Senshi (Guardians)

They said their good-byes and left. It was a Black tie affair, so Thael put a tuxedo on from out of thin air. He was wearing white gloves, white cravat, and a black tuxedo with pleated white shirt. The shirt studs were beautiful pink sapphires to match the flowers on her dress. His cuff links were two very large pink sapphires. He was also wearing a black bowtie and cummerbund under a long black overcoat that had a red silk lining. “Where do you get that stuff?”

“What stuff?”

“Your clothing… Is there an invisible closet? Or do you just beam something up from home?”

“I just think of what I want to wear and it appears on my body.”

“I wish I could do that, except I could never come up with something as beautiful as this dress.”

“Maybe, but one of these days you’ll be able to do it.”

“Honto? Even something like this?”

“I know you will. Say, why don’t we walk to the Yamaguchi? It isn’t that far, and on the way we can stop for tea. It will give you a chance to show everyone that gorgeous dress… not to mention the Goddess wearing it.”

Kyoko giggled, “Baka…”

A top hat suddenly appeared on his head. She opened her parasol and put it over her shoulder. He extended his arm and she gladly took it. She had put a pair of black fine lace gloves on her hands that she had found in the drawstring bag. They came up to her wrist held by a black elastic band. Just above that they had a two inch ruffle.

As they passed the guard shack, an old man stepped out wearing a security uniform and said, “Excuse me folks.” Then he recognized Thael. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness. I didn’t recognize you at first.”

“That’s all right, Tabo san, I’d like you to meet my wife, Princess Kyoko.”

Tabo san bowed low, “So honored to meet you at last, Your Highness, Thael sama told me you were beautiful, but nothing prepared me for this. You are truly, the most beautiful in all the land.”

She smiled and handed Thael her parasol. She took Tabo san in her arms and hugged him, “Thank you noble knight. Thank you for your kind words.” She kissed his cheek. Then she went back to Thael.

Thael doffed his hat, “You have a good night, sire. We’re off to the Yamaguchi.”

They waved as they walked out of the gates. The sun was still up, but the city was comfortably cool. They walked slowly arm in arm. People everywhere stopped and stared. Thael and Kyoko bowed and greeted people as they went. Thael would tip his hat to the ladies, regardless of age.

They entered the Miyamoto tea room. The other patrons stared at them as they walked to their table. People rarely come to the tea room this early dressed so fine; after a play, symphony, or a showing, yes, but not before. They told the waitress they were on their way to the opening at the Yamaguchi, and she understood.

After a lovely tea they bid them good-bye and walked to the Gallery. The sun was just beginning to set when they rang the bell. Kodo Sensei let them in.

“I’m going to leave you two alone. Feel free to wander the gallery. Let me know what you think, Thael sama.” He walked off to the back somewhere and went through a door.

Thael was staring at the most beautiful sunset he had ever seen. As a matter of fact, he had seen it. He and Kyoko had seen it together. He took her hand. The painting looked so real he could feel the air getting cooler. He closed his eyes. He could smell the ocean and hear the surf. He opened his eyes and he found himself standing on that beach again, holding her hand.

Kyoko interrupted him, “Are you okay, my Prince?”

“It’s like you and I are standing on that beach again. I can smell the air. I can even hear the waves.”

“We should go in. They will be opening in a half hour and I don’t want you to miss anything.”

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

She took him around to all the pictures. Every one of them affected him in a different way. The one of the mother holding her child in her arms made him feel like it was his mother. He could feel her arms around him, loving and secure. Something she did until he thought he was “too old” for that. How he wished she were here now holding him.

Kyoko touched his arm and he remembered where he really was. He took her in his arms and held her. He could feel her love for him. After a few moments they moved on to the next painting.

Finally, the last picture: It was the large canvass she had painted of that incredible tree. It hung in a place by itself in the middle of the wall. The wall was unlit, but the picture had several lights focused on it. The painting was four feet square.

It was the old tree; the amazing tree, gnarled and twisted, yet, majestically reaching to the sky. Underneath the tree was a figure. He was dressed all in white, lying on his back on a blanket. He had great white wings with golden tips that stretched out from beneath his torso. His hands, fingers intertwined, were behind his head. He was looking out of the canvas with a smile on his face.

It was Thael. No mistaking the violet eyes.

He felt himself being drawn into the picture. Now, he was on the blanket looking at his Princess. She was painting the Tree. The sun had begun to set. She came from around the painting, threw herself down next to him laughing. They held each other closely. Just as she tilted her face for a kiss, he was back standing in front of one of the best memories they’ve had together.

He turned to her. His eyes were wet, “You have the gift of Living Art, Kyoko sama. Whatever you paint, it comes to life when someone looks at it. Your pictures are wonderfully overwhelming. I’m willing to bet that everyone who looks at these masterpieces will feel some emotion from their own past.

“Living Art is rare in the universe. There are only two people I know of that can do it within the thirty-nine united galaxies. You, you precious treasure… You are one of them.” He took her in his arms and held her. Kodo sensei interrupted them, “Excuse me Kyoko sama. We’re opening the doors now.”

“Thank you Kodo Sensei.”

Thael reluctantly let her go. “You’d better follow him. We mustn’t keep the fans waiting.”

“I don’t have any fans – other than you and Kodo Sensei”

“You will have after tonight.”

“What are you going to do?”

“This is your night to shine. You go with Kodo sensei… I’m going to take the tour again.” He rubbed his hands together. He sounded excited by the thought.

“Okay,” she chuckled. Sometimes he’s so much like a child.

Thael noticed the title plaque under the tree painting, for the first time. It said: “Tenshi.”

Everyone had the same kind of experience Thael had. They gathered around Kyoko, praising her work. They all wanted to own one. A few gave her business cards and told her they wanted to commission her to paint something personal for them.

At the end of the night after all the attendees had left, Kodo sensei locked the door:

“Kyoko sama, we have never had such a successful opening like this. I would be honored if you would let me handle the sale of any paintings you would part with. I can get you more than a fair price for these masterpieces.

I have never experienced a viewing where all the pictures not only spoke to me, but I felt like I was actually there.

I could smell the smells, hear the sounds, and feel the breeze. You are definitely magic.”

“Where I come from, Kodo Sensei,” Thael began, “we call it ‘Living Art.’ As you said, it’s more than a visual experience. You actually feel like you have stepped inside the painting.”

“Living Art? How appropriate. May I use that?”

“Certainly, that is what it’s called.”

“Kyoko-sama, what do you think about selling them? Or are they too close to your heart?”

Well, you can sell everything except ‘Sunset Kiss’ and Angel’.”

“Wonderful. The paintings are going to stay here for a couple of weeks. I want as many people as possible to experience this. After we close the exhibition, the paintings will be given to the buyers.

“By the way, Kyoko sama, I heard that people are asking you to do commissioned work. I’d be happy to be your agent in those matters. I won’t charge for it either. When you get another batch of paintings ready, we’ll have another showing. Don’t feel rushed. Do them in your own time. My offer is always good.”

“You are much too kind to me. I don’t mind at all paying you a commission for your help. I insist on it. As you know, I don’t paint for the money. I paint because I have to. I love putting what I see down on canvass so that others can see it too.”

Kodo sensei bowed, “As you wish Hime sama,”

They thanked him again. As Thael and Kyoko were about to leave the building, Thael said, “I have to ask Kodo sensei something. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

It took him ten minutes.

“Did you get your answer?”

“Yes, and I also needed to thank Kodo Sensei properly.”

“Baka.”