The Crab

Thursday, 29 April 2021

"The Queen Mother rocks!" I said with much enthusiasm while playing with the black pearl that I picked up from Princess Nicolette's bed after her mother left. I tossed it up and down, and that continued for a few seconds until I noticed that the princess didn't look happy as I did that. I sat at the foot of her bed when I stopped tossing, and she was glaring at me like I did something wrong. "What?"

"You shan't play with my black pearl. It is my most valuable possession."

"Oh. Sorry. Yes, of course. Here you go." She cautiously took it from my palm, and held it like a baby. "If the black pearl heals you every time you're hurt, then does that mean...as long as you have it, you'll always be alright? That you'll live forever?"

She raised her right eyebrow and shook her head. "There is no such thing; nothing in the world lasts. Forever is the most unserviceable word ever created by mankind. I shall perish when it's my time. The black pearl works on wounds, bruises, or cuts, and any minor injuries, but it shan't work for grave damages to the body. Even so, I don't value it just because it can heal. I value it because it was the last thing my father gave me before he perished."

"Yes, the Queen Mother did mention about that. Would it be fine to ask how your father died?"

"He died because he was a good king." There was a hint of grief in the tone of her voice, but I couldn't clearly see the expression in her eyes because she was looking down at the black pearl.

"Someone dies from that?"

Her eyes turned to me, and I was glad that she seemed fine. The black pearl was sandwiched in her hands as if to safeguard it. "Apparently, yes. Now, we must put a halt to this subject."

"Oh, right. Yes, princess. Sorry I asked."

"Are all humans fond of saying sorry? It is so nonsensical to always say sorry when you are not at fault."

"I know. It's just a common expression when someone feels bad for doing something even if you're not at fault."

"Well, then humans are utterly ridiculous."

I couldn't help but giggle. "I would have to agree."

She raised her eyebrows and proudly whisked her hair, a gesture that showed how glad she was that I agreed to her statement. "What does it insinuate when you pronounced that the Queen Mother rocks?"

"Oh, that. Well, in other words…she's awesome. Awesome means amazing, or remarkable. You say something rocks as a compliment for something or someone that you like."

"Is that so? Well then…this black pearl rocks!"

I let out a soft laugh. "Yes, I totally agree."

As she cherished the black pearl, she looked quite adorable. I still wish she would get bigger shells to cover her breasts though, because they're a big distraction. I sighed and looked away where even my peripheral vision couldn't see them. Instead, I wanted to divert my attention to the intricate details of her chamber. I wanted to appreciate the marble sculptures, red plant furnishings, and beautiful hanging ornaments.

In scanning the entire room, I noticed something moving within the beautiful and neon-colored coral reefs, so I stood up and approached it. Then as I moved closer, I realized that it was the cute little crab that would pop out once in a while, only to run away. "Hey, crab! I knew you were somewhere around here!"

"Oh, hey Procopio. How is your day?" I didn't realize that the princess was behind me.

"I am doing quite well, My Lady."

I stared at the cute little crab with my mouth wide open in complete astonishment. The deep and very manly voice coming from him was enough for me to stop calling him cute little crab. "I can't believe this! You…can talk! Wow!" I knelt down to take a closer look at him. "And you have a name!"

"Yes, I do. My name's Procopio. Just Procopio. No last name. Just like Eminem, Sting, Prince, Bono, or Usher. You can also call me Proc for short. I know you always call people by their complete first name, but just in case you change your preference in addressing people…or creatures, Proc is way much cooler than Procopio."

I almost peed my pants from trying not to laugh so hard. "You…are…." But I still couldn't control myself from laughing so hard. "I can't believe I'm talking to a crab who can speak my language! How can you speak like that, and why do know those legendary music artists?"

Princess Nicolette sat beside me, so we were both fronting Procopio. "He is our private eye. He has splendidly acclimatized to your world, being the only creature in charge of entering and exiting the portal. It is imperative that we are aware of the Earth's current events, even more so, if those events have a substantial impact in the Underworld. Natural disasters like storms, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions have as much impact to the Purple Sea as it does to the Earth. We maybe of different worlds, but we all belong to one Universe. While Earth is the center of the Universe, the Underworld is the cornerstone of the Universe. So, if our world gets destroyed, it will destroy the Earth, and the entire Universe."

I was flabbergasted by this revelation. Not only did I uncover the most unimaginable living creatures in barely two days, but also the significance of the Underworld. Discovering that mermaids, and mermen exist, along with a talking crab, felt like a dream. But discovering that the Underworld is the cornerstone of the Universe, had awoken me from that dream. "This is real. This is reality." I whispered.

"What on Purple Sea are you mumbling about?" My momentary contemplation had to end when I heard Princess Nicolette's voice. I didn't realize I got lost in my deep thoughts.

I scratched my head. "I'm just quite confused whether this is all real or not. I mean, I can see that whatever's happening is real, but everything feels unreal."

The princess gave an expression that was just as confused as I was.

I chuckled at my own indecisiveness. "Anyhow, have you been following me around, or was it just a coincidence that I saw you and followed you on your way to the fountain?" I said to the crab.

He tilted its head. I can't believe he did that. It seemed like a gesture of an impending rebuttal, or something of that sort. He walked a little to his left to level with me, then looked me in the eye. "Why would I follow you around? I think you were the one who kept following me in the real world, and the Underworld."

"Yeah, I guess I did. I was just fascinated when you showed up at the gazebo, then here, so I…well, I guess I'm the one who followed you." I scratched my head. "Sorry, were you bothered by it?"

He laughed. "I was just playing. I did follow you around because you were fascinating, but I never thought you would follow me. No normal human would follow a crab."

I was about to respond to that, but then Princess Nicolette cleared her throat.

"Ehem, Procopio, we previously conversed about putting a halt to your reference to Earth as the real world, have you forgotten?" Her tone was different from how she normally talked to me. She sounded patient and soft-spoken.

"Whoops, my bad. I'm so forgetful, My Lady. I'll try my best not to refer to Earth as the real world."

"But it is the real world," I said, then instantly got nervous upon anticipating Princess Nicolette's response. I studied her expression. I was expecting a glare, but she didn't throw that kind of look at me and I felt relieved.

"It's just…when one calls the Earth as the real world, it stirs a certain emotion within me. Calling the Earth the real world is like saying that the Underworld is unreal. As if we didn't exist." She stroked the dangling strands of red orange hair away from her eyes.

"I'm not sure how to say this, but in my world, mermaids, mermen, and talking crabs, really don't exist. They only exist in the human imagination, and written as a literary piece that we can read in books. Meaning, you're both fictional characters in my world."

"Procopio, is he saying the truth?" She looked confused.

"Yes, My Lady."

She stared away for a few seconds to contemplate, then turned her attention back to me. "That must be why you looked perplexed at every single occurrence. You recognize us, you know we are mermaids and mermen, but you don't believe we exist."

I waved my hand. "Oh no, no, no. I do believe it now. But before I accidentally came here, I admit, I didn't know that mermaids and mermen were real, much less a talking crab."

"Hmmm…interesting." She took a momentary pause, then rose from the grassy ground. "Well, you must go back to the real world now. And I shall concoct a plan to retrieve my power. Procopio will accompany you on your journey." Without saying goodbye, she swam away.

I couldn't help but feel bad when I saw the lifeless expression on her face. She was neither happy nor sad. She looked…empty.