“Incipit liber de naturis bestiarum. De leonibus et pardis et tigribus, lupis et vulpibus, canibus et simiis…”

“Here begins the book of the nature of beasts. Of lions, panthers and tigers, wolves and foxes, dogs, and apes…”

-Aberdeen Bestiary-

 

 

Garden of Nine Creatures of Grace

I got a unique present from a fan for my birthday last year, a book called ‘Aberdeen Bestiary’. At first, I actually didn’t have any idea what that book actually was. I thought it was a kind of novel, but it wasn’t. For some time, I put no interest to the book. However, after I looked at it almost untouched in my bookshelf everyday, my curiosity started to spark little by little. So, one day I took a peek of the book and I love that book ever since.

What is Aberdeen Bestiary? It’s a book, originally written in Latin in medieval times, that contains information about beasts, animals and other creatures, even stones are described too. It contains descriptions from scientific, mythological and theological view. What interest me are the poetic way of writing and how the book allegorically relates each animal with life of us, the humankind.

I always believe humankind learn gold values of life from everything, beasts and animals are no exception. Instead, most of great wisdom lies within the nature of wild life. Their basic instinct is nothing but purest form of wisdom in life. As a creature with intelligent, humans are expected to learn from their surroundings to discover hidden wisdom around them.

“Seohyun-ah! Breakfast is ready!”

I turn around and see Sunny-eonnie standing in front of the door. She smiles as she glances at the book I read. “Let’s have a breakfast first maknae, and then you can continue reading your book,” Sunny-eonnie tells me and heads back to the dining room.

“I’m coming eonnie,” I close the book and leave my bedroom.

I go to the dining room and see everyone has already there. Yuri-eonnie is grinding some Ma juice, Tiffany-eonnie is sitting beside Jessica-eonnie, who looks like in struggle to keep her eyes open. Hyoyeon-eonnie is cooking kimchi fried rice with some help from Taeyeon-eonnie, while Sunny-eonnie is keeping Sooyoung-eonnie and Yoona-eonnie at bay from eating the served breakfast.

It’s been a while since the last time we, nine of us, had breakfast together. It is such a luxury for us to gather in our dorm, since our personal schedules separate us most of times. Even some member had become seldom staying in the dorm. I smile, thinking how precious this little moment is. I take a seat beside Jessica-eonnie. Jessica-eonnie seems doesn’t realize me yet, as her head droops down in half-sleeping state.

“Good morning Jessica-eonnie. Did you have good sleep?” I ask Jessica-eonnie, who is yawning and stretching her hands.

“Morning maknae. I had the best sleep for these last two month,” Jessica-eonnie replies, while propping her head with her right hand. “Really, I Got A Boy promotion is really killing me. And now we have to go for another Japan Arena Tour!”

“Take the bright side Jessi,” Tiffany-eonnie utters while sipping her coffee. “At least we got a 3-day break before we go to Japan today, right?”

Jessica-eonnie groans a little and I just giggle. Come to think of it, we’ve been through so much tights schedule since our debut and lately our schedule become much busier than ever. Sometimes we feel lack of enough rest, but cheers and love from our fans always fuel our worn body.

Then Taeyeon-eonnie and Hyoyeon-eonnie come with the breakfast. Yuri-eonnie and I help them serving the food. I could see gleams in Sooyoung-eonnie and Yoona-eonnie’s eyes as the food is placed on the table.

“Well, today we have no schedule, except for Yoona who will attend a meeting regarding her new CF contract.” Yoona-eonnie groans after hearing Taeyeon-eonnie’s announcement. “Also, Tiffany and I will have a small radio interview. We will go to the airport in the afternoon, so please use the time left to pack your things and take enough rest before we fly to Japan.”

We chat and talk heartily as we finish our breakfast. I help Hyoyeon-eonnie cleaning the dishes. Taeyeon-eonnie and Tiffany-eonnie has taken a bath earlier, so now they’re leaving for the radio interview.

“Thanks for the help Seohyun,” Hyoyeon-eonnie says while putting the dishes to the drying rack.

I smiles at her and replies, “I’m glad I could help.”  

“You’d better take a bath after Yoona. You don’t want somebody complains about you taking too much time in the bathroom, don’t you?” Hyoyeon teases me then leaves the kitchen.

I frown, but Hyoyeon-eonnie is right. As I see Yoona-eonnie finishes taking a bath, I quickly go to the bathroom with a towel and a set of casual clothes and take a bath. Really, I should admit Hyoyeon-eonnie is right; I take quite a long time to finish my bath.

 I get out from the bathroom and hum our debut song, Into The New World. If I think deeply about it, I’ve always amazed by how we, nine different girls, could gather in a brand new world for us, like exotic animals from corners of the world gather in a garden of wonders. Like the ones in Aberdeen Bestiary.

