Mortal Kombat Ages: Baptism Of Ice

[Babygabrial]

"I wish to grow into at least half the man you became." Hei Bing states shamelessly as he wraps his arms around his father's neck, and allows himself to be cradled in his nice, cool arms. Hei Bing lowers his mask, and allows his long jet back hair to fall from its bun. Down to his middle back. His bright green eyes stare up at his father. His mother's beauty shows in the child's appearance. His father's heart radiates from his beating chest. His own potential peaking through the cracks within the walls of self doubt.

Hei Bing clearly loves his father dearly, and he feels his father loves him all the same. The look he has just given the grandmaster is the exact same look he had been giving him for fourteen years. Such a precious glance. The boy is too shy to ask for his beloved daddy's attention, but he expresses it in the darling looks he gives. The blush around his golden brown face showcases features that will melt the iciest of hearts.

[Gothicruby]

"And you will, my son, you will..." Kuai Liang chuckled fondly, all pretence of formality dropped the second that Hei Bing lowered his mask "But you must allow yourself time to do so, do you understand?"

The strong grip shifted slightly about Hei Bing's lithe form. With one hand supporting his son's weight, and the other at his back, Kuai Liang rose to stand with the boy held securely in his arms. He wasn't blind, of course, to the adoration that Hei Bing stared at him with...nor was he opposed to indulging him for it.

Mighty oaks cannot grow without proper tenderness, after all...so why should a future grandmaster?

"And I don't want you to heed Frost's words," He did have to lecture, albeit very lightly "Her way is but one school of thought...and if it isn't the right one for you, then so be it. But enough of that now..."

Gently, he shifted his son's weight more onto his hip.

"I think it's best if we let the matter rest for the night, don't you?"

[Babygabrial]

As if it were purely on command, Hei Bing let out a yawn that if the elders had witnessed, they would call for the boy to be disciplined on the spot. Of course, most of the actions on display are more joyous thanks to the lack of prying eyes. Hei Bing layed his head on his father's shoulders, and clung to him as if he were holding onto the one shield within his possession while surrounded by enemies.

Hei Bing is an anomaly to the Lin Kuei. Potential for great strength and ability thanks to his mother and father. The elders welcomed his conception and birth. However, as the boy grew, and began more and more to uphold his father's views, everyone began to harshen their views of him. If his father were not the grandmaster, then the boy would not be nearly as safe. Frost's appearance has not aided the matter in a number of ways. She too goes against tradition for being a woman, but her aggression, and war mongering nature shows more "strength" then Hei Bing's restrained discipline. If times of peace were seen ahead, than perhaps things would be different. However, trouble looms ahead.

[Gothicruby]

"Come now, my little one..." Kuai Liang's voice rumbled softly in the boy's ear "Let us put aside the trials of today, so we might learn from them tomorrow."

With Hei Bing settled carefully in his arms, Kuai proceeded down the farthest corridor back towards his chambers. Oh, he was well aware of the opinions of the elders; affection ruined a warrior, they said, made the soul as soft as the flesh.

But what good, Kuai Liang vehemently argued, did that ever do any of the old regime? So detached from such things as they were, they'd have sooner had a clan of steel and wires.

No. No, Kuai Liang was not going to allow such a view to skew Hei Bing's vision. So, even though it had to be a mostly private affair, Kuai Liang would quietly dote on the boy until he was good and ready for otherwise.

They made it to the grandmaster's private chambers without incident.

[Babygabrial]

Inside was of course a place of rest for the father, a place of work for the grandmaster, and a place of training for Sub-Zero the fifth. The room was large, and considering they were a clan of assassins there were of course more space provided for the family to stay nearby the grandmaster. The mother was not with them so the extra room was purely for the child.

Hei Bing clung to his father and smiled. Allowing him to guide them where he would like. He was fine just being close to his daddy. Many times in his smaller youth, he had come in, and quietly crept into his father's lap as he worked. He did not fuss, he did not disturb. He was just delighted to be there. Many accused Sub-Zero of putting being a father above being a grandmaster. But his son is perfectly fine with that.

