La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
…
The Panda had thoughts in his head.
Thoughts that he could tell no one else.
They would never let him be if he spoke them aloud.
But how could they make it their business?
It wasn't their life. It wasn't their tired soul.
Tired. So tired. That was the word that best described the panda.
He just wanted to sleep. To sleep and sleep and sleep.
Forever. He used to dream about Her in his sleep.
But he didn't even dream anymore. He was too tired.
…
"Hey. Babe, wake up." Po's eyes fluttered open.
La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
…
The Goose. The embodiment of loyalty.
He had once been a mere messenger,
But then he had become the head messenger,
And now he was in complete charge of the Jade Palace Memorial.
But… there wasn't much to look out for anymore.
It was only a matter of keeping it clean.
It was only a matter of scheduling visits.
It was only a matter of keeping an eye on the Panda.
But this last task was the hardest.
The Goose had sent many brave souls up the Ten Thousand Steps
In an effort to watch over the Panda; to stay by his side.
They all walked back down the Steps, ears
Flattened and tails dragging.
But the Goose would not be deterred.
…
His eyes were met with a wonderous sight. The most beautiful woman in the world was gazing down at him, her eyes full of her husband.
La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
…
The Snow Leopardess. She made no sound.
She was simply there one day.
The Panda had been nurturing his flowers.
And the Leopardess had simply appeared.
The Panda had looked at her for a while.
But he said nothing. He knew what she was doing there.
The Goose had sent her. But the Panda did not want
Anyone else. But the Goose never listened.
No matter. He would turn her away like all the others.
He went on with his duties, watering, trimming.
But the Leopardess did not behave like the others.
She said nothing. She did not move.
She stood there, and watched him.
She asked nothing.
It was an arrangement that worked for the Panda.
But, soon, he became unnerved. He shifted his eyes
To get a better look. Her own brown eyes were locked
Onto his. Her fur almost seemed to glow.
She didn't seem from around there.
Not at all.
…
Po smiled. "Good morning, baby." A light giggle escaped his lips. He could not help it.
La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
…
The Panda turned away from the Leopardess. She was
Different, but it would not end
Differently. Of this, he was sure. She
Silently followed him. She did not follow too
Closely, and she did not try to push his
Chair. The Panda went into the kitchen,
And put on a kettle of tea. He
Thought she was gone, but a glance
Revealed her standing at the doorway.
She still said nothing.
The Panda's eyelids began to twitch.
What could she be thinking? What
Was she here for? But the Panda was
Determined to send her away.
…
Tigress leaned down to Po and their lips met. Words could not describe it.
La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
…
He waited until the tea was
Ready. His shaking, skeleton paw reached for the
Kettle. But it slipped from his grasp. But it did not
Hit the floor. The Leopardess's paw snatched it from the
Air. The Panda's eyes went wide as he finally took a good
Look at her. Her face still showed
Nothing as she placed it back on the
Table.
He finally opened his mouth, and a
Sound like water slowly coming from a
Leaky faucet came from the depths of his
Throat. But the Leopardess pointed to her
Ears and shook her head.
And the Panda understood.
…
"I got you something." Tigress reached behind her. There was a box in her arms. A Musical Box.
She opened it…
…And the Box played its Song.
La. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
La, la, la, la, la. La-la. La-la…