#xeja

Age: Young Adult (~50 years, because of her lifespan Yes she is a YA still)

Name: Xeja

Place of Birth Creation: Shang Tsung’s laboratory

Gender: Female

Species: Tarkat Hybrid

Language: Speaks Northern Outworld dialect but with a Tarkatan accent

Family/Friends/Pets: Shang Tsung (biological father, and sees him as so), Mileena & Tanya (biological mothers), Frost (sees her as a sister [this is for another story/AU bare with me PLEASE IM SORRY FOR BEING CRINGE]); Cassie Cage (friend [same thing with Frost]); Has some pet snails she found outside and begged to keep

Height: Inch or two shorter than Shang Tsung

Hair: Held up with Shang Tsung’s old hairpiece (seen in MK1 Prologue)

Additional Description: Has surgical scars around her body from Shang Tsung removing overgrown bone due to pain, and skin torn around mouth and overgrown bone

Typical Clothing/Equipment: All clothes are handmade or modified by herself / Shang Tsung due to her deformities

Personality/Attitude: Almost complete opposite of what you’d expect for the child of Shang Tsung. She has a bubbly personality and is incredibly energetic. Xeja is ambitious and willing to work hard for the things she wants. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself and others, or share her feelings / thoughts. However, she has a bad habit of overstepping boundaries and invading people’s personal space. Plus, she isn’t always aware of social cues and rules.

Goals/Ambitions: She wants to go to school because Shang Tsung never got to, and also wishes to pursue musical theatre, but has a backup plan of training to join the Imperial Police in case Shang Tsung disapproves

Hobbies/Interests: Despite her purpose of creation being a weapon, she’d rather spend her time singing, playing piano, gardening, and cooking/baking

Attitude Toward Death: Her lifespan is expected to be only a couple hundred years, which is short compared to Shang Tsung’s multi-millennium lifespan. So, she’s come to accept that she will die relatively soon (to Shang Tsung, at least), and just tries her best to live a life that makes her happy

“And you’re certain you don’t want me there?” Xeja rolled her eyes.

“Yes, I’ll de okay!” She uncrossed her arms and held them open for a hug. Shang Tsung sighed, and returned her embrace. “You worry too nuch…” Xeja nuzzled her face into his shoulder.

Shang Tsung pulled away, resting his hands on her arms. “I know…but I have good reason to.” She didn’t argue with that. 

Sending her to school was…risky. It hadn’t ever really crossed Shang Tsung’s mind, assuming she’d never show interest in it. With her short life span, going to a school in Outworld seemed to be more of an endeavor than he assumed she’d want to deal with. Even if it made him beam with pride a little at her confidence and ambition, nerves overtook him as the date came closer.

Shang Tsung didn’t know what awaited her here. Cage had talked about how…problematic the children at Cassie’s school had been, but he had no personal experience with it. Besides, that was Earthrealm, and he could only hope that Outworlders were a little kinder to his baby.

Li Mei cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. Xeja still didn’t fully understand why Shang Tsung had to be accompanied by her. Li Mei looked down at the idea that Shang Tsung tried to hide what he’d done from his own “daughter.” Though, it’s not really something you mention at dinner... “We need to leave soon.” Shang Tsung nodded in acknowledgement, letting out a quiet ‘Ok’. He turned back to Xeja, and sighed, letting his shoulders slightly relax.

“I’ll miss you…”

“Yeah…I will too,” Xeja mumbled. Shang Tsung forced himself to a small smile. He lifted his hand and gently rested it on the side of her head, before placing a soft kiss atop her forehead. 

“Be careful.” He patted her and willed himself to let go. Xeja nodded. She let in a deep breath, before anxiously making her way down the hall.

Shang Tsung stood by Li Mei. They were silent as they watched her go. 

Li Mei avoided looking at him. The earlier displays of affection and worry were…foreign to her. It had been years since she’d last seen him, which relative to how long she lives, wasn’t long. But, he had become nearly unrecognizable in that time. Of course, he was still Shang Tsung. He still held that same stupid, cunning smirk he always has, and he was still just as much of a smug asshole. His remarks and jokes towards Li Mei still made her grit her teeth, resisting the urge to break the deal and lock him away.

His adoration of Xeja felt uncharacteristic to her, she couldn’t help but be skeptical. The idea of him caring about anyone but himself seemed out of the question.