Book2:KigdomIteDreams(1/134)
Chapter1TheButterfly
Argeimposingmansion,whichtookupairesquareblock,stoodloftyandmajestidertheclearblueskies,itstwiowersseemingtoreachuptotheclouds.Thehuge,whitemarblepilrs,extravagantsculpturesattestedtoitspastglory.Thisusedtobethegatheriheridfamous,wherepresidentsaorsrubbedshoulderswithsuperstarsoffilm,musidsportsaswelstheprincesoffiheeliteofsociety.Now,withthepassageoftime,thedazzlingwhitepilrshaveturnedyellowwithageandthesculpturesonthewallshavebeediscoloredlikefadedflowers.Infact,thewholebuildinglookedshabbyandrundown,foritwasnowusedashousingfortheelderlyandthedisabledlivingongoversubsidy.
Thespacioushallwascrowded,foritwasthedaywhenthegoverhafoodtothehelong,disorderlyqueueinchedalongslowlyandDimitrimeicallymovedwiththeline.Hislifestylehasgreatlyimprovedsincehebecameblind.Hewasgivenasmalpartment.Thoughitprisedofonlyoneroomandwasaersuitewithwindowsfagthestreetontwosides,hefinallyhadapceofhisownandthenoisefromthestreetsaddedanimationtohisquiet,lonelylife.Everymonth,hereceivedseveralhundreddolrsinSSI,whiabledhimtohavethebasiecessitiesofasimplelife.Movingslowlyalongamidthehecrowd,Dimitriseemedobliviousofhissurroundings,forhewasagainimmersedinaworldofhisown,theworldofdreams.Suddenlyanenormouspeaappearedbeforehiseyes,onlytovanishatthetwinklingofaneye.Dimitribegantofeelimpatient,longingfaretteandacupofhotcoffeetopensatehimselfforthelongwaitwhichwasgettingonhisnerves.Hepodojustthatassoobacktohisroom.Thistime,thebagoffoodhebroughtbackwasahugekofcheese,twosbsofbutter,abottleofhoneyaswelspowderedmilkandflour.
Withthebagoffoodinhisarms,Dimitrileftthehall,walkedbrisklythroughthelongcorridorandtur.Hisroom,#102,wasthestohatwihisbagoterandpulledopentherefrigeratordoortoaddtheperishableitemstohishoardofeggs,hamandsausagesalreadyinthere.Heybecauseallthisfoodshouldsthimatleastaweekortwo,whichmeanthecouldroamfreelyinhislittlekingdthatintervalwithouthavingtosetfootoutsidehisdoor.Dimitrilovedtoliveinhisownimaginativerealm,unencumberedbyirrelevantoutsideintrusion.Now,withtheprivacyofhisownroomandallthisfood,hecouldliveinaworldofhisown,freefromtheinterferehemundaneworld.Hecouldliveassecludedalifeasthehermitwhobuildsashathedeepestvalleyofthemountainsinpursuitofthefeatofloivity.
ofpipinghotcoffeeinhishand,hewalkedintothelivingroomandsatdownonthesofabythewindohisersuitefacedthestreetontwosides,andthenoiseandvoices,itrasttohisquietlife,wereorohisloneliness.Occasionally,hewouldcallouttosomeoneheknewandexgecasualwordsorbanter.Hissimplelifewentquietlyon,alternatiweensleepandwake.Justthen,thatenormousresplepeaappearedagainbeforehiseyes,andthenvanishedasquicklywithoutatrace.Heinhaleddeeply,histhoughtsstillonthatfleetingglimpsehehadofthepinkpea.Someonepassedbyhisroom,boungabasketball.Dimitriwasdeepinthought.Whatwasthesignificeofhislife,nowthathewasblind?Anotherboutofboungbasketball.Hesuddenlyrealized:Thatyoungmanboungthebasketball,couldjumpupandthrowitaccuratelyintothebasketfromanyahatgavehimasenseofaplishmentandhappiness.Actually,thefleshbodywaslikeatool,adaptatpyingontheimagination,withnospecifiifice.Butitveothedepthofthesoundtinuesonimagining,justliketheyoungmanboungthebasketball.ThatwasDimitri’sfavoritepastimeandthesignificeofhisexistence.
