Chapter 7: The Very Hungry Asumi

While most chapters of their stories were sweet, there came times for each of the three and a half queens in which the sky was dark and their hearts shivered a bit against the rough, colder winds of life. Asumi, Queen of Shiva, was usually a warm, kind hearted being, this being necessary in giving birth peacefully, time after time. However, the act of life-giving drew upon her body and heart deeply at times, and the result was that if she was not well-fed, a dark storm would brew in her eyes and small bolts of lightning would spark around her head like an angry halo. And whomever would get in her way at the wrong time was liable to be hit by the sharp, hot, sparks. Angry, twisted words would flow from her red mouth, like a foul smoke, and those around her would feel the sting in their eyes.

In the early days, when Asumi was but a young demi-goddess still learning her powers, these storms came often and threw her savagely about like a hurricane. Over time, she learned to prevent these incidents, and they became less frequent. The other goddesses and Captain Pepper were also helpful in containing her when things became ugly. However, when they were off in the far corners of the world, and Captain Pepper was occupied with his other duties, there were still times when her stomach would gurgle angrily and the storm would brew.

One such day, when she had overslept in her quiet, mountain chalet bedroom and did not eat her requisite morning nutrients, it began. It began slowly, with a low stomach rumble, but quickly enough there was a CRACK of lighting and the very air around her began to spark and crackle. Small animals, normally her close friends, scuttled away in fear, and her friends and attendants began to tremble from the frightful words she began to spit out.

From a distant British mountain, Sir Emily the Kali warrior pricked up her hunting ears. She knew that sound, and she could sense the waves of fear and despair, even from the great distance. She quickly gathered some mysterious fruits, healthy nuts, and figs, tied them in a leafy bundle, and then called one of her mischievous flying monkey attendants. Emily tied the bundle onto his back, and sent him on his way.

Through the graceful strains of a Faust aria, Laura picked up a note of discord with her siren ears. She could sense the angry vibrations and immediately began to sing a counterpart to it, sending soothing notes back across the continent to soothe Asumi's  angrily boiling stomach and bitter heart. From thousands of miles away, Asumi felt the vibrations and Laura's sweet presence, and felt a knot untie in her chest.

Deep in the jungles of South America, Sarah the language fairy was deep in meditation, pondering God. In the quiet peace of her mind, Asumi's voice came through quite clearly. She calmly stood, and then prepared a magical couscous, her specialty, and a huge jar of nutella with some fresh bananas. She called to a dolphin friend, speaking fluent dolphin of course, and he swam to shore. She then wrapped the food in a magical waterproof cloth, and helped to secure it to the dolphin's back, whispering expert directions and giving him a well=spiced fishy treat in thanks as well.

Back on her mountain chalet tower, Asumi was nearly weeping in hunger, and sadness that she had fallen into such bitter disarray. The only thing holding herself together was Laura's sweet voice, tenderly soothing her hungry belly. Captain Morgan Pepper was not due home for another several hours, and she was growing so weak from hunger she could scarcely rise to obtain some food for herself. Just as she felt she could not go any longer, she heard a cry. Emily's monkey messenger had arrived, and before she knew it she was eating a delicious mango, the yellow juice dribbling down her chin. Every creature in the mountain chalet breathed a sigh of relief, as the halo of sparks around her head dimmed and fizzled out, and a light returned to her eyes.

Minutes later, a young girl arrived, sopping wet to the waist and smelling of the sea. She had been gathering seashells when she encountered Sarah's Argentinean dolphin messenger, and had agreed to carry the food the rest of the way. Overcome with gratitude, Asumi hugged the girl, happy tears in her eyes, and ate the couscous in rapid bites, growing stronger and stronger with each bite. The moment she finished, she ran down to the sea and expressed her thanks in broken dolphin-- Sarah had taught her some basic phrases. The dolphin squeaked a reply and then turned homeward with his pod.

