Chapter 2: Honor To Us All..
Meanwhile far away at the Maxwell Household:
Duo, the daughter of Father Maxwell and Helen Maxwell, was a beautiful girl; she had long dark brown hair which she kept together in a braid but the amazing thing were her eyes: they were a bluish-purple, a rare thing in Chinese society. She isn't like all the other girls and her parents worried about that. She often forgot her chores, turned up late, she educated herself, she rides horses and always speaks her mind. None of those traits were what men wanted in their wives in those days. They wanted an obedient, graceful and silent wife. Duo didn't like to be any of those things but tried for her family none the less.
At the moment she was using her chopsticks to single out a grain of rice on top of the mound of rice while muttering to herself the whole time,
"Quiet and demure...graceful...polite..." she picking up some rice with her chopsticks and ate a mouthful while she wrote the words down on the inside of her arm "delicate...refined...poised..". She sets down her chopsticks again and writes down a final word on her right arm "punctual." Her head shot up when she heard a cock crow outside and cried out,
"Aiya!" she scrambled upright blowing on her arm to dry the ink and yelled out loud for her little dog while running trough the house,
"Little brother. Little brother. Lit- ahhh, there you are. Who's the smartest doggie in the world? Come on smart boy, can you help me with my chores today?"
Duo ties a sack of grain around Little Brother's, her little honey coloured puppy, waist, then ties a stick onto Little brother so that end of it is in front of Little Brother's face, then she picks up a bone from the floor ties the bone on the end of the stick just out of reach. Little Brother begins to run after the bone which he cannot reach. Duo opens the door for Little Brother and he runs into the door frame with a little yelp but recovers quickly and runs out the open door. Little brother runs by the chickens and Shinigami - the family horse.
*************************
Meanwhile Father Maxwell, a tall and proud man with short grey hair, entered a little mausoleum in their back yard and kneels down and prays to Maxwell's Family Ancestors.
"Honorable ancestors, please help Duo impress the matchmaker today." Prayed Father Maxwell out loud, his hands clasped together, his eyes closed. Then Little brother runs into the temple running round Father Maxwell before leaving again, scattering grain and barking all the way. The chickens followed Little brother and the grain and begin eating the grain scattered in the temple.
Opening one eye, looking at the scene for a second and then closing it again, "Please, PLEASE, help her." Pleaded Father Maxwell before standing back up, leaning heavily on his cane.
Duo steps up to the temple, after getting dressed, seeing Little Brother on his hind legs trying to get the bone. Duo bends the stick down so that Little brother can reach the bone. Little brother gnaws on the bone happily. Duo then continues toward the temple, calling for her father,
"Father I brought your--whoop!" Father Maxwell and Duo bump into each other when Father Maxwell left the temple at the same time as Duo entered. The cup Duo was holding falls to the ground and Father Maxwell catches the teapot with the handle of his cane.
"Duo.." began Father Maxwell,
"I brought a spare." Said Duo pulling out a cup from underneath the back of her dress and begins to pour the tea.
"Duo..." began Father Maxwell again,
"Remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning-" said Duo hurriedly
"Duo.."
"And three at night. " finished Duo.
"Duo, you should already be in town. We're counting on you to up-" started Father Maxwell
"--uphold the family honor. Don't worry father. I won't let you down." Finished Duo while she tried to cover the writings on her arm with her sleeve.
"Wish me luck". Yelled Duo while running down the stairs toward the family horse.
"Hurry!" yelled Father Maxwell and then muttered "I'm going to...pray some more." To himself before walking back into the temple.
*****************************
Hilde Maxwell, a small and slender woman with dark brown hair, was waiting worriedly for her daughter to show up. Wringing her hands together she stood in the street looking around, turning her head when someone asked her a question,
"Helen, is your daughter here yet? The matchmaker is not a patient woman" asked Catherine, the woman who owned the bath house and was responsible for washing the future brides. She headed back inside when Helen shook her head.
"Of all days to be late. I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck." Muttered Helen out loud. An elderly woman walked up to Helen holding a cage with a cricket in it.
