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 Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:48 pm
Tonight was the night that occurred once a month in the 'shop' in which Qiu Shui resided. On the night of the full moon each month, a party would be thrown where the Services of each worker were discounted, and even the commoners could afford the most well to do workers.
It were these nights that Qiu Shui enjoyed the best. His normal, elegant robes were changed into something more movable in, and he was given his Erhu to play. Using this, he played a number of songs that could be heard pretty far away. The music was a slow, tantalizing song that was supposed to bring in new customers~
However.. Tonight was rather slow.. And all he saw were the same men who came every full moon..
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:42 pm
While the night was just starting for some people, for the Zhu family; it was nearly over. The carriage rumbled over of the cobblestone ground, carrying the five people home. Song Tzue stared outside with a bored look on her strong face; only half listening to the somewhat strained mumble of conversation from her ‘mother’ and ‘grandmother’.
As she leant against the window wishing she were somewhere else more interesting, the dark night suddenly lit up. They passed by a brightly lit street, music drifting out from the houses. Men drifted back and forth; hurrying along on whatever special business had brought them here.
Song Tzue wanted a closer look. The streets plunged into darkness as they carried on towards home and the pine child nearly launched herself out of the moving carriage. “Stop! I’m getting out!” They came to an abrupt halt and Song Tzue jumped down, immediately taking off down the street.
MeiLin, flustered and worried for her daughter, was quick to follow; leaving her father spluttering and raging behind her.
It didn’t take long for Song Tzue to reach the pretty street and she grinned. She slowed her steps, looking curiously back and forth until the sound of music drew her towards one of the houses. Whatever this place was; it seemed to be open to the public. Without hesitation she stepped forward and slipped inside.
{{I have no idea what sort of transport they used back then XD wink )
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:54 pm
(Not a problem at all! XD)
As Qiu Shui Continued to play his erhu, he looked up to see a carriage in the distance. It wasn't too often people arrived at the shop in such transportation, for it garnered far too much attention for the wealthy who wished to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, yet still maintain their high profiles.
After inviting the remaining stragglers, he watched as a girl tried to enter the shop as well.
Now it was time to freak.
"M-ma'am!! You can't go in there!!!" He stepped in front of her, catching her before she got deeper into the shop.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:18 pm
Song Tzue was just about to cross the threshold when a body placed itself between her and her destination. She frowned, coming to a halt and looking down at the child that had stopped her.
“Why not?” She demanded; plenty of others had just stepped through the doors. The music and lights were so lovely; she wanted to take a look and find out what this interesting place was.
The girl went to sidestep the boy, intent on getting in no matter what.
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 9:58 pm
Oh no.. A hard headed person... And a GIRL none-the-less! How was he going to explain this without.. Uh.. Saying something too revealing?
"Ma'am.. This is a shop only for grown-men.." Technically, that wasn't true, It was for any adult that had enough money, but she didn't need to know that.
"I can't allow you to come in, lest I get into trouble! Um.. Can I offer you one of my fresh treats instead?" He waved his hidden hand to a plate of sweet breads that were baked as advertisement. If you entered the shop, you could have as many as you wanted, but.. He supposed that if it kept the girl out of the shop, he wouldn't mind giving her all of them!
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:39 am
"Only for grown men?" Song Tzue repeated. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked very much like she would knock him over if he didn't get out of her way, that was until he mentioned that he might get in trouble. As bullheaded as she was, Song Tzue did stop for one second to think on that one.
"I'll take one of the sweets." Her brown eyes glanced beyond him, trying to see inside the building. "And I won't go in, only if you tell me exactly what's in there." The other child was acting furtive and clearly wanted her as far away from here as possible; Song Tzue needed to know what sort of place this was if she was going to behave.
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:35 am
Eh.... This girl was a tough one.. But he wouldn't let her in no matter what!
After handing her one of the pastries, he thought a moment, about how to tell he what was in there and still be as exact as possible, while maintaining a sense of anonymity.
"Um... Well.. What is in there is where men, and older women as well, can go and get.. Taken care of. Like.. Nurtured in a way that only they can experience. But I don't know too much about it.. I'm only a servant, and even I am not allowed in the working areas at night. So please, ma'am, leave the shop.. I don't want to get in to trouble.."
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:17 pm
Taking one of the pastries, Song Tzue took a bite out of it as she listened to the halted explanation. She didn’t get at all what he was talking about; it didn’t make much sense, expect maybe it was sort of like a day spa... except at night and only for certain people.
She swallowed and frowned at him. “So, you’re telling me that even though you work here you’re not sure what they do? Well...” Song Tzue gave him a devious smile. “I think we should both find out. Don’t worry, I won’t get you in trouble... and the sweets are nice by the way.”
She glanced past him, pondering how she was going to get in without him complaining or causing a fuss. Luckily for Qui Shui, at that moment a rather frantic Mei Lin came hurtling down the street looking for her adopted daughter.
Spotting the Lotus child she hurried over, a blush on her pale features. “Song Tzue... you shouldn’t have run off like that. I was worried about you. We really should go home now.” Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, she gave the lovely boy in the doorway a smile.
Song Tzue reached out to grab another of boy’s pastries. “No, I want to go inside and find out what’s in there.”
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:18 pm
"N-no.. Ma'am.. We can't go in there! I'd get into all sorts of trouble if you did... " It seemed like there wasn't much he could do to stop the child.. She seemed determined, and didn't look like she believed a word he said. That frightened him.. It frightened him way more than it should have, but he couldn't help it! If she went in, the madame would blame him, and all hell would break loose.
