After calming down, I finally left my room and walked outside. It was snowing lightly once again on a near cloudless night sky. Exactly how long I spent in my room, I didn't know but long enough for the moon to come out, so an hour at the least. I didn't exactly feel proud of what happened earlier and I knew it. Seems I would need to apologize to Viper. Again. Still, at least I have a little time to myself. I travelled up to the peach tree and looked over the valley. I had to admit, the view was peaceful, gives a person time to think. Even from afar, I could still make out the sounds of animals cheering and whatnot which made me smirk. It really reminded me of the city of Leeds, minus the drunks. But still, it was a scene that played through my head without me needing to even think about it. I still stand by what I said, about prefering Christmas with my family, but I might as well face it. It's very unlikely that I'll ever return home. Ever. But it doesn't mean to say that I have to spend my life a rude arrogant jerk, I've done that a little too often lately. A moment later, I broke my view from the village below and turned round to leave, taking a look at the small peach tree as I did. I made my way to the stairs to the village, but before I even turned the corner, I found Tigress and Monkey in front of me, they seemed just as surprised to see me.
"Hey guys. How's it going"? I asked, trying to keep things friendly as Tigress seemed a little angry, as usual but still it unnerved me.
"Hey buddy, We're just heading back to the barracks for the night. Mantis challenged me to a drinking contest earlier on and now my head is spinning like crazy. I'm going to lie down for a bit".
I shook my head. I can only imagine the headache he'll get in the morning. I then turned to Tigress. "So why are you up here"?
"I'm training tomorrow. Thought I'd get a good night sleep".
"Don't we have the day off tomorrow"?
"No excuse to slack off".
I was about to talk back but I noticed a look from Monkey which said. "Don't bother, already tried myself". I kept my mouth shut until I was asked a question.
"So, are you heading back down"?
"I guess so. I've got some things to sort out".
"Alright then. Good night".
"Good night".
The two then walked past me and I headed down into the village until I heard Monkey yell something to me. "I won by the way, thanks for asking"!
I smiled and laughed. I could only imagine how Mantis was holding up. Guess I would soon find out. I made my way down the stairs and into the village where some of the house lights were turned off, probably because like Tigress and Monkey, they were packing in for the night. I kept slithering towards the noodle shop as it was where everyone seemed to hang out all day and made my way in. I then saw an amusing sight. Mantis was trying to walk around on one of the tables while nearly falling over. He was drunk. I moved in to get a closer look. The poor guy looked like he was going to puke, swaying around and every now and then, singing the lyrics to the song I'm a little teapot rather quietly. How Monkey had beaten him without getting drunk, I didn't know. Maybe Mantis had to drink a whole normal sized glass or something. Still, I tried my best to ignore him and saw Po handing out bowls of soup and noodles next to the bug. Good thing I still had a few yuan on me. I made my way up to the serving window.
"Good evening Mr. Ping". I called out to the goose at the back of the kitchen. He turned round to see me and took my order. One bowl of noodles was enough for myself, though it did cost a little more than I had expected, four yuan. Last time I only remembered paying three. Still I didn't mind and took my bowl over to an empty table. I had no idea where Viper and Crane were, maybe they headed back up to the Jade palace as well, guess I'll have to apologize tomorrow. No matter, right now I was glad to be eating something, because I've had next to nothing all day. Soon I was joined by the panda himself.
"Soooo..."?
He asked. I looked up from the noodles, confused what he meant by that.
"What"?
"How do you like your extra gift we got you"?
"The sword? It's lovely, really it is. But"...
"But"?
"A little expensive don't you think"?
"Well, maybe a little. But still, your own weapon? How cool is that"?
I gave a laugh at Po's over excited attitude. "It is pretty cool, I will agree. But honestly Po, you and the others didn't have to pay so much for some guy you've barely known for a week".
"Come on, you're kidding right? You're like family now to me and the guys"!
"Hey, ain't you that stupid python guy who made me lose two bets"?
I turned my head to see drunk Mantis now swaying side to side in the middle of our table, trying to keep his balance with all four legs.