"How lucky can they be..... they're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we'll need." Said Grandma Sally, holding up the cage and talking to the cricket who chirps approvingly "This is your chance to prove yourself." And she held a hand in front of her eyes and crossed a very busy street holding the cage in front of her.
"Grandma No!" yelled Helen trying to stop her but she was too late.
The traffic barely misses Grandma Sally as she crossed the busy street. But two horses and a carriage collide causing a big accident. She arrives safely at the other side of the street, uncovers her eyes and waves at Helen yelling joy,
"Yep, this cricket's a lucky one." Exclaimed Grandma Sally while the cricket falls over in fright,
"Hai." Sighed Helen in relief, she looked up to see Duo riding Shinigami jumping over the crashed carriages and jumps of in front of her mother with a big smile,
"I'm here." Exclaimed Duo happily and stopped when she got a stern look from her mother while she picked a piece of hay out of her hair
"What? But Mama I had to-" started Duo making up an excuse,
"None of your excuses. Now let's get you cleaned up" said Helen taking Duo's arm and leading her to the preparation area.
// This is what you give me
to work with?
Well, honey, I've seen worse.
We're gonna turn
this sow's ear
Into a silk purse//
Helen pushed Duo in the bath house and Catherine quickly undresses Duo and pushes her into the bath. Duo comes up shivering.
"It's freezing." Said Duo trough shattering teeth,
"It would have been warm if you were here on time." Said Helen with a smile and helping Catherine scrub her daughter clean,
//We'll have you
Washed and dried
Primped and polished
till you glow with pride
Trust my recipe for
instant bride
You'll bring honor to us all//
Catherine took out several bottles of shampoo's and oil and begins emptying them in the bath, while Helen scrubs Duo's back; then Catherine throws a bucket of water onto Duo's head and empties a small bottle of shampoo on her head and roughly massages her head before rinsing it and doing it all over again. Then Helen takes up another sponge and takes Duo's right arm to scrub and finds all kinds of markings there,
"Duo, what's this?" Helen questioned her daughter,
"Ahh, notes, in case I forget something?" said Duo batting her eyelashes and hiding her right arm behind her back. Grandma Sally enters the room shaking her head,
"Here, hold this. We'll need more luck than I thought." Said Grandma Sally giving the cricket cage to Helen while Duo makes a noise of disappointment.
//Wait and see
When we're through
Boys will gladly go to
war for you
With good fortune
And a great hairdo
You'll bring honor to us all//
After washing and drying Duo they drag her over to hairdresser Hilde, who immediately starts combing Duo's hair roughly much to Duo's chagrin. They pull, separate, lift and generally try several different things before finally choosing the same hair style as Hilde: a bun high on her head held together with a blue-purple silk lint. After that's done they go the tailor shop passing two old men playing a game. Duo stops and looks at the board before taking up one of the black pawns and moving it. The two men look shocked before the one playing with black realised he's won. Duo looks on wearing a smug smile before her mother drags her off again.
//A girl can bring her family
Great honor in one way
By striking a good match
And this could be the day//
Duo hurried to catch up to her mother just in time to be dragged in the tailor shop by dresser Relena. They make Duo stand on a little stool, holding up several kinds of colour fabric in front of Duo, nodding or shaking their heads now and then. Having decided on the colour they rap it around Duo, pulling the dress tightly around her waste just making it able for her to breath.
//Men want girls with good taste.
Calm
Obedient
Who work fast-paced
With good breeding
And a tiny waist
You'll bring honor to us all//
Walking down the street again, Duo sees a little boy taking away the doll of a little girl, pulling the doll out of his hands she hands it back to the little girl who hugs the doll with a small smile. Seeing her mother was already as the make-up shop, she quickly ran over trying to keep her new dress as clean as possible. Entering she was dragged of by make-up artist Dorothy and plopped down on a chair.
