Karena's Second Child (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Karena

Having arrived safely on my home planet of Wondawowman in time for the birth of my second daughter, I am greeeted by Captain Picard, my mother in law Bev Crusheer, my sister Nexa and my mother Queen Diana.



"Thank the stars you are here, daughter." the queen tells me, "Your sister and I shall carry you on a stretcher to the Birthing Chamber."

"Actually, it might be a good idea if Karena had the baby right here." suggests Dr Ted.

A bad mistake. A male, even a holographic one, does not question the will of an Amazonian Queen.

My mother looks in rage at him.

"You will be SILENT!" she shouts, "Only women may be in the sacred Birthing Chamber."



"In that case, can I come along?" Beverly suggest, "My medical knowledge will be important should any complications arise."

Reluctantly, my mother agrees, seeing the sense of having a doctor present, even though amazons usually have babies without any problems. A few minutes later, they are throwing spears again.

Lying on a litter, I am carried up a steep, turbulant volcanic mountain and enter the Birthing Chamber. A huge hot, bubbling pool is in front of me.

My mother changes into white robes, while Nexa and I remove our clothes to sit in the Birthing Pool.



Nexa holds me as my mother steps into the pool. I feel my daughter coming.

"AHHHHH" I call out, as Nexa pins me down. My mother bends down and lifts my young amazonian daughter up. Bev looks in amazement at home smoothly it was all done.

"What say you name this child?" asks the Queen.

"Monica." I decide.

"Very well." she says, "By the authority vested me as Queen of Wondawowman, I name this daughter Monica, and declare her to be a Princess of this Realm."

I get out of the Birthing Pool. Nexa and I put our clothes back on.

We all go down the cliff face. I'm feeling a lot better now I have a heavy weight out of me. All the others are waiting below.

"How did it go?" asks an anxious Wes.

"Meet Monica." Nexa laughs, as she presents the baby girl to him.



Everybody cheers.

I take hold of Monica and grab my spear.

"I'll just be an hour." I tell everybody, as I walk into the nearby woods, "I've just going to show my new daughter how I kill and skin a bear."

Bev's mouth, for some reason, drops open in amazement.

Sheena's First Birthday Party (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Sheena

"Mommy and Daddy have got a big surprise for you!" is the sound I hear from my noisy parents. The sheer volume nearly sends me up in the air.

Don't they realise that I'm a baby trying to sleep peacefully? There is always some noise going on, but this takes the cake.



Mommy scoops me up, which leaves me hanging on to the crib for dear life. My little hand doesn't succeed, and I am in her arms.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take you to somewhere VERY special." she beams, "You don't know what day it is, do you?"

She is talking in riddles. I know that she has often told Daddy that he doesn't know what day it is when he has done something wrong. It looks like I'm in the soup this time, although my amazonian parent seems rather cheerful about it all."

Grown ups. I can never understand them.

They take me through the Enterprise corridors. Everyone who approaches looks cheerful. Mommy asks if they have bought a present. When one woman says "Yes", Mommy replies, "Well you can come, then."

Come where.

We go through the doors and there is a huge cheer, and a sign saying 'HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO SHEENA'.

What? Am I one year old. Time does fly. I am getting old.

Captain Picard and Daddy's Mommy come forward with a big box.



"Happy first birthday, Sheena." the redheaded woman says to me, "May you have many more." She bends down and drowns me in kisses.

"My turn, Bev." the Captain informs her, then proceeds to do the same. I hope this isn't going to go on all night. It's a lot to take to ensure I get some pressies.

A woman in a red, white and blue outfit pushes them aside. I see that it is Mommy's Mommy, Queen Diana, plus my aunt Nexa.



"I've bought you a lovely new spear." she tells me, "You've outgrown your first one and need another. Your mommy and I want to ensure that you grow up to be a powerful amazonian Princess and eventually head our people."

What if I want to be a pop star?

Eventually, Aunt Nexa scoops me up and gives me the kissing treatment.



"Who's the best looking baby there is?" she asks as she gives me the kisses.

Right. That's that. Let's have some fun at this party.

"Wes." Mommy comments, "You can take Sheena to the sitter now. Time for the adults to enjoy the party."

Hey! What's all this? It's my party!

I'm taken away, and in the background I see the adults jiving on the dancefloor as the music plays away.

You can be sure I'm going to make trouble for that sitter!

Sheena's Naming Day (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

With the help of some potent Elborian Brandy, I've managed to persuade the amazon Queen Diana to let her son-in-law Wesley and Captain Picard attend my granddaughter's Naming Day on the planet Wondawowman, an occasion which is usually an all-female event.

