dragon-not-a-lizard

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

So on a positive note: the guy saw Mushu. That was great. On the note so positive note: the 'Oh my god' did make Mushu feel the precariousness of this situation even more. And then there was a flash of a memory, his father as a large onyx dragon setting him on the top of an isolated peak, a disapproving stare. And the words 'face your fears. Become the dragon you are supposed to be. Or don't return home.'

Ugh. The difference between then and now of course was a tremendous one in height and location. There were plenty of people around here. Mushu dropped back out of that childhood memory and grimaced. "Uhh...yeah! Do you think they have a ladder that can get up here?" Mushu didn't know the first thing about firefighters or their equipment.

"I mean obviously I'm hanging in there-" and even now he couldn't help but make a joke. But humor helped with most things right? Even mild discomfort or fear? "but help would be good!"

@thedipster

Glitch Mode | Open

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

NAME: Long Mushu ASSIGNED SIDNEYLAND: Camelot: Games of Magic JOB TITLE & ASSIGNMENT: Ride Attendant - Dueling Dragons and Demons FAVORITE RIDE/ATTRACTION: Dueling Dragons and Demons YEARS EMPLOYED AT SIDNEYLAND: 2

BIOGRAPHY: Mushu had never been a very focused guy. As a young boy he was always restless, always on the move. He would drive his ma crazy in Beijing as the streets were so busy and she would quickly lose track of him when he would take off. He would get firm lectures and told to be more like his older brother. That lecture drove him crazy, and Mushu decided he would do the exact opposite of his brother instead. Where his brother was studious, Mushu was a clown and didn’t try in his classes. 

When he was in middle school his family decided to move. And did they go somewhere exciting? No. His family moved to Orlando Florida of all places. Mushu hated that. He hated the heat, he hated the humidity. He tried to do everything in his power to get them to move back. It didn’t work. He was forced to get his english right and go to school in an American school. The system was easier there so his grades improved a bit and he started to try to figure out what he wanted to do when he got into high school. 

It was in high school that he was brought to Sidneyland for the first time. He was shook. This place was fun and no one had to care about anything, and Mushu wanted to be able to be in that place forever. Maybe it was what motivated him to jump into the college program. Who knew. But he was accepted into the Sidneyland College program and he even tried his luck for a face character (he failed). But they did take his interests into some consideration, and Mushu go to work at his favorite ride: Dueling Dragons and Demons, and even better: he got to work on the Black Dragon side. 

Now into his second year, the glam of it all has sort of faded back. Mushu’s gotten sort of tired of staying in the same spot for most of the day. He wished he could have a more important role. But for now he would keep going. When he graduated he’d be able to do whatever he wanted instead. Right?

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Mushu hadn't really expected this lady to say she'd been hospitalized before. Maybe because she looked too professional in his mind to be someone who got hurt or something. But that was crazy. This town had had explosions and stuff and it wasn't like that was anything within anyone's control. Maybe he should have just figured everyone to have been hospitalized at some point.

This town was chaos.

The book suggestion also felt a little like chaos in Mushu's brain. Even though he did like books and the stories he could learn from them. He had always been a bit...restless. Like something was just itching at the surface of his skin, just out of reach. He hadn't been able to keep still very much when he was younger, and now that had calmed a little but still not enough to be able to sit for too many hours reading either.

"Books. They'll have fantasy and stuff too right? Not just the boring non-fiction stuff? And I know some might say facts and history and that stuff is important to know, but my brain doesn't want to be fried along with the rest of me."

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

So Mushu’s flying was getting worse, not better. At least, that’s how it seemed based on the past few weeks he’d been experiencing. Because first he’d crashed into someone’s window, then he’d accidentally knocked over that boy Finn and that had been a nightmare of repeated apologies and guilt because the poor guy was stuttering and all flustered. And then when he’d been trying to fly over the lake for a simple little flight he’d ended up falling in and getting soaked. At least it was the summer and that was kind of a nice feeling. It still wasn’t what he’d planned!

