Yao Ma's Story

Arthur sat listening to music. His own songs, too. Starting with "Hamburger Street," moving onto "The Absolutely Invincible British Gentleman." He quite happily bobbed his head to his music, mouthing along.


Yao sat watching Hello Kitty on his portable DVD Player, Shi, His -baby- pet panda curled up on his lap and slept. He was quite amazed at the plane he was on. "Arthur." He muttered, nudging him. No response.

"Arthur." He groaned, jabbing him sharply. No response.

Not meaning to swear, but with how much he frustrated Yao, he shouted loudly, then covered his mouth. "Ugh! Suck Ball, Arthur!" He yelled, grumbling to himself. He quickly realised and looked up. "Sorry, everyone." He muttered, Shi just squeaking on his lap.

How embarrassing. And I still don't have his attention.

Jessica looked up as someone shouted something, thinking it was someone trying to get her attention but it turned out to be some kid trying to get the attention of his friend. She rolled her eyes and went up stairs to start checking all the passengers had gotten aboard and that they were ready for take off. She finished her count and all the passengers were onboard. She closed doors and went through the emergency protocol with one of the other stewardesses. She then went up to the back and told the pilot they were ready for take off.

Michelle had already taken her seat in the economy class section of the plane and was just waiting for the plane to takeoff. Sighing she decided it was time to turn off her phone and she threw on the headphones provided by the airplane. As usual, airplane seats were uncomfortable for her and she couldn't sit still. The passengers closest to her gave her strange looks but she didn't pay any attention to them. Finally giving up, she sighed and sank into her seat. Just when she got into a tolerable position she heard a male voice shout on the plane and jumped in her seat. Realizing it was the person in front of her, she groaned.

"The hell..." she grumbled.

She shifted herself a couple more times before finding another tolerable position. Michelle couldn't wait to get to Japan. It had been so long since she'd seen her friend Kana. She just wished that she didn't live on the opposite side of the world. Hopefully there would be enough movies to entertain her for the day long flight.

Ariana silently cursed when two young males sat down next to her. It didn't help when the one who looked like a girl started jumping and screaming at the other one. "Are you going to be screaming the whole way?" Ariana asked, not caring about how mean she sounded. Then she noticed the panda lying on his lab and for a minute she forgot all about not liking the guy next to her. "Is that a panda? How's that even possible! Can.... can I touch him?" she asked with big eyes.

Yao turned his head to the girl next to him. "I apologise for the shouting. Arthur is stupid and is ignoring me." He sighed, hoping he wouldn't have to sit next to someone that didn't like them.

He smiled when she commented on Shi. He lifted the little panda up, Yao's fingers underneath his arms and chest. The little panda made a strange Squee noise. "This is Shinatty. Or Shi, for short. Would you like to hold him?" He said cheerfully, passing Shi over onto her lap, where he looked at her, and cuddled into her belly.

She couldn't hear much because her headphones were in but she noticed the exchange in the gap between the two chairs in front of her. It seemed to be an animal and she pulled off her headphones in time to hear the owner introduce his pet panda. A panda? No way! Wanting to get a closer look at the panda she leaned out into the empty lane and turned to the girl holding the panda.

"It's really a panda!" She smiled enthusiastically at the little animal. Looking up at the owner and the female she smiled and introduced herself.
"Hi, my name's Michelle. Sorry I couldn't help but overhear you had a panda. I just HAD to get a closer look."

Shi perked his head at the new person. He squeed with joy at a new person, but continued cuddling into the current one.

Yao grinned. "Ni Hao, I'm Yao. This is Shi." He gestured towards the little Panda.

Shi stood up on all fours, and walked towards Michelle, and opened his mouth, as if he was smiling anime style. He sat down and cuddled into Ariana, still looking at Michelle.

Michelle couldn't help smiling at the adorable creature. Oh, he's Chinese. Her hand reached out to pet the small panda and marveled at his softness.

She cooed at the panda, "Ke ai ah~"

She remembered that she was petting Shi, on a stranger's lap. She looked up at the female and smiled, hoping she didn't mind.

