Into the Array C12
Is any rochu fan still even alive yet?
With hair cascading down like a majestic waterfall, cherry red lip that puckered into a tiny pout and eyelid that flutters in the non-existing wind, the beautiful lady in the painting seems to give off an unmistakable intention to invite the gentlemen in.
Staring at the painting before him, Ivan's mind unwittingly drifted off. Clouds of smoke swirl around him, turning the broken and dirty place into a graceful white. The language spoken by the birds and flowers whispers around him, and as soon as the clouds thinned out, it become apparent to Ivan that he was indeed being invited to the painting. Mesmerizing row of mountains dyed umber-black lined the horizon, while the glittering lake rippled with the wind, become one with the skies.
Ivan is completely enthralled by the scene before him. He have seen sceneries like this before but this is different, or at least the feelings is different, it is as though.. as though... Ivan can't seem to pinpoint what is the difference. He walked to the shore of the lake, there must be ten over fishes in there, some stayed still while others swim lazily about. Slightly amusing to a frustrated heart.
Suddenly the fishes tensed up and even before Ivan knew it they are all gone. Brow tensed slightly with bewilderment as to what happened, and soon he got an answer: A distorted reflection other than his own appear on the surface of the water, Ivan turned his head around as quick as his reflex could take him and come face to face with the same mesmerizing umber-black. Except this time, they are the colour of a pair of curious eyes. The pair of eyes on the girl in Hsiao Zheng's painting to be exact.
Or in Ivan's opinion, she look exactly like how Yao would look like as a girl. If he was not always so grumpy and loud. Ivan opened his mouth, but found that his heart is stuck in his throat. The girl leaned in closer towards Ivan's face with earnestness, cause Ivan to take a step back. Their faces are only inches apart and Ivan could almost feel ashamed being scrutinize this closely.
'Who are you?' Ivan finally managed to ask amid the awkward atmosphere.
The girl tilted her head a little, still looking at Ivan. Whether if she's pondering on his question or if she have not a single clue what he is talking, Ivan had no answer. Then she laugh, tinkering like the sound of a tiny golden bell drifting through clearly between the water, orioles and swallows.
It brought a smile on Ivan's face.
'What's your name?' Ivan asked. But the girl only smile in return. Perhaps she doesn't understand what am I talking about, Ivan thought. Maybe he could try to use some actions and show her what he meant. So he shuffled out a paintbrush and paint a few stroke in the air and dip his brush into some imaginary ink, all the way looking at her to see the nuances in her expression.
The girl's eyes widened and a delightful grin spread across her pretty face, she immediately jumped into Ivan's chest and hug him.
It took Ivan awhile but slowly he manage to grab the girl by her shoulder and pull her apart.
'Are .. you Wang Yao in..disguise?' Ivan asked, wondering what in tarnation is he actually talking about.
The girl look up to him in shock Her expression changed from one that is perplex, to thoughtful and one filled with even more questions. Her fingers went forth and touched Ivan's lips, the ones in the other hand point to her agape mouth.
'Are you hungry? You need food?' Ivan guessed, lips moving against the touch of that slender fingers. The girl seem to ignore his answer and instead pointed to her mouth with more urgency. 'You need me to talk more?' Ivan tried again, oblivious to the fact that his words made no sense to the girl.
Finally, realisation hits the girl that this man in front of her is not the one that one she is waiting for.
She pouted and shook her head in shame, then her fingers flew to her cheek then her nose then her eyes and her forehead. She looked back at Ivan, drawing her eyebrows together in horror, as though the face she is blessed with is not the face she thought she own.
'Are you okay? What happened?' Ivan can't help but asked from her flustered actions.
The girl smiled sadly. Cupping her two hands over her cheeks, the next thing she did horrified Ivan to his core: The pretty face click right off her head like a mask, what's left behind is just a little shadow over a blank face where the eyes and mouth were. She dragged Ivan's reluctant hands out and placed the mask on it. As soon as the mask touches Ivan's skin, the girl disintegrated right before his eyes, the mountains and lake and everything started crumbling into dust as well.
'W-What's happening...' Ivan shouted amidst crumbling pieces and eventual blackness. Everything around him all became pitch black and Ivan can't see anything. Panic sets in and anxiety grab hold of his heart, he took a step back, and another. Yet within a blink, Ivan is back to the dilapidated building, leaving him with only his breathlessness and dripping sweat. Looking down, the same painting greeted him.
'You're here early.' a voice called out from behind.
Hsiao Zheng strolled in with a carefree stride, smiling from ear to ear respectfully towards Ivan. 'You seem to be sweating a lot. Are you okay?'
Ivan return his smile and shrugged 'Yeah. It's just really warm over here and I am not used to it.'
'Well I have a great news. I have brought up the painting request to my Father and he have agreed for my turn since Sister Mu have informed us that she have fallen ill. However, you will need to paint my 9th brother and 11th brother at night, perhaps after dinner as suggested by them.' he explained.
'Oh.. I was not informed.' Ivan replied.
'I'm not surprised. Jin Xi act only upon my Sister's command. It's okay, I believe my Father would arrange another palace maid to keep you updated with the situation.' Hsiao Zheng said, fanning himself with his wooden fan. 'Do you prefer that you do the painting here or back at my place? Cause it seems like it's too warm for you in this broken down building.'
'What? Now? I didn't bring any of my painting supplies along. I thought we were just sharing some stories today. Which reminds me, where is the 12th prince?' Ivan answered.
'Him? Well that brat abandoned me for some new toys the recent emissary brought over as gifts for my Father. It will take him a few days to get bored of it again, so I'm guessing he will join a few days later.' Hsiao Zheng shrugged. 'Well we don't have to paint it today if you don't want to. I mean I believe you have plenty of time for it, the coronation is still ages away.'
By this time, Hsiao Zheng's forehead is filled with beads of sweat that grew too large and trailed down in face. The wind from the fan seem to serve no purpose other than that temporary bit of comfort. On Ivan's side, he could feel his clothes being so soggy it's sticking to his skin much to his chagrin.
After a few moments of simmering in the increasingly hot building Hsiao Zheng finally said 'I shall boldly assume that you would very much prefer we proceed with the painting at my house. I would request ice to be fan by the palace maid.'
'That's a wise decision, 12th prince. After you.'
In the bird and flower scroll exist a girl as beautiful as the fairies from heaven. Her smile is sweet and her features are lively just like the beginning of creation. When a person is on cloud nine, the magic from his heart will bring him to a beautiful lake and a secluded bamboo forest. When a trepidation caught of a person, the unfounded fear from his heart will bring forth a ghost that will kill.
Yet within the millions of faces and within the thousands of sceneries, none can deny that the only reason she existed is for him.