The girls in Gui's afternoon literature were going crazy as they walked inside the classroom.
They were all in small groups of two or three, bickering back and forth to each other about the recent events that had occurred in Second Life that week.
"Did you hear?" The one who entered the classroom first asked the rest of them.
"Of course I did! The question is; did you all hear what happened?" The following one stated.
"We all did!" The rest of them replied.
"How can we not? We all keep in touch about the happenings in Infinite City."
"I'm actually part of Infinite City! That's how I keep hearing things."
"Ever since I learned that professor Gui was one of the leaders I got myself a place there as soon as I could too! It wasn't cheap, let me tell you that much." The last one to walk in said, as if she was one of the few lucky ones.
Yang Ming, who had for once arrived early, was already in his seat next to Feng Lan. "I'm part of Infinity City too but you don't hear me yappin' about it like a squeaking bird!" He said to his sister. He had been more than fed up by the behavior of his classmates.
Sheesh. This is a learning institute, not a gossip center. And I'm barely paying attention as it is.
Of course, with nearly everyone in the university playing Second Life, it was obvious that the focus of every day would be on the gossip and hype of the game. Even so, it was getting annoying how much attention one single player caused.
{Feng Wu Qing: and he's a tranny for heaven's sake!}
"Geez, what got into him?"
"Who even is he?"
"Isn't he the one to always get scolded by professor Gui?"
"Yeah, he eats a lot in class."
"Pfftt. I bet he's a low-ranked player, ignore him."
"Take that back!" Yang Ming stood up from his seat. They could insult him, his lack of tact, but the one thing they shouldn't and he wouldn't, let them insult is his pride as a player.
Feng Lan sighed. "Sit down, you idiotic brother. Don't cause more ruckus than necessary." She passed him her tablet, which was already in the Second Life homepage. "Can you help me with something?"
Yang Ming begrudgingly took the tablet and sat down. "Help you with what?" His hands were poking the screen, laughing hysterically at the topics of discussion in the forums. "I'm not helping you spread more rumors around. And if you need help resolving them... Wrong person to ask."
"You idiot!" She almost wanted to hit him with the tablet itself. "I need help with this." She whispered as she pointed to the the caption in the top part of the webpage.
'Prince, the ambassador of Second Life, is giving the goodbye speech on the day of the game's closure. Do not miss it!'
"Ohhhhhhh that. Yeah. I heard about it. What could you possibly need my help with that for?" He blinked and stared at her curiously. "I'm barely passing the classes I take, yet you ask me to help you write a dazzling speech?" He whispered.
This time, Feng Lan did hit her brother with the tablet. "That's not it either. I meant the other caption!"
Yang Ming winced. "Okay you didn't have to hit me. Let me see that." He glanced again to the homepage and scrolled through it slowly. After a minute he saw what she was talking about. He angrily placed the tablet down. "This? Well, guess what? I still don't know why you did it, but I do not accept it nor will I help you."
'Prince going on break from Second Life? Everything will be answered in a press conference by the rest of the Odd Squad, more information coming soon.'
Feng Lan puffed her cheeks. "Don't be so angry now. I have a good reason, and besides you don't know what I will ask."
"I don't need to, I'm your brother, Lan." Yang Ming crossed his arms. "If there is anyone in the world who knows you better than me...I don't think that is possible, actually."
"Then you'll do it?" She asked hopefully.
Yang Ming sighed. "I don't know..."
"Pleaaaaaseeeeee!?"
"I'm not part of... Ugh! Stop giving me that pitiful look. Why would I help you?" He knew he had a point. He only hoped his sister would realize it and leave him alone about this topic. It was giving him a headache.
"You said so yourself. I'm your sister. You know me better than anyone else, don't you? If anyone can help me out of this mess, it's you."
"Like usual, I don't even know what's going on Lan, and I don't like it. I can't help you."
"You can't or you won't?"
She was persistent and wouldn't drop it. Darn, she could be pretty stubborn. He would probably end up losing here.
The two bickering siblings had been arguing back and forth and weren't really paying attention nor seemed to notice that all eyes were on them. Especially the eyes of one literature professor who had walked into the classroom a few minutes prior and was curiously staring at them, deciding when would be the best moment to get in their way, and wondering just why they were arguing about Second Life when they were in school in the first place. Gui decided he'd question them later, but for now he needed to start the class.
"Feng Yang Ming! Feng Lan! Are you two done with your sibling spat so we can begin the class or do you need the rest of the lesson time?" He coughed and started to write on the blackboard and smirked when they jumped.
"We'll talk later." Feng Lan said to her brother.
Yang Ming sighed and grabbed his textbook. "Sorry professor, you can start the class." He did not want to get in trouble again. "This conversation is done." He mouthed to his sister.