-----------------

The Ceremony is about to take place.

Queen Diana staggers up to me, holding her head.



"Beverly." she starts, "I agreed for Wesley and Captain Picard to come while under a state of err... severe inebriation. However, an amazon does not go back on her word. They may attend, but keep them out of the way."

That's the best we can hope for, I suppose.

Everyone looks at little Sheena. Even Karena's sister Nexa is playing aunt.



Sheena throws a little spear that manages to hit Wes.

"Isn't she clever!" Nexa coos, "She'll be a real amazon princess."

Eventually, we are all led up to a cave where hot bubbling springs are in a giant pool.

"Let the Ceremony begin." declares Queen Diana, who is now dressed in flowing white robes.

"What's going on, Bev?" whispers Jean-Luc.

"I have no idea." I answer quietly, "The Ceremony is very secret. We three are the only humans to see it."

Karena and her sister Nexa both step forward; they are each dressed in full amazon battle armour. Queen Diana holds Sheena.

Suddenly both sisters start to unbuckle their armour, gradually removing all their clothes. Wesley looks totally bemused and Jean-Luc has a mild cough, and starts to look around the cave..anywhere but what is right in front.

The naked sisters step into the bubbling pool, and look towards their mother.



Diana hands Sheena to Nexa.

"Do you declare yourself to be aunt of the Princess Sheena?" the Queen asks.

"I do." Nexa answers, and places the child lightly in the water, then hands Sheena to Karena.

"Do you declare yourself to be the mother of the Princess Sheena?" the Queen asks.

"I do." Karena answers, "I name her Princess Sheena, and will defend her to my utmost capabilities."

Karena takes her child, and they both briefly submerge. When she comes up, all of them emerge from the pool, still naked and dripping wet. Jean-Luc starts coughing again.

"Errr...very unusual." he remarks.

Nexa and Karena put their armour on.

"Did you enjoy the Ceremony, pumpkin?" Karena asks Wesley.

"Err...sure, honeybunch." he replies, "It had one or two things I wasn't expecting."

We all make our way out from the cave. Queen Diana catches up with me.

"Now you know why the Ceremony was an all-female event, Beverly." she says with a smile.

The Queen walks off, talking to Karena and cooing Sheena at the same time.

"What did you think of the whole thing, Jean-Luc? I ask.

"It was most interesting, Bev." he answers, "It is fascinating to see different events from other cultures, although I think I saw more than I anticipated!"

At this, the two of us laugh, and carry on walking.

Trouble On Wondawowman (Part Six)

Guest Poster: Wesley Crusher

Now that my honeybunch wife Karena, her sister Nexa, their mother Queen Diana, Juliana, our Captain Hernandez and Commander Hathaway and I have all broken out of prison, we are racing to stop the amazon Yalana from taking Queen Diana's throne.

---------

"Where are they right now, honeybunch?" I ask Karena as I shake the dust off my outfit. It will take forever to clean it.

"There is only one place, pumpkin." she replioes, "That is the Oracle of Wisdom, where all important events take place. We were married there."

As we go towards there, Nexa talks to her sister.



"Please forgive me, sister." says the raven-haired woman to blonde Karena, "I was taken in by the words of Yalana, Yorga and Felicia. Though we have always had our differences, for once we shall fight side by side in honour of our mother."

"For once, we shall indeed." Karena answers, "Though we shall always be very different."

---------

We all approach the Oracle of Wisdom, and see all the amazons assembled. They are all booing the stage, as if a villainous wrester has just entered the ring. Yalana is standing there, flanked by Yorga and Felicia.



"Fellow amazons." she announces, "As Queen Diana and her daughter have deserted you, I have put myself forward and declare myself the Quee...."

Queen Diana strides on to the stage and kicks Yalana down on the floor with her boot. I think this is going to get ugly..I think I'll look the other way....

Nexa and Juliana rush forward to overpower Yorga, the huge amazon, while Karena takes on Felicia, giving her a massive thump and pinning her to the stage floor with her spear.

"You never thought you could beat me, did you, Felicia?" she laughs, "This attempted coup is over!"

Queen Diana pulls Yalana up, and grips her tightly. The amazons all assembled give a loud cheer.

"My amazons." The Queen announces, "I and my daughter were held under guard by this usurper who tried to wrest my throne from me. These three women will suffer the ultimate amazonian penalty of having their spears broken in two and exiled from Wondawowman forever."

