Chapter Seven: Requiem for the White Dragon
Pailong was vaguely aware of voices while he dozed off with Jun; people talking to one another while they jogged, and birds twittering in the trees overhead, the occasional bark of a dog, the laughter of small children. He smiled comfortably and turned his head closer to Jun, unperturbed by their chatter. Using well practiced mediation techniques, Pailong slowly tuned out the rest of the world once more, content to be by his mistress's side until she awaked.
Suddenly, Pailong found himself awoken by a bright flash of light. He started forward, the sudden movement nearly causing Jun to slide off the bench along with him, but his quick reflexes prevented such a disaster from occurring. He held her gently in his arms, blinking as spots burst before his eyes. Jun rubbed at her eyes sleepily, but quickly popped awake upon seeing a girl, possibly only a year or two older than herself, standing before them.
The girl held a large professional photographer's camera in her delicate hands. She appeared foreign; her hair was blonde and her eyes green. Her hair was tied back with a blue headband and she wore a bright red sweater.
"I'm sorry," the girl said in English and bowed low, her long blonde hair trailing into her eyes. "I didn't mean to wake you up."
"What?" Jun blinked several times, still groggy, not understanding what the girl was saying. "What did you say?"
"Oh, forgive me! I slipped back into English for a moment." She spoke in Japanese, her green eyes sparkling in the afternoon light. "I said I was sorry for waking you up."
"That's all right," Jun smiled and reached for her abandoned shoes. She slipped them on. "Don't worry about waking us up. We were going to leave, anyway."
"What were you doing?" Pailong asked, rubbing at his eyes. He was still seeing spots after the bright flash of light had awoken him.
She bowed once more. "Forgive me, but we haven't been properly introduced. My name's Maria. I'm from America."
"My name is Tao Jun." She rose to her feet and bowed. "My friend and I are here on vacation. We're from China."
"Ah!" Maria smiled knowingly. "I thought your accent sounded a little different."
"What brings you to Japan?" Pailong asked.
Maria stared at her hands as she adjusted her camera. "I'm studying abroad in Japan as part of a four week tour of famous Asian architecture and sculptures. I'm taking pictures for my photography class, and since today's my last day in Japan before we move on, I have to make it worthwhile. So I just couldn't resist getting a snapshot you two sleeping on the park bench."
"Really?" Jun smiled and began brushing her hair with her fingers self-consciously.
Maria giggled. "You two looked so cute together. I think I'll call it 'Prelude to Winter's Slumber'." She stared at Pailong for a moment, a look of consternation marring her lovely features. "Have we met before?"
"Huh?" The martial artist cocked his head to one side in confusion. "I don't think so."
"That's odd." She poked her lower lip out slightly as she leaned closer to get a better look at him. Pailong took a step back unconsciously, feeling suddenly nervous. "I just know I've seen your face somewhere before."
"Really? That's pretty funny, eh?" If he had been able to perspire, Pailong would be sweating bullets. Did the girl recognize him?
"Ah! This is really frustrating!" Maria squinted in annoyance. "As a photographer, I'm really very good at identifying faces, but I just hate it when a name escapes me."
"I'm telling you, we're complete strangers," Pailong tried his best to veer the topic of discussion in some other direction, but the American girl was adamant.
"I've got it!" She snapped her fingers in triumph. "How could I have been so stupid? I was probably goggling at that movie poster for an hour." She turned her green eyes upon him, "You look just like Brock Lee." The former movie star gasped slightly.
"Who?" Jun tilted her head to one side in confusion. "I've never heard of him."
"Oh, wait! I forgot. He went by his real name in China. You probably know him as Li Pailong, the White Dragon."
Now it was Jun's turn to gasp. She quickly glanced at her nervous mochirei, who could only shrug his huge shoulders. It had been a few weeks since the film festival came to town, so why was it still around? Were Pailong's movies really that popular, even in this day and age?
"Ah! You must be mistaken." He laughed nervously as Jun glanced at him with apprehension in her eyes. "My name's Bruce Uh"
"Chan!" Jun quickly interjected.