//We all must serve
our Emperor
Who guards us from the Huns
A man by bearing arms
A girl by bearing sons//
They powered Duo's face completely white, so they couldn't see her skin underneath anymore. They painted Duo's lips a bright red and highlighted her eyes with a violet eyeliner making her eyes stand out. Dorothy held out a mirror after they were done so Duo could see her reflection. Not looking too pleased with her appearance, Duo takes out one of her short bangs and brings it down in front of her forehead curling it slightly and smiles happily.
// When we're through
you can't fail
Like a lotus blossom
soft and pale
How could any fellow
say "No sale"
You'll bring honor to us all//
"There, you're ready." Said Helen looking proudly, putting a little comb with a white flower in her hair, at her daughter who smiled shyly back,
"Not yet! An apple for serenity.." said Grandma Sally putting an apple in Duo's mouth, who took a bite when she removed it "A pendant for balance" continued Grandpa Sally hanging a yin-yang pendant under Duo's sash. "Beads of jade for beauty. You must proudly show it!" said Grandma sally putting beads on Duo's neck and lifting Duo's chin with her finger, "Now add a cricket just for luck.." And puts the cage with Cri-Kee, who doesn't look pleased, under Duo's sash in the back. "And even you can't blow it!" finished Grandma Sally with a bump to Duo's hip.
Helen and Grandma Sally ushered Duo outside and waved at her, wiping away a lose tear of joy. While Duo looked towards the sky praying to her ancestors for help.
"Ancestors hear my plea: Help me not to make a fool of me. And to not uproot my family tree Keep my father standing tall!!"
Looking behind her she sees her mother running towards her with a parasol. Taking it she runs towards the other girls, keeping her head up high and falling in line, hearing the other girls and people mutter stuff to themselves and each other, all saying the same thing,
"Scarier than the undertaker, we are meeting our matchmaker"
//Destiny
Guard our girls
And our future
as it fast unfurls
Please look kindly on
these cultured pearls
Each a perfect porcelain doll//
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us all!"
They all stopped in front of the matchmakers house, opening their parasols and kneeling behind it waiting for the matchmaker to make an appearance, while their families waited anxiously. They all slightly jumped when the door opened violently to reveal a stern woman with glassed and two buns at the back of her head holding a pad, paper and something to write. Looking down at the list of names she called the person at the top of it,
"Duo Maxwell!!" Matchmaker Une yelled out loud, jumping up and raising her hand Duo yelled,
"Present"
"Speaking without permission." Muttered Une scribbling something down,
"Oops." Said Duo following matchmaker Une inside her house,
"Who spit in her bean curd?" whispered Grandma Sally to Helen who looked shocked, while the doors of the house slammed shut.
Inside the house, matchmaker Une was running her eyes over Duo's body and walking around as if inspecting her,
"Huh, Hmm, too skinny." Muttered Une writing it down, while Cri-Kee escapes from his cage and Duo struggled to catch him, " Hmph, not good for bearing sons" continued Une not noticing what happened, after Duo caught the cricket she puts Cri-Kee in her mouth when Matchmaker Une turns around to face her,
"Recite the final admonition." Une demanded looking sternly,
"Mmm-Hmm." Nodded Duo while taking out her fan and covers her mouth as she spits out Cri-Kee,
"Ptu"
"Well..." asked Une impatiently, Duo straitens her back and looks at Une with dignity,
"Fulfill your duties calmly and re...f-" looking down her arm she noticed the ink was running and couldn't read everything properly,
"---spectfully. Reflect before you snack" continued Duo before looking surprised at her arm again, --"act. This shall bring you honor and glory." She ended the last part quickly before fanning herself rapidly and sighing in relief.
"Huh."
Then Matchmaker Une snatches the fan and looks at it on both sides looking for notes not finding any. Duo smiles big when Matchmaker looks at her. Une grabs Duo's right arm pulling her along while smearing the writing and leaving some ink on her hand.
" Hmmm, this way. Now, pour the tea" Une said while pushing a teapot towards Duo who sits down on her knees while Une continues,
"To please your future in-laws you must demonstrate a sense of dignity ---" Matchmaker Une smears ink around her mouth, making it seem she had a beard. Duo keeps staring at Matchmaker Une in shock while pouring some tea onto the table then notices her mistake and pours the tea into the cup,
"--- and refinement. You must also be poised." Duo notices Cri-kee swimming in the tea-cup as Matchmaker Une takes the cup from the table with both hands.
