Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
The platform slowly trembles and rises toward the roof of the giant windmill tower like a forgotten beast that just awakens.
As the platform moves up, the night view of the city can be clearly seen through the perfectly transparent eco-glass wall. Perhaps it was built to let the tourists enjoy the views of Constellia in the first place.
Ayla quietly walks to the wall. She stares at this unfamiliar city and the unfamiliar sky.
It's about to rain...
Illustrated by the lights on the ground, roiling gray clouds are portraying the most magnificent view with the simplest colors. The entire city seems to be on the verge of tears.
She has seen this view before... That was when she had not fallen in love with art.
It's about to rain...
Holding her painting tools, the young Ayla gazes blankly at the gloomy sky outside the education center, totally unaware of a hand gently poking at her puffed cheek.
What's going on, Ayla? You look a little down.
Oh hi, Ms. Meka... When will the day be sunny again?
Let me check my terminal... According to what the admin council has posted, I'm afraid the simulated rain will last the entire day.
While there is no real water cycle in Babylonia, a weather control system still runs within the artificial dome to simulate various weathers to recreate the environment on Earth.
Is that so...? Argh... I won't be able to finish this sketch today.
Hmm? Is that the homework I gave you earlier?
Meka flips through Ayla's sketch book. Her works are outstanding as always. In fact, they are rather phenomenal for a child.
Yeah... We all agreed to paint "Eden Under Clear Skies" to capture Babylonia under the most beautiful sunlight. But it's been raining for days.
There's no way a group of children could come up with such a topic... It was probably Ayla's idea, or mostly hers at least. Meka shakes her head and smiles to herself.
But didn't I ask you to complete in groups of 4? Where are the others...?
Um...
Seeing Ayla's hesitation, Meka can't help but begin to frown.
Oh! It's not what you think. I wasn't bullied or anything... It's just that...
Ayla immediately explains with a smile. She cannot help but gaze at a few children playing with one another, who seem to be her group members.
They said I was too good at painting... That I didn't really need them. In fact, they would be more of a hindrance than help. So...
What do you think then, Ayla?
Maybe they were right... Besides, I quite like drawing anyway.
Ayla is still smiling, but her right hand suggests otherwise as it holds a brush with no paint and scribbles on the sketch book.
How considerate of you... Do you think I will say that?
Meka's hand was patting Ayla's head, but it suddenly flicks her on the forehead, catching her completely off-guard.
Ouch, what?!
Ayla looks at Meka with great confusion, but she just quietly sits down next to her.
Let me ask you. Will you really be happy if you complete this homework all by yourself?
Ayla hesitates a little but shakes her head in the end.
I just wanted to make everyone happy. If doing this alone can make their life a little easier...
But you are stuck now.
Ayla gazes at the blank paper and falls into silence. Maybe she can come up with a decent artwork just from her imagination alone, but "decent' is not enough. She wants to create the "best" painting she can do.
Besides... She does not feel happy at all. She wants to enjoy painting with her friends together.
If you want to play with them, you need to be brave and tell them how you feel. Don't be too concerned about what others think. After all, it's impossible for humans to understand each other—unless you are willing to express your feelings first.
Look at those great artists. They are all very self-centered.
With all due respect, I think that's your own prejudice...
Some artists may be rather silent, but they are also listening to the voice of this world and interacting with this very world that they live in.
Their paintbrushes are their mouths. The colors they paint speak for them, telling the world what they think in their own ways.
As for you... I think you will do better when you are with your friends and can hear their voices. You will turn everyone into your friends, who will give your painting power.
Still a little uncertain, Ayla nods as if she has understood.
What are you doing here then? There's not much time left!
Ayla quickly grabs her tools and runs back to her group. They soon begin to chatter.
Meka was a little concerned whether Ayla could express her feelings. But she soon realizes she was worrying too much.
"I remember the shapes of the clouds on the dome look different on sunny days!" "That's right. I once saw bionic birds flying by." "The puddles on the ground would reflect the sunlight. It's dazzling, but beautiful too!"...
Soon, Ayla's friends start to share their memories, adding to the discussion. Ayla herself has turned into a listener, excitedly writing down the creative ideas of her friends and transforming them into vibrant lines and colors.
The sky is still dark, but it matters no longer. Without looking at the final painting, Meka knows this work created by Ayla and her friends would feature the most stunning clear skies ever.
Ayla can feel the platform slowing down. She knows it is about to reach the roof, and the person she is looking for is right there.
Ayla clenches her gunlance as if she is holding a paintbrush.
She casts all other thoughts away, fully focusing on what she is about to do next.
