(45) Postpone
She sat at the edge of the party, getting her wine to swirl in its glass. She was skimming over each and every one of the men in the room; hoping beyond hope one would just jump out at her. Call to her. Announce themselves. It was 11:45 and she had to find a man to kiss. Under normal circumstances she would have tried to have found a way out of the dare. However, if she was able to kiss the first man she sees at midnight on New Years Eve, the girls would chip in on her birthday. While it wasn't saying much, Da was pretty sure all of them chipping in with a nice sum of money would give her a glorious twenty second birthday.
So, while she wasn't really looking forward to the idea of kissing a stranger-couldn't you get diseases like that?-she was wanting a good birthday. Her twenty first had been rather lousy, though she wasn't one to complain about that. She didn't want a guy that looked like he'd take it wrong. And she wanted one that was attractive at least. Hopefully his breath wouldn't stink. She really didn't think she had too high of expectations. She glanced around. Zhen Ji had already latched onto a man. Diao Chan had a boyfriend-long term. Da thought it unfair that she was in the game. She couldn't find Xiao though. She wasn't twenty one yet, so it was likely she was in a corner with a soda trying not to be babied.
11: 56, Da thought as she glanced at her watch. It was time to panic. Downing her drink, she set off into the crowd in desperate hopes of finding somebody worth kissing. She was jostled as she started to swing around, looking for somebody. She ran into him, her back leaning against his broad chest. She glanced up, face red between the wine and panic. Maybe a little bit of embarrassment too. Possibly. He grinned down at her, making her legs shake. He was the most gorgeous man. Carmel hair falling around his face, almost like a surfers. Skin tanned, a goatee just finishing the rough look. "Ah," Da said, fumbling for a word or two. The ball dropped, and the confetti was thrown into the air.
He bent down, one hand around her waist the other gently laying on her neck. Their lips touched, and Da lost all thought. His lips were soft, gently massaging against hers. His hands slightly roamed, and he smiled against her lips when she squirmed some. He pulled away then, licking his lips as he stared down at her. Da pulled for air, still leaning against him for support. The only words that came to mind were hot damn! Suddenly he stiffened behind her, and was looking out into the crowd.
"Sorry, Princess," he said, bending to whisper in her ear. "I couldn't resist. But it seems they aren't agreeing with my choice. We're goiong to have to postpone this little engagement. I'll find you again, next year." He kissed her cheek, then her temple, and finally on her lips one last time before he was gone. Almost like he had never been there.
Da stumbled back, trying desperately to hold her balance in those heels. If it wasn't for the feelings on her lips, and the way her legs didn't want to hold, she'd have sworn she'd have imagined the man. Tenderly pressing a finger to her swollen bottom lip, she smiled.
(46) Pining
Da Qiao sat besides the large window, watching the clouds from the lounge. Her younger sister watched from the doorway, frowning. Slowly, Da Qiao pined away. Each day she looked less and less there. Ever since her and Sun Ce's daughter had grown of age, being married off to Lu Xun it was like Da Qiao had just given up. And all anybody could do was watch. Everybody was worried for those closest to Sun Ce since his death.
Zhou Yu was the same. If it wasn't for the fact that Sun Ce had made him the grand strategist of Wu, it was likely that he too would have fallen into a depression. Listening to the two talk was heartbreaking in itself. Xiao Qiao was just glad the two hadn't gotten together to throw a pity party. The younger Qiao jumped with Da Qiao turned to look at her, giving a small, still sad smile. Gathering her courage, it was just her sister after all, Xiao Qiao walked in to sit on the lounge with her. "Guess what?" she said, trying to sound cheerful.
"What, Xiao?" she asked, turning back to the window.
"They are saying that Zhuge Liang is coming! You have heard of him right Da? They say he works miracles on the battle field."
"I believed in miracles once," Da said, this time meeting her sister's eyes. Xiao Qiao's shoulders slumped, frowning. It was horrible the way Da Qiaos life seemed to be nothing without him, she thought. That he had consumed her so much that since his death she too had given up. As soon as their daughter hadn't needed her anymore, her Big Sis had given up. It hurt, really. The fact that Xiao Qiao could do nothing to ease the pain as her Big Sis slowly died. And it was with her husband as well. Not as bad. She meant more to him. But a part of him had died as well, with Sun Ce. And Xiao Qiao could only wonder if the Little Conqueror had known this when he was with them.
