"Ugh…." Monkey and Mantis both complain at the same time, the groan escaping their mouths indicating how they feel after a day of binge drinking.
It's now the next day after the festival and the Furious Five and I are currently eating breakfast in the kitchen, preparing ourselves for another day of training. I can see in Mantis and Monkey's faces the consequences of lacking moderation, even in free days.
Master Shifu gave them quite the scolding when it was time to wake up and greet him, mere minutes ago.
"Stop bemoaning and drink the remedy already!" Tigress, tired of hearing them complain and agonize, ordered the pair to drink the remedy that Viper has prepared, a fierce look on her expression.
"I see you didn't have any luck this year either…" Crane's nonchalant comment only serves to further the agony Monkey and Mantis are feeling.
"Let them be, Crane. They tried their best, I assure you. I was there to see it, much to my misfortune." After I add my comment, I take a sip of my cup of tea, hiding discreetly the smile on my face.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, all of you. I don't care." Mantis announces, ignoring the painful headache of his hangover briefly.
I finish my breakfast at the same time as Tigress and Viper do and rise from my seat. I share a look with them and leave my empty plate in the sink.
"I think we should get going, otherwise Master Shifu will get even more mad. Why don't you stay with these two until they finish eating breakfast and drinking the remedy, Crane?" I make my suggestion as I head to the door, Viper and Tigress following close behind.
"Me?!" Crane asks, surprised at having to deal with Monkey and Mantis' hangover.
"Thanks, Crane, buddy. I knew we could count on you," Monkey says, a sly smirk on his face. Crane's resigned sigh makes it clear he's less than thrilled but accepts his role nonetheless.
We step outside, the bright morning sun momentarily blinding us. Despite the freshness of spring, the rising temperatures hint at the approaching summer. As we walk toward the training hall, I reflect on the previous day's events.
"I'm surprised you are not in the same state as those two, Albion. You went drinking with them, didn't you?" Viper asks me as we walk, snapping me out of my contemplation.
"Unlike them, I know when to quit while I'm still ahead. Also, I left before we got into heavy drinking." I explain to Viper, a slight smile on my normally composed face.
"Oh, you weren't with them the entire day at the bar, then?" Her tone holds intrigue and wonder at my activities during the festival.
"No, I needed a break after a while and went outside. I bumped into Luna and she took me exploring the stalls. It was quite fun." I add with a small chuckle, recalling my encounter with the cheerful merchant wolf.
A small laugh escapes Viper's lips upon hearing my explanation, which she slightly hides with her tail.
"That sounds just like her." She adds after she stops laughing, deep fondness for her friend clear in her emerald colored eyes.
We reach the training hall and I open the door, Tigress and Viper entering right behind me. We find there Master Shifu, patiently waiting in a seated position.
"Where are those two idiots and Crane?" Master Shifu asks me as he stands up, anger still in his gruff voice. He seems to be quite miffed at Monkey and Mantis irresponsibility.
"They are drinking the remedy for their… illness and Crane is with them to make sure they make haste." I explain while bowing to the master, Viper and Tigress doing much the same.
Master Shifu just gives an exasperated sigh, clearly at his wit's end. The small red panda normally professes inner peace, but he seems to have forgotten about the concept at this moment.
"Fine. You will start today's training in the meantime. Albion, you are with Tigress today. Viper, come with me." Master Shifu instructed, pointing at each of us. The sternness in his voice left no room for argument.
We bow once again and follow his instructions. Viper quickly slithers her way along Master Shifu while I stay by Tigress' side.
"Ready for today, Tigress? I'm feeling rather… confident today." I give her a wide challenging smile, defiance in my tone clear.
She crosses her arms, her eyes showing a glint of competitive spirit. She gestures to the serpentine rotating logs with a nod of her head, choosing the battlefield for our sparring session.
"Sure, let's see you try. Maybe you'll last longer than last time." Her tone is full of confidence, as is her gait as she walks towards the field.
Tigress leaps onto the log with effortless grace, her movements fluid and controlled. I follow suit, my heart pounding with anticipation. This time I'm determined to hold my ground and perhaps win this match.
"Ready when you are, Albion." Tigress calls out, her voice steady and confident. She has already assumed a battle stance, her eyes filled with burning determination.