Ariana handed back the little panda when she noticed the sign blinking. "You should probably hold him now," she said and started fiddling nervously with the belt. She hated planes and she hated flying. At least she wasn't close to the windows, that way she wasn't able to see how high they were flying when they took off. She smiled at the panda on the guys lap and took a deep breath to calm herself. We won't crash, we wont crash....

Arthur stood up when a stewardess gestured to him, and he nudged Yao to stand up. The Asian man got up, and put Shi down on his seat. The two walked up to some stairs, and both climbed it. They nodded at the stewardess, and she handed Yao a microphone, and Arthur walked towards a bannister. He pressed a button, and a small stage like platform came up. The two stepped on it, and Arthur nudged Yao. "You ready?" He laughed, pushing him forwards.

The stewardess smiled at the first class section, and gestured towards the two. "Ladies and Gentlemen, to commemorate our fantastic plane, we will have the famous China and America, Yao and Arthur!" She announced, a few of the people smiling and clapping.

Arthur took the microphone and grinned. "Hey, guys and gals! America here! Since I have a bit of a sore throat, only China will be singing today - With his girly voice, I may add." He laughed, a few "Aww!" noises coming from the crowd. "He'll be preforming a favourite, Real Emotion!" Arthur laughed, checking Yao's microphone was good, and pushing him further onto the platform.

Yao didn't bother with introductions. He smiled when he saw Michelle.

"Never thought that I would wind up by myself
If I told my wild imagination
But right here, I am finding myself so lost
And there is a way, for me to turn back

All the things I see
They are different from
What I had imagined they would be
Everything looks different
Now I'm getting dizzy spells

Its real emotion, shakin' up the world
I'll never give it up
I don't ever want to
Lose this far
No more than I can do
When I am just too wrong
And in my heart I can hear you say,
That I am not alone

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can hear you
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

Never gonna look back, I'm already here
Cause you gave me faith
I'm on my own now
If anything happens, unexpectedly
I know you are there, to come and save me

What do I do now?
What can I do now?
For the truth that you have made me see
And it hurts me so much..
And it brings me to my knees!

It's real emotion, shakin' up the world
I'll be forever blessed, for you to stand by me
Thank you for
So many things you tell me
That's why I am here
You give me strength and now I know
That I am not alone

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What what what
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

I can hear you

It's real emotion, shakin' up the world
You're always here with me, so deep in my heart
And I, am there
Beside you when you need me
Since I'm finally strong
Just close your eyes and you'll see me there
Cause you are not alone

Its real emotion, shakin' up the world
I'll never give it up
I don't ever want to
Lose this far
No more than I can do
When I am just too wrong
And in my heart I can hear you say,
That I am not alone

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can hear you
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

I can hear you." He sang, clicking his fingers at the end and winking at Michelle.

The stewardess introduced some sort of duo. At first Michelle worried a little bit, now everyone wasn't doing their own little thing but looking forward. And she was in the way of some views. She backed up so she wasn't blocking anybody and finally took a good look at the performers.

Oh... those two sit in front of me... It's the panda owner. His name was Yao I believe.

She chuckled hearing that Yao's girly voice would be performing. Michelle noticed him smiling, but she couldn't tell if it was directed at her or the general area. She smiled back anyways, leaning against a free space and waiting for the performance to start. Honestly she was genuinely surprised that Yao could sing. She found herself smiling and humming along to the song; it was a fun tune. After he was done she cheered along with the crowd and clapped. Noticing him wink, a little blush developed on her cheeks.

While everyone was still moving around after the song and the staff were unorganized she decided it was time to get out of first class before she got caught. That and she wouldn't want anyone noticing the blush on her face. He had a nice voice and she wanted to hear another song, but she wouldn't risk the trouble. He sat right in front of her after all. Come to think of it, why was a performing duo sitting in economy class? She shook her head and looked up at the stage. She gave a small wave to Yao before dashing back down the stairs and back to her seat.