Further cheers erupt. I think everything is looking good again. The Queen turns to us.

"Thank you for supporting me in my hour of need ." she tells us, "Nexa, you only just missed being exiled yourself. Be careful of your action. Dearest daughter Karena and Life Servant Wesley, you saved us, as did you, Juliana, Captain Hernandez and Commander Hathaway."

Time to beam up to the USS Rhode Island. Why is the dust of this planet so hard to get off my uniform?

-------------

Editors Note:

Mimi of The Queen's Meme has sent this in....

The Queen's Tuesday Meme #8 ~ The Bloggingham Love Shack
Warning: Hide the children!
There are love shenanigans in the dungeon.


Welcome to The Queen's Meme #8.
Step out of the box. Be creative. Have fun!
And please, stay out of the dungeon.

I've tried to avoid this subject. It is the fickle fodder of many a meme these days. Romance, s*x, relationships and breakups are really nobody's business. Wouldn't you say? Or perhaps it's the questions that are too personal and a bit juvenile at times. Middle school smooching is not exactly the end all and be all of civilization. (Is it? I don't know. I seem to have forgotten.) To tell you the truth, I'm getting just a little sick of all the love shenanigans going on in the dungeon down below. I can hear you. You are all just a wee bit too happy if you ask me. If I didn't know better I'd swear you want to stay!
But seriously, we could all use a little lot of romance in our lives. I promise not to ask questions that would make your mother blush. I suggest you tell her not to read your blog tomorrow.


Bloggingham Love Shack (aka The Romance Meme)

1. What is the craziest thing you've ever done in the name of love?

Said "I'll right I'll go out with you."

2. How much mystery should there be in a relationship? Is it a good thing or not?

It depends what the mystery is. Is it a whodunnit? Is it a horror story?

3. Is there someone in the blogosphere you'd like to get to know more intimately? Have you been too shy to ask? Let me help you. Write a 3 sentence anonymous love letter to them in this meme.
Leave a link if you dare. (I promise not to tell!)
"Dear Blogger, I've been meaning to tell you for the longest time that I really dig your blog, baby. I know you like mine as well. So how about it, sweetie?"etc etc"

Or if you wish, do some matchmaking instead. "Dear Blogger #1 and Blogger #2, I think you would be perfect for each other. This is why..."

4. Describe a "perfect evening" with the one you love.

Sweet music, good food, soft lights and.......shall we leave it at that?

5. If you are in a relationship, describe the one thing that makes it work well for you. If you are not in a relationship, do you want to be? If so, what type of romance are you looking for? What would it look like in your life?

I'm looking for a woman with her own castle? Any suggestions?

6. If you had to choose between having good s*x (I told you not to let your mother read this) OR intelligent conversation on a regular basis, which would you choose and why?

Can't we have a good intelligent conversation DURING???

and finally.....a purely selfish question:

7. I've got the Bloggingham Blues. What type of man is right for Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt? Do any of you see love in her foreseeable future? What do you suggest I do to spice up my love life? What am I doing wrong????!

I think you shouldn't handcuff them to the wall as soon as you see someone. That is a bad start in any relationship. Let them say "Hello" before you do that.

Trouble On Wondawowman (Part Five)

Guest Poster: Karena

With Captain Hernandez, Commander Hathaway, my pumpkin hubby Wes, my mother Queen Diana, my sister Nexa and my friend Juliana all under house arrest on Wondawowman, things are looking grim. My bitter enemy Yalana is about to take the throne, supported by her cohorts Yorga and Felicia.

-------

"What are we gonna do, honeybunch?" Wes asks me as we are thrown in the prison where my mother is, "Before we know it we're gonna be separated from our heads or something like that!"

"Calm down, Wes." I tell him, "We'll sort this out."

I go towards my mother.



"Daughter." she says, "I am pleased to see you, though not in these circumstances that your traitorous sister has placed us in. "

"I'm sorry, mother." wails Nexa, "I was persuaded by Yalana and her friends. I never meant it to come to this."

"We will speak of this later, Nexa." my mother says firmly, "Right now, we should find a way out of here. I have been told that Yalana's coronation will take place very soon."



"What I don't understand is how the amazons of this planet let it happen." chips in Wes, "Obviously your family line has been loved and respected. Why should they turn on you?"

"They never did." explains my mother, "Just a few rabblerousers like Yalana and Felicia have given the impression that they have wider support than they have. Foolishly, I didn't stop it when I could have done. They have made one mistake, though."

"What's that, Queen Diana?" asks Commander Hathaway.