"Let's do this." I reply, shifting into a defensive stance, my piercing gray eyes contrasting with hers with a calm, cool demeanor.
With a swift, almost imperceptible movement, Tigress launches herself at me. Her strikes are precise and powerful, each one aimed to test my reflexes and balance. I parry her initial blows, feeling the force of her attacks resonate through my arms.
The logs beneath our feet spin rapidly, adding an extra layer of complexity to our sparring. I adjust my footing, shifting my weight to maintain balance while countering Tigress's relentless assault.
I focus on her form, trying to anticipate her next move. As she aims a high kick at my head, I duck and sweep my leg low, attempting to unbalance her, but she jumps gracefully, avoiding my sweep and landing with her usual cat-like agility on the adjacent log.
"You'll have to be faster than that." She taunts, a fierce smirk on her lips.
"I'm just getting started." I reply back, a grin forming on my own from the heat of the battle.
I push forward with a determined roar, launching a series of rapid strikes and feints, aiming to disrupt her rhythm, which Tigress counters with ease. The logs beneath us spin faster, testing our ability to adapt and react in real time.
I can see from the corner of my eye Master Shifu and Viper observing us, but I don't have time to notice or think about anything else, for Tigress suddenly shifts her stance.
I recognize the setup for one of her signature moves and brace myself. She explodes into a spinning kick, her leg slicing through the air with incredible speed. I barely manage to block it, the force pushing me back a step.
I push through the pain of blocking such a powerful blow and counter with a swift jab to her midsection, followed by a roundhouse kick aimed at her side. Tigress twists her body, deflecting my jab and catching my kick with her forearm before pushing me back.
I take a moment to catch my breath, feeling the strain of our intense sparring. Tigress doesn't seem winded at all, still keeping her balance on the logs without a problem, while I'm starting to have some difficulties.
Tigress makes a fierce growl and moves in once again, her attacks a blur of motion. I parry, block and dodge as much as I can, desperation clear in my movements. I will lose the match if I continue like this. I must adopt a different strategy.
I decide to stop dodging and countering, and start to match her strike for strike, foregoing any thought of defense. Our movement start to synchronize in a dance of combat. The sound of our clashes echoes through the training hall, a testament to our skill and competitive spirit.
As our sparring reaches its climax, I notice Tigress starting to use the movement she used against me so long ago, in my first days here. The palms of her paws are forward, intending to strike my solar plexus with a debilitating strike.
I decide this is my opportunity, and dodge at the very last moment with a swift sidestep, allowing her momentum to carry her slightly off balance. Seizing the moment, I pivot and launch a sweeping kick, successfully hitting her midsection and throwing her off the rotating logs.
She falls to the floor of the training hall, her body rolling to absorb the impact. I follow immediately, intending to make sure that she hasn't hurt herself, but It's unnecessary as she springs back to her feet instantly.
"You got me this time, Albion. Well done." A slight grin spreads across Tigress's face, pride evident in her eyes. At her words, I can't help but grin back. This victory feels monumental, a testament to my hard work and growth. Beating Tigress, even once, is no small feat.
"Excellent work, both of you!" Master Shifu's voice rings out with approval as he approaches us, his earlier frustration forgotten. Viper is beside him, her smile warm and encouraging.
"Your training is paying off, Albion. Continue to diligently hone your skills, and you will achieve great things." Shifu adds as he reaches us, a hint of pride in his eyes.
"Thank you, Master Shifu. Tigress has been a tremendous help in reaching this level, as has everyone else." I say, bowing to him, expressing my gratitude for their guidance and support.
Tigress gives my shoulder a friendly, encouraging squeeze and directs a proud grin towards me, though her eyes now hold a challenging glint. I can see Shifu quirking an eyebrow from the corner of my eye, clearly not expecting Tigress' friendliness towards me.
"Come on, let's have a rematch. I won't make it so easy this time." She taunts me in a friendly manner. Her competitive spirit feels contagious, and despite the fatigue, I feel a renewed surge of energy.
"What did we miss?" Monkey's voice calls out from the training hall doorway.
