Fly Until You See The Light

Prairie - Chapter 2

«So, I welcome you to the Daylight Prairie...» Ojtaro says in a low voice.

Symphony interrupts him abruptly, confused:«But we're still, we haven't moved an inch from where we were last night».

«Technically she's right, Ojtaro...» Sentinekka says, amused. «We haven't even crossed the way between the two big stones. How can you tell us that we're in the Daylight Prairie if we didn't make a step?».

«I actually don't know. Maybe because we're already near the Prairie and.... Okay, you know what? I don't even know why I did it, forget about what just happened» the boy stutters, a bit insecure.

Sentinekka looks at him, curious. «If that's what you want, we'll forget about it» she tells him while placing a hand on his shoulder.

He stares at her for a while, more surprised every time she says something nice, then he nods.

«Let's go, now. Shall we?» he says, shaking his head and hand to detach himself from his friend, who smiles and exclaims:«Let's go!» with bravery and happiness.

She moves forward with conviction. There she is, marching with energy and positivity, without looking behind her back.

-----

Before following the little girl, Symphony holds Ojtaro by the sleeve.

«What?» he asks her, annoyed.

«Do you want an advice?».

«Nope».

She sighs and rolls her eyes. «It's to get along with Sentinekka. She likes you, as she does with everyone, but you are risking to make her feel uncomfortable. I don't like you, but she does, so it's better for you to start behaving like a good person and not like a criminal» the fifteen-year-old explains, without lowering her gaze.

After seing that she's not getting answers from the boy, she decides to tell him the advice:«Don't let anything get in the way of your affection. You have to always return every hug or smile or anything she does. Do you understand?».

He says nothing. The asks:«Why are you...».

«Helping you?» Symphony interrupts him, raising an eyebrow. She continues:«Because I know that, even though I can't stand you, she cares about you. The end. And put it on your head, kid».

«Are you there or not? What are you talking about?» Sentinekka asks from afar. She has reached the two big stones and is calmly waiting for the two friends.

«Nothing, we'll be right there!» Symphony replies to her friend, smiling. She looks at Ojtaro coldly and runs towards her best friend.

Ojtaro doesn't hesitate to sprint towards them. He still doesn't understand why Symphony said those things to him... And why Sentinekka cares about him so much. Only his family loves him like that.

-----

«Are you ready to see the first place of the second realm?» Ojtaro asks to lead the way.

«Yup!» the two companions exclaim at the same time.

The boy begins to walk between the two stones and, slowly, the girls follow him.

Step by step, the weather gets warmer and the wind decreases more and more until it disappears completely. Sentinekka decides to take off her cape because of the temperature and holds it in her hand after folding it gently.

And, finally, that road opens up to end in a pretty space below a very small platform of rock, earth and grass on which white birds have perched. The three Children jump off from it and find themselves in front of a kind of welcoming and wonderful meeting place.

Candles to light, little flowers, lots of rocks that emerge from the ground... And, in the center of that little spot, a pond surrounded by gray pebbles and little plants makes the atmosphere peaceful and perfect.

«This place can be called Meeting Area» Ojtaro explains while opening his arms. «The fact that gets in my head is that you can meet anyone anywhere, but this place has no names except this one... Also, there are places like this one before every realm. They help to find Children to talk with».

Sentinekka and Symphony, both amazed, look at the whole area and wait for Ojtaro to tell them more. Indeed, he says:«I'd love to know why the Elders have such good ideas but no brain, but I have no answers to this question».

The two girls look at each other for a few seconds, then Symphony asks:«Why don't we just... Take a look around?».

Ojtaro nods and, as usual, tells things about things, legends, stories and more that the two girls still don't know.

For example, stone graves. They are the "refuges of the Spirits". Every Spirit who, helped by anyone, comes with that person to the temple of the Elders, can be seen again in his "grave".

«It's really wonderful to talk to a Spirit... They seem to understand you every time and they know well how to help you with your problems, even thought they don't know how to fix the troubles I'm always in. Don't ask about it» Ojtaro whispers to the girls.

«Oh, it's... Wonderful...» Sentinekka replies, attracted by the topic of conversation. «But it would be great to talk to a Spirit, one time. Why can't they solve your...» she adds, intrigued.

«What did I tell you?» he asks her.

«To not ask questions about your situation... Sorry».