A Party in Pisces
Five days have passed since our hot blooded warrior, Mars, escaped the confines of Saturn’s prison cell and entered into the lush rainforest of Pisces. The contrast between the shiny, machine-like city of Aquarius and the wild, overgrown tropics of Pisces were stark. In Pisces, everything was alive and moving. The sound of the rain on massive monstera leaves combined with the calls of strange creatures created a haunting melody. Springtime blooms of stargazer lilies and magnolia trees made the air heavy with perfume.
One step into the land of Pisces left Mars completely disoriented. The enchanting atmosphere clouded his usually sharp senses as he tried to find the road which would lead to his Aries homeland. But try as he might, he could find no road. If there had been a road, it had long since been overgrown with vegetation. Mars drew his sword and began to chop through the brush, but as he made his way only a small distance, he felt the need to rest. With every severed branch and stem, Mars experienced a shooting pain in his various limbs. It was as if he felt the pain he was inflicting on the life around him. In fact, the longer he spent in this forest, the more connected he felt to the beings surrounding him. This would prove challenging since he would need to hunt for his next meal soon. Mars found a soft bed of grass and leaves to lay upon and some colorful mushrooms to stave off his appetite. As he drifted to sleep his thoughts wandered to Venus who had left him in Saturn’s cold cell. Perhaps they would cross paths again.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the forested kingdom of Pisces there was a party happening. Jupiter, ruler of the land, had returned after a twelve year journey through all the lands of the zodiac. Shortly after his departure, Neptune moved in and is still there today. With Neptune in charge, things had changed. All roads had disappeared under flowering vines. All that was left were meandering paths left by wandering inhabitants who had perhaps been drinking poppy tea and munching questionable mushrooms for sustenance. Furthermore, the faerie population had quadrupled and the clear air had turned into a sparkling mist that played tricks on the eyes.
The twinkling fog got ever thicker as Jupiter approached his shining palace where Neptune still remained in residence. Jupiter was happy to be home, but wanted to address the state of his kingdom with Neptune. A commanding presence, the rotund and bearded Jupiter, along with his jovial band of travelers, announced their return home. Only his home was almost unrecognizable. The glossy, ornate gold fixtures he remembered were now covered in glittering dust while sheer silk scarves were hung over the chandeliers and fringed velvet tapestries hung from the towering brass banisters that had once gleamed. Faeries chittered in corners and flashed bright in dusty sunbeams.
As if floating, Neptune appeared at the top of the landing and glided down the stairs, a train of pearlescent gossamer silk behind her. Neptune was so covered in the glittery film that her features seemed to change and shift in the shadows. A mesmerizing sight to behold, she greeted Jupiter with a golden goblet of his favorite wine and told him to get ready for the night’s celebration of his return. Grateful for the wine, Jupiter accepted and went to his chambers to get ready for the party.
After a refreshing bath, Jupiter made his entrance to the ballroom ready to express to Neptune his concern over the roads, faeries, and general state of things in Pisces since his absence. But before he could gather his thoughts, someone put a sparkling beverage in his hand and the swirling smoke distracted him from his thoughts as he felt a giant grin appear on his face. The table was laden with strange fruit and odd mushrooms instead of the hearty meats he was used to. Jupiter had much to say about Neptune’s ways, but when he finally approached her, he couldn’t remember why he cared so much. The atmosphere was strange, but seductive and Jupiter was never one to say no to a party or a beverage or another strange mushroom.
Days later when Jupiter awoke, he could not remember much about the party other than he had been in a swirling trance of pleasure and emotion for days in a row. He would be on the road again soon and Neptune would remain behind. For now they would prepare for another party to welcome Venus who was worshiped in the land of Pisces. Jupiter would restore his glistening palace to its former glory in honor of Venus’ visit in about two weeks’ time.