Hyoyeon-eonnie gets out from her bedroom, which is also my bedroom, in sports outfit and a duffel bag. I thought Hyoyeon-eonnie wanted to take a bath after me?

“Don’t you want to take a bath eonnie?”

“Well, I want to do some dance practice first so I’ll take a bath later. Do you want to come, maknae? It’s a good start before our arena tour.”

“I’d like to eonnie, but I’ve already taken a bath.”

“It’s always fine to take a bath again.”

“Then the others will complain in front of bathroom door again if I take too long inside the bathroom.”

Hyoyeon-eonnie only laughs. “Well then, I’m leaving. Bye Seohyun.”

I bid her goodbye as she leaves the dorm. In my mind, Hyoyeon-eonnie is like a hawk, dexterous, fast and full of spirit, like her energetic personality and passionate yet graceful dance. In a hawk’s quest to soar southwards, when harsh wind blows, it will molt its old, torn feathers and replaces it with new and stronger set of feathers. I’m well aware that from our debut, Hyoyeon-eonnie is one of the most ill-criticized members, even by some of our fans. However, it’s never make she downs, instead she keep striving forward with full spirit, resembling a hawk struggles in its flight towards the southern warmth.

I go to the kitchen to get some water and I see Yoona-eonnie stuffs a loaf of bread to while checking her handbag.

“You’re going already, eonnie?”

Yoona-eonnie finishes munching her bread and answers, “Yep. I just want to finish it as soon as possible so I could get some rest before we fly to Japan. Besides, manager-oppa is already waiting for me on the outside.”

“Be safe Yoona-eonnie.”

“Thanks Seo,” Yoona-eonnie grins before leaving the dorm.

For Yoona-eonnie, somehow I depict her as a deer. What a funny coincidence, I just think Yoona-eonnie’s famous nickname really suits the descriptions of a deer in Aberdeen Bestiary. Energetic and cheerful person with charming looks, Yoona-eonnie has a lot of resemblances with a deer. Deer stomp snakes out from the hole without any fear and immune to their venom. It’s like how Yoona-eonnie stands against harsh critics and antifans. Since our debut, for the hatred they launch at her, she just replies it with smiles and dedication for our fans and the entire world.

With Taeyeon-eonnie, Tiffany-eonnie, and Yoona-eonnie have already left for respective schedules, there are just Sooyoung-eonnie, Yuri-eonnie, Sunny-eonnie, Jessica-eonnie and me in the dorm, since Hyoyeon-eonnie hasn’t come back from her dance practice yet.

I finish my glass of water and go to the living room. In there, I see Yuri-eonnie and Sooyoung-eonnie sitting on the couch. They are watching drama in the television while eating snacks. They seem doesn’t focus at the drama though, as they chat and laugh together.

“Well, now we’ll back to Japan. You’d better be a good speaker Soo, or else we’ll be trapped in moments of awkward silence!”

“Yeah, I know. But why just me? Doesn’t maknae speak Japanese quiet fluently too?”

“Yep, but you’re the main spokesperson of Girls’ Generation!” Yuri-eonnie points out while eating potato chips. ”Really, you should try to be a news anchor some time.”

“I’ve been a part-time MC already, Yul, and I think it’s better than being a news anchor!” Sooyoung-eonnie laughs along with Yuri-eonnie.

Resounding laugh of Sooyoung-eonnie reminds me of the jays. However, unlike jays in Aberdeen Bestiary, nobody finds her talkativeness annoying. Instead, everybody is always waiting for Sooyoung-eonnie’s words of speech, both the humorous or serious yet touching ones. Sooyoung-eonnie could arrange words beautifully into a song like a magic. In my mind, Sooyoung-eonnie is like a magical golden jay, weaving beautiful words in every chirp, making any glittering jewelries are nothing but dull stones.

Beautiful and strong, the horse is like spirit of Yuri-eonnie. Creature of beauty and prowess, horses has been admired by humankind for centuries. Taut body of horses with flowing mane is like Yuri-eonnie’s fit and perfect body, while her cheerful and spirited attitude really resembles equestrian might of this noble creature. Yuri-eonnie is one of our locomotive power, encourages us to keep running across wide moors of life, galloping over hardships of life.

“Uh… Who’s disturbing my sleep?”

I turn my back to see Jessica-eonnie emerges from her room. She looks quite annoyed, as she rubs her eyes slowly and asks me, “I’ve just slept for ten minutes only for god’s sake! What’s the commotion Seohyun-ah?”

“Sorry, Sica! It was me and Sooyoung!” Yuri-eonnie turns her head and grinning to Jessica-eonnie over her shoulder.

