Fire Goddess Liu Mei Fan/Bond Story

*The Fire Goddess lives near a volcano. Like flame, she flares up in anger and glows gently with love. This duality surprised the Celestial Goddess.
- From "Elysion"*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Blissful Time

 **Mei Fan:**That elegant picnic was so delightful...

 **Mei Fan:**I went on a picnic with Akira-san and the others a few days ago.

 **Mei Fan:**At first I wasn't sure what the point was.

 **Mei Fan:**High school girls going on a picnic together? What would we do?

 **Mei Fan:**But Michiru-san explained her idea, and I realized we absolutely had to go!

 **Mei Fan:**Michiru-san is really amazing!

 **Mei Fan:**She cares so much about everyone. I was very impressed!

 **Mei Fan:**So anyway, the picnic was terrific.

 **Mei Fan:**I got to interact with Akira-san so informally compared to meeting her at school!

 **Mei Fan:**She said she wanted to learn how to express changing emotions with more depth, to prepare for our next play.

 **Mei Fan:**She gives me feedback at school, but I never get to hear her thoughts like that. It was an amazing experience!

 **Mei Fan:**I think the relaxed atmosphere of the picnic made it possible.

 **Mei Fan:**Thanks to hearing her thoughts, we were able to talk more in depth than usual.

 **Mei Fan:**I don't want to hold Akira-san back with a poor performance, so I told the others about my concerns about expressing anger on stage.

 **Mei Fan:**Thanks to that, I'm getting a clearer idea of how to play the Fire Goddess!

 **Mei Fan:**Thanks to Michiru-san's picnic idea, Akira-san seems just a little bit more approachable.

 **Mei Fan:**Even Akira-san's most minute gestures and mannerisms are all very useful for reference.

 **Mei Fan:**I am so glad I had a whole day to observe her so I can try to be more like her!

 **Mei Fan:**The tea Shiori brought was delicious, too. I wish we could have another picnic! Tomorrow, even! Hehe.

 **Mei Fan:**...That's it! How about we make it a monthly thing?

 **Mei Fan:**It'd be great for socializing and getting to know each other better.

 **Mei Fan:**I've got to discuss this idea with Michiru-san at once. I'll go find her! See you!

 **Mei Fan:**Michiru-san!

Showing Feelings is Hard!

 **Mei Fan:**Thank you for practicing with me, Akira-san. Let's continue after the break.

 **Akira:**Yes, of course. I will see you again shortly.

 **Mei Fan:**Whew... Let's have a short break.

 **Mei Fan:**I'm learning a lot from today's practice.

 **Mei Fan:**About interacting with the Celestial Goddess played by Akira-san, about expressing emotions...

 **Mei Fan:**But is my portrayal of my character's passion getting through to Akira-san?

 **Mei Fan:**Maybe I need to be more...intense, and also make sure it carries my style as an Edel...

 **Mei Fan:**Exploding with rage like an erupting volcano... Ugh... I'm not sure how to express it...

 **Yachiyo:**Hey there! I heard some groaning over here. Are you okay?

 **Mei Fan:**Hi, Yachiyo. I was practicing for the play.

 **Mei Fan:**I'm struggling with finding my character, as you can see.

 **Yachiyo:**Ah, so that's what it was. And here I was thinking that Akira got mad at you for something.

 **Mei Fan:**No way! Hell would freeze over before Akira-san got angry for no good reason!

 **Yachiyo:**I didn't say she didn't have a reason... So, what's the problem with your character?

 **Mei Fan:**I find it very difficult to show my emotions outwardly.

 **Mei Fan:**Usually I do it unconsciously when acting, but this is "Elysion". Not only that, I need to give a performance only I can give as an Edel.

 **Mei Fan:**And I can't get it to seem natural.

 **Yachiyo:**Yeah, that's a tricky one. This play tests your ability to express emotions more than most.

 **Mei Fan:**I'm playing the Fire Goddess. She's exhaustingly intense, full of fury and passion.

 **Mei Fan:**...No, forget about me calling her exhausting. That won't do.

 **Mei Fan:**Lately I've been practicing acting angry in front of a mirror.

 **Yachiyo:**Whoa, I'd love to see that!

 **Mei Fan:**This isn't the time for jokes!

 **Mei Fan:**...When I try to express anger the way I have for past performances, it feels like it's not good enough for the Fire Goddess of "Elysion".

 **Yachiyo:**You can try showing divine fury, but it's not like you've ever met a goddess in real life.

 **Yachiyo:**You need to make sure the audience can sense your fury, showcase top-notch acting, and inject some originality into it.

 **Mei Fan:**That's pretty much what Akira-san told me, too. There's so much depth to acting.

 **Mei Fan:**It will probably take a very long time for an inexperienced person like me to master it.

 **Mei Fan:**But I can't afford to learn over the years. Time is a limited resource.

 **Mei Fan:**Soon enough I'll have to perform in front of an audience.

 **Mei Fan:**No matter how desperately I may wish for it, I won't be able to go back in time.

 **Mei Fan:**That's why it's essential I master expressing emotions now.

 **Mei Fan:**It may be a difficult path, but I have to do this in order for the play to be a success!

 **Mei Fan:**I'll be performing with Akira-san, after all! It deserves a place on the pages of Siegfeld's history!

 **Mei Fan:**I'll do my best, driven by an indomitable spirit!

 **Yachiyo:**\*sigh\* I see you've got all the motivation you need. I was worried for nothing.

 **Mei Fan:**Oh? How unusual for you to be worried about others!

 **Yachiyo:**Say what? That's mean! You hurt my feelings!

 **Mei Fan:**Oh, I'm so sorry... Teehee!

 **Mei Fan:**Thanks, Yachiyo. I've got to get back to practice!

 **Yachiyo:**Yeah, you go, girl. Heh, did I let down my guard too much?

 **Mei Fan:**The character I'll be playing this time gets angry a lot, and often wears a frown... I hope I don't get nasty lines on my forehead from that!

 **Mei Fan:**The Fire Goddess inadvertently hurts those who get close to her with her flames... She's a tragic character.

 **Mei Fan:**But one day she meets a friend who can withstand her fire and accepts her, and she begins to learn and grow.

 **Mei Fan:**I want to make lots of friends like that, too!