"I have seen the earth movie The Great Escape." my mother smiles, "Just like the Germans, Yalana has put all the problems in one basket. Four amazons will not be easy to contain."

We look around and see that the eastern wall is the weakest.

"Very well." the Queen declares, "I, along with Karena, Nexa and Juliana will use all our strength against it. You three humans may help as well."



"Glad to know we can assist!" Commander Hathaway comments drily, "Even though we are so weak."

At the count of three, we all rush forward and hit the wall. It is badly damaged, but still standing. Commander Hathaway complains that his shoulder is aching.

"Don't be a wimp, Mark." Captain Hernandez tells him, "If we don't get out of here, you won't have to worry about your shoulder much longer, as your head will be separated from your body."

All of us go to the wall, and this time it collapses. We all emerge from the dust and rubble.

"We're out, mother." I say, "Let's go and stop Yalana from taking the throne.

To be continued after the TWQ...

Trouble On Wondawowman (Part Four)

Guest Poster: Erika Hernandez

As Captain of the USS Rhode Island, I usually rely on them to beam us about when I get into these little bothers, but as it got called away, it looks like we are going to have to do this ourselves.

We are on Ensign Karena's home planet of Wondawowman with her husband Wesley Crusher, the amazon Juliana and my lecherous Commander Mark Hathaway. Karena's mother has been placed under house arrest, and it looks like some troublesome amazons are preparing to put Karena's sister Nexa, who is a bit of a handful on the throne. We have just met up with her.

---------




"You are a traitor, sister." Karena says angrily as they eye each other face to face, like a pair of gunfighters in a 'b' movie western, "When this is over, my mother will punish you severly."

"That is hardly likely to happen, sister." Nexa retorts, "I shall exile her to a friendly planet, where she can live out her days in peace there. Meanwhile, things will go on as normal, except I'll be the Queen and sitting on the throne, with my faithful friends Felicia, Yorga and Yalana as my trusted ministers."

Felicia steps forward and gives a discreet cough.

"That's not quite the plan, Nexa." she says, "We plan to have someone else as Queen."

"What do you mean?" Nexa shouts, "We all agreed..."

"I sense the plot is starting to unravel." I whisper to Mark.

As the amazons argue, a beautiful woman in white steps forward.



Felicia bends down in servitude. Karena looks in disgust.

"Yalana!" she exclaims, "Is it you who is trying to take my mother's throne?"

"I shall be the Queen of Wondawowman in a couple of days." she declares regally, "All the amazons will serve me. Those who do not will be executed."

"You said I would be Queen!" protests Nexa.

"Surely you don't think I would want any of your family to continue to rule?" Yalana laughs, "That was merely said to get you to agree to put your mother under house arrest. You, your sister, and your mother, along with your friends here will be executed on the eve of my coronation."

With that, we are led away. Talk about having a bad day.

To be continued.....

------------------------


Editors Note:

Mimi of The Queen's Meme has sent this in....

The Queen's Meme #7 ~ Message In A Bottle

Welcome to the Queen's Meme #7.

Today we're going to take a mini-vacation before summer gets away from us.
I hope you have fun with this!

And please, stay out of the dungeon.

Somewhere in a faraway bloggiverse on an island with a palm tree swaying in the breeze, a message bottle sits side by side with a Pina Colada and a cute little striped umbrella horizontally tilted in the beachy sand.
Did YOUR bottle make it to land? Have you checked lately?

There are now 285 bottles floating in the bloggy ocean just waiting to be mysteriously delivered to a tropical island near you. It's time you added yours!

Here are the rules:
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean.
Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Rant or ruminate.
Anonymous or not.
What message would you like to send out to the universe?

Message In A Bottle Meme

1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle below.
It can even be ANONYMOUS message.
I will not reveal your identity.

2. Right click and Save the graphic below

3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture

4. Post the meme and these rules on your blog

6. Tag a minimum of five people - or your entire blogroll - to do the same.
Notify them of the tag.


Your virtual bottle will remain afloat in the blogosphere ocean for all blogernity (That's a Mimism for blog + eternity.)I will add it to the master list of message bottles when you let me know you've completed the meme.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M ASKING YOU TO TAG. PLEASE DO!

I will also add it to Message In a Bottle blog with a link back to you.