"Um, pardon me." Interrupted Duo quietly and timidly,
"And silent! " yelled Matchmaker Une and sniffs the tea strongly, Duo crawls over the table and reaches for the teacup trying to grab it,
"Could I just take that back...one moment." Said Duo taking the cup away but Une won't let go, they struggled for the teacup and it turns over on the Matchmaker and Cri-kee jumps down into the matchmaker's dress.
"Why you clumsy-" began Une loudly and clearly angered by what happened and then feels Cri-Kee in her dress and she dances around trying to get cri-kee out,
" Wooo, woooo, wooooooo" Matchmaker Une knocks over her pot of coals and falls down on the coals, jumping around screaming soon after that.
" Ahhhhhhhhhhh" Duo grabs her fan and briskly fans the charred area on the Matchmaker's behind causing it to flame up. Duo looks surprised at her mistake,
Meanwhile the people outside at beginning to look worried at the screams, yells and crashes coming from inside the house,
"I think it's going well, don't you?" asked Grandma Sally to Helen who looks scared at the house wringing her hands together, snapping her head up when the Matchmaker runs out of the building screaming and patting her behind,
"Put it out! Put it out! Put it out!"
Duo takes the teapot, throws the tea on Matchmaker and puts out the fire. Then bows, hands the teapot back to Matchmaker and covers her face in shame as she walks toward Helen and Grandma Sally while Cri-kee jumps back into his cage,
"You are a disgrace!" yelled matchmaker Une angrily at Duo, throwing the teapot down smashing it to pieces,
"You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honor!" before stalking back towards the house followed by the next girl while the door slams shut, looking around disappointingly Duo could see the townsfolk who have gathered whisper and walk away, not wanting anything to do with them.
Helen and Grandma Sally came closer and took Duo by the arm comfortly before leading her back home.
***************************
Review please pretty please
Meanwhile far away at the Maxwell Household:
Duo, the daughter of Father Maxwell and Helen Maxwell, was a beautiful girl; she had long dark brown hair which she kept together in a braid but the amazing thing were her eyes: they were a bluish-purple, a rare thing in Chinese society. She isn't like all the other girls and her parents worried about that. She often forgot her chores, turned up late, she educated herself, she rides horses and always speaks her mind. None of those traits were what men wanted in their wives in those days. They wanted an obedient, graceful and silent wife. Duo didn't like to be any of those things but tried for her family none the less.
At the moment she was using her chopsticks to single out a grain of rice on top of the mound of rice while muttering to herself the whole time,
"Quiet and demure...graceful...polite..." she picking up some rice with her chopsticks and ate a mouthful while she wrote the words down on the inside of her arm "delicate...refined...poised..". She sets down her chopsticks again and writes down a final word on her right arm "punctual." Her head shot up when she heard a cock crow outside and cried out,
"Aiya!" she scrambled upright blowing on her arm to dry the ink and yelled out loud for her little dog while running trough the house,
"Little brother. Little brother. Lit- ahhh, there you are. Who's the smartest doggie in the world? Come on smart boy, can you help me with my chores today?"
Duo ties a sack of grain around Little Brother's, her little honey coloured puppy, waist, then ties a stick onto Little brother so that end of it is in front of Little Brother's face, then she picks up a bone from the floor ties the bone on the end of the stick just out of reach. Little Brother begins to run after the bone which he cannot reach. Duo opens the door for Little Brother and he runs into the door frame with a little yelp but recovers quickly and runs out the open door. Little brother runs by the chickens and Shinigami - the family horse.
*************************
Meanwhile Father Maxwell, a tall and proud man with short grey hair, entered a little mausoleum in their back yard and kneels down and prays to Maxwell's Family Ancestors.
"Honorable ancestors, please help Duo impress the matchmaker today." Prayed Father Maxwell out loud, his hands clasped together, his eyes closed. Then Little brother runs into the temple running round Father Maxwell before leaving again, scattering grain and barking all the way. The chickens followed Little brother and the grain and begin eating the grain scattered in the temple.
