Omi insisted on going to Shen Gong Wu retrieval mission when he heard Raimundo was a success. Only be told by Kaori and Grand Master Fung Clay was next to lead. Changing his tactic about being one of the three that go instead of Shu Yung. Got him turned down again before he returned to prove himself by interfering.
First time was when Shu Yung was actually giving Dojo a chance. Mood was shattered by Omi trying tomus the Lunar Locket to position the moon with disastrous results. Second was when Apikalia, Clay, and Raimundo had a dance off in a playful manner. Omi tried being their dance partners all at once using the Ring of Nine Dragons. Judgemental, naïve and egotistical sides appeared individually in each clone of him. Ruining what was a competition free moment between three to music. Three was when Trent and Amber were training with Kimiko in how to control their elemental chi. Omi thought he was helping with Sun Chi Lantern when he interrupted the lesson. Ended with everything's elemental chi switched for 192 hours and Kimiko with a sprained wrist. Last straw was when Kaori was in the middle of preparing an evening meal. Omi tried using the Ninja Sash to get the meal done faster without asking for help. Ended up making a mess when his individual clones didn't pay attention, and me one big mess. Ping Pong was the only monk that defended Omi's attempts at being helpful.
"Sorry everyone." Kaori ended up being rice porridge.
Trent had to be careful in eating without scorching his taste buds and roof of his tongue when eating. Kimiko had to use a wooden spoon over a metal one as to not shock herself. Amber had to be careful of how she ate without slurping being too loud for her.
"Wait!" Apikalia excused herself.
She had to turn down Omi's request in helping her with whatever she was leaving the table to do. Didn't stop him from rambling on about how he could hold many things and not drop them. Ended with him being ignored by her when she disappeared from everyone's view. To only return with spices, sugar, and dried fruit from the kitchen's pantry.
"Add what you want to change the taste." She placed filled containers in the center of the table.
"I am as impressed as a judge at a livestock auction." Clay tipped his hat at her idea.
"Smart." Trent and Raimundo liked her idea.
"Nice recovery." Amber shared a high five with Apikalia.
"Let's eat." Kimiko loved the choice presented.
"…" Ping Pong was just happy to have decent food after having to taste Omi's failed dishes when he was helping Kaori. Showed in the sparkle of his eye when he took his first spoonful and grin.
Just Omi was the only one that ate his porridge unaltered with each spoonful he scooped up. Shoved into his mouth as everyone experimented with what Apikalia brought to theirs. Making him take fewer and fewer spoonfuls when everyone discovers each other. Some went with the sweet as others went with tart or sour flavors. Bits of cut up dried fruit stirred in added a chunky appearance and added change in taste.
"I am done," Omi had only finished half bowel, "I will be meditating."
Away he sat after pushing his bowl away and not listening to everyone ask what he was doing before he left. Having Kaori leave the table also and follow Omi to the courtyard all alone. Watch him find a spot where he could sit in the lotus position and look into water.
"When I was still naive and wanted to be noticed," Kaori approached, "I tried to help my fellow monks without really asking them if they needed it."
"I hope they were very appreciative." Omi guessed..
"More like angry and annoyed with me," Kaori laughed at the memories, "I made a mess of everything to the point a rift started to form. One that laid the foundation for falling out with my sister and the way obsessed over Chase."
"That sounds terrible." Omi couldn't imagine that with his friends.
Kaori ended up reaching out to Omi with a single hand and asked him to return to the table with his friends. Which he accepted by taking her hand with his own and getting to his feet. Following her back got to the dining hall where a new bowl awaited him. This time it was flavored with cream made from goat's milk and chopped up peaches.
"We knew," Amber explained, "We flavor it up to something you might like."
"Can you join us?" Ping Pong asked with a spoon.
Raimundo was the one that welcomed him to sit by him as Dojo was pilfering dried apples with his tail intertwined with Shu Yung's. He smiled and showed the bits of fruit stick between his fangs.
8*8
Latest shen gong Wu to reveal itself made Omi laugh when the scroll showed a crystal ball. To only be quieted when that said ball of crystal allowed the user to maneuver in zero degree space. Which had Dojo stepping up once more to take the monks. This time he was allowed to do it since Shu Yung was with Chen somewhere.
"Well?" Kaori looked to Clay and Apikalia, "What happens this day defines you."
Before either one could speak up and say something about their personal tastes in retrieving a Shen Gong Wu. Omi stepped up with his usual talk about being a follower then a leader. Going on about needing to change one's point of view when going on a journey with friends. How Apikalia got left behind with Kimiko and Trent with Chen as their company.
"Any plans?" Chen asked after Dojo took off
Shu Yung just yawned from her perch on his shoulders without much to say. Not once bothered about being the transport for the monks like Dojo. Just relieved she had a day off after Dojo volunteered. Ping Pong had his stick burnt when he tried poking her to see if she was alive.
"What do you all usually do?" Apikalia looks at Kimiko.
"I'll enjoy whatever." Trent winked.
Kimiko could blush when she tried to talk in Chen's and Trent's presence. Talking gibberish was the only thing about to come from her mouth, if spoken. To only hug Ping Pong when he asked her if she came down with something. Only words he could make out were Trent and like with air getting squeezed out of him.
"How about a round on the obstacle course with a twist?" Chen suggested.
"Sounds fun." Trent and Apikalia were up for it.
"Fun indeed." Ping Pong was able to muster out some words.
All Kimiko could do was nod her head with her teeth baring down on her bottom lip. Had Trent somewhat bothered by how quiet she was keeping herself. He ended up slowing his pace to the obstacle course to walk beside her. Out of her arms Ping Pong was released when Kimiko noticed Trent's closeness.
"Um…." Trent pocketed his hands, "Someone steal your tongue or something going on here? 'cause I don't like when girls fawn over me."
"Is that what she was doing?" Ping Pong asked, "I thought she was sick."
"A kind thing happens when someone falls under the impression of love," Trent explained to Ping Pong, " 'cause I like when a girl is herself and not a lock stuck fool being something she isn't."
He ended up nodding his head to Kimiko in hopes she understood what he meant by being love struck. Left her feeling more of a fool if it wasn't for Kaori stepping up and tapping her shoulder. Pulling her aside to talk for a moment while the others went on with the training mission.
"How you remind me of a younger me," Kaori recalled how she was around Chase and her sister, "A completely unfocused girl that couldn't keep her head on straight as she chased a one sided dream."
"Then I should keep my head on straight and not let love get in my way?" She asked her.
"Maybe see where it takes you." She suggested.
Off Kimiko would run already wanting to be the first volunteer for this twisted obstacle course. Which had Chen already planning on sending her out by blind folding her. Which he told the others it's time they rely on their other senses when out on a mission. Started with each one of them going through an obstacle course with their eyes covered, and ears plugged each round. Kimono flew past her two rounds without much trouble. Trent and Apikalia lay the groundwork for Ping Pong to be the last one. Being that they had to remove overgrown plants that sprout from the ground when he went through.
