Hukki Week

Day 4 - Historical

19th Century England. I recently read Pride and Prejudice, therefore today's theme is very influenced by Jane Austen.

The ball was well under way when the Eyre family arrived. Reverend Tenzin, patriarch and spiritual leader of Pemberly, arrived with his wife, Pema, and four children; Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan. Jinora, the eldest, was a quiet woman who's personal library was the envy of any man who saw it. Ikki on the other hand was quite different from her older sister, she was known to be very outgoing dragging her sister to balls and parties whenever she could, she enjoyed singing and playing the pianoforte. Meelo, being the oldest son, was supposed to follow his father's lead in spiritual matters, but he chose to join the army and was meant to leave any day. Rohan, was the youngest of the Eyre family, but was keen on conducting business and making his own fortunes through it.

Not five minutes had passed when Jinora was asked to dance by a young gentleman named Kai. Jinora undoubtedly blushed and gave her hand to him, and was lead to the dance floor. It wasn't the first time Jinora was asked to dance by Kai. In the last ball he asked her and didn't let go of her all night. Ikki could hear the wedding bells surrounding them.

Ikki was asked to dance by gentleman of one and twenty. She danced with several other men until her feet got tired and couldn't go on anymore. She excused herself from the party to go to the powder room. As she made her way through the empty halls of the Beifong Manor, a certain painting struck her interest. It was a beautiful scene of the hills of Pemberly at sunset, with a couple at the center enjoying a picnic. She couldn't help but stare at it's beautiful colors.

"What do you think of it?" A voice startled her from behind. The voice belonged to the enigmatic son of the Beifongs, Huan.

"I think it's beautiful," she said honestly. "The colors are so vibrant and unique. I've never seen something so beautiful. Who's the painter?"

"You're looking at him," he answered confidently.

"You did this?" she asked eyes wide with wonder. "I didn't think the Beifong family –"

"A respectable family of engineers and businessmen could have an artist?" He finished her sentence.

"Sorry," she began to apologize but was again interrupted.

"It's okay," he reassured her. "Why are you not at the ball?"

"I was going to the powder room but your painting caught my attention. It's truly magnificent. I'm sure with your family's position in society you can be accepted in Paris," she offered.

"I tried, but my family is not so fond of my chosen career," he confided.

"Yet, they put this in display," she said pointing at the painting.

"The ironies of life," he said sarcastically.

"Do you have any more paintings?"

"In my study, but I think it would be imprudent of us to be alone there," he said recalling the rules of civil society.

"We're alone now, why should it be different in your study?" She countered.

"But," he began to say.

"But nothing. The rules of society are absurd. They are social constructs made by men to take care of the women that surround them. Besides, I am sure a gentleman like yourself will not take advantage of a lady as myself," she answered leading the way out of the hallway only to realize she didn't know the way to his study. When she turned around she found Huan staring at her awestruck by her answer.

"I found it in one of my sister's books," she smiled.

Moments later...

His study was filled with beautiful painting and sketches of all kinds, but mostly of people.

"You're amazing!" Ikki exclaimed.

"Thank you," he blushed. He didn't tell her she was the first person to enter his study or to see all of his drawing.

He watched as she marveled at his artwork claiming that they were the best pieces of art she had ever seen. Watching her look at it all with her big eyes like a child, he knew he was falling in love with her. With his mind he traced ever outline and memorized every color of that moment, because he was sure he would be painting her that night. He would paint her rosy warm skin under the candlelight, her curled dark brown hair in an intricate bun, her soft hands touching his canvasses, her eager eyes savoring his art, her mouth smiling in awe.

That night he was only sure of two things. One, he was falling in love with her. Two, he had already fallen in love with her.