"Why'da gotta go and... uhhh... be... limbless... THERE, I SAID IT"! I looked back at Po. Looked like he was just as confused as I was. "And another thing! why do clouds float!? HUH? It makes...no..."...
Before things took an even stranger turn, Mantis lost consciousness and fell face first into the table. I turned back to Po with a smile.
"So. What was that you said about being family"?
"Yeah... that doesn't count, he's drunk".
"Want me to take him back up to the barracks"?
"Nah, I got it. Dad can handle the shop for the rest of the night". I then watched Po scoop up Mantis with one hand and walk through the archway. I just returned to my noodles while I could. There was something a little different about the noodles flavor wise. I think there was extra salt added to the noodles. I actually found it to be better with salt so I had no complaints to share. A few minutes and I had finished the noodles. Everyone else had more or less left to go back to their own homes. I best do the same. I reached the barracks easily enough and slithered in. At this point it was something like eleven O clock, I think. Hard to tell without a watch. I climbed into my bed, curled up, and fell asleep and waited for morning.
...
*BONG*
I instantly climbed out of the bed and out of the room at lightning speed. "Good morning ma-".
I stopped myself. I just remembered that Shifu was still away and that I was the only one outside their room. Great. Just great. Now it'll take ages to fall back asleep. I just slithered back inside, hoping I didn't wake anyone up. I did what I could to fall back asleep, but my attempts were, as usual, in vain. Eventually, I accepted the facts and decided to make some coffee. I needed it. I checked the cupboards for any kinds of coffee, nothing. Not even jasmine. Guess water will have to tide me over. I grabbed a clay jar, filled it up to the rim and gulped most of it down. I then took a few slices of bread and swallowed it whole. You know, one of the things I hate most about being a python is no longer being able to chew food. I couldn't bite it with my fangs so what else could I do? Still, that only makes my top five. The top reason being no limbs as pointed out by a drunk insect last night. THAT! Was what I hated most of all. Why couldn't Oogway have changed me into a lion or something? Would have been much better. My thoughts were soon interrupted as Tigress walked in. Oh how the lively atmosphere is sure to follow. I just watched as she walked past me and helped herself to tofu cubes. She then sat down at the opposite end of the table. I didn't have anything to say and she didn't seem to care so the both of us ate in silence. I looked at her to see if she was as tired as myself. She wasn't. Probably from going to bed early last night. Eventually I got the courage to say something.
"So... I just wanted to say thanks for the throwing stars".
"Shiruikens".
"Yeah... those".
"You're welcome. Let's hope they'll improve your weapon handling skills a little better". She said, only not in a rude way. I guess she's finally starting to forgive me after running away. At least that's one step forward in my book.
"I hope so. If not, I still have the tail blade in my room so that'll be helpful".
"Yes, I heard about it. A weapon created for serpents. Often created from steel for the blade and iron for the tail handle. Usually one, maybe two inches wide". Tigress explained as though she was an expert on weapons. Maybe she was for all I knew.
"I guess that fits the description". I admitted before taking another drink of my water. As I did, Tigress seemed to look down before speaking something I did not expect.
"Listen, I... would like to... say I'm s-... I apologize for punching you a few days ago. It wasn't very professional of me and I should have known better".
"It's alright. I've already forgiven you for that. Besides, my eye's almost as good as new".
Tigress just gave a small smile. At least I think it was a smile, but the sides of her mouth raised only slightly so I couldn't really tell. She then left to train, but before she could walk out of the kitchen, I had a sudden thought.
"Hey Tigress". Tigress turned back round. "Shifu told you to apologize while he was away didn't he"?
"...Maybe".
I laughed to myself and Tigress walked out of the barracks. I then swallowed another piece of toast before two more guests walked in. Crane and Viper.
"Hey guys".
"Hey Mike, how are you"? Crane asked cheerfully, hardly affected from waking up early. Viper on the other hand, was ignoring me. I guess she was still annoyed with me for yesterday. Of course, now that I think about it, I seem to have a lot of my problems revolving round Viper. I guess I'd better say something. The sooner I do, the better for both of us.
