Reflection

"Hua, Venus." The matchmaker, Karai asked without looking up from her note pad.

"Present!" Venus cried standing up.

"Speaking without permission." Karai said allowed as she wrote it down then turned and headed back inside.

Venus smacked her forehead "Oops."

"Who spit in her bean curd?" Leather Head asked April. He knew this wasn't going to be easy.

As Venus headed inside Karai slammed the door to her tea house shut, not letting anyone see what was going to happen inside. Once inside Venus waited patiently for Karai and was surprised when she came up behind her and looked at her up and down. "Hmm." Karai said writing once again on her note pad. "To skinny. Not good for baring sons." unknown to either of the women in the teas house the little cricket opened his cage and hopped out. He wanted to help Venus too. Venus saw him jump onto Karai's shoulder so she tried to catch him several times and placed him back into his cage, before she finally did. Suddenly Karai turned on her and Venus was forced to shove the cricket into her mouth. "Recite the final admonition." Venus smiled and nodded her head then pulled out her fan and placed it front of her face so she could spit out the cricket. "Now." Prompted Karai.

"Fulfill your duties calmly and" Venus told her trying desperately to remember everything, but then resorted to looking at her arm. She noticed that it was all running and stuttered "re-respectfully. Reflect before you snack," Realizing this was wrong she quickly glance back at her arm "Act! This shall bring you honor and glory." Venus finished relived it was over she began to fan her self.

Karai looked suspiciously at Venus and grabbed her arm then snatched her fan away. She looked at both sides believing something was on it, but seeing nothing she returned it to Venus still wary of her. "Hmm, this way." Karai said pulling Venus along until they made it to the table with the tea pot and cup. "Now," Karai told her "pour the tea." Venus stared at Karai's hand. It was covered in ink. "To please your future in-laws you must demonstrate a sense dignity." Karai made a mustache on her face to show her point, but she had no idea that she painted one on. Venus began to pour the tea, but was so preoccupied with this that she didn't notice she was missing the cup. "And refinement!" Karai added seeing what she was doing. Venus quickly fixed her mistake and poured the tea into the cup. Once the cup was full she heard the sound of happy chirping and looked down to see the cricket. Karai leaned over and picked the cup up "You must also be poised."

"Umm, pardon me," Venus said softly and as nicely as she could.

"And silent!" Yelled Karai. Venus was taken back, but did as she was told. Karai inhaled the tea with a smile and exhaled.

"Umm," Venus said grabbing the cup away from Karai, but Karai wouldn't let it go. "Could I just take that back? For a moment."

They tugged and tugged before the cup was throne into the air and the contents landed onto Karai's chest making it wet. The cricket jumped into Karai's shirt and after a few minutes started jumping around. "Why you clumsy little…OO! OH! OO!" Karai shoved her hand in her chest to try and pull out the cricket, but to no avail. She started to walk backwards and Venus saw the heater fall when Karai tripped over it. Karai then landed onto the smoldering coals and jumped up in pain as she screamed and started to jump around and try to put out her but, Venus grabbed her fan and started to fan it, but it just made it worse as the fire grew and flames emerged. Karai screamed louder and fell onto the table breaking it.

Outside the sound of breaking glass and screams were heard and Leather Head smiled "I think it's going well, don't you?"

April looked at him, but before she could say anything the doors to the tea house burst open and Karai came rushing out. "PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OOOOOUT!" She cried. Venus came up from behind her with the tea pot and threw the contents onto Karai's face. The flame was extinguished, but Karai's makeup was ruined and her hair was completely drenched. Venus just wanted to die. She had messed up everything. Karai stared blackly past her and all Venus could think of to do was to give her tea pot, so she did. Venus bowed to then started to walk away. As she did the cricket jumped into his cage and closed it quickly, terrified of Karai. Venus made it back to her mother who held her as Karai came racing towards them "YOU ARE A DISGRACE!" She yelled throwing the tea pt to the ground shattering it. "You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honor!" Karai then left them standing in the road as spectators walked away whispering hurtful things. April and Leather Head tried to comfort her, but to no avail.

...