On her journey back to the castle, Asumi rode on a cloud of delight and satisfaction. Feeling guilty about her earlier rampage, she blew magical kisses of luck and contentment to everyone she encountered, and it was as if winter turned to spring in her kingdom. Just as the sun began to set, she climbed to the highest tower of her chalet, and sent three magnificent kisses of love, gratitude, and happiness to her sisters in the far corners of the earth, and they in turn basked in her love.

Chapter 6: And Then There Was One

It was time for the Three Queens and a Half to die. They sat in a circle underneath the Nutella Tree, facing each other. Emily the Warrior had the most wrinkles on her face; her skin reflected years of running in the sun, fighting battles amongst the tall grasses, and even bore some dirt still caked within the smile lines around her mouth. Sarah the Fairy was next: her wrinkles might be interpreted, if viewed in the soft light of the setting sun, as a map. One could follow the little capillaries around her winking eyes to the top of her tall brow, down around her round nose and to the base of her chin to map her journeys through the heavens. Next was Laura the Queen, whose wrinkles only served to make her image more awe-inspiring. They formed small perfect circles throughout her skin, just like the shape her lovely mouth formed when singing ancient Operas. She actually was relatively wrinkle-free, as she had only grown more spectral with age; she evoked a certain timelessness. Finally, Asumi the Mother was, of course, completely wrinkle-free. Her unlimited estrogen and constant attendance to the children of the world kept her with the fresh, olive, healthful skin of younger years. She may be on the brink of her death, yet she looked as if she had just emerged from the Fountain of Youth... The Queens had come together like an old elephant does, removing themselves from their respective societies to share their final adventure together. They sat looking at one another, knees touching, and watched the ghosts trailing one another. The silver ghosts traced the women's history for them. Behind Emily the Warrior were legions of tribes and her younger sisters perched on her shoulders. Throughout the tribes were spotted Emily's heroes: females of years past, leading their families into battles, their lovers from harm, their bottoms to dance. Behind Sarah the Fairy, immediately, were her lover, her father, her mother, her brothers, and their children. Although they were ghosts, one sensed that those people were very much alive to Sarah, maybe floating with her in a parallel universe which observed a certain temporality not easily captured by verbiage. Behind Laura the Queen were a curious mixture of people and things, because (as we all know) things can acquire a certain being-ness that renders them as "alive" as humans. For instance, Laura's father shared space with a giant snail (which often served as Laura's royal stead). There were ghostly jasmine flowers growing behind Laura and the faces of a family that she never knew. Her mother held seashells. Many cats could be seen hopping amongst the milieu. Behind Asumi the Mother was Captain Pepper, her family, and many, many, many happy children. All of the happy, lost, and wounded children of the world were behind Asumi. They were not afraid.
Tired, content, and prepared, the Queens slowly leaned toward one another. From the mountain above the Queens could hear the trickle of water pouring down toward the Nutella Tree. As the water grew nearer, Laura's billowing black dress filled with a warm air. The Queens sat upon her dress just as water gushed around the tree and pulled them up, up, down, down. Then Queens had heard tales of a mighty flood ending in the Ocean of Light, but they had never felt the need to pursue that adventure. Now, it was time.
The journey's outset was rather pleasant; the Queens watched miscellaneous flora and fauna pass by, casually saying goodbye to the Earthly beings they may not again witness. Laura began to sing. Her voice was a purple rope that pulled the Queens along toward the Ocean of Light. With each melody their journey progressed. Sarah and Asumi began to sing low and soft, providing their guide the support Laura navigate the increasingly rough waters. The river altered course down large falls and past massive boulders. The Queens felt suddenly scared and struggled to stay amongst Laura's dress-boat. Emily used whatever power remained amongst her weak muscles to assume an encapsulating yoga pose which held all the Queens together. Laura sang louder, Asumi and Sarah provided vocal support, and Emily held them tight. Down waterfalls, up geysers, through caves, amongst waves, the Queens held and guided one another.
Finally, they were deposited into a soft, cool bay. The beach slowly passed them by. They were out in the open water. They held hands. They turned to wave at their ghosts watching them from the sandy banks. The Queens turned to face the Ocean of Light.
Then, All was Lost. Then, All was Found.
A bird was heard chirping in the distance.