I have returned.

Let me start by saying I have an addition to my rules to address an issue I get in a lot of requests including PMs not just reviews:

I will not, EVER, write a story involving the rape of, or sex with, CHILDREN. Nor will I write a story about incest. I am not writing child pornography, NEVER. ASK. AGAIN.

Here's another Mulan one, asked by Shabon Flurry

"What if Mulan's meeting with the matchmaker hadn't been a complete disaster?"

Bear with me on this one, I haven't seen the movie in a while I don't own a copy and it got taken off of Netflix so I'm going off of memory here. Also, I know almost NOTHING about ancient China and their culture, so if you DO know about that subject, please tear my nonsense apart. That is not sarcasm, I prefer to learn =)

Mulan winced, thankful for the layer of paint coating her cheeks to hide the deep rouge that she could feel burning in her skin, the matchmakers mocking tone rang in her ears

"Speaking without permission…" her placid face remained stoic as she scribbled a quill against the parchment.

"Oops.." This is a bad start; I can't bring shame to my family. I must get a good match. I must bring honor to the Fa name. She followed the matchmaker through the doors. She winced, startled, when the large oak doors slammed shut, the brass handles ringing as they swung against the door. She heard the woman approach and turned, watching the woman swarm around.

"Too skinny… not good for bearing sons." Mulan tried to straighten, give herself better posture. The matchmaker had to say something positive. She was no skinnier than most of her village, food may not have been abundant but she was never for want of a meal. Her musing was interrupted when she saw her lucky cricket on the matchmakers shoulder. Her first instinct was to grab him, put him back into his cage. Her hands trembled as she agonized of the decision, when it was made for her. "Recite the final admonition." Mulan nodded,

"Fulfill your duties kindly and… respectfully," she paused. What comes next? She saw the matchmakers back turned to her, and she lifted her hand, allowing the sleeve of her dress to slide back to reveal the now smudged writing on her hand, "reflect before you act. This will bring you honor and glory." She let out an exhale, wanting to grab her fan to burn this anxiety, but she insisted to herself that she remain upright.

"Now, pour the tea," Mulan looked at the table where the matchmaker gestured, the rest of her words an incomprehensible mumble drowned out by distraction and the blood pouring through her ears. She thought she heard the word 'poised' in those mingled words, and focused on maintaining her composure as she grabbed the teapot, kneeling before the table. She poured the tea into the cups, and saw her damnable cricket pour out of the pot. What kind of 'lucky' cricket is this? He's trying to sabotage me! She reached for the cup quickly, pulling it back hoping the matchmaker would reach for the cup without the insect.

The matchmaker grabbed the glass, giving her a foul look before inhaling deeply, and sipping the steaming liquid. "Nothing is more soothing than tea. A good wife will always have hot tea ready for her husband when he returns from his days work," Mulan wanted to respond, but recalled those harsh words and bit her tongue, Don't speak without permission… get a good match. She had to fight her inner urges. She had to suppress who she was. What's my next task?

"Now, cook the rice and the fish. A woman must provide a warm meal with the tea," Mulan stood, hoping the damnable cricket wouldn't try to interfere with this task. Her grandmother had meant well, and crickets were often a sign of luck. The short distance to the crackling fire felt like the march to execution. Rice was simple enough, a task she had learned as a little girl. And fish, she was lucky her little village had a river to the west and fish was a treat her family could enjoy when they took the time to take the horses.

Her hands moved deftly, trying to focus on the task at hand in silence. At home she would sing or hum to herself while she worked, twirling around the room like a naïve child. But this was no time for such frivolities, how foolish would she look were she to behave as such now? Why can't I just show her who I am inside, to get a match who would appreciate me for me? Dismayed, she completed her task, disregarding what she considered the unimportant advice from the matchmaker. She plated her simple meal, setting it on the table and kneeling back at the table after offering a respectful short bow to the matchmaker.