Thatenormouspeaflickeringinandoutofhissciousness,n,nowvanishiicedDimitri’scuriosity.Heuzzledastowhythatpeapersistedinintrudingitselfonhismindandthenvanishingwithoutatrace.Perhapsitwaoleadhimintenewsario.Whyyes!Perhapsthatwasmaterialforweavinganotherdream!So,hequicklystubbedoutthecigaretteinhishand.Whilethesmokewasstillpermeatingtheroom,Dimitrihadalreadyarrivedinhisdreamnd.Inhisdream,Dimitrituroamagnifitbutterfly,brilliantlystrippedandspotted,danglightlyalyispringbreeze.Beforehimwasnolongerasinglepea,butmyriadsofthem,faseaofdangflowers,withslimfiguresroamingfreelyintheirmidst.Thesewerenakedfemaleforms,somegatheredincasualgroupstalkingandughing,whileotherswereontheswings,rogthemselvestoandfrotowhileawaythezyspringday.
Attheotherendofthegardenacelikebuilding,withglitteringencaustictilesandbrightredpilrs,especiallyeye-catguhesunlight.Thesplendoroftheluxuriousbuildingfullymaedtheopulehemysteriouskingdom.Themagnifitbutterfly,ridingontheslightspringbreeze,fleilyamidthebloomingflowers.“Ah!”thoughthe,“IambackagaininthisbeautifulKingdom.Inthemundaneworld,Iambutablindmansequesteredinatinyroom,butinmydreamsIamamagnifitbutterfly,danginthisvastarrayofdazzlingspringcolors.”So,thebutterflyflutteredfreelyonitsembzonedwings,revelinginthebeautiesofnature.Stickyshredsofsilkeenaciouslyattachedtoitswings,incapacitatingthem,alerteditthatsomethingwasamiss.As,hehadientlybeencaughtinatrap,andaferociousbckspiderwasmakingitsway,closerandcloser,alongtheweb.Dimitrisighed,
“Howunfortunate!MyfirstdaybatheKingdomandIbeefoodforthespider.”Justthen,delicatefingerslightlypickeditupbythewingsandcarefullypluckedawaytheremnantshredsofwebfromitsbody.Itwasthecharming,starry-eyedAsiay,Yoko.Herever-presentsmilemadethedimplesinhercheekmoreentingthanever.Afteringawayallremnantsofthespiderweb,sheletthebutterflygofree,saying,
“Ah!Youbelongtothespringandtotheflo!Gowhereyoubelong.”Shewatchedasthemagnifitbutterfly,whichhadjustexperiencedsuarroefromdeath,flyintothedepthoftheflowersinthegarden.
Themagnifitbutterfly,soresplelystrippedandspotted,tiozigzagitswayleisurelythroughthespaciousgardenuntilitcametoahalfopenedwindow.Itflewinsidealedoalofanenormouspinkpea,notforthehoosuckthefragrantflower,butbecausetiredafteritslongflight,itfelttheneedofatemporaryrespite.Itsdelicatewingscouldnolohstaigueoflengthyvoyage.Thepeaasilvervase,inidwithemeraldgreericatelysculpturedtogiveamostfasatinglylife-likeportraitofabeautifulgirlinae.Herfeatureswereclearlydisableandherclothing,elegantandsophisticated.Sheseemedtohavejustawakenedfrslumberoneearlymandwaswalkinginthegarden,stillimmersedindreamyindolenguorahargy,almosthypnotictotheviewer.
Atthemoment,theflowervasethewindowsillofabeautifulrgekit,wherenospeckofdustcouldbeseen,andthehardwoodfloorshoahatitmirroreditssurroundings.Anakedbeautywaswilybefechoppingboard,herbeautifulfaceflushedwiththebloomofhealth,herrgedewyeyestratedontheworkathand.Itwasthegeus.Shewasslowlykneadingapieceofsoftdough,fitintoalong,uniformrollbeforebreakingitintosmallpieces,eachthesameinsizea.Shepcedthemirowbeforeher,likeagroupidly-trainedsoldierswaitingforherand.Shethentookafoot-longrollerandrolledthesmallpiecesofdoughintoround,thiners,eachthesameincircumfereakingpainstospraydryflourontoeachbeforestagthemintoapilesoastopreventthemfromstigtogether.Hereverymovementwasslowbutorderlyandsystematic,goingfromonesegmenttoarictlyac,withnowastedmotion,allcarriedoutinabsolutesileerfinishingthisdemandingpreparatorywork,herbackmusthavefelttiredbecauseshegedherpositionandsatdownonaroundstooltorest.Howcouldherslender,willowywaistsustainherfigureforsolongaperiod?Theioworksilentlyon.Takingupaer,sheputitintoherleftpalm,scoopedupsomepre-preparedvegetablefillingfromthewhiteapteandputitinthemiddleoftheer.Dippingherfioabowlofwater,shewettheedgesoftheertoehemtosticktogethermoreeasily.Nimblefingersworkedquicklyaly;oeranotherarowofdumplingsemerged,readytobesteamed.Eachtastymorsertisticallyshaped,edgesstandingoutdistinctlyvisible.Shewaslikeasculptorpyingwithunmoldedcy,makioperfectspesofherowndesign.Soon,thirtywhitedumplingswerelyarrahesteamer,eachtheproductskill.
