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 Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:13 pm
The air was crisp and the sky stretched out as a flawless blue. Everyone was still rugged up and a fresh layer of snow had fallen that morning, but everyone could sense that the darkest nights were over. The seasons were turning again and spring was on its way. Today was the first day the Pine child had gone out into the world and like a new mother MeiLin fluttered around Song Tzue, a mother hen patting at the child’s hair and asking every few seconds if she was okay.
Song Tzue wasn’t entire sure what being ‘okay’ was like. But she assumed it was something you were supposed to be and thus answered ‘yes’ every time. Truthfully she was okay, except for wishing that she had a little less clothes on. MeiLin had dressed up her ‘darling’ so thoroughly for the chilly weather that the pine child could have survived a day in the arctic.
Ce seemed to find Song Tzue’s current state of waddling down the street absolutely hilarious and kept pelting the other child with snowballs whenever MeiLin looked away. Considering that wasn’t very often, Ce didn’t get many shots in.
They were visiting the daily market and Song Tzue was scanning the various stalls, having been promised ‘whatever she wanted’ by her indulgent ‘mother’. Ce had of course demanded something as well and he was intent on making sure whatever he got from his sister was much better than Song Tzue’s item.
“Do you see anything you like?” MeiLin asked cheerfully, smiling at the stall owner. They had stopped in front of a small stall full of lucky pendants and items.
“Not really.” Song Tzue answered after a moment. “It’s all quite ugly.” She ignored the way the man’s face turned a rather deep shade of red and MeiLin’s stuttered apologies, moving on to the next stall. Tact wasn’t something the young lotus had discovered yet. Nor was she likely. If something was ugly, she didn’t see any reason not to call it ugly.
They moved on and she gave the softest of sighs as she scuffed at the snow with her shoe. Sometimes looking at it made her feel... sad.
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:03 pm
Jing Lin had set up a small space to sell a few pieces to help cover the costs that came along with feeding and clothing a small child. He'd spread a blanket at the edge of the market place before settling down on it. He didn't want to be in to close with the others to allow for both himself and for them given the rumors that were always swirling about him.
The man withdrew a set of small pouches from the pocket within his robes then set to laying out small jade carvings that he'd done recently. There were various small animals, a couple flowers including the lotus blossom created from a piece of white jade, and a necklace done of polish spheres. When everything was laid out he settled to sitting comfortably, arms crossed, and head bowed as he listened to those who were moving around nearby. He was keeping his ears open for one set of steps in particular as they were quite... easy to pick out from the others. The steps of his new child Xiang Bai Mei were ones that were very distinct. The boy was lacking in any sort of grace and seemed to trip over his own feet as often as a toddler might.
Jing Lin opened his eyes as he heard a thud and an 'omph' sound and glanced over to look at the boy with the white hair as he shifted how he landed so he could brush himself off. A smile touched his lips when the boy regained his feet and didn't say a word, if he were to hover around him and smother him the boy would never learn. Besides he seemed to bounce back from his falls easily enough, he may look delicate but he was made of tougher stuff. It was a good thing, he would need to be tough if he were going to live with someone like Jing Lin.
Bai Mei gave a little smile and chuckle as he pushed to his feet, brushing off the snow and then walked over toward his father. He gave him a smile as he leaned into his back, wrapping his arms around him, and nuzzled against his father's dark hair in a manner that caused the man to sigh happily. It had been far to long since he'd had someone around who truly loved him without any agdena, he was to innocent for such things, "Your doing a little better on your feet, Bai Mei... though your not exactly on the dancer's path."
The boy giggled and shook his head, "No, no not really." He agreed, not really minding, he would rather stay with his father then go off and train to be a dancer any time soon.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:50 pm
Song Tzue moved along the stalls seeing nothing she liked at all. Everything seemed to be lacking in... something. After a while of thinking she put a word to that something. Heart. That was it. In every piece of art or work she had seen Mei Lin make it was as is she had put her entire heart into it. Nothing here had that and she terribly disappointed.
