#madam Bo's is the post mission spot

[bitomas]

Some of the Earthrealm crew at Madam Bo's

Bi-Han glaring over at Tomas and Syzoth: "I grow tired of seeing that Zaterran everywhere we go"

An amused Kuai Liang stays quiet as he smiles into a sip of his drink.

Bi-han shifts against the railing, scowling as he watches the pair share a laugh.

*Meanwhile across the restaurant*

Syzoth smiles as an intoxicated Tomas leans against his shoulder. His cup stops halfway to his mouth as he frowns. He looks around, scanning the area.

Tomas, frowning as he lazily swirls his cup: "....and he looked so handsome in his new uniform! I got scolded for not paying attention when he caught me looking though"

Syzoth smirks as he locks eyes with said cryomancer. He doesn't hesitate to throw his arm over Tomas: "You should tell him how you feel then, my friend"

Tomas scoffs, chuckling as he leans further into syzoth: "do you wish me an early death? Don't be ridiculous Sy'" he trails off as the alcohol makes him drowsy.

Syzoth hums in reply, his tongue flicked out instinctively as he never broke eye contact with Bi-han. He began idly running his fingers against Tomas' arm. Taking a drink in triumph when it got the expected reaction.

*Back at a now very cold corner of Madam Bo's Restaurant*

Kuai Liang looking nervously at a large accumulation of ice growing up the walls and floorboards: "Brother, control yourself. Madam Bo will kick us out if we scare her customers"

Bi-han only grunts in anger, his cold grip splintering the railing: "damned, reptile"

*Kuai Liang winces as a passing group of customers slip, hitting the ground hard. Groans of pain bringing attention to their section. He sighs, setting down his cup to help them up*

[fsfghgee]

Say what you want about the Expansion and the New Era, but I think both Cyrax and Sektor got a better life in MK1, better than in any other timeline…

Now Cyrax has a family, had her abilities expanded willingly (clearly, neither Sektor nor Bi-Han forced her to wear the armor, it was an honor granted to her for being a prodigy in one of the many Lin Kuei sub-clans), kept her freedom of choice and her humanity, got deeper relationships with her Lin Kuei comrades (she is Sektor's apprentice now, for some reason she was extremely loyal and trusted Bi-Han a lot once, had a close relationship with Kuai Liang although we don't know exactly how close it was…) and there is still a lot to be explored. The potential is immense and much more open to exploration now, in the New Era, than ever before.

Sektor, who always had a horrible and calculating father, now has an honorable father (and mother) whom she looks up to, admires and respects. Unfortunately, her mother must have also died on a mission like Bi-Han's mother in MK1 (according to her in MK1, she became a skilled fighter to honor her mother's legacy as well, while her father simply retired from his duties as a master armorer and passed the baton to her). And although Sektor continues to be ruthless and cold, she now has someone she cares about, unlike in previous timelines where Sektor only expected obedience and servitude from everyone in the clan and didn't give a damn about anyone (openly), she now cares about the clan, she shares Bi-Han's vision in making the Lin Kuei rule, Cyrax is her apprentice (who she gave the honor of receiving one of her armors), she has Bi-Han who according to her bio is her kindred spirit, she shows concern for Bi-Han in a way she (Sektor) never ever showed with anyone else in previous timelines, so even though she is still cold and ruthless, she has a soft spot for Bi-Han and her parents at least.. And I assume that her relationship with Cyrax will be pretty much the same as what happens with Bi-Han and Kuai Liang/Tomas post-storymode...

And even though Cyrax will lose her family (cause they will remain Lin Kuei and loyal to Bi-Han even after her desertion/possibly defection) and Sektor will lose Bi-Han in story mode (since if leaks remain true, Bi-Han will be kept in the temple of the elements while Liu Kang tries to restore him, which I particularly believe will not hold him for long…), apparently, according to leaks, these are just temporary situations that will even make them stronger (since Sektor will be grandmaster and will have to lead the Lin Kuei alone while Bi-Han cannot returns. And Cyrax will have to deal with the decision to leave her clan, her family, her pride behind to protect earthrealm) and grow as characters. Although I already think there has been a significant improvement in the depth of these characters, there is always room for improvement…

Anyway, I like what I see and I am looking forward to get to know better and explore the new Cyrax and Sektor, from the New Era of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 1.

edit: Sektor's mother is not dead, the thing about "also wanting to honor her mother's legacy" is simply because her mother was once a Lin Kuei (whether Madam Bo just retired and decided to open a restaurant in Fengjian or she left the Lin Kuei earlier than that to train Kung Lao and Raiden is still a mystery)

[thatdoublenine]

1930s flashbacks put in chronological order

Jeon Seol’s first mission was on 19th April, right after that she went on stage as Anastasia, a Saturday-Singer at Carpe Diem. But I’ve checked, only in 1930, did 19th April that fell on a Saturday. However, the hangeul typewriter was invented in 1933.. So the timing did not match with facts.

Well that’s not really important, is it? Story-wise.

Let’s look at the order of events in the series of 1930s flashbacks. The drama flashed back as and when the timing fits. As a result, they are not in chronological order and confusing. 

