#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)