Azure Dreaming
But the shadow clawed at my consciousness and I knew it to be a portent. Who the hell was that weird guy anyway?
Footsteps in the stillness,
A memory beckons me,
This place is virgin ground, but I have trodden here before,
And with every dainty footfall, the old is very new,
Not everything is waiting, but no longer can I now,
A rose of celestial dreaming, the synapse in-between,
The girl of fecund field, born of sky and sea,
But why did I forget my kingdom, through veil of crystal tears,
Oh, tell me please great mother, who was I again?
“This is Australia! (Gangajang)
Week #1
After flying into Adelaide, Usagi and the girls, along with the cats had taken a tour bus to the premier wine valleys of South Australia as part of the first leg of their vacation down under. The Barossa and Clare Valleys where arguably the best wines on the planet were produced held the girls spellbound. They’d certainly enjoyed the fruits thereof. Sipping Fosters, Vic Bitter, eating a Four and Twenty meat pie, and partaking of their first cheese and Vegemite sandwich, an experience to be sure.
Department stores like Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi. Then there were the BBQs, football and the outback. The girls just loved the music. Artist like, Delta Goodrem, The Veronicas, Kylie Minogue; all these things, Aussie cultural icons. The flora and fauna mind boggling curiosities for Usagi, the girls and the cats.
From the Grampians to the Alice, to its gorgeous rainforests, the Snowy Mountains, lush hills, countryside that ran on forever as did the sumptuous coastlines; there was much to see, do and enjoy. From marsupials to the fabulous sights like Uluru, The Kimberly, the Sydney Opera House, the Snowy Mountains, to the most breathtaking landscapes one could ever wish to see; the great southern land did not disappoint.
They were into their fourth week of their vacation when they returned to Melbourne before taking a coach tour the following day.
“He Just Smiled and Gave Me a Vegemite Sandwich” (Men at Work)
Usagi and Rei had dressed up as female bushrangers at Sovereign Hill, the tourist attraction in the regional center of Ballarat Victoria, a state located in the southeast of the island continent that recreated the glory days of Australia’s Gold Rush taking one into a world long since past. Ned Kelly, a famous or infamous, depending on how you looked at it, folkloric hero, and a cultural icon all the rage here. The story of Peter Lalor; the leader of Australia’s rebellious miners at the Eureka Stockade seeking justice in the face of a tough colonial realm overseen by the then British Empire, held the girls spellbound.
Minako was fascinated by the gold smelting process and said, “Gold is pretty, and I love it, but when it is heated, ek! I hate the smell!”
“Minako!” Artemis chided and chuckled as his charge stuffed some Sovereign Hill acid drop candy into her mouth.
Minako stole the limelight, but all of them were the center of attention as they sign dup for the reenactments of those pioneering days of wine , women, handsome rogues and lots of gold nuggets to be had. They loved it all, even playing skittles, as they had in those days of colonial pioneering. They had a thoroughly enjoyable stay in the tourist locale, and then they were off again, as the coach took them to their final destination, the picturesque beachside town of San Remo.
San Remo beach, Australia
December 2012
She sells seashells on the seashore
Usagi sighed with pleasure: sun, friends and good times lay ahead and she was going to make the most of it all. Beneath her jeans and under the pink tee shirt was her lavender bikini Mamoru had bought for the trip. Tears welled up in her eyes at the memory of Mamoru carrying her to their bed that last night before the trip. Usagi smiled at the thought.
She had made sure she had everything. Luna wouldn’t let her forget a single thing. Of course, she was well prepared. Sunny bunnies had to be. She rolled up the cuffs of her jeans over her knees and brushed the sand off her shins. Propping up the huge bunny sun brolly, she unfolded the packed lunch and pulled out the drink and salad from the icebox. In Australia, they called an icebox an ‘Eski’
“Hmmm, funny name.”
Her white eski had bunny and kitten stickers plastered all over it, so cute. So Usagi.
The first night in San Remo was glorious. It had been a searing hot day, but the evening was scrumptious. The stars and the moon, the sea, bonfires; pure enchantment as the confluence of events set the stage for some well earned R and R in this new, yet ancient land. The girls had rolled over laughing as the wine, and the heady summer air had them releasing all their cares and residual tension.