He is descending the stairs into the hall, Crane and Mantis alongside him, with a perplexed expression on his face upon seeing us celebrating my victory against Tigress in our sparring match.
"You missed the beginning of today's training! Get to training, right now." Master Shifu sternly reminded Monkey and Mantis, his tone returning to its usual strictness.
The Furious Five immediately begin to follow his instructions, each of them starting their exercises for today. I see Tigress give me a nod of her head, gesturing to the rotating logs and I start to make my way there, intending to give her the rematch she asked for.
But before I can take two steps, Master Shifu stops me with his hand, a serious expression on his face.
"Albion, come with me. I would speak with you." He leaves no room for discussion and starts to walk to the training hall doorway.
I give a glance in Tigress' direction and see that there is a glint of curiosity in her eyes, but she shrugs and goes to train by herself. I make to follow Master Shifu, wondering what could he want to talk about.
Once we are outside, Master Shifu takes a seat next to the steps overlooking the courtyard, indicating that I should do the same with a gesture of his hand. I follow his instructions and seat myself next to him.
We spend a moment in silence, enjoying the slight spring breeze passing over us and cooling down our bodies from the heat of the sun. The beautiful, blooming trees around the courtyard make for a peaceful view.
"You have improved much in a short time, Albion. It has barely been more than half a year since you came here." Shifu observes, his voice contemplative as he gazes at the distant mountains.
I simply nod and wait for him to continue, still unsure of where he is going with this. His observation makes me feel rather nostalgic.
"Lately, I have noticed a… change in some members of the Furious Five, especially in Tigress. She has become more open and displays her emotions more often." He continues, glancing at me sideways, searching for some understanding in my expression.
"Well… She has always been quite serious since I've known her, but it's true that lately she has been more relaxed. I'm personally glad about that since I consider her a dear friend." I respond thoughtfully, trying to articulate my observations.
Shifu nods, a rare faint smile appearing on his usually stern expression.
"I'm glad too, Albion. Tigress has always carried a heavy burden of expectations, both from herself and from me. Your presence here has had a positive influence on her. She seems lighter, more at ease." He explains, a calm look overtaking his features.
"I… didn't realize I had such an impact. She has been an incredible mentor, and a good friend to me. She always inspires me to do better." I look at him as I make my comment, surprised at the openness he is displaying. Master Shifu's expression softens, revealing a fatherly side he very rarely shows.
"Tigress is like a daughter to me. I've watched her grow from a lonely child into the formidable warrior she is today. But even the strongest warriors need support and friendship." He glances towards me once again, the request in his eyes clear. I can only nod, feeling the weight of his words.
"You can count on me, Master. I promise to support her to the best of my abilities. With all that she has done for me, It's the least I can do." I make my promise with a determined tone in my voice.
"Thank you, Albion. Consider it a personal request from me."
Our conversation finished, we spend some time in silence, each pondering our own thoughts while looking at the peaceful scenery.
I have known Tigress for some time now, and from time to time I have noticed brief flashes of her desire to prove herself. Shifu's opinion and her skills in Kung fu make a big part of her self worth. That must be why being Dragon Warrior is her goal.
"Come on, we should get back. You must not slack off in your training, Albion." The red panda announces while he rises from his seat, interrupting my thoughts.
I can only nod and follow him back into the training hall, still reeling a bit from the unusual side Shifu has shown me. Once inside, Master Shifu goes to his usual position, next to the field, carefully examining and providing instruction.
I go back to Tigress, intending to give her the rematch she requested earlier. I approach the spinning log field and she leaps from the field, landing gracefully next to me once she notices me.
"Hey, everything alright?" She asks me, as she recovers her breath from the training, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Yes, Shifu just wanted to talk about… some matters." I explain, not comfortable talking about something so private in the open. She raises an eyebrow in intrigue at my comment.
"I see… You would rather not talk about it?" She asks once again, her amber eyes now holding a somewhat softer look.
"No, I don't mind… Maybe later, over a cup of tea?" I suggest while adjusting my hair tie, the casual gesture easing the tension somewhat.
"Sure, tonight in the kitchen, like yesterday?"
I send a nod towards her, confirming our meeting later. I smile briefly at the last part of her question, thinking about the small time we spent enjoying a cup of tea together with the tea set I gifted her yesterday.
