"Tolerable Peace"

Rating: PG

Pairing: Slight Po/Shen slash.

Summary: Shen survives being crushed alive with a little help from an old goat. Whether he likes it or not, it is time he fulfill his destiny..


-Priscilla-

Shen heaved an exasperated sigh.

Much to his annoyance by the time he awoken he had found himself alone. The Soothsayer true to her word was already gone. The only evidence of her presence now were the smoldering embers of the fire and a small traveling tote perched near where he was roosted.

He was incredibly sore, but all things considered... he was still alive. Though he wasn't exactly sure how that worked to his advantage. He was not naive enough to believe that Gongmen City would ever welcome him back again. Besides, he had blown up his own palace...

Shen briefly thought about reassembling his army to conquer a small neighboring country. He quickly dismissed thought when he realized that the wolves would probably roast him alive given the chance after he killed their commander.

'Not just them.' Shen mused, 'All of China...' his eyes widen. All of China must know of his failures by now. Word travels fast, especially when Kung Fu masters are involved.

Shen gulped.

It was bad enough having to worry about the stupid panda, but apparently now he had to worry about everyone else in China too. Shen knew he would be all to easy for them to spot with his white plumage. How would he hide?

He had absolutely no idea what he was going to do now but Shen did know for certain that-

"I am NOT seeking out that stupid panda!" he huffed with an air of defiance, feathers ruffled.

Besides, it wasn't like he knew what village the panda had originated from. He just popped up one day! Truthfully, he hadn't even bothered to learn of his nemesis' name either. He had once heard the masters call the panda a 'Dragon Warrior' but he didn't know what the title meant. It could have been code for 'Great Stupid Panda' for all he knew.

Groaning, Shen made a stiff attempt at lifting himself upright. All this musing wasn't getting him anywhere and he hated dwelling on the past. It was time to look to the present. It would be dangerous for him to stay anywhere for more then a few days now. Yes, he had to get ready to move.

He shuffled his way to the tote. His left talon gave him some difficulty, which resulted in a awkward limp. Dragging the tote back to his impromptu nest, he quietly settled down in his roost. Shen brought his leg up to examine it.

The metal cuffing around the talon had been bent out of shape. Picking at it with his other talon did little to loosen the clasp. His wings couldn't grasp it either and his beak was much too delicate to peck at it.

Shen found himself, not for the first time, wishing that he was mammalian. A little known truth was that: all birds secretly wished they had thumbs. Flying was great and all, but Shen could barley even accomplish that. He could glide with superb grace in a urban environment, but his tail feathers were far too heavy to achieve actual fly. Beauty did come with a price, after all.

"Yes. Well, at least I wasn't born a snake" he signed. The metal cuffing would just have to wait till he found a extremely dense blacksmith to help him. Perhaps he could threaten him with bodily harm, that always made him feel better.

Emptying the bag, Shen sorted through the supplies with his wings.

There was an abundant supply of healing herbs, for which he was grateful. A map he scoffed at because he knew not of where to go. A tin full of black charcoal, which gave Shen pause. He didn't know in what scenario that the charcoal would come in handy... but he had a sinking suspicion that he wasn't going to like it. He put it back warily and pulled out the next item.

It was a rather... earthly old robe.

Shen tried to control his gag reflex. It smelt horribly musky, like rain and soil. Which probably meant that it was one of the old goat's favorites. He sat it aside gently, vowing to wash it in boiling water before wearing it.

The last item he had been given was wrapped up neatly in wax paper. Undoing the seal he opened it only to find the most unexpected thing ever imaginable.

He stared at it with glossy eyes.

It was a rounded stuffed peahen doll. It had been a gift from the Soothsayer for his tenth birthday. He remember bitterly that his parents had other matters to attend to that day so he had spent it with the Soothsayer outside the palace gates. She had taken him to a traveling radish merchant and his wife whom were expecting a baby soon. They had made a side business of making toddler toys until their own child arrived. Shen mused back then that the child was going have good life, with parents whom loved it. Even though he knew he was far too old for such a childish thing he had picked out a doll for himself.

It was without a doubt the most obnoxiously multicolored thing that probably ever existed. It was basically a potato sack with a bird head stitched onto it. His parents actually winced when he showed it to them. After that, he carried it with him every single day under his robe until his banishment. He'd grown exceedingly fond of it.

Shen had named it Priscilla, after a foreign play he once saw in the city square.

Sitting the doll next to him, Shen debated on where to head next. Looking at the map he made the decision to head eastwards, towards the mountains.

Evening was fast approaching and Shen vowed that this would be his last night at this refuge. First thing in the morning, he was leaving... but first, he had to boil that smelly robe.


The Soothsayer shot up out of her meditation. She had felt a great disturbance in the world.

One of her robes was being washed.


NOTE: I'll admit my spelling is atrocious, so if you notice anything please let me know!

Also, Priscilla- Queen of the Desert... go watch it.