Page 40 of Celestia, Year Four

Mini Momo?

"BiBo!" Momo let go of my hand and waddled over to the bed.

She climbed onto it and crawled across the black sheets to reach the other side. Once there, she dropped back onto the black wood floor and waddled to Odion who was still in his deep gaze.

"Odion?" I whispered, wondering what he was thinking about.

He didn't reply, his eyes still focused on the blackness of the outside. He must have been lost in his thoughts for him not to hear Momo and me at all. Momo patted her hands on his legs.

"BiBo?"

Odion blinked a few times and lowered his gaze to Momo. "Oh. Hi, Momo."

"BIBO!" she replied and lifted her arms up.

He paused the spinner and leaned forward to lift her up. She gave him a hug and began to sing, and he closed his eyes, holding her tightly in his arms.

Odion… is something troubling him? He looks so sad.

I walked up to the bed and got a better look at the doll sitting on the nightstand. It looked like Momo, but it was all rainbow-like.

The eyes had swirly lines that spiraled into the middle, and the doll wore a rainbow dress. The string hair was made up of different colors and it looked like it was smiling.

I could tell it was old, but it was really taken care of.

Is that where he got Momo’s inspiration from?

"Odion? Is this where you got your inspiration for Momo?" I asked.

He opened his eyes to meet my curious gaze as I pointed to the doll.

He looked a bit shocked that I was standing there, making me wonder if he even heard me say his name the first time.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

"Same time as Momo," I replied and lowered my hand to my side.

He pouted his lip and got up. Once he placed Momo back on the ground, he walked over to where I stood and picked the doll off the nightstand.

"She's mine. You can't have her," he defended.

I needed a second to understand his sudden defensiveness.

Does he think I'm going to take it?

"I know it's yours, Odion. I'm not taking it," I reassured him, speaking calmly.

There has to be something going on.

Could the doll be something therapeutic for him?

He nodded, tightening his hold around the doll and looked to the floor.

"Why are you here?"

"Momo brought me here. I was downstairs in the hall waiting for you," I replied.

"Can you… leave?" he whispered. I opened my mouth to speak but paused, needing to think this out.

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