Lin Xiu

Vice Joker

[xlinxiux]

Xiu at a Glance

“We just want the world to love the little monsters that we are”

NAME: Lin Xiu

AGE: 37 [Born July 21st]

GENDER/PRONOUNS: Cis Female, She/Her

SEXUALITY: Demi

ARRIVED: Mid April 2023

CLASS/HIERARCHY: Vice Joker, publicly an Ace

OCCUPATION: :)

HOUSING: Beatrice's Purgatory, condo 3

GOOD: Self-sufficient, Thorough, Amiable

BAD: Nihilistic, Resentful, Sadistic

QUIRKS: Xiu is very quiet, as if she prefers not to be noticed. However, she tends to hum or softly sing to herself, especially while at work. Will often change the subject or give surface level answers on anything personal. Often carries an oversized tote around, to the point where she’s been compared to Mary Poppins. A genuine light appears in her eyes when talking about plants or other interests. Maintains a small home-garden in her condo and often likes to sketch the progress of the plants.

BIOGRAPHY

Xiu is the only child of Chinese immigrants. They moved to San Francisco when her mother was pregnant and often lauded over Xiu that they made the move to give her every opportunity to be successful. And by successful they meant as a doctor. Nothing else was acceptable.

Still, she dreamed of being a pop star. Drawings of herself on stage, surrounded by cheering fans, would often be thrown in the trash or in the fire. For her birthday she was given medical textbooks and study aids, when all she wanted was a keyboard. If her grades slipped then she had to wear long sleeves to class for the next week, the welts constantly stinging as a reminder to do better.

When Xiu was about to enter college she spoke to an academic advisor about med school prospects. It was suggested to not get a bachelors in nursing, but instead a focus on biology or chemistry. Otherwise she would be wasting her time. Nodding with understanding, Xiu went home and announced to her parents that she was majoring in nursing, to give her a leg up against the competition. They were so proud of her, they said. She only prayed they would not look into her lie.

Unfortunately, it took only a single semester for her parents to catch on. There was yelling, screaming, pain. But eventually they consented that Xiu could not change majors now, for it would look horrible upon her transcript. Broken, bloody, and tired, Xiu lay in bed with a smile, knowing she finally won something.

Upon graduation she submitted her application to a top medical school in the area, knowing she would be declined and her parents would have no choice but to accept that being a doctor was never in the cards for her. Even if she didn’t want to be a nurse, Xiu could hold her head up high and work through the miserable job, knowing her small rebellion succeeded.

Then the letter came. She was approved to start that following fall. That was when she finally broke. Xiu barely put the kitchen knife to her skin when her hand was forced away, her father screaming and her mother crying.

They carted her off to the psych ward screaming, pleading to let her be free. For three months she stayed in psychiatric hell, her mental health only further deteriorating. One day, as the door to her room was opened by the orderly, they were surprised to see her smiling brightly as she sat on her bed, patiently waiting. It was unnerving, to see the young woman so chipper, yet the emotion not meeting her eyes.

With extensive tests and interviews the doctors had no choice but to admit Xiu was no longer a danger to herself, as if her psyche had miraculously reversed overnight. As she was checked out, Xiu was given her personal items from three months prior, with a letter left by her parents. In it they said she was a disgrace, a failure and a waste of all their efforts. They forbade her from ever coming home.

All Xiu did was shrug and throw the letter in the trash, asking if someone could call a ride for her. It was quite easy to become a travel nurse not long after that. Finally, she was free, and that was how she lived, survived, for the next 10 years. To give back to those that made her what she was.

Xiu found Hiraeth by pure accident, and she found it to be as good of a place as any.  As her unexpected success in her new career grew, she found herself liking the city and its eccentricates.  Its not like there is anything waiting for her back in the other world.

