#cinderellion

Much to his amazement, the python sat by you doing nothing, wall watching TV, actually watching it with you and Liu Kang. The champion even watched you fold the laundry that you forgot about with the python just there.

Sometimes it would offer its head, and you'd scratch its little noggin like it was nothing.

With a teasing smile near the end of the visit, you asked him, "Were you scared?"

Liu Kang felt his heart and the burning of his skin metaphorically, especially when Freddy the Ball Python was looking at him with those boba looking eyes.

"Yes, but now I think I'm scared of you."

Liu Kang held you to a high regard. He was wary of it, but if you lived with such a creature so sublimely he decided he might as well let you.

You seemed happy, and that was enough for him.

KUNG LAO

The first words out of his mouth were: "What the fuck is that!?"

You gasped, offended, "Hey! Don't say that about my pretty girl!"

Kung Lao just watched you hold the python like it wasn't a snake. He'd had some bad experiences with snakes, so who could blame him?

"Just because Shang Tsung ruined snakes for you doesn't mean it ruined it for me." You carried your snake away like it was a flipping child.

Kung Lao just watched you, dumbfounded. Later on he would find you reading with the Ball Python in your lap like it was nothing. The creature seemingly taking a nap.

"What the hell am I looking at?" Kung Lao questioned with his arms crossed.

You simply perked a brow, "I'm reading? Are you talking about my baby?" You petted the snake gently with the back of your hand.

"What if that thing is poisonous!" He shot.

"Ball Pythons aren't poisonous, you dummy." You shot back.

Kung Lao relented. Sitting away from you but just close enough to make sure the snake wouldn't do anything. From time to time you'd look over and give him a deadpan look.

Even so, you continued reading with your beloved Ball Python on your lap, while Kung Lao watched with a sneaking suspicion she was evil.

Hopefully, and most likely, he'd come around.

NIGHTWOLF

For Grey, seeing such an animal was normal, and he didn't fear them. No, he respected the creatures.

He was quite glad to see that you, with such a creature saw the same. Acting so very natural with the creature before you noticed him. You'd given him a key to come to your home after his exploits.

You smiled, "Hi, Grey!" As if you didn't have a creature in your hands that other people found less than favorable.

"Hello, and who is this?" He reached out a finger to the python.

"This is Perla!" You showed him your snake, and the python raised her head for his calloused fingers and hands to scratch.

Throughout the day, he watched as you cooked a simple lunch for the two of you. You pulled out a chair and settled the snake onto the wooden chair. Grey watched the snake's body rise up to watch as you chopped vegetables.

Grey sighed, getting up and asking if he could help. From the corner of his eye, the snake was watching him help with cutting the food and putting them in the pan.

He had the heart to ask. "Does she always watch you like this?"

"Yes! Perla loves to watch me when I'm doing this. I think she just likes to be near me."

Grey hummed, and he agreed with the python. Perla rubbed the base of her head against his arm. Grey petted her head with the pad of his finger.

Body feeling heavy and bruised. It made complete sense especially since the hunter association had been tackled with so many cases recently.

It only made sense that you were tired beyond belief. What made it worse is that despite being hunting partners you two would always be put on separate teams to deal with wanderers.

Missions upon missions. Never having time for one another. If you got home Xavier wasn’t home. She was off on a mission. The same with her; coming home and you were gone.

Thankfully now, the missions seemed to slow. You two were given the time to breeze.

As the associations most trusted hunters Jenna made it a point for you and Xavier to have time to yourselves and have time to recuperate.

That’s what follows you and Xavier here with the night humble, stars and the moon shining into the windows. Soft candlelight lit on the dresser across from the bed. The shower had been used, and you were damp, dressed in a slinky silk nightgown. The flimsy strap following down your shoulder.

Eyes sparkling in the candlelight when seeing Xavier step out of the bathroom. Steam seeped out from the room.

Xavier with a white towel wrapped around her torso. Hair was wet and looked pretty glistening off the moonlight. You sat up upon seeing her.

“Xavi,” calling out for her, a bunny plush just between your legs. You enjoyed the way her eye twitched. Your breathing stuttered when the towel dropped from her body with one swift move.

“Heh, Xavi, what are you doing? You just took a shower.” Your face was burning hot just as her knee hit the bed. Her naked body in front of you with no shame.

Her hands pulled the bunny plush from your lap with a darkened expression.

“Princess,” Her hand pressed onto your shoulder, pushing you down onto the pillow, “We’ve been apart for so long and already you’ve sought comfort from a plush? Not from me?”