Opening one eye, looking at the scene for a second and then closing it again, "Please, PLEASE, help her." Pleaded Father Maxwell before standing back up, leaning heavily on his cane.
Duo steps up to the temple, after getting dressed, seeing Little Brother on his hind legs trying to get the bone. Duo bends the stick down so that Little brother can reach the bone. Little brother gnaws on the bone happily. Duo then continues toward the temple, calling for her father,
"Father I brought your--whoop!" Father Maxwell and Duo bump into each other when Father Maxwell left the temple at the same time as Duo entered. The cup Duo was holding falls to the ground and Father Maxwell catches the teapot with the handle of his cane.
"Duo.." began Father Maxwell,
"I brought a spare." Said Duo pulling out a cup from underneath the back of her dress and begins to pour the tea.
"Duo..." began Father Maxwell again,
"Remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning-" said Duo hurriedly
"Duo.."
"And three at night. " finished Duo.
"Duo, you should already be in town. We're counting on you to up-" started Father Maxwell
"--uphold the family honor. Don't worry father. I won't let you down." Finished Duo while she tried to cover the writings on her arm with her sleeve.
"Wish me luck". Yelled Duo while running down the stairs toward the family horse.
"Hurry!" yelled Father Maxwell and then muttered "I'm going to...pray some more." To himself before walking back into the temple.
*****************************
Hilde Maxwell, a small and slender woman with dark brown hair, was waiting worriedly for her daughter to show up. Wringing her hands together she stood in the street looking around, turning her head when someone asked her a question,
"Helen, is your daughter here yet? The matchmaker is not a patient woman" asked Catherine, the woman who owned the bath house and was responsible for washing the future brides. She headed back inside when Helen shook her head.
"Of all days to be late. I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck." Muttered Helen out loud. An elderly woman walked up to Helen holding a cage with a cricket in it.
"How lucky can they be..... they're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we'll need." Said Grandma Sally, holding up the cage and talking to the cricket who chirps approvingly "This is your chance to prove yourself." And she held a hand in front of her eyes and crossed a very busy street holding the cage in front of her.
"Grandma No!" yelled Helen trying to stop her but she was too late.
The traffic barely misses Grandma Sally as she crossed the busy street. But two horses and a carriage collide causing a big accident. She arrives safely at the other side of the street, uncovers her eyes and waves at Helen yelling joy,
"Yep, this cricket's a lucky one." Exclaimed Grandma Sally while the cricket falls over in fright,
"Hai." Sighed Helen in relief, she looked up to see Duo riding Shinigami jumping over the crashed carriages and jumps of in front of her mother with a big smile,
"I'm here." Exclaimed Duo happily and stopped when she got a stern look from her mother while she picked a piece of hay out of her hair
"What? But Mama I had to-" started Duo making up an excuse,
"None of your excuses. Now let's get you cleaned up" said Helen taking Duo's arm and leading her to the preparation area.
// This is what you give me
to work with?
Well, honey, I've seen worse.
We're gonna turn
this sow's ear
Into a silk purse//
Helen pushed Duo in the bath house and Catherine quickly undresses Duo and pushes her into the bath. Duo comes up shivering.
"It's freezing." Said Duo trough shattering teeth,
"It would have been warm if you were here on time." Said Helen with a smile and helping Catherine scrub her daughter clean,
//We'll have you
Washed and dried
Primped and polished
till you glow with pride
Trust my recipe for
instant bride
You'll bring honor to us all//
Catherine took out several bottles of shampoo's and oil and begins emptying them in the bath, while Helen scrubs Duo's back; then Catherine throws a bucket of water onto Duo's head and empties a small bottle of shampoo on her head and roughly massages her head before rinsing it and doing it all over again. Then Helen takes up another sponge and takes Duo's right arm to scrub and finds all kinds of markings there,
"Duo, what's this?" Helen questioned her daughter,
"Ahh, notes, in case I forget something?" said Duo batting her eyelashes and hiding her right arm behind her back. Grandma Sally enters the room shaking her head,
"Here, hold this. We'll need more luck than I thought." Said Grandma Sally giving the cricket cage to Helen while Duo makes a noise of disappointment.