But then it also brought the question of, what if the positions had been switched? What if it was Da Qiao that had died? Or Zhou Yu? How would the Great Sun Ce have faired? She couldn't imagine he would have been much better than them. Except, he'd either have his sworn brother, or his wife to support him through it. They only had her, it seemed. And that thought made her want to get angry with them. To yell and cry. But at the same time, she knew she couldn't. They were trying. The fact that they were still there, still moving around, joining festivities meant that they were trying. It just didn't always work. Sun Shang Xiang didn't even try anymore.
"Um," Xiao Qiao said, trying to find something to say. When Da Qiao looked back out the window, she jumped for it. "It's such a bright day! Do you want to go fly a kite? It's sorta windy. We might be able to."
"No thank you Xiao." She didn't even try to make excuses anymore. The little one sighed, and without another word left the room with shoulders sagging. When the door shut, Da Qiao looked up again to the sky, a frown on her pretty face. "The world seemed brighter with you."
(47) Wrong
She made her way around the halls, glancing in some windows with a deep frown. She had forgone a tour guide, not liking the way they talked about the merchandise. It wasn't right. She glanced down into the recreation yard. Some of the men were benching, others walking around. A few actually playing in the court. She pushed a curl behind her ear, and continued on. How was she supposed to even pick one? Especially when she didn't want one. It just never seemed humane to her. Besides, she thought, what would she do with one?
She took a left at the end of the hall, pulling at the gloves on her hand, before pulling it back on her hand. Her little sister had already had one. Given to her as a birthday gift. Surprisingly, the little Qiao hadn't been as vocal as herself in not wanting one. Somehow, a relative had slipped her one. Xiao had been none too pleased about it. She heard the commotion before she saw it. Quickening her steps, she glanced around. The men in the white coats had one of them surrounded. Pulling at the ropes, trying to subdue him no doubt. She could see the blood already, and the way the ropes were being yanked she knew the skin around his neck and wrists was already raw.
One of the men in coats kicked him again, in the ribs, yelling at him to get up and move. The Butler spat back at them, pulling again against the ropes. Unable to take the beating, she strode forward with the pride and power that her name gave her. The men stopped, hearing the tell tale clicks of her heels. They all turned, a few mumbling apologies, not knowing she was there. The others simply looked away. She did what she was taught to do with men, ignored them. Instead she grabbed the chin of the Butler, inspecting his face. If he hadn't been in shock, he probably would have fought her about it.
"Good Lady," one said, obviously the leader. "He is-"
"Perfect for what I need. My parents will no doubt approve of the choice." She flipped her wrist, as was usual, and stared down the man. It was sometimes funny, when she thought about. She was so much small than them, yet they were always the first to look away.
"I apologize. But he is to be sent to the Detention Center." He pointed to the ropes.
She glanced at them, and then scoffed. "I have made my decision. And I am Lady Qiao. If you do not realize it, I will spell it out for you. The Ruling Member of our household is the Governess of this town. If he has not learned it already, our household will teach him how to respect the women. I am taking him. Prepare him." She reached down, snatched his number from his belt, and sauntered off. She heard one of the men curse, but paid it no mind. She wouldn't let another Butler be tortured in the Detention Center. Especially since she didn't really want one, so something good had to come out of this scenario.
(48) Rattle
She had been sitting in the upper levels of the summer home, painting. It was something she had always rather loved. Though lately most of her paintings would have been considered dark. She knew why, her sister knew why, but other than that most would just assume she was going through the usual hard times of a lady. She usually scoffed at them, and then ignored them. They would never understand what it was.
She was officially finishing the background of her newest master piece when it started. The whole house began to shake. The rattle of china and furniture caused much alarm. Dropping the brush into the water, more out of habit than thought, she raced for Xiao, calling out her name. They were too early, she thought in a panic. Nor was Xiao ready for them! Xiao was downstairs, she thought, mostly using the wall for support. She crossed the hall, hearing a crash and squeal. She froze, still leaning heavily on the wall. The shaking had stopped.
She stared in shock at the family now standing in their guest room. The Nethergate finishing its vanishing trick behind them. Only one person in the room, besides Xiao, could appear a perfect human gentleperson. He, Zhou Yu stood behind Sun Ce, in a perfect dark suit that complimented his pale skin with his long glossy hair pulled back in a ponytail. Beside him was Sun Ce's sister. Her short hair already singled her out from normal woman. As did her bronze skin. Her silken red dress, which perfectly complimented her large breasts and skinny waist from years of fighting, was vibrant. She wore no jewelry or make up, her natural beauty shining through.