But it really couldn’t beat his situation now: hanging off one of the towers of the Pride University castle. If he looked down… well shit he just did, he could see…well he could see a lot of distance between himself and the ground. And if he couldn’t transform again… which he kind of was hesitant to do… seeing as his shirt was caught on something on the tower. If he moved too much would he fall? 

He felt sure that he would fall. 

“Shit,” he blurted, and a healthy breeze swept through and his body swung a little precariously where he was hooked. “Double shit,” he added. He glanced down and grimaced. Was that a person? It looked like one. “Hey! Hey you there! Up here!”

Glitch Mode | Open

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Glitch Mode | Open

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Okay. So it all went south a little after ten in the morning. Mushu had tried (and failed) to play some basketball because he wanted to test the theory that maybe the wish thing was flawed and hadn't really taken a skill he cared about. He was wrong. And then it was this drumming feeling, this constant need to do something that made the decision to go flying pretty easy.

If he couldn't play ball why not do what he was always so excited to do: fly high in the sky like a dragon! The transformation was smooth as it had been lately, and he had taken off and started flying away from his place and over the town. And then it all went...sideways.

First his back leg suddenly shifted back to a human leg and the different weight made him lose his balance in the air. Then he got his leg back to normal and his tail shrunk and he twisted and started to fall. He managed to get that part back and tried to right himself but by that point it was too late, and before he knew it he was crashing through a window.

Mushu was grateful that at least his horns protected his now human face, because of course his face somehow had transformed back. He couldn't even tell where he was...some house sure. "Owww...." he grumbled and tried to shift, but his tail was stuck between some glass and "ow shit! I mean gahhh." His gah turned into a bit of a growl and he cursed. "Um... who's that? You sound familiar."

@veeva-la-vida

Crash Landings || Mushu & Vee

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

She was probably right.

No, she was definitely right. But it sucked to be in this hospital setting with no one familiar. Maybe if Mushu called his brother he'd find his way to town... but he sort of doubted it. So getting out of here would definitely be preferred. "Yeah, i mean probably..." Would Mushu have to tell the doctors about his wish? He really didn't want to.

"Oh for real?" Mushu hadn't realized concussions could have an impact on magic like that. But then, Mushu hadn't really had his own magic abilities until recently. "That's kind of crazy but.. I guess it sort of makes sense too. It'd be fine if it wasn't so boring here really." But Mushu only had so much to do on his phone. He needed more company.

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Okay, so admittedly Mushu was in the wrong here. He was aware of that. But it wasn't as if he did it on purpose. Plus, there were other key pieces that were fine! And he was still working on it! Well... kind of. It was a little more difficult with his magic going a little sideways. But he would figure it out.

He was trying his best here. Mushu hadn't expected this latest glitch out. "Yeah um... I could see why you'd think that but I'm using it as an anchor since this one's kind of a dud piece. I'm working on a better version of this set piece." Was he bullshitting? Maybe a little, but he did think he could make a better version now that he'd messed this one up.

@lou-bonfightme

All I Care About || [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

What did Mushu think he was doing? Well he was trying to use a hammer and nails and stuff for this one piece on the set. Only his Dragon was still manifesting weirdly and now he had a claw stuck in the piece of wood he'd been working on. So obviously he was trying to get himself out! "Uhh.... I'm working. What's it look like?" And okay, that might have been a bit of a bold claim for what was happening, but really it wasn't like this piece of the set was absolutely critical. He could probably work on another one. Maybe.

[outfit]

@lou-bonfightme

All I Care About || [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

"To each their own. I'm not judging anyone for their weird quirks." Granted, this was more than a weird quirk, and Mushu knew that there was something wrong with this. But still! If he played it cool and like it wasn't a big deal it wouldn't feel like a big deal right?

This had sort of been Mushu's general coping response. Why freak out when you could talk yourself into believing it wasn't actually as weird or as horrible as it seemed? Mushu was getting pretty good at that.

