The First Date Prompt (Pitched by: Salty)

Goal: Using an OC, write a scene of a pairing's first date.

Pairing: Yao and The Protagonist (She isn't named, so I'll call her Mei Li for the Prompt)

Verse: Sifu

The Scene

The walk back to the Wuguan was longer than the first time he went there. After receiving the Fire Talisman as he said he was going to, he left the Club. Sean's damaged ego and pride and a destroyed School Sign since the Sage of Unpredictability basically dojo busted The Fighter since he fought all the violent Clubbers and his students to boot. As Martial Artists were passable, he's fought much worse and better despite his young age. Sean and the woman he befriended while there, Flashkick were the two best he fought there. Though that was only because Sean used the Fire Talisman to power himself up, just as the woman who asked him to get the Fire Talisman said he would. Flash used a mix of Tae Kwon Do and Savate, which allowed her a slight advantage over the other club goers who were just brawlers. Unlike a certain Oni Detective, there wasn't any intelligent reason why they fought the way they did. Only a handful of them, barring Flash, knew how to throw a proper kick.

So why did Yao do this for the woman in question?

She told him what the group known as the Dawn did to her and a bunch of Martial Artists in the neighborhood. They took heirlooms from each school. One of the Sifus they killed was her own father, and she swore vengeance. Once word got around that the Nameless Quan Fa Warrior was in the city, she instantly searched to see if the rumors were true. By a stroke of luck, she found him in the Squats dealing with some of the violent drug dealers in the area. He knew of the corruption there, which made her more believable. Once he heard the whole story and its supernatural aspects, he was on board, being no stranger to the supernatural himself.

However, altruism wasn't the only motivation for his helping, admittedly.

The woman he was helping, Mei Li, had the Sennin crushing hard. Her passion for Wushu rivaled him and his family. Her dedication to the craft equaled most of his family, and he found her adorable in terms of looks. Yao wasn't the best at reading female expressions and actions but could make a solid bet the feeling was somewhat mutual. For the first time in years, he felt interested in seeing where a relationship went and having someone feel the same way.

He reached the double doors and opened them to enter the Wuguan.

"Mei? You there?"

Yao walked inside and heard silence, but the Wuguan was rather large. She simply may not know he's inside yet. He continued walking around the building to familiarize himself with the place.

"Mei?" Yao called for her again.

Luckily, a third attempt wouldn't be needed as he found her working the Punching Bag outside. Mei Li delivered the final punch just as the Sennin clapped.

"Very impressive, Ms. Li."

Mei Li took a deep breath and exhaled before turning around with a cute smile after seeing her compatriot.

"Hey, you're back." She approached him.

"Yes, and I brought gifts," Yao responded.

He took the Fire Talisman out of his pocket. Mei Li's face brightened to the point where Yao couldn't hide his smile as he gave her the talisman. Unexpectedly, she leaned in and pecked his cheek.

"Thank you. I hope Sean wasn't too hard."

Mei Li went inside. Yao blushed fiercely when he finally understood what had just happened as he followed her.

"Not at all, though he was the best fighter there. Plus, I had a little help."

"You? Needing help? I doubt that. You're just being humble. You sure don't like to boast for a Sennin."

"You know, Mei. You're not the first person to tell me that. But I'm being serious. A girl named Flashkick helped me with the layout and even beat some of the other disciples with me."

"You convinced a Clubgoer to help you? How'd you manage that?"

"Everyone there acted like strength was a turn on. Once I beat everyone on the floor, her included, she asked me to let her come with me."

"That's all?" Mei Li asked, enough jealousy in her tone for Yao to notice.

"Yes," Yao responded, stifling a chuckle at the sudden shift. "I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know my name."

Yao intentionally left out the part where she introduced her two friends, the female bartenders of the fight area. And how all three flirted with him relentlessly while he was there.

Mei Li placed the Fire Talisman back in its respective container. "Regardless, I'm thankful that you got the Fire Talisman back, Yao."

"So that's two down, three to go?"

"Correct. The next on my list is Kuroki, who has the Water Talisman. She's held up in the museum, but it's too late to go since it's closed. I'll head there tomorrow."

Yao looked at the window of the information room and saw the moon coming into view.

