his fingers. "Me too. You've always been incredible. You deserve every happiness."
We let the memories pass through us.
Aydan was the only person who had wanted to know me when my life was restricted. I cared little about having friends or being alone. My father had always taught me: solitude was all I needed to stay focused.
But Aydan… was different. Warm. Talked a mile a minute. Came closer even when I showed little interest. Before I realized it, I began to long for his presence. He treated me as a friend, valued my opinions on his art, and wanted my company. So when he returned to Canada, a small emptiness formed in my heart. We lost touch after I graduated and began the research. But now he was here. And we seemed as close as we had been before.
We talked until nightfall.
Until we said goodbye.
At Home
The invitation hammered in my mind. I stared at the bioscreen. Wrote. Deleted. Wrote again. Deleted again. She would definitely refuse. I bit my lip, anxious. What if… I groaned in frustration. I had to stop being stupid. Just send it. If she doesn't want to, she'll say no. Simple. I took a deep breath.
I trusted what we felt. Trusted it enough to introduce her to my closest friend. But… what if it changed everything?
I threw myself onto the bed. What did this mean for us? If she refused, would that say something about our relationship?
My fingers hovered over send. Damn it, Akiko. Just do it. I gathered my courage and sent the invitation. Buried my face in my hands. There. Done.
Or could I delete it? Panic came. I opened the bioscreen and searched for the delete option.
Too late.
The reply notification sent my heart racing. My vision blurred, and I squinted. She said no. She had to have. Akiko, you're an adult. Act like one. I read the message: 📩 "Of course. Time and place?"
My eyes widened. Heat rose through my face. My body reacted immediately. A squeal escaped. Embarrassment followed. Fortunately, I was alone. I sent the details.
Confirmed our attendance with Aydan. His reply came instantly: 📩 "YAAAY! :D Bring your special someone, okay?"
I smiled. Relief. Happiness. Butterflies. Closed my eyes.
Fell asleep smiling.
D'lmeé Gallery
I spent the afternoon reading. Decided to stray from my usual choices and read fantasy. I had always kept my distance from worlds inhabited by magical creatures. Accustomed to science fiction, dystopias, and biographies. But I had read so much of those genres that they had become predictable. I chose The Inventor's Chronicles, published in 2779.
The story of a scientist. She discovered timelines connecting different dimensions. Built a machine and entered a new world, one inhabited by fantastic beings. Creatures that, according to the story, had lived on Gaia millennia ago. The book followed her journey through that parallel universe.
I became so immersed that time flew. When I noticed, it was already time to leave. I got ready.
I headed to D'lmeé Gallery in Centrália, the most prestigious in São Paulo and one of the largest in the world. Curators from across the globe competed for invitations to exhibit their artists. Almost impossible to obtain. The selection criteria? A mystery. Aydan's invitation was a milestone in his career.
An enormous line formed at the entrance.
He messaged me: 📩 "Let me know when you arrive. Y'know, skip the wait ;)"
I looked around. Searched for Maia. Maybe she was…
"Looking for me?"
I shivered. Her voice was so close to my ear. I turned.
She smiled contentedly. "Your friend must be incredible." Maia stopped beside me.
"Yes. He is." I messaged Aydan.
An android from reception called us. "Akiyama? You can come in."
We entered.
Faint lilac light illuminated a dark corridor. Sheets of paper glowing neon magenta fell from the ceiling. So many they piled up on the floor. Another step. The space expanded into a maze. Aydan's works everywhere. Floor. Ceiling. Pillars. A gentle blue filled the space. A crowded bar stood right by the entrance. The smell of digital paint and aged paper filled the air.
Aydan spotted us. A champagne flute in his hand.
Our hug was tight.
He spent a little too long studying Maia.
She held his gaze, her aura striking.
Aydan raised an eyebrow. "My dear… how unfair. You brought a masterpiece. Who's gonna look at the art now?" He smiled charmingly. "Pleasure. I'm Aydan. You…?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Maia. Lovely to meet you." She shook his hand.
His eyes brightened. "Maia… I know the story behind that name. The eldest Pleiad. Known for her unusual beauty. And a solitary life." He sipped his champagne. "The Romans considered her the Goddess of Spring."
Maia gave a charming smile. "I was born in spring."
Aydan's smile widened. "Ah, how I love it when reality and fantasy mingle."
An android circulated among the guests, offering drinks. Aydan snapped his fingers. We each took a glass. He led us toward a work combining bodies in motion with multicolored neon.
"What does Akiko mean?" Maia smiled at me.
