anonyma-realm-fotiniky

In the Realm of Fotiniky (Love in the Agora)

Who would have ever imagined
That I could ever fall in love
With somebody that would harbor
An emptiness so profound
Within the depths of a spirit
That presents itself so high?
Who would have ever imagined
That I could ever stoop so low
As to fall madly in love
With the perfect offspring
Of a society based only on glow?

In total distress and torn by severe sorrow, poor Anonyma found herself crying like mad and running again, never thinking of what was it that she had lost or what should have been her gain.

In her flight she had taken with her the black bird on her shoulder, looking in its huge eyes she felt she knew it from an era much older. Yet she could not exactly remember - who was this and why suddenly its eyes would turn to ember?

This time I will choose a large city, towards the sun rise, of people with free souls and open minds! A place where my moods and my virtues shall be seen neither as madness nor as sin! I shall look for a place where lame bourgeois standards hold no value, a place where one can get lost in the crowd, where my personality will not be seen as standing out so loud!

Anonyma ran and ran, until she reached an ancient city that lies next to a vast port, in a southern country whose name is Democracy. It was in the Levant that she had stopped, in that big, busy polis, down by the sea, where proud stood the building of one of the world’s oldest University.

Reaching that place the raven left her alone, she would have to discover this part of the world by her own.

She thought again how brilliant it would be if she could only plunge unknown into reality. So she changed yet again her name, took one she thought would shed light unto her nature and not her descent, thus she would be called Fotiniky.

The city was huge, with its crowded white buildings. There were hills on every side, but nothing was too leafy. The light was blindingly bright, the people not so fair, men would pass her by giving whistles while they’d stare. Women looked haughty, life utterly busy, from everywhere she heard chitters and chatters, at a moment she felt slightly dizzy.  

Oh, how exciting it is! How good to be here! I feel like a little blue fish that escaped a luxurious, nocive aquarium to rediscover the ocean so beautiful and deep – here is where I’ll find happiness and into veritable knowledge make my leap!

She took the identity of the pretty daughter of an appreciated craftsman of the rhetorical art, coming from a neighboring place a little more to the north, she rented a beautiful space in the center and went to the Academy to put her registration forth.

She was keen to learn of the mind and soul, to penetrate in the depth of abstractness was now her goal. So with great enthusiasm she entered through the gates of the old shrine that harbors the virtues of the human mind, but still she felt a rush in the depths of her heart, a sensation of déjà vu was playing there its part.

While going through the fatiguing process that all bureaucracy throws in one’s way, Fotiniky pondered

Some find their refuge between the walls of churches and cathedrals, forever searching for the light of faith, I find my sanctuary between the walls of academies and schools, forever searching for that one light that will set me free – could it be that the heart or reason holds the key? Then again, others will blindly confide in what states and offices will offer in exchange for their life, without ado they will renounce their own liberty, for a mere coin or two – isn’t that a pity? I prefer my independence to keep, no matter how much suffering that might entreat!

Fotiniky was happy, overwhelmed with elation, for her life finally presented itself as simple, no dark clouds looming from the horizon.

As a neighbor she had a girl from a land where the sun sets down upon the hills and the spirit -  she was a little, round thing named Marmely, she had light-chestnut hair, skin rather fair, big large eyes, a simple mind from which sprung silly, transparent lies. But she was a good nature, though light in her tastes – Fotiniky felt amused when hearing her tales, she felt diverted whenever a handsome boy would pass their way and she’d hear Marmely say

Oh, if I could only get the attention of this cute, sweet boy, how I’d love for him to become my toy!

Within the grounds of the Academy they made friends with Agapy. She was a thin, tanned girl, with the blackest hair in the world, eyes like coal – they went easily on fire, for Agapy had a temper that could dethrone gods and raise the mortals from the mire. She knew of strong feelings, of true friendship and long love, but she could also be cruel and cunning in her heart.

Going through the streets that led to the Agora, near an old ruined building they met a poor man, a fool with a lamp that wanted no riches of the material stock - he was only interested in what was offered by the highly intellectual flock.

He looks at all three and asks kindly

In these parts of the world one always wants to know: to whom one is speaking? is it someone to keep, or to let go? … and there are two questions in order to find that out – the first “what do you believe in?”, the second “what do you wish for yourself?” – these are the two pillars on which the human spirit will rest!

Marmely, light headed as ever, thought it right to answer the first, feeling very proud of her verbal burst:

I believe in the spirits of little unseen creatures, the existence of ghosts and the teachings from the Far East, I trust that if one arranges things in the right way they’ll bring good fortune or so they say! I’ve read about these in a wonderful leaflet and seen colored photos in some magazines. As for what I wish, like all, I wish for money – for there’s nothing that by it one cannot get! I want loads of gold, just like you, I bet!

Agapy lifted high her Dorian chin and in a passionate manner spoke out her mind, for this was her whim:

I believe in the spirit of the brave that rise to fight – to preserve long-lasting tradition, to maintain liberty and gain superior right – for our ancestors have given to humanity all that is true, we should be acknowledged as superior beings with a blood so blue! As for what I wish for me, myself and I – it is of no great consequence, I only want my name to be written on the firmament in the sky!