//Wait and see
When we're through
Boys will gladly go to
war for you
With good fortune
And a great hairdo
You'll bring honor to us all//
After washing and drying Duo they drag her over to hairdresser Hilde, who immediately starts combing Duo's hair roughly much to Duo's chagrin. They pull, separate, lift and generally try several different things before finally choosing the same hair style as Hilde: a bun high on her head held together with a blue-purple silk lint. After that's done they go the tailor shop passing two old men playing a game. Duo stops and looks at the board before taking up one of the black pawns and moving it. The two men look shocked before the one playing with black realised he's won. Duo looks on wearing a smug smile before her mother drags her off again.
//A girl can bring her family
Great honor in one way
By striking a good match
And this could be the day//
Duo hurried to catch up to her mother just in time to be dragged in the tailor shop by dresser Relena. They make Duo stand on a little stool, holding up several kinds of colour fabric in front of Duo, nodding or shaking their heads now and then. Having decided on the colour they rap it around Duo, pulling the dress tightly around her waste just making it able for her to breath.
//Men want girls with good taste.
Calm
Obedient
Who work fast-paced
With good breeding
And a tiny waist
You'll bring honor to us all//
Walking down the street again, Duo sees a little boy taking away the doll of a little girl, pulling the doll out of his hands she hands it back to the little girl who hugs the doll with a small smile. Seeing her mother was already as the make-up shop, she quickly ran over trying to keep her new dress as clean as possible. Entering she was dragged of by make-up artist Dorothy and plopped down on a chair.
//We all must serve
our Emperor
Who guards us from the Huns
A man by bearing arms
A girl by bearing sons//
They powered Duo's face completely white, so they couldn't see her skin underneath anymore. They painted Duo's lips a bright red and highlighted her eyes with a violet eyeliner making her eyes stand out. Dorothy held out a mirror after they were done so Duo could see her reflection. Not looking too pleased with her appearance, Duo takes out one of her short bangs and brings it down in front of her forehead curling it slightly and smiles happily.
// When we're through
you can't fail
Like a lotus blossom
soft and pale
How could any fellow
say "No sale"
You'll bring honor to us all//
"There, you're ready." Said Helen looking proudly, putting a little comb with a white flower in her hair, at her daughter who smiled shyly back,
"Not yet! An apple for serenity.." said Grandma Sally putting an apple in Duo's mouth, who took a bite when she removed it "A pendant for balance" continued Grandpa Sally hanging a yin-yang pendant under Duo's sash. "Beads of jade for beauty. You must proudly show it!" said Grandma sally putting beads on Duo's neck and lifting Duo's chin with her finger, "Now add a cricket just for luck.." And puts the cage with Cri-Kee, who doesn't look pleased, under Duo's sash in the back. "And even you can't blow it!" finished Grandma Sally with a bump to Duo's hip.
Helen and Grandma Sally ushered Duo outside and waved at her, wiping away a lose tear of joy. While Duo looked towards the sky praying to her ancestors for help.
"Ancestors hear my plea: Help me not to make a fool of me. And to not uproot my family tree Keep my father standing tall!!"
Looking behind her she sees her mother running towards her with a parasol. Taking it she runs towards the other girls, keeping her head up high and falling in line, hearing the other girls and people mutter stuff to themselves and each other, all saying the same thing,
"Scarier than the undertaker, we are meeting our matchmaker"
//Destiny
Guard our girls
And our future
as it fast unfurls
Please look kindly on
these cultured pearls
Each a perfect porcelain doll//
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us"
"Please bring honor to us all!"
