Today, a line from my work in progress about grief or longing.
The selection I've chosen for today is a grief about a longing achieved. In my story, it is the goal of some kitsune to marry a human being and I use that for comedic relief in the first segment of The Shrine War. In the third and final section, Incident at a Japanese Inn, I reveal that Christopher Andrews actually did marry his kitsune housekeeper and at a Japanese inn, he muses on his good fortune:
As Hoso emptied the luggage, Liana walked to the far wall and slid aside another paper door.
Graphic credit below
The scene took Christopher’s breath away. A wooden platform served as a small porch that stood over a small steaming pond. Boulders partially covered in flowering vines lined the shore.
In the middle of the pond, a large rock rose above the water. A small bonsai tree, its branches artistically trimmed and shaped, grew from its rocky support.
“Isn’t the hot spring lovely?” Liana exclaimed.
Christopher stared at the scene. Liana, standing with her three tails spread out behind her, added to the exquisite beauty of the view.
This is the Japan that I have sought, Christopher thought, his heart suddenly aching from the vision before him. This is why I left my home to travel halfway across the world. This is what Lewis called the numinous. This is what I have always longed for.
Liana turned and held out her hand. “Come, husband,” she said. “Come and share this with me.”
Christopher smiled and taking Liana’s hand, drank in the conjoined enchantment of the spring and his exotic bride.
Graphic copyright to Kacey.
Lovely art and I'm looking forward to reading the story when it's done.
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