"Yeah, just like yesterday. Now, ready for our rematch?" I ask her, determination entering my tone.
She just presents a challenging smirk, burning determination lit once again in her eyes, and leaps towards the rotating logs. I immediately follow, intending to keep my winning streak.
After the entire day training with her, I'm proud to say that I managed to snag a few more victories, and many more defeats.
I was getting out of the bath after refreshing my body from all the harsh training with Tigress when I hear Crane's voice calling for me.
Hey, Albion!" Crane approaches me with hurried steps, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.
"What's going on, Crane? What has you so worked up?" I ask, still drying my wet hair with a towel.
"Actually, is about what we talked about yesterday…" His voice changes to a lower, more hesitant tone, his yellow eyes darting around the room nervously.
I give a nod of understanding and leave the towel in a nearby basket. I gesture to the door, indicating that we should move our location for more privacy.
"Come on, let's talk somewhere more private."
He nods and follows, eager to speak with me about this matter. As we are walking towards the peach tree hill, Crane seemingly gets impatient and starts speaking.
"Albion, I thought long and hard about what you told me yesterday… about confessing my feelings to Viper." His voice is low and hesitant, but there's a determined glint in his eyes that suggests he's wrestling with his fears.
"Did you do it? Did you speak with her about your feelings during your outing?" I throw him a sideways glance, trying to divine the answer to my question from his mood.
He remains silent, his face now reflecting a crestfallen expression. I already know the answer from the emotions he is displaying, but I opt to stay silent and keep walking, letting him take his time to answer.
We finally arrive at the hill where the ancient peach tree stands, its blossoming petals illuminated by the golden rays of the setting sun. Crane walks beside me, his expression unchanged, burdened by his thoughts.
I put my hand on his shoulder as a comforting gesture, encouraging him to continue our conversation.
"I didn't, Albion. I didn't have the courage. I never do." His gaze is firmly planted on the ground, a tone of disappointment in his voice.
"Don't say that, Crane. It's fine to take your time with these things." I try to cheer him up with my words, my tone gentle and understanding.
I always thought Crane was more self-conscious than he lets on. Under that cool facade that he normally maintains, there is no small amount of self-doubt and nervousness.
"You don't understand, Albion. I always had problems with my confidence. Do you know what I did before coming to the Jade Palace?" He lifts his gaze from the ground, opting to direct it towards me instead. His eyes hold clear frustration.
"Uh, no Crane. I have not heard about your past." The question and Crane's abnormal frustration takes me by surprise, making me take a small step back and drop my hand from his shoulder.
"I was a janitor at Lee Da Kung Fu Academy. When I was a kid, I always wanted to become a Kung Fu master, but due to some circumstances I just ended up being the janitor at the academy." He shifts his gaze towards the beautiful horizon, his voice taking a reminiscent tone.
"Then how did you end up here?" I follow the direction of his gaze, focusing on the distant view while I ask my question.
"I had a friend at the academy, Mei Ling, who saw my potential and always encouraged me to try. One day at the academy try outs, I somehow ended up acing the test and from then on I took Kung Fu more seriously. Then Tigress came to get me and the rest is story, I suppose."
I keep my gaze on the horizon while processing Crane's story in silent contemplation. Despite what he says, it sounds to me that he actually can gather his courage when the moment calls for it, and I decide to tell him as much.
"Crane you are proving my words right with your story. You managed to pass a test despite being a simple janitor at the time. Besides, I have seen you in action, you have never let us down when it matters."
"I don't know, Albion… I only passed the test because Mei Ling was there to cheer me up…"
I sigh quietly to myself, starting to feel frustrated at Crane's defeatism. I move my gaze from the horizon and look back at Crane, my eyes burning with determination. Crane notices my movement and looks back at me.
"That's what friends are for, Crane! It's fine if you are not feeling confident now, or tomorrow or even the next week. As long as you manage in the end, then everything is fine. And like Mei Ling, I'll be here to support you and cheer you up!" I give him my most confident smile while making my small speech, trying to convey my support and friendship to him.
Crane seems stunned for a moment at my small monologue, his yellow eyes wide in surprise. But soon, a grateful expression appears on his face along with a cheerful smile.
