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lShiionl — Endless Mists: Qiu Chengxi
Published: 2020-08-09 21:27:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 731; Favourites: 9; Downloads: 0
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Description
Pronouns: She/her
Race: Human
Appearance:
Height: 171cm / 5’7
Age: 24
[w/o hat and veil ]
—
Abilities:
Proficient with using a sword + Sword dance (but lethal) : She trained and learnt how to use a sword with her master, who also taught her sword dance from a young age. Sword dancing focuses on agility and acrobatic maneuvers, dancing while brandishing a sword, it confuses the opponent with elaborate acrobatic movements that can also be used to evade attacks.
Fighting with her fan : When stopping people, say in a bar fight or to help a harassed person get the maybe drunk person to back off, she uses her fan to fend them off instead of her sword. (She would bonk people over the head with anything she can get her hands on tbh.)
Horse riding : She can ride a horse. And knows how to take care of and properly treat them. Has a horse named Xiaoyao (骁遥)
Qigong and neidan : Does a lot of breathing and meditation since young (had nothing better to do really, and her master was Strict.) so she has some of the basics down pat. Mostly to strengthen her body and keep healthy and limber. Isn’t very good at applying it to fighting, or even using it but has trained her internal energy.
Personality:
A woman of little words (until she opens up and/or has something to say/share), Chengxi is hardworking and disciplined. Silently keeping watch and getting things done without complaint. She is loyal, sometimes to the point where she does not question people she is loyal to and blindly follows instructions. She is gentle by nature but that side is often hidden under her steely, disciplined mannerisms and lack of expressions (both in appearance and in words).
Extremely attentive, Chengxi usually prefers to watch and listen instead of talking. This makes her seem distant and cold to some, maybe even antisocial. Having grown up without much social interactions with people other than her master and tutor, she probably just doesn’t really know how to interact with people very well, choosing to keep her distance instead.
Her tutor has taught her to be courteous and well mannered so she would still speak in a polite and respectful way to most people. However, she hasn’t had much practical use of it with people besides her master and tutor so there weren’t any chances for her to make mistakes and be corrected. This, in addition to her straightforward personality, results in her being unintentionally offensive on occasion. (E.g. calling someone “old monk” if they appear older and is clearly a monk, instead of something better sounding)
Chengxi is however, highly curious and maybe even a little naive. She is very interested in spirits, ghosts, monsters and the like. Having had stories of them as company and entertainment since a tender age, she dreams of meeting and hopefully befriending some. She is quick to believe in the stories and would venture into places rumored to be haunted to try to meet and possibly help some of the ghosts and spirits there. She has never successfully met any as of yet though, or has she..? She would probably not even realize that one is not human if they appear human and do not announce that they are not.
Generally prefers peace to conflict, she would defend against attackers and not fight back (fatally) unless their intentions are clear or if she has no choice. As a bodyguard, if bandits attacked her client, she would fight back to fend them off, often opting to just knock them out or incapacitate them in some way instead of ending their lives if possible.
History:
Chengxi was taken in by her master (shifu) as a child (3-4y/o) and taught to be disciplined and observant from a young age. She was brought up in a secluded hut in the forest by a mountain, rarely allowed out to town when she was young. There, she spent her days with nature and her master, training, studying, playing through exploring and learning about the forest and its inhabitants. Her master was strict and unyielding, bringing Chengxi up with an iron fist. She had to begin physical training regularly, mostly for strength and endurance as a child, only allowed to start practicing proper martial arts once she could perfect her form.
She never resented her master for the strict upbringing and was never a disobedient child, but she was glad for the brief moments of softness allowed when her literary teacher would visit. Her tutor is a gentle lady of good upbringing from a wealthy family. She visited regularly to teach Chengxi more refined things, from basics like morals, virtues, how to read and write to more refined things like poetry, music and sometimes dance. She knows little about the background of both her benefactors but she respects them a great deal and is very grateful for their patience and care.