The poor fool looked at Fotiniky and with a gentle smile, addressed her:

And you, lovely white flower, what have you to say? What are the two columns that sustain a spirit so high and a mind so rich? Could it be that you are from another part of the world, an enchanting witch?

At this moment Fotiniky felt a shiver all through her being, she looked at the man and could hardly withhold her amaze. Whilst looking at him with her green almond eyes, she felt once again her pulse raise:

I truly believe in the power of education – I believe that genuine education lifts the spirit from the beastly state and makes it human – unfortunately poor education pushes man towards the state of speaking animal, which happens to be the worst kind of beast running free! As for what I wish… I only wish I’d find my Dulcineo and he’d forever love me!  

The man looked at them, then as he started speaking looked down again:

For you that desire such matter as gold coppers, it is a waste of valuable time to spend in some faculty, assisting to lectures. For you proud daughter of the people of Korinths, I would advise after school to enter politics. And you, airy spellbinder from some mysterious citadel, go to see the orations of Sophianous in the antique University on this hill!

With great wonder the three girls went to attend to the lectures of the University where they had registered as students. They also decided to assist to the famous classes of the most prominent and highly acclaimed mentor of the academic life in the region – Sophianous by name, Byzantine by ancestry, the words that came out of his mouth would bring to all intellect spiritual reverie.

Thus, early the other day Fotiniky made her way towards the aula where the great master of thought held his classes. She went and she sat exactly in front as to be able to see and hear the grand man she had heard of throughout the city. And then he came, with his athletic posture, his melancholic hue and long, flexible curls of silver and grey, his eyes were huge emeralds looking her way. Fotiniky felt again the shiver through her frame, there was something familiar about him – she had met him before, not only as a name.

Know thyself and thou shalt know the Universe and the secrets of the gods! Who am I and who are you? Could we be one entity, or are we to remain eternally two?

Fotiniky was fascinated, struck with awe, she felt she had heard such enlightening things, in another life, centuries before.

At the end of the lecture she could hardly speak, she went through the halls of the faculty and when Sophianous came to her she could release only a squeak.

He smiled at her with candid affection and told her in a kind voice

Come to my office and while exchanging ideas let’s rejoice! I trust you like reading, I see you are the inquisitive kind – I have a large library that will serve your soul and your mind!

Fotiniky entered the philosopher’s own retreat and was astonished of what she found there, for there were books to fill up a stadium, on a shelf was a familiar old lamp, on another a cranium.  

So, you’ve met poor Yorick, I see!

Strangely enough, master, a beloved friend I’ve had for a long time, whose wisdom and teachings had the essence of the divine! Your friend here, Yorick, reminds me of this fellow – I wonder where he is now, what is he doing, is his life mellow?

Wisdom is a gift from the gods more valuable than gold, but being able to impart it to others is a blessing that unfortunately not many hold! You have been extremely lucky to have met a soul that could hold both qualities at the same time, in only one mold!

I’ve had at a time two friends of mine, one was dark and one was light – but I must have lost them in some sort of fight!

True friends never leave us, they always come back, maybe not in the same form, but that is no lack!

Sophianous knew exactly what Fotiniky could achieve, he had understood from the very start: what was her nature, what was of her mind and what of her heart. He had fallen in love, as a mature man, with the pretty little one and wanted next to her to continue to live, to help her to grow and through her the power of women to show.

Fotiniky, you are both graceful and wise, you in the world must impose the example of how women can rise!

So they both spent long hours of research, Fotiniky would read frantically and calmly write, Sophianous would help her now and then – they were in ecstatic delight. She had become quite a name in the Agora, men would acclaim her, women adore her!

Oh, but the eternal fancies and moods of Fortune, how they ever turn and ever return - life might be a great mystery, but one thing is forever sure, bad luck never fails in its constancy.

One day it happened, an international gathering held under the auspices of the Academy in the East, Sophianous was proud - he’d have Fotiniky officially presented at the grand feast.

Among the people that came, there was a couple from the land where Hercules had thrown the pillars of the antique world: an illustrious professor with the aura of a macho, a brunet man by the name of Allsaintus – and she was his lover, another fine label in the list of academicians, her name was Hombrya, dark as a black olive, plump and plane, she had the features of a man, towards spirituality she showed no gain. She thought of herself as of a Jeanne d’Arc, but in all truth she had little value – but that was not seen as vital – for her lover Allsaintus had written in her name all the works that brought her the title!

When the four met, at seeing Fotiniky, Allsaintus’s eyes were on fire, whilst Hombrya’s heart fell under jealousy’s empire. And as all know, when envy and suspicion enter a woman’s breast, blood will be spilt and nobody shall know any rest!