"Yeah trauma. I guess... I mean it could be my Dragon side is still feeling defensive. Maybe the hospital is making it stay on guard. I bet if I leave here it'll be totally fine. Or... well I keep trying to tell them that's probably what'll happen but I don't think they believe me." Was Mushu talking too much? Maybe. He had a tendency to ramble more too when he was trying to talk other people into something he was trying to believe too.

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

This lady was pretty relaxed about the fact that Mushu was part Dragon at the moment and not able to shift back. Talk about someone cool under pressure or something. Mushu didn't really think that was him, but he could be impressed by it from someone else.

"Uhh... I kinda passed out after stuff exploded and woke up here." It was hard to tell time here too cause the people here weren't enthused about him spamming texts on his phone when they'd been trying to treat him. His phone was still in his room somewhere.

"I'm honestly not even that hurt I don't think, but it's kind of freaking them out that I haven't been able to uh... de-dragon so to speak."

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Resolution 1: Story Arcs

Man I went back through my resolutions and it’s wild. I feel like I’ve accomplished SOME of what I wanted to accomplish. One main resolution that I had was complete story arcs! I’m proud to say I’ve completed 3 so far this year! To list them out: Tad got into that surfing competition and then was scouted and got to leave town and go pro in Australia. Then of course Finn’s storyline that I worked on for months dropped and his parents are now alive and well and in town. That was a huge one and I’m really proud of it. And then of course Tink and the MAFIA. That’s pretty great for me. I have another one I’m starting on and making progress so I feel like I’m doing great with that resolution.

I haven’t given some of my characters their time to shine, but now that certain plot lines have resolved themselves, I’ll be able to focus more on Judy, Shang, Cruella and Mushu and the arcs that I want to tell with them.

Resolution 2: Less Docs

This did not really work in my favor like I wanted, but I think I’ve come around to appreciating docs slightly more than I did for a while. I still prefer dash replies and threads over all else, but I am appreciating the necessity for docs for big plots.

Resolution 3: More Backstory

I really haven’t delved into this resolution so much yet, so maybe that is something I can find myself working on more in this second half of the year so to speak. Now that my roster is a bit smaller too I think that allows for more time to focus on these backstories. Granted I’m already alit with more new character ideas, but seeing as the main ones require more people to really dig into it, I have plenty of time to dive into backstory. 

Resolution 4: Be Honest

I think I have been better about this. I’ve expressed what I’ve needed for plots, or accepted when I’ve felt that I couldn’t tell the story that I wanted to tell and let that particular direction go. It definitely puts you in a better mental space once you have expressed what you feel if there’s been discomfort or anything like it for a plot line or a character. So all in all, I think I am fairly successful on this resolution. 

Resolution 5: Cause an AU

I said it at the beginning of this year and it remains true, I am working towards one but it won’t show itself until next year. But I am quite sure that it will be worth the wait.

Plots I Want/Like

I also want to talk about the stories I like because I talked about Marriage and how I wanted Judy or Shang to eventually get married and stuff, but delightfully I got to do a totally unhinged marriage situation with Tink/Jack which was entirely unexpected for me but such a delight and so in a way I did get to sort of get the resolution of Tink being wanted by someone before she died. Granted, not entirely the way I had in mind, but I really like the chaos of it for her so I think it worked out. I loved it.

Characters and what I look forward to:

Finn: So in my resolutions I talked about Finn and his last few months in uni, and redacted his mystery plotline. Well now that it’s all out in the open I’m looking forward to exploring his connection with his family and his parents and learning more about himself. Maybe I’ll properly get into backstory stuff here. So that’ll be really amazing. 

Judy: I talked a lot about failure and her trying and struggling and I think I’ve sort of accomplished that with her a bit. I’m really looking forward to what comes out with post-MAFIA stuff. I’m also excited to involve her in the struggles with Tae and the family drama, and then I think I’m going to toss her in with Shang’s issues so she should have a busy year.

