Only three days have passed, and I've already learned almost every detail I need to go about this "Quest" of mine. In order to do so, I've been up an hour before everyone else in the mornings in order to get some extra lessons from Shifu about demons and even a few helpful tips on meditation. At first I failed to understand how meditation played a role, however I was explained that a Mèngyǎn is unable to penetrate your mind so long as it remains strong and focused. I doubted that given the short time I'd be able to improve much on that but I can practice along the way as I travel. And in my free time, I've spent a lot of it studying maps from the Valley of Peace to Gongmen city. On the second day, Viper seemed to catch onto my suspicious behavior (again) and had been trying to follow me around to see what it was I was up to. Thankfully up to now I've been able to keep things a secret. Hiding maps from her and information about this soothsayer character proved to be a challenge. I was glad that she hadn't bothered to ask just yet, probably prefers to try and catch me in the act. It wasn't going to take much longer until she confronts me with this, both of us knew this. And knowing our past talks when related to hiding things, I would mostly end up cracking. Unless I want things to escalate, I decided that tomorrow after my session with Shifu would be the best time to tell her and the rest of the lads. Honestly I was hoping this could wait until the last day where I could have addressed everyone on it, but now I can't. She deserved that much. For now however, I'm going to sleep. You'd be surprised how tired one can get if you take an hour off their sleep for three days, depending on how long they sleep for to begin with.
Crawling into the barracks, the room was quiet. Not surprising. The moon was out but chances were that everyone else was training since it was perhaps ten if I've properly been keeping track of time. I opened the door to my room, focusing only on lying face down on the bed and falling asleep. Only... one little problem went and presented itself before I could do such a thing. A problem holding a map of Gongmen city in front of my face.
Crap. She found out.
"And what is this supposed to be"? She begun, pressing the map so close into my face it was impossible to see anything else. Only when she removed it did I respond with the simplest answer I could give.
"A map". I replied trying to remain calm. Inside, I knew that I was only minutes, possibly seconds from being yelled at.
"Don't be cheeky"! She snapped, slithering into my face, putting the map onto the floor. "I know you're hiding something, and I know it has something to do with Gongmen city! So you can either tell me face to face or I can go straight to Shifu with this".
That made me feel somewhat better since Shifu was already on my side. But still, I didn't want the situation to rise. I needed to calm her down.
"Viper, just, please listen. Yes, I will admit that I've been keeping secrets, again, but I was planning on informing you and the rest of the guys tomorrow about it, seriously! I can explain this to everyone tomorrow. I promise".
To my disappointment, Viper shook her head, keeping her angered eyes trained on me.
"No. I want to know right now".
Well shit.
"Okay okay, fine". I couldn't help but avert my gase for a second, trying to find any ways to sugarcoat my words. I couldn't.
"I had a vision half a week ago just after the Mèngyǎn attacked us. I could see the Gongmen soothsayer looking at me and I can't help thinking that it means something. And I intend to find out exactly what that is. I was planning on setting off there to see if I could speak with her in a few days time. Enough time to get as much information as I need crammed into my head before setting off. And once I do get to Gongmen and find out how this is all connected, I'll figure out my next step from there. And I'm not letting you talk me out of this Viper. Not this time".
All through my explanation, she kept her narrowed eyes and thin lips on me as though waiting to say something. I was almost willing for her to dare to argue back. A short moment, those facial expressions disappeared, replaced by a much calmer image. I just watched and waited as Viper sighed and straightened herself out. Her eyes turned to mine again and I waited to hear her rejections.
"Alright then. Fair enough".
... Oh. Well, that certainly wasn't the answer I was expecting at all...
"Wait, that's it? No argument on how dangerous this is going to be? No words of wisdom, anything like that"?
Viper shook her head.
"No. No arguments, no fallouts, no fighting".
Wow then. I must say, she's really mellowed out about this. I can't actually believe how easy that was. Why can't all our arguements be over that quickly?
I calmly watched as Viper approached the cupboard and pulled out my tail blade and gently wrapped it up. Unless she's just decided to give up on me and is now angrily about to force me away from her. No, that can't be it. She'd be throwing everything in my face by now as well as anger getting to her. I couldn't help but give a smile of appreciation. This was almost to good to be true. Viper quickly spoke up.
"So what day exactly is it we're leaving"?
"Oh in two days time in the aftern- Wait WHAT?! Oh no. Nonononono! No! There's no we, it's just me! Who said it's WE"?!
Viper calmly looked back to me, smiling.
"I did. I'm coming with you".
...
"The hell you are"! I almost shouted. Normally I'd never get angry with Viper but this was too much! There was no way I'm letting this happen! Not while I was still breathing!