"Are you still mad at me Viper"? In return, I got a glare which stated. "What do you think"?
"Look, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect for you to have to pay so much for some guy you barely know".
"You know, I have to agree. A hundred and forty yuan was a little pricey for all of us to spend on Mike". Crane sided with me.
"Maybe, but you didn't have to be a jerk about it and lash out at me".
"She does have a point Mike. You should have been a little nicer".
"Whose side are you even on"?
"I just want peace, okay"? spoke the neutral bird.
"Tell, you what then Mike". Viper spoke up.
"What"?
"I'll forgive you on one condition".
"No problem, name it".
"You have to help me out with today's chores".
"That's it? Easy"! I said with confidence. "What do I need to do"?
"Just to help me move some stuff around, clean the training hall, dust some artifacts, sort out scrolls, clean the weapons, train, cook lunch, get rid of any rubbish that Po may have left around and get supplies from the village".
I could swear that my eye twitched throughout that list.
"That's a days worth of chores"? Holy hell! And I thought my mom gave me a hard time when she told me to tidy the house!
"It is. Unless you can't handle it".
"Oh I'll show you". I smirked.
"Lets go"! I replied with confidence. I got from my chair and without thinking, dragged Vipers chair with me, which she was still sitting on, leaving a poor confused crane to get his own breakfast. I slithered out of the barracks and managed to get twenty feet before I realised something.
"You know, you're free to get off that chair anytime".
"You're the one who suddenly began dragging it. Besides I think I could used to having you pull me around".
"Yeahhhh now you're just pushing your luck".
Viper rolled her eyes and got off the chair. I pushed the thing to the side and allowed Viper to lead me to the first chore stop. Just to spare everyone from boring details, the chores took hours! Each one more boring and time consuming than the last! One of the last few chores was weapons cleaning where I asked if I could take a moment to grab my tail blade and shiruikens. She nodded and I took a few minutes to fetch them all. If I was going to keep these things then I at least wanted them to be in good condition. I had to take them back into the now clean training hall, which took over two hours to sweep by the way, and clean them, wash them and dry them for ten minutes. Once satisfied, I moved onto the spears and swords and whatever else was lying around. Whilst I was drying off a double sided weapon, an axe on one side and a stone hammer on the other, Viper decided to stir up a conversation.
"So how did you enjoy the Winter feast yesterday"?
"Overall, I liked it until the whole argument".
"Yeah, that would have been something we could have avoided".
"But still, I guess there's alway next year. If I'm still here".
"What do you mean"?
"...Nothing. It doesn't matter". Good thing Viper decided not to ask any further. In all truth, I didn't know myself what I meant. I guess I was still hanging onto some hope that there was still some way of getting back where I belong, even though it was likely impossible to pull off. I then put the large hammer axe thing down and begun to move onto a much smaller dagger, getting the depressing thought off of my mind.
"Anyway, I wanted to ask you something".
"Sure, go ahead Viper".
"It's about the mistletoe tradition".
"Are you serious? I thought we had gotten that out of the way"!
"Can I please just finish"?
"...Fine".
"Why did you decide to mention it a second time after helping out Mrs Tien"?
"I guess I just didn't want to seem like a jerk, you know, tradition and all".
"You do know that you're supposed to actually kiss the person on"-
"Yeah, on the lips. I know. But... I...". I couldn't think of an excuse. I had a feeling that this wasn't going to end well for myself. Time to get out of here. "... Does it really matter"?
"I just felt like it should have been pointed out".
"You know what, I'm just going to go ahead and get the supplies from the village. Right now".
I grabbed my weapons and left. I got no reply from Viper, I guess she just felt a little guilty asking me about something I didn't really enjoy. It only took a couple of minutes until I was down from the Jade palace and coming up to the first shop I could find. But still I couldn't get that stupid conversation out of my head. Why the hell did she even mention it? Seems a little unusual to bring something like that up. Unless... Oh dear God, please don't tell me she likes me! I really hoped my conclusion was wrong! The last thing I needed was to be dating. Especially with a snake. I shook my head, getting the thought out of my head as best I could.