“No! It’s just that-“

“There is no ‘It’s just that.” Xavier was above you with the complete beauty that she was. “No need to go to something else when I’m here.”

A soft kiss was pressed to your neck, peppers up to your chin and then to your lips. Small whimpers from you when Xavier’s hands began to travel down to the hem of your nightgown.

Xavier pulled off and then back to your neck, peppering kisses and nipping on your skin. You clung onto her wet back. Long hair tickling your skin making you giggle between those soft noises.

Your lover relished in them. “What would you like Princess? Hm?”

Shyly you replied, fingers running through her wet strands, “Eat me out?”

Xavier shivered feeling your breath on her ear. With layered eyes you watched Xavier move to between your legs. Long fingers pushing up that slinky nightgown, and pulling down your underwear.

“So wet, Princess.” Kissing the inner of your thigh. You whimpered, fingers gripping the pillow behind you. “Are you ready?”

“Hmm, yes, Xavi.”

You softly moaned when a hot tongue licked up your womanhood. Dripping wet continuously just when Xavier gripped your thighs to pull you closer.

Fingers breaching inside when she found your clit; licking up with her tongue. It made you go crazy. Hands grabbing the top of her head gripping hair so tight and pulling. Xavier only groaned pushing her face more onto your cunt.

Cunt clenching up against her fingers. Touching a particular spot that had you pulling for her hand onto your thigh. Just by a simple touch Xavier linked her fingers with yours.

“Xavi-“ Looking down at her. Eyes, blue and pretty, looking up at you. Dreamy with all the love in those darling eyes. All while fingering and eating you out. Gave you whiplash. Flinging your head back when she timed the movement of her tongue and fingers.

You squeaked feeling her add a third finger inside, and then a fourth. Clinging to her hand as your only support. Your other hand clinging to the bed sheets. Drool dripping down your lips.

It all felt so overwhelming on your beaten body. From all those missions your body felt heavy; littered with scars and bruises.

“Xavi, I feel…” Her hum into your cunt made you shiver, “I’m tired.”

She rises up, fingers still inside, her naked chest meeting your clothed one. Nipples rubbing against your clothed breasts.

“Is it too much?”

“Hm, very. I’m sorry..”

Xavier kissed you. She settled beside you with her hand now cupping your sex. Those eyes looking at you like you were the only thing that was ever to exist in the universe, the first thing for an alien to see.

“Princess you don’t need to be sorry about anything. If you’re tired then we can go to asleep.”

You softly laughed and kissing her back, “Thank you, Xavi.”

Xavier washed her mouth and fingers. You watched with interest as she cleaned up between your legs. Pulling up your panties with much care. With interest, you watched her put on a baggy shirt with no pants.

Holding your hands out for her, and Xavier settled into your arms. Her own curving around your waist and holding on tight. The television blared some kind of show as you two held each other.

“I love you, Princess.”

You pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Under that shy nature was a very smart girl who knew the ways around comfort and healing. Like the time Kung Lao hurt his knee really bad, and you helped nurse him back.

Kung Lao remembered the memory with both fondness and embarrassment. He was crying snot all over the place, but you also comforted him during that time. Soft words to him as you wrapped his wound while Raiden and his sister ran off to find an adult.

Kung Lao couldn't have felt more grateful.

Back then, he couldn't find it in himself to act right. Acting like a fool in his opinion.

Raiden's sister was always teasing him to no end, and Raiden just laughed before egging his sister not to stop. Nonetheless, Kung Lao felt humiliated.

Growing up, Kung Lao spent his time getting to know you despite his fuck ups. He loved you and wanted to be with you. A match made in heaven; two kids who could barely talk to one another. You were just shy, and Kung Lao couldn't get his heart to stop beating so hard against his chest.

Now, he was coming back to his village with flowers in his hands, bluebell flowers in a nice bouquet. He remembered it was one of your favorite flowers.

"Hey, welcome back." Fujin, Raiden's sister greeted you both. Always a little strange but always meant well. Her eyes, light, very light, almost like Liu Kang, went to the flowers.

She smiled, "For her?"

"Yes! I'm gonna...confess today." Kung Lao's face felt so very hot.

Fujin giggled, "Well, good luck."

She turned around and pointed blankly. On the path, there was you carrying a basket of what Kung Lao could see were herbs. You had become a healer, a doctor for the village. A really good one.

Just as beautiful as he remembered.

"Kung Lao, your hands with crush the flower stems." Raiden gently advised, patting Kung Lao's back.

"Oh. Thank you."

