Hiya folks! It's time for the first official chapter of Izzylan... where we see Izzylan, preparing for the matchmaker... plus we get a familiar song... make that two. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't any of the characters in this story. They belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 1: Matchmaking reflection
The next day was like any other day in Toon China. With the many people that live in this land starting their usual chores. But today was a very important, for the young girls of the village would be preparing for the matchmaker, who would decided if they would be the perfect bride for a man.
And there was one girl that was more excited about this day than the others. And by excited, I mean, very nervous about dishonoring her family. And this girl was, Fa Izzylan... or Izzy for short.
Right now, the eleven-year-old was writing notes on her arm, notes she would need to know for when she sees the matchmaker. "Alright... a proper woman must sit up straight... pour the tea... and silent..." Izzy said to herself.
Right now, she felt pretty nervous, because if she didn't impress the matchmaker, she would dishonor her family, and that would be a sin. Izzy then realized that she would be getting ready... right now!
"Yay hey, no way! I'm gonna be late."
With that, Izzy ran around her house, calling for her dog, Patch. "Little Brother! Where are you?" She called, before she noticed him sleeping. "Oh there you are. Wanna help me with my chores?"
Patch panted as he nodded. The girl smiled. "Good boy!" Then, she tied a bone to him as he chased it, dragging along a bag of chicken food, for the animals in their family farm.
Meanwhile, at a small tombstone area, Izzy's father, Raimundo Pedrosa, was kneeling in front of the tombs of his ancestors. "Ancestors. I know that we've had major issues in our family, and I've had my fair shares. But please watch over my little girl on her important day. For I know how much she is wanting this moment."
He didn't notice that Patch had ran around him, dropping chicken food as chickens followed pursuit. Raimundo just continued praying. "Please. I would be so grateful if you do."
"Hi, Daddy!"
Raimundo turned to see Izzy walked towards the temple, carrying a tray of tea.
"Oh, Izzy. Good morning!"
"Here's your gave tea." Izzy showed her father the cup. "Don't forget. Three cups a day to help with your injury."
Raimundo chuckled as he takes the cup. "I remember. Thanks!"
"You're welcome. Wish me luck. I know now the Matchmaker can be tough."
Raimundo nodded. With that, Izzy gave her father a kiss on the cheek and left, deciding to ride their trusty horse, Pharfignewton, into town.
In town, Kimiko, Izzy's mother was waiting for her daughter to arrive. Suddenly, she spots Izzy coming, riding on the horse. Kimiko sighed, "I really should've prayed to the ancestors for luck."
However, Granny, Izzy's grandmother, was holding a little lantern, and inside it was a firefly. "Now, now Kimiko. There's nothing to be concerned about, I am sure your daughter will do just fine."
"But the matchmaker does not like to wait. So she's better hurry up."
Soon, Izzy had made it as she hopped off of Pharfignewton and in front of her mother. Her dress was a little dirty and wrinkled, and she had pieces of hay in her hair. "I'm here!"
Kimiko did not look impressed. That's when Izzy noticed. "What... but Mom-"
"Excuses can wait, Izzy." Kimiko began to push Izzy towards the little house where she would be getting prepare for the matchmaker. "Let's get you cleaned up." And so from there, the maid looked at Izzy and tsk tsked.
Maid: This is what you give me to work with?
Well honey, I've seen worse
We gonna turn this sow's ear
Into a slick purse
The maid then removed all of Izzy's clothes and dumped into a bathtub as the girl shivered, "It's freezing..."
"It would have been warm if you were here on time." Kimiko told her. Then, the maid began to wash Izzy's hair.
Maid: We'll have you
Washed and dried
Primped and polish
Til you glow with pride
Trust my recipe for instant bride
You'll bring honor to us all...
Once the bathing and scrubbing was over with, Kimiko noticed the notes written on Izzy's arm. "Izzy, what's this?" She asked.
"Notes..." Izzy admitted. "In case I forget something."
Kimiko folded her arms, not very approving of this. "I think we'll need for luck than we thought." Granny spoke up.