Ihisluxuriouskitwasafortableday-bed,whereaall,slender,nakedbeautyysoundasleep.Afewstrandsofblondhairwerescatteredonhervoluptuousbreasts.Herhalfcurvedleftarmreedonthepillow,whileherrightarmysoftlyonherabdomen.Herslightlycurledrightlegrestedonherleftone,whichrexedlengthwiseonthebed.ThisVenus-likeposeatedthecurvaceousrhythmure.Shewasindeepslumber,onewhichshehadnotenjoyedforalongtime.Yes,shewasthebeautifulpoetess,Angelica,longtorturedbyinsomnia.Ragherbrainsinpursuitoftheperfe,sheentrappedherselfintheshackleoftensionandworry.Herclearblueeyes,fullofintelligence,werereadilyfrightenedlikeapieceofpurecrystal,beautifulbuteasilyshattered.Justthen,Lotusraisedhereyesandlookedatthesleepingform;asmileofsatisfatouchedherlipsbecauseshefoundthathermovements,slowahodical,whichwerecharacteristicofheralone,hadthepowertosoothAngelica’stautnervesandrescueherfromtheabyssofworryandtension.AngelicalovedtosleepwhileLotusbusiedherselfwithherwork.Whetheritaintinginherbrightlylitstudio,embrinherfragrantbedchamber,orcookingi,oratedherattentiononLotus’slowmovements,shewouldfeedrowsytirednessovertakeherandwouldsoonfalsleep.Theslowahodients,naturalborncharacteristics,wereinperfectharmonywithherquiet,geure.
CookingwasherLotus’dutynorherdailywork.Tourmetcookingassion,soshethrewherselfintoitheartandsoul.Treatingitasaformofarttoberesearchedandpracticed.Theresultwastheinspiredcreationofaninalteique,ingeniousandunique,whiotonlysatisfiedherpersonalurgeofcreativity,butalsowontheappuseoftheBeauties.EvenKingDimitri,thepickygastronomer,rofuseinhispraise.Thisgreatlyencedher,strengtheningherresolvetotinueimprovieique.Differentmaterialsputtogetherindifferentwayswillproducedishesofdifferenttastes.Sheprizedthelessofromherfailuresjustasmuchasthejoyandsatisfathatcamefromsuccesses.Dayafterday,sheimprovedhercooking,whichbecameamagiackfusedinherheart.ThefactthatKingDimitriandhisBeautieslovedtoeatthefoodandDimSumshesometiculouslypreparedgaveheradditionaliandimpetustoimproveherskillsothateventhechefsinthepacewereimpressedwithherexpertise.
Thenumerousbeautieslivingieriouspace,togetherwiththeirretinueofpersonattendantsandassistantscametoquiteanimpressivetotal.Therefore,argestaffofexperiencedchefswasinstitutedintheroyalkittoseetotheirneeds.Asidefromthethreesumptuousdailymeals,allkindsofcuisiobepreparedtomeetalltheoccasionsthatmightarise.Thekitwasalwaysbuzzingwithactivities.Whenanyofthebeautieshadanurgeorcravingforsomespecialkindoffood,sheneededonlymakeherwishesknownandthechefswouldbusythemselvesfillingherordertothebestoftheirabilitiesandhaveitbroughttoherwherevershewas.Theirservicewasreallyimpeccable.Notonlywasthefoodservicesoperfect,otherneedsofdailylifewerejustaswellanized,withspecialpersoendingtoeveryneed.Inaword,KingDimitrihadmadethhprovisionsforhisBeauties,atteoeveryceivabledetailofdailylife,likeagardenercarefullynurturienderblossomsinhisgarden.Towardoffthelonelinessandboredomoflivinginmountaielycutofffromtheworld,everybeautytookonsomeformofwork,thepurposeofwhichwastowhileawaytheinordinatelyexcessivesparetimewhichcouldotherwisehangheavyontheirhands.Ifthebeautiesfeltirritatedordepressedorjustdidnotfeellikedoinganythingfornoreasonatall,theycouldjuststbecauseitwouldautomaticallybetakencareofbythepaceattendants.Normally,theonlythingthatcausedthebeautiestofeeldepressedwastheabsenceofKingDimitri,whoteogowanderingalroundtheworldformonthsonend.
