Well, another line of the week courtesy of Faithling. I'm loving this opportunity to use something you guys came up with and integrate it into the story. So, please keep them coming. I'm keeping a list of all of them and will try to use as much as fits the plot.
"How many times should I repeat myself, I hate it." Choi Young was visibly annoyed, his tone much lower than usual, mouth barely opening; he was half asleep to put any more energy into this discussion.
"Dude, it is a great opportunity. And they won't show your face, since you are not the star of the show. I know the stunt coordinator is an ass, but even he acknowledges your super Ninja skills."
"Hee Jun-ah, I told you already, I don't like the light hurting my eyes and people staring at me like I'm some kind of a circus act. I don't mind teaching the boy, it's fun, but I will not be a trained monkey for them to tell me how and what to do."
Hee Jun sighed frustrated, but persevered, "Dude, come on, man. Think about it. I've seen you in action – you look like some kind historical hero. When you hold your sword, you completely transform. You know, like that dude, the one from Goryeo. The famous dude who was good, you know. What was it? Ah, I remember: The general Choi Young. That's him. Yes, you even have the same name. Is not it like a sign or something?"
Choi Young kept his silence, his mind veered back in time to a simpler life he led, when he did what he did because he was the General, which he began to miss more frequently, when faced with the strange ways of the modern world. This nostalgia came at him in waves, hitting at times least expected, the wish for simplicity of knowing everything around him and most of all, knowing himself and his place.
This was not the first instance of his name mentioned in a way that made his stomach churn. Why on earth was he somebody that even empty headed Hee Jun knew about and revered? And this conversation also cut to the core of the deepest most sacred fear – he will return home one day and the life he's begun to build here will be but an echo of faint memories. And Eun Soo - the love of his life, the one and only woman created for him by the miracle of Heaven, the one person without whom he could not imagine his existence, the one to whom he found his way - she did not belong in the past.
She refused to tell him about history or what she knew. She explained that there were some complicated laws by which time and space effected each other and that she did not understand them very well herself, therefore, the less he knew the better...
But his name is so prominent - what does it mean for him today and now? Should he hide his real identity and chose a different alias, just in case? And how could he forget - Mr. Kim and the assassin. Those two know him, whether he changes his name or not, and they both know of Eun Soo.
He bit his lower lip thinking, and rubbed his forehead with the fingertips, his eyes full of angst. He exhaled loudly and turned, "Hee Jun-ah, is it possible for me to have a different name?"
"Like a stage name? Sure, we can do that. No problem. I'll arrange. What do you want to be called?"
"Whatever is the most common name you can think of."
"Heung, you can rely on me. So you will do it?"
"I have not agreed to anything yet. As long as my face can never be seen, I want it in agreement."
"You are the best, dude!" Hee Jun's mouth stretched into a smile from ear to ear.
. . .
The actor was really excited, but contained himself, having learned that his trainer did not enjoy outward expressions of strong emotions. "I'm glad you agreed to guide me, Daejang," reserved, he expressed his appreciation, earning a friendly nod from Choi Young. "They have prepared your costume. I talked to the stunt coordinator, so the plan is that we will be next to each other and I will try to mirror your movements. This pretty much sums it up."
"What is the purpose of this exercise?"
"I'm supposed to practice swordsmanship. So you can create whatever routine you see fit. It just has to look good visually."
"Look good?" Choi Young never seized to be amazed with everybody's obsession about looking good. It's all about perception, no substance. "It's not what I teach."
"Of course not, Daejang, but people who are going to watch the show do not know about the mastery. They need to get captivated by how a warrior moves. If I do well, there will be young men who will become interested in martial arts, sword handling and history. If my fans tell me I made them want to become like a character I play, then I achieved what I set out to do for this drama."
"So they look at you pretending, and if it looks real enough, they want to become like you?" The concept appeared too shallow to recognize as something meaningful, however, on a second thought – he remembered mesmerized by martial arts exhibition and begging his father to teach him.
"Very well, let me change then."
The clothes looked very similar to the ones he wore back home. Yet, the feel of the fabric, small nuances were off. Still, a man staring at him from the mirror was the General Choi Young. His face stiffened and his eyes carefully cast aside the easygoing warmth he assumed in his features lately, replaced by a collected focused stare, a seemingly neutral observance. Yet, he was now somebody else, that duality of his past and present personality he noticed and tried to manage, has surfaced again. Maybe, by being himself in this time openly without any concern to be spotted, he could finally merge those disparate parts of self.
As he stepped back into the room, sword casually in his hand, a comfortable sense of certainty about who he is, a confidence from within projected around him as he moved with his usual stride, the room quieted. The bright light spotted his figure, somebody directing the powerful ray toward him. His arms lifted to shield his eyes and he cringed, recalling exactly why he hated this idea so much in the first place. Hee Jun always by his side, always his loyal protector screamed at the light technician and waving his hands in front of the camera unleashed a tirade of how it was agreed upon that harsh lighting was unacceptable and so on and so forth. At moments like that Choi Young felt sincerely grateful for his friend and decided to find a way to thank him, without hugs or touching, which Hee Jun always sought.
The actor and Choi Young positioned in the middle, looked at each other and Choi Young gave a signal to begin. As he slowly lifted his arm, sword's blade shone with his reflection, his young apprentice followed. The crowd watched in awe a beautiful dance of the swords and bodies, fluid movements and silence only interrupted by breathing.
They had finished the first set and standing with their backs to the audience were talking softly to each other.
"Stranger!" A woman called and had both men turn to her.
She was stunned for a second at the resemblance between them, the posture, the movement, the hairstyle and of course the same clothes they both wore. Although her "stranger's" eyes lit up and gave her warmth, while the other person's expression was of curiosity. When she came closer, she recognized the actor and like a true fan felt too excited and even dizzy.
"Imja, what are you doing here?"
"Hee Jun gave me a pass."
"I invited her, Daejang," spoke the actor and looking at the woman, gave his signature smile, making her weak at the knees for a second. "Hello, I'm Lee Min Ho, glad you could make it. I hope it is not too late for us to meet."
"Me, too." She felt her face turning so red and hot, but could not do much. "I'm a fan of yours and it is amazing I get to meet you in person."
"Oh, thank you." Used to such attention, he was acting very relaxed and normal and touching Choi Young's forearm said, "Then I will leave you two. Unless you want me to show your girlfriend around."
"Please, I would love to," and Eun Soo working really hard not to scream and jump like a teenager, came up to the actor.
"If you want to," said Choi Young, frowning. He did not understand why she was so excited and why it was such a big deal to meet this boy.
"Daejang, are you coming with us?"
"I was planning to rest," he admitted honestly, not having any interest in walking through the movie set, which would make him feel homesick again.
"I'll see you later," said Eun Soo cheerfully and followed the guy, who turned to her and started talking right away explaining where they were. Choi Young watched them walk away and for some reason hated to see their backs. It just felt unnerving.
"Hee Jun," he called.
But the man disappeared somewhere probably fetching some food.
He sighed and followed behind the couple who just left, taking wide strides to catch up to them.