"Mike"-! Viper begun, surprised at the sudden rude attitude I had just given her. I cut her off at once.
"There is no way you're coming with me! It's too dangerous! You're staying here"!
"Oh, So I suppose you expect me to just sit here then"? She snapped back becoming angry once more.
"Yes"! I confirmed.
"To just wait here, for days, weeks, maybe forever waiting for you to return?! Is that what you want to put me through"!?
"I'd rather have you here safe than dead"!
Yes, perhaps my words were a bit harsh, but I was starting to run low on patience. I had to start laying on the possible facts.
"Is that what you think is going to happen!? The moment I step out those doors I'm going to just fall over and die on the spot"!?
"That's not what I meant and you know it"!
"Look here Mike! I don't care what you think! I'm old enough to take care of myself! You're not my father"!
"It's my choice to go alone"!
"And it's my choice to stand besides you in the face of danger"!
"So what?! If I was to jump off a cliff you'd do it"?!
"If I had to"!
"Well tough! You're staying"!
"I'm going"!
"Oh you bloody well are not"!
"Don't you swear at me mister, I am going with you"!
"Are not"!
"Are too"!
"ARE NOT"!
"ARE TOO"!
"ARE"-
"Ummmm, guys"?
Before I could find myself yelling until my throat gave out, I turned to the new voice, all anger completely drained out of me for the moment. Crane was standing right there in the doorway. ... Maybe I should have closed the door when I entered... damn.
"Is... are you two okay"?
Myself and Viper looked back to each other. I sighed and broke eye contact.
"Well, I guess you might as well know now".
"Find what out"?
"Well... the reason we're arguing is because I'm going to Gongmen city to speak to the Soothsayer. I believe that she has some sort of connection with that demon we encountered. Viper here is "insisting" that she comes with me".
I paused for a second before an idea sparked into my head.
"Crane, what would you do if you were in my position"?
Viper quickly butted in.
"He would know that I'd be trying to help you"!
"Umm, I was talking to Crane! Crane, if you could, please"?
I didn't really want to put one of my best friends on the spot with such a personal decision, but an answer really needed to be made. Eventually Crane gave his answer, only not the one I or Viper was expecting.
"You want to know what I think"? He asked softly.
"Yes".
"Yes".
"Well, I think maybe you guys should just stop arguing and try talking to each other like reasonable adults".
I couldn't help but flinch a little.
Ouch. Harsh answer. Not that he put attitude in it, which he didn't, but more the truth behind his words that hit me.
"Look guys, both of you are good friends, really, but I don't want to go picking favorites. You can't just go running to your friends to solve your problems. This is... just one of those decisions that you need to make for yourselves".
I forced myself to look down at the floor in guilt. He did have a point. Why was I dragging him into something like this? It's not exactly fair on him now is it? When I was able to look back up to the avain and into his eyes again, I felt regret. Turning to Viper, she felt the same way. I quickly spoke up for the pair of us.
"Yeah, good point. Sorry Crane".
"Yeah, sorry". Viper repeated. Crane just nodded before moving onto his next train of thought.
"And Mike? When were you planning on telling the rest of us on this plan of yours"? He eyed me, making me feel a little nervous under his gaze. What was it with birds eyes that made them creepy?
"I was going to tell all of you after morning training. Of course, somebody was a little impatient".
I heard Vipers hiss from behind. I ignored it and continued.
"Sorry Crane. It was kind of a personal matter. I promise to explain the whole thing tomorrow when I get a chance"?
"Why not now if you don't mind me asking"?
"Because me and Viper need to have a serious talk. And a mature one at that".
A moment of silence passed.
"Very well. I can wait until tomorrow".
I nodded in understanding. "Sorry if we woke you up".
Crane smirked and pointed with his wing outside.
"Actually... I was over at the peach tree until I heard the commotion".
Oh... well that's just as bad. Dang, I hadn't realised how loud me and Viper must have been yelling at each other. I hope no one else heard.
"Don't worry, it's fine". He reassured me. "I'd better get back before someone takes my spot. See you guys later"?
"Sure Crane". I nodded, allowing him to depart. After he left I made sure to properly close the door this time before turning to Viper. Both our faces filled with sorrow. Moving first, I slowly slithered over to her and spoke.
"Viper, despite everything so far, Crane's right. We need to find a way to figure a way to get past this without screaming at each other like a bunch of children".
Viper sighed.
"I know, I know. But how"?
She met me halfway as she slithered over to me and wrapped her tail around my own before leaning the top of her head against the top of mine. I relaxed and followed suit, unable to find it in me to pull away.