Feng Lan stuck her tongue out. "Nope!" She mouthed back to him.
"Do I need to give you two detention or something?" Gui said bemusedly.
Having the twins in the class was certainly interesting and there was never a dull moment with them around. It seemed like things in the class were as usual. For now, at least.
{-}
Long Shui Han sighed as she twirled a hair around her ponytail.
Everything had been out of control lately and as much as she liked keeping secrets with Feng Lan, this was getting a little too out of hand.
She had been in a talk with the college student as soon as she got back from her classes and made sure that her brother was fed, playing the game and out of harm's way... Whatever that last one meant, Shui Han had no clue and decided it was best not even to ask.
"How are we supposed to keep Second Life afloat for the next few weeks until you decide to return?"
She laid down in her bed and picked up the gaming helmet, twirling it in her free hand, the other nestling the phone by her ear so it wouldn't fall.
"Look, it's just until I figure things out. I'm trying my best, honestly." Feng Lan was talking to her, but at the same time it seemed like she was ruffling through papers.
Was she reading something?
"Well, try harder, Lan. This isn't just about you. The entire Odd Squad and Infinite City is also at stake here."
"How is everyone, by the way?"
"Putting aside a Meatbun that threatens to destroy the castle by it's never ending cries nearly pulling a massive flood, we're all fine. Wet, but alive. Barely." Feng Lan laughed. "It's not funny!"
"That's my pet for you." Feng Lan nodded proudly. "I raised it well."
"You raised it to be a spoilt, always hungry, annoying, misdirection-ed, crybaby hopping piece of bun. Sounds almost exactly like someone I know..."
"Hey!" Feng Lan was offended.
"Like owner, like pet, right?" Shui Han retorted.
Feng Lan sighed. It's not like she could argue. Two out of the five seemed to be like her. "Who has the bun inherited the other traits from, then? Because the others aren't like me at all."
Shui Han looked at the time. "Beats me, but hey I will have to let you go now. Everyone is probably waiting for me already. Anything you want me to say?"
"Yeah." Feng Lan finally stopped ruffling the papers and slammed whatever it was she had been reading down. "Tell Gui that while he's out doing whatever it is he's doing, us students are suffering from too much homework. Sheesh that idiot couldn't even give us a break. I hope one day he learns our pain and I'll demote him down a level or two next time I see him!"
Shui Han laughed. "I'll remember that. Bye Lan, have fun." She hung up and placed the phone down on the bed and took the helmet on both her hands, holding her breath for a bit, she placed it on her head and hoped she wouldn't have one of those weird dream connections again. Or she too, would have to quit Second Life earlier than planned and for the time being, the team didn't need that.
According to Feng Lan, the weird dreams started when she fell asleep with the helmet on but not turning on the link for the game.
Well, if that was the case...
"Link start!"
{-}
"Why does Lolidragon get to talk to Prince and we do not?" Gui sulked. "It's not fair."
"Hey, hey, you're his literature professor." Lolidragon said, waving a pen around. "You see Prince nearly every day so stop complaining."
"We don't get to talk. And everything seems to be weird lately." Gui pouted. "His highness waaaah!"
Feng Wu Qing placed his feet on top of the table and munched on his chips. "She's been acting really weird," the warrior nodded. "But as long as the homework gets done so I can copy off it, I don't really mind."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Gui said bemusedly.
"Lighten up, prof. We're not in class, and technically you can't reprimand me here."
"Technically, he can. We're all representatives of Prince yet all you're doing is nothing but sitting there."
"I'm basically taking Prince's spot then." Feng Wu Qing replied quite proudly. "He doesn't do anything anyways and you all do his work for him."
"Are you calling his highness lazy? Take that back!" Gui said. "You'd never be like his royal highness regardless."
"Wouldn't dream of it in a million years." He raised his hand and yawned. "Where's everyone else?"
"They're running a tad bit late." Lolidragon said. "Hmph! I could have bought a few stuff online instead of wasting time here."
"I wish his highness were here." Gui wailed.
"Oh yeah, Prince did have a message for you." Lolidragon said with a snicker.
"His highness?" Gui perked up. "What did he say!?"
"That he hopes one day you feel the pain your students feel. That and he'll demote you one or two levels for giving too much homework."
Gui plopped down into his seat dejectedly. "His highness hates me..."
"I would too," Feng Wu Qing said. "That worksheet from last week was brutal."
"You got 60% of the worksheet wrong." Gui couldn't help but say. "Scoring a 40 out of a 100 makes me worried for you."
"Congratulations, Feng Wu Qing." Lolidragon said as she snickered even more. "You're stupid."