*Beware, long post ahead.* This post took me so long to write. I included pictures [Episode no. and timings below the pics] so that it is easier to recall the scenes. Then the stills made the post even longer. Please excuse my pathetic GIF-ing skills. 

So the first ever scene should be the scene in which the masked Shin Yul and Hwi Young saved Ryu Soo Hyun when her father, Ryu Sang Jin, died.

[E08; @ 36:00] 

After that, Ryu Soo Hyun became an adult alongside these two. She had to live undercover like a boy.

On one fateful day, Hwi Young and Shin Yul were admiring the new Hangeul typewriter. Even though Hwi Young said he only needed a pen, Shin Yul ended up buying one anyway.

[E06; @ 52:00]

Hwi Young is seen typing on the new typewriter, with Shin Yul in the background. He was joined shortly after by Soo Hyun.

[E06; @ 53:00]

Soo Hyun wondered why Shin Yul Hyung would buy a typewriter that was so expensive for Hwi Young Hyung to type his third rate novels on. She stole the manuscript and read it. Later in the evening, the two waited for Soo Hyun to turn up at the Carpe Diem after she disappeared with the manuscript. Hwi Young cannot sit still, he was worried that Soo Hyun would say bad things about his writing again.

[E06; @ 55:00]

Soo Hyun arrived and she announced to everyone at Carpe Diem that day that she just witnessed the birth of a great writer. She was thrilled and to celebrate this joyous moment, the boss of Carpe Diem would treat everyone tonight.

Then one day when Shin Yul was tallying Carpe Diem’s account with an abacus, he was informed that the Saturday singer at Carpe Diem escaped. So Soo Hyun was approached by the Madame to be the new singer. The Madame told Soo Hyun that this is a good chance for her to repay the boss for taking care of her all these years. She added that this position would also serve as a good disguise for the undercover work in the future. I think Soo Hyun got the clue from here that there is a Undercover organisation at Carpe Diem, in addition she also noticed that Carpe Diem’s revenue is frequently in the red. The Madame dressed her up and she appeared as a lady for the first time in front of Shin Yul. Shin Yul fell in love with her.

[E09; @ Beginning]

[E09; @ 49:00]

Soo Hyun barged in to the secret meeting held at the basement of Carpe Diem. She threatened Shin Yul to let her join the cause. If not, she would go to Jongno Police station to report them. Shin Yul said that he would ask permission from the leader of the organisation, which turned out to be Hwi Young.

[E09; @ 55:00]

After Hwi Young accepted Soo Hyun into the group and decided to groom her into a sniper, Soo Hyun began lessons with Shin Yul to learn about fixing and firing a pistol. In one scene, Soo Hyun was practicing the fixing of a gun while Shin Yul was timing her and Hwi Young was typing. Shin Yul commented that Soo Hyun is a quick learner and she does things fast.

[E01; @ 51:00]

[E05; @ 12:00]

Hwi Young was reading the newspaper one day. Suddenly a random guy came up and asked him when he will hand the article to the press. He said, “I guess, tomorrow.” I thought no one knew he was the leader/or part of the organisation at all? That guy thanked him and they parted.

[E09; @ 57:48]

Soo Hyun typed the article (the one with coded message about Soo Hyun’s first mission) on behalf of Hwi Young because he apparently injured his hand with a broken beer glass the night before. He kept rushing Soo Hyun to be faster because the press will run in 30 minutes. Hwi Young asked, “I thought you are a quick learner? I thought you are fast?”. Later he crashed into a pile of hay while cycling to the press, Soo Hyun laughed at him and didn’t help him deliver the article to the press. But somehow, Hwi Young made it anyway.

[E02; @ 20:35]

The next event in the timeline should be the one where Soo Hyun was carrying out her first mission. The first mission was also a test to assess her abilities and see if she was fit to join the organisation. In a scene, we see Soo Hyun running along the street and bumping into Hwi Young, who was expecting her to appear since he knew that was the escape route. They ran, dropped the watch, picked up the watch,ran and in the corner of the street, performed an act in the name of their country, the passionate kiss. After that Hwi Young realised that Soo Hyun was injured. Soo Hyun then tell Hwi Young to ignore it if he had been ignoring her all this while.

[E09; @ 59:00]

They parted after the police cleared and she made her way to Carpe Diem. There, she met Shin Yul. Shin Yul also found out that she got injured. Then we see her bandaging herself in a room.  

[E05; @ 16:00]

The police came to Carpe Diem to search for her. We then see that she was already putting on make-up in the ladies changing room when the police barged in. 

Later she went on stage as Anastasia. While she was singing on stage, Hwi Young arrived. He met with Shin Yul and found out through him that the mission was a success. Hwi Young asked about Sapssari. They settled at their usual spot. Hwi Young was writing his third rate novel for the newspaper. Shin Yul asked if he’s going to watch the performance. He said he can’t, he needed to write, the deadline was approaching.