WheneverKingDimitrigottiredofwanderingandcamebacktohisKingdom,thewholeatmosphereged.EveryeroftheKingdomwasfilledwithughter,musidjubition.KingDimitriwasagastronomer,aooffood.Whenhewasinthepace,thepaceattendants,mostlybeautifulyounggirls,werekeptbusy.Theycouldbeseencarryingrge,exquisitely-madesilverpteswithtransparentcoverstoandfrofromthekittothepace.Hewasalsoanepicureaioreonhowtogetmaximumenjoymentoutofdailylife.ht,sunnydays,hewouldtaketothecalmwatersinhisluxuriousbark,iingthebroadexpanseofhiske,wideasthesea,ingafollowingofsmallnativeboatsandoesonhistail.TheywereallKingDimitri’sloyalvassals,whosideredcatgsightoftheirsglory.Sometimes,onmoonlitnights,hewouldtakeabottleofgoodwineandgosailingaloneinasmallboat,leisurelyenjoyingnaturebetweentheskyah.Hewouldstayoutallnight,causiamongthebeauties.hemdaredtosleepearly,butherdidtheypin,fortheynotonlylovedhim,butalsoknewhimandhisetricitiesverywell.Sometimeswhenthemoodtookhim,KingDimitriwouldtakethemallonaridingtrip,lettingtheeedsgallopfreelyontheendlesspinsasfastaswindandlightening,untiltheytiredofit.SuchamanwasKingDimitri,theteroflightawhichreflectedintoeveryerofhisKingdom.Whehere,lifewasmultifariousandfullofi.Buthewasavagabondatheart,wholovedtowanderaboutunhamperedbymuraints.Therefore,hisdaysinthepaceattendingtaldutieswerefewwheohisdaysofwanderingabouttheearth.Retly,hehadbeeforquiteawhile,givingthebeautiestheimpressionthattheylivedonlyinhisdreams.Sincedreams,nomatterhowlongalwayshadanawakening,solongasabeautifulmemoryremaiwouldbesuffitforalifetime’sreminisce.Justlikeaclouddriftiheblueskies,KingDimitrihadlefthisheartinhisKingdomofDreams.
Themagnifitbutterflythatwasrestingoalofthepeahadflownaway.Osdelicatewingsrecoveredfromfatigue,ithaditsownookihofthemyriadofblossomsthatbelooitaloherewasacircurvitalityinitsbeautifulbodywhichkeptremindingitthatspringwasshort,thatitshouldmakethebestpossibleuseofthefleetingopportunitytoenjoylife.Orperhapsthebutterfly,uowithstandtheincreasinglyhotandhumidroomtemperatureescapedtothegardenfullofsunlightandspringbreeze.Atthemoment,cloudsofsteamemanatedfromtheseveralbamboosteamers,stackedoneupoheroove.Releasedfromtheboilingpointofwater,theytiopermeatetheair,lettingoutrelievedandgratifyih,liketheevehingfromthenoseandmouthofthesleepingAngelica.Thewarmandquietafternoonwasmostsuitableforanap.AsmileappearedonAngelica’sface,herhappythoughtswerelikethewillowswayinginthebreeze,flirtatiousandcapricious.
Lotussattherewquietlyandsteadily,everynowandthencastingaghesteamersoove,assessihertheyweredo.Suddenlyfrombehihinsofsteamappearedbeautiful,ifaces,wreathedismiles,lookingather.SeeingitwasthenaughtygirlDornaandherpanions,Lotuswavedtothem,invitingthemin.Theslendernakedformsofgolden-hairedMary,Shei,whosefoothadjustrecovered,thehealthyandagilenativegirlDeannafollowedtheirleaderintothekitandsataroutable,withDornaloudlyprer.Lotustouchedherfioherlipsandwarned,
“Sh!Don’twakeAngelica!Shedidn’tsleepatallstnight.”
“Whynot?”askedDornamystified“Whydoessheturnnightintodayanddayintonight?Shedoesn’tsleepatnightandnapsduringtheday.Isn’tthatawasteoftime?”
