Practice (Tag: Alidia) rated M

Rose was in awe. The white dove coming out of nowhere. She giggled. "That was awesome...Oh whats your name stranger...since you know mine..."

"My name is Shen. I came here from China some time ago." Shen answered her. He unfastened his cloak and let it fall to the ground. He was revealed to be a human sized white peacock, dressed in silver and white robes. His crest and display feathers were decorated with black and red eye spots.

Rose was debating wither to leave or stay. Then it started to rain. Rose held out her hand to shield her eyes. "Nice to meet ya Mr Shen...but may I come in to your house...to get dry...." Rose decided to not be afraid.

"Of course, you are welcome to come in. I'd rather not get caught in a storm either. Follow me." Shen instructed, quietly. He led Rose to his doorstep and allowed her inside before going in himself. His parents had reminded him of the importance of manners numerous times growing up.

Rose smiled as Mr Shen let her in first. "What a gentleman," Rose thought. "Way thank you kind sir..." she walked in and it was like a castle. She was wonderstruck. "Wow it's beautiful in here..." Rose took off her shoes on the front of the porch.

"Thank you. I am surrounded by beauty and yet, I find no joy in it. Still, I shouldn't take it for granted; not when others find it so pleasing." Shen said, a little glumly. He went to a boiling teapot.
"Would you care for a cup of tea?" he asked her.

((OCC: so much for me staying up lol sorry...))

Rose felt bad for this creature...no this human being...she had to do something. "Yes please, for the tea." she said while she looking around. Then idea hit her. "Umm...Mr Shen if it's okay...what if I help out around here...nobody should be alone like this...I'll keep my dues and go shopping at night..." she touched the teacup the same time he did and she felt a little shock. She looked his eye and saw something there that was trying to get out.

(OOC: That's okay. I didn't stay up as late either.)

Shen felt something when he and Rose touched the cup at the same time. For a second, he felt like the invisible chains around him were loosening. This girl was willing to help around his home even though they didn't know each other that well?
"You would be willing to do that? Well, I...guess there are some things around here that do need extra care. And I can pay you for the inconvenience." the peacock said as he thought about it.

((OCC: I thought you were going to be mad lol and again so sorry bout the reply... Mom took to me to see my grandpa and of course he has no wifi or Internet....))

Rose smiled as Mr Shen said that she could stay and help. She sat at a chair and drank her tea very ladylike. "So, Mr Shen..." Rose started to say "What's your favorite kind of art? I like paintings...the way they capture the essence of it...oh how that makes me so happy..." she smiled and giggled.

"My favorite kind of art? I've always liked Chinese ink paintings, even painted a few myself when I was a boy. Would you mind if I did for you, right now?" Shen inquired.

Rose smiled. "I'd be honored." She set her tea cup aside and walked with mr Shen. "I'll be honest I have heard about this place and it being empty but," she smiled "I never knew it held so much potential...it's wonderful..."

"That's very kind of you to say, Rose. I have only lived here for eight years, I must confess. But I find enough to keep me busy and...out of sight." Shen admitted as he gathered a roll of parchment, ink, a few paintbrushes, and some water.

Rose smiled back as she sat down again. Watching Shen with her crystal blue eyes. "I've been here in London, my whole life. And I was friends with Joseph until he turned into a jerk...you should see the lake at nighttime...it's so..." Rose was trying find the prefect word then it hit her. "...enchanting...the moonlight reflecting of the crystal clear waters...the nature and my favorite the moonlight rose blooms...that's how I got my name..." Rose watched Shen with every stroke like he was waving a magic wand.

Shen felt himself tense at her choice of words. Still, he didn't let her see it as he began. He started to create a mountainside scene where a few trees grew with the ink. Then, using a different brush, he used some of the water to simulate the clouds.
"That's a lovely story, Rose. The tale of how I got my name is not so...shall we say, heart-warming." Shen murmured as he did his work.

Rose frowned. "Aww Shen I didnt..." she paused "...know... if you dont mind I'd like to hear it...that is if you want me to...." She continued watching his strokes with the brushes excited to see the finished painting.

"I don't mind really. I've come to terms with it after all these years. My parents knew they were going to have a son, that's why they wanted to name them Sheng Li. It means victory in Chinese. But when I was born, I was sickly and for some reason, I was born with white hair and skin. They felt like they had been cheated." Shen began, not realizing his slip up.
"My nursemaid, though, noticed that what I lacked in strength, I made up for in intelligence. She nicknamed me Shen, which has several meanings. It means introspective or deep thought or even divinity. Over time, this nickname stuck." he went on.

Rose felt bad for him. "I...I dont think youre bad...just misunderstood...I think you look wonderful..." she giggled as she played with her auburn hair. "I'll be here all the time if you need me...until the end..." she picked up the cup of tea and began sipping it.

"Thank you, Rose. It means a lot to me, especially now that I'm not living with my parents. A true friend is a very dear gift." Shen answered her promise. He looked over his piece of artwork. It was exactly what he had been hoping for. He turned it around for her to see.

Rose was in awe as she set the cup down again; she gasped. "Its...its breathtaking...the details...its like I am there..." She started to cry "My parents would loved that...they died in a fire and I was playing in a field when it happened...but the painting make the memories disappear..." she smiled as she stopped crying.

"Oh Rose, I had no idea. Forgive me if I've brought up unpleasant memories for you. I just wanted to make you smile, that's all." Shen said in an attempt to sooth her. Something in his heart was moved by her generosity toward him. And he intended to act on it, despite not knowing what he was feeling.

Rose sniffled. "Its okay....the painting and hearing your sympathy is enough..." She got up from the chair as she rolled up her dresses' sleeves "What should we work on first..." Her crystal blue eyes sparkling with anxiousness.

Over the course of a few days, Shen and Rose had become good friends. With her help, his home seemed to gain new life. There was also a lightness that seemed to have taken over the peacock's mood. He was smiling more, laughing, really enjoying himself. And his heart felt like it was too big for his chest whenever he was with her. She had done something to him by being his friend.

And over the time Rose has been sneaking out to shop, like she said she would. Everything was going good. Rose went and got a new dress and a moonlight rose. I feel so light and Shen is so kind...I think I might be falling for him... Rose thought as she began walking back and thats when Joseph appeared out of the streetlight "Hello Rosebud..." he spoke "You looking sexy....growls..." Rose began walking again "Please Joseph...leave me alone..." "Not so fast Rosey...where have you been..." Rose growled if it wasnt Rosebud it was Rosey that got under skin. "I have been working now please if you excuse me ...." Joseph pushed her against the stone wall, held her against the wall causing her basket of Shen's goodies to fall and he force kissed her.

'Where is she? She should have come back by now.' Shen thought. Not sure if he could wait any longer, he gathered his cloak and went out to look for Rose. He had gone a certain distance, when he noticed the young man from the first day he had seen her forcing a kiss on her.
A jealous fire burst to life in Shen's heart. Without a second thought, shoved the wretched boy off of Rose. His cloak was pulled off as Joseph grabbed it to stop his fall.
"You would steal a kiss from a girl who doesn't want it? You have no honor!" Shen declared in rage.

Rose picked up the stuff she got and saw the robe was in Joseph's hands. She gasped as she quickly grabbed it and covered Shen, but it was too late. "Rose...who is that..." Joseph asked. Rose took Shen's hand and ran. "I hope you freaks are happy together...I'll be back for you Rose..." Rose shut the door and was rapidly breathing. "Shen are you okay?" she asked with gasps of air as she pulled out the moonlight rose it was missing a few petals but it was still enchanting. She slid down the door and sat, unaware of the bruises. "I wanted to give you this..."