/ 1:15 AM

It was Christmas season, and the streets were lined with pushcarts displaying the many little gifts customers could buy for their loved ones. The streets were not lacking peddlars either, for a great number of them were walking up and down the rocky pavements, trying to attract as much attention to their products as possible. All with the exception of one quiet young man, who certainly looked too young to be involved in the peddling business, for usually it was the father or the mother as the breadwinner of the family, who took up the job as a peddlar. But this young man had been struck by misfortune early, having lost both his parents at the age of 9. Since then, he had been taken in by a kind toyshop owner, and wanting to show his gratitude for the accomodation and simple meals he had been provided with, this young man had been helping the toyshop owner to sell teddy bears for many years now.

This young man walked up the streets in a steady pace, with a basket of teddy bears in hand, being held at the height of his waist, with a loop that is attached to the basket slung on his right shoulder. "Teddy bears for sale!" The young man called out with moderated volume, and smiled sincerely at any passerby who threw as much as a glance at his mechandize, for he hoped they would stop and consider purchasing something. But it seems like his luck was low today, for he was merely like a ghostly presence, standing there without a single person noticing.

But as there was nothing he could do but to keep up this peddling activity, the young man walked on, and soon entered the district where many of the country's rich nobility stayed. Right there, the young man no longer went unnoticed. But this was attention which he did not want. This was because his old and faded workman's clothes really stood out from the newest and most fashionable apparel the nobles on the streets were wearing. And he was outstanding - In a bad way, of course. The young man pulled his cap a little lower over his face, but still he kept his head high, not wanting to lose too much of his dignity despite the condescending looks those people were giving him. The young man slapped himself mentally: Whatever for did he walk into this district? Still he decided that he should just walk straight on until he left it..

"Teddy bears for sale!" The young man decided to try that line again, though he still kept his voice down. "Teddy bears for sal-" The young man stopped short. A window that was decorated very prettily had caught his eye, and he went to have a closer look. People were gathered together, and laughter was radiating out of that room, even though it was muffled by the thick window glass. "These people sure look like they are enjoying themselves.." The young man thought silently, and huffed out a sigh.

Then, turning away, the young man almost bumped into a certain someone who had placed himself before him. "Whoa! Why did you have to stand so close?" The young man called out, and then followed up with the question, "Erm.. How can I help you?" The stranger that had come up so unknowingly was dressed in simple clothes, but they weren't torn in some places like the young man's clothes were. Instead, the stranger was just a simple old man, who kept up an appearance of neatness and looked pink in health. The old man gave the young man a smile, which made the corners of his eyes go all wrinkly, and then said, "Oh no, the question should be, how can I help YOU?"

This made the young man very puzzled, but the old man seemed to know perfectly what he was talking about. "What do you mean..? You're..." The young man directed his finger at the old guy before him and circled it in the air uncertainly. "Gonna help me?" He then ended up pointing his finger to himself, while he wondered what kind of offer this old man would start to make.

The old man accepted it to be normal for this young man to be full of doubts about what help he could give, and calmly directed his gaze towards the same window the young man had just been peeking through. "They do look like they're having a good time.. " The old man said, half speaking to himself as his gaze remained fixed on the window. But the young man felt as though the old man had penetrated into his thoughts.. "Did he overhear what I had said? But it seems like there's more to that.. Just what does he want with me.." The young man thought to himself.

"You ever wish to be among those people in there? To wear fine clothes.. Attend fine parties.. Mix with fine company.. Do you ever wish for such things?" The old man asked, now diverting his view away from the window to look upon the young man. The young man lowered his eyes and shifted his gaze about, "Well.. I try not to think too much about those things.. But sure, it would be nice to be dressed in thick, fine garments for once.. Unlike this coarse material.." The young man fingered his workman's clothes thoughtfully. "And yeah, it would be nice to mix with fine company too.. I haven't got many friends.. Those of us in the peddlars' trade are too busy moving around selling our stuff all day.."