Mushu: I said I wanted chaos, but I restructured a bit of his arc or at least extended it somewhat so he’s had a pretty good run of it. But now I’m about ready to let him experience some of those darn side effects of making a wish. Because yeah, gasp, he still has his activated. I’m playing with that a little already in this thread with Belle, but I’m ready to slowly but surely build on that.

Shang: I feel like I’ve kind of dropped the ball on Shang a little bit. Part of it is I had some plot stuff planned and things went sideways understandably, sometimes different pieces can’t come together. But that said, I am looking forward to really exploring this triad arc now that I’ve started Shang on the path. I do truly hope to resolve it by the end of this year so that Shang can start thinking of a real future for himself. And…maybe love??? 

Cruella: I did not have Cruella when I made my resolutions and she’s still fairly new. But I am very excited to have her cause a lot of trouble with the play. I want her to cause trouble with the board at some point. I really look forward to he being an overall diva and being a problem.

Story Review/Reflection:

Tink: I really want to sit for a moment and talk about Tink, my girly and how proud of her I am. And how proud I am of the story arc we brought about to lead to her dramatic end. I’ve known what was coming with her for months and kept it close to my chest/with the MAFIA for so long that it feels very freeing to have it out there and done. I also feel quite sad because there is something very freeing too about writing a character like Tink who’s a mess and feels things so intensely that she can’t be bothered with niceties or things that my other muses tend to care a bit more about. I really am gonna miss her a lot.  

Tad: Another quirky unique guy that I loved writing. There was just something so special about my little stoner boy. It feels nice to give him the happy sort of ending he deserved. I’m sure he could have vibed on forever in Swynlake, but I like the idea of him finally really following his dream of surfing. Because truly that’s what he’s loved above everything else. 

Pepper: I think she was a learning experience for me in terms of what kind of plotting and what kind of connections I want to build. But also, she just helped me see how I prefer to write/tell my stories versus how others do. And so I appreciate very much that I could see what I wanted to focus on and where I didn’t think I’d be able to grow and express myself as a writer. I will def miss her and the connections she did have, but I do see that having let her go I feel a lot more free to do as I do and far less stressed. It all goes back to that honesty thing I’ve talked about in my past resolutions page, and now Tina’s also talked about in her letter. I want to represent characters and myself well and tell the stories that truly interest me. And I want to trust that if I want to explore a storyline that I can tell it without judgement. I did really love writing Pepper getting jealous and crazy though. I love writing about a jealous girl losing her marbles a little. IDK why. It’s quite fun.

Finn: I did a lot with him this year so far. The main thing being the story arc of breaking into an aquarium with his friends and breaking out two merpeople that ended up being his own parents. This was huge for him! I’ve learned a lot too about actually properly nudging other people with my own plots. It’s harder for me than to keep track of other people’s plots like the MAFIA and stuff. But it was a growing experience for me, and I know the next time I do one like that I’ll be better about keeping track and checking in with people.

Judy: We got to write about Tae stealing! Yay? Judy’s sad and it’s def an emotional experience for the Moon family, but I’ve been excited to write more on this. She’s definitely experienced a lot with the Magnifico event and the auction and then now Interpride. I think she feels more solidly rooted in Swynlake now though as opposed to previously where a lot of her stuff was adjusting to town.

Mushu: He joined SDG, he joined Magick Grand Prix, he and Pip kissed and Phineas got jealous and mad and SDG had drama. Mushu made a wish with Magnifico and has been able to become a Dragon for real. Mushu used his dragon powers to woo Pip and go to prom with him. He’s gotten into quite a bit of the chaos that I’ve wanted for him, but of course there’s always room for more.

Shang: He found out his father died, he went to his funeral, he discovered he was bi and has had a situationship sort of thing going with Kronk here and there. He’s experienced a few crazy Swynlake events, and recently he officially joined the triad of his father so he could try to take it down.

Cruella: not much to reflect on yet, but I’m sure with time we’ll get somewhere good =] 

Other general things I want to do:

Kudos more people. Or idk maybe find a way to accept that certain stories will capture the interest or the drive to do that more. It’s been something that’s weighed on me especially lately with what can feel like very divided attention on certain stories. Just learn to embrace the nature of the kudos channel and that it doesn’t mean what I’m writing or what stories I’m interested in are boring. 