Aydan pointed to the painting. "My dear Akiko has a special name. The kanji means child of autumn. And guess what?" He chuckled. "She was born in autumn."
Maia raised an eyebrow, amused.
My face burned. Why did she do this?
"How did you meet?"
Aydan placed a hand theatrically over his chest. "The question I've been waiting for." He winked at me. "I came from Canada eleven cycles ago to study at the Paulista School of Arts. Near the School of Medicine." He lightly brushed a finger over the artwork. "That day… a professor tore up my drawing. I felt humiliated. Sat on a bench between the two campuses."
Maia watched him curiously.
"While I was crying with the torn paper in my hands, she appeared." Aydan pointed at me. "Asked if I was gonna put the pieces back together and frame it." He smiled. "And here we are."
Aydan took another sip of champagne.
A man with curly hair tied in a bun approached, his expression carefree. "Gonna introduce me?" He leaned against Aydan's arm.
"Kilian, so dramatic. You already know Akiko."
Kilian's lips parted. "AKIKO?! How did I only recognize you now?" He hugged me tightly. "Still gorgeous."
"Oh, stop." My face grew even hotter.
He turned to Maia. "Kilian. Pleasure."
Aydan nudged his shoulder. "You won't believe this…" He pointed at Maia. "She won Akiko's little heart."
My body froze. I grabbed my glass, took a large sip, and almost choked. Unlike Maia, who wore the most dazzling smile I had ever seen. My heart leaped.
She raised her glass toward me.
"Stop it." I hid my face behind my glass.
"Thought this day would never come," Kilian teased.
I rolled my eyes and took another sip.
Aydan, with his sunshine. Maia, with her enigmatic darkness. Both looking at me, each in their own way. My attention divided.
Gradually, I continued admiring Aydan's paintings. He and Maia walked farther ahead, talking and studying a fountain of frozen water that gleamed in beams of turquoise neon. I admired them from a distance.
Kilian approached and handed me another drink. "Aydan's talked about you nonstop. Misses you a lot."
I looked toward Aydan and Maia, immersed in conversation.
"And he really likes her," he added. "You make a beautiful couple."
My chest warmed, and I smiled. "So do you."
Club Blaze
Aydan approached us at the end of the exhibition. "We're going clubbing. Coming? We leave tomorrow. Wanna make the most of it."
"So soon?" I asked.
He nodded sadly.
Maia agreed with a small nod.
"Let's go."
We went to Club Blaze, a famous nightclub in Centrália. Aydan secured VIP entry for us. We skipped an endless line that wound around the corner. The place was packed.
Ozone and ionized metal from the holoprojections. Nanofrequency sound nanosystems hovered throughout the space, playing pop. Electric blue, luminescent purple, and incandescent red left trails on my retinas. Synthetic pheromones heightened connections, intensifying emotions. I could almost feel the synesthesia on my skin.
We got drinks at the first bar. Maia ordered IcyNova. I ordered a gin and tonic.
"How can you drink that straight?!" Kilian tried to make himself heard over the music.
Maia only smirked.
"LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!!!" Aydan raised his glass between us. "The night's just getting started!"
We headed to the dance floor and danced together for hours.
At some point, Aydan approached. "A little present." He winked and placed Lamide in my hand. Two colorful pills. Returned to dancing with Kilian.
Maia whispered in my ear. "Hey, if you don't wanna, that's okay."
I lifted my head, a little lost in her attentive gaze. "You're with me. I can relax, right?"
Maia nodded.
We each took a pill. The effect came gradually.
The atmosphere around us began to transform. The music swayed me gently. I vibrated with every beat. Everything radiated through a luminescent mist, like a fantasy world. Neon condensed. Electricity in the air.
Maia's presence, her beauty, features, and woody scent intensified even more. She held me and caressed my nape.
A delicious melody played. A female voice sang, hypnotic and ethereal:
Would you follow me even if you were blind?In the darkness of the night, with nothing to guide youIn the silence, with no one to help youWould you let me show you the way of love? ♪
The lyrics resonated in my heart, as though created for that moment. For us. Maia captivated me with her seductive gaze. I plunged deeper into her vastness. She overwhelmed me completely. Pulled me closer and kissed me. A kiss that fused our destinies. That held eternity in an instant. I pressed against her body and wrapped my arms around her waist. She rested her forehead against mine. Eyes closed.
"Let me be part of your world," I murmured.
Maia smiled affectionately. Caressed my cheek. "You already are." Kissed me again. Slowly.
My heart beat so fast. Excitement burned inside me. Feeling right beneath my skin, I kissed her ardently, sharing the stars dancing in my mouth. In my soul.
