Geisha boy

Desperate People, are Desperate

Once again I'm standing in this god awful camp, surrounded by awful men, with awful manners. This is exactly what I want to do today...

I start my way towards the front of the generals tent. ' Okay, this time. This time for sure ! ' I think repeatedly which puts an air of confidence in my step. I reach my hand out to touch the tents opening. Then my heart stops. I see hear voice getting closer while he's leaving his tent so I quickly retreat and watch him storm out angrily. I think he's mad at the royal adviser.

" Listen Ling ! For the last time, we don't need anymore women to be cooks! We need warriors and geishas. So unless they wish to do either of those, they will not be partaking in this defense . " He shouts obviously stressed. New recruits must be difficult.

I inch toward them just a bit, but ran out of tent to hide behind. Switching tactics, I decide to stealthily make my way to a nearby tree that can hide my small frame. Being minuscule has its perks, I guess.

Sadly, with my slow and naive mind it took me moment to develop my brilliant plan. Once the generals arguing came to a close the general made his way into the troops meeting tent. Meanwhile, the royal advisor looks pretty pissed off. His face is bright red and was stabbing at his report like it was a Hun.

My parents both fought along side with Ling, but after he got married he gave the thrown to Yao so he could raise his daughter. Ling hasn't kept in touch with our family in years, so there's no way he'll recognize me!

My plan is simple and success is practically inevitable. I let down my hair from its usual high bun and allow it to fall its' full length around my lower back. I try my best to make it 'pretty'. Then I pinch my cheeks for a moment until I feel them turn a bright red. After doing all of this I realize I'm wearing Changshan.

Well I can't just strip down !

Then they'd really know I was a boy.

How did my mom do this so easily?!

It took me a moment to figure out what I could do, but once I saw one of the female weapons specialist leave her tent it all came together. It was easy to slip in and change into something more feminine. Then once I was about to leave, her hand mirror in the corner of her tent caught my eye. My sick mind was unable to resist and I look at myself. I feel a chill run up my spine and my stomach churn.

' Oh ancestors this more convincing than I'd like to admit ... '

After an extra thirty seconds I finally have my courage collected and am ready. I peer through the tents slit opening to make sure that it's all clear before stepping out and readjusting my walk to approach Ling. Lucky for me I've always had a natural sass in my walk, so this is probably the easiest part.

I make my way over to Ling who's still pacing around in circles out of frustration.

" Um... Excuse me " I interrupt in meekly in a sweet voice. His eyes slowly look up from his board and towards me. I'm not very good at reading people, but it looks as if he's pretty convinced.

" My name is Lan, I'm here to be admitted in the army. Please consider me! " I asked desperately in the best sad-cute voice I could muster.

He looked as if he'd just seen a ghost. Whether or not it was a good sign or bad he wasn't speaking.

I feel as if my body isn't listening to my head because all I can do is simply stand and stare at him. It took him a moment before he actually regained color and began to grin " Finally ! My prayers have been answered ! A beautiful geisha. "

...........Wait what...?

" My you're so beautiful ! You will surely be able to keep the soldiers motivated ! "

This situation is now VERY awkward for me and the fact that I'm a bit flattered makes it even worse.

All I can do is smile and nod as he goes on and on about the duties of the geishas in the army. I am a bit stunned that he isn't asking me for scrolls or even if I could fight if necessary. Thank the ancestors for desperate people!

He talks the entire way to the geisha's tent, which luckily is located in a more secluded area. It's a bigger tent right next to what I assume is the bathing pond. The tent is divided into multiple sections. There's a section for show time prep, sleeping , praying, and so on... . However, on top of it all, its infested with the female species.

At this rate my hope of survival is even more bleak than if I were on the front lines But I guess I can't complain. I'm just glad to be accepted into the army... Sort of.....

We turn past one last tent before reaching where we started. " So that's the camp. Be sure to return here tomorrow with all your belongings and will get everything set up from there! " , Ling says rather rapidly before wishing me safe travels and disappearing into his own tent.

Finally ! I have done something right ! I have a slight skip to my step now as I make my way back to my horse, that is until I hear something.

" who's there ?! " I stupidly ask as I glance down an empty dirt trail. 'My anxiety for tomorrow must just be getting to me', I hope as I mount Ping and begin my journey home while getting lost in my thoughts.

A geisha huh? Well it's better than nothing. Plus I mean it could be worse. I mean, I could bring total shame and dishonor to my family by dressing up like the opposite gender and -.... Mom did that...

Well on the positive side all I'll need is to become the hero of China. Piece of c- *crack*

" Ok this isn't funny, who the hell's here ?! "

The sound comes again but on the opposite of the path behind some bushes. It grows louder as it makes its way through the brush to get closer and closer to me, until finally.....

" what the heck are you ?! "