"Okay, no worries. I just need to calm down and focus on the supplies. Once I get back, try and break it to her gently, I'm not looking for a relationship".
On the bright side, there always remained the possibility that I was overreacting and that I was a little paranoid. Tossing all thoughts on the subject aside, I entered the shop and decided to get some more bread for the barracks after I had eaten the last few slices during breakfast. Unfortunatley...
"Sorry, we've no bread". The shopkeeper said upon hearing me ask for some.
"Okay, then can I get some carrots please"?
"No carrots either I'm afraid".
"Potatoes"?
"No".
"Onions"?
"No".
"A grain of salt"?
"No".
This can't be happening. There's no way this can really be happening to me right now after such a crap day of cleaning. "So just to clarify,you have no food in this shop at all"?
"Nope".
"... Okay. Guess I'll have to try the next place. Thanks anyway".
Twenty two minutes and six different shops later, it seemed that everywhere I went, the markets, shops, everywhere was completely devoid of food! How is everyone else at the Jade palace going to react when I tell them that everywhere just happens to be out of all food? I soon found out for myself once I had rounded everyone up and shared the news back at the Jade palace barracks. Everyone had their own reaction, but Po, he was almost upon the verge of fainting, the poor guy.
"So there isn't any food in the Valley of Peace. At all"? Mantis asked, his eyes were bloodshot from the drinking last night and he was rubbing his head. Monkey was the same but didn't seem to be as badly affected, his eyes were much less red.
"Seems so".
"Any suggestions"?
"I'll go and ask Zhen to send a message to Master Shifu at once. It's possible that we have food bandits on the loose. If this keeps up, we'll soon have a famine on our hands".
Tigress then left to find Zhen. Everybody seemed slightly worried about the possible crisis. Po was already preparing himself by taking almost every single bean bun and dumpling he could find into his room. The way he was acting, you would have thought it was every man for himself, or in this case, every animal for themselves. Everyone but myself and Crane left the kitchen and either went to their rooms or to do something else.
"Good thing you went down to the Valley when you did, otherwise it would have been much later until we'd have known". Crane told me.
"Yes well, I had some... motivation to go to town. That reminds me, I better go and help Viper sort out some scrolls. Wanna come with? You might have fun". I spoke sarcastically.
Crane looked back to see Po taking a few more dumplings that had fallen on the floor from him trying to carry a hundred at once. Talk about overpreparing.
"I'd... better stay here and make sure Po doesn't clean out the entire kitchen".
"Yeah, that would be best". I left and tried to find where Viper was. It took some time to track her down as I had no idea where all the scrolls were kept to begin with. I had to look through every room and tunnel that I passed until I finally saw her already putting away a few of the scrolls on some wooden shelves above her. I entered the room and slithered next to her and grabbed some of the scrolls that were lying on the ground and put them on top of an empty shelf.
"Hey Viper, you okay"?
"I'm fine. I think the real question is, are you"?
"Don't worry about me. It was nice to get some fresh air after six hours worth of working".
"Yeah, sorry about that".
I guess that, against every fiber in my limbless body, now would be a good time to find out if she actually liked me, so I opened my mouth and almost at once choked on my words.
"Viper".
She turned to look at me in the eyes smiling, putting me more on edge. "Yes"?
I wanted to make something up but couldn't. Eff it. If I get slapped then it's my own fault, but it's the only way to know for sure.
"Do you... like me"?
...
Okay, here it is, the next chapter has arrived a few day earlier than I said. Guess I managed to get some time off from college for finishing ahead of everyone else ^^ Anyway, I remember asking you guys if you thought that Mike and Viper should be together. I won't tell you what I'm going to do but all I'll say is that it will be revealed in the next chapter which will also be out today. Lucky you eh? XD And as for the food famine, the next chapter will be revolved around the episode Hunger Game which was released a month ago, so spoilers, don't read the next chapter if you want or still have to watch that episode. But if you'll excuse me, I need to finish off the next chapter for tonight. Cheerio