Shin Yul: Aren’t you going watch the performance?  Hwi Young: I can’t. The deadline is in an hour. Shin Yul: You were once known to be a genius, until when are you going to write these third rate novels? Hwi Young: Are you teasing me? I’m on the blacklist and I’m being watched. What else could I write? Shin Yul: So that’s the reason you are writing these third rate novels? Why don’t you just give up altogether?

Hwi Young:  Even though they took our country, no one can take my writings from me. If I can’t write,  I will be no different from a ghost.

Shin Yul: Ohh~ Hwi Young: When Joseon is liberated, I’ll write whatever I want with passion.  Shin Yul: So there won’t be blacklists once we’re liberated? Hwi Young: Of course! That’s what being liberated means. What about you? Are you not going to write again? Shin Yul: Nope. I’ll start dating for now. Hwi Young: And who are you going to date?

[E05; @ 23:12]

Later Soo Hyun thought about the kiss when she was removing her makeup. Hwi Young also recalled the kiss but with a cinnamon stick. Hwi Young and Shin Yul met up. Hwi Young told him to tell Soo Hyun that he was the masked man who saved her. Shin Yul asked why wouldn’t he just be honest. He said its different if you lied that did not know about something or if you said that you did not know about something when you truly did not know. 

[E10; @ Beginning]

So Shin Yul found Soo Hyun crying and told her that he was the masked man. Soo Hyun had once asked him if he was the masked man too. Then they went on a bicycle ride. Hwi Young saw them passed by.

Most likely the next day or in the next few days, Soo Hyun, Hwi Young and Shin Yul gathered again at Carpe Diem when Carpe Diem was closed for business. Shin Yul asked Hwi Young to look at Soo Hyun’s injury. Hwi Young pretended he didn’t know about it and asked, what injury. Shin Yul said it was a gunshot and that Soo Hyun was not treated. Hwi Young was surprised that she still had not receive treatment.

[E07; @ beginning]

Hwi Young later cleaned her wound and bandaged for her. Soo Hyun found out that Hwi Young cut ties with his family. She also complimented Hwi Young on his non-third-rate novel.

“I will hold the gun, hyung-nim can hold the pen.” -Soo Hyun.

After taking the drowsy painkillers, Soo Hyun was crying and talking in her sleep, and calling “Father..” Hwi Young was by her side.

[E07; @ 16:17]

On another Saturday night, Soo Hyun was performing at Carpe Diem. Then a drunkard started harassing her.

[E11; @ 12:45]

Then Heo Young Min “came to the rescue”. When Hwi Young and Shin Yul arrived, a fight broke out among them and the table of drunkards. Later, they chilled out together with some beer, did self introductions and shook hands.

After Heo Young Min left, Soo Hyun arrived and gave the Oppa(s) eggs for their bruises. So hilarious. They laughed so hard at the fact that Soo Hyun addressed them as Oppa(s) instead of Hyung-nim.

After Heo Young Min exited Carpe Diem, he was greeted by two other sidekicks. Heo Young Min commented that he found Carpe Diem’s business fishy. According to his observations, the business was doing to well, but the total revenue reported to the authorities was too low, and he wondered where did all the money went.

[E09; @ 17:36]

Lady Soo Hyun, Hwi Young and Shin Yul set out one day to take photos. I think it’s a thing back then. On the way, Soo Hyun admired at the sweets. The hawk-eyed Heo Young Min noticed.

[E12; @ 45:41]

He approached her on the day she’s out to collect the photos (don’t think the studio could process it on the same day), with the sweets that she had admired at, the other day. Soo Hyun felt uncomfortable around this guy, which is a good sign. She really should to keep her guards high up around this guy. I wish Jeon Seol would do the same. The key point here, though, was not the sweets, but the newspaper that was wrapping the sweets. Soo Hyun noticed the article was the third rate novel she had helped Hwi Young type a few days ago. Not long later, she also noticed the hidden message between the lines of the third rate novel.

[E12; @ 46:47]

The newspaper 동아신보 (Dong A Shin Bo, known as DongA Ilbo today) dated 昭和八年四月十二日, literally, Showa Eighth Year April 12th. Since Korea was under the Japanese Imperialism during that time, they had to use the Japanese Calendar. The eighth year in the Showa Period is 1933 in the Gregorian Calendar. The months and days are common in both calendars, only the naming of the year differs. So, the newspaper published on 12th April, informed the agents that the mission was going to commence on 19th April at 10pm.

After discovering the hidden message in the article, Soo Hyun stomped to Shin Yul and demand he spill the beans. Which he did. He told Soo Hyun that Hwi Young was the leader of the organisation even though Hwi Young warned him that he should never let her know.

[E12; @ 48:59]

Furious, Soo Hyun pointed a gun at Hwi Young and asked if it was because he did not trust her, that he couldn’t reveal the facts that he was the leader of the organisation and the masked man that saved her. Hwi Young said he was afraid that he (and not Soo Hyun) would waver during operation if he let her know. Hwi Young removed her rights as a sniper.

[E12; @ 50:32]

The last scene in the chronological order should be the tragic scene where Shin Yul collapsed onto the typewriter after he was shot.

[E12; @ Ending]

The end. For now. 

Tomorrow is Friday and its Chicago Typewriter Day!