Midori's Diary

[midori]

Third Day of Spring
My Room
Noon

It’s raining.

This fact alone has the ability to fill me up with a sweet sensation of joy as well as a strong dread.

The rain is wonderful because it’s the beginning of spring, and the fresh, crisp water will spark the growth of the wildflowers in the forest. Bright pink, violet, and orange buds will peak up and bloom behind the bright green background of the trees and tall grasses, while the leaves and buds of the trees will grow into a thick canopy which will let a few hazy, warm beams of light shine through. It makes traveling so much more pleasant and interesting, and just an overall beautiful experience.

But the rain is also horrible because it’s keeping me inside, and I cannot stand it!

I woke this morning to the gentle thud of raindrops on the roof. At once I was off my bed and out of the room. My strides took me through the kitchen and then to the shop that connects to the left side of our house and onto its porch, which is basically an extension of our slanted roof with some support beams thrown in to hold it up. I clasped one of those wide beams and hung off it as I gazed into the streets and sky, observing the strong downpour that was slapping anything in its way and the thick, dark cover of clouds overhead. Stray raindrops splashed onto my face and arms, immediately chilling me.

Quickly I returned indoors and dressed, my mind racing with random activities that would be available to me during this rainy day. I could already imagine myself splashing through the streets, letting the freezing raindrops pelt against my arms and slick down my face, inhaling the crisp, energizing air… It was going to be great day, I was sure. Until I met my mother in the kitchen.

I was pulling on one of my shoes by the table in the kitchen, when my mother walked in – hair smooth and recently brushed, eyes bright and alert like always. One thing about mom: she doesn’t miss anything. She knows what’s going on with everyone, and she’ll be two steps ahead of you before you knew you were going there. Which means she’s pretty wise I guess, but mix that with the world’s worst worrier, and you’ve got the most overbearing, over protective… well you get the idea? And you can’t hide. It would kill most teenagers, but I’ve got little to conceal. Most of the time.

Mom observed me silently me for a moment, one delicate eyebrow raised in curiosity, before it lowered in understanding as the volume of the rain pelting against our roof greatly increased in the silence.

“Surely you’re not going to go running around in that.” said my mother in her cool tone.

I grinned, letting that be the answer.

She shook her head. “It’s practically a hurricane out there. You’ll get sick.”

“We live no where near the coast. We don’t get hurricanes.” I avoided.

“You’re not going outside.”

“Mom!”

She ignored my whining. “Why don’t you do something inside today?” My mother attempted slyly. I suddenly understood what this was about, but I stayed quiet. “Perhaps you could sew a little…” I winced. Poking myself with needles has never and will never be fun. “… or you help me cook, or clean up a little – your father is going to have company tomorrow…”

“Mom…” I said with a sigh. “Chores don’t really sound like my idea of a great day.”

My mother paused a moment, and a strange look crossed her face. “You… know, Midori. You’re at that age, and you really need to be good at these things for when, you well…”

I immediately interrupted. “Fine! I’ll do something inside.” I was out of the kitchen and into my room before she could say anything else. I can’t believe she was about to use the “M” word on me. Sure, I turned eighteen in the fall, but… just thinking about it… I mean, I guess a lot of people my age get married, but… Sheesh! I mean, I’m just beginning to embrace my freedom!

Anyway. I rushed into my room and stopped dead in the center, feverishly looking for something to do. The whole slap in the face about my age got me thinking about my last birthday, how lovely it had been. Finally becoming of that independent age, able to make my own decisions, becoming respectable. Not to mention all the great presents I had received. A sturdy messenger bag from my father… Mom had made an irresistibly delicious cake and had purchased a few outfits (including a rather formal one, I realized glumly), and there had been the dusty, leather book I had received from my grandfather…

Swiftly, I pulled open my bedside drawer. Inside was an ashy-brown, leather bound book. I pulled it open and flipped through the blank pages, thinking back to what my grandfather had said to me when I had received it. He had told me that each person’s life is valuable and should be recorded and cherished and passed on. Grandfather then went on to tell me about his old journal he had written while he had been in the army. He said he reads it often, and grows closer to himself and his memories when he reads it… not to mention he’s got some pretty funny stories gathered up! So it was right then that I decided to start up this diary, to start recording my memories and thoughts into this thick, brown book.