"Bruce Chan!" Pailong smiled confidently. "I get that a lot from people."
"I know you're not really Brock Lee." Maria frowned a little, almost disappointed. "Brock Lee died a long time ago."
Both Jun and Pailong heaved a huge mental sigh of relief. This girl only believed him to be some kind of Pailong look-alike, not the real Pailong himself. Keeping up their ruse had just become a lot easier.
"Do you get mistaken for Brock Lee a lot?" Maria asked.
"Oh, lots of times! I swear, sometimes I think it's a curse. I'll be standing in line at the grocery store, and people will start lining up for my autograph. It's quite embarrassing."
"I see." Maria frowned slightly. "Must be tough."
"Well, that's the way life goes." The old movie star smiled to himself, glad to accept his new role. He chuckled at the irony of it all. He, Li Pailong, pretending to be a man that looked like Li Pailong.
"So you do know about him?"
"Of course! I used to watch all of his movies as a kid. My friends and I would pitch in all of our allowances to buy tickets, then after the movie was over, we'd act out our favorite scenes together."
"Do you" She turned her attention to her camera as she fiddled with it, blushing slightly. "Do you think you could do a few of his poses for me?"
"Why not?" Pailong agreed wholeheartedly, feeling his pride begin to swell at being the center of attention once more. It was something he missed a lot, as a former movie star.
"Really? You will?" The girl's eyes widened in shock, as if she expected her modest request to be denied. "Oh thank you so much, Mr. Chan! My friends will be so jealous when they get a load of these photos. Of course," she added quickly, blushing once more, "I'll be sure to send you both copies, if that's all right?"
"We'd love to have them," Jun smiled. She watched as Maria directed Pailong with the quick professional grace afforded to practiced photographers. She smiled at seeing the huge grin on Pailong's face as he performed simple kicks and punches, and posed for her like a strutting peacock. He even performed a spinning kick, accompanied by his trademarked cry of "wachohhh!" as Maria squealed with delight at his antics. She knew he missed the spotlight, and he was enjoying the feeling of adoration once more.
"Hey, Miss Jun!" Maria waved her over. "Would you mind getting a shot of me and Mr. Chan together?"
"Oh!" She was startled out of her pensive state. "All right, then. Um, how do you work this?"
"I already have it adjusted," she handed the large camera to Jun, "just wait for my signal, then press that button here, okay?"
"All right," Jun raised it to her eye as the American girl took her place by Pailong's side. They both smiled as Maria waved her hand slightly.
"Say cheeseburgers," Maria said and Pailong chuckled.
"Cheeseburgers!" They said in unison as Jun pressed the shutter button and the flash went off.
"Great!" Maria trotted forward and took her camera. "Now, a shot of you two together."
"What?" Tao Jun looked surprised. Having her picture taken while she was off-guard and vulnerable was one thing, but to actually stand up and pose for one was another story. She began smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress self-consciously. "I don't know I'm a bit camera shy If you know what I mean."
"Why's that, Miss Jun?" Pailong stared at her with warm concern in his ebony eyes.
"I don't know. I just feel silly, that's all."
"You shouldn't say that," Maria piped in. "You look very pretty. You're what we photographers like to call, 'born for the camera'."
Jun blushed slightly at that remark, but Pailong only smiled all the more. "Please, Miss Jun? Just one? For me?"
The dao-shi stared into her loyal mochirei's huge puppy-eyes. Damn it! How could he exert such influence over her? She was supposed to be the one that could manipulate him, not the other way around. She shook her head, smiled as she sighed in defeat.
"All right, just one photograph." She held up a finger for emphasis, and Pailong shouted with joy. Maria took her hand and began to carefully arrange them for the shot, with Jun standing just a little in front of him. She began to adjust her camera, getting the shot in focus, making sure there wasn't too much glare. Jun looked up for a moment and noticed the warm smile on Pailong's face, not for the sake of the photo, but directed toward her.
