Without sadness to hold us together and ground us, then an alternative must be found. The Blue Knight, all cathartic after his Mount Fume experience, felt lighter than a feather. But also insubstantial and liable to blow away in a passing air movement.
I shall need something or things to hold me down, he thought, else I shall become invisible.
I shall return to the City of Az, my family and cahoots will no doubt have an opinion on what I should put in the container now that it is become a vacant lot.
I shall accompany to keep you safe, said the Diamond, you are not yourself at the moment.
They entered the City of Az, and there in the great hall a Fire had Also Been Laid. Here they held council. Constance and Vivainne, with Sheba and she Sphinx, also the Blue Woman Knight, who hold hands with her child Knight, looking very smart in small shiny armour, running amok with a hobby horse, were all in present that day.
With what shall I find self and solace? asked the Blue Knight, now that my container is.
Sphinx, she says, I shall find the most delicious food in far distant lands. Small honied cakes with walnuts and raisins, strong wines brewed in wooden casks frothing and fresh with a heady scent of flowers and field flowers. I shall steal the Horn of Plenty, aka the Cornucopia, from the pantry of the Gods themselves and fill your container with an everlasting of taste and delight.
I think that you may have misunderstood the quality of the problem dear Sphinx, mused the BK, smiling, But I appreciate the effort.
It might be, said she Sphinx.
Sheba says, I shall put in an elixir that will heal the sick and invigorate the feeble this week. This has not been discovered yet, but I take it upon myself to provide, and my word is my bond. I shall work the miracles of science with my trusty laptop, a sprinkling of AI and the riches of biodiversity, such that all ills shall be vanquishable, is that a word? Your container shall become the saviour and safety-first aid box of the future.
Thank you, say BK, that shall give purpose and meaning.
Constance do pronounce, I shall fill the box with so much love and regard that there will be no room. It shall be conjugal and platonic love in stone and wood, fashioned in words and in image. Described by poets, lovers, philosophers, family members and artists. Love in books and upon the stage, podcasts and discourses of love. Sculptures and objects of desire. With these things I shall fill your container
Wow, say BK, I look forwards to all these wonders my world to explore.
Vivaine says, I shall fill the box with fight and determination. Whatever needs to be done will be there. I shall grind it full of motivation not to be reduced, intention, never to be curbed. Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time. Will be inside.
I thank you for this, I will be stronger and commit all myself, said the BK.
The Blue Woman Knight said, I will fill the box, me and our dear child, we shall fill it beyond description with family, beyond your ability to retreat. Your heart strings, your heart and mind, your feeling and reserve, yourself and selfishness will all be encompassed and contained.
My dearest Blue Woman Knight and child Knight. You are my everything and always will.
The 4 of Diamonds said, I shall fill your emptiness with life itself. Television spectaculars, Christmas cards, fancy dress, morning coffee, going to work, coming home, falafels, distant smoke rise (who is sending signals?) porridge, holidays by the seaside. Especially coffee in the sunny mornings. Yawn at dawn and stretch at bedtime. A feeling, nay, two feelings of content and one of excite. I shall empty the contents of a desert oasis as the sun goes down, with a sprinkling of an orchestral concert, into it. A warm jumper in case, cold orange juice, warm socks, lively conversation, drowsy Sundays, books to read, many, many books to read. There should be room for a walk in a field and a dabbling of toes in the water, turning over to go back to sleep and listening to a song. These things I shall bring.
I can only thank you all, said the Blue Knight feeling quite emotional.
And so, indivually, they shall sally forth, each and every, to fulfill the requirements into the emptiness.
The Guardians of the Cave 