[xlinxiux]

NAME: Lin Xiu

AGE: 1300+, visually 37

SPECIES: Vampire

OCCUPATION: Nurse at Hiraeth Clinic

Readmore for bio and connections

Bio

As a human, all Xiu ever knew was her village. Her parents were healers, and they expected nothing less than for Xiu to take on the family practice one day. Ever the dutiful daughter, she did as she was told, stamping down her curiosity to see the world. Until one day, word passed around that a traveling acrobat team was coming to a nearby village. The follow up rumor was that this may be one of the last performances for a long while, issues in Chang'an threatening to boil over and upend peace in the Dynasty. This fleeting opportunity was too much to resist, and so Xiu gathered every bit of courage she had and asked for permission to attend the performance. But of course, her parents vehemently denied such a request, saying it was frivolous, that they needed her in the village.

That night, Xiu committed her first sin and snuck a sleeping concoction into the teapot. Once she was sure her parents were incapacitated she ran out the door, her eyes shinning with light for the first time in her life. For just one night, she would be free. And free she was. A warmth spread across Xiu as she watched the acrobatics, gaze wide, mouth open, as she took it all in with unadulterated glee. The crowd meant nothing to her; all that mattered was the magic happening before her very eyes.

The wistfulness stuck to Xiu as she followed the dirt path back home, so much so that she never once noticed the other woman lurking in the shadows, trailing. The lifetime of misery was worth it, all for that single night. Xiu knew she could continue on with her duties without any regrets. Or, so she thought. As she neared her family home Xiu's blood turned cold as ice as she saw her father waiting for her, garden hoe in hand. The dosage had been wrong.

Pure rage showed on his face, and before she could even begin to formulate her apology, her father ran towards her and struck. Again, and again and again. When it was over Xiu was nothing but a mess of flesh and torn fabric, her breath wheezy as her punctured lungs struggled for each final gasp of air. Her father spat at her dying body and strolled back towards the family home, as if nothing had happened. With blurry vision Xiu stared up at the sky, still not regretting her choice as she welcomed death.

But it never came. Not in the form she thought, anyway. The trailing shadow finally revealed herself, a pale woman Xiu had never seen before. The woman said something in a language she didn't understand, brushing hair out of Xiu's broken, bloody face to pour some sort of liquid into her lips. Closing her eyes for what she thought would be the last time, Xiu managed a small smile at the comforting chill of the other's skin. At least she wouldn't die alone.

One family threw her away, a new one embraced her in their place. Xiu quickly came to love and adore Dorothy, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. The older woman cultivated her curiosities and interests. Time was now her oyster, and Xiu perfected every performing art her heart desired. Singing, dancing, acting, acrobatics, musical instruments - everything was hers to command, to make her own. Every 50 years or so Xiu would enter the performing arts sphere, to show the world what she was capable of.

During each lull, Xiu would find her way back to her true home, to Dorothy. While she waited for the public to forget her name, her face, she returned to the one thing she still knew, could still rely on: medicine. She continued with the practice not out of a sense of duty, but so she would not grow bored. Besides, it is quite useful to know how many millimeters of blood you can draw from a human before their body goes into shock.

Connections

An Undying Bond

Dorothy is Xiu's everything. Her family. Her reason for living, ironically enough. Anything Dorothy asks for, Xiu will do it in a heartbeat, no questions asked.

Unlikely Friendships

Normally Xiu keeps to herself, but since joining Dorothy's latest clan she has found companionship in June and the sweet girl Aiko that works at the clinic. When she's not tending to her night-blooming jasmine, Xiu will be drawn to more of the small town's nightlife by June or seen talking about music to Aiko during a lull in a late night shift at the clinic.

An Unknown Survivor

Fifteen years ago Xiu was part of the NYC Ballet. Also during that time a number of unexplained deaths occurred around the city, though no culprit was ever found. What Xiu doesn't know is that her trail of corpses led to one teenager orphaned and desperate for revenge.

An Unprofessional Affair

It would be frowned upon if anyone found out, and yet Xiu can't be bothered to care. She enjoys the company of Dr. Creed and it's as simple as that. They are on friendly terms, though not knowing his second profession may play a role in that. However there is no particularly close bond; this is purely no strings attached.