"All right, everyone say cheeseburgers!" Maria's face was obstructed by the camera.
Before Jun could react, Pailong grinned devilishly and quickly swept her up into his huge arms, bringing their faces close together. Out of instinct, Jun wrapped her arms around his neck and kicked her legs up, one of her shoes dangling from her toes. Her hat fell to the ground, revealing her dazzling windswept hair. Before she could protest, the flash went off, and the moment had been immortalized.
"Perfect!" Maria's face was split into a huge grin. "That was a Kodak moment if I ever saw one! So much life and spontaneity. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"Pai-- I mean, Bruce! That was uncalled for!" Jun stared into his eyes in annoyance, but the look quickly vanished at seeing his playful grin. She blushed slightly, her fingers twisting in his silky hair, feeling the coiled muscles of his arms supporting her back and under her knees. It was amazing how those same arms, which could easily shatter a block of stone, could be so gentle.
"Um" She glanced toward the ground a few feet below her. "You can put me down now."
"Oh!" Pailong blushed, then carefully set her on her feet. "I'm sorry, Miss Jun. You're so light, that I hardly noticed."
"Flattery will get you nowhere," Jun quoted the age-old adage while bending over to adjust her shoes.
"These pictures will take at least a week to develop," Maria hung the camera around her neck once more. "I'll send them to you as soon as they're ready."
"I think I like the last one the best," Pailong grinned as a sudden gust of wind caused their clothing and hair to flutter wildly. The large sun hat, with the orchid tucked in the brim, began to skitter away.
"Oh no! My hat!" Jun dashed after it, Pailong and Maria hot on her heels. The capricious wind lifted it into the air, keeping it just out of reach of her fingertips.
"I'll get it," Pailong leaped forward, his long arms grasping for it. His fingers just barely touched the brim before another gust jerked it just beyond his reach once more.
They ran past joggers and people walking their dogs in hot pursuit of the wayward hat. Jun managed to take the lead once more as her favorite hat drifted on the wind closer and closer toward a small river that flowed through the park. Her feet clattered on the wooden planks of the arched bridge as her hat sailed over the edge. Lunging forward, she almost caught the brim, but lost her balance as she began to teeter over the guardrail. Her eyes widened as she stared at the river below.
Before she could fall forward into the chilling waters, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist and drew her away from disaster. She didn't need to look behind her to know who had rescued her.
"Are you all right, Miss Jun?" Pailong's deep voice rumbled near her ear.
"I'm fine," she sighed in dejection, watching her hat drift down toward the river and settle upon the water's surface.
Maria finally caught up to them. Leaning over the guardrail, she panted heavily, noticing the hat floating downstream, before saying, "Oh, no. You're poor hat."
"It's all right," Jun forced a sad smile. "It was my favorite, but I'm sure I can buy another."
They stared after it for a moment as it slowly drifted away. Out of habit, Maria placed the camera to her eye and snapped a photo of the hat as the orchid dipped into the tranquil surface of the water.
"I think I'll call it, 'Drifting'," Maria said with a note of solemnity in her voice. "It's rather poetic, don't you think? Seeing your hat floating down the river, all alone, reminds you of the transient nature of all living things. True beauty is ephemeral by nature because of the very fact that it only lasts a short time." She looked to see the Chinese couple staring intently into the water, the man's arms wrapped around the woman's waist. It would make such a perfect photo, but she felt that the moment was too sacred to be disturbed. After all, a truly beautiful moment can never be immortalized.
"I'm sorry," she bowed slightly to them as they finally became aware of her presence. "I'm babbling on about silly things while your hat drifts away."
"No," Jun shook her head and smiled. "I think you're right. True beauty is, by nature, ephemeral. I'm sad that I lost my hat, but at least something artistic came from its passing. I'd like that photo, too, if you don't mind."
"Of course!" Maria nodded quickly. "Anything for you."
"I think you really have an eye for composition and talent with words," Pailong said, in awe of her poeticism. "You should write poetry to accompany your photos."