The group of wide-eyed tourists was staying at a country style hotel that looked out onto the ocean, the views stunning. The rooms of the hotel possessing an old world charm that was so soothing and relaxing it felt almost too good to be true. Usagi loved her own room. She felt in heaven. Red gum rafters, polished cedar floors, throw rugs decorating the leather sofas, a huge four-poster bed with gold and pink curtains and plenty of fluffy pillows; it was incredible. She sighed in contentment and unpacked her suitcase.
Usagi hadn’t slept so peacefully in a long time. She felt as if she was finally able to process a lifetime of twists and turns, bends in the river and in her relatively short life on earth, she had discovered, or rediscovered, so much about herself. It had taken its toll. Of course, it had. Yet it revivified her. Why complain given the fact she would be soon reunited with her fiancé upon her return to Japan.
“Evie, Evie! Evie Let Your Hair Hang Down!” (Stevie Wright)
Dancing in grass skirts was not exactly what one of the locals would consider Australiana. But who cared, especially in that moment. The waves were singing their ceaseless refrain. Lacy hemlines of foam flouncing over the golden thighs of the Sea Goddess as manifest in the form of a sculpted coastline, a maiden of golden splendor kneeling before the ocean of Poseidon in reverential awe. Shells and starfish festooned the silk smooth wet skin of the beach. Young men stood ready to challenge the foamy crests, the wind playing with their hair. The girls soaking up the eye candy like hungry sea gulls. Gods of perfect bronze. Surfboards in hand. Racing with their coppery toned girlfriends, sisters, perhaps mothers, all born of Olympus, as they rushed towards the excitable breakers. These were a vibrant sun loving people and it showed.
Usagi and Minako let the Hawaiian music overtake them. The boys on the bluestone fence, cans of beer in hand, donned floppy hats, faces smeared in zinc cream, giving them a tribal heir. Whistling and cheering, releasing discordant oaths, complements stained with the odd expletives lost on the objects of their admiration, floated upon the salty air. Usagi did things with her body with the sensual serpentine movement of her petite sundrenched frame that would have roused the very Gods of love to seek her favor. The shaking hips, her shimmering plaits, and foot stamping to the music as her odangos flew in all directions. She was captured by the racy melody, as were they all. Artemis took plenty of digital images and knew Mamoru and the guys back home would feed him grilled fish and roasted potatoes for a year for his thoughtfulness. He grinned at the delicious thought.
Rei joined in the dance fest. Lifting a powdery plume about her ankles, a circle of elemental power and beauty held all who witnessed this event spellbound. Senshi in tropical mode. The thought made Usagi laugh with reckless abandon as she allowed her body to surrender completely to the Island rhythm.
“Go Rei, girlfriend, you’re hot! Ami, shake those hips woman, look at Mako-chan, she’s got it perfect! Oooh!” she laughed.
Artemis and Luna were sitting on a blanket watching the girls doing their thing. “All that wiggling, Artemis, I don’t get it. I mean, wouldn’t it make them feel a little dizzy?” she mused, and extended a paw to claim another piece of grilled fish from the platter.
“Well, I can say this much, it sure makes them look happy and the Aussie contingent seems to find the hula dancing rather fascinating. The golden tans, the bare tummies and the other-“
“Enough, Artemis, now, let’s play another round of rock, paper scissors!” she teased, purring.
“You’re on, Luna!”
“In the Summer Time When the Weather is Fine. You can stretch right up and touch the sky!” (The Mixtures)
The next day, she and the girls went kite flying with Clare Anya from The Netherlands, and Veronica Bojiri, an Aboriginal girl from the York Peninsular in northeast Australia in Queensland. Later that same day, Usagi and the girls tried their hands at what was termed, angling. Fishing was an art, but Usagi was getting the hang of it. Makoto had reeled in several large silvery fish, but Usagi hadn’t done too bad either. She laughed as two black seals, looking as if they were made of wet leather clapped delightedly on the sand as they leapt and caught the fish scraps in their mouths the girls tossed to the boisterous emissaries of Poseidon.