It was only when she had nearly given up that she did see something that she wanted.
She came to an abrupt halt in front of Jing Lin and Bai Mei’s stall. The pine child narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side, one hand absently reaching up to tug on the long ponytail that had slipped across her shoulder. Song Tzue was less inclined to care about the items; instead she was watching Bai Mei.
MeiLin came up beside her, smiling politely to Jing Lin as she spoke to her daughter. “Do you see anything you like Song Tzue?”
Song Tzue gave a curt nod of her head, pointed directly at Bai Mei and said very clearly. “Him.”
“Oh no!” MeiLin blinked in surprise. The child certainly was adorable and while she wouldn’t have minded taking another one home to keep Song Tzue company, you couldn’t go around buying them off people. That thought actually made her giggle and MeiLin leant slightly to kiss Song’s cheek affectionately. “You can’t buy people sweetheart.”
Ce came up beside them and tugged on MeiLin’s top. “See, she’s stupid.”
The young woman shook her head at her brother and gave a soft sigh. “No she isn’t. Don’t say things like that.” The lotus child was MeiLin’s most treasured gift and her little brothers dislike of Song Tzue always hurt, not that it seemed to bother the pine. “What about that little jade lotus instead Song Tzue? It’s very pretty.”
Song Tzue looked between the lotus and Bai Mei. “No thankyou.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:28 pm
Bai Mei jerked his head up and starred up at the girl that had pointed at him, his golden eyes going a bit wide as he realized what it was that she had said. She wanted... him? His grasp on his father tightened a little and he relaxed when the man lifted a hand to pat it against his hand in a gentle fashion.
"I am sorry to say that Bai Mei isn't among the things for sale today." He murmured, giving a smile as he moved a hand over his ware in a presenting manner, "Anything you see here or I can take an order if you wish for something specific." He told the pair in front of him as he opened his eyes a little bit wider then normal to get a better look at them. They were a lovely pair and he was pleased to have them at his stall, anyone that was brave enough to approach despite the whispers about his family made him a happy man.
The girl though, she didn't seem as interested in having a jade piece as she did having his son. A shame, he didn't sense a sale coming from the the girl but perhaps there would be more luck with the mother? He reached into the sleeve of his robes to withdraw his glasses, putting them on so that he could open his eyes further then his normal 'fox eyed' squint, "All of my work is done with these two hands." He said, holding them up for a moment before they were tucked back into his robes, "And what I have here are small pieces, the larger ones I keep back home where they are safer."
Bai Mei listened to his father as he tried to make a sale, feeling the rumble of his rumbles through him and then turned his attention once more to the one that was called 'Song Tzue' before he gave her a smile and a little wave of greeting.
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:21 pm
Song Tzue considered Jing Lin's words for a moment and then gave a curt nod. “Very well.” She knelt down and began inspecting each item that was for sale. She eventually picked up the necklace, letting it run across her long, limber fingers.
MeiLin gave the stall owner a bright smile. She had never heard a rumour the man or his family, though even if she had, she was not the type of person inclined to listen to such talk. The nineteen year old clasped her hands in front of her, giving one glance to her brother who had wandered off a little after having his telling off.
“It's a pleasure to meet you. Your work really is amazing. I think... yes, I would very much like to buy a few of your larger pieces one day.” They would make perfect gifts and there was a spot at home she had wanted to fill up with something nice. “Oh, my name is Zhu MeiLin. This is my daughter Song Tzue... and Zhu Ce is my brother... Ce, come and say hello.” Ce only gave her a moody glare.
The pine girl looked up at Bai Mei as he smiled and waved. She gave him a small smirk in return, hand still wrapped around the necklace. It was odd, and yet she felt like in some small way she knew him. He was comforting. With a frown her gaze dropped down and she took some time tostudy the white jade lotus.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:20 pm
Jing Lin seemed to be quite pleased with the change of heart, watching as the girl returned to inspecting his wares and it would appear as though she were liking the lotus necklace. He glanced back at Bai Mei for a moment then smiled, "I will tell you a secret, my son was the inspiration for this piece." He said.
