|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:16 am
Bai Mei gave a smile and a nod, "Of course! My Father seems to like you a lot, I think its because your my friend. I only have a small handful of them because people believe all the silly rumors about my Father." He explained to her before he looked down into his cup, sighing as he starred for a moment at his reflection. He didn't think that he looked that different from other people, sure he had the strange lotus marking on his neck but aside from that he was like everyone else! Except due to the circumstance of his birth and because of the rumors about his father he was treated like an outcast.
"That you want to come over to visit... it will make him very happy I think." He said, lifting his cup up to take a sip from it, "I know that he worries, its hard to read him sometimes but I have gotten good at it. He worries a lot about me but I think that is because he is scared that he will lose me like he did his wife." He wished that he knew more about her but her room, her things, they were all locked away where Bai Mei couldn't get to him and talking about her seemed to only cause his father pain. He gave a quick shake of his head to clear the melancholy atmosphere, "Ahhh! Anyway, I think that he would like for you to come visit and a break will be good for him, he spends far to much time working to make others happy."
It was why Bai Mei was taking up cooking, learning to do chores around the house, he wanted to aid his Father in anyway possible that would make his life more easy. If he could take even a bit of the stress away that Jin Ling felt then Bai Mei would be happy.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:13 am
The girl put down her teacup and looked away with a frown at the mention of those 'rumors'. That was not something Song Tzue could even begin to understand. In fact, she wouldn't even have noticed other people has a reaction to her friend and his father that wasn't quite normal if Ce hadn't brought it up in his own callous, nasty way and Song Tzue had given him a good smack for it. But it had made her think. Now that she had finally noticed, it was not something she liked at all.
"You don't need that many friends." She told Bai Mai rather haughtily as she picked up her tea again. "You only need a few good ones... and me of course. We don't need the rest of them." Them being anybody who was stupid enough to believe and ostracize somebody over rumors.
Song Tzue listened as her fellow lotus spoke of his father; slightly jealous of the love and worry he had for the man. "I'm glad that... he likes me." She said at last. "I'm sure I can get him to stop working for a bit." She gave Bai Mei a smile and sipped her tea, gaze lowering to the table as she thought. "I'm sorry he lost his wife. Losing somebody must be... hard." Song Tzue had the vague notion that she had felt that emotion before, even if nobody in her present life had departed. It was like a chill down her spine.
"But he won't lose you. I'll make sure of that." She'd give up her hold on this world before she let that happen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:24 am
Bai Mei starred at Song Tzue for a moment before he gave a smile, "Your probably right, no reason why I should spend my time worrying about them." He murmured, why should he after all? If they didn't want to be friends with him just because of the rumors about his father then that was their own business. He loved his Father dearly and his loyalty was to the man that was raising him, "Yeah, I don't need them when I already have such nice friends." He'd met quite a few nice people after all. Sure in comparison to how many people didn't like his family they were very few but he didn't mind, better to have a small handful of good friends then have everyone pretend to be his friends.
"I think that losing her was hard on him but he doesn't share any of that information with me. I think that it must be hard though. I can't even imagine what it might be like to lose someone that dear to you." He murmured, gazing into his cup for a moment before he looked over at his friend when he declared that she would make sure that Jing Lin wouldn't lose Bai Mei, "That is very kind of you." He wasn't sure why but he was really happy to hear those words from her, something inside of him a little afraid for some strange reason of losing her. A silly thought since she was his closest friend and the one that he spent the most time with.
He took the last sip of his tea, setting it down on the table, "We will be sure to stay near to each other and protect each other." This time for sure he thought to himself though it was a momentary thought that was gone as soon as it appeared in his mind. He gave a smile, "What do we want to do now?" He asked now that his tea was gone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:41 am
"Don't pay them even a seconds thought." She advised. "They don't deserve it." Song Tzue finished off her tea and placed the cup carefully down on the table, her finger tracing the pattern on its side. "I know people say things about me sometimes. I don't act like a girl is supposed to." She shrugged. "But I'll act whatever way I want to."