Rei and Minako had cleaned, marinated and were cooking the fish in a fire pit on the beach with potatoes and other fair. The meal was delicious. Tropical fruits and vegetables, salads and of course, ice cream and an abundance of fruit salad to be had, along with other condiments, including the dry red wine and mixers, juices; these in plentiful supply. The girls were having a banquet.
Music was playing from the hire car. They were sitting and eating heartily on the blanket as the dusk of mosaic color offered its remnants to the vault of a starry midnight blue sky overhead.
“This is the life!” Makoto declared, raising her glass. Usagi hick-upped and concurred, following her lead, as did the others. “To friendship and the sunny beaches of Australia!”
“Australia!” they all cried in unison.
“I said, ‘Hey!’ to the girl in the Moon” (Iva Davies and Icehouse)
Ket approached the happy tourists. She figured now was as good a time as any to ask for help. But she had known the girls were coming. She had seen. Her long dark hair was tied in a plait that fell to her hips, her skirt and top covered in tiny crystal sequins and her tarot pack was in her denim shoulder bag.
She had migrated from China to the land of sun burnt planes and all that, several years before. She was a child then. Now, having made her home in San Remo, a seer and high priestess of a mysterious order; Ket was a guardian of the light and needed the help of these warriors.
She sat a short distance away observing and sketching. Usagi was curious and sauntered towards Ket, looking over the Eurasian girl’s shoulder to see what she was painting.
“Wow, that’s me, and the girls, and my Muffin, and how did you draw the guys, do you know Takehiko, Ken, Asamu and Xavier? But how…”
“All in good time Usagi, all in good time. I am a friend,” Ket said, not turning away from her easel and continuing to add rich detail to the painting. Usagi’s mouth was hanging open. Then as Ami and Minako joined Usagi, they too stared.
Soon Rei broke the silence, “Okay, I’m not usually in the habit of being rude to the locals, but lady, you’ve got some explaining to do!”
“Rei, I am happy to do that, but I am not an enemy. I wanted to make myself clear on that from the outset.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Now girl, whoever, or whatever you are, spill and it better be good!”
“Capricorn Dancer, Lead Me to Shelter, Lead Me on to Your Tropical Zone” (Richard Clapton)
“I am a wayshower, a child of the light. Like you, I had been born to a legacy I scarcely wanted. But, as you know when Luna told you of your destiny as Sailor Moon, the fates always have other ideas.” She said this with a hint of irony, flagging regret, and yet, a passion for her mandate and helping others that overrode any reservations she had once held about her role in the celestial scheme of things. Ket smiled up at Usagi and the others with shiny golden eyes that flashed, before once more, assuming their usual deep brown hue.
“So, you’ve come from the stars to fight the dark ones that are due, you say, in a week?” Minako said, slipping easily into leadership mode.
“Yes, the serpents of doom are to duel with the birds of the aurora borealis, they shall pass through what is known as Hunab-Ku, or galactic center.”
“Wow, what a mouthful, sure these guys don’t use a thesaurus?” Makoto chuckled, but she knew the light moment would not change the fact that something dark and very dangerous was on its way and they had to be ready for it when it did.
“A New Sensation!” (INXS)
Usagi was dreaming. Ket bade her sit. They sat facing one another cross-legged. Like a mysterious priestess to Pandora, Ket presided over the Tarot reading. Elbows resting on tanned knees. She studied the cards spread out before them. In her hand, the Wheel of Fortune, she placed it beside the Empress and the Lovers Card. she laid out the cards. Pointing to a blue girl, with a mask, she called it a ‘Blue Star Kachina,’ then Ket paused, closing her eyes. The girl on the card removed her mask and began to dance. The image had transformed into that of the Goddess Isis, a beautiful star of sapphire overhead.
Ket said one word, “Sirius!”
A tropical downpour drenched the two women. They remained seated and the cards seemed unaffected. Ket released an extremely beautiful vocalization, and sang her heart out.