Engage in a group plot. Like the demon boys I want to bring together. I want to actually commit to a little group of people with a shared story/found family or family direction you know? I was intimidated by that in the past but I do want to try to do that and make more connections. 

Try to stick to 5-6 characters. It feels like it might be the sweet spot idk. Idk if I can commit to that, I might get too many ideas and fail at it. But I do think it allows me to focus more on the characters I have and their stories and not be stretched too thin potentially. It’s much to think about. 

Use tinder more. Or just force my characters on awkward dates or to make more interesting different connections. I like to complicate their lives where I can. Plus I would like for a few of them to experience the relationship thing a bit more. Shang is ready for one I think, and Judy thinks she should have one which is a different thing lol but something interesting to explore.

Have a character run for the board again. IDK I think it’d be time. Cruella would be perfect for that tbh but I don’t think she’s been in town long enough. Maybe I can get another muse to do something with that. IDK. It’d be interesting to explore.

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Did he want help?

Yeah. His thoughts were still trying to come together. And clearly he was so dysfunctional he couldn't shift back from his dragon. Or it was still some sort of defense mechanism. He wasn't sure. But he wasn't managing that and it was another reason the doctors were side eyeing him. But whatever.

It probably wasn't helping that he lied and said he was just learning more and not that he had wished for his dragon abilities. But Mushu wasn't ready to admit to that. Cause then it might mean there was something wrong there. "Oh yeah. That's uh... that's a great idea. Do you know where it is?" He reached up and scratched his head...or his horns... either way.

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

Mushu was okay.

Really. Sure the world sort of exploded the other day and Mushu had barely been able to shift to a dragon to protect himself from some of the damage. And that was all good. Mostly.

Except now his horns hadn't retracted again and he had red scales all along his left side and he was pretty sure he'd lost one of his shoes. And of course there was the bandage they'd managed to put on his cut up arm that wasn't stuck and one on his head but whatever. Mushu couldn't find his left shoe. And maybe this was a stupid thing to be worried about, all things considered, but his gege had bought him those shoes a while back and... well he felt a bit sentimental about them.

"Uhh...you wouldn't happen to have seen a black and white wedge sneaker around here somewhere...would you?" Maybe it was still at Interpride. He had sort of knocked out and ended up in this place at some point.

@labellerose-acheron

All the Pain *** [Open]

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

"Hmm that's a good point," Mushu admitted. He hadn't thought very big at all, considering he could probably fly them somewhere pretty amazing. He trusted that he could do it, even if he hadn't done it before. Mushu had some pretty solid confidence.

Mushu tilted his head thoughtfully. "I could take us somewhere nice in London if you want. Probably could go further too but I think London's a smart move. You could pick wherever you'd like best."

Why not? Mushu liked Pip. Adventuring over to London to some cool restaurant for a first date and flexing his dragon skills felt like a double win. "You up for it?"

@exsqueak-me

That Don't Impress Me Much || Audition-Open!

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

60 likes

longmushu: the big 2-0. Sweeet! Never thought I'd be celebrating so far from home. And to be a bi born in pride month feels like a win. BUT this year's brought some serious gains too, especially my connection to my dragon side. Onwards and upwards. #keepballin #birthdayyy #partyon

[dragon-not-a-lizard]

"Yeah, of course!"

Mushu hadn't entirely expected Pip to go along with the offer, but now that he had of course Mushu would throw in a cool date and pay. His dad sent him enough to get by. Using the money for a date was probably way better than what his dad expected him to use it for anyway.

"Do you want to go right now or would you rather I come pick you up another day?" Mushu didn't exactly want to help other people get a shot at a date with Pip, but he had set up this whole event thing. "Or I can pick you up after your admirers leave."

@exsqueak-me

That Don't Impress Me Much || Audition-Open!