[Gothicruby]

If anyone were to doubt Kuai Liang's dedication to either his clan or his position, then to put it bluntly: they could take it up with his fists.

While he was certainly the most diplomatic grandmaster that the Lin Kuei had ever had, he was also a proud and fiercely protective father. Both of these roles were one and the same to him in many respects; while Hei Bing may have required a little more nurturing, the Lin Kuei as a whole also felt the benefit of a much more paternal hand.

They were only as strong as each other, after all. If Hei Bing needed attention then even the mighty Sub-Zero wasn't going to deny him it.

Once they stepped through the doors of his private quarters, Kuai Liang felt something in him allow itself to relax.

"Shall we get you ready for sleep, my little one...?" His voice rumbled that bit more tenderly against Hei Bing's ear "You've had a rough day, haven't you?"

[Babygabrial]

Hei Bing did not verbally respond. He just smiled, with a blush accompanying it. His expression paints a picture that words alone could never express. He loved the way his daddy spoke to him. For as long as he could he remember. His father's voice and wording was more comforting then a thousand feathered pillows. Hei Bing nestles his father's shoulders and allows his hair to fall over his face. He was such a beautiful baby boy. A shame that his looks alone could not protect the clan.

Though they may one day be able to. Hei Bing has found many work arounds on jobs to avoid brutality. His looks have allowed him to infiltrate easier and make way for more experienced clan members to take the kill. Some see this as cowardice. Some who have worked with him find it too methodical. Some do like doing it that way. Many members have their own views. The rest must adapt to which discipline the Grand Master decides.

[Gothicruby]

"Is that a yes?" Kuai Lang chuckled gently to the sweet smile that met him. Of course, he knew that when Hei Bing went non-verbal it meant that it was time for daddy to take control.

"Come along then, little one," The grandmaster spoke so very gently "Let's get you settled."

Crossing the room, Kuai Lang ferried Hei Bing through the connecting doors and into a large, heavily decorated nursery.

The walls were painted with intricate, but comforting designs, while a crib lay just off by the wall. By the shaded window sat a changing table--their first port of call.

"Now then..." Kuai Liang hummed as he set the little one down on the softened surface "Is little Hei Bing going to be a good boy while daddy diapers him?"

[Babygabrial]

"Yes, Daddy." Hei Bing says excitedly. These were the moments worth living for. Being home, and being taken care of by a loved one. It was an immaculate experience that just does not get old to the young lad. Hei Bing never truly got out of diapers. Just into underwear. As a young child, he was brave enough to express his desires to stay infantile, and even stand up to any rejection towards the notion. If he can hold his ground on something socially unacceptable at such a young age, then that spark of rebellion could be fostered, nurtured, and grow into something willing to stand up for what they believe in.

Hei Bing's thumb swiftly, with a motion as fluid as water mid freezing, his eyes close as he lays back. Compared to the dark chambers apart from it, Hei Bing's nursery was light incarnate. Walls painted blue and pink with details of snow flakes painted the opposite color. Books and scrolls neatly placed aside to read or to be read aloud.. next to that, a chest of toys, while simple, they are all cherished, and of course the crib with nice clean sheets on it
Adorned with a lovely mobile hanging above.

[Gothicruby]

"Thatta boy..." Kuai Liang chuckled gently as he started on the task of undoing his little one's belt.

Suffice to say, the great and mighty Sub-Zero recognised potential when it stared him in the face...or pouted at him, as had been the case with Hei Bing.

It wasn't really easy to say what tipped the balance in his favour though, really. Though a happy boy, Hei Bing had always been resistant to the notion of having to 'give up' what made him happy...in many respects, Kuai couldn't blame him.

How much would he himself given to have gotten back even a shadow of his fondest memories? And the more he pondered over that, well...

Let's just say he saw this as just as much of a teaching experience as it was a coping mechanism for the boy.

"Now, let's see here..."