"There what do you think?" Chen asked finally reviling a mirror for Mulan to gaze at.
"Beautiful, absolutely stunning!" Fa Li replied. "What do you think Grandmother Fa?"
"More than beautiful she is the brightest star in all the heavens," She replied placing her hands on Mulan's constricted waist. "But I don't think she needs all that make up."
"Mulan, what do you think?"Fa Li asked her.
Staring into the mirror Mulan barely recognized the figure looking back. Her eyes appeared bigger while her face paler. Her lips were fuller while her hair was pulled back so tightly she felt as if her eyes were about to pop out. Her figure was much smaller than she recalled it to be which startled her for moments as she always like her body. The gown they had picked for her was something she believed to be in good taste as the colour pink and purple she believed looked good on her. Looking toward her mother Mulan's false smile seemed to fool her mother and the other's present.
"You are beautiful my dear, with and without all this makeup." Her mother said kissing her lightly on top of the head. "Now I would like to add a personal touch to this.
Turning her body to the dresser that stood on the right, Mulan watched in curiosity as her mother pulled from one of the draws a small wooden box. There was nothing imaginative about the appearance of the box but as Fa Li approached her daughter Mulan knew there was something more special about this box.
"When I first met your father, he presented me with this." She said stroking the cover of the lid. "I knew in that moment I loved him and he loved me, I hope you get the luck I did when you wear this."
Opening the box inside laying as gently as an angel would was a orchid flower pressed into a beret for her hair. Looking at it Mulan could not help but smile at the sight of this simple beauty.
"I did have to replace the flower but I hope you don't mind," Fa Li continued as she removed it from the box and placed it in her daughter's hair.
"Mother it is wonderful, thank you." Mulan said as she studied it.
"It is no comparison to your beauty my love." Her mother said as she pressed down the back of her dress. "You must get going now my lovely, I don't want you to be late."
"Your right, lets header out." Mulan said picking up the bottom of her gown.
"Pardon me?" Her mother stated firmly.
"I mean, yes let us retire from this chamber to go meet and honour the fine and respectable match maker." Mulan said as she grabbed her umbrella.
"You will be the death of me child." Her mother said shaking her head.
"I can only hope." Her grandmother laughed. "Mulan, here just in case."
Feeling her grandmother's hands grab the back of her gown she witnessed her tuck out of sight a small cage. Looking to her grandmother for reinsurance she answered without looking at her. "A cricket for luck, God knows we all need it."
"Hmm thank you?"Mulan answered as she watched her walk away.
Watching as everyone walked ahead of her, Mulan looked lastly in the mirror letting out a heavily sigh. She knew since she was a child that she would have to do this and even when she began her preparation for this meeting she knew that she would eventually have to marry a man. It was in the moment she felt her eyes grow heavy once again and her heart sank as if it were a boat in rocky water.
"Mulan, please we need to go." Chen shouted.
Touching her eyes for a moment she replied. "Yes lets go."
The crowds that formed outside of the dressers house and the match maker made this event appear more like a spectacle and less like a mature and serious arrangement of young women's future. Men and women alike came to watch and gossip about who would be matched with whom and who would be rejected. Every year people would gaze at these women and place their silent bets on who would marry the wealthiest man available. Mulan had never enjoyed the idea of watching these girls and now that she was one she felt more naked than she ever had before.
Forming in the line with the other girls who had already left for presentation, Mulan grabbed the hem of her gown and ran to catch the others. Placing her gown on the ground and grabbing her umbrella flattering it out above her head. The others did not seem to notice Mulan's sudden appearance as she was sure they were focussing on the path ahead literally and metaphorically. However Mulan was distracted by the faces of the crowd and while she attempted to focus her sights forward she felt a sudden pull to look to the side.
Seeing passed all the face of men and women she saw one make walking on the outside toward the match makers home. From what she could see his face was distinguished and handsome. He wore his hair in a high ponytail out of his handsome green eyes. He did not look at her but she noticed him instantly as she knew he was not from these parts. His attire was not plan yet not was not over done in decoration or fabric. He walked tall with his larger shoulders back making him appear larger than she sure he was. He was a man of rank from what she could tell and while she was unsure if this was an act or the real thing she watched him until he disappeared inside.
Bowing down as the rest of them did Mulan was now officially a shadow in the darkness. The only thing that made her differ from the rest was how high she jumped at the appearance of the match maker.