"Hmm…" The woman mused, grabbing one of the plates. She took a pinch of rice between her fingers, "good consistency, holds together without being too sticky," She took a bite, and made a short hum that Mulan hoped was a mark of satisfaction. She moved on to the fish, against poking at it and wafted the smell to her nose make more noncommittal monosyllabic sounds as she evaluated the food. "Knows how to prepare simple meal," she made a mark on the parchment. Simple meal? That was my task, did I do it right? "Hmm… The Fa family has had a farm for generations. You must know how to tend to the animals?"

"Yes," Mulan kept it simple. Her eyes lit up at the question, she adored her animals. She loved the long hard work on the farm and it was finally an area the matchmaker broached that she could show enthusiasm for. She could have carried on, for hours she was sure, but bit down on her lip and bowed to the matchmaker.

"Hmm… yes… yes," More marks on the parchment. More questions? I'm worthy… I can bring honor. She stayed kneeling, her calm face hiding her agitation with the help of the thick makeup cloaking her features. "Are you able to milk a cow?"

"Yes Ma'am…"

"Slaughter and prepare a chicken?"

"Yes Ma'am," Though chickens are better used for eggs, not for slaughter. They give us the gift of food without needing to give us their life; it is dishonorable to slaughter them. "though they are better used for their eggs, they can provide more food that way," She cursed herself for losing her composure, for speaking her mind.

"Awareness of situational needs…"

Odd phrase… wait. Awareness.. . That's a good sign. I must have pleased her. Keep this up Mulan, you can do this! Emerge from here an honorable and betrothed woman! The matchmaker was clucking her tongue, and asked several more questions.

"Yes yes, you could make an honorable wife for Ouyang Kang's elder son Xin ."

A match? I got a match! Ouyang, is that a family who will bring great honor to the name Fa? Can I finally honor the Fa family as Oyuang Mulan?

"You are dismissed. The Oyuang Kang shall be informed of my find, and Fa Zhuo will be notified at once for an arrangement. You are dismissed." Do I thank her? Did she address me to answer? Silence… silence is better. Mulan stood, bowed low to the matchmaker, and made her way through the doors outside. The brightness of the morning sun briefly startled her, and she tried to mask the goofy grin until she came to where her mother and grandmother awaited her. A broad smile traced her features,

"Mother! She found a match," Tears came to her eyes when she saw her mother smile, "Ouyang Kang's son," She paused, wait, is this a good match? Was I given an honorable family?

"An honorable match Mulan! Ouyang has been a breeder of horses for half the villages in this region. Oh Mulan! I couldn't be more proud!" Her mother embraced her, pulling her close. "I knew you could do this," But I was not myself… will I like Ouyang Kang's son?

The family parted, the sound of the matchmaker calling the next girl carried through the village center. They made their way back, and Mulan could hardly contain her excitement, or mask her nervousness. Zhuo was awaiting them at the entrance to their home, leaning on his cane smiling in his calm subtle way.

"So, how did it go?"

"I have been matched father, Ouyang Kang's son," He embraced her as suddenly as her mother had, laughing,

"Oh Mulan, I knew you could bring us great honor," She smiled at him and he held a firm hand on her shoulder, "The matchmaker will send him a letter, and we will soon discuss the details of betrothal. Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the village bell, the family went to the gates. Mulan heard someone said 'Imperial Troops', and watched her father disappear through the gate. Despite her grandmother's urgings she ran up to the wall, clambering up so she could peer over the edge and see what was happening. Oh no… transcription notices! They mentioned the Huns. The Huns? What do they want with China? We built our great wall, how did they get past the Great Wall?!

"The Fa family," Mulan heard her family name, and watched her father hand her mother his cane, and limp up to the soldier.

"No…" She jumped down from her perch, to defend her father. Her father already fought for China, she couldn't allow him to fight again. He was injured, he could never survive a great battle. He had brought great honor to the Fa name, and his daughter had finally brought honor. What more could he need? She ran out the gates, starting the events that would change her destiny.

I hope you enjoyed this =)