References:
OOC Thread
Introduction:
“Cheng, hurry up we’re leaving!†Miang Tsung Ex’Valcrist shouted backwards at her brother as she shot out of the door in a hurry.
“HOLD ON, DAMMIT!†came his irritated reply. Long Tsung, the eldest of the new generation of the Ling Ho Tsung family, walked through the door his sister left open carrying his sword on his back.
He tilted his head back and narrowed his already thin eyes. The sun was barely up and the dew on the leaves and grass hadn’t started to evaporate. It gave everything a crystalline sheen. Long was a morning person. He enjoyed training in the crisp air and drinking tea with his Grandmother, who also be accompanying them on this ‘trip’.
Done admiring the morning, he looked back at the door, curious to see who would pop out next. Sheng, of course, walked out looking as though he had just woken up. Which was true. If the eldest Tsung brother was a morning person, the youngest was not. Sheng didn’t usually see the sun until it was halfway through its daily journey.
His hair was flying loose from his ponytail and he walked with a slump, dragging his feet and tail. “Why am I up at this ungodly hour? I should be sleeping. I can’t even
see!â€
“That’s because you’ve forgotten you glasses, stupid,†Long said with a chuckle. Sheng, to sleepy to acknowledge the ribbing, reached his hand over into space. It disappeared, as if poking into some invisible hole. He fumbled around and the sound of things rattling could be heard. With a victorious yawn, he pulled out his glasses and stuggled to put them on straight.
Miang gave and exasperated “aiyaaaaaaah†and walked over to slap Sheng’s cheeks. “Wake up. Wake up! Help us get everything ready! CHEEEEEEEENG! YOU’RE SLOWER THAN THE PANDA!†Moreso than the slapping, her shrill yell cut into Sheng’s psyche and he gave a pained wince. He glared at her balefully before slinking over to a bench and sitting down with his book.
“SHUT UP! YOUR UGLIER THAN THE PANDA!â€
Hearing his name used in such an ill manner, Dai-Dai, Grandfather’s friend and pet, a giant panda, lumbered out the door and bowled into Miang. She nearly fell backwards but flung herself over on top of the beast. “Whaaaaat? I only called you ‘slow’; he called you ‘ugly’." Dai-Dai grumbled and plopped down putting Miang in a bear hug.
Heralding her master and friend, out bounded an elegant white tiger. This was Mei-mei the Dazzling, or so she was called in her youth. Now the tiger assumed the matriarchal role over the rest of the Tsung family animals and the occasionally elderly nag when she thought ‘the young ones’ were out of line. Both Mei-mei and Dai-Dai possessed intense magical power but rarely used it as their masters were more than powerful enough to hold their own and more.
Stepping out, as silently as a cat, was Li Rong, or “Grandmother†as she was now called. It was hard to say whether Grandmother could see or not. She rarely opened her eyes and when she did she looked more ‘through’ you than at you. She always had a placid smile as if she was always contemplating some amusing joke or fond memory. Still the passive way she handled things belied the fact that she was, in fact, the strongest member of all the Tsung Clans. She commanded respect and compliance without raising her voice. None of the Tsung Children had ever heard her voice above her soft, gentle whisper.
She stepped aside and out came Dei Jun, or “Grandfatherâ€, as he was now called. He smiled jovially all the time. Here was an old sage that enjoyed life to the fullest and enjoyed living. He put his paws in his sleeves and admired Miang, who was unwillingly wrestling with his panda. His granddaughter glared at him to make the beast stop but his answer was a grin and a wave.
It was possible that Grandfather was more powerful than his wife but since they were married, no one would ever know for sure. It’s been rumor of choice for the gossipers of their generation. Tsung society is matriarchal with women always above men. As such, Grandfather often joked about how his life ended when his married Li Rong, so he lived the rest of life with the unfettered joy of a dead man.
“CHE-“ The rest of Miang’s protest was muffled by Dai-Dai licking her face.
Inside Cheng was rushing around the house finding every last one of his daughter’s toys. Jing Mei had been left in Cheng’s care after her mother and his last girlfriend, died in a battle with the Inustani gang the Diablos. Up until that time, Cheng had no idea that he was a father and the sudden shift forced the usually irresponsible Cheng to grow up.
A little.
“Remember if any pushes you around, punch in the face right here.†He pressed her little button nose. “If that doesn’t work, kick them. If that doesn’t work bite them. If that doesn’t work…run away and I’ll kill them when I get back. Okay?†He hugged her and gave her a stuffed chocobo.
“CHEEEEEEEENG!â€
He glared and muttered something under his breath before smiling at Jing Mei. “So, you’re all packed right? Did I forget anything?â€[url][/url]