That unsettling feeling of loss was still there and she mentally attempted to brush it away. "Yeah well. You're really important Bai Mei so I'll always look out for you." Song Tzue gave him a warm, almost shy smile. "We'll protect each other always and forever. I promise." The worrying feelings were replaced by a happy warmth; glad to know her friend felt the same way.
It took her some time to realize what he was referring to; her thoughts had drifted off. "Now? Oh!" Song Tzue stood quickly, holding out a hand to Bai Mei. "Come on, I want to show you around. We'll see the gardens and my rooms and the kitchen and everything else." Her gaze flickered to the egg. "Will you keep it with you? Maybe we can out it in my room while we play... so it doesn't get hurt."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 12:49 am
The boy flushed a little bit when she told him that he was really important to her, that she would always look out for him, something that brought a smile to his face, "I know you will, Song Tzue, I trust you." She would always be at his side, it was something that sounded quite nice to him. The idea of being able to look to the side to find her there at his side was something that he was made quite happy by.
He watched as his friend pushed up to her feet and he instantly took her hand, pulling himself up to his feet, noticing that he was a little smaller then she was height wise despite being a boy... or at least calling himself a boy. He gave her a smile, not letting go of her as he turned to look over at where the egg was sitting, "I would like to put it somewhere warm and safe so yes, lets go and look at your room first." He said, picking it up so that he could hug it to his chest before his attention went to his friend, ready to go, "Alright, lead the way! I can't wait to see everything." A tour of his house would be a quite one so he was quite eager to see her home since it looked far more grand then his own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:23 pm
When Bai Mei kept his hand in hers, she gave a delighted smile. She certainly always liked to grab a hold of him when she got the chance, the contact being oddly reassuring. She held on as he retrieved the egg. “Don’t worry. It will be safe in my room. We can make it nice and snug.” The only person she knew that might harm the egg would be Ce, but he wasn’t here and he knew better than to venture into her room without permission. Song Tzue wasn’t afraid to punish her young ‘uncle’ with violence if he got in her way too much.
Song Tzue led her friend out of the room and down the long hallway, taking a few twists and turns until they were at the back of the building. “Here we are.” She said with a hint of pride as she opened the door, tugging Bai Mei gently in and bumping the door closed behind them with her hip. “Alright...” Letting go of the boy’s hand she moved across the medium sized room to and opened the cupboard door, beginning to pull out all the spare bedcovers and blankets.
Her room had a certain austerity to it. The colouring was mostly white with green splashed her and there in the form of ornaments or pictures. One long picture dominated one wall; a winter mountainscape with pines stretching up towards the sky. A little table beside the bed held the various items Song Tzue had collected and now cherished. The room led directly into the garden, but the sliding door was firmly closed to keep out the cold.
Song Tzue carried the blankets over to one corner for the room and began to arrange them into a vague sort of nest shape. It was a little overdone perhaps but the egg would certainly stay safe in that pile. “Okay, put it in and we’ll wrap the last couple of blankets around and over the top.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:41 am
Bai Mei held happily onto his friend, looking from side to side, as they walked along. He found himself getting quite dizzy and very much lost as they went given how big the place was, "Your home... its quite a lot bigger then where I live." He said, not really minding that his place was smaller since it was so comfortable but was merely comment as he realized something, "I don't think I could find my way back to where we had tea very easily." He was in fact quite lost. Lucky that he had Song Tzue with him.
He gave a smile as they stepped through a door, looking around the room that they entered before giving a smile, "Its really nice." He said, taking it all in, rather liking the colors that were picked out fo the room before he paused, looking at the large picture on the wall. He tilted his head to one side as he studied it before giving a smile, "Its quite pretty." He said, though a little lonely, the way that the pines seemed to be all alone in the snow... Turning to look over to his friend he saw the way that she was building a nice, warm nest of blankets and he abandoned the picture he was starring at to join her, "That looks lice a nice place to let it rest and wait for us."