Food for Thought

It surprised Xiu when Dorian came up to her one day and offered her his blood, no questions asked. She was cautious at first, but the magic that stirred in his veins was tantalizing, and she was not one to turn down such an offer. Despite his loud personality Xiu has found herself growing attached to him, and a part of her wants to cross the threshold of unasked questions. Mainly - why does he do this to himself?

A Hapless Victim

There is something so pleasing about messing with the weak minds of mortals. In Hiraeth Xiu has found her favorite toy in one Isabela Ayala. Whether it's compelling her to do anything Xiu's heart desires or finding ways to frighten the girl, Xiu finds it intoxicating.

[xlinxiux]

Readmore for lyrics and playlist link

Songs Xiu Likes

Pink Pony Club // Chappell Roan

I know you wanted me to stay But I can't ignore the crazy visions of me in LA And I heard that there's a special place Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day

PLAYING WITH FIRE // BLACKPINK - Kiss him, will I diss him? I don't know, but I miss him

Issues // Julia Michaels - No, you don't judge me, 'cause if you did, baby, I would judge you too

MOONLIGHT SUNRISE // TWICE - Make my way over to you, I'm trippin' over butterflies

Primadonna // MARINA - Primadonna girl, yeah, all I ever wanted was the world

Hey There Delilah // Plain White T's - I'm right there, if you get lonely, give this song another listen, close your eyes

Songs About Xiu

Black Widow // In This Moment

Hey lady killa, come right in It's time for you, let the show begin You're so pretty, dripping sin (I-I- you feelin' it? I-I- you feelin' it?) Your eyes are screaming, I take the stage A fatal dance, a primal rage You pray for me, unlock the cage (I-I- you feelin' it? I-I- you feelin' it?)

Paradise // Coldplay - When she was just a girl, she expected the world

Map of the Problematique // Muse - And no one thinks they are to blame, why can't we see that when we bleed, we bleed the same?

Fences // Paramore - Don't look up, just let them think, there's no place else you'd rather be

Monarch // Rise Against - There was a time when what you thought of me once mattered

Expectations // Three Days Grace - Prom Queen, Miss America, in the backseat in a pair of cuffs

[xlinxiux]

[ofenigmas]

who: @xlinxiux where: near beatrice's purgatory when: august 29

While Alyssum has many hobbies to keep her entertained, people watching ranks high on her list. She's perched on the railing outside her father's penthouse, awaiting his return from work, when she spots Xiu leaving the second condo. She's grown tired of waiting hours (from her perspective), and with an amused tug of her lips, hops off the railing to drift after the other on impulse. "Where are we off to?" she asks, as if they're friends on an adventure and not just two people who have met before.

[xlinxiux]

Xiu put on her best smile as she tilted her head at the question. "We? And why is there a we?" Internally she was scowling. She had an assignment and at this rate she may need to tell Evelyn to reassign it. The thought of disappointing the other woman was intolerable.

[untxldvices]

"Fuck yeah," he grinned, "so easy. Frivolous is one of my many middle names. Maybe I should get that tattooed next? Tramp stamp it," and he motioned across the back of his jacket the rough positioning, in case Xiu wasn't familiar with the term. His grin remained as he took a seat in the waiting area, watching Xiu as she browsed the display. "Do it. Pick up one of them books, flick through 'til ya get to the first design ya think is cool, then get it. Easy."

[xlinxiux]

Xiu raised a brow, tilting her head as she followed Maxie's motion. That was...an interesting place for a tattoo. "I think I will go with that butterfly. Do you...have any placement suggestions?" She hoped he didn't suggest a tramp stamp.

[arcanae]

The satisfaction she got from seeing Xiu happy, genuinely so, was a bit frustrating somewhere in the back of her mind. It was a bit jarring—the way she wanted to see Xiu this way and the way that she hated that instinct. It meant she was depending on someone, at least in one way or another. That was dangerous. "It's doing well. I researched the best way to take care of it and I've been following along with it diligently." She'd only meant that she had done her job well—though now that Evelyn said it, she realized it came across more like 'I took care of the thing you gave me because you gave it to me.' Maybe that was more accurate, truthfully.