Sun Ce was holding up the book case that had almost fallen on Xiao, who sat under his arm with her toothbrush sticking out of her mouth. Like Zhou Yu, his sworn brother, his suit was perfectly human. But too high class for somebody with his bronzed skin. His hair fell around his strong jaw, a goatee adding accent to it. He was no longer looking down at Xiao, but had turned to smile at Da, who was admittedly staring. "Love," he said, pushing the book case back. "I've decided I would visit you this winter. They came because they said I needed bodyguards." He pointed a thumb back at his entourage.
"You are going to remain in the human world? For the whole winter?" she said, shocked.
"Da! Which one is your husband?" Xiao asked, glancing from the two men with cheery merriment, holding the toothbrush now.
"Lord Sun Ce from the Nether Lands. The… man that saved you from the tumbling bookcase, Xiao." She said, smoothing her own dress now.
"Wow! Really?" She turned back to him, eyes even wider than before. "I knew some Netherland lord had to look better than your last couple of suitors," she giggled.
"Xiao!" Da said with a blush. Ce simply chuckled down at her. "You're really going to stay, m'lord?"
"Of course. Would I lie to you, love?"
"Boy, we sure are lucky we can convince Mother and Father to let us come with just the usual summer servants this winter." Xiao stopped there, thought about it, and then corrected herself. "No. That they let us come to the summer home for the winter festivals with the some servants. Who are the rest?"
"My in-laws," Da said. "Lord Zhou Yu, the sworn brother of my husband. And Lady Sun Shang Xiang, sister to my husband."
"Wowses," she said, chewing on her toothbrush now. "I should probably go get better dressed, huh Sis?"
"Please?" Xiao giggled, scooted over the books, stood up, and dashed towards the rooms. "My lord. It would be indecent for a man nobody knew to live in the same house as two ladies," she said.
"So nobody knows we're married?"
"No," she said flatly.
He laughed at that. "Alright love. Then I'll play it by human standards, in public. Sorry about the mess. It's easier to open the Nethergates closer to you than to walk around finding you." He tipped his hat, and the three of them left the house with their inhuman speed. She remained standing in the room, sighing with her shoulders sagging. Xiao, who hadn't changed, walked around the corner she had been using to eavesdrop and hugged her.
"I'm glad I get to meet him finally," she said.
"I don't want him here, Xiao. I don't want him." Da said with a quivering breath.
"I know Da. But… at least he seems kind." Da couldn't stop the laugh, letting her head fall back onto Xiao's shoulder.
(72) Velvet
Sun Ce stared in the mirror, pulling at the neck of the human suit. "Why is it all so bloody tight?" he hissed.
"I rather agree with this attire," his sworn brother, Zhou Yu said, stepping in with the hat and cane. His smile spoke wonders. "It's elegant."
"It's confining," Ce snapped.
"You're the one that wants to go," he reminded.
"And I ain't changing my mind, Yu."
"You do realize your father will, at a later point, send a few more to escort you around the human lands."
"I ain't worried about that. Though I want to see who he's going to send. Only a few ain't going to complain about these damn jackets." Yu laughed, nodding in agreement.
"Ce!" Both men turned to see Sun Ce's little sister standing in the door way, one hand on her breast, the other on her ribs. "My boobs hurt and I can't breathe!" she hissed. The velvet dress hung to her body, tightening around her already slender body and pushing her already large breasts up and close to her ribs. She was tall, like most of those in the Sun line. Her hair cut short around her pretty face. Ce knew she was going to stick out, and probably be ridiculed by the other ladies. Had told her so as well. But she insisted on going.
"And just think of the heels you get to wear as well," Ce said with a laugh.
"This is torture! I am going to recommend this to Daddy," she said between breaths.
"And look, it even slows down the talking. Human men are smart," Yu said, holding his chin thoughtfully as he looked her over, stopping over her breasts for a moment. That would draw attention that Ce would no doubt not approve of. For any of his ladies.
"How do they breathe?" she gasped, fanning herself with her hands. "This is crazy!" Ce just laughed at her, his thoughts matching Yu's.
Rattling and Velvet are more like my Persephone (I spelt that wrong. The greek chick who causes winter with Hades) story. Velvet is them in the Netherworld, getting ready to go. I rather like them. None of the others specifically do anything for me. Reviews encouraged.