Bai Mei seemed to almost be glowing in happiness to hear such a thing while his eyes remained locked on the girl. She seemed to be smirking over something though what it was he wasn't sure. He tilted his head to one side, watching her closely. It was an odd thought but... something about his girl seemed kind of... familiar. Had he seen her before in the crowd on one of their rare outings? The boy chewed likely on his lower lip as he tried to figure it out but was at a bit of a loss. Before today they hadn't gone anywhere that was really crowded with people, his father seemed to be uncomfortable around them so they were mostly a solo pair which meant that he couldn't have seen her that way.
How they had met was a curious thought. The boy finally blinked, breaking the spell that had kept him gazing at her and he dropped his gaze to the lotus she held in her hand, "Are you getting that one?" He asked of her, he wasn't sure why but her having that piece of jewelry somehow felt... important to him, he really wanted to see her with it, see her wearing it. It excited him a little as it felt like it would make them closer somehow.
Jing gave a chuckle, "A little salesman already." He murmured to his son, lifting a hand to ruffle his hair, causing parts of it to stick up in all directions. Bai Mei made a little face before he lifted his hands up to straighten it out a little.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:45 pm
MeiLin smiled. “How lovely.” She turned to Bai Mei to compliment him on what an adorable child he was when there was a tug at her arm from Ce. “Excuse me a moment.” She managed to say before she was dragged off three stalls down where Ce had apparently found something he liked, though from MeiLin’s face it was clear she was more inclined to buy a necklace rather than a sword.
Song Tzue nodded at Bai Mei’s words; clutching at the necklace as if there was no way she would let it go now. The smirk had dropped away and for a second she seemed almost uncertain as she watched Bai Mei’s face from under lowered lashes, trying to muddle through the feelings of having known him. Not only did she know him, but she knew he was special. Like an old friend that you had almost forgotten but still missed.
“Are you sure I can’t have him?” Song Tzue asked Jing, her expression deadly serious. “I did know him first after all.” It was impossible for her words to be true; after all, she had never stepped from MeiLin’s house since this day, but she said them firmly with no room for argument. “But if you say no, I will just get this...” She motioned to the necklace, which had been placed in her lap.
“And I would like to organise an outing. It is very important.”
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:34 pm
Jing Lin watched the woman as she was led off by the boy with her to another booth before he turned his eyes back to Song Tzue once again. He watched the way that she clung tightly to the lotus necklace now. It seemed that she had decided, "I am sorry but you will need to settle for the necklace, I could never sell my dear, Bai Mei." He told the girl, giving her a gentle smile. At least she would get a consolation prize he thought to himself with a bit of a smile.
He lifted an eyebrow when she said that an outing with Bai Mei was very important and he found himself that much more curious about this girl. That she wished an outing with his son and even more importantly that she had said she knew him first... surely this girl couldn't have been born from one of those flowers too? It would make sense why she thought they knew each other first, perhaps they had grown in the same garden before that young man had picked them and given them out? It wasn't something he would ask about openly though, bad enough people thought he was a fox... he wasn't going to advertise that his son had been born from a flower else they would end up more ostracized then they were already.
"Let me speak with your Mother and perhaps we can see about organizing this important outing of yours." He said finally, looking over his shoulder, "So long as you are alright with it, Bai Mei?"
The boy gave a nod of his head, "Yes, I would like that." He murmured, he really did find himself wanting to spend more time with the interesting girl so her proposed outing would be enjoyable.
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:35 pm
It was a shame, Song Tzue thought, that she couldn’t take Bai Mei home. But at least she could spend some time with him. She had the strongest and strangest urge to take the pretty boy in her arms and hold him, protect him from the world. But that wasn’t her job; it was Jing Lin’s task to keep Bai Mei safe. At least with his refusal, she knew he took that task seriously. “I understand. The necklace is satisfactory.” She finally gave a small smile and then turned her gaze to where MeiLin was standing, as if willing her back.