Venus opened the gate to her family's home and stepped inside leading Casey along with her. As she drew closer to her home her father emerged from the house and smiled at her. Not bearing to face him a failure once again she forced Casey's face in front of her own and continued walking. Chung-E's face fell. He knew what that meant. Venus lead Casey into the coral and

Removed his reins to let him drink. She looked into the water and saw her white face and wished she would see something different. "Look at me, I will never pass for a perfect bride," Venus removed her jewelry and looked at her mother and father. Her mother bowed her head and she saw her father's sorrow. "or a perfect daughter." she walked into the courtyard and release the cricket from his cage. "Can it be I'm not meant to play this part?" She walked over to the water and crossed the bridge all the while having the cricket following her. "Now I see that if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart." she headed passed the stone dragon and looked once again into the water. "Who is that girl I see staring strait back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don't know?" Venus headed up to the family temple. Once there she bowed to the headstones. "Some how I cannot hide who I am though I've tried." Venus used the sleeves of her clothes to wipe of the makeup on her face. Seeing half of her face with makeup and half of it the way she is."When will my reflection show who I am inside?" Venus then wiped it all off and looked into her reflection again and took out her hair. "When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

Venus made her way to the cheery tree and sat on the bench underneath it to think. She started to comb her hair when she heard a man clear his throat. She turned around and saw her father smiling at her. Still not ready to talk to him she turned away from him. Chung-E sat down next to her and rubbed his hand. He looked up at the tree and said "My, my. What beautiful blossoms we have this year." he looked over at the flowers and saw one not yet bloomed. "But look," he told Venus and she looked up at the tree where he was pointing. "this one's late. But I'll bet when this one blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all." Chung-E told her taking the comb and placing it into her hair. Venus smiled at him and he smiled back.

Suddenly there was loud drumming and Chung-E looked out over the gate and glared. He got up and started heading out. "What is it?" Venus asked him, but he didn't reply.

Outside three men raced down the road and stopped in front off the Wei village. Chung-E and April opened the gate and looked at each other. Venus' father headed out and she was about to join him when her mother said "Venus De Milo, stay inside."

Venus' face fell, until she heard her grandfather clear his throat and point to the wall. She smiled her thanks to him and raced off. Venus climbed up and saw the three riders. "Citizens!" The Ancient one cried "I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City. The Foot have invaded China!" Cries of outrage and fear were heard throughout the village. Venus looked over a mother and daughter as the mother ushered her daughter inside their house. The Ancient One held up a scroll and said "By order of the emperor, one man from every family must serve in the imperial army." he opened the scroll and began to read from it. "The Shaou family." Kin Shaou stepped forward, bowed, and received his summons from one of the guards with the Ancient One. "The Yei family."

Mr. Yei stepped forward, but his son stopped him and took the summons instead saying "I will serve the emperor in my father's place."

"The Hua family."

"No." Venus said to herself. She looked over to her father and mother and saw that he stood taller and gave his cane to April. Chung-E walked as best he could without limping, but he still did. April held onto his cane like it was the last thing she had of him. As her father entered the street the way cleared for him. Many people respected him.

Chung-E reached the guard and bowed "I am ready to serve the emperor."

Before the guard could hand him the summons Venus raced in front of him. "Father you can't go!" She cried.

"Venus!" Chung-E said surprised.

"Please sir," Venus begged the guard "my father has already fought bravely-"

"Silence!" The Ancient One cried. Racing in front of the guard "You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence." Ancient One handed the summons over to Chung-E.

"Venus De Milo," Chung-E said to his daughter. She looked at him "You dishonor me."

Venus was hurt and when Leather Head came and pulled her away from the men she followed with her head down. "Report tomorrow at the Wu Zhong camp." Ancient One told him.

"Yes sir." Chung-E said bowing. Chung-E started heading back to their house and once again the crowed parted with respect. Venus and Leather Head followed behind slowly. As he neared her mother April held out his cane, but he did not take it. He continued with what little honor he had left into the house.

...

It was dark and storming outside and Venus was looking for her father. It was dinner time and he was nowhere too be found. She headed to the training room and found him opening his cabinet. Inside she saw his green armor that he had worn when he had fought before. She watched him pull out his sword and look at it. Chung-E started to practice with his sword. Venus thought it looked like a dance and for a few moments she was entranced until she saw him grimace in pain and drop the sword. She pulled away unable to watch anymore. Chung-E managed to get back on his feet and pull out his summons.

At dinner her family was silent. Venus poured everyone some tea then poured some for herself. She looked at her family who started to drink and eat, but did not say anything. Leather Head looked at her then too started drinking. Venus couldn't take it anymore. She slammed her cup onto the causing the dishes she clatter. "You shouldn't have to go!"

"Venus De Milo." Her mother said surprised.

"There are plenty of young men to fight for China!" She cried ignoring her mother.

Chung-E looked at his daughter and told her calmly "It is an honor to protect my country and my family."

"So, you'll die for honor?" Venus snapped at him.

"I will die doing what's right."

"But if you-"

"I know my place! It is time you learned yours." Chung-E yelled at her. Struck with hurt and anger at her father she raced out of the dinner hall.

The doors to the outside burst open as Venus ran. She grabbed the first thing she saw and started to cry. She would never see her father again.