Afterwards, Izzy was taking to the hair salon, where hair maids would give her a hairdo.
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...
Not only that, but she was also being given a whole new outfit in addition to the hairdo. After that, Izzy walked through the town with her mother to get that outfit.
A girl must bring her family
Great honor in one way
By striking a good match
And this could be the day
In another little house, Izzy was given that outfit as the maids put it together for her, even pulling on her waist a bit.
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...
Izzy was now starting to feel uncomfortable. Especially with what was to come next in preparations... make up. As she walked to the next phase of being a lady, she noticed little kids laying, until a boy snatched a little girls doll. Izzy quickly took the doll back and gave it back to the girl.
We all must serve out emperor
Who guards us from the Huns
A man by bearing arms
A girl by bearing sons
Soon, Izzy found herself with the make up artist, who applied the paint to her face. Along with light mascara for her eyes, and lipstick for her lips, not to mention powder for her entire face.
When we're through
You can't fail
Like a lotus blossom
Soft and pale
How could any fellow say 'Don't Sale'
You'll bring honor to us all...
After the makeup was done, Kimiko put a flower accessory in Izzy's hair. "There... you're ready..." Izzy looked at herself in the mirror to see the makeover she had been given from head to toe. She had to admit, she looked beautiful. But now she was all set. However, Granny walked over to them, holding a few more things. "Just a minute. I think she could use just a few more red roses to match her wonderful dress."
But not only did Granny have roses, she also had an apple, a pendant, a necklace, and Brightly in a lantern. That sure was a lot of stuff she had.
"You need an apple for serenity. A pendant for balance."
Beads of Jade for beauty
You must proudly show it
Now add a firefly, just for luck
And even you can't blow it
As for Izzy, she soon walked out, almost ready to see the matchmaker. As she did, she began to pray that she wouldn't blow it.
Ancestors hear my plea
Help me not to make a fool of me
And to not unroot my family tree
Keep my father standing tall...
She then closed her eyes, and sighed. "Here I go..." Izzy began to follow the other girls who would be also seeing the matchmaker. For her, it was now the moment of truth.
Scarier than the undertaker
We are meeting our matchmaker
With that, all of the girls began to walk towards the matchmakers house, umbrella's in tow.
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!
And so, the girls stood in front of the house, where moments later, a chipmunk girl slammed the door open. This was Brittany Miller, the Matchmaker. She then took out a clipboard and looked at the list of names... and the very first one...
"Izzylan!"
On cue, Izzy raised her hand. "Present!"
Brittany frowned. "Usually when someone is called, they would just stand up normally instead of just shouting out loud." She said as she wrote on her clipboard. "Your off to a pretty rough start."
Izzy face palmed lightly, "Oops..." She then followed Brittany into the house as the matchmaker shut the door. Kimiko looked worried while Granny huffed, "Hmm. Who spit in her bean curve?"
Inside the house, Brittany began to expect Izzy's outfit and her body figure, and noticed how tiny her waist was. "Your waist seems to be a bit shrunk." Izzy blushed a bit as suddenly, while Brittany wasn't looking, Brightly has escaped from his lantern. Izzy noticed and tried to catch him, but he kept slipping away. Soon, Izzy had caught him, and as Brittany was turning around for Izzy to recite something, Izzy shoved the bug in her mouth.
"Okay! Now please go ahead and recite the traditional words of matchmaking."
Izzy nodded as she took out a fan to hide her face, so Brittany wouldn't see her spitting out Brightly. "Okay... fulfill your duties calmly and..." Izzy quickly looked at the notes on her arm, and then continued, "... respectively. Reflect before you snack-I mean act! This shall bring you honor and glory!"
Brittany then snatched the fan from Izzy as she inspected it, looking for any cheat notes. But all she could find was nothing, as she returned the fan to Izzy, and then pulled her over to a small table, where a cup and teapot was set. Little did Brittany know, was that the arm she grabbed had the noted on them, and her hand was smeared with ink.
Izzy watched as now she had another task.
"Now let's try learning how to pour your tea properly."
