#the road to recovery (yueling)

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I'm just gonna gush about Yueling and his choice of weaponry for a lil bit, under the cut--

I wanted to incorporate something on a chain to connect back to his main verse, with the weight on one end and the blade on the other (as shown below)

From what I researched, there wasn't anything like that in the way of Chinese weaponry & martial arts, although Japan had something that was close called a Kusarigama (chain sickle)

However, I came across a weapon in Chinese culture called a chain whip (I couldn't find a Chinese translation or name for it) that matches up with his fighting style really well (below)

From what I've gathered, it's a difficult weapon to master - it takes a lot of training and discipline

It's mainly used for hitting or slashing (with the dart end), hooking/deflecting weapons and attacks, and potentially blinding an opponent

Yueling's fighting style is very much about using his opponent against themselves. He doesn't want to directly cause serious long term or fatal harm, just restrict or disarm unless he has to take a more aggressive approach

But the weapon and fighting style really reflect Yueling as a person, as well as an opponent

He's learned first hand that a person's greatest weakness is themselves - the path their life goes down is entirely dependent on how they respond to things, both in and out of their control. After losing his wife and finding Changhu, he did a _lot_ of self reflection about his flaws. He had to let go of a LOT of pride and self loathing in order to move on and overcome his addictions & depression--and he's turned that into a style of fighting he can wield. He was able to carve a second chance for himself, working hard on his road to recovery.

He's always firmly believed in giving people a second chance to better themselves, so long as they're willing to put in the work. He's living proof that while it isn't easy, it _is_ possible. He firmly believes that there are firmer lessons to be learned through humility and self analysis/reflection rather than serious harm or fatal injury, which also shows in how he fights mainly with the goal of disarming or restricting an opponent.

Yueling is a man who advocates hard for second chances and opportunities to improve.

I am Super Normal about Yueling and his persona/character arc

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Fun Yueling fact;

He talks to cats like they're people. He'll have a full conversation with them like you might if you were talking to a baby, responding to incoherent babbling and noise like they're full sentences.

He loves cats. But Changhu has a pet bird, so he doesn't keep any in the house--the strays outside, though.....

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RP Wishlist;

I'd love for someone to happen upon Yueling playing his Liuqin, and singing to himself. He's got a very soothing, smooth voice when he sings (I'd compare it to Rick Hale). He's open to playing his instruments around people, but he's a little self conscious about his singing voice. Sometimes when he's at home, he'll use his Pipa instead.

Instruments below the cut;

The Pipa is the larger instrument on the left, while the Liuqin is the smaller one on the right. They both have 4 strings, but the Pipa is played with your fingers while the Liuqin is usually played with a pick! The latter is generally easier for Yueling to carry around.

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slowly chipping away at references on my OCs, here's what i've got so far;

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👊 - A threat

💘 - Being told "I love you."

- for Yue and Cain

Muse Reactions! | Still accepting!

👊 - A threat

Yueling takes threats seriously, but he's never really bothered by them. He sees any threat as a challenge, and he's confident in his own abilities to defend himself verbally or physically if need be. But until action is taken against him first, he's going to quietly sort out how he'd respond if the threat was real and go on about his merry way. However...if someone were threaten Changhu (his adopted child) or anyone he holds in high regard? He will only warn them against making good on that threat once. Any consequences that follow afterward is simply causality.

Cain also sees threats as challenges, but he hardly takes any of them seriously. He believes himself so superior and capable of victory that most 'threats' hardly mean anything to him anymore. Really, he welcomes a threat; he wants to find someone who can finally present a challenge to him. Make him sweat. Make him have to take you seriously. Not only will you earn his respect, you earn his attention, and by extension, his time--which he puts a high price on.

💘 - Being told "I love you."

Depends on who it's coming from! Platonic/Familial 'i love you's are usually met with the same energy given to Yueling, although he saves the 'i love you too's for family. Romantically though...it's a bit more complicated. There's always going to be some level of guilt settling in his chest hearing it in that context, whether or not he reciprocates the feeling.

Truly? Cain would just laugh. Or look at them with disgust. Not sure which is worse!

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🕯️Yue about Xiaofeng @spaced-out-muses

send me 🕯️to hear my character's inner thoughts about your character.

'XiaoFeng is a good guy, and a damn good fighter. Some extra training and focus on a few things, and he could even hold his own against me, or the Lieutenant. I hope i'm not being too hard on him...'

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hydrangea :   how much does your muse value communication in their relationships with others ?  are they prone to being misunderstood ? - for Yue and Ariel!

Botanical Headcannons! | Still Accepting

Ariel very much values communication! Her fault however, is often overexplaining herself. She worries that people will make assumptions or misunderstand her intentions, and ends up going on tangents or long winded explanations. To her credit, she asks a lot of questions herself--shes fascinated by the human(?) mind, and takes every interaction as an opportunity to learn about people's behavior and lives. She thrives best in environments with drawn out discussions or debates.

Communication is big for Yueling too, but it doesn't stop at verbal communication. He pays close attention to body language as well, and how a person's eyes move when speaking or observing. He makes his points very clear and direct, so it's not very often if at all that he's misunderstood in his intentions.

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4. Does your muse initiate a lot of physical contact?

- for Yue!

Vanilla Sunday Meme

Oh, absolutely. He's very affectionate, even platonically. Pats on the back/shoulders/head, affectionately ruffling hair, even hugs! He doesn't look it, but he's a big hugger.

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❛ i’m glad to have met you. ❜ Chenhua to Yue!

"Ah, I'm not anybody extraordinary, miss Chenhua. But I'm glad I've left a positive impression on you. Thank you."

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🕯️for Yue about Chenhua!

send me 🕯️to hear my character's inner thoughts about your character.

'Miss Chenhua is a very sweet young lady. That heart of hers is going to get in trouble if she's not careful. I was just like her, once...'

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Tag Dump

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More OC updates including peeks at a new one being added soon, Galaxy Ranger: Wraith!

slowly chipping away at references on my OCs, here's what i've got so far;