Of Oysters, Pearls and Magic - Part I: Daughter of the Sea.

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I am the daughter of oyster-divers and pearl-gatherers. I am the descendent of the first-wave immigrants from old Terra Firma, the ancient Earth planet the grandmothers of the village speak so kindly of. I am the daughter of a line of women who risk their lives to dive for the treasures of the sea, the rough-shelled bivalves that give us food and beautiful orbs of beauty.
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A Basketful Of Figs, cont'd. (Part V).

The loss of my closest cousin weighs heavily on my heart and yet I find myself unable to cry. My tear-ducts seem to have run dry, after the harvest of the figs. How am I going to mourn the dead when I know, somewhat, that she might still be alive? On the run, no doubt, but alive and kicking…somewhere?
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[FROM UNDISCLOSED LOCATION: GZBNRQJ]

Ash,

They invaded our city. Our family house is gone. I am on the run now, with Mother and Father. First and Third Aunts did not make it. The mortar bombs crushed the roof they were under. I am using a portable Speak-Ease and I hope you receive the message, wherever you are. If you are alive.

Are you still alive?

It is all gone. Even the fig tree. I thought it would survive. It was so strong and had withstood the test of time. But the first mortar fell right on top of it and blew it into pieces. There are broken branches, bark and fruit everywhere. Splinters hurting and, piercing our bodies. I still need to get the splinter out of my right arm. We are running and there is no time to rest.

The Teveri are no help at all. They are probably laughing at Earth’s follies. What fools we are!

Benjamin is dead. He died defending the camp. You don’t know about him. But he was there when I needed comfort. He was a soldier trying to defend what and whom he loved. He was a “returnee”, just like you and me. Immigrant’s descendent. Like our families. You don’t know him. I love him and he’s now gone. Dua sejoli tidak menyanyi. My joy is gone.

I cut my hair. I now look like a boy and I will probably stay that way until the war ends and after. I hope you like this aspect of me. I miss you. A lot.

And oh, I have kept some of the figs. Do you remember eating them? We used to harvest them together. The figs are in my pocket now. I want to grow them, watch them flourish. Peace will come back. I pray it will. We will return to our homes soon.

Till we meet again, Ash.

A lot of love,
Cass.
[END OF MESSAGE] [END OF MESSAGE]
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Part I: here.
Part II: here.
Part III: here.
Part IV: here.

Glossary and Translation:
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