Usagi, eyes downcast, staring at the image of Isis then noticed a fragrant flower, with a translucent drop of nectar upon one pale pink petal, lying at Ket’s feet.
“Teardrop of Demeter, she laments the upheaval and battle to come. Usagi, we all must be ready!”
“Hey True Blue, have you gone off for a ‘smoko’ and coming back real soon?” (John Williamson)
The mist of the dream stayed with her the following day. Ket had delivered a prophecy of transformation as Rei nodded, having conceded, she’d seen the same images in the fire of prophecy back home in Tokyo, but hadn’t spoken of it as these images were too obscure and she needed time to process it all. Usagi and Ket stood with the girls, everyone agreeing to practice their fighting skills and Ket’s friends, the Daughters of the Pleiades would soon set foot on Earth to help. Usagi knew their lives would be overturned and they’d have to face this new threat. “I guess, everyone,” she said, biting her lower lip as she looked at the expectant faces all around her in the light of the bonfire, “This could be the beginning of the Age of Ice, the prelude to the Crystal Kingdom.”
“I think you’re right,” Ami said, eyes wide.
“Guys, Ket… I need some time alone, to think, okay?” Usagi said, smiling.
They all nodded their agreement and watched her walk towards the rocky shore.
“There’s No Love inside the Icehouse, at Least that’s What the Old Ones, Say, they say, ‘They Came Here a Long Time Ago, Long before the Ancient Snows!’ Now it grows Colder Everyday!” (Iva Davies and Icehouse)
Usagi sat on the ancient rocks, soaking up the sun. She loved listening to the incoming tides and the haunting refrain of the gulls. Something primordial and powerful resonated with this place. She thought of the moon, the once glorious cities, and the jewel in the Lunarian crown, Serenity City. The memories so tangible she could almost taste it, feel it and breathe it deep into her lungs. She wiped away a tear. Now. Here. At the tip of the coast. The brown, almost coppery green rocks buzzed with an unearthly power beneath her. She thought of her Mamoru. Endymion. She could feel the power of Terra coursing through her body, stirring up lost memories, painting pictures of a world very different to the one she knew and loved. She could feel the golden sun warming her bones as it climbed into the violet sky.
Without warning, a blaze of purple light blinded her, taking her out of her body and her surroundings had altered to the point she couldn't recognize a thing. She could now see a vast crater far below her disembodied form. The dimensions were so incredibly wide she gasped at its beauty. Deep blue rock crowned the crater’s edge, like worshippers standing in a circle bowing before some kind of deity. The fingers of stone ringing its circumference, magnificent. It must have been easily several miles in diameter. Then she felt herself floating over the inland sea, a sea of lapis splendor winding its way around the massive crater that shone and glittered with a lucidity that astounded her. But what had made her breath catch in her throat was the crater, a boundless sea of fire, churning and lapping against the walls of inky blue rock that held within its massive cauldron this sea of molten magma. She thought it the largest volcanic crater she’d ever seen.
As she moved towards the coastline, she noticed the ancient rainforest. Usagi now stood on the forest floor looking up at the incredible sight in awe as huge creatures towered over the treetops in large numbers. Usagi was no expert by any means, but these lumbering gentle giants were dinosaurs; one of these with its long neck craned, eyeing a clump of foliage in a red gum tree so tall, it hurt to try to see the top of the titanic sentinel.
She could see Endymion surrounded by a corona of golden light. His sword held aloft. The Shitennou too, kings in their own right commanding the elements as their swords touched and formed a brilliant golden star that flashed, almost blinding Usagi. She suddenly understood. This was who they once were, long before the Silver Millennium, before Metalia and all that had befallen them. Endymion and the Four Kings of Terra would soon return to their primordial glory with renewed power, better than before, this she knew with absolute certainty.
She Then saw a massive palm tree decorated with ancient symbols, and flowers. A beautiful bronzed adolescent girl in a short reed-like skirt with rich dark hair flowing to the backs of her knees moving in an almost seductive manner around the base of the tree. Ochre body paint decorated her breasts, stomach and legs. She wore shell necklaces of vibrant color that caught the sunlight. She was beautiful as she swayed in an intoxicated state. Usagi then noticed her eyes were gold. She was not of this world. That much was certain. The people she could see possessed these golden eyes.