When MeiLin returned she looked slightly frazzled but Ce had the sword he had wanted. Though he looked quite grumpy over the fact that his sister would not let him remove it from its wrappings and let him wave it around. “Have you chosen yet dear?” She asked and then took the necklace carefully from Song Tzue hands when child nodded.
Brushing long dark green hair out of the way, MeiLin put the necklace around the child’s neck and admired her with a loving look in her eyes. “It looks beautiful. We’ll take this one then.” She took a little pouch from her clothes, a few coins spilling out onto her palm.
“I would also like to go on an outing with Bai Mei.” Song Tzue informed her ‘mother’ firmly.
MeiLin looked utterly delighted. “Oh, a playdate! Of course, that would be so wonderful. We can go somewhere nice and all have lunch and maybe we can go for a walk outside of the town.” She smiled at Jing Lin, cheeks rosy. “Will that be alright do you think? I think we could all have a really nice time. Oh, and how much is the necklace?” After a moment of thought she leant over a scooped up one of the jade carvings. “I’d like to take this one as well please.”
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:57 am
Jing Lin looked between the two items that had been picked out, debated upon it internally for a moment, decided on a price, and then stated a slightly cheaper one to MeiLin. He was pleased with the fact that these people seemed to hold no stock in the fox rumors and on top of that the little girl wanting to be friends with Bai Mei had pleased him greatly. As such he'd been willing to give a discount from what he would normally charge people for his work.
"I think this sale is enough for one day and Bai Mei seems eager to be able to play with your Song Tzue so I think I will pick up shop for the moment." He said, setting to work tucking the unsold pieces away into their separate little bags which in turn were tucked away into the hidden pockets on the inside of his robes. The man rose to his feet, with Bai Mei hanging off his back for a moment before sliding down him and onto his feet, before he picked up the blanket he was kneeling on and set to folding it up.
The white haired child leaned against his father for a moment before he took a few steps to the side to give him the space he needed to fold up the blanket and his attention turned back to the girl with the pretty green hair, smiling at her. This was exciting, he wasn't sure why but his heart seemed to be racing a bit in his chest over getting to go out and play with her. He was sure that it was something above and beyond just meeting someone new, someone nice. There was something else there but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:46 pm
MeiLin counted out the correct amount, slipping in a few extra because Jing Lin and he son were so charming (unwittingly setting the price back to normal) and handed it over. Tucking the jade piece and the rest of her money back into the folds of her dress, she gave a polite, happy nod of her head. “It’s very kind of you to leave your stall so early on; I’m so glad that Song Tzue has found somebody to play with.”
She stood by and watched with her hands clasped in front of her as they began to pack up their things. “Do you need any help?” She inquired but he seemed so efficient folding up that blanket that she figured he could handle it all himself and simply stepped back to keep out of the way.
Song Tzue stood up a little stiffly, lifting her hand to run a finger along the necklace. She was quietly delighted, a pink blush on her cheeks. Since her ‘birth’ she had felt strangely directionless and lost, but now everything was fitting into place. When Bai Mei came to stand beside her she wordlessly offered him her hand, quite certain he would take it. Today for the first time she had found a friend, somebody she knew was very important in her life, even if she didn’t quite know why.
The girl grinned. “Let’s have fun today.”
Ce watched them with a jealous frown and then turned abruptly. “I’m going home.” He announced. Before MeiLin had a chance to respond he trotted off into the market ground, wrapped sword tucked under his arm. MeiLin sighed.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:39 pm
Jing Lin shook the coins in his hand for a moment before he slipped them away into his robes for safe keeping, "I don't particularly mind if its for good reason." He murmured, resting the blanket he'd folded up over his shoulder before he turned his attention to the woman, "Thank you but no, I have it under control. Your kindness is appreciated but what sort of person would I made my beloved customers do my work for me?" It was nice to run into people such as this one from time to time and Jing Lin felt no desire to risk messing it up for himself and especially for his son who was finally able to meet someone outside of the family. His eyes went to Bai Mei and he seemed to be watching with help as he approached his new friend before giving a bit of a smile when he seemed to be doing well by making friends with Song Tzue. That she even went as far as to offer her arm to him made him feel quite excited for his young son.
