Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Peacewalkers allowed them to pass. As Ilmarinen and Annikki finally made their way through the imposing arch leading into the city of Paasilinna, the scent of fresh paint and sawdust filled the air. The clock perched atop the arch struck a melodious chime, signaling the approaching noon. The Greco-Roman columns stood tall and proud, casting elongated shadows on the cobblestone streets below.
The city itself was a blend of old and new, with construction crews bustling about to repair the damage inflicted by recent events. The streets echoed with the sounds of hammers clinking against nails and voices raised in conversation. Ilmarinen and Annikki followed another cadet Peacewalker, a tall, stoic figure with ebony skin, through the bustling thoroughfare until they reached the taxi stand.
After about twenty minutes of riding on the taxicab, they arrived at their destination. The former court district, the Jäävarasto, had been completely destroyed, and while the reconstruction effort was underway most of the government buildings were temporarily moved to the City Hall.
Once there, they found themselves in a lobby that bore the scars of recent turmoil. The City Hall, while not destroyed, suffered some damage. Statues of angels and demons stood amidst scaffolding, their marble faces in various stages of repair. The ceiling was a patchwork of fresh plaster, and the new floor tiles gleamed under the harsh glare of overhead lights.
Ilmarinen sank into a plush sofa once he arrived at his office, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. He glanced over at Annikki, who was engrossed in a painting of Galileo Galilei on the wall. The room exuded an air of scholarly refinement, with a mahogany desk, ten towering bookshelves, and a luxurious ten-foot-length couch.
After what felt like an eternity, an African man with graying hair and brown eyes entered the room. Clad in an orange Yoruba agbada robe and hat. Annikki who rested in a chair went on her feet and curtsied at the man. Ilmarinen, who was dozing off on the sofa, only noticed when the newcomer cleared his throat.
"Good morning," the man greeted them, his voice resonating with warmth. "I am the new Secretary of the Jäävarasto. It's been a long time, Ilmarinen."
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“You caught me by surprise, Sir. I apologize, sleep has been elusive as of late,” Ilmarinen rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
“Olayinka Obugagu,” the newcomer said with a big smile.
Olayinka's gaze drifted to Annikki, a frown creasing his brow. "Ah, is she your doll?" he asked. “I heard you ran into a problem at the train station.”
Ilmarinen chuckled wearily. "Yes, she tends to cause quite a stir wherever we go. Many mistake her for a real girl."
"I must admit, even I find it hard to believe she's not flesh and blood," Olayinka admitted. "Did you create her yourself?"
Ilmarinen nodded. "With the help of a friend, twelve years ago," he added with a hint of pride.
"I see," Olayinka repeated a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
"I haven't had much rest in the past week," Ilmarinen confessed, weariness etched into every line of his face. “I came here right away wanting to take a nap.”
“Oh, yes. I selected this sofa myself.”
“You?”
“Oh, yes. I’m in temporarily in charge of inventory and logistics. The previous person in charge submitted his resignation after what happened last year.”
“I don’t blame him.”
"In any case, you may rest in this room," Olayinka gestured towards a hidden door behind the painting of Galileo. With a soft whir, the mechanism revealed a simple yet inviting room with gray walls and a bed with thick black blankets.
“Sweet,” Ilmarinen smirked.
Ilmarinen's eyes lit up at the sight of the bed. With a grateful nod, he made his way towards it, sinking into its welcoming embrace.
"If you need to leave, simply lower that lever by the bed," Olayinka instructed before taking his leave, leaving Ilmarinen and Annikki to their much-needed break.
After minutes of laying on the bed, Ilmarinen’s exhaustion finally caught up to him. Annikki nestled close to him. As he felt her delicate arms wrap around him in a gentle embrace, a wave of emotion crashed over him.
"Damn!" Ilmarinen's voice cracked, raw with emotion. It was a cry with the vulnerability of a child he tried to muffle, he was like a wounded soul seeking solace in the arms of his doll. Annikki, with her unyielding gaze fixed on him, could not comprehend the depth of his sorrow. She was a doll, after all, incapable of understanding the complexities of human emotion.
“Why can’t I?”
But in that moment, as he clung to her, seeking comfort in her unchanging presence, Ilmarinen found a sliver of peace. The weight of his burdens lightened, if only for a fleeting moment, as he allowed himself to be vulnerable in the presence of one who could never judge or betray him. Annikki's silent support was a salve to his weary soul.