"Well," Maria's faced turned a deep shade of red as she stared at her feet. "My dream is to make a photo journal of all my travels around the world, and to write my thoughts and feelings about each photo, and all the experiences I've had while taking them. Being able to share the beauty of both man and nature with others, it would be pretty profound, you know? To show them things that they've always seen, but never thought to look at, or showing them ordinary things in a new perspective. That's what I'd like to do."
"You should," Pailong said earnestly, patting her on the shoulder. "Just follow your dreams, and with hard work and perseverance, you can make them come true."
"You really think so?" Maria blinked in astonishment.
"I'll definitely buy a copy of your book," Jun smiled. "When you publish it, that is."
"That's very kind of you," Maria bowed to them both. "Thank you very much."
"Well, we'd better be going now," Jun gripped her purse tightly in both hands. "I'm quite hungry and could use a bite to eat."
"I know a good place to go!" Maria clapped her hands together in excitement. "I'm heading toward the theater where they're showing the Brock Lee Film Festival, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby to choose from. I'll show you some good ones."
"We'd like that very much," Jun bowed her thanks to the girl.
"No problem. It's the least I can do, after losing your hat and all."
She trotted off and the Chinese couple followed close behind her. They soon left the park behind and emerged into the city once more, though not so crowded as it was earlier that day. Jun glanced from one window to the next, practically drooling while Maria babbled on about the pros and cons of each restaurant. Pailong listened idly, unable to have much of an opinion on the topic at hand, since he could no longer eat food.
Soon, they reached the theater where several people were already lining up to get tickets. It was a back-to-back feature of two of his best movies, "Fists of Rage," and "To Play with Death." He leaned against the brick wall of the theater while Jun and Maria continued to chatter. He folded his arms over his chest and bowed his head slightly. There were many fond memories accompanying each movie he made, some bad, but mostly good. He wondered how his former costars were doing. Were they still making movies? Did any of them hit it big? How were their families? Were they still even living in California, his former home?
He was startled out of his reverie by a bright flash of light and looked up to see Maria with her camera at her face. She quickly lowered it and gave him a sad smile.
"I call it, 'Requiem for the White Dragon'," she said, pointing behind him. He turned and noticed a full-length poster with Li Pailong on it in profile, raising his fist before his face. "You had such a solemn look on your face, as if you were mourning. It seemed so poetic, to have a picture of Brock Lee standing before his own poster, mourning his own death."
Pailong smiled at the poetic irony of it all. "I guess you're right."
"It's amazing," she sighed while staring at the poster. "Did you know that over twenty-five thousand people attended his funeral in Hong Kong?"
The former movie star gasped out loud. This was news to him! The reason he had moved back to Hong Kong was because many of the American film producers were intimidated by showing films with an Oriental playing an Oriental. It was no surprise; the memory of World War II still fresh in the American peoples' minds and with the Vietnam War looming on the horizon, everyone was jittery. But still, it was no excuse to persecute someone, based on their skin color, or the shape of their eyes, and Pailong was no stranger to discrimination. He knew people more readily accepted him in the country of his birth; he just had no idea how many people had come to love his films, and still love them today.
"Really? That many?" He asked, still dumbfounded.
"Yeah. His films were an inspiration to both Americans and Chinese alike. No matter what, he never compromised his beliefs and his pride in being Chinese, despite the adversity he faced in America. But perhaps it was because of that, his being able to remain strong despite adversity, was what appealed to the American audiences. He certainly inspired me."
"If only he were alive to see how much good his films have done," Jun said while casting a sly wink in Pailong's direction.
"I know." Maria sighed. "My little brother would have loved to meet him. He's been begging me to send him the movies. He's taking tae kwon do and karate, but he wants to move on to more advance forms of martial arts. He wants to become a great martial arts master, and create his own style, just like his hero." She chuckled a little. "He keeps telling me that he'd like to, but he can't because he thinks only Chinese can create new martial arts."
