Chapter 9 – A Girl a Cricket could love.
Training had intensified and so had the morale. It was the night before the scheduled inspection by the Dragon or that was the name that Jiminy knew him as. The Captain seemed assured that he would succeed in pleasing the intimidating figure. The soldiers had worked endlessly to improve in their skill and strength and so much more. Jiminy had watched proudly from the wings as everything seemed to be coming together and he hadn't stopped with the odd whisper in the ear about the best thing for the Captain to do either.
The recruits were mulling about outside the food tent waiting for it to be opened. He spotted Mulan talking with the usual trio that she had oddly befriended. It was hard to believe that they had fought on that first day. As he walked past she seemed to take notice and she excused herself with a manly nudge on Ling's arm before making her way toward him.
'Would you like to join us for dinner?' The blossoming warrior asked with a smile before noticing a mistake in her words. 'I mean join our bench and talk about women and fights.' She added hastily. Archie had been surprised by the offer. He had previously taken his food in his own tent as like Mulan he felt like an outsider to the group. He hadn't shared in their combined experiences or hardships so he found it easier to eat alone.
'It would be nice to not talk to myself for a change.' Archie answered scratching at his autumn curls and immediately regretted it. Not the best thing to say when wanting to sound normal. She replied with a practiced gruff laugh but he could see the genuine smile in her eyes.
They all sat at a bench with their bowls of rationed rice and instantly the tent was filled with the deep rumblings chatters of the recruits. He could see why Mulan liked the company of Yao, Ling and Chien Po. They created conversation easily but she was right, they only talked of the same two things.
'The only woman who would love that oaf is his mother.' Yao snorted with laughter and Ling instantly joined in with that high screeching chuckling. Archie watched as Mulan laughed quietly with them so not to be left out.
'That's not true. I bet he has someone who cares for him.' Mulan objected but her comment was waved off.
'Yeah, yeah you're probably right.' Yao nodded seriously. 'We forgot his Grandmother.' He finished with a mischievous smirk. Ling followed it with a yipping laugh as he banged his fist against the table and rattling the bowls.
'How about you Hopper? You've been quiet, c'mon your turn.' Ling insisted and all turned to stare at him as he was midway with the chopsticks to his mouth.
'Me? Oh I'm afraid I have never encountered love.' Archie blushed setting down his chopsticks to avoid more embarrassment.
'That wasn't the question.' Yao said simply as he dug his little finger in his ear. Archie honestly couldn't answer the question. For his lifetime he had either been forced with his parent's company or been a cricket. He had yet to experience what it was like to fancy, court, or love a woman. Had he ever wanted it? Oh yes. His life had led down another path however and he couldn't change that.
'Leave him alone guys. Ever thought he doesn't want to talk about it?' Mulan asked them as she glanced at Archie with an apologetic smile. All raised an eyebrow at her as if she were insane.
'It's alright Ping.' Archie said clearing his throat and cleaned his glasses which he always did when nervous. 'I um…well I dedicated my life to the Emperor and he keeps me busy. I'm always travelling and never in the same place for more than a few weeks. I have a duty to fulfil and I haven't the time for, for anything else.' He stumbled realising how ridiculous that would sound to a bunch of men…and a woman. However, it was certainly credible. The best lies were the ones underlying with truth. Jiminy believed in honesty but he had to accept not being so in this type of situation.
'No? You must have seen a woman who, if you had the time would want to…' Chien Po trailed off with a smile as he thought of the woman of his dreams that he had yet to find. Jiminy bit his lip and he opened his mouth to speak but shut it immediately.
'Don't make me choke it out of you Hopper.' Yao threatened with a teasing smirk as he cracked his knuckles. For them it was shaking up their topic of conversation and they didn't want to let it go. He wasn't a native from this land either which posed a value of interest.
'It's not as if you would have a problem with the ladies.' Ling snorted. Jiminy begged to differ. He didn't have Yao's muscle or Ling's humour and smooth talking abilities. He wasn't handsome and he didn't value himself very highly. He was the son of thieves. He supposed he had the same kindness that Chien Po had but he wasn't a man that a woman would desire.
'Well, maybe I have seen-' Archie started and all three men clapped at his back.
'See? I told you! Didn't I tell you?' Ling chortled and he swept his arms to quieten them all but Mulan had just looked down to play with her food.
'What is she like?' Chien Po asked in his calm quiet voice. It was that moment that Jiminy wished he hadn't said anything. Probably because she was sitting opposite him. 'Is she beautiful?'
'Oh yes, yes she is…' Jiminy replied almost breathlessly. He couldn't believe he was admitting this. He hadn't admitted it to himself. How could he deny it anymore though? His heart was drawn to her and even more so as the man he now was. It made his feelings real. 'I don't think she realises that though but her beauty isn't the reason why I like her.'
'What is?' Mulan's quiet and curious voice cut through the others. Her brows were furrowed and her tight bun had become slightly loose so it drooped behind her. He was intrigued by the way she looked at him. As if she was seeing him differently, for the first time perhaps.
Jiminy had to pause, his words caught in his throat. If he spoke now would he regret it in the long run? Probably. But he couldn't just waste this opportunity now that he had it. As the Dragon had said the power of the stone was unreliable.
'The love she holds for her family,' He began honestly, meeting her eyes. The masculine barriers were still present but he was able to see through them. 'Her honest kindness, bravery and will to succeed. She is a truly selfless woman and I…' He stopped, coughed and his eyes fell from hers. He shouldn't have done this. He shouldn't have put his feelings before duty. This land was at war! 'Excuse me I really must go.' He suddenly said and got up from the bench and quickly exited the tent not waiting for anyone to say anything.
The lifelong cricket had found a woman that he could love and she was utterly beyond his reach. Maybe there had been a reason why fate made him a cricket. He was too annoyed at himself to sit still in his tent so he grabbed his towel and soap and stalked down to the lake happy in knowing that no one else would be there. He hung his finery from a nearby tree branch and slipped into the freezing water with a slight gasp. It was strange to think that he had been a cricket the last time he had been here.
The only difference was that the moon had become fuller and reflected in glinting light upon the water. After getting over the initial cold temperature, Jiminy had stayed until his fingers started to wrinkle. He was just beginning to swim back to the shore when he heard a voice. Mulan.