Chapter Text
You were in a fuzzy haze, but you felt your consciousness begin to return to you. You were laying stomach down and resting on your arms, from what you could tell. Your head lolled to the side slowly and you felt something in your hand. Before you could slowly awaken the sound of a rooster’s crow reached your ears.
“Aaiee!” You jolted up and dropped what was in your hand. You look to the ground to see a strange pen of some sort, with that you also noticed three more things. Since when was their roosters at your house, who’s room was this, and why was there writing on your arms. You then glance down next to the pen to see a cute little dog sleeping. “Hey, little fella.”
The dog yawned and woke up, and began wagging his tail while jumping around excitedly. You looked around the room and finally it clicked. This is just like one of the first scenes from Mulan! But there was only one way to find out. You tie a sack of chicken feed to his back, complete with a pole and a bone attached. He immediately chases the bone, running promptly into a wall and then out the door, scattering grain everywhere.
“Just like the movie…” You said to yourself. You jumped up and ran out of the bedroom. You pass by a room and when you glanced inside you saw someone you didn’t expect to see. Your dad! You glanced around the room and saw a tea set that was ready to be serve and picked it up heading over to him.
“Dad, I brought you some ... Whoop!” You caught your foot on one of the wooden floorboards, sending the teacup and pot flying. Your dad quickly caught the pot, but the teacup smashed onto the floor.
“___ ...”
“Don’t worry! There’s a spare!” You said, bringing the spare over.
“___ ...”
“Remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning...” You set down his teacup and took the pot from his cane.
“___.”
“... and three at night.” You poured the tea into his cup.
“___. You should already be in town. We're counting on you to-“
“Uphold the family honor. Don't worry, Dad. I won't let you down. Wish me luck!” You jumped up, after setting the teapot down and ran outside. You looked around until you spotted the stables.
~
“I'm here!” You rode up on your horse, seeing your mom and then jumped off landing in front of her. You smiled and looked to her, but she gave you a scolding look. “What? But, Mom, I had to—“
“None of your excuses. Now, let's get you cleaned up.” She said, guiding you to the building she was in front of. A lady held open a tarp to let you in, she then examines you and smiles.
“This is what you give me to work with? Well, honey, I've seen worse.We're going to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse.” She took you behind a changing wall and undressed you. After being undressed she pushed you into the already filled bath. Once you hit the water a frozen shock hit you, prickling your skin with goosebumps.
“It's freezing!” You rubbed your arms for warmth.
“It would've been warm, if you were here on time.” Your mom chuckled.
“We'll have you, washed and dried. Primped and polished till you glow with pride. Just my recipe for instant bride. You'll bring honor to us all.” The lady washed your hair, quickly and rinsed it out nicely. Your mom took your arm to scrub it when she saw the writing.
“___, what's this?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” You said.
“Wait and see, when we're through-“ The lady brushed through your hair.
“Boys will gladly go to war for you.” Another women said, doing up your hair.
“With good fortune-“
“-and a great hairdo.” The other women said, showing you your hair through the mirror.
“You'll bring honor to us all.” They both sang.
“A girl can bring her family. Great honor in one way. By striking a good match and this might be the day.” All the women seemed to be singing in the streets, as you tried to not notice. You passed by two elders who were playing checkers. You scanned the board while walking by and moved a piece, causing the guy who was losing to gain ahead. Your mother dragged you away before they could do anything else.
“Men want girls with good taste.” You were now in another building, where two women were helping put an outfit on you.
“Calm.” The other women said.
“Obedient.” Your mom added.
“Who work fast-paced!”
“With good breeding.”
“-and a tiny waist!” They pulled the sash around your sides tight, causing you to gasp.
“You'll bring honor to us all.” They all sang.
“We all must serve our Emperor. Who guards us from the Huns. A man by bearing arms. A girl by bearing sons” You were walking through the town again, when you saw a little boy take away a little girl’s doll. He held it up in the air and you snatched it away, handing it back to the girl who smiled and hugged it. You smiled back and continued to follow your mother.
“When we're through, you can't fail. Like a lotus blossom, soft and pale. How could any fellow say, "No sale"? You'll bring honor to us all!” In yet, another building, a women helped put on your make-up and your mother took out a decorative comb and slipped it into your hair.
“There, you're ready.” Your mom said, smiling.
“Ancestors, hear my plea, please don't let me make a fool of me and to not uproot my family tree. Keep my father standing tall.” You sang softly, knowing this song pretty well. You caught up to the line of other girls and kept their pace.
“Scarier than the Undertaker, we are meeting our matchmaker! Destiny, guard our girls, help our future as it fast unfurls. Please look kindly on these cultured pearls. Each a perfect porcelain doll ...” Everyone began to sing again, as your mom quickly handed you your umbrella.
“Please bring honor to us. Please bring honor to us. Please bring honor to us. Please bring honor to us.” You opened up your umbrella and bowed down with the other girls. “Please bring honor to us all!”