Argeimposingmansion,whichtookupairesquareblock,stoodloftyandmajestidertheclearblueskies,itstwiowersseemingtoreachuptotheclouds.Thehuge,whitemarblepilrs,extravagantsculpturesattestedtoitspastglory.Thisusedtobethegatheriheridfamous,wherepresidentsaorsrubbedshoulderswithsuperstarsoffilm,musidsportsaswelstheprincesoffiheeliteofsociety.Now,withthepassageoftime,thedazzlingwhitepilrshaveturnedyellowwithageandthesculpturesonthewallshavebeediscoloredlikefadedflowers.Infact,thewholebuildinglookedshabbyandrundown,foritwasnowusedashousingfortheelderlyandthedisabledlivingongoversubsidy.
Thespacioushallwascrowded,foritwasthedaywhenthegoverhafoodtothehelong,disorderlyqueueinchedalongslowlyandDimitrimeicallymovedwiththeline.Hislifestylehasgreatlyimprovedsincehebecameblind.Hewasgivenasmalpartment.Thoughitprisedofonlyoneroomandwasaersuitewithwindowsfagthestreetontwosides,hefinallyhadapceofhisownandthenoisefromthestreetsaddedanimationtohisquiet,lonelylife.Everymonth,hereceivedseveralhundreddolrsinSSI,whiabledhimtohavethebasiecessitiesofasimplelife.Movingslowlyalongamidthehecrowd,Dimitriseemedobliviousofhissurroundings,forhewasagainimmersedinaworldofhisown,theworldofdreams.Suddenlyanenormouspeaappearedbeforehiseyes,onlytovanishatthetwinklingofaneye.Dimitribegantofeelimpatient,longingfaretteandacupofhotcoffeetopensatehimselfforthelongwaitwhichwasgettingonhisnerves.Hepodojustthatassoobacktohisroom.Thistime,thebagoffoodhebroughtbackwasahugekofcheese,twosbsofbutter,abottleofhoneyaswelspowderedmilkandflour.
Withthebagoffoodinhisarms,Dimitrileftthehall,walkedbrisklythroughthelongcorridorandtur.Hisroom,#102,wasthestohatwihisbagoterandpulledopentherefrigeratordoortoaddtheperishableitemstohishoardofeggs,hamandsausagesalreadyinthere.Heybecauseallthisfoodshouldsthimatleastaweekortwo,whichmeanthecouldroamfreelyinhislittlekingdthatintervalwithouthavingtosetfootoutsidehisdoor.Dimitrilovedtoliveinhisownimaginativerealm,unencumberedbyirrelevantoutsideintrusion.Now,withtheprivacyofhisownroomandallthisfood,hecouldliveinaworldofhisown,freefromtheinterferehemundaneworld.Hecouldliveassecludedalifeasthehermitwhobuildsashathedeepestvalleyofthemountainsinpursuitofthefeatofloivity.
ofpipinghotcoffeeinhishand,hewalkedintothelivingroomandsatdownonthesofabythewindohisersuitefacedthestreetontwosides,andthenoiseandvoices,itrasttohisquietlife,wereorohisloneliness.Occasionally,hewouldcallouttosomeoneheknewandexgecasualwordsorbanter.Hissimplelifewentquietlyon,alternatiweensleepandwake.Justthen,thatenormousresplepeaappearedagainbeforehiseyes,andthenvanishedasquicklywithoutatrace.Heinhaleddeeply,histhoughtsstillonthatfleetingglimpsehehadofthepinkpea.Someonepassedbyhisroom,boungabasketball.Dimitriwasdeepinthought.Whatwasthesignificeofhislife,nowthathewasblind?Anotherboutofboungbasketball.Hesuddenlyrealized:Thatyoungmanboungthebasketball,couldjumpupandthrowitaccuratelyintothebasketfromanyahatgavehimasenseofaplishmentandhappiness.Actually,thefleshbodywaslikeatool,adaptatpyingontheimagination,withnospecifiifice.Butitveothedepthofthesoundtinuesonimagining,justliketheyoungmanboungthebasketball.ThatwasDimitri’sfavoritepastimeandthesignificeofhisexistence.
