The Mulan of Balhai Temple

[Taiylor Wallace]

(From the IC)
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Ancient China, a small rice-farming town called Hanzhou. Your character grew up here and has never been beyond the surrounding forests or the Bei Falls nearby, and your character is just barely considered an adult and lives with their family on a small rice farm. There stands a temple of monks up in the mountains that protect the town when it is required, but only a small few of them actually spend much time in the town itself, helping the people.
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It is the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms fight for power. Shu, Wu, and Wei, and Hanzhou stands on the border between Wei and Wu. With the rise of the Lords of each kingdom, Hanzhou is also in the middle of the trouble of the rise of the Way of Heaven and the people who follow it, the so-called 'Yellow Turbans' for their headgear. These fanatics have begun to take an interest in the town, and are on their way. They are only weeks from the town, and everyone is terrified.
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The Monks are about to emerge.
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(First Post)
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It was a warm late summer morning, and everyone was hard at work already, especially the Chan house. The father of the house, Chan Luangzu, was out with his four-year old son Xuzhu in his fields, and the mother of the house, Jia, was busy with her cooking, which she took out everyday to sell in town. But soon, a loud bugle was heard throughout town, and the people knew that was the signal to gather for an emergency meeting. People dropped what they were doing and headed out, seeing the town's lord protector, Lord Bei Song, and his wife Lady Bei Fe, on the high stone fountain platform in the center of the marketplace. Both were dressed exquisitely in greens, blues, and gold. Lord Song wore his famous Song crest, a beautiful golden tiger and dragon locked in battle. "My dear people," the always-kind lord spoke in a booming, warm voice as they assembled, "I know you've all heard of the trouble brewing around us, what with our Lords Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and Cao Cao all entering the war against those murderous heretics, the Yellow Turbans. My people... I must be honest... they are coming this way, and they intend to take Hanzhou by force..."
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The crowd stirred in a near-panic until the Lord roared for silence. "Quiet! Please, be calm! It will bring some peace to your minds to know that we have protection and allies! As they have for a millenium, since the temple was built by the first of their kind, the Mulan Monks of Balhai Temple have offered their protection. It has been ten years since many of their number have been seen in the town, as they spend all their time in training and meditation. Now, they will descend from the high temple and into the town, and you will see them everywhere. Please, try to leave them to their duties unless they approach you, and be secure in the knowledge that if trouble should arise, they will keep you safe."
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Luangzu, Xuzhu, and Jia all stood together, and Luangzu turned to look upon the forth member of the Chan family, his eldest child, "I want you to go with your mother while she's in town from now on. Monks or no, anything can happen."

[kishiseta]

Chan Fang Li didn't like what she was hearing. Her mother was no longer young, but she didn't need any help going around. But because of the news, it was unwise for her mother to travel alone. She nodded agreeing with her father. She might not be good with combat but she had good eyes and was a passable archer when she went hunting. Hopefully, there wouldn't be an ambush of any kind.

"Don't worry too much, dear," Jia smiled at her husband. "Fang Li and I will be fine. We'll be in town only a while. We won't be buying much; there's still enough in the pantry to keep us going for a week or so." She stooped down to pat her son on the head. "Now, I'm putting you in charge of keeping your father out of trouble, alright? It's a big responsibility. Are you up for it?"

Xuzhu nodded smiling. Eager to live up to his mother's expectations, putting up a strong face as they said goodbye to one another.

When Jia and Fang were further down the road, Jia turned to her daughter with a smile. "Worried?"

Fang nodded. "Why would they come here? We have nothing. Not even a large standing army. I don't understand it! Why do we little people always have to pay?"

"We'll never know, but we always have to survive for as long as we can. It's hard, but we should never give up, agree?"

