Komura's Bingo Blessing

"Komura, did you know that in our legends, the first bingo ring was forged from the tears of the wailing sky people?"

Komura nodded politely, looking at her grandmother from the corner of her eye. They sat in the kitchen of her mother's house, sunlight streaming in through the window and warming the worn stone floor. The shadow of the twins slanted across the floor, their upper bodies silhouetted by the light.

"The wailing people were crying so hard, they couldn't see what they were doing," her grandmother continued, pulling out a bag of tealeaves from the cupboard. She began to open the packet, placing the leaves into a small cast iron pot. "The gods decided that being able to see would help, so they gave the people eyes. But they still cried and cried." She lit a match and placed it on the stove top, watching with a smile as the tealeaves burst into flame.

"So the gods made them birdlike arms and wings, because who doesn't like flying?"

Komura nodded again, turning back to her grandmother who was now sifting the tea leaves through a strainer.

"But the wailing people still cried. They cried until their eyes ran dry and they made no more tears. So the gods made them tiny little stones from their tears, and the best bingo players were given a ring made from those stones. And when people play bingo, the wailing people cry again, and the gods smile with joy."

Her grandmother stopped stirring and looked up at her, her eyes softening. "My mother gave me this ring, and your mother gave it to you. It is a gift from the gods, and only those chosen by them can wear it."

She slid a small wooden box across the table, and Komura reached out to pick it up. The symbols carved into it glinted in the light, familiar patterns she had seen before. On the lid, there was a whirring pattern which looked almost like a bird in flight.

"And now, my dear, you have been chosen by the gods to walk among us. I know that you are gifted with a special talent for bingo, but be careful. There are many dangers in the world, and there's no telling what might happen to you out there."

Komura opened the box, her hands trembling slightly, and stared down at the ring inside. It was made of smooth black stone, the lines glowing with a faint blue light. She could feel the energy pulsing within it, strong and intoxicating.

Slowly, she lifted it out of the box and slid it onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as though it had been made specifically for her.

"You're just like your father," her grandmother said, smiling. "He was a great man, and one day I knew he would be chosen. Now go, child, and I know that you will return victorious."

Komura grabbed her walking stick and stood up, then leaned down to kiss her grandmother on the forehead. "I love you, Grandmother."

"I love you too, child. Now go. The gods are waiting."

Komura smiled and turned, walking out of the kitchen and heading for the front door. As she reached for the handle, she heard her grandmother call out behind her.

"Komura!"

She turned back to see her grandmother standing by the table, staring at her. A smile played at the corners of her lips.

"Good luck."

Komura smiled in return and waved, then left the house.

It was midday, and the sun was high in the sky. She picked up her walking stick and limped down the driveway, towards the road. She could hear her grandmother's voice echoing in her mind: the wailing people were crying so hard, they couldn't see what they were doing...