The warrior crossed his arms. "I am not! I was just having a bad day."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." Lolidragon simply laughed even more.
{-}
Feng Yang Ming took off his gaming helmet and glancing at the time, got up and stretched his arms. It was time for a break and to eat something.
He only hoped that sister of his wasn't being lazy and left something in the kitchen for him to eat as a snack. His dinner was already long gone by then.
He knew she wasn't in the game, so either she was asleep or doing late night reading for class. Knowing her, she was probably in the living room, in front of the tv and attempting to kick butt at a video game. That's what she pretty much did whenever she was moping around like a puppy.
He sighed and ruffled his hair, yawning a little as he tried not to trip finding his way downstairs. Why were the lights turned off anyways?
"Lan? Are you awake?" His voice echoed through the house as he used his cellphone as a flashlight. No one answered and he groaned in response.
When he finally reached the bottom, he turned on the light to the kitchen, turned off his phone and placed it in his pocket. He then noticed that there was absolutely nothing in the dinner table except some decorations.
He went straight to the refrigerator and sighed to himself. It meant that Lan had not been in the kitchen since dinner, and he had to do something about his hunger by himself.
This could not end well.
Okay, the fridge was full and he had options at least. What he needed was to find or make something that did not require heating, cooking, baking, or any electronics of sorts. That would be easy, right?
He used one leg to keep the refrigerator open, and leaned forward.
Let the search begin.
Five minutes later
He had opened the freezer and realized he had not seen or smelled so much fish in his life.
Ewwww!
The smell was driving him insane. Why did Lan possibly need that much seafood in the first place?
After searching through bags of seafood, he only saw one tub of ice cream. Ice cream didn't need to be cooked right?
Success!
One non-perishable, easy to eat food secured, he closed the freezer and decided to stick to the non-frozen foods.
What went well with ice cream?
Ten more minutes later
He had found some whipped cream, bananas, blueberries and other fruits which he knew didn't need to be cooked and placed then in the dinner table with the rest of the acquired food.
Grabbing a spoon, a bowl, a knife and some napkins he sat down and wondered; just what possibly could he make out of this?
He placed spoonful after spoonful of ice cream into the bowl, awkwardly cut the fruits (not in a perfect cut but hey,) and placed them on top.
He stared at his creation happily and took out his cellphone. He snapped a picture or toe and smiled.
He had succeeded at making something! He, of all people!
"Why does it feel like it's missing something..." He wondered out loud.
He went and counted every thing he had taken from the fridge. Aha! It had been the whipped cream. He shook the can and placed it near his creation, smearing it all over the bowl. He took another blueberry and placed it on top of the whipped cream to finish it off. Then took another picture.
By now, the ice cream had started to melt. He took the spoon, clapped his hands and dug in.
The following morning, Feng Lan screamed, went to wake her brother up and scolded him about what had happened to the kitchen. All at exactly an hour before he had to actually wake up. Poor Yang Ming.
{Feng Wu Qing: if you're going to have a night cooking adventure, don't leave evidence behind. Novice mistake makes for teaching valuable life lessons.}
For what he did, Yang Ming was made to clean not only his mess, but the entire breakfast meal's one too.
{-}
"And so, I managed to make my own food!" Feng Wu Qing was boasting proudly in Second Life the next day. He of course embellished most of what had occurred and didn't dare say he was stuck on cleanup duty after the mess he had created.
Lolidragon shook her head and grabbed her financial quota books. "As fascinating as this story is, I need to go."
"Don't you want to hear how I made my snack?"
"You have told this story five times already." Lolidragon groaned. "So, no."
"Well, you need to hear it again! You need to know how awesome I am!"
The thief sighed. This was the guy she thought she might have a crush on? Seriously?
I guess this is what Feng Lan meant by keeping her brother out of harm's way. He's more dangerous than Meatbun on a flood rampage!
"Feng Wu Qing, why don't you... Uhmmm." There really was no nice way of putting this. "Perhaps you should borrow our kitchen..." Alarms and danger flags went off in her head.
Wait, wait! That was a bad idea. What was she even suggesting? She had clearly gone insane. There had been a reason Prince hadn't allowed the warrior into the kitchen after all. He was free to roam everywhere except there. The thief just thought it had something to do with Prince being weird but she had started to reconsider it now.
"Really?" Feng Wu Qing perked up at the idea.
She shook her head. "Never mind. Look, don't do anything stupid. I have to go give some papers to Yu Lian so she can sign them. You're free to wander around the castle, but as usual; stay away from the kitchen!"
Feng Wu Qing was staring at her dejectedly.
"But I'm hungry."
Those two really are twins, and they're out to get me.
{-}
Later that week, Shui Han had invited herself over to the Feng's, claiming she had found a interesting movie and wanted Lan to watch it with her.
