Hey everyone, here's a new update!

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Chapter 12: Happy Bunny Tavern, Part 1

A few hours later, night had arrived.

It's a good thing we didn't take much of a break because we managed to make it to the outskirts of Juniper City. It glowed brightly even from far away…an imperial city of gold, and Po the Dragon Warrior was certainly impressed by it. I don't think he's ready for when he's in the city…if he's blown away now…one could only imagine how he'll be once we pull in by boat. Who knows, maybe it'll spook him…he'll drop the staff and then run away…and then Zhen and I will be on our way.

"Whoa! That's the biggest village I've ever seen!"

I crossed my arms with a smug grin to him as Zhen hopped off the backpack finally to join us, "that's no village, that's Juniper City."

"That's where I'll find the Chameleon…huh?"

Zhen looked back at him in response before she began leading us down a trail, "just a boat ride away, and Mei and I will lead you right to her front door."

The Dragon Warrior raised a furry brow as we approached a small building on a rock, "are you sure we'll find a boat captain to get there?"

"For the right price" she retorted. I got her attention, pointing to a sign on the building, "we'll definitely find a captain in there. They'll take us anywhere we want to go." The fox turned to him and winked subtly, "of course, we could always be up for the four-finger discount" she had shown her small paw to him. I couldn't help it; I ran up and kneeled to be her height…also showing my hand (although I put down my thumb to imitate her paw.) She looked at me and grinned even wider, "Mei is up for it, how about you, panda?"

Po, however, would have none of it, "no stealing."

He's no fun, I thought amusingly.

We ended up right by the entrance…staring up at a sign that had some Chinese symbols and a bunny, "the Happy Bunny Tavern…" Po looked toward us with a confident grin and thought with an innocent smile, "that sounds inviting."

I'll admit, maybe it's like…real chill? We'll get in, and get out in a jiffy (maybe with a few shillings in there while we're at it.)

Suddenly, though, a bunny crashes through a window…hitting Po in the stomach before falling to the ground in pain. The three of us just looked on with silent distraught.

Zhen smiled soon after, "my kind of tavern!"

He just looked at her like she was crazy.

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Po busts the door open and brandishes the weary lagomorph, "anybody lose a rabbit?" It turned out to be exactly like taverns in Juniper City: filled with the meanest, sketchiest folks you could possibly find. The bunny servers were subjected to ridicule and humiliation by the guests (who consisted of mostly hogs and wolves…the latter already made me feel happy to be here!)

Unfortunately, there's one small problem…I don't have my mask with me.

The panda noticed this and turned to me, "what's the matter?"

"She can't go in; she'll draw too much attention to us" Zhen replied on my behalf, but strangely enough Po didn't seem to mind at all…as if he didn't mind about my appearance and how it might cause a mob, "it's alright, come on Mei!" He said with a wholehearted smile. I couldn't bring myself to…the shame…the eyes that would be on me…it'd be too much. I stepped backward as he gave me a confused look.

Zhen rolled her eyes to him. I'm still outside, so the vixen tilted her head and asked to me, "you want to wait out here?"

I thought about it…I thought of another way. I gestured upwards with a finger. She looked up but was confused. I groaned and decided to demonstrate instead. I climbed a few crates close by. There was a second-floor window and soon she was able to see it. Sure enough, Zhen understood and gave a thumbs up, "see? She'll be alright, she'll watch from outside, come on!" Zhen had said before she entered the tavern with Po (who appeared disappointed that I wouldn't follow them in.)

They both immediately began finding a charter to Juniper City and getting some food along the way. Waiting outside in the cold didn't seem to be something I was fond of doing. And, curiosity soon grew within me...so much so that I couldn't help it for long: I entered the building.

Once inside, I crawled through the support beams above everyone. I could hear Zhen down below walking to a table. I quietly eavesdrop.

"Hey, what you guys playing?" Ah, there was the Zhen I know all too well…play the fool, win the big prize. The table was filled with two intimidating wolves but an even more intimidating boar, wearing red garments, who jumped on the table to confront her, "Mahjong…and the stakes are high!"

"Can I play? Surely, you'll go easy on a beginner… 'cause I'm very beginning!"

I held my mouth to hide my giggles, they had NO CHANCE against her.

I crossed my arms and smiled…watching it all unfold safely from above. Sure enough, she has a "lucky" streak…taking a hefty number of coins with her, "oh…I win again! Beginner's luck, I guess!"

The two dogs across were flabbergasted, but the boar was NOT, "never played before…huh?"

Uh oh…is this going to turn into something bad?

"I'm sorry, are you accusing me of cheating? I would like to speak to the manager...please!"

The boar, with a sinister grin, said, "I AM the manager…"

Sure enough, Zhen rolled her eyes at them, "I'm pretty sure I won it fair and square…" she took the last of the coins and walked away. I could see the other three she left behind narrow their eyes at her…they were definitely on to her.

Even so, the plan went off without a hitch: Po secured a charter with a bird/fish…the latter who appeared to reside inside the beak. The gray fox managed to buy one of everything in the tavern to eat. Both the panda and the thief sat down and started eating.

I was above them…watching. Now wait…did they seriously forget about me!? Really Zhen…you got so preoccupied with everything that you forgot about your best friend?

That's when I thought: ever since we had Po join us, Zhen has spent more time with him! Yeah, there were occasions when I was a part of things, but now I was suddenly in the backseat of everything!

Gosh…I was so hungry…I'm STARVING. I had not eaten since we left the jail. I should have taken some of that almond cookie from Po!

The smell of the food they were eating started getting to me. I put too much weight forward and it was enough to cause the support beam that I was lying on to break…

It collapsed, sending me down with it. My body hits the table: splitting it in half and destroying most of the food and plates that were on it. Po and Zhen were both startled, their eyes widened at what had just happened. Silence and confusion filled the whole tavern.

I groaned in pain, soon recovering from the fall to be witnessed by all the animals present. They all gasped loudly in unison as I looked around. Some were frightened while others were furious beyond a reasonable doubt. Things are about to get ugly in this tavern. I gulped silently.

Oh crap…

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Uh oh…looks like things are about to get crazy in The Happy Bunny Tavern! Tune in the next update to see what happens, take care!