The old man nodded as though he somewhat knew about the young man's situation.. And then he finally popped the point he had been waiting to make, "Young man, you must have been wondering who I am exactly, and I'm no almighty god, but I have the ability to help you gain a new identity in a new class, so that you can lead a better life.." The young man widened his eyes, and wasn't sure whether he could believe all that this old man was saying. The old man continued to speak however, "I've been observing you for a few days, and I feel that you're a decent fellow who deserves better.. That's why I'm giving you this opportunity to advance your social status.. Do you wish to take this chance?" The young man decided to get a clearer understanding of the whole picture first, unbelievable as it seemed. So he asked, "It's that simple? You just have to say the word, and I will find myself with a new identity in the upper class already?"

The old man pursed his lips for a moment as he considered how to explain a certain something to the young man. "There is but one condition to be fulfilled.." This was not unexpected for the young man, and he waited for the old man to continue his speech. "On entering that ballroom which you see here through this window, you would have already gained your new identity of course, then you would join in the dancing, and in the process of it you will likely find one lady dance partner whom you would be most attracted to.." The young man looked through the glass window again, and saw that the people inside had indeed begun to dance and twirl around with their respective partners..

"And if you're able to have this lady remain by your side, your new upper class identity will be permanently fixed.. Furthermore, true happiness will be secured for you always.." The old man finished. "That's the condition?" The young man thought aloud, weighing the possibilities. "Aye, in fact, it isn't a condition which requires sacrifice, as it usually goes for other cases.. This is just a part of the process of securing your happiness.." The young man listened carefully to this all, and asked his final question, "So is there anything else I need to know about this whole thing?"

The old man answered, "Just one last point.. If it happens that you're not able to retain the lady by your side.." The young man raised an eyebrow, and listened in anticipation. "You can have the choice to return to your original state now, or to never come back here again.." The young man thought about it for a little longer, and felt that he had nothing to lose. To return to his original state didn't sound as bad, no harm would be done. He didn't think that he could feel any worse than he did now, being in a state of poverty.

"Ok! I agree to it!" The young man voiced out. And straightaway, the old man who put on a benevolent smile, then faded away before the eyes of the young man.. Similarly, the environs of the sidewalk on which he had conversed with the old man faded into oblivion, and the young man then found himself standing in a doorway which led into a magnificent ballroom filled with lively classical music. The young man was all amazement, and reached his hands up to his face, to find it partly covered by a metallic masquerade mask. Then he looked downwards, and saw that he was garbed in the finest tuxedo he had ever set his eyes upon. "Incredible.." The young man took in all the sights in silent wonder.

He then proceeded into the ballroom, and the place was packed with extremely well-dressed individuals, many of whom were also well known in society for their various achievements, be it in the business scope or on the battlefield where they had attained great national victories and great honour. But the young man was in for yet another surprise. For even among the many handsome and noble generals present at the ball, the young man saw that a good number of ladies were starting to take note of him, and some of them even had no qualms about following behind him wherever he headed. He, the poor peddlar, of whom nobody cared to give a second look when he had his workman's clothes on, could actually exude quite a bit of personal charm as long as he was placed in the proper circumstances..

The young man then made his way to the dance floor, keeping in mind the old man's words: "You will likely find one lady dance partner whom you will be most attracted to.." Since he had already been so well-groomed in his new identity, there was no doubting that he would be meeting this lady too.. And while he was on the dance floor, the young man had no lack of dance partners, for all the girls were eager to have a turn to dance with him.

"Isn't he just so charming.. Such good looks too!"

"Is he a prince of some foreign land? He has an air of grace about him.."

The young man could hear all the compliments of himself being whispered by the people around to their personal friends, and smiled ever so slightly. He knew he could carry it off, with the good manners he had been taught by his kind guardian since young. Social status should not be what defines a person; the young man was wise enough to acknowledge that personality was what truly counts.

The young man danced with one partner after another, and hoped that he had not let go of the girl whom he was supposed to feel attracted to.. The ladies he had danced with so far were all quite pretty, so how was he to tell exactly..

"Oops!" A female voice broke into the young man's consciousness, and he turned his head to discover that he had just bumped into this female who had been walking past. The female looked unsteady on her feet, and the young man immediatedly broke away from his current dance partner and helped the female to stabilize herself.

"Whew.." The lady let out a breath of relief for escaping a fall. "I thought my shoe heel was going to snap.." She said sheepishly, and nodded her head in thanks to the young man.

"Thanks so much.."

"You're welcome." The young man replied with ease, feeling that this lady had brought such a refreshing change to the surrounding atmosphere.