"Thank you, Albion. You are a good friend. I feel rather pathetic for having so much difficulty expressing my feelings to Viper. I fight terrible bandits daily but I can't even manage something so small." His eyes contain sincerity and gratefulness as he makes his observation.
"You are wrong, Crane. Fighting bandits is easy. Being vulnerable and talking about your feelings with someone else requires valor." I move my gaze back towards the horizon, satisfied with the result of my impromptu speech.
Crane does the same, enjoying the small moment of peace. A few petals of the tree start swaying in the breeze, the light of the setting sun reflecting on them. It's moments like this that make me appreciate my friendship with all the members of the Furious Five.
"Come on, let's return to the barracks. It's getting late." I clap Crane on his small back, prompting him to start moving.
"Yeah, we should go. Viper will start making dinner soon, I bet." He adds, a fond smile on his face.
We start walking back to the barracks, leaving behind the tranquil hill. We keep our conversation as we walk, Crane's mood far lighter than before.
"Speaking of her… When is the next festival?"
"The next festival? That would be the winter festival. We found you one day after last year winter festival, now that I think about it."
I raise my eyebrows in surprise at that detail, not having expected that. It seems I missed the past winter festival by one day, though I'm not sure I could have enjoyed it anyway, given my situation back then.
"Moving on… Why don't you take advantage of the festival? You could have some private time together and then tell her how you feel. There is also still time until then, so you have time to prepare." I make my suggestion to Crane, my face back to its usual neutral expression.
"Hmm… That could work. I'll think about it, Albion. Uh, Do you mind if ask for your advice from time to time?" He seeks reassurance once more, his tone still somewhat doubtful. It's obvious he doesn't want to be a bother.
"Of course not, Crane. I already told you, we are friends. You can ask me anytime you want."
"Oh! Also, don't tell anyone else about this, please! Specially Monkey and Mantis, they would never let me live it down." Crane begs me, his wings grabbing my right arm and moving it back and forth.
"My lips are sealed, my friend." I assure him, a small smile playing at my lips from Crane's terror at Monkey and Mantis' pranks and jokes.
It's now nighttime, some time after dinner. Viper outdid herself with the meal this time, and the delicious flavor of the bean buns still lingers in my mind.
Changed into my more comfortable Hanfu, I stand by Tigress's door, intending to remind her of our promised tea time. I knock softly on the door frame twice.
"Tigress, it's me. Do you want to drink some tea together?" I call out softly, not wanting to disturb the other members of the Furious Five.
Moments later, Tigress opens the door, holding a familiar wooden tea box in her paws. The faint, lovely scent of the incense she uses while meditating wafts from her room.
"Of course. Come on, let's go to the kitchen." She punches my shoulder lightly as she passes by me in the hallway.
I follow behind her, a slight smile on my lips. We enter the kitchen quietly, Tigress making her way to the kitchen counter, where she sets the wooden box with a gentle clink from the ceramic inside.
I make my way to the table and take a seat, the comfortable chair offering me rest after a hard day of training. A calming atmosphere has settled over the kitchen.
I watch as she prepares a pot of the usual jasmine tea with practiced ease, the aroma already making its way to me. The tea is ready soon, and she brings the pot along with two empty cups to the table.
"Feeling tired from today?" She asks me as she takes a seat opposite me, leaving the pot and one of the cups in the center of the table, taking the other for herself.
As I pour the tea into my cup and then into Tigress's, I reflect on the day's events. The weight of Shifu's request and the emotional conversation with Crane swirl in my mind, mingling with the comforting aroma of jasmine tea emanating from the cups.
"It has been an… interesting day, to say the least." I say after a small sigh escapes from my lips. The pleasant aroma of the tea and the warmth of the cup help me calm down.
Tigress raises an eyebrow, intrigued. She takes a sip from her cup before speaking again.
"You had a talk with Master Shifu, right? What was that about?" Her face is still stern but I can feel her curiosity leaking from her voice.
I take a moment to ponder whether I should share the details of my discussion with Shifu, especially with her. It may be a sensitive topic, but I think I should be open after all.
"We talked about how much I improved… and about you." I keep my gaze on her features, awaiting for her reaction upon hearing my words.
