After quickly rushing down to the village and dealing with the group of bandits threatening a grocery shop, Mike felt both more at ease and that much more on edge. At ease because he managed to vent some of his frustration into some of the opposing bandits, and on edge because he still felt the headache. Nothing major but it did cause him pain whenever he spun round too fast. As soon as the bandits were apprehended, Mantis did well to point out to him the pub that he was hoping to go to. Mike said nothing and slithered past his tiny brother in combat.
Within the remaining few hours before this night out, the python managed to drown his sorrows a little extra training and was lucky enough to trick Viper into thinking that he had some late night patrolling to do. Luckily she wasn't able to catch on to the plan which Mike was thankful for. Now all that remained was to wait in his room for Mantis to come along and collect him like a wild animal. He hissed in anger at the bug for making him do this, but was just as angry at himself for allowing himself to break so easily. He was a warrior. Someone who was not supposed to break under pressure. Still, at least NOW he could have even five minutes to himself. Five minutes before everything goes down the drain.
Someone was knocking on his door now. Just like that, his face frowned and he slithered over to the door. Perhaps it would be smarter not to answer and just stay in his room all night. But even if he was able to ride out the rest of the day, there would be nothing to stop the little pest from trying again and again, day in day out. The snake sighed one last time before opening the door and looked immediately down to see Mantis. The only thing difference about him was that he had a comically tiny bow tie wrapped around his neck which Mike couldn't help admitting was cute. His thoughts were quickly interrupted by the eager bug.
"Well whada you know? He's still coming along"! He surprise mocked while Mike's face remained motionless. The bug relaxed and gave a small laugh at his little routine. "You know, I was kind of expecting you not to answer the door and just stay in your room all night".
"It was tempting. But it was either that or suffer tomorrow". Mike groaned, feeling the time stretch longer and longer the more he just stood there. "Can we please just go and get this over with? You know that Shifu's supposed to be giving some sort of important announcement tomorrow".
And he was right. When Mike had returned from the village after seeing Yinshen off, Shifu made sure to remind him of an announcement that he, Po and the Five would be glad to hear about. Shifu's announcements always happened during the mornings, right after breakfast which meant that it was best to have just one beer and be done. Or he could try breaking Mantis in half and give an excuse about a training exercise gone wrong. No, he'd never get away with that and he knew it. Then again, if Yinshen had stayed another day or two then Mantis's attention would have been wasted on her and would have distracted him long enough to make him forget about this night. Though it might have resulted in the panther crushing him under her boot until he was nothing but a green smear. But that pleasant thought died away as well, leaving Mike stuck with the only option placed in front of him.
"Alright, screw it. Let's just get this over with".
"There's the python I know and love"! Mantis cheered, hardly detecting the venomous words dripping from the snakes fangs. "Let's go"!
Mantis immediately hopped out of the barracks while Mike followed at a somewhat significantly slower speed. The other warriors that they ran into across the open area gave them a quick hello before passing them. Just as well that none of them asked what they were up to tonight. The two traveled down the hundreds of stairs that led down to the village below and came across the pub that Mantis had pointed out earlier that day. The one named the Silver Yuan. Mike gave a small groan to himself. Not that there was anything wrong with the pub, but he had been hoping that Mantis had picked somewhere different and, with respect, a bit more class.
"Mantis, can we at least choose somewhere a little more, you know, different this time? Celebration or not I'd feel more comfortable having a drink in a nicer place".
"You're kidding right? The Silver yuan is the classiest place in the valley of peace"! Mantis argued back.
"Last time we were here I almost slithered over a broken glass bottle". Mike hissed.
"So, just watch your step". The bug spoke as though it was the most simple thing in the world. For now, Mike just kept his mouth shut and headed into the bar and told his friend to get somewhere for them to sit while he got the drinks. Knowing Mantis he'd end up buying him the most alcoholic drink on the menu. As he slithered his way up to the bar, his angered face dropped and turned to a kind smile, not wanting to rub off any negativity onto anyone else. It didn't take too long until the Scottish goat bartender made his way up to him, standing on the other side of the counter.
"A'right there lad? Glad teh see yer still standin after giving that gorilla a proper butt kickin eh"?
"Just got lucky I suppose". Mike smiled as he brushed his tail over his fangs and teeth, remembering the serious pain of having half of them shattered into pieces on that day. "Anyway, I'm just down for a quick drink with a friend of mine. Could I have one beer please and"...
Mike looked back to check on where Mantis was sitting. He barely found him just hopping up onto a wooden chair and then onto the round dented table next to it.
