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Monday, November 9, 2009 @ 5:00 PM




Chapter 4: Sad Festival
Suggested song/music: Taxi - Tohoshinki
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXnCRRGoec)

The crowd grew even bigger as the opening for the festival draw closer and closer. People swarm around the stage, cheering and clapping. Backstage, Xuan Na tugged at the hem of her costume nervously. She might not be looking forward to having to dance before the whole village - especially since she can’t even pull off some moves correctly yet - but she did want to present the best side of her to them. She wanted people to leave a deep impression of her. You Tian shook her by her shoulders while shouting a cheer for her. “C’mon, you know you can do it!” You Tian grinned. Xuan Na sighed and leaned backwards in her chair, lying comfortably against You Tian’s broad chest. Somehow, his scent made her feel safe, made her feel at ease. She could feel her heart bursting with contentment within her.

“Young master, just go in and wish her good luck. You can thank her for agreeing to perform during your birthday celebration too. Just do it casually and hand her the sunflowers you got for her.” Zai Zhong nudged Jun Xiu who stood as still as a statue. Jun Xiu’s fingers tightened around the stalks of sunflower in his hand, uncertain of whether he should go into the backstage. Just then, You Tian walked out and spotted him. “Are you Xuan Na’s friend? She’s having the jitters inside. Maybe you can help to calm her down. Well, see you around!” You Tian gave him a friendly pat before walking off. Jun Xiu took a quick glance at the bouquet of sunflowers again and took a deep breath before knocking on the door…

Pushing open the door lightly, Jun Xiu saw Xuan Na in her dazzling white dress. The embroidered beads shone under the light, giving her an elegant glow. “H-hey. I’m Jin Jun Xiu. Thank you for agreeing to perform during my birthday party, and uhm… this is for you. Good luck for your dance later.” Jun Xiu handed her the sunflowers. There was an unmistakable glint of delight in her eyes which lasted for a mere second before darkness took over her black orbs once again, this time shadowed by cautiousness. ‘This rich brat, he’s probably up to no good.’ Xuan Na quickly dropped the bouquet onto a nearby chair and turned her back to face him. “I appreciate it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need some privacy.” her words seemed to direct daggers right into his heart. He didn’t need any further hinting. He walked out of the place as quickly as his legs could take him.

Collapsed in a secluded corner away from curious onlookers, Jun Xiu gasped for air as he felt his chest tightening and loosening. Tightening and loosening, tightening and loosening. This went on for briefly five minutes before he finally managed to soothe his breathing. Xuan Na’s hostility frightened him. It was the same feeling as many years ago, when everyone started to ostracize him. The thought caused him to break out in cold sweats. It was like as if he had returned into the past. He could see their mocking faces and he lay helplessly on the ground. He could feel the kick delivered at his stomach. He could even hear the sound of his blood gushing quickly in his veins and arteries. A sudden white flash blinded him, and Jun Xiu fell onto the ground unconscious.

“Young master! Jun Xiu!” Zai Zhong patted the sides of Jun Xiu’s face lightly, attempting to bring the young master back to his senses. Jun Xiu starting coughing furiously as he jolt awake. “Her performance… is it over yet?” Jun Xiu asked in-between his coughs. Zai Zhong shook his head. “Not yet, but soon.” as soon as he ended his sentence, Jun Xiu forced himself up and swaggered forward. He has to be there. He will be there to watch, even if he is standing furthest from the stage. He can’t miss her performance.

Still pale from his relapse, Jun Xiu struggled to stand still. His legs keep giving way beneath him, and he had to lean against Zai Zhong for support. These actions in Xuan Na’s eyes however, came out negative. ’Will it hurt him to stand on his own? His servant even needs to be there to support him in just a simple action like standing. Rich kids are just different.’ Xuan Na rolled her eyes and focused her attention onto her stepbrother who stood in the middle of the first row of audience. Grinning widely, she relaxed her limbs as she allowed herself to fall into the rhythm of the music. Pointing her toes, she pranced across the stage just as she has been doing for the past few days. Landing neatly on the other side, she reached out a hand and bent forward slightly. Every move she made embedded itself into Jun Xiu’s mind. Every glance she made at someone apart from him made his heart ache.

Jun Xiu could barely hold out any further as Xuan Na’s opening dance drew close to an end. Zai Zhong could tell that Jun Xiu needed to go home and rest, yet he couldn’t bear to ask that of the young master. He knew that even if it took his life, the young master would stay to watch Miss Jin’s first puppet performance. Sighing, Zai Zhong could only think of one way to help ease young master’s pain. He arranged for front row of audience to open up a pocket so that young master could sit down on a chair and still be able to see what is going on onstage.

Xuan Na huffed as she watched You Tian give up his position in the crowd so that the rich kid could sit down. She didn’t understand what made Jin Jun Xiu so different from all of them. Indeed he was rich, but does being rich allow him to act so obnoxiously? She was about to storm out and give him a piece of her mind when her father called her back. Handing her a puppet, he ordered everyone to hold a last practice. Their performance has been consistently up to mark, and this time it had to be no exception. There is only room for improvement, no less. Xuan Na fingered her puppet and the anger within her dissipated. This is how strong her love is for puppets. Puppets are her second life.

When Xuan Na graced the stage once more, she has changed out of her shimmering white dress and is clad in plain clothes similar to the other puppeteers. Led by You Tian, the group took a deep bow before proceeding to take their various positions. Just beside Jun Xiu stood Mr Jin, Xuan Na’s father. He nodded his head as the show carried on, seemingly pleased with the performance of the puppeteers. He is obviously feeling proud of the VPT. Jun Xiu smiled, happy that Xuan Na’s efforts have at least paid off.

A/N
did you feel anything when Junsu (jun xiu) collapsed? gosh, thats arguable the most difficult scene to type in this chapter. i had a hard time trying to get the pain across. so much so that i felt i was the one in pain, not junsu T.T
comments are loved! :D
xiaoxi,loves.

NEXT UPDATE
Date: 19 NOVEMBER 2009

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