Izzy grabs the pot lightly, and starts to pour the tea, but is distracted when Brittany rubs her face, smearing the ink on it. Izzy continued to pour the tea when she saw Brightly sitting in the cup, relaxing as if he was taking a bath. But before the girl could get him out, the matchmaker took the cup and was about to sip it. "Um... pardon me.." Izzy started to say before Brittany shushed her.
"Shush. No talking out of term please."
The matchmaker sniffed the tea and sigh, as Izzy then tried to take the cup. "I'll take that back for a moment..." But Brittany glared as held onto the tea, as the girls fought for the cup. "Just what do you think you're doing?! This is not proper manner like."
"I just need to take it back..."
Suddenly, Brittany fell over as the cup spilled on her dress. The matchmaker glared at Izzy and stood up. Izzy could tell that she was in trouble. But Brittany then tripped over a fire pot and landed on the hot coal. The matchmaker screamed as she saw the smoke on her dress. Izzy thought fast and tried to put the smoke out with her fan, but ended up causing the dress to burst into flames.
Back outside, Kimiko and Granny heard the commotion and saw smoke coming through the door. "I think it's going well..." Granny said.
"I doubt it." Kimiko replied.
Suddenly, Brittany emerged from the door, screaming in pain, and trying to put out the fire. She was following by Izzy who soon put out the fire by throwing the tea over Brittany. She gave the tea to the matchmaker and walked away, embarrassed. As she made it to her mother and grandmother, Brittany growled as she stormed towards the girl.
"After that little stunt you just pulled, you can forget finding a perfect husband!"
Izzy flinched as Brittany grew the tea cup down to the ground, shattering it. "You may look like a bride, but you will bring your family honor!" Brittany spat at her before storming away. As for Izzy, she felt ashamed. She practically blew her chance.
Later back at home, Izzy walked through the gate with Phafignewton, as she was greeted by her father. "Izzy, your back." Raimundo greeted. "How did it go with the matchmaker?"
But Izzy frowned as she walked away, still embarrassed.
"Izzy?"
The girl walked to the horse stables, as she let Pharfignewton drink water. Izzy sighed deeply as she looked at herself in the water, as she softly began to sing.
Look at me
I will never pass for a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter.
She turns away from her reflection as she slowly walks away, noticing her mother walking up to her father. She could tell that she was telling him about what happened today. This only made her feel worse.
Can it be
I'm not meant
To play this part
Soon she slowly walked upon a small bridge after releasing Brightly.
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself
I would break my family's heart...
Brightly could tell how sad Izzy was feeling, as he tried to make her feel better. Izzy looked down at a lake to see her reflection once again.
Who is that girl I see?
Staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don't know.
Izzy then began to walk towards the ancestors temple. Once stepping inside, she bowed to them.
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am
Though I've tried
When will my reflection show
Who I am... inside...
Izzy then let her hair loose and removed her make up. When it was all removed, Izzy looked at her reflection... before getting up and sitting under a tree.
When will my reflection show...
Who I am... inside...?
Izzy sighed as she let a few tears fall. As she looked down, she didn't noticed her father sitting next to her. Raimundo looked up as he saw the flowers on the tree. "Looks like the flowers are blooming." But the girl just sighed as he took one and placed it in her hair. "Your mom told me about what happened today. But I still don't see what's imperfect about you at all."
"I messed up big time, Dad..." Izzy said. "I'll never be a perfect bride... or a perfect daughter..."
"Don't say that Izzy, you know that's not true. When mom gave birth to you, I knew right from the start that you were destined to being perfect."
That made Izzy smile a bit. "And I know for a fact that you will find a perfect husband as well."
With that, Izzy hugged her father. She felt a little better hearing her Daddy's words. Her father could also make her happy, even in the toughest situations.
Aw isn't that sweet? After a not so successful session with the matchmaker, Izzy is comforted by her father. Next chapter we'll see the general's assistant (Played by a certain squid) come by and announce the war. Well, I'll see you guys later, and don't forget to review, please. Thank you.