Chapter 10: Morning Rainbow – Moth

I hoped I could finish the set-up before she arrived.

 

The ladder wobbled violently underneath me as I drilled the last screw into place. With a jump, I hopped down and ignored the crash as I looked at my handiwork. Curved strips of LED lights ran along the bedroom ceiling, culminating in a circle around a group of smart bulbs.

Iskra had asked about these weeks ago. Her antenna had quivered as she clasped her four hands into pairs, and in her soft voice, she’d asked if I could help her with a small project. Some lights for her room, she’d told me—nothing major.

That was half true.

Not that I minded the challenge. I had one request though; she had to assist me. She had agreed faster than I had expected, and a trace of a smile graced her face when I asked. The following weeks were more fun than any in months. Dinners were spent discussing patterns and arguing with second-hand stores over speakers. Sleepless nights getting the programming to work once we’d gotten all the electronics.

Now, though, it was complete. Only the last few checks remained, and she would have her system. A sense of loss flushed through me at the thought, and I dismissed it. It had been fun. That was important to remember, and I gained more skills during the process.

With a swift poke, I tested the four miniature speakers hidden in the corners of the room. Solid. Good, I knew she wouldn’t exactly be blasting rock music, but better to be safe than sorry.

I checked the oversized lamp on her desk and smiled as the disk tray slid out silently. My friend had loaned us his 3D printer, and this was the design she wanted. Place in the disk, pull the cord, and wallah. Music and lights. Or so I hoped.

My hand trembled as I grabbed one of her meditation CDs at random and placed it into the tray with care. Once it had sat inside, and I heard the soft whir of the fans, I yanked the cord.

Nothing happened.

I cursed and tugged the cord twice more. Still nothing.

She would be home soon, so I started the process that any good tech geek followed when fixing things. I turned it off at the wall and tried it again. Still nothing. Onto the next plan, unplugging everything and trying it again.

I found it after fifteen minutes of annoyed grumbling. We had gotten a large hanging light cheap off a guy online. It had worked at his house, and neither of us had bothered to recheck it before we’d installed it. But now that I held it in my hand, I could see the issue. One wire had frayed enough it wasn’t getting a signal.

As the centerpiece, we’d coded it as a starting point, and if it didn’t work, nothing else would go.

I was no electrician, so no tools in the house to fix it. That might mean I’d need to check the code. The clock read four pm, and I knew she’d be home by five. I should be able to manage it in an hour, and I guessed I’d have to.

Light in hand, I hurried to my room and booted up the computer. It was time to get to work.

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At five to five, I was ready, or so I hoped. With my fingers crossed, I tugged on the cord. A drum softly played behind me as it spread out across the room. My gut stopped churning as I watched a pale blue light run along the various strips to join in the center.

Laughter bubbled up, and I let it out with abandon. It worked! Weeks of effort, and it worked!

The door opening caught me off guard, and I spun to catch sight of my roommate. She paused, her white hair bathed in color as she stared up at the ceiling. As though in a trance, her wings partially unfurled, and she moved to my side.

“I’m sorry about the center lamp. I—”

Her top left hand covered my mouth as her other hand clutched at mine. Together we stood, and I felt the fur brush against my arm as she swayed to the music. I moved along, and each time the bell chimed, we gently bumped into each other.

When the song ended and the light faded away, she turned to me. I wasn’t sure what to say when she squeezed me into a hug. I hugged back as her white and black splotched wings encircled me, and together stayed as the next song started. Light bathed us, and her eyes refracted it as no human ever could.

My forehead itched as her antenna tickled my face, and I heard her next whisper as though she'd shouted it.

“Thank you.”

The room darkened before exploding in color as LEDs brightened without warning. I couldn’t tell if she was blushing or if it was the lights. I knew mine wasn’t, and I hoped she knew.

“No problem. I’m always happy to help.” I tried to keep eye contact as I spoke.

She giggled and pulled away from me. I stood, awkward, until she laid down and gestured for me to join her. My mind raced, wondering what she was implying, until I saw how focused she was on the spectacle.

Together, we lay on the floor and watched the colors drift. It was nice to relax for a change. My vision blurred as the music mixed with the lights and her soft breathing. Her hand retook mine, and I gave it a small squeeze involuntarily. I smiled as I felt her return it.

My eyes closed as the late nights caught up with me, and even through my eyelids, the colors danced. Soon they faded away until morning, when I opened my eyes to see three sets of rainbows.

One on the ceiling and two in her eyes.

 

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