When the Child's mother came, Qiu Shui could have cried tears of joy, a weight lifted off of his shoulders.
"Ma'am.. I'm so sorry.. But she cannot come in... Can... Um.. Can you please take her away..? I really tried to convince her, but she wouldn't listen.. You know what this place is.. Right? So you know why she isn't allowed in!"
At least, he hoped she understood. If she was too much like her daughter, there wouldn't be anything he could do.. That would result in him being beaten quite severely for failing at his task..
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:45 pm
MeiLin looked at the young boy’s stricken face and put a hand on her daughter’s shoulders, shaking her head firmly at the girl. “We will not be going in there today.” She knew full well what this place was; no doubt her father would tear them both apart later for coming down here and possibly disgracing his family name. Woman of the Zhu family in the red light district? No, that couldn’t be allowed!
Song Tzue frowned and opened her mouth to protest, but after a moment she seemed to give in. “Oh alright. But you will tell me what this place is right?” The Lotus child could tell her mother was uncomfortable about where they were and wanted to leave as soon as possible. However, just because she had agreed not to go inside, didn’t mean she still wasn’t going to press for answers to her questions.
“This is a place where...” MeiLin faltered with a blush. “... I’ll explain later. Now please dear, can we be on our way?” She turned to Qui Shui, nodding her head to him politely. “I do apologise if she has caused you any trouble. Please don’t worry; you won’t get in trouble.” Giving him a kind smile she attempted to lead Song Tzue back away from the building.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:29 pm
"It's okay... I just don't understand why she can't see that she's not allowed in here... Even though I've told her over and over that I would get into trouble..." It pained him to think that even at his age, still being just a child, there were such selfish, inconsiderate people. It seemed that all the girls he met in his age group simply were the same..
Perhaps he was being biased, being raised among mainly women, seeing how mean they could be, how cutthroat.. He automatically disliked the girls who came off stubborn. It didn't mean that he thought girls shouldn't have strength, it was just.. They seemed so unpleasant to be around.
"Thank you for stopping her.." he bowed down low, hiding a hurt look that had landed on his delicate features from his thoughts.
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:08 pm
Song Tzue resisted being pulled away; digging her heels in. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Look. I’m not trying to get you in trouble, I just... I want to understand all the things in this world that I don’t know about.” The Pine child had developed an insatiable curiosity and an odd arrogance that her mother could not pinpoint the origins of.
MeiLin stood beside her daughter looking awkward, trying to ignore the passing looks of men as walked by. As she watched the two children, it suddenly occurred to her where this boy (and to be honest that gender had taken her a second or so to work out) was working. “Are you... okay, here dear?” She waved her hand at the building, hoping he understood what she was talking about. “It’s probably terrible of me to impose on your life, but if you ever need a place to stay, please come to me.”
Song Tzue frowned. “You saying that makes this sound like a terrible place to be.” She sighed in annoyance. “I guess I’ll stop being difficult then. I’m just in a bad mood because I had to have dinner with my grandfather.” She took MeiLn’s hand, curling her fingers through her mothers. “What’s your name? One last question before I leave okay.”
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:00 pm
"Life here isn't the best.. And If I ran away, It would only make things worse... But I'm not frightened.. I have a strong dragon who's coming to save me.. Someday..." His eyes turned down, making barely a whispering sound. But there was a small smile on his lips when he spoke of the dragon, seeming as if he truly believed it would happen, that he would be rescued from such a sad existence.
If only Song Tzue knew.. Maybe then she wouldn't be so brash, but he wouldn't ruin her childhood, just because his own was so miserable.
"Ah, my name.. It's Qiu Shui. What is your name? And what is your name too, Ma'am?" He looked up at the older woman, a sweet, charming smile danced upon his smooth features. He really was a beautiful sight, shame his fate was so unfortunate.
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:25 pm
MeiLin’s heart went out to the young boy. She had been so lucky with her own birth, born into a wealthy and mostly loving family. Then when she had been given Song Tzue; she had dedicated herself to the lotus, wanting to be the geartest mother she could be. However just because she found Qui Shui’s circumstances sad, she knew she could not interfere in his life. “Then I will pray to the gods that your dragon will soon arrive.” Was all she could offer; giving the boy a sad smile.
Song Tzue listened; her heart troubled. Why would anyone remain somewhere they weren’t happy? It didn’t make sense. Why wait for somebody to save you when you could save yourself? “I am Song Tzue. You’re like me. I can feel it. But you don’t feel the same as the others; I’ve never met you before.” The words were cryptic but they made perfect sense to her.
The young woman puzzled over her daughters statement for a moment. “I am MeiLin. It’s a pleasure to meet you Qui Shui. We should probably move aside a little, I think there are people wanting to… go inside.” She shuffled to the side of the door, tugging Song Tzue with her, as a man approached the building.
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Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:34 pm
"Thank you ma'am.. I'm sure the gods will answer your prayers, especially since it's one that is shared." He honestly meant it, his eyes turned up at the sky for a moment, imagining some god out there listening. One day... One day the gods would see that he was deserving of happiness... When that day comes, he did not know.
As for Song Tzue, he let out something akin to a giggle, shaking his head. "I sense a bond between us as well, but... As for meeting before, I am not sure that I have found someone I have known since before I was born into this world. Perhaps... In a Past life I was alone."
More and more men began to pour in from the fields, and each time they passed, Qiu Shui Bowed low, whispering words of welcome.
"It seems that we have reached our peak hours.. perhaps.. perhaps it would be best to leave.."
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