Jessica-eonnie approaches Yuri-eonnie with a glare. I can see Yuri-eonnie and Sooyoung-eonnie are quite taken aback by Jessica-eonnie’s piercing stare.

“W-well… Have a seat and let’s watch the drama together! We’re rarely have a time together, aren’t we?” Yuri-eonnie nervously says while patting the empty space in the couch beside her.

Straight face of Jessica-eonnie suddenly turns into a smile. She joins Yuri-eonnie and Sooyoung-eonnie watching and eating the snacks together. Soon Jessica-eonnie laughs along Yuri-eonnie and Sooyoung-eonnie.

Our Jessica-eonnie, dubbed as Ice Princess by our fans, really has charms like a swan. Majestic avian covered by pristine white feather, so does Jesscia-eonnie with her gorgeous appearance. Her euphonious, crystal clear voice resembles a swan singing in a gleaming lake. Even though many people says nasty things about Jessica-eonnie, everybody is always waiting for her amazing appearance in every our performances. Like the sailors hoot in joy whenever they see a swan in the middle of raging waves, knowing their swan of luck will never be drowned by the furious tides.

Suddenly I feel a tap on my shoulder followed by cheerful voice greets me. “Yah Seohyun! You’re spacing out again.”

“Oh, hi Sunny-eonnie,” I greet her.

“Why you seem spacing out a lot today? Does Jessica influence you too much today?”

“No eonnie, I’m just thinking some things today. Ah, anyway, why don’t you take bath first eonnie?”

“Nah, it could wait maknae,” Sunny-eonnie waves her left hand. Her right hand holds her Nintendo DS. “But Mario couldn’t wait to whack another annoying mushroom again!”

“Hey Sunny, Seohyun! Why don’t you join us here and watch drama together?” Sooyoung-eonnie asks Sunny-eonnie and I.

“Sounds nice enough.” Sunny-eonnie replies. Then Sunny-eonnie and I sit on the floor and join watching drama.

I think Sunny-eonnie doesn’t really watching though, as she focuses at her handheld game console after three minutes of watching the television. Well, I don’t really pay attention to the drama too, since I’m thinking about something.

Sunny-eonnie is like a heron, a bird soaring high in the sky and touch the sun. Limitless spirit inside Sunny-eonnie never frails even hardships are blocking her way. Somehow I’m reminded by an accident happened some years ago, our first Japan Arena Tour to be exact. Sunny-eonnie fainted after our performance and had to get some treatments in the hospital. Even so, Sunny-eonnie didn’t complain at all. Like a heron flying up past the storm clouds, Sunny-eonnie never let any obstacles drown her and always strive forwards.

We are watching the television for some time, an hour or two I think. Then the door creaks open, along with sound of several footsteps walking past the door.

“We’re home!” Taeyeon-eonnie enters the dorm with Tiffany-eonnie, Hyoyeon-eonnie and Yoona-eonnie.

“Oh, I don’t know you guys were leaving together,” Sooyoung-eonnie utters, while eating a bowl of popcorn.

“No, Tiffany and I picked Yoona and Hyoyeon up on the way. Anyway, have you guys taken a bath?” Taeyeon-eonnie asks us.

“I have, eonnie,” I answer, while Sooyoung-eonnie and Yuri-eonnie only grin and shake their head. Jessica-eonnie only stares blankly, while Sunny-eonnie shakes her head without stopping playing her Nintendo DS.

“Yah!!! Do you know what time it is? Take a bath all of you, quick!” Taeyeon eonnie shouts while stomping her feet and frantically flailing her arms. Yuri-eonnie and Sooyoung-eonnie literally jumps from the couch. Sunny-eonnie closes her game console and dashes to her room at instant. Jessica-eonnie just stands up lightly and goes to her room.

“Yah! Move faster and prepare yourself for our flight!” Taeyeon-eonnie commands with loud voice. Then she sharply turns around and points her finger at Hyoyeon-eonnie. “You! Wash your sweaty body as soon as possible, stinky!”

Tiffany-eonnie pats Taeyeon-eonnie softly. “Calm down Taeyeon-ah…”

“But it’s just two hours before our departure and these kiddos are still lazing around! What if we missed the flight?” Taeyeon-eonnie says exasperatedly.

“Just calm down will you?” Sooyoung-eonnie suddenly appears with a towel in her shoulder, waving it in front of Taeyeon-eonnie. “I’m gonna take a bath, see? So don’t worry, ahjumma”

“Yah! I’m the one who will take bath first!” Hyoyeon-eonnie shouts and dashes to the bathroom. Taeyeon-eonnie sighs at the sight of the commotion, while Tiffany-eonnie helps Jessica-eonnie organizing her things for our flight to Japan.