"... A couple drops of beer in a fimble please". If Mantis was getting him to drink, he'd be sure to make the little annoyance suffer for it in any way he could.
"Sure thing lad. Be right back with yeh in a sec".
The old goat left for a second and came back with a normal sized beer and a small hole less fimble filled with beer. Mike thanked the goat and took the drinks over to the table Mantis was standing on. He handed the tiny drink over and did his best not to laugh upon seeing the confused and offended look on the bugs face as he stared at what he had just been offered.
"What's this"? He snapped to Mikes amusement.
"Your drink". He smugly replied.
The angered look plastered on Mantis's face just made it all the more funnier to Mike. And with the tiny bowtie he was wearing, it was almost impossible to take him seriously.
"Besides, you know what you're like after a full normal glass. And so do I".
"Why what did I do"? Mantis questioned, not actually remembering what had happened.
"First time I found you after drinking, you tried insulting me by calling me limbless and talked about how clouds floated".
"But you ARE limbless".
"Still counts as an insult". Mike countered before taking a small sip of his beer. "Anyway, what's with that little bowtie"?
"Oh this"? Mantis smiled as though impressed with himself. "Just to show how stylish I am with some of the Valleys ladies".
Mike raised an eyebrow before checking the area round him. The only thing that looked like a lady was a painting on the wall behind him showing a female snow leopard standing under a hot sun in a sleeveless shirt.
"I don't think you'll be finding any of them in here". Mike replied taking another larger sip.
For the next fifteen minutes, Mike and Mantis kept on talking about whatever crossed their minds. One moment they would be talking about what life was like as a human and the next could be explaining the story to achieving patience. But those conversations didn't last all too long as Mike finished his drink and was more than eager to leave.
"Well, that's me done. Guess we'd better be off then". He stated, lowering the now empty glass and putting it down gently on the table. Mantis quickly interjected.
"Aw come on Mike! One more glass! Please"?
"No can do buddy. Now come on, let's"-
"Ah, leavin already"?
Mike looked to the source of the voice. The Scottish barkeeper was right next to him holding a tray that held a bottle of wine and several wine glasses.
"Fraid so sir". Mike smiled politely.
"Sure ah can't persuade yeh with one o these"? The old goat joked gesturing his head to the bottle of wine.
"Oh, that's awfully kind of you but I couldn't"-
"I'll be happy to take it off your hooves". Mantis smirked.
"Mantis"! Mike snapped at the rudeness of his friend.
"What? He offered"?
Mike was surprised to hear the old barkeeper chuckle.
"Not teh worry Master Mike. Tis the least ah can do for the both of yehs after yeh saved this town from those bloody gorilla brutes". He offered.
Mike wasn't sure what to do. He did want to leave, but he didn't want to be rude by refusing the generous offer. He'd have to be careful, but perhaps one glass won't hurt.
"Go on then". Mike half sighed as the large bottle now stood in front of him. He quickly poured himself half a glass while Mantis poured his right up to the rim. The python muttered angrily, knowing that he would soon be having to deal with a drunk insect.
As Mike finished his half glass, he glanced over to the insect, seeing him finish his own. For a tiny being, Mantis sure could drink. It had been only five minutes since the barkeeper had offered them the wine and the conversation was running dry. Maybe that was because Mantis was shifting his eyes left to right at Mikes sides which the python felt to be somewhat creepy.
"What are you doing"? Mike sighed after his eyes began spinning round in circles.
"What am I doing"? Mantis argued back with a slurred voice. No doubt about it, he was drunk. "Why are YOU spinning round in circles"?!
Mike shook his head. Least that answered his question for him.
"Okay, perhaps we should be heading back up to the Jade Palace".
"Aw what? Why? I'm not tired yet"... Pouted the insect just before accidentally shuffling to the side nearly losing his balance.
"Yeah well, too bad for you. Now come on, let's go"!
Before Mike could even slither from his seat, he found the old bartender goat looking at him and waving with a smile. Mike stopped for a second and looked to the bottle of wine. It was still half full. Mike waved back and remained in his seat for another moment, thinking. It felt somewhat rude to just walk away from something that had just been offered to you, and Mike was too polite to just refuse. And there was no way he'd be allowed to take it back up to the Jade palace. And with Mantis drunk, he'd need to drink it himself.
"Damn it"... He thought in his head. "Okay, I'll take one more glass, say that I've had enough and thank the barkeeper for the bottle then take Mantis back up to the Jade palace, go to bed, and Shifu need never know of this little ordeal".
With that logic, Mike poured himself another glass and began to drink it.
"Besides, what's the worst that could happen"?
...
Next chapter, the worst happens. Cheerio!