Less Than A Hundred Years Normalcy
Prompt: Fire
A second meal was delivered to their door, the men called out announcing it was ready and after a while, Choi Young did go out to pick it up. Among the items left Choi Young brought in a small cauldron like item filled with wood and some liquid that smelled strong. So he made sure she was away, threw the liquid over the wood and using his Ki (because the men forgot to leave something to start it) started a small fire to keep the room warm.
Winter was coming, and if the rain didn't announce it, the cold temperatures during the long nights did the job quite well. He was welcomed again in bed, by warm arms and hot skin, making him literally sigh as he slid under the covers to press kisses down her cheek and neck; amused at how eager she was to receive them. Eun Soo kissed his lips and they settled against the wall, covered by the warm duvet.
"We should welcome winter like this every year."
"Just winter?"
"Spring we should welcome kissing in the gardens, in our pagoda." His hand slid up and down her back, as her head settled over his shoulder. Her eyes closed and Eun Soo was quiet for a few minutes, making Choi Young turn and kiss her forehead.
"What about Summer?" Choi Young asked softly, curious as to her answer.
"Summer?" She said sleepy, swallowing hard. "We should go down to a river and swim, hand in hand. I love swimming, did you know that?"
"Really? I'll keep that in mind. What of Autumn?" She smiled at that; autumn was the season she had returned to him, with the crisp smell of falling leaves, the browning of trees, and the flowers that were still in bloom slowly leaning to the earth because of the heat of the sun. It was harvest, it was warm but not cold, it was perfect for them.
"Autumn? We should sit under a tree, and remember."
"Remember what?"
"How much we love." And she settled against him, ignoring food and cold, and simply listening to his heartbeat as she fell asleep. Choi Young nodded his answer. Yes, and I have just the tree to sit under…
So begins the new normalcy for Choi Young.
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.
The light filtered quite nicely into the large herbal room. Eun Soo was currently struggling with a large pot, trying to drag out a small plant out of its contents while the earth, hardened to unbelievable points because of lack of watering (not her fault, honest) was been stubborn and not letting go. They had moved to the house two days after his return, and were still trying to settle in; Choi Young had to commute every morning, acting as if he still live in the palace, and to simply greet the King every morning he had to wake up and hour earlier. Because of training and the new recruits he spent more time in the barracks, going to sleep an hour later… Eun Soo knew this could not go on for long, but for now, in those days she had him at home all for herself, she enjoyed Choi Young to her heart's desire. She also had to commute, and although the walk to the castle wasn't long, it was reaching the Medical Hall what proved difficult; how could she refuse those people in the way, and help them with the sicknesses they beg to be freed of. That alone had her returning at similar hours than Choi Young.
But this was their new nest; a large nest at that. She wondered how they would live here when their children came. Eun Soo just hoped those kids of her turned out like Choi Young and obeyed because if one of them decided to hide in one of the rooms they weren't using the child would be rather vexing to find. But whit their genes… it was a matter of time and patience. Like the task at hand.
Eun Soo patted the pot again, turned it and started to pull at the plant, to no avail. She didn't want to hurt it because it was precious ginseng, and simply growled at it, setting the pot down again; huffing, what made her long hair move as she did so. Some rustling made her look up, curious, and saw a servant girl pass by, bowing and smiling at her. Not giving up, Eun Soo picked the pot up again, managed to wet the earth slightly so to pull the plant…
Until her husband appeared from behind her, grabbed the pot; released the plant, earth wrapped around the roots in the perfect form of the mold created by the inside of the pot, and threw the pot at the WooDalChi kids attempting to hide from his wrath. So that was the rustling she'd heard: Eun Soo stared in total amazement, holding the ginger roots protectively in hands, dirty face, mouth open, eyes wide. Behind her, Choi Young breathed in deeply, tense.
"High Doctor," He started in an angry tone, turning to her, and making the woman turn to him, eyes still wide. "I'm sorry for bothering you in this fine day you've chosen to spend resting but I need you to take a look at these morons." He said as at the door the three recruits, among them Deok Man appeared, one of them holding the pot, all three of them embarrassed.
"My pot." She said, not turning to the puppies outside.
"Did you need it?" He asked frowning in confusion.
"Yes, for later." And the General looked up at the men, making them cower slightly.
"Bring it here!" Choi Young barked, and Deok Man took the pot from the recruit and placed it on the table the High Doctor was currently working on, laughing nervously. The general faked an attack at the man, who cowered to the outside.