Her usually stoic eyes grow slightly wide with shock when I mention the topic of my conversation with Shifu.
"About me? What do you mean?" Her voice is still calm, not reflecting the inner turmoil I notice in her amber eyes. Her posture has shifted slightly forward in her seat, her tea briefly forgotten.
"He said that he has noticed you have become a little more open and that he was glad for that change. He requested that I keep supporting you in your efforts to protect the valley." I recall to her the topic of my discussion with Shifu, my voice calm and composed.
Much like her, Shifu normally presents a stern and strict attitude, so the fact that he showed such concern for her seems to have shocked her.
"I see… I didn't expect that from him." She admits quietly, her tone and expression subdued. She leans back in her chair, looking slightly down at the table in thought.
"I don't think it's that strange. I'm sure he worries about you a lot, even if he doesn't show it often." I say, still unsure about how Tigress is feeling.
"Did he tell you about my past?" She asks me suddenly, her intense amber eyes now maintaining contact my piercing gray eyes.
"Only a bit. You were in an orphanage, right?" I ask her, recalling Shifu's brief mention of her past. I adjust my seat slightly, feeling more focused in the conversation now.
She leans forward once again in her chair, a conflicted expression on her face. This topic seems difficult for her.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Tigress." I offer her a way out in case she doesn't wish to discuss the topic, but she just shakes her head in answer.
"I was left as a baby and spent most of my childhood there. Back then, I couldn't control my strength, so the other kids were always scared of me. I… started to feel scared too, so I isolated myself from the others." She takes a deep breath after finishing speaking, her paws now holding the steaming cup of tea for comfort.
I just nod and keep drinking my tea, listening intently to the story Tigress is recounting. Her voice is calm and stern as usual, but I can feel some vulnerability coming from her.
"One day, Master Shifu came to the orphanage. He patiently taught me a simple game, one that required finesse and control. He didn't leave until I managed to play it without breaking anything. After that, all the kids in the orphanage accepted me once I showed them I could control my strength. Eventually, Master Shifu adopted me." Tigress' face shifts subtly with each bit of the story, presenting an array of different, complex emotions. I observe carefully each one, surprised at the change from her usual stoic face.
We spend some time in silence after she finishes her story, the soothing aroma of jasmine tea filling the air. The warmth of the cup in my hands contrasts with the cool evening breeze drifting through the window. I can hear Mantis' light snoring in the background, adding a touch of normalcy to this reflective moment.
I notice that Tigress' cup is empty and pour some for her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She places her paws around the cup, holding it in place as I pour the tea, a grateful look on her face.
"Thank you." Her voice sounds rather distraught, and her eyes are unfocused. She is still clearly thinking about the past.
"You are welcome, Tigress. And, uh, just so you know, I'll never be afraid of you, so you can always count on my friendship." My face is still composed and calm, and my voice holds a gentle, sincere tone, but internally I feel embarrassed for some reason.
"And you can count on mine, Albion. You truly are my best friend." Tigress replies warmly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. It seems she has noticed my rising embarrassment.
I take another sip from my cup, hiding my face slightly behind it. I quickly search for another conversation topic in my mind, but I come up empty. Tigress seems to notice my hesitation and speaks once again.
"I saw you talking with Crane earlier, now that I think about it. He seemed rather down earlier this morning. Do you know anything about that?" Her expression and voice has returned to normal, but there's still a hint of warmth in her eyes. I take a moment to collect myself before answering.
"I… can't talk about that." I remember the promise I made to Crane as I answer Tigress' question. I won't say a word about Crane's feelings until he is ready or I have his permission to share.
"What? Why not?" Tigress seems surprised at my sudden closed demeanor. There is a hint of intrigue now in her features.
"It's a secret between men. A men's secret. You are a girl, so… I can't talk." I try to distract Tigress from this topic. I know that I could simply tell her it's a private conversation and she would respect it, but I want to lighten the mood a little.
"Really? A 'secret between men', is it? A 'men's secret'?" Her tone of voice has taken a somewhat dangerous note. She shifts slightly forward in her seat, taking on a threatening stance.