Fujin sighed, "Go ahead, lover boy."

Kung Lao nodded and went on his way. His feet seemed to drag, but he pressed on. Kung Lao stopped a little away as you rushed to your little abode, the place where you healed people.

He looked in from the doorway, flowers close to his chest, watching you place the basket of herbs down. Kung Lao felt so very crushed with the love in his heart.

He knocked.

You jumped and looked over with fear in your eyes, then calming when you realized it was him. A soft smile crossed your face with eyes swirling with stars and bubbles.

"Kung Lao, you're back."

That sweet voice. It was one he dreamed of every night, especially when he was away from here. Yes, he wanted to leave and explore the world, but not forever. He couldn't ever leave you.

Words felt stuck in his throat. Kung Lao fumbled on his words and pushed the flowers forward.

"For you..." He cringed at his own voice. It was high due to his nervousness. You blinked, and gingerly took them from his hands.

"Bluebells. My favorite." You smiled at him. Kung Lao felt weak in his knees. He adored the way your eyes sparkled at the flowers. "What's the occasion?"

Kung Lao couldn't help but laugh. Oblivious as always, but he loved that about you, even if it caused him stress at times. It was adorable to see you think about his actions towards you.

"Uh, now that I'm back from...Outworld...even if I may not be the champion..."

You cocked your head to the side, "Oh, yes, you participated in Mortal Kombat with Raiden. Kung Lao, are you fearing I won't happy that your not the champion?"

You had a sad expression.

Kung Lao was about to speak but you beat him to it.

"Silly boy, you know you don't need to get me flowers to be proud of you. The fact that Lord Liu Kang chose you as one of the contestants means a lot to me. Your hat is proof of it."

"It fits you."

Kung Lao felt his face grow very hot.

"No! That's not what the flowers are for!"

"They're not?" You tilted your head again at him.

You gasped when Kung Lao took hold of your hands, settling the flowers on your work table.

Your voice trembled, "Kung Lao? What are you doing?"

He swooned, brining your hands to his chest. "I'm coming to you with these flowers because now that I'm a warrior, a fit one that has defeated Titan Shang Tsung, the man who threaten to destroy this timeline, I can confess to you my feelings."

"I feel now that I'm worthy of you now."

Your heart was beating fast in your chest. Mind going miles a minuet at what Kung Lao was confessing.

"Confessing your feelings? That you're worthy of me? Kung Lao, I don't understand-"

Kung Lao shook his head, "You don't need to understand. You just need to listen to me, and how I feel about you."

You shut your lips with excitement in your chest, butterflies in your stomach.

"Since we were kids, since the time you helped me when I got injured, you've helped me. Since then, I've felt feelings for you, attraction to you. I wanted some excitement, to become a warrior to be worthy of protecting you, because any time I around you I felt my heart going to hard, and too sweaty."

"You've made me lose focus. Just seeing you, even when you were being shy, you made my knees weak just upon seeing you."

"I come to you now as someone who's helped Lord Liu Kang save the world, this timeline, a true warrior with honor. I come to you with these flowers to ask you for your heart."

You were speechless. Eyes wide in shock over Kung Lao's very heartfelt words. His feelings? To ask for your heart.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is...." Kung Lao breathed in and out heavily, "I love you."

There were a few moments of silence, Kung Lao with his eyes closed, he heard you crying. His head perked up fast to see you crying.

"Did I upset you?!" So unlike him, but Kung Lao wouldn't dare to upset you. He couldn't. It would utterly break him.

"No! You're silly! I just didn't think you would like someone like me." You sobbed, head leaning down to look at the floor. Tears falling from your eyes and onto the floor.

Kung Lao scoffed, bringing you closer to him.

You gasped in surprise.

"You wouldn't love you?! You're the best thing to happen to me! I love you, and always will."

Kung Lao took off his hat, his endearing eyes glittering with so much adoration. You felt just as weak in the knees as him.

"Do you accept me?" Kung Lao asked shakily, his hand holding both yours in such a meaningful way.

You laughed through a soft sob, "Hm, yes, Kung Lao."

Kung Lao gasped as you embraced him, and he did so as well. He rubbed your back as you sobbed with happiness.

Kung Lao felt his heart so full and happy. You felt full in your heart. Like two halves of a heart finally sewn together to make a beating heart once again.

The bluebells were blooming in happiness in the sun from the open window.

Kung Lao laughed, "Looks like quite the set."

He looked around and found his eyes stop at one of the tables. A figure of a woman with a script in hand and a cup of tea next to her.

