True to form, the considerate Black Popess also included precise cyber-coordinates for each new sybil, along with a well-meaning admonition: PS: Do try to stay away from Jimmy Mage, Olivia, for I fear he is not one of the good guys. "Gods, she knows me better than I know myself," Mystress O blushed when she read Madame 22's parting line. "What does she have - an Aztec obsidian mirror into which she might see the Future, much as did Dr. Dee?" Gazing at her breakfast consisting of an English muffin and blackberry jam, Olivia shrugged off the warning and decided to concentrate on the trio of ladies hand-picked for their qualities and abilities concerning matters of the arcane. "So many clues," she mused, "so many facets to explore about each. Ravenna seems the most mysterious - probably because she's a Scorpio; Lucky K and I will get along just fine and Komrade - she must be cool. I need to look at the Tarot cards for each, though...that should prove interesting." "Let's look at the ingredients since symbols oft convey a whole system of augury...the Dali image of Justice comes from Cranach, a Venus by the look of her pearly choker....and the Queen of Cups with her comic moustache is...hmm...by...Clouet, that's it! Elizabeth of Austria, as I recall. And R del C's Queen of Swords...who is that? Ah yes, Raphael. The brilliant, beautiful, angelic Raphael who painted this Jeanne d'Aragon. Wait a minute - who else went by that title? Somebody, I know it..." "Joan of Arc? What the Hades? Now that is a Queen of Swords! Leave it to Dali, master of the hidden meaning. And what did 22 mean when she mentioned the Thessalian Swan, I wonder? Let me get my Shepherdess' Bible - it's gotta be in there...." According to Roman legend, ravens were once as white as swans and not inferior in size; but one day a raven told Apollo that Coronis, a Thessalian nymph whom he passionately loved, was faithless. The god shot the nymph with his dart; but hating the tell-tale bird: He blacked the raven o'er, And bid him prate in his white plumes no more. [Addison: Translation of Ovid] "Apollo...again. And that poor Raven - it wasn't her fault she was honest. Why is Apollo always so bloody mean? I mean, Gods, who is he...Lucifer?" "Uh-oh...Jimmy Mage's logo is Apollo...and if I saw the sun god...did I really see Satan? Merde! And there was a black snake there, too...I remember it now! Holy Persephone...what does this all mean?" Rather than delve too deeply, especially with so many other things commanding her attention, the product of Peyton Place diverted her thoughts to the Dali Bakery and focused on the new troupe until well into the evening. "There has to be a reason why 22 sent me three women of quality; no more, no less," Olivia reasoned. "Three plus me equals four - the four quarters? Is it an allusion to the compass - 22 is the center and we are the directionals? Komrade is the North, I am East, Lucky K is South and R Del C must be West - the Gates of Death and Rebirth. Makes perfect sense. But still, there must be a pun....of course! Back to Dali's favorite artist of all time, Raphael....who did the latter love? The baker's daughter ~ la Fornarina! And now, the 21st century has produced The Fournarinas! C'est Colossal!" And with that benediction etched upon her weary soul, Olivia went gladly to bed and dreamt of baskets filled with baguettes, hot cross heretical buns, croissants and, of course...loaves of freshly baked pumpernickel!    Text Copyright © 1999 - ad infinitum cybersybils.com All rights reserved.