"What happened? I thought you guys were in training exercises."
"And we were; until these three fools started playing with fire!" He was calm until the very last, the picking up a smaller pot (one Eun Soo was fond of) and attempted to throw it at the men, but she let out a surprised cry and took the pot from the man.
"I got it, got it!" She took the pot and plant to the table behind them and gave him a smile. "Now let's take them to the next room, alright?"
"Yes," and he looked up at the men. "You heard her, Move!" He gritted out to the men and followed them to the opposite side of the house. They were to attend the celebration the King invited them to; she was off of work and was to throw a spa for herself in the next couple of hours, if the treatment didn't take too long.
.
.
The injuries weren't that bad, Deok Man's fingers were burned, so she wrapped them up with tea tree and ran some cold water over his hands. The second case was a young recruit whose arm was badly burned, and after a lot consideration she was forced to clean off the injury and order him to rest the arm; she would have to see him daily to make sure the injury would heal well. The third case was a burned hand as well, she had to clean up and see the boy later on.
As she attempted to finish the last case, she turned, finding Choi Young dropped on the floor beside the table, asleep.
So much for anger management.
Eun Soo turned to the men, then back at the General and pointed towards her husband, urging them to be quiet. The three men turned, to watch the man turn on the floor, still asleep, and then urging them to be even quieter waved at them to leave.
Go, she mouthed, hurry. She continued to wave them away, and silently they moved, been noisy once they were outside the hallway and into the gardens, crossing the property quickly and vanishing through the gate to the far right. Eun Soo shook her head, and turned to tip toe towards her husband. Once at his side she crouched, and traced the line of his nose, then smiling, the line of his lips down to his chin… His hand shot up to grab her wrist, eyes opening suddenly, stare clear.
"Where are the morons?"
"I sent them away for rest." She answered without remorse, aware he might get angry. "Doctor's orders."
His head turned away, "Aish, I'll get them later." She was suddenly aware of their closeness, and pulled by him to fall over him, Eun Soo gasped. Their eyes met and Choi Young breathed in her scent.
"Didn't we make love here last night?"
"That was the other room." She answered, suddenly tamed by her emotions, pointing across the gardens to the room now open, Choi Young smiled.
"Women sure know how to keep track of rooms."
"It's my house right?"
"Our house."
"Either way, I ought to know the difference between rooms, right?"
"Right." Even if his life depended on it, he was not making any sort of difference between rooms in this house; only on his shared bedroom with Imja and the room full of herbs. "Are they gone?"
"Yes. They left holding what was left of their lives in fear of you waking up. What was so bad that they had you all worked up?"
"They made me bring them to you, that's what had me angry. You said you wanted to rest, and I wished for you to do so…"
She smiled, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"Imja," She responded absentmindedly with a hum that made his hand lift to hold her side, kissing his nose tenderly. "Should we make love here?" His straight questions never failed to get the best out of her.
"Daejang! We are not alone in the house!"
"Who's there? A servant girl who spends more time in the kitchen." He gave a wink, amazed at how such simple act would lift her spirits, and how she seemed to relent to his advances, always.
"You are right. Roll out the mat, I'll close the doors."
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The Commanding General return to the camp an hour or so later. His mood was much improved and, to the Vice General's eyes, he was glowing… the man actually rubbed his eyes and frowned at the General, who actually smiled as he passed by.
"Remember tonight is the celebratory banquet for our return."
"Yes."
"Send them back early, so they can attend." And the Vice General finally understood.
"Yah! Dae Man!" The boy quickly hurried to the Vice General. "Send the men out for one last drill of exercised and then sent them to get ready for the party tonight. And send a large bouquet of flowers to the High Doctor, the most gorgeous flowers you can find."
"His mood improved?"
"That's an understatement, son. Hurry."
Such improvements of moods were quite legendary; the first having happened exactly after her return, turning the general from the quiet waiting person to the man he was meant to be. Then after returning from the seaside, upon walking down the stairs the General's stare was so different… The couple had moved to the house prepared by the Queen for them the day before, and although in leave for vacations (or so the doctor called his week off), it was easier to find the couple in their small nest over the barracks than at home. If he hadn't heard wrong the High Doctor was meant to spend her day at the house, because all her nicer clothes were stored there, not because she wanted. And since she was supposed to take some bizarre beauty treatments… Anyway the General's mood had much improved.