They spent the first few hours of the hangout laughing and gossiping about things going on in Second Life that Feng Lan had missed.
"He what?" Feng Lan laughed her ass off. "I can't believe it!" She twirled a pen in her hand and flipped to her stomach.
"I'm telling you, Lan, how do you deal with him? It took me an hour to find him and make sure he had not burned the castle down."
"It's just a game." Feng Lan rolled her eyes. "At least I know there he won't do any lasting damage. Here however..."
"You'd be without a home sooner than you could blink." Shui Han retorted.
"And now you know my struggles."
The quiet shuffling and footsteps made Feng Lan and Shui Han look to the door, Feng Lan expecting her brother to barge in any time and ask something stupid.
"Lan! Do you know where my copy of the literature book disappeared to?" Yang Ming asked from outside the door.
She sighed and mentally praised herself at how well she knew her brother. Seriously. How was she supposed to know where his book was if she didn't even study at home together with him?
"No, you stupid brother! And I don't really care about where your things are. Stop being lazy."
"I'm not being lazy, I just asked you something."
"No, I haven't seen it sheesh!"
"I need it to do my homework."
"And you think I would let you borrow mine? Go find your own copy! You're being rude to our guest."
Yang Ming huffed. "Your guest! She didn't even want to spend time with me." He walked away, saying about how Feng Lan was being inconsiderate of his feelings.
Feng Lan sighed, only to find that Shui Han was laughing and laughing and laughing.
"Sorry about that, Lan, but you have to admit that's hilarious."
"You're not the one who has to spend every waking minute with a lazy good-for-nothing brother." Lan retorted.
"I know," Shui Han said. "Anyways, did you make progress?"
Feng Lan shook her head. "Not yet but I've been sleeping without the helmet on and I don't seem to be having any nightmares. I suppose that's progress."
"It means that the reactions do only seen to happen when you have your helmet on." Shui Han thought about it carefully. "Are you sure there isn't any psychological thing going on? I'm here to listen if anything, you know that."
"Thanks, Lolidragon and I don't even know at this point." Then she tilted her head to the side. "Hey! Are you saying I'm going crazy? Last time I recall, you had these things happen to you too."
"Well, yes." Shui Han pursed her lips. "I suppose you're right."
Feng Lan flipped back to her stomach again and kicked her feet to the bed a bit. "Why is this happening only to us?"
"I have thought about it, actually. I think it's because," Shui Han said, and paused for effect. "I was the first person to ever meet Prince."
"Is that your idea of a joke?" Feng Lan simply asked, throwing her a pillow and Shui Han laughed.
This is why they were friends. They easily knew and could tell what the other was thinking. It was different from the bond she shared with her brother but in a way it also felt the same.
"Alright, I was kidding there. Buuuut! Enough drifting off subject. I think I have found the solution to your problems."
"You're kidding? Why didn't you say so earlier!?" Feng Lan puffed her cheeks. "You invited yourself over to watch a movie."
"Nope. I invited myself over to watch a eye opener, inspirational, old movie."
"That you wouldn't even tell me what it is."
"It would ruin the surprise!"
"Can we watch it now or?"
"Sure, but first, let me tell you something."
Feng Lan stared curiously. "What is it?"
"Feng Lan, I will make a Prince out of you."
[-]
DUN DUN DUN!
Phew. This took forever to write. I want to thank the amazing reviewers and people who keep reading the story. You are the best. Thanks for sticking with me so far! The story, not me. We're already in chapter thirteen. What a ride, huh?
Anonymess, as usual, is the best person I could have asked to meet. She's really kind and patient when it comes to me asking and bugging her about stuff I miss here and there.
Zephyr! Thanks for warning me about misusing "Quing" in the last chapter. I went and fixed the name spelling error and realized you were right when Anonymess (and Wikia, once again,) confirmed it was really "Qing." Phew. Glad you caught the error before I kept using it and would end up having to fix all the chapters! (I think it was only last chapter that error occurred but I will go back and edit any others I find.)
This is why having reviewers like you is great.
Now, on to the story. I left you with a cliffy there kukukuku. Anyone care to guess what movie it is? Not that it would take a genius but really. the idea about it came to me when I was talking to my friend earlier and I was taking about "being as swift as the coursing river" something or other and I'm like... Wait! Where have I heard this before? Then I remembered and I started cracking up cause I can soooo use this! Why didn't I think of this earlier? And thus, here we are LOL!
I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know if you spot any errors. I will go back to edit this eventually.
Until then...
LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS... TO DEFEAT! THE DIANS! FENG LAN I'LL... MAKE A PRINCE, OUT OF YOUUUUU~