~*~third entry*~

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Sender: Meilin Lee
To: Everyone
Subject: A Big Confession


Okay I'm not sure how to go about this, but I'd super appreciate it if everyone read this??? Because I have a super huge confession to make and it's important to me. And it'd probably explain a lot about how I've been acting since I'm pretty sure I've weirded a lot out of you out.

Guess the best way to start is with the backstory. So like a super long time ago, my ancestor Sun Yee lived in this village during war time, and all the men went off to fight. But that left the village kinda defenseless, y'know? She wanted to protect her daughters so she prayed to the gods for help. So the gods gave her the ability to turn into a gigantic red panda so she could fight off any invaders and protect her home. Because she really loved red pandas.

Now I know that sounds SUPER MADE UP but I promise it's real because that ability got passed down through the generations - which leads to me. Whenever I get super emotional about anything (happy, sad, angry, you name it) I turn into the Panda. Sometimes just a small trigger will set off parts of the Panda, like ears and tail - so if you've seen me try to head my head or my butt, uh, yeah, that's why. Now some of you may be asking why I've been hiding this because we've got literal animals and demons walking and talking around this world like it's no biggie.

IT IS A SUPER BIGGIE IN MY WORLD. Like, no one thinks gods and magic actually exist??? I sure didn't! No one told me about this "blessing" until it happened to me like a few weeks before I came here! And I freaked out and nearly destroyed my home and temple! I'm already a huge target for bullying at my school, this would be infinity times worse! There is this ritual to seal up the Panda but this place grabbed me before we could do it!

But this world is different. Yeah, obviously. But like... everyone's so nice? And understanding? Plus while the idea of a giant Red Panda sounds super silly, that form of mine is actually really strong, so it could help fight monsters here and stuff. So... I'm not going to try and hide it anymore. As long as I'm here, I'm going to try and embrace it a little more. So, I guess, that's everything.

Wait no one last thing - If my mom ever comes here please don't tell her about any of this! Okay now I'm done.

Comments

[senorita_perfecta]

I don’t think that you’re making things up. Most of my family have magical abilities granted by a miracle for generations but also we have to deal with our own internal struggles too. I can understand the trickiness of navigating of using a power or a gift and familial pressure at the same time, so I can relate to your story.

Perhaps you can use the strength of the red panda to protect everyone while staying looking adorable. And don’t worry, Mei: I won’t tell your mama about it.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

well I think the protecting people part is more important than the adorable part, but I get what you're saying

i think

[senorita_perfecta]

Yeah, it was pretty hard for me to keep my own dreams locked up while trying to keep with an image and the expectations my Abuela and everyone else had for me. The whole perfection thing has been weighing me down for a very long time.

As much as I enjoy growing plants, there were times I felt like I was being restricted on what I can do with my gift and times where I wished that I didn’t have any powers at all. Thankfully everyone in my family doesn’t have to sacrifice our needs and dreams while helping out our community these days.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

that's a relief to hear

but i am kinda jealous that it's a whole family community thing

right now it's just me. Mom sealed away her panda when she was my age, like everyone's done

[senorita_perfecta]

So hold on, she actually sealed off her panda at the same age as you are? I wonder why she had to do that at the time.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

because turning into a gigantic red panda at the drop of a hat would make school, business, life in general, super super SUPER hard???

[senorita_perfecta]

Yikes! I didn’t know turning into a giant red panda would come with a lot of more difficulties than I can imagine.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

yeah it SOUNDS cute but it's really a pain

having too much fun with your friends? having a big cry? being too scared? Bam, there's the Panda.

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh gee, I’m sorry that the Panda situation has been tough for you and your mama. Is there anything I can do to help you out if ever the Panda pops up again?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

I turn back to normal when I calm down, so just calming me down would help??? Hopefully it won't happen all that often!

[senorita_perfecta]

Hm, that is a really good advice. Perhaps I can provide some plants to help in calming things down for you.

From what some of the reading and examining of the plants I have done before arriving at Reverein, I learned that some herbs and plants can help in calming a person’s nerves down. Maybe they could help in some way.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

That sounds like a good idea! Like herbal tea or something like that?

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh yes, definitely with herbal tea especially. I have some chamomile, mint and lavender gardening from my treehouse garden and I can deliver some of them to you in a little bit.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

that sounds absolutely perfect! i owe you big time!

[senorita_perfecta]

You’re welcome anytime, Mei! Glad to be of any help.