As you know, our ancestor, Sun Yee, had a mystical connection with red pandas. [opens the chest and takes out a small scroll] In fact, she loved them so much…that she asked the gods to turn her into one. [opens the scroll, revealing a story] It was wartime. The men were all gone. Sun Yee was desperate for a way to protect herself and her daughters. Then one night, during a red moon, the gods granted her wish. They gave her the ability to harness her emotions, to transform into a powerful mystical beast. She was able to fend off bandits, protect her village, and save her family from ruin. Sun Yee passed this gift to her daughters, for when they came of age. [back to reality] And they passed it to theirs. But over time, our family chose to come to a new world. And what was a blessing became… [smiles sheepishly] an inconvenience. [bites her lower lip]
Are... you... [with her eyes glowing red; outraged] SERIOUS?! [angrily tries to tear it into shreds as her parents try holding her back]
NO!
Mei-Mei, NO!
IT'S A CURSE!
She meant it as a blessing!
YOU CURSED US! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!
Mei-Mei, stop! Listen to me! Listen! There's a cure!
Because... it happened to me.
Why didn't you warn me?!
I thought I had more time! You're just a child. I thought, if I watched you like a hawk, I'd see the signs and be able to prepare. But it's going to be fine. I overcame it and you will too. On the next red moon, you'll undergo a ritual that will seal your red panda spirit into one of these. [holds up her panda necklace] And then you'll be cured. For good. Just like me. But any strong emotion will release the panda. And the more you release it, the more difficult the ritual will be. There is a darkness to the panda, Mei-Mei. You only have one chance to banish it, and you cannot fail. Otherwise, you'll never be free.
That's a whole month away!
We'll wait it out together. And I'll be with you every step of the way.
