Tide Between Two Worlds

Let The Tournament Begin

       Nightfall. In a corner of a tatami room that will soon double as the dining room of the Ikeda family home, Kiyoni took some time to pray to her favored goddess and honored ancestors. A teacup full of cold, fresh water joined two lit candles in ombre shades of blue, burning incense of saltwater and sea breeze, and a framed, landscape photo of the ocean from the Mushiyori City Bay to adorn the altar of Yemoja. Her image was made out of a porcelain base and was perched on an opened aquamarine-colored clam shell, her hair in two perfectly-coiffed afro puffs that held a crown and veil made of sea shells and pearls that also doubled as an attachment to a double-stranded pearl and conch shell necklace that defined the shape of her bare breasts. Since the ornament doubled as an automatic fountain, two streams of water will flow from Yemoja's open palms into a feeding bowl that represents Yemoja's dominion. A mermaid fin in dazzling shades of blue from ocean to teal to sapphire to arctic completed the art piece.

       "Ancestors of my blood, I honor you. Praise and honor to my goddess, Yemaya. I seek guidance. I seek advice. I seek assistance. Please fill my heart and mind with the knowledge necessary to continue with my soul's journey. Asé," to further her prayer, Kiyoni pours the water into the bowl as an offering, "Asé, asé, asé."

       Mother Ikeda, named Ava, noticed her daughter's activities and checked in, "Kiyoni?"

Ava was a considerably tall woman compared to her husband who could pass for a distant relative of American actress, Cassandra Freeman if anyone knew. Her cobalt blue, overnight dress or muumuu with a dashiki print trim draped over her slightly voluptuous figure leaving the contents underneath for her partner's eyes and his eyes only. The fresh micro braids she wore were all pinned up in a bun to keep out of sight while she cooked dinner. Traces of cooked spinach and chopped tomato on a wooden spoon gave away a clue as to what's on the menu this evening. Tonight's meal was going to be efo riro, a stew-like dish made with spinach, kale, tomato, bell pepper, onion, and beans. Fufu (a dough-like side dish made of rice and corn meal due to local availability) and tempura-style chicken will be added to the feast as well.

       "Hi, mom," Kiyoni acknowledged.

       "Everything alright?"

       Kiyoni confessed in a concerned tone, "...No."

       "What's wrong?"

       "I don't know what it is but I'm sensing something big. Something mind-changing."

Mom was leaning against the door frame of Kiyoni's bedroom by the time Kiyoni opened up. Playing the role of a listening ear, Ava stepped in.

       "Yemoja must be watching over you, sharing her gift with you. What do you think it is?"

       "Something happened between Minamino and I."

       "Minamino? Oh! Did you apologize to him?"

       "Yeah. I gave him a bracelet I made and everything."

       "How did he take it?"

       "That's where my weird feelings come into play. On the way home after practice, he told me about some dreams he had. Dreams that involved him being a merman."

       "He's on the swim team, right?"

       "Yeah."

       "That's probably what it is then."

       "No, mom. It's something else. Something bigger."

       "Such as?"

       "I'm not sure. Just as unsure as to why I care."