How To Stay Out Of The Dungeon


Once upon a time in a faraway Bloggiverse there lived a maiden named Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt. She slayed her own dragons, stoked her own fire and well.....wrote memes by the light of the Bloggingham moon. One day a kind blogger from England noticed her meme lovin' ways and royally crowned her Mimi Queen of Memes. As time passed in the peaceful kingdom of Bloggingham, her Royal Highness found comfort in the company of fellow bloggers who also loved memes. But the Queen had a wicked disposition too. It is widely reported in historical Blogosphere archives that any and all bloggers found guilty of not completing their memes were promptly thrown into the dreaded Bloggingham dungeon.
If I were you, I'd do the meme





Editor's Note: I don't tag people, but invite all readers to join in Mimi's request.

Trouble On Wondawowman (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Wesley Crusher

When I'm on the USS Rhode Island with my honeybunch wife Karena, I like thinks just to be tranquil and calm. That's not what they are right now.

She and I, along with Captain Erika Hernandez, Commander Mark Hathaway and Karena's friend Juliana are going through the forest of her home planet Wondawowman to the main city. It seems that Karena's mischievous sister Nexa has been persuaded to try and take the throne of her mother Queen Diana, who is under house arrest. We are here to put things right.

---------

"How much further is it?" groans Commander Hatherway, "My feet are killing me. These Starfleet boots were not designed to walk through this sort of terrain."

"Stop whining, Mark." replies the Captain, "You're always complaining about something, just like you did last week when the bedspring broke."

She goes slightly red in the face when she mentions this, and the Commander smiles.

"Nearly there, pumpkin." Karena says as she turns to me, "We will have to decide what to do."

"Well, I'll have my spear ready." Juliana declares firmly.

"As will I." Karena confirms.

I get concerned.

"Now then, ladies." I say, "Hopefully we can solve this diplomatically."

Juliana snorts with derision, and we walk on, with the Commander still eyeing the amazon in her skimpy outfit. Every so often, Captain Hernandez gives him a kick.

We reach the outskirts of the city and we are met by a hostile force led by one woman.



"Felicia." sneers Karena, "I never liked you. Even when we were growing up, you were the class bully in amazon school. You were jealous that I was a Princess."

"That's true, Karena." she replies, "You never had the qualities of a real Royal Amazon."

"She's more royal than anyone." Juliana tells Felicia.

Felicia looks pityingly at her.

"Juliana." she comments dismissively, "You were always simpering with Karena. Trying to be her friend. Yalana and I always ruled amazon school with Nexa."

"There seems to be a lot of past resentments boiling up." whispers the Captain to Hathaway.

We hear an approaching sound.



"Greetings, sister." says Nexa, "You are looking at the next Queen of Wondawowman."

To be continued...

Queen Diana's Visit (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Karena

Things are in a near panic right now.

My mother, Queen Diana is visiting the Rhode Island, but has come with my mischievous sister Nexa.

She has grabbed Commander Hathaway and is taking him for a ship tour. As both of them hive high hormones it might not belong before a scandal happens.



My mother looks rather concerned.

"Captain Hernandez." she says diplomatically, "My daughter Nexa can be a little difficult and headstrong. Could you please keep track of her."

I see this as a sign. I've known my sister too long. She and I never got on when we grew up on Wondawowman.

"Captain." I say quietly, "Is it all right for Wes and I to handle this?"

"Yes." she replies, "You have my permission to do anything to stop an incident happening."

With a statement like that, the Captain is clearly worried that the Commander break any Royal protocols, so to speak. His record with princesses is not good. He was caught in a compromising position with Princess Talia just a short time ago. We don't want another one to be a conquest.

"Computer." I say, when touching my Com badge, "Tell me the location of Commander Hathaway."

"Commander Hathaway is in his quarters."

"He didn't waste much time, did he?" Was comments.

"No." I say, "Let's go."

I grab my spear and drag Wes along to where the Commander is. We don't want the tour he is giving to include one of his body, although knowing my sister, she'd be quite willing.

The door is locked, but I use the secret Royal Diplomatic Entrance Code, and get through.



"What are you doing here, Ensign." asks Hathaway, who looks like he was about to remove his uniform top.

"Sorry sir." I stay, "I have my orders from the Captain to escort the Princess back to the Queen."

Nexa looks annoyed.



"Always wanting to spoil the fun, aren't you, sister." Nexa says with a sneer, "You never want me to enjoy myself....just because you never do."

She looks at Wes when saying this, just to enrage me.

"Don't let her get to you, pumpkin." Wes tells me, "She's just mad because she didn't get someone to add to her long, long, list."

Nexa doesn't like that, and we escort the two of them back.

The Captain personally thanks me, and says she'll have 'one or two words to say to the Commander tonight'

I can envisage they will be loud and very choice ones as well!