I’m still sitting on the floor, looking at Taeyeon-eonnie and Tiffany-eonnie in awe. I wonder what they will be in Aberdeen Bestiary.

Nightingale will suit Tiffany-eonnie very well. Like nightingale, the bringer of dawn light, melodious singing bird, her angelic voice and her bubbly nature never fail to raise the spirit of us. Reminiscent of a mother nightingale nursing her younglings, Tiffany-eonnie’s warmth and caring nature is very admirable. I’m grateful we can mend Tiffany-eonnie’s broken heart from losing such a mother figure in her life. Now, she even turns into one of mother figures in Girls’ Generation.

Great leadership of Taeyeon-eonnie really suits the lions in Aberdeen Bestiary. One funny fact is, according to Aberdeen Bestiary, lions sleep with their eyes open, just like Taeyeon-eonnie some of time. If lions sleep with their eyes open to stay vigilant, she does that so she could sleep in a meeting without being scolded. Really, I must admit that I agree with our fans, sometimes Taeyeon-eonnie acts like a child, goofing around like a… dork, just like our fans say. I giggle at my own thoughts. So, maybe Taeyeon-eonnie is a… lion cub?

I chuckle and enter my bedroom. I change my casual clothes into more appropriate clothing and pack some essential paraphernalia into my handbag. Now, everyone has got their parts in Aberdeen Bestiary, then how about me?

For myself, I wish I could be like swallows. Birds who is never taken prey by other birds, just like how I want to be someone who never let itself taken down by other people’s discouragements. Swallows have strong intuitions; they can tell which buildings that could collapse before they build their nest in there. I want to have strong mind and heart, so I can prevent my sisters from falling into any dangers and hardships in the future.

In the middle of my trance, my eyes spot an old notebook in the corner of my desk. A sense of nostalgia creeps into my fingers as I take the book and flip through the pages tentatively. It’s my old diary, back when I was still in my second year of high school. All of the entry is dated in 2008, when we were on the most desperate times after 2008 Dream Concert incident.

I remember how I almost cried whenever I wrote an entry in my diary back then. Back at that time, everyday felt so suffocating and mournful. The diary ends with an entry dated few weeks before our Gee comeback. I smile while reading the last entry, feeling a glimpse of hope written in it, a hope to emerge from the darkness with a new ray of light. And just like what you see now, we’ve succeeded in escaping from the dark, to a new world full of light.

Isn’t it like a life cycle of phoenix? Back at times after 2008 Dream Concert incident, we were literally dying, we received so many hate and we were in a great breakdown because of it. For the others, we were nothing but a pile of ashes. However, we always knew there was always hope and we kept struggling until the end. And we finally ended those dark times, and since then we always rise to the top, like a phoenix rises from its ashen remains and soar in its full glory.

My final prayer is we, Girls’ Generation, can be like the panther, the mightiest and most graceful beast in Aberdeen Bestiary. I hope our song can be the panther’s roar, emanating sweet smell, intoxicate every creature in the world in harmony. I wish every melody we sing can spread love and joy all over the world, driving hatred and repugnance away, just like the panther roars mightily, scaring the vile dragon away down to the bowels of the earth.

“Seohyun-ah! Let’s go! Everybody is waiting for you!” Hyoyeon-eonnie enters the bedroom. She takes a glance at the book I’m reading and chuckles. “You really like that book, don’t you? I don’t know you like something like fantasy animals. Maybe I should get Lord of The Rings trilogy for your birthday.”

I just giggle as I close my book and take my handbag. “I’m coming eonnie.”

Hyoyeon-eonnie exits the room first with me following behind her. Before I close my bedroom door, I take a last glance at the book, lying gracefully in my desk.

Aberdeen Bestiary. A book of beasts, creatures and animals .A book of a garden full of graceful creatures. A book of us, Girls’ Generation, and the whole humankind in the world.

 

-FIN-

A/N: I know, I know, I haven't updated any my fanfics at the moment, all because now I'm in a damn intensive study program, it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to me to write anything! Even this oneshot I finished about two weeks ago, with gambling my school grade...-___- So don't brick meee!!!*hiding behind a steel shield* If you notice that my writing style is quite different here, well that's beacause I try to match with usual Indonesian fanfic writer style, in hope to increase my chance to win. Well, do you like it or not?:)

Btw, you should try reading Aberdeen Bestiary too! I'm not sure if you're intrested in medieval manuscripts or not, but reading it will surely give you some unique ideas! And of course, you can take some wisdom written in it too.0:)

You can read the translation here-->http://www.abdn.ac.uk/bestiary/bestiary.hti

Please comment so I can know what do you think about it!