When she came of age and was deemed able to fend for herself, she was finally allowed outside to explore the world as she pleases. Putting the skills she had trained for all her life to use, she worked as a bodyguard for hire. Usually following merchants as they travelled from town to town, protecting them from bandits and the like. Although she doesn’t speak much, she gets the job done and had little trouble making ends meet. As she travelled, she heard rumours about the Golden Lotus Sect and was intrigued by the sect’s pledge to protect the common people and possibility of becoming a cultivator, which she believes could bring her a step closer to meeting the spirit races. Growing up with only her master and tutor as company, Chengxi spent most of her free time either listening to or reading stories about spirits, demons and ghosts. She wanted to find out more about them and hopefully meet some if possible and this sect seemed like the closest link she has found so far.
(Extra back history: The visiting tutor is her biological mom. Biological mom’s family are wealthy merchants in Chang’an. She got into an arranged marriage with a noble family for political reasons and had Chengxi. Some political or merchant competitor plotted an assassination of the family because of either rivalry or a grudge 3-4 years after xier was born. (Probably using poison) Her master who was passing by heard news of it and rushed over to find the mother barely clinging on to life. Thankfully, as a baby, she only ingested a smaller dose at that point because her mother figured it out and got baby Chengxi to stop eating in time. Her mother made the master take Chengxi back to bring her up, changing her name and hiding her away from the public in case the assassins are still out for her life.
Master and mother met when master helped mother fend off some bandits or lecherous dudes with swords. They became good friends at some point because her mother was pretty naive and also wouldn't stop following her master to try to repay her. They would meet up for strolls and shopping or just to keep each other company for fun. After the marriage, mother’s visits got lesser because of family obligations but she would sneak out to find master for some relaxing and peaceful time. Then the whole assassination plot happened and now she’s visiting Chengxi too. (Her mother is either hiding out somewhere else, or back at her parent’s place and recuperating. Or actually died then and is now coming back as a ghost.) But Chengxi doesn’t know their (and her own) true identity, she doesn’t even remember much if at all about her life at the manor. She’s curious but doesn’t question it.)
(Extra master side background: Her master was part of a dance trope which was a very tight knit group of people(mostly orphans), all taking care of each other like siblings with their master who was like a parent to them. They did dance performances and were known for their sword dances. Their master also taught them martial arts. Probably was a group of assassins too, this part isn’t widely known and they would like to keep it that way.)
Extras:
Plays the flute and guqin, prefers flute
Was named Zhao Yuxiao (赵瑜霄) by her birth parents
Her master and tutor both call her Xi’er
May or may not be averse to certain foods bc of the poison incident…
One wonders if she’s sleeping or meditating because she does it so often and usually can and will sleep sitting upright.
Voice - youtu.be/tmmFN4b6IXg?t=164
rp writing sample (optional for artists):
A wagon was pulled noisily along the bumpy path, Chengxi was sat at one end and a farmer on the opposite side. She remained still, eyes closed, swaying along with the movements of the wagon while keeping her posture; upright with her back against the side of the wagon, one leg crossed while the other propped up, sword laid across her legs with one hand resting on it.
“Hey, you awake?” The farmer tentatively asked, looking for some friendly banter to help pass time.
“Yes.” Chengxi responded flatly.
“Well, you said you were headed for Panyu? There to look for some trade? Or are you thinking of travelling somewhere far?” He ventured, undeterred by the warrior’s cold tone.
“Following a lead.” She opened her eyes and met the inquisitive gaze of the man, he wanted more. “Going there to find out about the Golden Lotus Sect.” She offered. This is where a normal person would ask if the person they’re speaking with knew about the sect for conversation sake, but Chengxi missed the opportunity.
“Golden Lotus Sect? Think I’ve heard rumors… Sounds sketchy to me!” The farmer said and then laughed heartily. “You look like you can handle yourself though, and the way you dealt with those ruffians back there, sure you’ll be fine! But do take care!” He’s taken a liking to the girl, like a parent or a guardian to a child.
They’d met while he was struggling to get the wagon fixed and some thugs approached looking for trouble. Chengxi happened to pass by and helped chase the troublemakers away, offering to help with the fixing of the wagon as well. Since they were headed the same way, the friendly and grateful farmer offered to let her hitch a ride, which brought them to their current situation.
“Thank you for your concern.” She paused. “You take care too, old sir.” Chengxi added encouragingly but somewhat monotonously. Although unintended, it was a conversation ender sharp as a sword, even the friendly farmer couldn’t keep the conversation alive.
“Ha! Thanks, thanks.” He managed and decided to leave the girl alone to rest or whatever she’s doing on this rattling, bumpy wagon.