He set the bag down and then lifted the egg out of it along with the cloth it was already wrapped it, placing it in the makeshift nest that Song Tzue had built for it. Leaning over he listened for a moment to the sounds of the egg before he withdrew from it. Nothing yet but he could tell whatever was inside was developing just from the changes in the feel of the item since he'd gotten it, "There we go, nice and safe."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:54 pm
Song Tzue was pleased by Bai Mei’s reaction. This room was her sanctuary and she was glad he liked it. Her gaze drifted to the picture of the mountain pines. The first time she had seen it, had been in a miniature form at the market. After some persuading, the artist had agreed to pain a larger version to go into her room. To her the pines weathering out the lonely winter, was a sign of proud determination. Nothing would fell them; not even the harshest weather Mother Nature could produce.
She waited for the egg to be placed into its new nest and gently placed another blanket over the top of it. “Don’t worry. It will be safe here. Now we can go play.” Song Tzue waited for Bai Mei to say goodbye to his egg before moving over to the outside door. She slid it open and stepped outside into the cold day. “The garden has more flowers in the spring, but I like it like this too.”
She intended to take him through the garden and around the house to the kitchen, showing off the ponds and plants along the way. Song Tzue snapped the door firmly shut once Bai Mei had joined her. Spindly tree branches reached for the sky and a thin layer of snow covered the bare garden. Only a few evergreen plants and a patch of bamboo coloured the austere landscape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:39 pm
Bai Mei looked his egg over for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to Song Tzue, giving her a smile, "Thank you." He said, rather glad to see that the egg would be nice and safe as well as warm right where it was in the nest that his wonderful friend had made for it.
The door to the garden was slid open which caused a cold breeze to blow passed them which made him fix his clothing, wrapping his thick, outer robe more tightly around himself before he stepped outside. He looked from side to side, taking in the garden as Song Tzue closed the door. He gave a bit of a smile, "It must be amazing when in bloom." He said, he could only imagine how beautiful it would be when the place was in full bloom, flowers everywhere, completely with all the animals that the flowers drew. He smiled before looking over at Song Tzue, "Can I come by in the spring to see?" He asked in a curious and shy manner.
He stepped forward to look at some of the tougher plants that were growing still despite the cold and he could only be impressed by it, such strong plants he thought to himself before his attention went back to his friend. He moved over closer to her where he would be able to stay near to her as well as share warmth with her while they moved along.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:32 pm
“Of course you can.” Song Tzue bumped her shoulder lightly, as if playfully admonishing him for even having to ask. This was her home and he was always welcome here. “We can have tea in the garden and spend all day outside together watching the bird and butterflies. It will be nice.” Her favourite thing about spring, besides the new growth of plants, was the bird. They seemed so joyous, chasing each other through the tree branches.
Song Tzue leaned against for a second, keeping him warm, before tugging on his sleeve. “Come on.” She led her friend along the pathway, over a frozen pond and all the way around the house. To the left side steam slipped out of a partly open doorway; the bath located within. On the right, busy sounds came from within and Song Tzue ushered her friend into the warm kitchen.
The cook and maids were busy preparing for dinner; a few of them turned to grace the children with smiles. It was large room, filled with sounds of pots clashing and utensils clacking together. There wasn’t much cooking, but vegetables were on tables, being peeled and chopped.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:39 am
BaI Mei gave a little squeak when she bumped into him before giving her a smile. When she described to him what it was that they would be doing, having tea among the flowers while the butterflies and brids danced around them, sounded so very wonderful, "I can't wait! It sounds like it will be so much fun!" He was quite excited for that day though he was as excited about the present as well since it was already going on instead of them needing to wait for it.
The white haired boy happily followed along after his friend, the sweet and light plum blossom scent that clung to him seemed to grow a little stronger as his excitement over their fun growing. His eyes went to looking at the pond as they walked across it, holding onto her more tightly so that he wouldn't risk slipping, then relaxed again when they were across it and heading inside. It was very warm in here and everything smelled so good! He looked from side to side to try to spot was smelled so wonderful before he saw all the people who were working on the meal, "Wow, there are a lot of people here." He said, lifting a hand to wave at them. So much more crowded then he was used to for sure but he found the bustling activity to be a nice thing.