Having yet to think of what she should say next, the lady simply gave a girlish grin. And in the meantime, the young man had formed a resolution to ask her for a dance.

"If you don't mind.." The young man started to say. "May I have the honour of having a dance with you?" The sentence ended with his prompt action of holding out his hand.

A sparkle danced about in the young lady's own eyes, and she assented by placing her hand lightly into that of the young man. The two of them then slowly swivelled into the heart of the group made up by the other dancing couples.

"So what's your name?" The young lady asked with a tinge of curiosity.

"I'm Yul." Came the young man's reply. "And my lady is..?"

"Chae Gyung." The lady answered, in her distinct, sweet voice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haha.. A wave of madness has hit me again.. Came up with this plot idea coz I was thinking about the masquerade party scene in 'Princess Hours'.. The masquerade idea is pretty much overused by now, I know.. But it is romantic for someone who sees it for the first few times.. I've to go soon, but I gotta say that I'm not in love with the Yul character in the show, whichever way things may seem..=P And it's funny that I first started talking abt the show to some of my gd friends, and now they are the ones who are interested in the show, and not so much myself.. Lol.. And I gotta go! The continuation of this will come some time later yeah!

write about yourself here like how you lived through a crisis like the morrocian crisis. erps, have you studied about that before and about your test, how easy it is and how much confidence you have to pass and get all A1s for all subjects, add in your own wish here, and what you would do if target is not reached, like slash your wrist, eat many many painkiller pills at one shot and die. lol it's suicidal thoughts. stay away from that. but you need to enter a reality, everyone's doing that- it's the trend, so why not follow it. unless you want to be an odd one out. cause slashing wrist is soo common in girls school not in boys school. boys suicide, just like die gracefully from 30th storey, just look on the bright side, maybe you have lived in a lie too long and so you have found out the turth now, just think. optimist wins. you have entered into a world of reality



We know life's hard, truth is hard, lies are hard, they are all hard to accept when they have been found out, and i'm rushing history homework on the Abyissian Crisis about Italy and Abyssia going into war and that the League Of Nations cannot stop this from happening, and beacuse they are formed by means to stop war and peace-keep the countries together, they have thus failed to achieve that. I think i tend to hold a class for history instead of telling you about me, i'm basically a what subject-realted lover (humanities) and thus I am more analytical and critical about things, and likes to study about dead people, haha. lol. it's history what can you expect and also geography, it amazes me. I really like it alot, so what have you? Again to find this answer you need to enter into your own reality and reflect




it's amazing. amzing how people change the way of things, like how I used to hate outdoors in Band felt it was a complete waste of time, i've acquired to like it more, i guess people change, their thereotical means and applications in life just goes on into a new direction, and see things in another perspective, i guess- it's all in the mind. It really amazes me how these comes into action, from someone so pessimistic has changed his own view of things, and thus my friend is scoring much better, being more optimisitc and not think of his old way of suicidal thoughts, which are pretty daunting. and thus we need to see things, in another light, another perspective and another new way, to enable us to open up our minds, and make more new things, the new way it is. done with the old back with the new

i've hiatus-ed.

/ 1:15 AM

It was Christmas season, and the streets were lined with pushcarts displaying the many little gifts customers could buy for their loved ones. The streets were not lacking peddlars either, for a great number of them were walking up and down the rocky pavements, trying to attract as much attention to their products as possible. All with the exception of one quiet young man, who certainly looked too young to be involved in the peddling business, for usually it was the father or the mother as the breadwinner of the family, who took up the job as a peddlar. But this young man had been struck by misfortune early, having lost both his parents at the age of 9. Since then, he had been taken in by a kind toyshop owner, and wanting to show his gratitude for the accomodation and simple meals he had been provided with, this young man had been helping the toyshop owner to sell teddy bears for many years now.

This young man walked up the streets in a steady pace, with a basket of teddy bears in hand, being held at the height of his waist, with a loop that is attached to the basket slung on his right shoulder. "Teddy bears for sale!" The young man called out with moderated volume, and smiled sincerely at any passerby who threw as much as a glance at his mechandize, for he hoped they would stop and consider purchasing something. But it seems like his luck was low today, for he was merely like a ghostly presence, standing there without a single person noticing.