"Sir, would you like some lunch?"
"No, I had lunch at home." Such words made the Vice General smile. No, the High Doctor treated my injuries; Thank you but Imja and I already discussed dinner; Eun Soo this, Eun Soo that. It warmed the Vice Generals heart to no extend to know that Choi Young was now whole. "You are attending the banquet tonight, right?"
"Yes of course, the King himself sent me an invitation. And I wouldn't dishonor you, after all it's been held in honor of your marriage." Choi Young sat behind the messy tables, while the WooDalChi punks that had gotten burn, picked after their fellow soldiers. They didn't attempt to make eye contact with the General, yet Choi Young was totally oblivious to them; as if his time with the High Doctor had erased the soldier's wrongdoings. Turning his head away, and covering his mouth, the General smiled to himself; the mere image made the Vice General shudder in fear.
"Then," Said the General standing and clapping his hands together. "High Doctor and I both expect a gift." And with a pad to the man's shoulder, what was quickly becoming a habit, the general walked past the man. "Yah! Both of you, get me Deok Man and be ready to run four miles before I get angry again!" He screamed at the burned WooDalChis, who hurried to comply the orders.
So begins their new normalcy
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"Are you ready?" Asked Choi Young standing right outside the door to the banquet hall; the sound of merriment and music could be heard, and the smell of something delicious been served followed closely. He'd decided to wear his gray robes, with white and blue beneath; his sword ever faithful in his hand. Eun Soo was holding his hand, flexing the fingers nervously, taking in several deep breaths to calm down. When his question was understood by her brain she quickly shook her head.
"Not one bit." She wore white, pink and red; the long skirt of her dress was covered with white mums, her sleeves clean and lined with red and intertwined pink ribbons, falling all the way down to her hands. Eun Soo wore little makeup, something to accentuate her already beautiful face, and her hair had been fixed in a high yet loose bun; much to his delight it was gathered neatly. A bell, like the one she wore to their failed trip to the Gate of Heavens, dangled from her neck, the mismatched earrings were also worn; she'd brought the scarf and it was currently hiding between the folds of her clothes, just in case she got cold, or too sweaty. "All those people would be staring at us all night.
"That's the usual purpose for these sorts of banquets." And he reached to open the door.
"Don't let go of my hand." She asked, no, she pleaded softly, making him turn.
"Never." And finally Choi Young pushed the door open.
The party was halfway through; food had been served, drinks were been passed by, people were dancing and servants moving around quickly to refill the plates and cups. The King and Queen were the first to notice the couple's entrance and the WooDalChi quickly followed, stopping their silliness to bow to them. It made Choi Young quite happy to see the respect the High Doctor had gained for herself among the ranks, and that she was well liked. He smiled, attempting to hold back his stoic face and been totally unable, as Eun Soo bowed right back at them. She was rather awkward at this sort of gatherings, and so was he, but at least Choi Young had more experience.
"Majesty, Choi Young General of the WooDalChi, has arrived." Announced Do Chi, bowing to the King and Queen, while the announced couple bowed at them.
"Majesty, my wife and I have to come to the banquet you have prepared in our behalf. We are deeply honored."
"Welcome, we have been eagerly expecting you." He signaled at the empty seat beside them, right next to the Queen's seat. "Your table is ready." Without further encouragement, the King asked the attendees to continue the celebrations, and the WooDalChi simply gathered around them, congratulating them, delivering small gifts and words to them.
By the end of the greetings flowers adorned her hair, a gift from the maidens protecting her and the Queen. Noodle soup was delivered for them, and Eun Soo couldn't help but to laugh. "All I need is a piggyback ride." She said to herself, while Choi Young leaned to ask her what she meant, but she simply waved at him, happily. Attempting to do something as simple as eating Eun Soo discovered something quite touching. Maybe she hadn't discovered it before because of the nerves or the greetings, or probably because she was so happy.
But through all the presentation, the greetings, the flower arranging… Choi Young continued to hold her head steadily, giving her the strength she had requested.
This man, her heart sang, this man is the one meant for me.
She leaned, swallowing the knot in her throat, towards him and he simply turned his face to her, ever aware of her every movement. "Are you there?" She asked softly, and was rewarded with his eyes turning to hers, and a smile.
"I am here."
And this was Eun Soo's new normalcy.