He found himself taking a step closer to one of the cooks, watching closely the manner in which he wielded his knife to take care of the vegetables. Wow! Such skills and speed, he always had to go much slower to keep from accidentally cutting himself he thought, wondering if he would be so talented when he got older.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:00 pm
Some of the kitchen hands nodded politely at Bai Mei, but most were busy chopping and boiling to pay much attention to the arrival of the children. However that wouldn’t last long, for Song Tzue quickly announced her presence and tugged Bai Mei over to the side of the head chef. “This is my friend Bai Mei. He’s interested in cooking.” She explained. Only moments later the lotus girl had organised a mini cooking season for them both.
“Come over here.” Song Tzue pointed to an empty table and grinned. “This way when I come over to your place, you’ll be even better at cooking than before.” She looked quite pleased with herself for coming up this idea, plus it would mean she would get to play with a knife.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I am Lao Lang.” One of the kitchen hands nodded to them both as he put a number of vegetables before them. “Now, I am to teach you some skills in the fine art of cooking. I will teach you a very simple dish, if that pleases you?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:22 pm
Bai Mei gave a squeak as he was pulled over to where the head cook was standing, gazing up at the rather important person wit wide eyes before giving him a smile, "Hello." He greeted the person, quite in awe. A head chef, how great! This was as exciting as when he met the cook in charge where Qiu Shui worked he thought to himself before he watched as Song Tzue readied a cooking lesson for them.
"Are you sure its alright?" He asked quietly of Song Tzue, quite excited over getting to learn more from a talented chef but didn't want to be underfoot. A moment later though the man was saying that it was a pleasure to meet him and introducing himself, "Its very nice to meet you Lao Lang, I thank you for your time." He said politely, looking at the vegetables that were laid out on the table before them, studying them closely before he looked over toward the man again, "Anything you can show me would be wonderful." He could take the lesson he learned here home with him so that he had something new to make for his Father to eat, it would be great!
He stepped a little closer, eyes wide, listening very closely as though he didn't even want to miss the slightest detail when it came to the dish that they were about to prepare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:49 pm
Lao Lang grinned at the children and pushed the pile of beans towards the youngsters. “A simple beef and vegetable dish is on the menu today. It’s not difficult, but the flavours are still complex and very tasty. But first we must prepare the vegetables. The beans must be washed and sliced in half, the broccoli needs to be pulled into florets, the capsicum must be cut into strips and the cabbage needs to be sliced. The beef is already marinating. I’ll explain its sauce later.”
The man placed two sharp knives in front of them and then grabbed one for himself. He grabbed a vegetable in turn and explained how it should be cut, the best way to hold the knife, and techniques for the perfect slice. “At the start you will make mistakes, so take it slow or else you will lose a finger, yeah?” He chuckled. “It takes much practise to become a true chef.”
Song Tzue was more concerned with watching Bai Mei’s delighted face, then paying attention to the instructions. She was quite proud that she’d made him so happy. Grabbing some of the beans she looked them over before going to cut them in half, and was quickly told off by Lao Lang.
“No, cut them long ways.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 6:13 am
Bai Mei was almost unblinking as each thing was explained and demonstrated, seeming to be taking his lessons quite serious, for a moment looking as though he were far older then the age that he actually was as he looked his knife over then held it as he was instructed to do. There were differences between the teachings of Ming Tai and Lao Lang, ones that he could see almost straight away, things that would actually help him in the long run as it would give him the perspective of two very different men from two very different locations.
"I think I would like to become a chef one day, I rather like making food for others." He said, as he went about cutting the beans in the manner that the man had told them to do, cutting them each carefully, along the center line of each bean, then slid them aside once sliced and moved on to the next one, seeming to be able to slowly speed up as he got used to the weight of the knife and the motions that he was making. Once the beans he was given to deal with he turned his attention back to Lao Lang for the next instructions, looking ever excited even about the easiest and more simple instructions because they would all come together to make a delicious dish that could be shared with his father. It would be great!
His eyes went over to Song Tzue, giving her a smile but didn't speak to her as he didn't want to distract her or cause her to cut herself, then he looked back to their current teacher and gave a smile, "Which vegetable are we going to do next?" He asked, curiously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