Thatenormouspeaflickeringinandoutofhissciousness,n,nowvanishiicedDimitri’scuriosity.Heuzzledastowhythatpeapersistedinintrudingitselfonhismindandthenvanishingwithoutatrace.Perhapsitwaoleadhimintenewsario.Whyyes!Perhapsthatwasmaterialforweavinganotherdream!So,hequicklystubbedoutthecigaretteinhishand.Whilethesmokewasstillpermeatingtheroom,Dimitrihadalreadyarrivedinhisdreamnd.Inhisdream,Dimitrituroamagnifitbutterfly,brilliantlystrippedandspotted,danglightlyalyispringbreeze.Beforehimwasnolongerasinglepea,butmyriadsofthem,faseaofdangflowers,withslimfiguresroamingfreelyintheirmidst.Thesewerenakedfemaleforms,somegatheredincasualgroupstalkingandughing,whileotherswereontheswings,rogthemselvestoandfrotowhileawaythezyspringday.
Attheotherendofthegardenacelikebuilding,withglitteringencaustictilesandbrightredpilrs,especiallyeye-catguhesunlight.Thesplendoroftheluxuriousbuildingfullymaedtheopulehemysteriouskingdom.Themagnifitbutterfly,ridingontheslightspringbreeze,fleilyamidthebloomingflowers.“Ah!”thoughthe,“IambackagaininthisbeautifulKingdom.Inthemundaneworld,Iambutablindmansequesteredinatinyroom,butinmydreamsIamamagnifitbutterfly,danginthisvastarrayofdazzlingspringcolors.”So,thebutterflyflutteredfreelyonitsembzonedwings,revelinginthebeautiesofnature.Stickyshredsofsilkeenaciouslyattachedtoitswings,incapacitatingthem,alerteditthatsomethingwasamiss.As,hehadientlybeencaughtinatrap,andaferociousbckspiderwasmakingitsway,closerandcloser,alongtheweb.Dimitrisighed,
“Howunfortunate!MyfirstdaybatheKingdomandIbeefoodforthespider.”Justthen,delicatefingerslightlypickeditupbythewingsandcarefullypluckedawaytheremnantshredsofwebfromitsbody.Itwasthecharming,starry-eyedAsiay,Yoko.Herever-presentsmilemadethedimplesinhercheekmoreentingthanever.Afteringawayallremnantsofthespiderweb,sheletthebutterflygofree,saying,
“Ah!Youbelongtothespringandtotheflo!Gowhereyoubelong.”Shewatchedasthemagnifitbutterfly,whichhadjustexperiencedsuarroefromdeath,flyintothedepthoftheflowersinthegarden.
Themagnifitbutterfly,soresplelystrippedandspotted,tiozigzagitswayleisurelythroughthespaciousgardenuntilitcametoahalfopenedwindow.Itflewinsidealedoalofanenormouspinkpea,notforthehoosuckthefragrantflower,butbecausetiredafteritslongflight,itfelttheneedofatemporaryrespite.Itsdelicatewingscouldnolohstaigueoflengthyvoyage.Thepeaasilvervase,inidwithemeraldgreericatelysculpturedtogiveamostfasatinglylife-likeportraitofabeautifulgirlinae.Herfeatureswereclearlydisableandherclothing,elegantandsophisticated.Sheseemedtohavejustawakenedfrslumberoneearlymandwaswalkinginthegarden,stillimmersedindreamyindolenguorahargy,almosthypnotictotheviewer.
Atthemoment,theflowervasethewindowsillofabeautifulrgekit,wherenospeckofdustcouldbeseen,andthehardwoodfloorshoahatitmirroreditssurroundings.Anakedbeautywaswilybefechoppingboard,herbeautifulfaceflushedwiththebloomofhealth,herrgedewyeyestratedontheworkathand.Itwasthegeus.Shewasslowlykneadingapieceofsoftdough,fitintoalong,uniformrollbeforebreakingitintosmallpieces,eachthesameinsizea.Shepcedthemirowbeforeher,likeagroupidly-trainedsoldierswaitingforherand.Shethentookafoot-longrollerandrolledthesmallpiecesofdoughintoround,thiners,eachthesameincircumfereakingpainstospraydryflourontoeachbeforestagthemintoapilesoastopreventthemfromstigtogether.Hereverymovementwasslowbutorderlyandsystematic,goingfromonesegmenttoarictlyac,withnowastedmotion,allcarriedoutinabsolutesileerfinishingthisdemandingpreparatorywork,herbackmusthavefelttiredbecauseshegedherpositionandsatdownonaroundstooltorest.Howcouldherslender,willowywaistsustainherfigureforsolongaperiod?Theioworksilentlyon.Takingupaer,sheputitintoherleftpalm,scoopedupsomepre-preparedvegetablefillingfromthewhiteapteandputitinthemiddleoftheer.Dippingherfioabowlofwater,shewettheedgesoftheertoehemtosticktogethermoreeasily.Nimblefingersworkedquicklyaly;oeranotherarowofdumplingsemerged,readytobesteamed.Eachtastymorsertisticallyshaped,edgesstandingoutdistinctlyvisible.Shewaslikeasculptorpyingwithunmoldedcy,makioperfectspesofherowndesign.Soon,thirtywhitedumplingswerelyarrahesteamer,eachtheproductskill.
