Hand Fasting Day

Seo Jun wakes up to the smell of something he hasn't smelled before. His mouth begins to water as his stomach rumbles. Sitting up in the bed he looks around the strange room. The furniture is made in the most unique designs. Most is made with a rare kind of wood Cryptomeria only found in Japan . With a mixture of antiques and new the room is warm and inviting. Seo Jun looks at the photos on the dressers and walls. In one photo there are four women one holding a baby . they all look just like his Jasmine. Picking up the picture he studied it closely. On the back is an inscription.

"Moll, Maureen,Aisling and Lilli , this must be Jasmine's mom with her ancestors. Looking closer he notices that behind the leg of woman holding the baby is a small fox. Smiling he remembers what Shiro had told him the night before. Sighing he looks around the room for his things. His suitcase is sitting at the edge of the bed on the floor. Hanging in a door across from his bed is a suit. It's not like most suits he would wear. Touching the fabric he finds it very soft and light. It's a grey suit with thin silver threads like a pinstripe. He notices on the lapel there is a sliver and green clover with a claddagh design . Seo Jun knows the design as it is woven through the binding threads of his people. Seo Jun hears a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." Seo Jun calls out. Lilli comes in bringing him fresh towels .

"Good morning, I hope you slept well." Lilli says as she takes the towels to the adjoining bathroom.

"Breakfast is ready you may eat before you shower or after it is up to you. I hope the suit is ok Selene and GiGi with the help of a few of the aunts made it. It was made to match Jasmine. It is our tradition that you not see her till the ceremony. It is considered bad luck. Do you remember anything from last evening?" Lilli asks Seo Jun .

"I only remember my talk with Shiro and having a horrible headache. Why what happened?" Seo Jun looks worriedly at Lilli.

"Jasmine found a piece of your pearl last night. In the mountains behind the house. When she returned your pearl changed. I am worried that as the pearl changes that it will be hard to hide the fact from your father. That will put you in danger which will put Jasmine in danger. " Lilli tells Seo Jun hoping she has not upset him.

"I have hidden the fact that I have a shard of my pearl for centuries. If my father had known I would not have been allowed to have it. If it gets to hard I will just give it to Jasmine so it will be out of his reach. I had planned on giving it to her after the ceremony . "Seo Jun told Lilli hoping it will ease her worries.

"I think it would be best to discuss it with the elders. They may know something we do not. "Lilli rushes out of the room down the stairs to finish breakfast.

"I wonder why she rushed away so quickly? " Seo Jun starts to go into the bathroom when a prickling sensation moves up his neck.

"She left because I arrived, I am the creator . They call me Father, I am here to do the ceremony. I came to give you a gift. " Seo Jun stares at the man standing in the room. He is in all white but there is a soft golden aura about him. A warm and loving feeling fills the room making Seo Jun feel a peace he has never felt before. The father hands Seo Jun a ring, it's made of the finest gold with a silver design etched in it.

"This is a simple band but it will hide the markings from your joining. It will also protect you. When you need to the family if you twist the ring on your finger they will know to come. I also made a duplicate pendant to your original pearl shard. This way if anyone has seen it in the past, there is no change. This one will not react either as the one you now wear does. Unfortunately there is little I can do for now. I have always tried not to interfere unless it is needed. I must remind you that Jasmine is a special girl from a special family. " The Father tells Seo Jun before he just is gone.

Seo Jun grabs his clothes and goes to

shower before any one else can disrupt him.

Surprisingly the suit is a perfect fit. Seo Jun smiles at the striking figure he makes in it. There is a knock on his door ,Seo Jun opens it to see a young woman close in height as Jasmine holding a tray. Her small body is fit but curvy with full breast. She has long black hair and her eyes are the same as Shiro.

"Don't let my sister see you looking at another woman like that. She may be timid in many ways ,but she has a terrible temper. I'm Luxe I just brought you some breakfast. Mom wasn't sure what to feed you ,so she made a little of everything. " Luxe waves her hand and a small dinning table appears in the room.Seo Jun looks at her surprised.

"Are you the one responsible for the furniture?" Seo Jun asks.

"Not all of it,some is from before I was able to use my gift. This room is basically a storage room. I learned a few things from Aunt Lotus now she is the real artist. I can only make small stuff . Like the small tray table . The big things around are her doing. Wait till you see what she did for the ceremony. She won't be here but she came to help earlier. Eat before it gets cold." Luxe leaves the room closing the door. Leaning back against the door trying to calm her frightened heart. Jasmine comes out of her room and sees Luxe . Misunderstanding why she is standing there tears well up in her eyes.

"Luxe I'm sorry but there is no way I can step aside. " Jasmine whispers. Luxe opens her eyes wide not believing what she just heard.

"It's not what you think, I was very afraid of him last night. I was so afraid I could barely breathe. Then mama Inari came and helped me. I am still afraid but I have to overcome it. I was trying to calm my heart so that no one will notice it pounding." Luxe tells her sister .Jasmine looks somewhat relieved but is wondering if Seo Jun did something last night to scare her.

"He did nothing, it turns out that Chloe was with mama Inari before it was her time to be separated. When a fox goes to their first sleep after they wake they are no longer with mama Inari. Usually they have someone to take care of them. Chloe was with mama inari at that time. The time of Seo Jun's sisters death. Mama Imari says that Chloe was always afraid of the dragons. "Luxe takes Jasmine's hand to take her to get ready.

"Sometimes I wish I had been chosen to have a lost soul melded with mine. Then when I see you have nightmares and I am happy I don't." Jasmine tells Luxe as they enter their mothers room.

"You have one, you just have not been someplace or seen something it recognizes. If you do then they will wake up and help you." Inari informs Jasmine. Jasmine looks at her grandmother skeptical.

"It's true , I have never had to tell you about her , because she has never chosen to make herself known. " Inari tells Jasmine as she lifts her dress over her head. Jasmine looks down at the dress that Selene made for her. The material is soft and lightweight. The soft dove grey color glimmers with the silver strands. Jasmine sees that there are tiny clovers entwined with a claddagh symbol. There are tiny foxes and dragons entwined throughout the dress.

"Aunty it is the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. How did you manage to make it in just a day?" Jasmine asks Selene.

"Have you forgotten who I am. I am the moon goddess, I had my little silk weavers at it all night. Now let's get your hair styled. "Selene picks up the comb from the table and in a matter of minutes Jasmine's long hair is in an array of intricate Celtic style braids down her back with small silver ornaments circling her head as a crown to hold her veil. Jasmine look at her reflection in the full length mirror amazed at how pretty she looks. Hugging Selene tightly Jasmine thanks her godmother for everything.