"That's what I said." I remain calm, having discerned the hint of humor in her eyes. She maintains her threatening posture for a moment before leaning back once again in her seat, a sigh escaping her lips.
"You can be so serious one moment and so idiotic the next one." She mumbles loud enough for me to hear, a grin starting to grow in her stoic face.
"My, this tea sure is delicious. You have outdone yourself today, my dear friend." I put a fake cheer in my voice as I take an exaggerated sip from my cup, trying to make Tigress laugh.
"I'll let it be this time, Albion. Stop that already." Her grin widens a tad more, but she maintains control over her emotions.
I cannot maintain my serious expression any longer and small laugh escapes my lips. I can see amusement clear in Tigress' face too. Maybe one day I will make her truly laugh.
We enjoy our tea time for a while longer, making light banter and conversation in the meantime. The emotional atmosphere from before when Tigress was recalling her past is completely gone, replaced for a more relaxed and lighter one.
Finally, the teapot becomes empty and we notice the late hour. Everyone else has probably gone to sleep already.
"It seems that's it for the tea. We should be going to bed too." I sigh in satisfaction after my comment, having enjoyed thoroughly the relaxing drink and conversation.
I rise from my seat and take the teapot to the sink, along with the two empty cups. I rinse and dry them while keeping my conversation with Tigress.
"Yes, you are right. We have to rise early, as usual. I'm thinking we should have another rematch tomorrow." She turns around in her seat while speaking, watching me clean. Her feline gaze follows my movements with deliberation.
"Fine by me. I have to prove Monkey wrong and make him lose money for betting against me with Mantis." I finish cleaning the teapot and dry it, putting it on the counter next to the cups.
Once I'm done, Tigress rises from her seat too and puts the ceramic back into the wooden box carefully. She takes the box in her paws and starts heading to the door. I follow behind her, arriving at our respective rooms moments later.
"Thanks for the tea, Tigress. It was seriously good. Let's do it again soon." I show Tigress a gentle smile along my words. I always enjoy the time we spend together drinking tea.
"You are welcome. I suppose I'm always up for a relaxing drink with my friend." Her tone contained a hint of teasing, but her expression remained serious.
After wishing each other a goodnight, Tigress enters her room and I do the same. Once inside, I head to my bed, intending to rest and let my body recover for tomorrow. I don't have to wait long for my eyelids to grow heavy and soon I drift off to sleep.
A gentle breeze caresses my face, making my long, silver hair sway gently. The warmth of the sun bathes my skin, filtering through my closed eyelids. A familiar, comforting scent drifts by, bringing a sense of peace.
My head rests comfortably on something soft yet unusual. It feels like... someone's legs?
A low, beautiful humming reaches my ears. The melody is simple and repetitive, yet it sounds enchanting, like a lullaby.
I slowly open my eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. My body is reclined against someone. I try to move my hand to shield my eyes from the light, but my arm feels heavy and unresponsive.
I look up, seeking the source of the humming. I discern a female figure, her face obscured by shadows. She wears a flowing white summer dress, and her long, silver hair glints in the sunlight, just like mine.
"Who...?" I struggle to form the words, my voice weak and raspy, my throat and mouth unresponsive.
The humming stops. The sun's warmth fades from my skin, and the gentle breeze stills. The woman turns her shadowed face towards me.
"You failed me, brother." She says, her voice soft and smooth like porcelain. Yet her words pierce me with terror and pain, as if a dagger has been thrust into my chest.
"I failed...?" I echo her words, my mind reeling.
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass fills the air. I flinch and close my eyes. When I open them, the serene scene is gone and I'm in a familiar setting.
There is a blurry, indistinguishable background shrouded in shadows around me. A blaring sound is deafening my hearing.
I look down at my hands and they are covered in viscous, scarlet liquid, dripping slowly onto the floor. A single, lonely tear slowly traces my face downwards and falls, mingling with the dreadful liquid on the floor.
I focus my eyes further from my hands and I see a fallen, formless figure on the floor. It almost looks like...
My legs give up and I collapse, breaking my fall with my trembling hands. The cold floor bites into my palms, sending a shiver through me.
Terror and regret wash over me. As I try to lift my gaze towards the figure, the floor beneath me disappears. I plunge into an endless, dark void.