Ihisluxuriouskitwasafortableday-bed,whereaall,slender,nakedbeautyysoundasleep.Afewstrandsofblondhairwerescatteredonhervoluptuousbreasts.Herhalfcurvedleftarmreedonthepillow,whileherrightarmysoftlyonherabdomen.Herslightlycurledrightlegrestedonherleftone,whichrexedlengthwiseonthebed.ThisVenus-likeposeatedthecurvaceousrhythmure.Shewasindeepslumber,onewhichshehadnotenjoyedforalongtime.Yes,shewasthebeautifulpoetess,Angelica,longtorturedbyinsomnia.Ragherbrainsinpursuitoftheperfe,sheentrappedherselfintheshackleoftensionandworry.Herclearblueeyes,fullofintelligence,werereadilyfrightenedlikeapieceofpurecrystal,beautifulbuteasilyshattered.Justthen,Lotusraisedhereyesandlookedatthesleepingform;asmileofsatisfatouchedherlipsbecauseshefoundthathermovements,slowahodical,whichwerecharacteristicofheralone,hadthepowertosoothAngelica’stautnervesandrescueherfromtheabyssofworryandtension.AngelicalovedtosleepwhileLotusbusiedherselfwithherwork.Whetheritaintinginherbrightlylitstudio,embrinherfragrantbedchamber,orcookingi,oratedherattentiononLotus’slowmovements,shewouldfeedrowsytirednessovertakeherandwouldsoonfalsleep.Theslowahodients,naturalborncharacteristics,wereinperfectharmonywithherquiet,geure.
CookingwasherLotus’dutynorherdailywork.Tourmetcookingassion,soshethrewherselfintoitheartandsoul.Treatingitasaformofarttoberesearchedandpracticed.Theresultwastheinspiredcreationofaninalteique,ingeniousandunique,whiotonlysatisfiedherpersonalurgeofcreativity,butalsowontheappuseoftheBeauties.EvenKingDimitri,thepickygastronomer,rofuseinhispraise.Thisgreatlyencedher,strengtheningherresolvetotinueimprovieique.Differentmaterialsputtogetherindifferentwayswillproducedishesofdifferenttastes.Sheprizedthelessofromherfailuresjustasmuchasthejoyandsatisfathatcamefromsuccesses.Dayafterday,sheimprovedhercooking,whichbecameamagiackfusedinherheart.ThefactthatKingDimitriandhisBeautieslovedtoeatthefoodandDimSumshesometiculouslypreparedgaveheradditionaliandimpetustoimproveherskillsothateventhechefsinthepacewereimpressedwithherexpertise.
Thenumerousbeautieslivingieriouspace,togetherwiththeirretinueofpersonattendantsandassistantscametoquiteanimpressivetotal.Therefore,argestaffofexperiencedchefswasinstitutedintheroyalkittoseetotheirneeds.Asidefromthethreesumptuousdailymeals,allkindsofcuisiobepreparedtomeetalltheoccasionsthatmightarise.Thekitwasalwaysbuzzingwithactivities.Whenanyofthebeautieshadanurgeorcravingforsomespecialkindoffood,sheneededonlymakeherwishesknownandthechefswouldbusythemselvesfillingherordertothebestoftheirabilitiesandhaveitbroughttoherwherevershewas.Theirservicewasreallyimpeccable.Notonlywasthefoodservicesoperfect,otherneedsofdailylifewerejustaswellanized,withspecialpersoendingtoeveryneed.Inaword,KingDimitrihadmadethhprovisionsforhisBeauties,atteoeveryceivabledetailofdailylife,likeagardenercarefullynurturienderblossomsinhisgarden.Towardoffthelonelinessandboredomoflivinginmountaielycutofffromtheworld,everybeautytookonsomeformofwork,thepurposeofwhichwastowhileawaytheinordinatelyexcessivesparetimewhichcouldotherwisehangheavyontheirhands.Ifthebeautiesfeltirritatedordepressedorjustdidnotfeellikedoinganythingfornoreasonatall,theycouldjuststbecauseitwouldautomaticallybetakencareofbythepaceattendants.Normally,theonlythingthatcausedthebeautiestofeeldepressedwastheabsenceofKingDimitri,whoteogowanderingalroundtheworldformonthsonend.