Queen Diana's Visit (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Erika Hernandez

With Queen Diana of the amazon planet Wondawowman making an official visit, the crew of the Rhode Island are all prepared. I'm even more worried when Ensign Karena tells me that her sister Nexa, who is with her mother Diana is a very mischievous sort.

I take her advice seriously, and with Commander Hathaway at my side, I have Karena and her husband Wesley Crusher next to me. After all, this visit is just an excuse to meet her daughter.

"Behave yourself, Mark." I say to the Commander, "After all, she is a very important person."

"Don't worry, sweetie." he whispers in my ear, "I'll be my usual self."

"That's what I'm worried about." I retort.

The Royal Shuttlecraft lands in the bay, and the four of us step forward to greet our guests.



"Greetings, Captain Hernandez." says the Queen, "It is a pleasure to visit your starship."

"Thank you, your majesty." I start, "May I introduce..."

I am about to introduce Commander Hathaway, but as he is a man, the Queen is not interested. She looks instead at Karena.

"Blessed Daughter!" she exclaims, "It is such a pleasure to see you again."



"And I you, mother." she replies, "I miss you so much."

The Queen eyes Wesley, then almost relectantly greets him, then turns her attention back to Karena.

"Daughter, has your Life Servant been fulfilling his duty?" she asks firmly, "I hope to have a Royal Granddaughter before long. The family line must carry on."

Karena goes rather red-faced at this.

"Wesley and I have being trying, Mother." she answers, "I hope we can provide you with what you want soon."

Wesley is trying to look elsewhere, as if the ground will swallow him up.

Eventually another figures comes out from behind the Queen.



"Captain." says the Queen, "May I present my other daughter, the blessed Princess Nexa."

Nexa comes forward, gives me a cursory nod, and looks comtemptously at Karena.

"Greetings, Sister." she says with venom.

"Sister Nexa." Karena replies.

These two have a dislike for each other...big time!

Nexa winks at Wesley and then looks at Mark Hathaway.

"My." starts Nexa, "I was unaware that you had such handsome men on the ship. Commander, would you care to give me a tour?"

Hathaway looks transfixed, as if he has just won the Galactic Lottery, puts his arm with her and the two walk out of the shuttlebay.

All of us look rather stunned. I am beginning to know what Karena meant when she warned me about Nexa.

Things might get rather difficult. What do I do with a tricky Princess and a Commander whose hormones are high?

To be continued...

Karena's Wedding Preparations

Guest Poster: Karena

As I am getting married to Wesley Crusher in two days, all the wedding preparations are under way.

The Oracle of Wisdom is being laid out in all it's decoration, and my fellow amazons are making sure that their best armour is polished in time for the ceremony.

My mischevous sister Nexa takes me to the top of the Hill of Truth, where we oversee the main city of our planet Wondawowman. Sometimes, I cannot be sure if she is playing tricks on me. She was always jealous of me getting Wesley instead of her.



"Sister." she says, "Our planet will be joyful when you and Wesley get married. It will indeed to be an honour to be acting as Best Woman for you, when the weddings take place."

As we are a female-dominated society, wedding roles are reversed compared to what takes places in most Federation planets.

"Don't forget, sister Karena." Nexa continues, "I shall be putting the pre-wedding bodypaint on you tonight, to ensure that you have good health, luck and fertility throughtout your marriage."

"Just make sure you get it right, Nexa." I reply, "We can't afford to have the wrong symbols painted on, it will look ridiculous."

"Oh, you can rely on me, sister." Nexa answers, in a somewhat sly voice.

--------------

Later that night, Nexa is carefully administering the paint on my back. It is only meant to stay on a short time, but is essential to be there when the wedding service is going on.



"How is it going, Nexa." I ask.

"Just beautifully, sister." she replies, "Those who see it will think it is just right."

Valana, one of my amazonian friends enters the tent. Nexa tries to push her out.

"Whatever are you having THAT on your back for, Karena?" exclaims Valana.

"Why?" I say, "What's wrong?"

"Well," Valana answers, "It's a traditional dragon design, which all amazonians have when they get married, but it's not Elisia, the Dragon of Good Luck and Fertility, but instead, you have Morosia, the Dragon of Misery."

"Is it?" asks Nexa in mock innocence, "Silly me! I'm always getting the two mixed up!"

I quickly kick Nexa out of the tent, and get Valana to adjust the design to show the dragon Elisia on my back.

The Dragon of Misery ought to be renamed Nexa!