[As Rain Tends to Fall]
Following the initial surprise and awe of the newly awakened creature, Mist found herself faced with a rather complicated dilemma. Not only was the strange water creature small, but she was also agonizingly shy.
As Mist walked into the kitchen, the droplet squeaked in surprise and fell into the toaster. As the wind rattled the window, the watery creature slipped down the heater vent. Now that was a strange task to set about fixing.
It was perhaps a few days later until the purple swirl became used to Mist's presence, and even later until she became used to all the strange noises. Mist found herself wondering if the small droplet was really just a ball of instinct and emotion, and she grew comfortable with the idea. It was just like taking care of a pet.
Until, of course, that illusion came crashing down. As Mist dropped the keys onto the table, their metalic forms clashing against one another, she realized that there was no sudden wail. Where had the strange droplet gone this time? Mist felt herself suddenly overly conscious of the blob--Where did it go? Was it okay? Her apartment was small and cozy, but for a thing of that size, the livingroom alone might as well have been an entire universe.
It was then that Mist realized that she heard the sounds of her television set. She hadn't realized that she had left it on, but she went into her room to check none the less. And there, in a glass of water left out earlier in front of the TV, swam the little water droplet.
"Sumi, sumi, sumi." The thing repeated over and over, swirling in circles as it's small wings guided it forth. It was strange to hear it speak something other then a cry of alarm, and Mist couldn't help but stare at it. Her eyes swept over to the television, and it suddenly dawned on her that the creature's "sumi" was actually "swim", for there on the flickering screen was the race to the finish line in a swimming pool.
Mist cleared her throat, causing the droplet to shiver in alarm and flutter chaotically and clumsily out of the cup, drifting to the table to dash behind the glass. Mist found that she was chastizing herself. How could she not know the thing would be intelligent? Conscious of it's surroundings? She shook her head, realizing that still she called the droplet a "thing".
"Sumi," Mist called out, and the droplet peered out at her, "How about I call you Sumi?" The purple droplet tilted to the side, almost as if to give the appearance of a quizzical expression, before slowly gliding out and following Mist's gentle tone. Mist sat on the bed, her palm held face-up where Sumi settled comfortably. "This is a hand," Mist began, and Sumi looked down at it in a new sort of wonder.