WheneverKingDimitrigottiredofwanderingandcamebacktohisKingdom,thewholeatmosphereged.EveryeroftheKingdomwasfilledwithughter,musidjubition.KingDimitriwasagastronomer,aooffood.Whenhewasinthepace,thepaceattendants,mostlybeautifulyounggirls,werekeptbusy.Theycouldbeseencarryingrge,exquisitely-madesilverpteswithtransparentcoverstoandfrofromthekittothepace.Hewasalsoanepicureaioreonhowtogetmaximumenjoymentoutofdailylife.ht,sunnydays,hewouldtaketothecalmwatersinhisluxuriousbark,iingthebroadexpanseofhiske,wideasthesea,ingafollowingofsmallnativeboatsandoesonhistail.TheywereallKingDimitri’sloyalvassals,whosideredcatgsightoftheirsglory.Sometimes,onmoonlitnights,hewouldtakeabottleofgoodwineandgosailingaloneinasmallboat,leisurelyenjoyingnaturebetweentheskyah.Hewouldstayoutallnight,causiamongthebeauties.hemdaredtosleepearly,butherdidtheypin,fortheynotonlylovedhim,butalsoknewhimandhisetricitiesverywell.Sometimeswhenthemoodtookhim,KingDimitriwouldtakethemallonaridingtrip,lettingtheeedsgallopfreelyontheendlesspinsasfastaswindandlightening,untiltheytiredofit.SuchamanwasKingDimitri,theteroflightawhichreflectedintoeveryerofhisKingdom.Whehere,lifewasmultifariousandfullofi.Buthewasavagabondatheart,wholovedtowanderaboutunhamperedbymuraints.Therefore,hisdaysinthepaceattendingtaldutieswerefewwheohisdaysofwanderingabouttheearth.Retly,hehadbeeforquiteawhile,givingthebeautiestheimpressionthattheylivedonlyinhisdreams.Sincedreams,nomatterhowlongalwayshadanawakening,solongasabeautifulmemoryremaiwouldbesuffitforalifetime’sreminisce.Justlikeaclouddriftiheblueskies,KingDimitrihadlefthisheartinhisKingdomofDreams.
Themagnifitbutterflythatwasrestingoalofthepeahadflownaway.Osdelicatewingsrecoveredfromfatigue,ithaditsownookihofthemyriadofblossomsthatbelooitaloherewasacircurvitalityinitsbeautifulbodywhichkeptremindingitthatspringwasshort,thatitshouldmakethebestpossibleuseofthefleetingopportunitytoenjoylife.Orperhapsthebutterfly,uowithstandtheincreasinglyhotandhumidroomtemperatureescapedtothegardenfullofsunlightandspringbreeze.Atthemoment,cloudsofsteamemanatedfromtheseveralbamboosteamers,stackedoneupoheroove.Releasedfromtheboilingpointofwater,theytiopermeatetheair,lettingoutrelievedandgratifyih,liketheevehingfromthenoseandmouthofthesleepingAngelica.Thewarmandquietafternoonwasmostsuitableforanap.AsmileappearedonAngelica’sface,herhappythoughtswerelikethewillowswayinginthebreeze,flirtatiousandcapricious.
Lotussattherewquietlyandsteadily,everynowandthencastingaghesteamersoove,assessihertheyweredo.Suddenlyfrombehihinsofsteamappearedbeautiful,ifaces,wreathedismiles,lookingather.SeeingitwasthenaughtygirlDornaandherpanions,Lotuswavedtothem,invitingthemin.Theslendernakedformsofgolden-hairedMary,Shei,whosefoothadjustrecovered,thehealthyandagilenativegirlDeannafollowedtheirleaderintothekitandsataroutable,withDornaloudlyprer.Lotustouchedherfioherlipsandwarned,
“Sh!Don’twakeAngelica!Shedidn’tsleepatallstnight.”
“Whynot?”askedDornamystified“Whydoessheturnnightintodayanddayintonight?Shedoesn’tsleepatnightandnapsduringtheday.Isn’tthatawasteoftime?”