Usagi turned to look at a red granite throne that presided over festivities. Seated upon it a golden-eyed boy, with a shock of black hair, Endymion. He was holding the hand of a smiling red haired girl; his sister or betrothed, she couldn’t be sure. But she recognized her. Beryl, she was sweet, beautiful and surprisingly, innocent. No evil force was present. The children were bonded; hands fastened by a vine laden with red and golden roses that bloomed continuously as the girl continued to dance around the tree.
“Dust from a Distant Sun, Showered over Everyone!” (Crowded House)
She was slowly floating towards the beach back in San Remo. The waves rolled back, rounding upon the golden coastline as if slighted by the jovial imagery it afforded, slinking in towards the shoreline like a sleek cat. Usagi realized she was still within the grip of the vision. She stood a short distance away watching Ket’s brisk strokes moving across the canvas. Then the painting dissolved. A man, tall, with perceptive eyes met her gaze. Sundrenched, his lean muscular body bathed in a fiery corona stood stock still regarding both women.
“Father, you cannot harm them, no more, not now. I will stop you!” Ket, assuming the form of a glittering winged sea sprite, clad by the sapphire waters, so faery-like, with silver eyes shouted.
Usagi, mesmerized by Ket’s oceanic form, turned to look back at the object of her new friend’s wrath. The man’s body lit up like the sun. Usagi began to tremble. Ket was holding her hand.
“Will he hurt us?” she heard herself ask.
“No, not now. Trust me Usagi. You will be all right. I promise, but don’t let go of my hand whatever you do.”
“Aha,” she squeaked.
Her father had vanished. In his place, rolling towards them at speed, not a tsunami, nor storm, but two crystal dice. Usagi couldn’t understand the symbolism, but these dice were azure blue, the sunlight piercing the pinpoints that denoted numeral value. Spinning, forever tumbling above the breakers. The lyric sounds of gulls overhead, at first arresting, peaceful and welcoming, then took on an eerie timbre. Echoes of Herculaneum? However, why the odd thought? Then the dice hovered above what she had at first taken to be a waterspout. But was it water, no. Fire, magma she mused. Then it became a sea of lava. The entire ocean was that of lava.
She shuddered. Breaking into a sweat. Feeling suddenly cold and clammy, she fell back into Ket’s arms, her eyes rolling back into her head as the vision ended.
“Catch Me I’m Falling, Down Again. I know it’s a dream but just the same catch me…” (Real Life)
It was nightfall when Usagi regained consciousness. The smooth surface of her banana lounge, so terrestrial, reassuring. A man sat in silhouette opposite on the eski. Usagi remembered where she was and that she was on holiday. But what was going on? Where was Ket? Then the face, welcoming, loving and familiar dissolved her fear and apprehension.
“Baka! You almost scared the living daylights out of me. What, and how did you-“
“I swam. No really, before I jumped on the plane, I kept getting these weird visions of a new enemy. The man was Chinese, or something-”
“You mean, you saw him, too?”
“Yeah. I felt the tug, you know the one I always feel whenever you’re in trouble and I booked the first flight I could find. Takehiko told me where you and the girls had decided to sun up. The guys are flying in tonight. Love the hotel, by the way. My gear is in your room, hope you don’t mind my hubris,” he chuckled as a broad smile ran over his face and she responded in kind.
“Mind, no, of course not you goofy darling! I am so glad you’re here. I missed you, and I love you silly. You know that,” she said, making him smile that drop-dead gorgeous smile once again.
“I think we all have a lot to talk about, and Ket, I met her earlier, she told me where you were. I did get a message in the dream, it was this, ‘Make way for the Kings of the world, make way for the kings if they still are here…’ I passed that onto the guys, as its something to do with us all I think.” Mamoru said, hugging Usagi to him.
“Yeah, and the prophecy Ket has told me of; the Mayan calendar’s conjunction in just under ten days from now!” she gasped, clinging to him for dear life.