But as there was nothing he could do but to keep up this peddling activity, the young man walked on, and soon entered the district where many of the country's rich nobility stayed. Right there, the young man no longer went unnoticed. But this was attention which he did not want. This was because his old and faded workman's clothes really stood out from the newest and most fashionable apparel the nobles on the streets were wearing. And he was outstanding - In a bad way, of course. The young man pulled his cap a little lower over his face, but still he kept his head high, not wanting to lose too much of his dignity despite the condescending looks those people were giving him. The young man slapped himself mentally: Whatever for did he walk into this district? Still he decided that he should just walk straight on until he left it..

"Teddy bears for sale!" The young man decided to try that line again, though he still kept his voice down. "Teddy bears for sal-" The young man stopped short. A window that was decorated very prettily had caught his eye, and he went to have a closer look. People were gathered together, and laughter was radiating out of that room, even though it was muffled by the thick window glass. "These people sure look like they are enjoying themselves.." The young man thought silently, and huffed out a sigh.

Then, turning away, the young man almost bumped into a certain someone who had placed himself before him. "Whoa! Why did you have to stand so close?" The young man called out, and then followed up with the question, "Erm.. How can I help you?" The stranger that had come up so unknowingly was dressed in simple clothes, but they weren't torn in some places like the young man's clothes were. Instead, the stranger was just a simple old man, who kept up an appearance of neatness and looked pink in health. The old man gave the young man a smile, which made the corners of his eyes go all wrinkly, and then said, "Oh no, the question should be, how can I help YOU?"

This made the young man very puzzled, but the old man seemed to know perfectly what he was talking about. "What do you mean..? You're..." The young man directed his finger at the old guy before him and circled it in the air uncertainly. "Gonna help me?" He then ended up pointing his finger to himself, while he wondered what kind of offer this old man would start to make.

The old man accepted it to be normal for this young man to be full of doubts about what help he could give, and calmly directed his gaze towards the same window the young man had just been peeking through. "They do look like they're having a good time.. " The old man said, half speaking to himself as his gaze remained fixed on the window. But the young man felt as though the old man had penetrated into his thoughts.. "Did he overhear what I had said? But it seems like there's more to that.. Just what does he want with me.." The young man thought to himself.

"You ever wish to be among those people in there? To wear fine clothes.. Attend fine parties.. Mix with fine company.. Do you ever wish for such things?" The old man asked, now diverting his view away from the window to look upon the young man. The young man lowered his eyes and shifted his gaze about, "Well.. I try not to think too much about those things.. But sure, it would be nice to be dressed in thick, fine garments for once.. Unlike this coarse material.." The young man fingered his workman's clothes thoughtfully. "And yeah, it would be nice to mix with fine company too.. I haven't got many friends.. Those of us in the peddlars' trade are too busy moving around selling our stuff all day.."

The old man nodded as though he somewhat knew about the young man's situation.. And then he finally popped the point he had been waiting to make, "Young man, you must have been wondering who I am exactly, and I'm no almighty god, but I have the ability to help you gain a new identity in a new class, so that you can lead a better life.." The young man widened his eyes, and wasn't sure whether he could believe all that this old man was saying. The old man continued to speak however, "I've been observing you for a few days, and I feel that you're a decent fellow who deserves better.. That's why I'm giving you this opportunity to advance your social status.. Do you wish to take this chance?" The young man decided to get a clearer understanding of the whole picture first, unbelievable as it seemed. So he asked, "It's that simple? You just have to say the word, and I will find myself with a new identity in the upper class already?"

The old man pursed his lips for a moment as he considered how to explain a certain something to the young man. "There is but one condition to be fulfilled.." This was not unexpected for the young man, and he waited for the old man to continue his speech. "On entering that ballroom which you see here through this window, you would have already gained your new identity of course, then you would join in the dancing, and in the process of it you will likely find one lady dance partner whom you would be most attracted to.." The young man looked through the glass window again, and saw that the people inside had indeed begun to dance and twirl around with their respective partners..

"And if you're able to have this lady remain by your side, your new upper class identity will be permanently fixed.. Furthermore, true happiness will be secured for you always.." The old man finished. "That's the condition?" The young man thought aloud, weighing the possibilities. "Aye, in fact, it isn't a condition which requires sacrifice, as it usually goes for other cases.. This is just a part of the process of securing your happiness.." The young man listened carefully to this all, and asked his final question, "So is there anything else I need to know about this whole thing?"