"That's not true at all." Pailong strode toward the American girl and looked her straight in the eye. "You tell your brother that he can do anything he puts his mind to. Li Pailong created his own style of kung-fu, Dao Dan Do, by taking many styles and choosing the best moves from all of them. And many martial arts styles weren't even invented by the Chinese! I'd like too see what sort of unique style an American would come up with."
"You're right. I'll be sure to tell him that." Maria's gaze traveled to the movie poster once more. "I may not have been able to meet the real Brock Lee, but talking to you, I feel like I've met him in spirit, at least."
"I'm honored you think that," Pailong scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "He cared about his fans deeply, and I'm sure he would have loved to meet you."
"Well, I hope you find a good place to eat. I have to buy my tickets now."
"Thank you for helping us, and for taking such wonderful pictures," Jun waved to her.
"No sweat! It was great meeting you guys. Bye!" Maria waved to them as she trotted away.
"My, Americans sure are an interesting lot," Jun touched her chin in thought.
"She was nice." Pailong smiled after the girl. "Too bad she'll never know that she really did meet Li Pailong."
"Well, come on! I'm going to faint from hunger if we don't get something to eat soon!" Jun tugged on his arm and began leading him down the sidewalk once more. "Then you'll have to carry me everywhere."
"I wouldn't mind that at all," he grinned. "You're as light as a feather."
"Well, I would!" She flipped a strand of hair over her shoulder. "If you carry me around, I won't get to have any fun."
Jun glanced from one window to the next, muttering to herself about which cuisine would appeal to her palate best. Pailong listened idly, sighing with a note of impatience. He wished she would just make up her mind, so that they could move on to more interesting activities. Besides, there would be nothing for him to do, since he would not be able to eat with her.
As they walked along, they passed by a large arcade where the sounds of tinny game music was punctuated by laughter and cries of triumph and defeat. Pailong stood in front of the opened doorway and gaped at the sheer number of lights and noise emanating from the arcade. His death had taken place on the cusp of the great video game revolution, and the only game he had the chance to play was "Space Invaders", but he was instantly hooked by its simplistic goal, yet frustrating challenge to attain it.
Noticing that her mochirei was no longer by her side, Jun sighed and backtracked until she found him once more. His mouth was gaping opened, as if he were trying to catch flies.
"Pailong, what are you--" Jun turned to look at what had so entranced her loyal mochirei and felt her own mouth gape open. The carnival was tame compared to this place. There was constant movement and noise, but it was different from the carnival's pulse of people moving about and playing. There seemed to be some sort of rhythm that only the gamers seemed to be able to feel, an electronic strobe of blinking colors and the steady beat of techno music. Children and young adults gathered in groups around their friends, egging them on as they stared into large boxes with screens embedded within, seemingly hypnotized by the flashing lights and repetitive electronic music. Jun felt herself zoning out as she watched them.
"Let's go in here!" Pailong shook her shoulder, awakening her from her technologically induced trance. "It's been twenty years since I've been to an arcade. I can't believe how much games have changed in such a short period of time."
"Um Maybe later," Jun backed up, intimidated by the unfamiliar noises and garish lights. "Besides, I still need to eat."
"They have food in here, too."
"What kind of food?" Jun gazed in disbelief into the arcade as the pounding music beat against her eardrums.
"Good food," he added for emphasis. "Hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos dripping with gooey cheese" He closed his eyes and sighed. "What I wouldn't give to be able to bite into a nice juicy cheeseburger one more time."
"I don't know what any of that is." Jun blinked in confusion. "I'd rather eat something I'm familiar with. Let's run down to that Chinese restaurant down the street and come back when we're done."
Pailong stuck out his bottom lip in a slightly pouting expression. "But Miss Jun, I'll be so bored sitting around, waiting while you eat. If we come here, I'll be able to play a couple games while you eat, and it will save us a trip walking back."
"But I don't like that kind of food--" Jun was cut off by a sly grin from Pailong.
"Have you ever tried it?"
"Well, no" She was taken slightly aback. "I've never eaten anything but Chinese food."
