'He simply doesn't want speak...'
Nadia stared at Cordell. 'What do you mean? He comprehends speech. You just said it yourself, he's exceptionally bright.'
Professor Alexander Cordell didn't immediately reply. His eyes were fixed on the small child-like creature beyond the glass who was proving his exceptional aptitude at piano. Valder Fields was a nice simple song that anyone could learn with enough practice, but playing it all perfectly after just one listen was extraordinary. Even more extraordinary was the fact that RED-1137 had never come across a piano in his life until about half an hour ago. Previous tests yielded the same result: an all-rounder that very effortlessly out-striped a human being. The professor was far away, his mind pondering, no doubt, over the boy and what else he may be capable of.
'1137 is truly something, isn't he...' he said finally, eyes still fixed on the boy.
'Valentine is more than just something. He's a gift.'
'You seem to have a fondness towards the boy...' he stated, looking sideways at her.
'Well, I mean, yes, yes, I do... There's just something about him that...' Nadia let her words trail off into nothingness. Alexander nodded for he understood.
'How would you like to extend you stay here at iDen?'
'What?'
'Full-time employment. You will be charged with the upkeep and welfare of young Valentine here. After all, the test results showed that he responds better to you than anyone else.' He finished the last part with a hint of bitterness.
'Well, maybe if you all would cut down on the needles and screening and maybe treat him more like a person-'
'So what do you say?' he said before she could finish. He didn't sound angry or annoyed, rather more eager for results than an argument.
'I... I don't know,' Nadia said finally, and it was the truth.
'You're a very sensitive person, Nadia-'
'Yes, and you're all as cold as stone!' she burst out.
'No, you misunderstood me, I wasn't accusing you of being weak. You have a heart of gold, Nadia... Not many people are like you. It doesn't take a degree in anthropology to see that. You're just better with these things than others. After all, science can only do so much...' Nadia stared at him. The look in his eyes said it all and more.
'You may ask for anything here. You will have full access to the facility and the pay will be generous. There will-' he stopped talking for Nadia raised a hand.
'I'll do it... I don't want a fancy company car or money.' she turned to look at Valentine who had finished the song and was now cocking his head low on keys and sampling the sound every one made. 'You just make sure your people don't hurt him,' she said with unconcealed anger and determination.
'It will be looked into...' Cordell muttered.
'You better...' she said, before entering the room.
It was a spacious chamber with white panels covering the walls. Near the high ceiling were frosted windows where Rachel or some other scientist was busy with a clipboard. It took quite a while to reach Valentine who had stopped his key-pushing and had turned long ago to fix his eyes on her. On approach, he sinked a little on the high stool and his beak gaped a fraction. It was textbook fear, but again, according to Cordell, he responded better to her than the others. She shuddered at the thought of what the others did to make him comply to blood tests, body screening and everything else they made him do.
She stopped a distance away, not wanting to distress him further. Valentine was a timid little thing, she thought. The tan feathers and fur had all grown out, making him more real than the first time she saw him. He was deadlier now... The combination of two top-notch predators made anyone think twice about coming near him. Nadia could picture literally a hundred ways Valentine could harm her and the number kept growing. Even so, it was he who was scared of everyone else. His amber eyes with blood-red pupils were wide with fear.
'May I come sit with you?' Nadia said softly, not breaking eye-contact.
He nodded and made to get off the stool entirely but Nadia held him down gently with her hand as she approached. 'No, please... Sit and play for me.'
He nodded, and Nadia couldn't help buy stare in awe at their sharpness and their intensity. They looked like they could see through her. He blinked and tilted his head a little as if to say "Is everything all right?" She kneeled down beside the stool.
'Could you play that song again? It was beautiful... I've honestly never heard anyone play it as well as you did.' she said. Valentine stared at her.
'You're special, Valentine... Don't forget that...,' she said. He didn't immediately respond. He made a sound and from his beak, the words came.
'T-Thank you,' he croaked clumsily and she stared at him in disbelief. 'You spoke!'
'Is is alright?' he sounded so small, young and innocent, like a little boy who's just confessed to breaking something.
'It-It's better than alright. I-I understand you better.' She smiled and watched as he mirrored her expression with mild difficulty.
'Haven't smiled before, have you?'
'No' he said, starting the song again, his talon-ended fingers dancing over the ivory and ebony gracefully. The song he generated was just so beautiful...
'Well, I think you'll be smiling a lot more often from now on...'
'I hope so...'
'I know so.' she said, wrapping an around him and noting the curious feeling of the feathers beneath the fabric.
Valentine smiled in response and played a little more enthusiastically. Nadia smiled and scooted a little closer to watch his little digits dance over the keys and she mulled over the future and what other gifts the child possessed; gifts that fate had kept hidden from them all.
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