The old man answered, "Just one last point.. If it happens that you're not able to retain the lady by your side.." The young man raised an eyebrow, and listened in anticipation. "You can have the choice to return to your original state now, or to never come back here again.." The young man thought about it for a little longer, and felt that he had nothing to lose. To return to his original state didn't sound as bad, no harm would be done. He didn't think that he could feel any worse than he did now, being in a state of poverty.

"Ok! I agree to it!" The young man voiced out. And straightaway, the old man who put on a benevolent smile, then faded away before the eyes of the young man.. Similarly, the environs of the sidewalk on which he had conversed with the old man faded into oblivion, and the young man then found himself standing in a doorway which led into a magnificent ballroom filled with lively classical music. The young man was all amazement, and reached his hands up to his face, to find it partly covered by a metallic masquerade mask. Then he looked downwards, and saw that he was garbed in the finest tuxedo he had ever set his eyes upon. "Incredible.." The young man took in all the sights in silent wonder.

He then proceeded into the ballroom, and the place was packed with extremely well-dressed individuals, many of whom were also well known in society for their various achievements, be it in the business scope or on the battlefield where they had attained great national victories and great honour. But the young man was in for yet another surprise. For even among the many handsome and noble generals present at the ball, the young man saw that a good number of ladies were starting to take note of him, and some of them even had no qualms about following behind him wherever he headed. He, the poor peddlar, of whom nobody cared to give a second look when he had his workman's clothes on, could actually exude quite a bit of personal charm as long as he was placed in the proper circumstances..

The young man then made his way to the dance floor, keeping in mind the old man's words: "You will likely find one lady dance partner whom you will be most attracted to.." Since he had already been so well-groomed in his new identity, there was no doubting that he would be meeting this lady too.. And while he was on the dance floor, the young man had no lack of dance partners, for all the girls were eager to have a turn to dance with him.

"Isn't he just so charming.. Such good looks too!"

"Is he a prince of some foreign land? He has an air of grace about him.."

The young man could hear all the compliments of himself being whispered by the people around to their personal friends, and smiled ever so slightly. He knew he could carry it off, with the good manners he had been taught by his kind guardian since young. Social status should not be what defines a person; the young man was wise enough to acknowledge that personality was what truly counts.

The young man danced with one partner after another, and hoped that he had not let go of the girl whom he was supposed to feel attracted to.. The ladies he had danced with so far were all quite pretty, so how was he to tell exactly..

"Oops!" A female voice broke into the young man's consciousness, and he turned his head to discover that he had just bumped into this female who had been walking past. The female looked unsteady on her feet, and the young man immediatedly broke away from his current dance partner and helped the female to stabilize herself.

"Whew.." The lady let out a breath of relief for escaping a fall. "I thought my shoe heel was going to snap.." She said sheepishly, and nodded her head in thanks to the young man.

"Thanks so much.."

"You're welcome." The young man replied with ease, feeling that this lady had brought such a refreshing change to the surrounding atmosphere.

Having yet to think of what she should say next, the lady simply gave a girlish grin. And in the meantime, the young man had formed a resolution to ask her for a dance.

"If you don't mind.." The young man started to say. "May I have the honour of having a dance with you?" The sentence ended with his prompt action of holding out his hand.

A sparkle danced about in the young lady's own eyes, and she assented by placing her hand lightly into that of the young man. The two of them then slowly swivelled into the heart of the group made up by the other dancing couples.

"So what's your name?" The young lady asked with a tinge of curiosity.

"I'm Yul." Came the young man's reply. "And my lady is..?"

"Chae Gyung." The lady answered, in her distinct, sweet voice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haha.. A wave of madness has hit me again.. Came up with this plot idea coz I was thinking about the masquerade party scene in 'Princess Hours'.. The masquerade idea is pretty much overused by now, I know.. But it is romantic for someone who sees it for the first few times.. I've to go soon, but I gotta say that I'm not in love with the Yul character in the show, whichever way things may seem..=P And it's funny that I first started talking abt the show to some of my gd friends, and now they are the ones who are interested in the show, and not so much myself.. Lol.. And I gotta go! The continuation of this will come some time later yeah!