Spirits, I can babble, can’t I! I must be more bored than I thought...

Oh well. It burned up an hour!

~Midori

[midori]

Forth Day of Spring
Kitchen Table
An Hour Before Sunset

The madness doesn’t stop!

It continued raining through the evening and the night, until mid-afternoon. And as I was doomed with guilt about my sudden snubbing of my mother yesterday, I assisted Mom by offering my services as a mediocre house keeper.

As she had previously mentioned, Dad was bringing home company. Just some village buddies, along with one of their sons I found out. We all took our places around the table, and conversation picked up with my father and his two guests while mother served a cheesy-meat deal, that I had managed to burn. No one commented on it though. Maybe they thought the edge of the cheese was supposed to be black.

Deep laughter arose midway through the meal, and I smiled as the hearty conversation continued. It was comforting to be surrounded by that warm, familiar atmosphere, to hear my father’s firm, but pleasant voice along with the other’s, with my mother’s smooth, thoughtful comments spreading throughout. It was just so natural and pleasant, that I couldn’t help but smile the whole time. It deeply contrasted with that of the other youth across from me, who looked like he was so bored he would have gladly clawed his eyes out. I smiled at him, and he returned my gesture by stuffing a huge piece of meat in his mouth.

It was Yuu. A younger one of the village boys, who tended to stand behind the older ones and nod and laugh at the right times. He’s got a dark complexion and built pretty stout, with a round face that matches his youth. He’s also pretty shy, so I attempted a witty start at conversation.

“You have cheese on your nose.”

He stared at me mutely, nodded, and hastily wiped his arm across his nose.

“Have you heard from your brother?” I attempted again.

His eyes dazed, and he slowly shook his head. Yuu’s brother is about twenty and in the army. When I was nine and he was eleven, he would always steal something – a bag, a shoe – which would force me to chase him (which is difficult with one foot bare). But he was always laughing, which I liked about him. I realized I had asked a bad question.

I smiled again. “He’s probably very busy. I’m sure he-”

A burst of hearty laughter (along with my mother’s delicate chuckles) interrupted me. I glanced back at Yuu, whose expression was solemn. He looked at me and nodded in understanding, as if I had finished. I decided to stop conversation.

That made me think more about the war. How it’s forcing so many families apart. Few in our village have gone to war, though many boys are reaching that mature age. But I do remember when Yuu’s brother left. The whole village was somber; I saw his mother cry, while his father patted his back. It was kind of a bittersweet moment, I guess, but I remember more bitter. I heard worried whispers: “what if he never comes back?” and I thought about what could happen to him.

Ugg. War’s sick.

But on a brighter note, the rain looks like it’s going to stay away for tomorrow!

~Midori

[midori]

Fifth Day of Spring
The Porch
Sunset

Today can only be described with one word – beautiful.

It was the best of days. Sunny, but with a nice breeze, wet but not humid… It just felt so refreshing to be out in the warmth after my two straight days of captivity.

I did nothing but wander aimlessly through my little village. I strode through the streets and stopped at my favorite places – my parent’s shop, the quiet little juice bar at the edge of town… and, of course, my tree. I stayed there the longest.

My tree is the most beautiful of its kind. It possesses a thick trunk, and its branches curve over, creating a protective, green curtain that blooms with delicate and beautiful white blossoms. Inside its protective curtain it is so peaceful, relaxing, beautiful… I’m so at peace there. My mind goes blank, and I simply concentrate on soaking up the tranquility and magnificence that surrounds me.

About halfway through my stay there, an elderly man came and found me. He wanted me to deliver a letter to his son in Omashu, so I happy obliged. I was in the mood to get out and walk through the spring forest, plus the pay he was offering was insane!

So tomorrow, I’m heading out to Omashu! It’s the farthest I’ve ever gone!

Should be fun.

~ Midori