[xlinxiux]

The bright, genuine smile remained in place. "Do you have any pictures? I would love to see the progress. Are you making sure to speak to it? I know it may feel silly, but plants really do thrive under the attention, even if it's something as simple as humming."

[untxldvices]

"O'course," he shrugged, "why else would I get 'em?" He turned to face Xiu with a raised brow and a charming grin, "Oh lemme guess, ya gonna be one of them people that think all tattoos need meanin'?" He shrugged again, "some people do. I just like the aesthetic. Sometimes mine mean somethin', most of the time they just look cool."

[xlinxiux]

Xiu let out a quiet giggle despite herself. 'Why else?' Was it really that easy to make such a frivolous decision? She glanced back at the display. "I think....I will get one. Because it's cool." Her parents never would have accepted it, and for that reason alone, it pushed Xiu more into wanting this little rebellion.

[arcanae]

Evelyn hadn't expected the reaction to her question, least of all the smile. Her lips twitched as if to respond in kind but her expression remained otherwise the same. "Your past is your past—I don't feel negatively about it. What matters to me is now." There was a pause as she forced herself to say it—though it wasn't as if she didn't feel it, it was that it was vulnerable to allow herself to admit something like this. "I trust you as well."

[xlinxiux]

Her smile only grew at the twitch of Evelyn's lips. Xiu had become quite adept at reading people, a necessity of her profession. Now, huh? Would she want to go back to her old ways? Probably not. Being a Joker satisfied her...needs. Besides, now she had someone she didn't want to disappoint. "How is your orchid doing?" It wasn't a diversion; the topic of conversation had simply ended in mutual appreciation.

[arcanae]

Evelyn didn't question that. She knew, realistically, that Xiu could handle herself—her logic never failed her and she knew that she should trust in Xiu. The illogical part of her brain that worried anyway, that would check her over after assignments to make sure she was unharmed and okay—that part scared her.

Though as Xiu spoke to her once more, she listened intently. There was a reason that Xiu was chosen. That much was certain, though Evelyn had never asked precisely why. Xiu had before confided in Evelyn that she enjoyed her work, and Evelyn was sure there was a reason for that. But did that scare her? No. Evelyn had no room to judge anyone else. "Did you expect me to react negatively?"

[xlinxiux]

She blinked slowly, not expecting the question. A brilliant smile made its way onto her lips, one that put every masked fake to shame. "Maybe a little. I...wouldn't have held it against you if you did. But I trust you Evelyn." The second person to hold her secret and not push her away. Xiu's chest felt light with warmth. Was this what friendship was supposed to be like?

[xlinxiux]

Location: Beatrice's Purgatory

Xiu rang the bell to Dorian's apartment, waiting patiently for him to answer. She knew for certain for certain he was home. The moment the door opened she said "I want to check your plant," in lieu of a greeting. It had been bothering her for a while; she was itching to make sure it was still alive and provide any emergency treatment as needed.

@strawberette

[untxldvices]

Maxie nodded. "Very sterile. Gotta be. They dealin' with open wounds technically. Infection ain't no joke," he wasn't hoping his words would put her off the idea of getting one, but equally, people needed to know what they were getting into. "Uh..." he paused, furrowing his brows, fingers tracing invisible points up the sleeve of his jacket, across his chest and pointing down at his legs, "no idea, too many to count. But trust me when I say they're fuckin' cool."

[xlinxiux]

Maxie's honestly was actually helping to assuage her concerns. Xiu was well aware of the concept of how a tattoo worked, so knowing the people in this shop took measures to avoid infection was exactly what she needed to know. "You get them because they're...cool?" There was no judgement in her tone, only a slow consideration as she mulled over his words.

