A Genie in a Jamby Oonah V. Joslin | |
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Chapter 17: Life is Sweet conclusion | |
Obsidian spoke. ‘Did you realize this pardox, DJ?’
‘No, sir. That is, I felt something amiss...’ His flame dimmed. ‘I know now...’
Obsidian addressed the Elders. ‘This does not surprise me, as his tutor. DJ was never the brightest of sparks when it came to thermodynamics or temporal mechanics. He should have paid more attention, certainly, but I am content that he has merely been the unwitting pawn of unscrupulous people.’
This line of defense was not altogether flattering.
‘DJ,’ said Topaz, ‘you have been ill-used by these humans. They owe you much. They should have given you an honourable seat on the board — not had you running around in silly clothes granting wishes! On the other hand, I can see nothing for which you have to answer to them. What would you have me do?’
Joel Jarre looked terrified.
‘Nothing,’ said DJ. ‘I have not the wisdom, sir, to know what to ask for. I will leave it up to your eminences.’ And for once in his life DJ was genuinely humble.
Topaz sent the humans back whence they had come. For his own satisfaction, he was determined to think of some way to punish them.
* * *
‘Now let me speak,’ said Obsidian with a solemnity that silenced even Topaz. ‘As you know, I have been no advocate of DJ’s. I did not sanction his appointment to this post.’
The others acknowledged this with flashes of affirmation.
‘But I was less than honest in my reasons.’ His flame was dull and dark now but without menace. ‘I have been very hard on DJ ever since he was a mere spark in my care, but it was because I always feared something like this might happen. This young Djinn reminds me too well of myself.’
DJ was astounded at this confession, wondering in what regard he could possibly resemble his old teacher. The council members crackled in disbelief.
‘We were all sparks once, and I, too, spent time among humans,’ continued Obsidian. ‘That is well known. I was lauded for my expertise, awarded for my service as a great ambassador for our race. And I took the plaudits. What is not generally known is that I too fell in love.’ Obsidian’s flame was low and quiet.
The crackling flames of the others licked high into the domed ceiling and sparked tiny echoes of light that went ricocheting off the walls.
Obsidian puffed out his black flame and created a blizzard within it to silence them. He clearly had something important to say and all attended to him.
‘DJ stands before us accused of many flaws — and I know his flaws better than most. But he does not possess my own weakness. He at least is no coward.’
Several of the others flared in consternation but Obsidian would brook no interruption.
‘Yes, a coward, I say. I returned home to Djinn before my Earth time was up — said nothing — hid my feelings, fearing the consequences. I would not face up to the terrible thing that had befallen me there. I denied it. DJ did no such thing. I call Kunzite Feldspar to testify.’
Kunzite appeared dim in this chamber but brighter than DJ had last seen him. He immediately greeted DJ like a lost friend.
‘Tell us how you know this Djinn?’ Obsidian asked.
‘I know DJ, Eminences, because we worked together in the gem mines, and a damned fine craftsman he is, if I may say.’
‘Have you any idea what he was doing there?’
‘Not my business to ask. But he brought us the jam, and life’s been a lot more pleasant ever since. And don’t worry, my friend, if they send you back to the mines, I’ll look after you.’
DJ mumbled his thanks and Kunzite was sent back.
Obsidian continued. ‘DJ went to the mines, worked alongside the miners and took a single stone back. Yes, we know about it, DJ, though we did not know your purpose. It seems that you managed to improve the lot of your co-workers whilst enduring danger and discomfort to mine this one small gem.
‘You see, Elders, even in the gem mines, DJ engendered trust and respect. And what did I do, faced with a similar situation? I broke the lady’s heart. Alas, my own, too! I ran away and I have regretted her for a thousand years.’
At this Obsidian’s flame crumpled into a crackling crescendo of sparks and he retreated within, into a deep, silent snowdrift. No one knew how to break into such grief.
* * *
When Topaz spoke at last, he addressed Sakura, who now stood slender and delicate within the circlet of flames. But DJ could not hear what they were saying. And then Sakura disappeared, and he had no chance to say goodbye.
‘Have you anything further to say, DJ?’ asked Topaz.
DJ turned to Obsidian, now with compassion, ‘Teacher, you have my pity and my thanks.’ He bowed very low and with deep sincerity.
Obsidian’s flame calmed and softened.
‘I am ready now for the Council’s will,’ said DJ, and at that moment he looked noble and heroic, though he did not feel it.
‘Then, DJ, I will pronounce what has not been said in these chambers for millennia. Look last upon that which you will never see again.’
DJ looked around the great chamber and up into the burnished dome.
Sententious, the voice of Topaz echoed through the chambers and vibrated with power and light. ‘I, Topaz divest you, Diamond Jewel, of all your powers and standing within the houses of the Djinn. I pronounce you to be fully human and henceforth to be of mortal kind. We will see each other no more.’
And with that DJ found himself, not unmade or in the gem mines as he had expected, but in a spacious and luxurious room.
Sakura was smiling sweetly at him. ‘Welcome home, DJ.’
Supper was on the table. Outside the picture window, Mount Fuji loomed snow-capped and majestic.
‘They asked me whether I’d ever made a wish, DJ, and I told them I never had, but could I do so now, I would wish us to be together always.’
The logo on the sports car outside declared him to be Executive Director of Genie’s Jams. The house and the wealth, he felt sure, were gifts from his old teacher.
‘I made you some of your favourite...’
DJ stopped Sakura from talking with a long slow kiss. He didn’t feel flickery at all — just a steady glow.
‘We should invite Mama Winston to our wedding,’ he said. ‘I think you two will get along.’
He put an arm about her waist. They looked out at the cherry trees in full blossom and at a full moon rising.
Copyright © 2010 by Oonah V. Joslin