"Wow, I didn't know it got so late." He scratched his hair. "I guess I should go find a hotel or something."

"Nonsense, you can stay here. There's more than enough room for you as I'm the only one here."

"Thanks, Mei." Yao's stomach grumbled. "Do you have any food to spare as well?"

Mei Li chuckled at his bashful demeanor. "I'm sure there's enough for us to share. It isn't late enough where we can't make something if we have to."

"Oh, that won't be a problem. I know how to cook, and my step-aunt is a Chef that taught me some things."

"Then we can go half and half on the work," Mei Li responded as she led the way to the kitchen.

After making their food, they sat at the table and said their graces; they began eating. Mei Li immediately started a conversation.

"So, you made it clear that you're a Sennin. But there's one thing I always wanted to know since we met."

"Shoot. I'm an open book."

"What are those rings for? You constantly say they're for your opponent's benefit, but I struggle to see why. You can possibly get away with saying their Iron Rings, but you normally don't wear them on your ankles."

"They're Limiter Rings. I wear them to restrain my physical attributes. Wrist Rings limit physical strength, Ankle Rings limit agility."

"And you still beat me 30 times," Mei Li commented comically in a bitter tone.

"If it makes you feel any better, those losses could've been a lot harsher," Yao answered as he continued eating.

"I thought you said I was the first Pak Mei practitioner you fought?"

"You were."

"Then how'd you know my style so well? Hmmm?"

"Pak Mei is just Wing Chun mixed with Mantis, Choy Li Fut, and Dragon Claw. All styles I know very well, even when mixed together. Thanks to reading the Scrolls, I know Wushu better than Grandmasters who know their Art. I already knew most of the styles since I grew up in a family infamous for their vast Wushu knowledge. The scroll only intensified it. Knowing Wushu when you battle me already puts you in a disadvantageous position. It's a legit power of mine that I call 预测系统 (The Prediction System or yùcè xìtǒng).

"The Prediction System," Mei Li repeated in absolute awe. "Incredible. So Sean must've been a pushover."

"To say the least. If anything, the Fire Talisman only delayed the inevitable.

"And you didn't kill him?"

Yao shook his head.

"Found no reason to, though I see why you want to. The guy was so entitled; he started reminding me of people I know from Hong Kong. But there's a difference between vengeance and revenge, Mei." Yao answered as he continued eating.

"I know that."

"I know you do. But still, I noticed you were teetering on killing Fajar back at The Squats."

It was hard for Mei Li to spare Fajar as he was the one who killed her eight years ago. That's when she knew the Talisman was unique. Yet this Talisman wasn't corrupt like the others. Maybe that's why her father gave it to her before Yang killed him. She had every reason to kill the mute, but she showed restraint and didn't.

"It wouldn't have changed anything. You told me that revenge was an idiotic thing to pursue. But sparing them all would provide me with the proper vengeance. It brings me down the path to Wude, and I don't plan on straying."

Yao smiled at the wonderful woman sitting next to him. "Good."

The pair continued their casual conversation as the food started to disappear. Once the food was gone, the two began clearing the table and washing the dishes.

"I really enjoyed this dinner with you, Yao," Mei Li spoke.

Yao finished washing his plates.

"I enjoyed myself too. Hopefully, we can do it again soon."

Yao dried his hands, placing the dishes on the counter as he looked into Mei Li's eyes. He felt a soft but firm hand on top of his that belong to her. With silent consent, she melded their hands as she sheepishly closed the distance.

"I'd like that a lot."

She wrapped her arm around his neck, her smile never fading.

"We shouldn't, Mei. We have to go to The Museum tomorrow."

"I know. But that's not going to stop us now, won't it? You have to feel the chemistry, correct? It's why you're not pulling away."

She knew him so well despite only knowing him for a few days. They were similar, and Yao was very open to her. She was much the same. The pair flirted but not enough where it became harassment as they got along so well. It just felt right.

"You're right." He admitted.

That was all the consent Mei Li needed before closing the distance for a passionate kiss. He immediately returned while pulling her closer. The right amount of time passed before they mutually separated.

"I should head to bed. See you in the morning," Mei Li said before she pecked him one last time.

Yao felt on his lips. "That just happened."

He then started searching for another bed.