I poured out the love flooding me. Cosmic overflow. An entire Corchesweave of surrender dissolving between us. Every sensation, perception, invisible vibration spilled forth. Maia responded with the same intensity. The sound around us disappeared. No music, neon, crowd. Just me. Just her. Just us.
We parted, breathless. Oblivious to everything around us. I chuckled in euphoria. She did too. We held each other for a long time.
Then danced again.
Some Time Later
After so much alcohol, under Lamide's influence, my stomach churned. I wanted to vomit. Why did this always happen? Maia sat me on a sofa. Aydan and Kilian joined us.
"What's wrong?" Kilian was intoxicated, but still alert.
"She's feeling sick." Maia stroked my back. "Think we should lea—"
I emptied my stomach onto the floor.
"Yeah. Better go." Kilian helped me stand.
"She's still the same." Aydan gave a drunken smile.
They helped clear a path to the exit.
"You gonna be okay?"
Maia wrapped an arm around my waist. "Yes."
"Here's my number. If there's any trouble, please let me know." Worry filled Aydan's voice.
I was conscious despite my clouded vision. The problem: constant nausea. Pain in my stomach. "Gonna thro—"
Maia pulled me toward the curb.
I vomited again.
She held my hair.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, free of embarrassment. "Shorryyy. Such a lightweight with these… things." I vomited again. My head spun. "Sorry…" My voice came out weak.
Maia ran a hand through my hair, turning my face away from the mess. "Nothing to apologize for."
We continued walking.
Maia was so serene. Attentive throughout the journey.
We reached the Club of Fantastical Dreams. Two half-naked women greeted us.
My heightened senses overwhelmed me. Colored lights made me dizzier. Hurt my eyes. Not to mention the deafening music.
In the elevator, it was hard to keep my eyes off the woman's bare chest.
Maia pinched the bridge of her nose. Smiled in amusement.
"Shorryyy. Can't help it," I babbled.
Maia gently guided me out of the elevator by the arm.
"Have an excellent niiight." I waved to the woman.
Maia laid me on the bed.
What was this unbearable heat? I struggled out of my cardigan and tossed it aside. "You gonna leave me? Go like lasht time?"
Suddenly, Maia was over me. Her mischievous eyes traveled over my body. She held my wrists and bit her lip. "How could I? So defenseless. So vulnerable." She breathed into my ear. Nibbled it.
A shiver ran through me. A quiet moan escaped. My awareness sharpened. Heat spread from the inside out. Whatever control I had over myself vanished. I tried to hold her predatory gaze, but every part of me was shaken.
Maia lowered her head. Sighed and sat in the armchair. "This is so unfair," she said, her voice heavy with frustration.
My heartbeat was frantic. I could barely follow my thoughts. Buried my burning face in the pillow.
Maia rested an elbow on the chair's arm and brushed her fingers over her lips. Her gaze swept over me.
What she was doing was unfair.
Maia chuckled, reading my embarrassment.
"Why?" My voice was muffled.
All I got was a sarcastic laugh.
I gathered my remaining courage and tried to face her. Failed. Grunted.
Silence enveloped us like a veil of anticipation and tension.
Damn it. Why was my tolerance for intoxicants so pathetic? This stupid biochip seemed useless at reducing the symptoms.
I calmed down. Drowsiness came. The bed grew more comfortable as the day's weight drained from my body. I was about to close my eyes. "Won't you lie down with me?"
"Better not." Her husky voice sent a teasing shiver through me.
"Why?" I pouted.
Maia sighed. "Because how am I supposed to hold back with you so close?"
I let out a muffled cry. The flame she had kindled in me burned like a wildfire. I turned away. "Why do you do this?"
A breathy laugh answered me.
"Maia…" My voice was low. Almost a whisper.
She lifted her head.
"Staaay."
Maia stayed silent. But before I fell asleep, I felt her breath near me.
I drifted off.
The Next Morning
My head throbbed. Faint light filtered through the curtains. Warm breath against my ear reminded me where I was. Who I was with. Maia held me. Her fingers laced through mine. Her warm body. Safety.
I nestled closer. Her woody scent even stronger.
I heard a muffled murmur.
"Hey." I chuckled.
Maia wrinkled her nose, eyes still closed. "Couldn't resist." Her voice sleepy. "You looked so delic—" She stopped. Her eyes opened. A faint pink colored her cheeks. "I mean, you were sleeping so peacefully."
Silence settled between us. Soft. Comfortable.
I wanted to stay there. Turned in bed, snuggling closer. Felt Maia's lips softly touch my forehead. I smiled.
We stayed there, savoring each other's presence until…