Fang smiled back. "Agreed. We--"

A rustle came from the right just up the road. Fang tensed and held onto her mother. "Let's get off the road," she whispered to her mother and crept out of the path behind a tree. Fang's heart was beating so loud, she thought anyone could hear it. Her hand trembled as she hid her mother, hoping whoever it was wouldn't see them at all.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Down the road came one of the mysterious monks, dressed in green and blue robes, his head and face shaved perfectly clean. There was a tattoo down the left side of his face and partially visible on his chest where his sash didn't cover. Both were traditional Mulan markings. On his face was the intricate 'Mulan Cat', a mysterious wild cat that had features and traits of a lion, a tiger, and a leopard, like a mane and stripes and spots together. On his chest was the symbol of the sea, one of the four elemental symbols that the monks wore, based on their Kung Fu style. Water monks were calm and smooth in style, while Fire monks (with a Sun tattoo) were aggressive and quick. Earth monks (with a mountain tattoo) were very precise and fast, though calm, while Air monks (with a spiraling wind tattoo) were calm but very precise. The four groups of Mulan monks lived in perfect harmony, Earth and Fire being the Yang to the Air and Water's Yin.
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The Mulan monk saw the Chan's, and stopped, his tall staff coming to rest at his side. "Please," he spoke calmly and evenly, "do not be afraid. This road is patrolled by myself and my brothers. You may walk freely without fear."

[kishiseta]

Even as the voice reached Fang Li, she couldn't help but be suspicious. She didn't want to move from her place, but it was apparent, friend or foe, the man had already seen them. Taking a deep breath, she gingerly peeked out of from behind the tree and saw the monk. Her dark eyes widened in wonder, making her childish features even more so. Her eyes traced his shaved head and his tattoo, running from the side of his face down to his chest. From his head down to his toes, he displayed a fascinating combination of nobility and humility and her curiosity piqued.

Without warning, Fang Li felt a hand on her head as her mother forced her to bow before the monk. The older woman was definitely less stronger and shorter than she was--there was hardly any woman taller in the village than her--but she was easily bent like a chaff under her authority.

"Forgive us for being suspicious Master Monk," Jia said. "We were only being cautious." Hissing a whisper, she added for her daughter's ears, "It's rude to stare."

Fang Li winced and croaked, "I-I apologize for staring..."

Fang Li never liked being treated like a kid because she wasn't one anymore. But if she kept on acting like this, her mother would always see her as one. Sometimes, her mother even forgot that she would be facing a matchmaker soon...which was another thing she dreaded. She was not ready to face the matchmaker, knowing full well that her lack of womanly grace would only shame her family. But she would have to try for their sake.

[Taiylor Wallace]

The monk bowed to them, "You are not at fault, I would be worried if you weren't cautious. Please, allow me to escort you to your home. You are... the Chan family, are you not?"
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"Yes, sir," Luangzu nodded, placing his hand on young Xuzhu's shoulder. The boy was overcome with curiosity and awe.
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"Then you must be Luangzu," the monk nodded to him. "I have heard from the other farmers that you are something of a leader to them."
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"I... I do my best to make sure no one falls behind." Luangzu was a humble man, despite how great he was at his work and how kind he was to others.
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"And I commend you for it. Come, we'd best get you all home. I'm sure you have much work to do." He turned, beckoning them on, and continued back down the road. He walked with perfect grace and balance, and didn't make a single sound. Even his sandals on the crunching gravel made not a peep. They passed two other monks on the way, one was also a Water monk, and the other was a burly Earth monk. Each halted at the sight of women and bowed respectfully. These monks always showed the greatest of courtesy to women, especially mothers.

[kishiseta]

Fang Li looked at the monks each in turn and it was all she could do not to leave her mouth hanging. She walked behind them making sure that she would have no accidents touching them. From what she had heard, monks were not allowed to touch women and she didn't want to be the one to break their oath. Whether or not these monks had the same vows, it would be best to err on the side of caution.

Fang Li watched their graceful movements and envied them, wishing she had half the grace they did. She was built to be a woman through and through, but somehow, she was just too boyish. Her friends had taken husbands in agreed marriages already, and with no other parent asking her father for her to be wedded to their sons, the matchmaker was her only hope. She shuddered and shook her head trying not to think of what was to come before her. Instead, she occupied her thoughts observing the monks. They were very fascinating, indeed!

"Perhaps, you could dine with us in our home as thanks," Luangzu offered. "We don't have much but your presence would certainly honor us."

Fang Li looked at her father horrified, but said nothing. She would be expected to serve them and she didn't trust herself with the task. But they did owe the monks thanks for their help. It was the least they could do.