"Fa Mulan!" She shouted with her voice thundering over the crowd.
"Here!" She shouted.
"Speaking without permission." The match maker said.
"Opps"
Following closely behind her, Mulan dare not turn her head to look at anyone. Focussing her sights on the darkness of the chamber ahead, the door behind her slammed shut and the chamber was suddenly a light. Before having a moment to grasp where she was, the match maker grasped her face turning her head right and left.
Examining her body as if she were a doll she said shaking her head and writing on her paper. "Too skinny, not good for baring sons."
"Well actually," Mulan said holding her hand up.
"Silence!" She shouted.
"Yes." Mulan said bowing her head.
"Resight the Final admiration." The match maker shouted from across the chamber.
"Fulfill your duties quietly and...respectfully. Reflect before you snack, I mean act. This will bring your family honour and glory." Mulan stated as she fanned herself quickly.
"Hmm, men don't want a woman that stutters." The match maker said as she circled her. "This way."
Leading Mulan to a table she sat her down and from across from her sat in the similar chair. "Now pour the tea. To please your future in laws you must demonstrate a sense of dignity and refinement."
Pouring the tea all of Mulan's energy was focussing on hitting that single cup. Her eyes narrow as if this was a matter of life and death.
"A woman must always do her task with little trouble and very little emotion on her face." The match maker stated firmly.
"I apologize." Mulan whispered.
"Again, the talking!" She shouted looking at her over her cup.
"Sorry," Mulan said cover her mouth in the moment.
Finishing her tea, the match maker slammed her cup upon the table sending a shiver up Mulan's spine. "You may go seat yourself in the chamber fourth door off the left. There you shall wait for me!"
Feeling the push of the match maker was not as tolerant as Mulan had hoped her to be. Walking passed a series of doors, Mulan finally sorted through the doors to come to the left door. The room was empty but for some pillows on the floor. Sitting herself on the most appealing one; Mulan waited and waited.
One after another girls piled into the chamber until there was everyone seen outside. As soon as the last one stepped in, they again waited for what seemed forever until the echoing footsteps of the heavy terror known as the match maker appeared. Towering over the girls she did not look at them as each one rose to their feet hoping she would not speak their name aloud. Looking at her list she clicked her quill against her flat notebook before directing her head in their direction like a falcon looking over the mice determining which one she will eat first.
"Fa Mulan!" She said looking directly at her through the girls. "You can go."
Hearing her name seemed almost like a relief for her and the other girls however as she pushed through the crowd she felt their stares. Looking forward Mulan saw her mother, grandmother and father all standing there all appearing to be dressed in their finest clothing. Stopping instantly in her tracks Mulan said. "Did I really do that badly?"
Shaking her head at her unorthodox daughter Fa Li took her daughter's hand and said. "Your father is to meet with a potentional suitor."
"Already?" Mulan said narrowing her eye and staring at her family. "She works fast."
"You will go home with her grandmother; we shall see you at home sweet." Her father said kissing her head as he pulled his wife's hands off Mulan's. "You have done your family a great honour."
"Thank you papa." Mulan said bowing her head in obedience. "But really,"
"Just go." Her father said giving her a push toward the door.
The warm summer breeze swept into the chamber as if it were a great fire sweeping throughout the land covering all that were in its path. Mulan felt the breeze as it swept her hair up and around her face leaving her neck naked and cold. Her entire body was shaking in excitement and worry as she stared at the gate waiting for her mother and father to reappear. It had already been what seemed hours since she last saw them and she could barely take the excitement. She prayed and hoped that this would be a good news bad news situation. While she did enjoy the idea of pleasing her family she worried about this suitor. She had no desire to marry this young and no desire to marry a complete stranger. Even thinking about that match maker made her shake in fear and as she saw the gate open she felt her heart jump into her throat.
Rushing to the door steps she swung open the door with a false smile painted on her face. Her parents were what appeared expressionless yet as they saw their daughter waiting for them their smile grew.
"What happened?" Mulan asked instantly.
"My sweet daughter," Fa Zhou said taking his daughter's face in his hands and kissing her forehead.
"What?" She said looking at her mother and then father with the smile still on her face. "Was I rejected?"
"My dear, you need to get your rest. For tomorrow we begin to plan for a summer wedding."