Dressed in modern wear, but fitting for someone who lived in a village. A concentrated look on her face as she looked at her lines, went over them, and spoke to herself.

The addition of glossing lips over with lipstick with complete concentration

"Who's that?" Kung Lao couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, her, yeah she's one of the main actress for this film." Johnny told him your name. It felt perfect for you. Your role in the movie felt perfect, even if all Kung Lao had was just your looks.

Just a pretty gem in his eye.

"What? Like her? Love at first sight?"

Raiden chuckled to himself, seeing Kung Lao's face erupt in redness.

"What?! I'm not-"

"Oh, don't worry," Johnny flung his arm along Kung Lao's back and pulled him in close, "I can get you a date."

"Didn't your wife divorce you?" Kung Lao perked a brow.

"Low blow, Kung Lao," Johnny said with a pout before pulling Kung Lao along towards you. "Anyways."

"Hey! What are you doing!?"

Raiden just watched with a smile on his face, "Good luck, Kung Lao."

"Raiden, you traitor!" Kung Lao called out. It made you pick your head up, wondering where the commotion was coming from. You perked up, seeing Johnny pulling some guy with a really cool hat on his head.

"Hey [ ]!" Johnny greeted you. Smiling brightly at you while Kung Lao was red as a tomato. The poor guy couldn't help but look at you.

"I wanted to introduce you to these guys. Got to know them when I was gone for a time." Kung Lao truly felt hot that the attention was back on him. Raiden just patted his shoulder when he heard Johnny.

"This is Raiden, and this is Kung Lao." Johnny was grinning too cheekily for Kung Lao's liking.

You smiled, and Kung Lao felt his heart skip a beat.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you guys." You greeted them with a handshake, which Raiden gave easily. You turned to Kung Lao, who felt stupid right in the moment.

Raiden laughed at his expense.

"Shut up, Raiden. Uh, nice to meet you..." Kung Lao wanted to end his life when he noticed how sweaty his hand was.

You giggled at him, "I like your hat. It's different."

Raiden agreed, "Although he's always hurting his hands because of it."

"Hey!" Kung Lao shouted back at Raiden, who only laughed and ducked when the steel rim of the hat got close. You watched with stars in your eyes.

"Could I see how it works sometime?" You asked innocently. Kung Lao's brain glitched at your words. He only snapped out of it when Johnny whistled.

"Yeah, I can." Kung Lao had a goofy smile. He took his hat off. "Would you like to. It's sharp, though."

You stood up to meet his level and carefully moved the pad of your finger across the steel. "This is so cool. After shooting, you need to show me how it works!"

Kung Lao brightened. "Everyone else said it was stupid! Yeah, I can show you."

Raiden and Johnny stood back with smiles, but also a thought of how someone else shared Kung Lao's thought about his hat. But Johnny and Raiden were happy nonetheless.

Grey was always so very gentle with his affection.

It became silent with you two, both enjoying nature in silence with one another. Hands linked together like two souls forever connected.

Looking back up to him from his lap and watching his hair flowing in the wind. Eyes sparkling at how shiny it was, moving in the breeze. It was so very pretty to watch.

Fingers ached to catch a feel.

They have before, like the one time Grey was busy and asked you to brush his hair. It felt heavenly on your fingers.

You longed to feel the strands between your fingers. Grey Cloud always looked glorious.

You knew his hair was very important to his culture, especially when it came to those who could touch it. You didn't want to overstep. That was always so very important to you when it came to Grey Wolf.

"Is something on your mind, dearest?" Grey was looking down with you, his brow perked up. You could already imagine his exasperated expression if you finally told him what you wanted.

Might as well.

"Grey," You propped yourself up by putting your hands on the earth, picking yourself up. Bright eyes facing him, "Can I braid your hair?"

Grey Cloud blinked at you before smiling, "Is that all?"

"Hm?"

"I'm happy you asked, dearest." Helping you up gently so that you wouldn't fall on your face. Joining him criss cross apple sauce on the grass and this time he laid his head on your lap.

"Go ahead."

"Are you sure?"

Grey sighed, taking off his headpiece to lay in his lap. "If I didn't want you to touch my hair then I would have said no. It's alright, my dear."

Your heart fluttered at his words.

You smiled, and took his hair into your hands, strands going into two bundles. Content, Grey Cloud closed his eyes with a small smile. Feeling refreshed as your fingers brushed out his hair.

Twisting the hair between fingers gently into a braid.