"I don't want to spend what may be our last few days fighting each other"...
I silently agreed with her words. Question was how we were going to do so. I gave it a moments thought until I almost at once came up with a solution.
"I suppose we can try listing the Pros and Cons".
"... I suppose that could work".
"So whoever has the biggest number of reasons wins"?
"... Sure".
"Very well then. Would you like to go first"?
Viper gave a nod and pulled her head from mine, looking me in the eyes as she gave an answer.
"Con. Going out there by yourself is a dangerous decision given that you are unfamiliar with the world outside the Jade Palce".
I tried to refrain from sighing. I could already tell that this would take some time.
"Pro. Going alone causes less of a risk of losing valuable members of the Jade palace".
"Con. Given the last few times you"...
Turned out that I was right. This was taking a long time to go over. I'll admit she had some good reasons, but I was able to counter them just as easy with my own truths and opinions. Between us we managed to cover every advantage and disadvantage for travelling to Gongmen city without resorting to yelling. It took fifteen minutes before she began to stumble, finding it hard to think of another answer. Unfortunatley, I was the same. I gave my last prepared answer.
"Pro. Since Yinshen is a part of the Masters council, I'll be under safe eyes in the city".
For her reply, Viper did not seem to speak right away. Instead I heard her give a sigh. One I mistook for defeat. Before I could ask what it was she was doing, she wrapped her tail from my tail and placed it around my back, pulling me closer as her head slowly nuzzled itself under my chin.
"Con... I don't want to feel like I've lost you again"...
I was about to speak up again before Viper unknowingly cut me off.
"I love you too much to go through that"...
Adding her own feelings into the mix, I couldn't help but look down to see her against my neck now with her eyes closed tightly. I eventually ended up stroking the top of her head, moving the tip of my tail around the flowers on her head, careful not to knock them off. My actions only made her cuddle me tighter.
"... Pro. ... I love you too Viper... and I'd do whatever it took to keep you from harms way, warrior or not... you mean the world to me"...
I finished off by lowering my head and kissed her on the top of hers, causing her to look up to me with her worried eyes. Even with her frown, I gave a reassuring smile, as though it promised that everything was going to be fine. Of course, I couldn't really say that since there was no way of knowing whether or not it would be fine.
"Con. All the more reason to come with you".
I tried to think of something, anything to retaliate, only to find nothing else on the train of thought. Viper was quick to pick up on this and waited a moment for me to struggle some more before realizing that I was done. She raised her head until it was level with mine and gave a faint smile.
"I win".
I felt like just storming out the door right now. And I would have if Viper hadn't kept me in her grip. Instead, I held my tounge and gave an irritated groan.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn"? I accidentally asked out loud.
"I learned from the best". She giggled softly, silencing me by pressing her lips against mine ever so gently.
I closed my eyes as she remained there like a statue for a good few seconds before pulling back slowly, allowing me to open my eyes again. I was a little surprised to see that she had a couple of tears rolling down the side of her face. I forced a small chuckle, wiping them from her face and givng her cute face a kiss on the cheek before letting her speak.
"So, now are you willing to let me come with you"?
Even with the matter settled, it was still hard to say yes. And for good reason too. But... I couldn't really fight it anymore even if I wanted to. She had won fair and square. Still, it didn't mean to say that I could ask one last question.
"Viper, are you sure that there's nothing? Nothing at all that can persuade you from staying within the safety of your friends and home"?
It was a harmless enough question. I didn't see any fault in asking it, but I had to make sure. It was still enough to get Viper to frown a little, as though I had offended her.
"Mike, ever since we loved each other we agreed to keep each other out of harms way. To fight and protect ourselves and to always be there for one another. I'd be unable to forgive myself if I let you march off all alone, unaware of the dangers. If you never returned I don't know what I would do... So yes. There is nothing you can say that will convince me otherwise. This is my choice Mike. My choice to do what I think is best for the both of us. If you're going then I am coming with you, no matter what you say".
Well then, I suppose I understood that loud and clear. I nodded and let go of her before slowly turning away and onto the bed. I've lost a good half hours sleep now. Viper did what I did, climbing onto the bed and even tried snuggling into the back of my neck while I faced away from her. I just blocked it out, too annoyed with myself for letting her come with.
"Mike"?
"What"?
"Thanks for letting me come".
"Yeah yeah, just... go to sleep would you"?
...
Well, that exam was easier than I expected...
Anyway, here it is. The next chapter. Of course Viper was going to confront Mike with this eventually. Might as well have gotten it out of the way with. Question is will Mike try leaving before the two days he's supposed to? Find out soon. Cheerio!