"It appears that we are all ready to go." Jing Lin said, looking over at the woman that was standing near to him, giving her a soft smile.
The white haired boy looked at the arm that was offered to him with wide eyes before he slid his own arms around it, giving a happy smile, and snuggled closer to the strong girl. He was a friendly child but more so now with Song Tzue, he wasn't exactly sure why he just felt comfortable around the girl with deep the green hair. She smelled nice as well he realized as he stood so near to her, the scent reminded him of fresh pine, something he found to be quite pleasant, "It will be fun to play with you, Song Tzue." He told her, his golden eyes shining in a delighted manner.
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:49 pm
MeiLin giggled softly. “Perhaps. But what sort of person would I be if I had not at least asked?” Her gaze followed his to where the children stood and then look that she gave them was filled with love. “Sometimes Song Tzue seems to far away and I was worried about her.” A light blush spread across her features. “I really want her to be so very happy; she’s such a wonderful gift.” Ever since Lien Si had given her that lotus that day she had devoted herself to caring for it and like a real other she was prone to worrying.
Song Tzue was showing far more emotion than she had during the week she had been out of her lotus. Bai Mei seemed to have woken something playful inside and she tugged him even closer in beside her, giving him a look that was almost triumphant. “It will be fun to play with you too Bai Mei. Let’s go.” She started to walk, letting the adults following along behind them.
“Ah yes, it looks like we are ready to go.” MeiLin chuckled behind her sleeve and moved to follow. “There’s a nice noodle stall nearby where we can have lunch later, if Song Tzue doesn’t lead us somewhere else that is, and maybe we can go for a walk down by the lotus pavilion.” The young woman had never ventured to the mysterious tourist drawcard and had always wondered about what it was like. It would be a nice experience.
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:35 pm
Jing Lin gave a slight bow of his head before he turned to look toward where the two kids were, already walking ahead of MeiLin and himself. He watched them for a moment then glanced over at his companion, "Your right, we should get moving before they leave us behind." He murmured, chuckling a bit as they started forward so as to keep up with Bai Mei and Song Tzue who were eagerly moving forth on their adventure on their own. It wasn't something that he wanted to allow, not quite trusting some of the villagers to leave his son alone were they to find him alone aside from a little girl.
Bai Mei looked around as they walked, his yellow eyes wide with excitement. He looked over at his friend, smiling at her, "Where are we going to head next?" He asked of Song Tzue, "I don't go out much with my Dad." The man worked a lot and worried even more from the looks of him when he didn't think that Jing Lin was looking. As to what it was that was bothering the man or why he didn't seem to like to go out unless they were setting up shop he had no idea... He shrugged it off and his attention went back to Song Tzue since at the moment she was the most important thing on his mind.
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:44 pm
MeiLin fell into a comfortable silence as they moved up behind the two children, making sure they never got too far ahead. As this was their first visit outdoors, the idea of letting Song Tzue actually get out of her sight filled her with a cold chill. She didn’t want her little darling to get lost and her motherly instincts were certainly on alert.
Though in truth Song Tzue was hardly a wilting flower; no, the child might be a week old but that didn’t mean she couldn’t take care of herself. If anyone dared approach Bai Mei with anything ess then utter kindness and respect while she was there, they would quickly learn upsetting with the pine girl was a painful experience.
Song Tzue tilted her head towards Bai Mei, her own sharp gaze scanning the area. “I’ve never been out before this either.” She admitted. “So we’ll just have to go everywhere.” Peering back over her shoulder at their guardians, she slowed the pace slightly. “... are you hungry? MeiLin is hungry.”
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