5. Opportunities
Three long years had unfolded since the moment Kae's powerful spell forever linked the lives of Aja and Laoise. During this time, Aja, trapped within Laoise's human form by day, had been meticulously scrutinizing the complexities of human society. The more she delved into their world, the more she found herself bewildered and frustrated by the myriad of rules governing human behavior. These rules, in their abundance and absurdity, seemed even more irrational than those set by Kae in the savannah.
Aja's daily observations gathered through Laoise's interactions and experiences, revealed to her a world both fascinating and infuriating. She noted the intricate social structures, the convoluted norms, and the often-contradictory actions of humans. As she navigated this foreign environment, Aja couldn't help but feel a growing sense of indignation at the constraints and limitations imposed by human society.
However, what troubled Aja most was not just the bizarre nature of human rules but the apparent dismissal of her reports by Kae. Over the years, she had faithfully relayed her findings to Nosso, who in turn communicated them to Kae. Despite her diligent efforts to provide insights into the human world, Aja sensed that the spirit of Nature remained unimpressed. Kae had yet to see her rebellious child's reports as sufficient reason to lift the transformative spell.
And this lack of acknowledgment from Kae only added to Aja's frustration.
Laoise, gradually coming to terms with her remarkable and unprecedented situation, had learned to keep the incredible secret of her connection with Aja closely guarded. She developed a cautious yet cooperative relationship with the leopard spirit that shared her body. Finding solace in the realm of words, Laoise discovered that freelance copywriting was the perfect refuge. Throughout this process, Laoise's freelance work not only provided a means of livelihood but also became a platform for exploring human interactions, behaviors, and emotions.
The merging of their two distinct viewpoints created a dynamic synergy that enhanced Laoise's craft in ways she never anticipated. Surprisingly, Aja's sharp and incisive perspective, though initially a source of conflict, began to infuse Laoise's writing with a unique flair. This unexpected contribution from Aja brought a fresh and engaging edge to Laoise's work, delighting her clients and boosting her unique work reputation. As both souls navigated this shared existence, their efforts were focused on deciphering the clues and understanding the conditions that Kae had set for their liberation.
Fate took a turn, bringing Laoise back to her roots in Alsace, where an alumni reunion was being held at Strasbourg University. As she walked through the bustling campus, a place teeming with memories, she found herself amidst a gathering of old classmates. Among these familiar faces, one in particular caught her eye: Côme, the object of her unrequited affection during her school years.
Her heart fluttering with a mix of nostalgia and apprehension, Laoise observed Côme from a distance. He stood at the center of a lively group, charming and charismatic as she remembered. The sight of him reignited feelings she thought were long buried, stirring a blend of longing and trepidation within her.
Despite the overwhelming rush of emotions, Laoise mustered a bravery she scarcely felt. With each step toward the group, her resolve strengthened, even as her mind raced with doubts and uncertainties. She was no longer the same timid girl from her university days; her extraordinary journey with Aja had changed her, imbuing her with a newfound sense of resilience.
As she drew closer, the chatter of the group reached her ears, a familiar melody of laughter and conversation. Côme's voice, distinct and warm, floated above the rest, evoking a sense of déjà vu.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Aja exclaimed in disbelief upon seeing Côme. “This is the moron who started the fire in the Savannah!”
“Don’t say that.” Laoise responded.
“Why can’t I say that though? Enlighten me because I am lost. Is it because he’s not actually a moron, or is it because your hormones are clouding your already questionable judgment making you too stupid to recognize that this entire mess is his fault, thanks to his cigarette?" Aja retorted; her tone laced with sarcasm.
“Technically, we are in this situation because of you and your disrespect towards Kae. Yet, I have never called you a moron. So shut up!”
“Here we go again. I should have eaten you and your insignificant imbecile friends when I had the opportunity.”
“Well, why don’t you go ahead and do it tonight? Go on and let’s see how Kae reacts to an umptieth Aja’s misbehavior. Perhaps this time, you'll end up cursed to spend the rest of your life with a maggot. Maybe your poor behavior will finally set me free." Laoise suggested.
Disregarding Aja's continuous tirade, Laoise inhaled deeply to compose herself and then stepped into the circle that encircled her long-time crush.
"Hi," she murmured.
"Laoise! It’s been ages!" Exclaimed Juliette, a classmate from her first semester, her greeting cutting through the awkward tension. The others joined in, echoing her warm welcome.
Côme's expression brightened as he recognized her. "The survivor!" he exclaimed, smiling warmly at Laoise.
"Survivor?" Juliette asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, Laoise here made it through a wildfire on that humanitarian trip we were on a few years ago. It's great to see you're doing okay after everything. How have you been since then?" Côme inquired casually.
"Good…umm…I’m freelancing now, in copywriting. Down near Marseilles. What about you?"
"I'm still pursuing my dream of becoming an architect. And it seems like things are finally starting to fall into place. I'm part of this massive project in Togo – a stunning water park on the Mono River. It's going to be amazing!" Côme said with infectious enthusiasm, but Aja's disdain was palpable.
Laoise, struggling to maintain her composure, pressed on. "That sounds...interesting. But isn’t it Mono like a natural heritage somehow…I mean especially with the Mangrove forests?"
Côme, unfazed, replied, "Don’t know. My boss got the green light for the kick-off two days ago. This project could secure my permanent position in the company, so I am thrilled the authorizations to proceed are now secured. It's really exciting!"
As the other alumni were congratulating Côme, Aja's sarcastic voice intruded on Laoise's perplexed thoughts. "So basically, after the fire, this non-moron of yours somehow found a way back with a plan to potentially demolish the Mono sacred forests or worse, destroy its centuries-old Mangroves just to build a playground. What an interesting turn of events." Aja remarked sarcastically.
“What do you mean?”
“Even though I'm itching to get rid of this fool, I obviously can't. Besides, eliminating him won't stop his harmful project. I'll definitely inform Kae, but with your kind’s destructive machines, there's a chance she might not be powerful enough to stop the disaster. So, it seems like it's up to you to dissuade your kind to prevent this whole thing from happening any time soon.” Aja stated.
“H…How am I supposed to deal with this? Besides, it seems like this project is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Côme. I can't just…”
"I am sure your interest in the smoking larva is incredibly important. But here is the thing; before residing in the Sadori forest’s baobab, Kae used to live amid Mono Mangroves. Even though you annoyed me earlier, and I'd love to crush your delicate ribs if I could, I'm still willing to offer you an ultimate act of kindness.
You see, to Kae, you are the representative of your kind actions. That means that if Côme and his team dare to touch the Monos’ ancient Mangroves, you will be the one with a fate tied to that of a maggot. And I will probably be the one enjoying how ferociously Kae will make you, your current family, and your descendants miserable. So now, let me ask you this Laoise: How are you planning to tell Kae that your crush’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is more important than her sacred Mangroves?”
*** To be continued ***