Day after day Allsaintus would be unusually gay, whenever seeing Fotiniky his eyes would kindle, whilst Hombrya’s temper turned to that of a mare on which one cannot put any bridle. She started to gather all information she could attain on Fotiniky in an attempt to hunt her down as a game.

Fotiniky tried hard to keep out of the way of the eminent professor and his over-possessive consort who came from the land of the dying sun, but it was as hard as for a young dear to keep out of the reach of the poacher’s gun.

Oh, Sophianous, master to my mind and of my emotions, let me stay in your office and continue my studies, I wish not to appear at the feast! Allsaintus is so frivolous, as for Hombrya – she seems little more than a beast! She treats me with sneers and speaks of me ill, she talks of me as if I were a wench with absolutely no skill!

Of course, my lovely, she does all that – she hates you terribly and how could she not? You are everything she isn’t: intelligent and witty as the goddess of reason, your heart is of gold, in it there can be no treason, you are strong yet delicate like an imperial lily flower, gracious and spiritual like a swan in its final hour! But you must not let your passions take control, you cannot let yourself be intimidated, you must reach your goal! People will always try to limit you in your way, take no notice of them, you’re not made of the same clay!

As the day came of the grand, final banquet, Hombrya had stirred within the polis the people in hatred. She had taken all that could be said of her own lot, and put it as a label on Fotiniky’s plot – for Allsaintus had written all that Hombrya had signed - and turned this case as if it were Sophianous and Fotiniky’s kind. Thus it came out that the little eastern flower had not written a single line, but had lied hour after hour. The people in the Agora, passionate and quick of temper, did not take the time to investigate the matter. They concluded in haste they had been tricked and decided to take revenge on the two that had played the so-called charade.

During the day Marmely came to visit Fotiniky and she told her with fear in her voice - but in her eyes one could see large spite

Fotiniky, my friend, take care of yourself tonight!
For that cruel demon, that I’m obliged to call fellow countrywoman, she is of the wickedest mold, and she swore on the Bible that in the Agora your head she will hold! She is a despicable person, full of frustrations, for everybody knows that her lover eternally puts her the horns! Yet when thinking of you she feels such gloat, that she wishes to make of you the sacrificial scapegoat!

Fotiniky felt weary, sick and sour as she went to the feast – but Sophianous looked at her with love pouring out of his eyes and his breast!

They mingled among all the academicians, the ones from were cultures rise and those that burry the treasures.

Passing through one of the corridors, Fotiniky met with Agapy who had come to announce her

Fotiniky, my dearest one! You must flee at once, take Sophianous and run!
I cannot hold them, they will neither listen nor bargain, they want your heads on a silver platter - they have gone totally mad, no respect even for the alma mater!  

Fotiniky had bitter tears in her green eyes as she told Sophianous to what extent went Hombrya’s lies. But Sophianous would not hear, he said they must stay, the people of the Agora were no animals, they would listen to common sense, there would be no cause for panic or distress.  

As Fotiniky was trying to make her speech, the riot was coming in close reach.

Looking at them she gave a powerful sigh and thought to herself

They might not be animals, taken one by one, but put together they make a ravaging flock, humans lose all consciousness when representing a stock!

They invaded the University, they light it up from their torches, they destroyed books and furniture, they felt the need to dismantle, they wanted to catch Sophianous and Fotiniky, although once caught they did not know how the situation they’d handle.

The guests all ran out, Hombrya was in total ecstasy, Allsaintus never looked back to see what had been left of the magnanimous Academy - and the two that had there been trapped.

Sophianous took Fotiniky through the secret passages in a hurry and closing a huge door said

Off you go towards my study!

But my love, what will you do? Come with me and let’s try to flee!

No - my love and my life - there is no use! If I do not block this door, they will get us in a matter of seconds, you must run off without me, but never forget – I have always loved you and in you I put all my devotion, you must take womanhood and give it a new notion! Even more, try to show to the world: education should not be the slave or the mistress to industry, but the eternal goddess of love and liberty!

But love of my life…

No buts, be on your way!

With huge tears coming down on her cheeks, Fotiniky ran into the office. Entering she saw on a shelf the great book of knowledge, she took it under her arm and with great frenzy she measured the room.

Oh, dearest Yorick, whatever is there to do? We are the only ones left, me and you!

In the very next second the hollows where Yorick’s eyes had once been lighted up with green rays, showing the way towards the window.

But, surely, it cannot be so – to go into the abyss – this is what you’re telling me to do?

The green light becomes more intense, Fotiniky almost thought she had seen a smile on Yorick’s face.

Oh, dearest friend! Oh, prince of pure light! You come to me from such a glorious time! Let us run into the world, let us not become part of this crime!   

Fotiniky, Anonyma in truth, picks up the skull and to the window reaches, whilst looking down into the night they hear flaps and screeches.

The winged knight with his dark plumage comes for the final rescue - he brings in his beak a long, sturdy cordon – Anonyma fastens it firmly and tells her friends, still crying abundantly  

Let’s go now! There is no time to lose – I have the book of knowledge with me, let’s put it to some use!