Your eyes sparkled watching the braid come together so seamlessly. All that time practicing with yarn and also Cassie Cage volunteering helped. You were doing a good job considering Grey Cloud looked very peaceful.

The nature around you two echoed in bliss.

Conveniently, you had two hair ties in your pocket, so you tied it off. You did the same with the other bundle of hair. It was a little off centered but to you it made no difference,

Grey Cloud sighed softly opening his eyes when you softly patted his shoulder.

"What do you think?" You asked a bit timidly. Holding up your phone with the camera open facing him. Grey turned to get a look at the braids you'd done.

One was a little bigger than the other, and some strands were peaking out, but it didn't seem to matter to Grey Cloud.

His large and warm hand pulled the back of your head to his lips, pressing a kiss upon your forehead.

"It's perfect." Soft he whispered.

"Really? It's a little messy." You mumbled, looking up at him, trying to make yourself small.

A soft, rare laugh, like the trees. A playful laugh the two shared. "It's your expression of love to me. It's proof of your love, my dear." Another kiss to your temple.

"Hm," You hummed to yourself before asking quietly, "Could I braid it another time?"

Grey Cloud lightly slapped you on the shoulder, playfully, "You're a strange one. Of course you can."

The leaves in the trees ruffled in the breeze, like they were clapping, singing in agreement. The animals watched with bright eyes. They all joined in the peacefulness of the environment.

Just as all the pre-existing stories the Cinderella character was seen as “Of rare goodness and sweetness of temper, Which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.” (Cinderella and other girls who lost their sippers, Page29)  In the 1600's women were expected to do know and have the ability for a few things. The ideal girl,Would know song, dance, have done needlework, and some education; depending on their birth rank. This is something cinderella was very educated to having and made her the ideal symbol for other girl to be like. Respect of elders was also a skill not only girls had to follow but all children did, regardless of gender. “All children, whether male or female and rich or poor were supposed to obey their parents and treat them with respect. Discipline was harsh. (Although children were precious).” (Localhistories.org) I believe that the discipline part of this fact can be seen by how gracefully Cinderella took on the horrible treatment and tasks her step mother would make her do. “The poor girl for all patiently, and they're not complain to her father, who would have schooled her if she had done so, for his wife covered him entirely.” (Cinderella and other girls who lost their sippers, Page 31) From taking over the servants tasks to being their personal maid Cinderella was forced to do everything her Step mother asked, due to fear of abandonment and the discipline that hung over her, and the anger she would have received from her father for disobeying the wife he now loved more than her.

          The beauty of this time,  like many other countries preferred women to have pale skin for if they looked to have been sunburned it showed how poor they were. Women often whitened their skin with egg whites or white lead. They also reddened their lips and cheeks with cochineal. You had to be fair and  have money to be seen as truly beautiful, this would only make us suspect that even though Cinderella did work hard in her home, and more than likely had rough hands she also was a natural beauty with the delicate fair skin and the rouged lips and cheeks. Like all Cinderella stories the main heroine is given a dress by magical means that see very outlandish. “The clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver all decked with jewels. This is done, she gave her a pair of the prettiest glass slippers in the whole world.” (Cinderella and other girls who lost their sippers, Page 36) Like all the stories before, the maiden was gifted fabulous gifts that showed off her natural beauty but also fooled those who believed that she were hire rank than she actually was. Many would believe, during that time that this could be a form of treason. “From the 14th century to the mid-17th century laws called sumptuary laws laid down what each class could and could not wear. In the 16th century complicated laws said that only persons of a certain rank could wear certain expensive materials such as velvet and silk.”  (Localhistories.org) These laws were supposed to keep the classes distant and easily recognizable from one another. Not only has Cinderella Defied these laws but she seemed to have been able to get away with that as well because of her beauty.

A fair beautiful maiden, who is learned and educated in the pleasantries of the world. Her skin fair an lips red. This was the ideal women during this time, a proper women who never spoke out of tern, looked after her house and home and was most of all kind and gentle. As much as we would not like to admit, this is the common theme throughout all the stories of Cinderella. However the french version is by far the most up front with what girl were expected to become. Be kind, dress well and someday you will be picked by a nobel. A horrible thought but  ugly truth of this time. Women were nothing but prizes to be bought and showcased.

Bibliography:

Books:

Carruthers, Amelia. Cinderella and other girls who lost their sippers. Warwickshire, Alcester: Pook Press, 2015.

Websites:

"Women of new France" Western Michigan University. Aug 13 2013. Jan. 28th 2016 <https://wmich.edu/fortstjoseph/docs/panels/women-new-france.pdf>.