[untxldvices]

A bow? How civilised. Maxie couldn't help but grin at that. She must be a Virtue. "Don't worry 'bout it. These places can get pretty distractin'. So many illustrations and designs and colours. Tell ye what, the people that can draw this shit, and then ink it into skin? Crazy talented. I'd kill t'have an ounce of that kinda talent." His smile stretched, listening to the design she had seen, and he nodded approvingly. "All it takes is one design ye like, and that gets you hooked. Trust me, first one I got I didn't think I'd get anymore, but when the bug bites, ye gotta scratch the itch." He shook his head. "An' I don't think it would look silly at all. I think it'll suit ye."

[xlinxiux]

Xiu gave a small nod. "I've never been inside of one. They're...sterile, correct?" She tilted her head in consideration. "How many do you have?" A part of her wanted to ask to see one, but that seemed odd to ask of a stranger.

[arcanae]

where: Richard's

who: Evelyn & Xiu / @xlinxiux

As always, it felt awkward to feel worried, even more to express her worry—she'd never had that example. It wasn't as if she was overly touchy-feely with her friends on top of that.

In truth, the news of the gates was worrying her, though the rising tensions worried her to the same level. So as Evelyn sat across from Xiu at Richard's, she waited a moment before saying, "We'll have to be careful from here on out." It was the best she could manage.

[xlinxiux]

Dinner together had become a more regular occurrence, one that Xiu secretly looked forward to every week. Evelyn's concern surprised her, however. "I...know how to stay in the shadows." She bit her lip, considering her next words. Xiu glanced around, the restaurant fairly quiet for a weekday.

As her gaze met Evelyn's again, she decided now was perhaps the time to be honest with her. To let her in on the secret only one other person knew. "The work we do....I did something similar in my own world. It's likely why the system considered me a good candidate for the position. In all the years I worked alone, no one questioned me."

[xlinxiux]

Featuring Reuben, Dorian, Evelyn, and Enver

@ofenigmas @strawberette @arcanae @ofepiphxny

base

[untxldvices]

"I said," Maxie started, taking the last drag of his cigarette before discarding the butt onto the ground, "are ya goin' in, or are ya just gonna stand in the doorway. I got an appointment in there in 20." He was early, sure, but he needed the time to sit and think, in an establishment that had become something of a second safe-space for him over the years. "If you're curious though, I can help pick out a design for ya."

[xlinxiux]

A small flush made it's way onto her cheeks. Xiu had been so lost in thought she hadn't realized she had been blocking the entrance. Putting on a bright smile, she stepped aside and gave a polite bow. "My apologies, I was distracted." The smile wavered at his offer, her gaze going back to the display.

"There.....was one that I saw. Would you be able to ask the owner to let me see it again?" She couldn't believe she was actually considering this. And yet, something about that design called to her. Felt like it was meant for her. "It was a black butterfly with colored cherry blossoms growing from its wing......would...do you think that would look silly?"

[xlinxiux]

Readmore for additional team info:

Partner Pokemon: Leafeon - The Verdant Pokemon // grass

Pokedex entry: Although it doesn’t like disputes, it will sharpen the leaf on its tail into a blade and fight if it has to protect its friends.

Beedrill - The Poison Bee Pokemon // bug/poison

Pokedex entry: It uses sharp, poisonous stings to defeat prey, then takes the victim back to its nest for food.

Roserade - The Bouquet Pokemon // grass/poison

Pokedex entry: Hidden within the bouquet on each hand are thorned whips loaded with virulent poison. Roserade moves gracefully as it corners its prey and mercilessly lashes them with its whips.

Beautifly - The Butterfly Pokemon // bug/flying

Pokedex entry: It has an aggressive nature. It stabs prey with its long, narrow mouth to drain the prey’s fluids.

Flygon - The Mystic Pokemon // ground/dragon

Pokedex entry: The flapping of its wings sounds something like singing. Those lured by the sound are enveloped in a sandstorm, becoming Flygon’s prey.

Masquerain - The Eyeball Pokemon // bug/flying

Pokedex entry: Masquerain intimidates enemies with the eyelike patterns of its eyespots. If that doesn’t work, it deftly makes its escape on its set of four wings.