"Then who's to say you won't like it? You'll never know until you try. Don't you want to expand your culinary experiences?"
"I guess so, but--"
"Come on! This stuff is the best! I can't remember a summer going by without grilling up a ton of hamburgers and hot dogs in the backyard. If you don't like it, then we'll go to the Chinese restaurant. Deal?"
"All right," the green haired girl sighed in defeat. "But this had better be worth my time."
"Don't worry, Miss Jun. You won't regret it."
"That's what you said about the roller coaster," Jun muttered under her breath, but Pailong couldn't hear her over the constant bleeps and tinny music emanating from the arcade. She'd keep an open mind, for his sake. This could turn out to be enjoyable. Everything else Pailong had suggested had been.
Back at the burned-out Chinese restaurant, Ren laid curled up in his bed, his belly full and his body refreshed after a hot shower. Bason remained in the living room, idly reading a magazine that had been left on the coffee table. It was frustrating, not being able to turn the pages, since he was a ghost and had no physical body, but these moments of quiet solitude were few and far between, and Bason was determined to make the most of it.
After reaching the end of the page, Bason decided to go check on his master. The red spirit flame floated down the hall and approached the door to Ren's room, left slightly ajar. Bason peered into the darkened room, the sunlight streaming through the blinds and falling in bars across the bed. It must be around three o'clock, he presumed by the position of the sun. The ghost floated inside, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy.
Ren lay curled on his side, hugging one of the red pillows against his chest. It seemed that Ren was at peace only when he was asleep, and Bason pitied him for that. Ren's mouth hung opened slightly, a trickle of drool leaking out. His face was soft and smoothed, no longer marred by the lines of arrogance and anger that he often wore during the day. His toes twitched slightly, and he mumbled something in his sleep.
"Mmmm Nee-san When are you coming home?" Ren said softly, as innocent and imploring as a child. Bason knew his master was much too young to be saddled with such a heavy burden, and yet he shouldered his responsibility without complaint. Ren was forced to become an adult long before his time, never given the luxury of experiencing a happy childhood.
How I wish I could turn back time, Bason thought as he continued to gaze at the slumbering child. You have experienced so much pain and anguish. I wish that you could start over, and reclaim the childhood that you deserved to have. If only you could let go of your anger, then I'm sure you would be at peace, even when you are awake.
The spirit flame took on his true form as the black-armored warlord, intimidating in all respects but for his red eyes, which glowed with a warmth that no words could describe. Gently, he reached forward a brushed a stray lock of hair from his master's face with a huge finger. Ren twitched slightly, feeling only a slightly warm breeze tickle his face.
Bason sighed and resumed his spirit flame form once more. Such torture, to care so deeply for another, and yet never being able to touch. Though Ren was a shaman and could interact with spirits, it wasn't the same. Bason still remained incorporeal, and he could never truly comfort his master the way he always wanted to, but it was enough, being here by his side and watching him sleep in peace.
The spirit flame floated toward the memorial tablet sitting on the bedside table and entered it, feeling content as the sun had warmed the cold stone of his place of refuge. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, keeping silent vigil over his master's slumbering form.
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Damn! I had a bad case of writer's block with this chapter. Glad that's over with. I know what your thinking, and no, Bason is not gay. I think that Bason is the closest thing to a caring father figure that Ren has ever had. And I think Ren really does care about his mochirei, though he'd never admit it to anyone, least of all Bason. Oh yeah, Pailong's American name, Brock Lee, is in tribute to Naruto's Rock Lee. I thought that's what my friend was calling him, and I was like, "Oh, I get it! He wears green, so he's named after broccoli." My friend was like, "Uh No, his name is ROCK Lee." Me, "Oh Sorry" So, I that's why I called him that. Plus, it starts with the letter 'B' just like Bruce Lee. Coming up next, some action goes down at the arcade, and Ren wakes up feeling hungry again. Next chapter is called "Viva la Dance Dance Revolution!" Get down with it, baby!