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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAIuwHdJwdwD
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANA8qmcWF0KzR
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANARkZ6eNnqG5
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAR9OjjP9zbQ
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAAKeKzpw0f0
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAS7PPGbNYnC
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAVTgPWoesXk
Nothing happened.118Please respect copyright.PENANADPQxsO72p5
I cursed and tugged the cord twice more. Still nothing.118Please respect copyright.PENANAOkK3Nuh1PY
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAj6WPtkvlGW
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANALJzEaADTFI
As the centerpiece, we’d coded it as a starting point, and if it didn’t work, nothing else would go.118Please respect copyright.PENANAkgAOIMhdo2
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAcpHFjLU6ht
Light in hand, I hurried to my room and booted up the computer. It was time to get to work.118Please respect copyright.PENANAvA81kuaMc9
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAzR6qyv7QLV
Laughter bubbled up, and I let it out with abandon. It worked! Weeks of effort, and it worked!118Please respect copyright.PENANA2d3KAzgsMD
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAISWdQa5cJr
“I’m sorry about the center lamp. I—”118Please respect copyright.PENANArf9YmoCg6a
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAterJGbN5G6
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAaRAOCCXsqu
My forehead itched as her antenna tickled my face, and I heard her next whisper as though she'd shouted it.118Please respect copyright.PENANA0H6F3Q8iYJ
“Thank you.”118Please respect copyright.PENANAuXmUJsoaaW
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANA1YxANhNhDD
“No problem. I’m always happy to help.” I tried to keep eye contact as I spoke.118Please respect copyright.PENANArxE1qBRWff
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANALcvsrXLfA9
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAgLvQGUVYNO
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANARKXTx14d18
One on the ceiling and two in her eyes.118Please respect copyright.PENANAiEFVNJqBIr
118Please respect copyright.PENANAls0Nf6cOar