[Taiylor Wallace]

The two other monks could not join them, but the third smiled and nodded slightly. "That would be wonderful. You are too kind." As they arrived at the Chan land and home, they stepped inside the gate of the fence Luangzu had built before Fang Li was born. Inside the fence there stood the Chan home, rather large for a farmer, but one so successful as Luangzu could afford it. It had four bedrooms and one spare, a large kitchen, and a living room that doubled as a dining room, where the family gathered on rainy days and for meals and tea. Luangzu, coming from a very traditional family, insisted that his own family have tea together, separate from meals, three times a day. After breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner.
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Luangzu opened up the door to the home. It was nearly noon, so they were in perfect time for Jai to make lunch with Fang Li, while Luangzu sent Xuzhu out to the chicken coop to feed the birds. Luangzu gave the monk a tour of the home, and the monk politely smiled and complimented every room he saw. When he came across a beautiful tapestry in the living room, he paused. "If I may ask, who made this beautiful piece?"
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"Oh, my wife Jai made it with my daughter Fang Li, when Fang Li was just learning to weave," Luangzu smiled proudly.
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"It's absolutely exquisite." Both women could hear the monk's praises, but he came to the archway of the kitchen and halted there. "Mrs. and Miss Chan, that tapestry in the living room is lovely. Where did you learn to make something so beautiful?" His question was directed equally between them. Most common men wouldn't give women much credit for anything, but the monks were kind to all.

[kishiseta]

Fang Li jumped at the sudden appearance of the monk and cut her finger. She quickly hid it, staunching the bleeding at a pressure point. Clumsy. As always. She gave a smile as her mother continued cooking, a silent signal that she should answer the monk in Jia's stead. She was sure her mother was speechless at a man's praise. Except for her father, no one had ever really praised them--or any other woman in the village that she knew for that matter.

"Thank you so much." Fang Li bowed her head. "They're mostly made by mother. I just picked out the colors and helped with adding patterns. You can say, I just made the tapestry more difficult for her to make."

"Oh, hush." Jia said, "Fang Li has an eye for patterns and colors. It wouldn't turn out the way it did without her help."

Fang Li giggled. "And it wouldn't have been made whole without mother's deft fingers." She noticed the empty table. "Oh! I am so sorry. I'll get everything set up."

She took the bowls and spoons and washed them. She counted the chopsticks and noticed that they were still missing one. "Xuzhu! Are you done with the chopsticks?"

"Here!" Xuzhu appeared with them in hand and dropped them in Fang Li's dishes. She compared what Xuzhu made and the original and smiled. "You're getting better."

"Of course!"

"Now, guide Master Monk to the table. Mom and I will have everything ready."

Xuzhu nodded and led the monk to a seat. "Um, what's you're name? You know us, but we don't know you."

"Xuzhu!" Luangzu barked. "You should not be rude!"

[Taiylor Wallace]

(I'm totally cool with what you do with Luangzu, but you just surprised me by taking over one of my characters XD Not used to that.)
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"It's quite alright," the monk smiled, patting Xuzhu's head kindly. "My name is Mulan Gan Zu." All of the Mulan monks added Mulan to their surname, in respect for Mulan Gaolin, the founder of the order and temple. Gan Zu was a famous name, though, the youngest monk ever to master the Mulan Water style of Kung Fu. He was the third Master of the Water monks, and a favorite of the people of Hanzhou for his frequent visits, generosity, and kindness. In fact, he was often called the Mulan Dove for his peaceful nature and gentle heart. None of the Chan family had ever gotten to see him before, but had friends who'd seen him several times. Gan Zu looked up and to Fang Li, "Dear, did you hurt yourself? I didn't mean to startle you."

[kishiseta]

Fang Li looked up from setting the table and smiled, touched by Gan Zu's kindness. "Please, don't worry about it. It often happens. Would you want your tea cold or hot?"

In all honesty, she had never met a man who was as kind as he was. She was a woman, a second class citizen. She was lucky her father didn't kill her for being a disgrace as a woman to the family. Oh, the tales of the monks were widespread around the village, but it wasn't as if she frequented the populace. The company of nature was more appealing to her. At least there were no eyes judging her every move and there were no expectations for her there. No one told her she should be a good housekeeper or that she couldn't hunt. Out there, she was free. And no one knew of it. If anyone did, it would be even more disgraceful for her father.