Liu Kang set the tea set and shortbread cookies on the table, ensuring everything was perfect. He had a guest arriving any minute now.
"Will that be enough cookies for her?" Liu Kang walked into the other room and grabbed another package of cookies.
A whooshing sound entered the adjacent room. The air turned frigid, and it smelt of newly fallen snow. He looked back to check for her presence.
"Is that you, Francine? Was the way safe for you?" Liu Kang entered the room.
Francine threw off her hockey gear and stick, only left with a black shirt and baggy pants on. Liu Kang looked over at her. Francine got the hint and cleaned her mess.
"Ya, it was pretty easy to get here. I have to admit, this place is cool." Francine sat on the red plush pillow and faced the table. Liu Kang followed suit, his tail wrapping around his leg.
"Good to hear. I see you aren't wearing your usual dress. Why is that?"
"Shang Tsung isn't at the palace today, and he went to bum-fuck who knows where."
Francine formed an ice cube between her fingers and dropped it into her teacup.
"Plus, I found my old clothes in his room."
Liu Kang showed a small smile, but deep down, worry was brewing. Having to witness his death by Shang Tsung multiple times puts him on edge. Either Francine is a part of Shang Tsung's plans or ceases to exist in many timelines. His heart ached with the realization of his limited options. Suppose you change one aspect of the timeline, and the other crumbles, creating chaos. Indeed, one must put aside one's own biases to achieve peace.
"Would you like a cookie?"
"Sure!" Francine took the whole plate and shoved three cookies into her mouth.
"No matter what timeline, your love of shortbread cookies shines through." Liu Kang rested his head in his hand.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing! I was thinking of my champions…" Liu Kang guzzled his tea.
"What about them?" Francine looked down at Liu Kang's tail as the furry white tip brushed against her leg.
"They're getting better each day at their training."
"Even Johnny Cage?"
Liu Kang nodded.
"Really? That guy is annoying! All he does is talk about random stuff no one cares about. When we did this sports magazine…"
As Francine ranted about Johnny, an idea sprang into Liu Kang's mind.
"Francine, how was the origami going? Do you have any new creations?"
Francine stopped her ranting and looked at Liu Kang.
"Oh, ya! Check this out!" Francine pulled out a polar bear-shaped origami. "That book you gave me helped a ton."
Liu Kang took the origami and placed it on the table. Its crisp lines outlined the white paper stained with light blue, bringing it to life.
"This is better than your first attempt. Excellent work." Liu Kang patted Francine's head, his hand running through her hair.
"What about you, o' origami master? You got any tricks in your sleeves this time?" Francine rubbed Liu Kang's arm. The fur and yellow scales were soft.
Liu Kang pulled out his origami, a dragon. Francine stared at the origami.
"Amazing! You're good at this." Francine continued to rub Liu Kang's arm.
"Are you enjoying my arm?"
"Oh, uh. Well, I can't help it."
Francine ate another cookie and continued to stare at the origami. She pushed her polar bear to the dragon.
"I'm curious. Do you think a dragon could survive in cold temperatures?" Francine said.
"Well, I think so. I think the dragon would visit the polar bear sometimes."
"The polar bear can call out to the dragon to get the dragon to eat fish." Francine scored over.
"Hm, sharing a meal… I like the sound of that."
"Ya…" Francine looked up into Liu Kang's eyes. "Can I brush you?"
"Brush me? Do you mean my hair?" Liu Kang's tail swished.
"Mhm! Just grab a brush, and I'll make you even more beautiful."
Liu Kang thought for a moment. While a brushing would be excellent, he wasn't sure it would be appropriate.
"Hm… why not." Liu Kang got up and grabbed a hairbrush. He handed Francine the hairbrush and sat back down on the pillow.
Francine began brushing Liu Kang's hair, ensuring each strand lay perfectly. Traveling down to his tail, she stopped. A hand slipped underneath Liu Kang's shirt, slipping it off to expose his muscular body. Francine continued with her brushing, nearing the base of his tail.
"Be careful with my tail. It's sensitive." Liu Kang's tail flicked at the brush.
Francine ignored the warning and brushed the base of the tail, grabbing hold of his hips.
"Francine! Not there!"
"Oh, come on, your tail is going crazy. You're loving it!" Francine continued to brush more and more.
Liu Kang sat there, trying not to let out any noises. He began to purr and push Francine onto his back.
"Hm! Liu Kang…" Francine dropped the hairbrush, grabbing hold of him. "You smell like vanilla."
"I told you not to brush there!" Liu Kang twisted around and stared down at Francine, who was snuggling against his chest.
"Sorry, I got carried away. You are just very cool." Francine smashed her face into Liu Kang's chest, inhaling his vanilla scent.
"Hm." Liu Kang stroked Francine's hair. "I suppose we can stay like this."
"Ya, let's… stay like this." Francine breathed deeply into Liu Kang's chest, taking in all the scent as she drifted off to sleep.
Liu Kang continued to hold her, laying there and enjoying her company and time spent together.