ELLINGTON: courting lady Yu Ming Feng

the voyage

He was avoiding it. he knew his time would come eventually when his mother and his sister in-law would start to pester him about marriage. he dreaded it. his brother Edward recently married a beautiful blonde woman named Francesca, he was happy to have her as family, genuinely. she was fantastic! but his brother was 26. Christian is all but 24 and feels terrified of living in what he felt was a ʼpurgatoryʼ. everyday the same thing providing for his family, and working to support a wealthy household. But he knew his time would come, it comes for everyone. he would love to carry his family name and have children and marry, but he couldnʼt stand the idea of the calculated traditional courting of the British marriage mart. he was a logical person looking for something just....a bit different. while he journaled in a small office in the large Ellington home he could over hear his mother excitedly talking to his little sister Lila about his youngest sister Elorieʼs debut into society and getting all of their dresses ready with Francesca. ʼthis season the prince will arrive to find a wife! I do hope youʼll make an effort to swoon him my loves! oh Iʼm so excited for you twoʼ!

he cringed. and continued to journal. ʼI just want more, and perhaps a bit of space from all of thisʼ. Christian follows the voice of his mother into the room next door which is Lilaʼs room where they stood together. ʼmother have you seen Edwardʼ? ʼoh darling I believe heʼs in his office, as usual, you know how busy he gets,ʼ ʼthank you motherʼ.

She was right. as the head of household Edward held a large responsibility of the household onto his shoulders. he figured to step in a bit, perhaps contribute to the household. ʼbrother, is now a good time to chatʼ? Christian slid into the office. ʼof course brother what is itʼ? Edward says continuing to work ʼwell brother I was thinking of perhaps escaping our mothers marriage mart shananigans by perhaps contributing to houseʼ? ʼoh, alright, your point is valid, mother can be a nuscance on the marriage topic, how did you intend on contributingʼ? Edward asked "well... perhaps there maybe some financial trades that could contribute to the house, Iʼm aware we have many wealthy families who will participate in large financial contributions to our expensive family items" "our families trade partners are all over the world, it would not be a small contribution brotherʼ Edward assures Christian as he stops working and sits back in his office chair. his brother has his attention. he lights a cigar, and christian leans against the wall "honestly itʼs not a problem, I truly believe I could use some escape this season. mother seems farrel". they chuckle in unison as Edward gets up from his office desk and over to his brother, throwing an arm around his shoulder and pats his brother's chest "Tell you what, Iʼm busy right at this moment . but Iʼll let you know what I find huh? how's thatʼ? "itʼs not the worst plan Iʼve ever heard" said christian escaping his brothers grasp and sliding out the office door just the same way he entered.

later that night Christian hit the beer pub like ever other bachelor in London on a Saturday evening hoping to meet his old friends, some new gentleman and of course, a lovely lady to take home. when christian entered the bar some familiar faces greeted him and one of them greets him with a large bear hug and enthusiasm. "brother please, you reek of bourbon" christian chuckles as his bar mate Peter smothered him in a sloppy drunk embrace,  "aw come" on mate, Iʼve had some drinks but it canʼt be that bad ayeʼ? he says roughly patting christians back. "AYEEEEE CHRISTIAN"!!?? yells a man over at a table near by with a beer in his hand, with a few gentlemen. christian walks over and embraces his common associate, "hey buddy, seems like you guys have already gotten the party started huhʼ? christian says sitting down at the table "hell yeah,"! his bar mate says with his beer mug half empty "hey you guys this is my buddy christian,"! he says slurring his words and raising his mug in the air as as everyone at the table cheers and does the same. christian chuckles subtly as his friend grips his shoulder with one hand and plays poker with the other after sitting down his drink. a barmaid carring drinks began to walk by. ʼhey sexy, give my boy here a drink!! he says sloppily while tapping her ass, "sure thing honey," she says sitting down a beer mug in front of christian that was full of beer from her tray, as christian slides her a tip. she winks and whispers in christians ear "Iʼm willing to work a little extra hard for an additional tip", she says as she walks away "well I might just have to take you up on that" he says in the distance.