Motions

"Hand," the scientist raised a hand, delighted when the girl followed suit. She pressed that hand against the girl's own and let it linger there.

"Hand," the girl repeated. Though there was no wonder nor curiosity in her dispassionate voice, the scientist knew she was learning regardless. The girl had proved to be a quick learner, but the scientist figured she should take it slow. Teaching her about telling right from left could wait.

"That's right. You use yours to hold something like this," the scientist squeezed the girl's hand. At first, the girl offered no reaction, but once the scientist let go, she felt the girl's hold tightening around her hand. Her delight soon became pain as the girl continued to put in more and more pressure until she let out a yelp. Only then did the hold loosened.

"That's okay, it's not your fault; you didn't know any better," the scientist chuckled as she rubbed her palm, even though the girl didn't apologize, merely watching. Her countenance remained blank throughout, though the scientist noticed the girl's eyes were following her.

"Alright, never mind that," she moved away from the girl, pointing at her legs. "These are legs. You use it to walk around. Like this," the scientist paced in circles.

"Legs," the girl repeated. She looked down to gaze at hers.

"Yes. Try coming down the bed."

Again, the request was met with a blank stare, but the scientist smiled. She returned to the girl's bed and sat beside her.

"First, you do this," she put one foot down on the floor, followed by the other, before standing up.

The girl did the same, only to wobble when she was already on her feet and eventually stumble, though the scientist managed to catch her in time.

"It's okay," she soothed, rubbing the girl's back. It was just on instinct because the latter was clearly unfazed by the ordeal. She didn't quake with fear or apprehension. The scientist knew she was simply unable to. It felt more cruel than merciful.

But as she had shown, the girl was indeed a quick learner. Soon, she was able to stand upright without assistance. But there were more challenging parts.

"This is called walking," the scientist parted with the girl and moved away from her. "Now, try it."

She had thought, at first, to hold and guide her. But now curiosity had gotten the better of her. The girl was remarkably adaptive, exceeding her expectations. Perhaps she should do this alone. In the future, she will find herself many times alone under fire after all.

She barely had the time to put the sorrowful thought aside; the girl had put her right foot forward, followed by the other. She waited a bit before repeating the motion with her left foot first. She walked a few paces before stumbling on something unseen but caught herself in time before hitting the floor.

"Only a little more. You can do this," the scientist beckoned when the girl stood up. After a pause, she resumed walking with a steadier gait, bumping and kicking on the tools scattered on the floor.

Yet she continued to look straight ahead.

The scientist watched the scene with myriad feelings welling and stirring within her. There was joy and pride. And there was something else she couldn't really understand.

But that feeling moved her to catch up with the girl and embrace her.

The girl didn't react with words but eventually returned the gesture, undisturbed by the drops of something cool falling against her bare shoulders as she listened to the whispered words.

"Welcome to the world, dear Gascogne."