They all stopped in front of the matchmakers house, opening their parasols and kneeling behind it waiting for the matchmaker to make an appearance, while their families waited anxiously. They all slightly jumped when the door opened violently to reveal a stern woman with glassed and two buns at the back of her head holding a pad, paper and something to write. Looking down at the list of names she called the person at the top of it,
"Duo Maxwell!!" Matchmaker Une yelled out loud, jumping up and raising her hand Duo yelled,
"Present"
"Speaking without permission." Muttered Une scribbling something down,
"Oops." Said Duo following matchmaker Une inside her house,
"Who spit in her bean curd?" whispered Grandma Sally to Helen who looked shocked, while the doors of the house slammed shut.
Inside the house, matchmaker Une was running her eyes over Duo's body and walking around as if inspecting her,
"Huh, Hmm, too skinny." Muttered Une writing it down, while Cri-Kee escapes from his cage and Duo struggled to catch him, " Hmph, not good for bearing sons" continued Une not noticing what happened, after Duo caught the cricket she puts Cri-Kee in her mouth when Matchmaker Une turns around to face her,
"Recite the final admonition." Une demanded looking sternly,
"Mmm-Hmm." Nodded Duo while taking out her fan and covers her mouth as she spits out Cri-Kee,
"Ptu"
"Well..." asked Une impatiently, Duo straitens her back and looks at Une with dignity,
"Fulfill your duties calmly and re...f-" looking down her arm she noticed the ink was running and couldn't read everything properly,
"---spectfully. Reflect before you snack" continued Duo before looking surprised at her arm again, --"act. This shall bring you honor and glory." She ended the last part quickly before fanning herself rapidly and sighing in relief.
"Huh."
Then Matchmaker Une snatches the fan and looks at it on both sides looking for notes not finding any. Duo smiles big when Matchmaker looks at her. Une grabs Duo's right arm pulling her along while smearing the writing and leaving some ink on her hand.
" Hmmm, this way. Now, pour the tea" Une said while pushing a teapot towards Duo who sits down on her knees while Une continues,
"To please your future in-laws you must demonstrate a sense of dignity ---" Matchmaker Une smears ink around her mouth, making it seem she had a beard. Duo keeps staring at Matchmaker Une in shock while pouring some tea onto the table then notices her mistake and pours the tea into the cup,
"--- and refinement. You must also be poised." Duo notices Cri-kee swimming in the tea-cup as Matchmaker Une takes the cup from the table with both hands.
"Um, pardon me." Interrupted Duo quietly and timidly,
"And silent! " yelled Matchmaker Une and sniffs the tea strongly, Duo crawls over the table and reaches for the teacup trying to grab it,
"Could I just take that back...one moment." Said Duo taking the cup away but Une won't let go, they struggled for the teacup and it turns over on the Matchmaker and Cri-kee jumps down into the matchmaker's dress.
"Why you clumsy-" began Une loudly and clearly angered by what happened and then feels Cri-Kee in her dress and she dances around trying to get cri-kee out,
" Wooo, woooo, wooooooo" Matchmaker Une knocks over her pot of coals and falls down on the coals, jumping around screaming soon after that.
" Ahhhhhhhhhhh" Duo grabs her fan and briskly fans the charred area on the Matchmaker's behind causing it to flame up. Duo looks surprised at her mistake,
Meanwhile the people outside at beginning to look worried at the screams, yells and crashes coming from inside the house,
"I think it's going well, don't you?" asked Grandma Sally to Helen who looks scared at the house wringing her hands together, snapping her head up when the Matchmaker runs out of the building screaming and patting her behind,
"Put it out! Put it out! Put it out!"
Duo takes the teapot, throws the tea on Matchmaker and puts out the fire. Then bows, hands the teapot back to Matchmaker and covers her face in shame as she walks toward Helen and Grandma Sally while Cri-kee jumps back into his cage,
"You are a disgrace!" yelled matchmaker Une angrily at Duo, throwing the teapot down smashing it to pieces,
"You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honor!" before stalking back towards the house followed by the next girl while the door slams shut, looking around disappointingly Duo could see the townsfolk who have gathered whisper and walk away, not wanting anything to do with them.
Helen and Grandma Sally came closer and took Duo by the arm comfortly before leading her back home.
***************************
Review please pretty please