Disclaimer: All KOF characters owned by SNK.
Ok, yet another chapter today :) Actually I had finished this yesterday ummm just putting ina few Notes here and there. Its ready now I think. Enjoy. And thx for the reviews/ comments. I have decided to put in other characters too but at the opportune moments. Hehe. FYI This chapter is longer than the others...
Hint: All good things have their appointed time. I don't wanna rush them in yet. ;)
8. The Banter
"Yeah, mate! What were you thinking of spying on us like that? We could have seriously injured you, you know? Nextime, identify yourself!" Shen interjected. Mon Dieu! Once again, Mr Blabbermouth displayed his unparalleled prowess in cutting off other people's speech…
"…." As usual, Duo Lon said nothing but stared moodily. Always the cool one, wasn't he?
"Hey, look. We are really sorry. Really didn't know it was you." I said quietly, carefully observing Duo Lon for the slightest reaction. No good. He still maintained his stoic countenance, giving none of his thoughts away... Ok, time for the 'soft approach.'
"Hehehe, but you know what? That was one hell of a fight. You almost bested Shen and me single-handedly, you know that? And it has been so long since I last felt the ¹heebie-jeebies! " I nudged him good-naturedly on his left shoulder. And indeed, it was true. Had I not crept up on him stealthily, we might have lost for all we know…
The words had its intended effect. Duo Lon's laconic face broke into a wry smile. "Nice one Ash. I never thought you would say that… but you know what?" He looked at me thoughtfully with those mysterious eyes of his. "¹I salute your ability...can't believe you did that well either..."
We both smiled, amused. For indeed, we were heroes evenly met. His unfathomable, unorthodox skills matched my cunning resource. Just as the Chinese saying goes, ' ²crouching tiger, hidden dragon (臥虎藏龍).' I never knew Duo Lon had those secret moves, just as he never expected me to pull a 8-hitter on him from the back. Unfortunately, our reverie was broken by a piqued voice…
"Nice one, but the fact remains you LOST! I WON! So, ¹who's truly tough? Now you know, huh?" Both Duo Lon and I groaned in unison. We had conveniently forgotten the third guy, Shen.
"You know, you could have died if I had used my full strength? Count your lucky stars I only used like 10 percent of my inner qi reserve. If not, you wouldn't be alive this very second. I could have smashed your pretty face in! Blah blah blah." Shen bragged on about his 'invincible' boxing skills, conveniently forgetting that it was he who was almost thrashed. Afterall, he was Shen Woo, which literally means God of Battle. It was impossible for him to lose! Uhhmmmmn according to him, that is.
I had to stifle yet another yawn. Shen was at it again, the monologue mode. I glanced at Duo Lon. In the depths of his eyes I found yet another fellow sufferer of the Shen syndrome. We both nodded our heads in unison. Time for a change of subject…
"Say Shen, weren't you hungry?"
Nothing better to distract a scatterbrain like him than food.
"Hmmn, and here I was wondering why my stomach was rumbling." He petted his belly affectionately. "Hey Duo Lon, we are having breakfast. Wanna tag along?"
"Sure, I'd love to. I have not eaten for days, come to think of it."
Mon Dieu! Now I indeed have my hands full. Not one but two hungry cheapskates sponging off me… How could life be so sucky at times? Merde I swore silently yet again, unbecoming of a French gentleman I know. Time to thwart the parasites' plan.
"Ahahaha, you must be joking right guys?" I decided it was time to play the jovial French laddie again. (Hey, that's my official KOF image afterall)
"Je regrette, mais (I am sorry but)I didn't bring enough money with me!" I turned the insides of my pockets out, to show them my plight.
"Hmmn, but don't you have a credit card or something? And what's up with the French again…"
Gulp, why did Duo Lon have to be so smart? Sometimes I wished he was as dumb as Shen…
"Ahahaha, left it back at our place... I think. Left in a rush." I lied.
"Oh, in that case I'll pay first then. And you pay me back when we return. Problem solved."
My heart did a little dance. Sometimes I could almost kiss Shen for his stupidity. Almost. He could be my knight in shining armour at times! Plus Shen paying was as good as his treat, because he always forgot to claim back. Ahahaha! I decided to get naughty…
"Thank you!" I hugged the dense one affectionately.
"No problem. Afterall, a friend in need is a friend indeed!" And with that he gave me a bear hug. A hug so tight it knocked the breath out of me!
"Ahem!" Duo Lon cleared his throat.
Shen immediately dropped his arms.
"Ummm ok…" He glanced at his watch. "Shit, we have dawdled enough already. Let's get our pretty asses moving! Breakfast, breakfast here we come." He led the way happily, his butt jigging.
As I stepped near Duo Lon, the latter stopped me.
"Say, what gave me away? I was sure I had mastered the art of shadows. How did you guys know I was on that roof?"
As I was about to speak, the foul smell assailed my senses again. I stood near Duo Lon and took a whiff. There it was, the source of the stench.
"Ummm, that… I think." I pointed to his black coat.
"Ahh. No wonder. I just knew I should have changed. Backcountry latrines ain't exactly the… cleanest places to be in. But oh well, at least we learnt something didn't we?"
"And what is that?
"That smell is an important factor in camouflaging."
"Ahahaha. You are right Duo Lon, yeah!" I paid lip service, although inwardly I was secretly gloating. Sure, smell is an important factor dumbo, that goes without saying…
As I looked heavenwards at the sunny blue sky, I thanked the Fates for bequeathing me with two powerful but not-too-intelligent aides. Afterall, what better help could someone like myself ask for? Ahahaha, ahahaha!
"Sheesh Ash, snap out of it! You bonkers or something?"
Huh? Ooops, I just realized I had laughed out loud as two pairs of eyes glared suspiciously at me.
"Ummm nothing. Just that… I love mornings." And I grinned my trademark Cheshire cat smile.
They seemed to buy that bullshit. Whew, close one. Note to self, be more aware of own actions nextime…
A/N:
1. All words denoted with ¹ are quoted from the KOF2003 winning screen. I just quoted part of Ash's, and the full lines from DuoLon/ Shen. They only say these btw when they defeat each other (And not to anyone else outside their team) If I am wrong, please correct me ;)
2. ²crouching tiger, hidden dragon is attributed to a Chinese saying which teaches one to conceal one's strengths from others in order to preserve the element of surprise. In this case, both DL and Ash had done it. DL never demo-ed his awesome 'infinity' skill before, while Ash never showed he was capable (ummm badass) enough pulling off a combo on people's back.
3. Damn, some symbols dont appear when I posted. Edited.
