Chapter 7:
Tai Lung was parked at one end of the table, with Po and Monkey sitting on either side.
They were all facing Crane, who stood at the other end of the table, with Azura and a younger female peacock, a lighter shade of pink than her, with white and pink feathers. Both were situated on his left and right. There was a spare chair between Po and Azura, but it had remained vacant since they entered the room. The table had bountiful amounts a food that could feed an entire army. With different colours, wonderful smells and delectable textures, for some it would have been overwhelming. Tai Lung had no idea where to start, and just sipped on his tea. Po on the other hand was relishing every mouthful. "This food is delicious!" He praised.
Monkey was nodding alongside him enthusiastically. "You could almost Po's cooking!" Po turned to the primate, immediately offended, but it made Azura laugh.
"Thank you Master Po," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm thrilled that you enjoy it. I had worked hard all morning, anticipating your arrival..." Tai Lung finally plucked some sliced fruit from the closest platter, not wanting to be rude. "I got help from my daughter." He looked up to focus on the girl; the young peahen, who was probably not that much older than AJ kept quiet, but sipped from her cup politely as she listened to the conversation, not actively seeking for an opportunity to join in. She had the darkest brown eyes he had ever seen, patterned in a light beige dress, and laced in gold finery. Tai Lung was surprised; she looked a little young to be obsessed with gold and riches but didn't say anything.
"Master Crane is a lucky man," Monkey said, raising his tea cup. "We are beyond thrilled to hear about your engagement. Congratulations again." Po chimed in with a 'here here' while he and Tai Lung raised their cups at the same time.
Azura chuckled. "Thank you. Although that's not why you're here. We understand you're here to speak to some of the sponsors, but my children and I would love to get to know you three during your stay." The little girl looked up at her mother, wide-eyed at her mentioning her existence.
"Children?" Monkey asked aloud, looking around.
Azura nodded. "I also have a son, Ozai. He has been seeing his grandparents in the neighbouring village for the last couple of days. You'll see him at some point today." Tai Lung eyed the empty chair again. "We left a spare seat just in case he arrived early." She must have sensed him looking.
"On his own?" Monkey prompted.
Crane nodded with a chuckle. "He's the same age as Chang, not that much older than the twins. He's brave enough to venture out on his own. Old enough to know to stay out of trouble."
"Old enough to know better than getting into trouble." Azura added with a wink. "I can trust him."
Po chuckled, before looking at the child sitting with them at the table. All of his children, as well as Chang, were able to weave their way into conversation with the adults at the table, but the little girl hadn't made a sound. Worried that she was feeling left out, he asked her what her name was. The little peacock looked at Azura, as if to seek permission to speak. It was only when Azura motioned her to answer his question did she reply. "My name is Saffron," she said quietly.
"Gosh that's a pretty name!" The panda said, which made the little girl blush furiously. "And how old are you Saffron?"
"Seven."
Po took a break from eating, keeping his attention on Saffron, while the others listened intently. "I have a daughter that is the same age as you!" Po then slapped his paw on the side of his head in realization which made Saffron jump slightly. "I should have brought AJ along!"
Saffron looked intrigued. "AJ?"
"That's her nickname. Her full name is Amber-Jade." Monkey spoke kindly.
"Amber-Jade..." Saffron said it dreamily. "I think her name is prettier than mine..."
"Your name is also beautiful Saffron." Crane reassured her, before looking back at Po, fanning his wings dismissively. "Don't sweat it Po. Besides, I don't think Tigress would want her to be away from school. However, I've been meaning to come to the Valley," he glanced at his fiancée, who turned to smile at him. "Once I figure out when I'm coming to visit, Azura and the kids will come with me, and they can meet the kids then!" He then looked at his step-daughter-to-be. "Would you like that Saffron?"
She nodded excitedly but didn't say anything else.
"She is a little shy around new people, just like her older brother." Azura said softly, almost apologetically. "But Crane has spoken very fondly about his nieces and nephews, I feel like I already know them." She focused on Monkey, "I've heard so much about your wonderful little boy Master Monkey. Chang is his name, right?"
"It is! But he's not so little anymore," Monkey placed down his cutlery. "I don't mean to brag," his eyebrows wiggled with sarcasm, which made Saffron giggle. "But I must say he has grown to be a wonderful young man."
Azura then looked at Po. "And Dragon Warrior, I heard plenty of good things about your children." Po grinned proudly. "I would love Ozai to meet your boys." She looked at Monkey too. "Ozai often struggles to talk to new people too. Crane told me the three of them are very welcoming."
"We couldn't be more proud of them. AJ is very friendly too. She could talk to anyone, and doesn't like leaving anyone out." Po then looked back at Saffron. "What do you like to do for fun Saffron?"
Saffron thought about it. This time she didn't seek her mother's approval to speak. "I like checkers, I like to read..." She then smiled at Crane shyly. "I like to paint and practice calligraphy with Bá Crane." Crane beamed at her.
"AJ likes all those things too. She's recently become a master at Checkers, she beats me all the time." Po laughed. Tai Lung saw the moment and seized it.
"That or you're just an awful player." Tai Lung retorted with a wicked smirk.
"Hey!" Po glared at him, which made Saffron laugh again before he added reassuringly. "You two will get along just fine."
Azura finally looked at Tai Lung. "And you have two children, Super Attendant Lung. A son and a daughter?"
Tai Lung nodded, while Monkey shot Po a warning look. "Please, you can just call me Tai Lung. There's no need for formalities. But yes, I have Jun and Sapphire. It's a bit complicated to explain..."
Azura looked confused. "How so?"
"Jun is adopted, and Sapphire is from a previous relationship."
"That doesn't sound too complicated. Is Jun from your wife's previous relationship then?" Crane gave her a look that said 'It's a long story', which she giggled too. "Oh, I see."
Tai Lung chuckled. "Master Crane isn't wrong. No, Jun grew up with Sapphire in Bao Gu Orphanage, and my wife adopted them some time ago when they were teenagers. I... well, I just came back into the picture, let's say." Azura nodded quietly. "She took care of them until I could be in my daughter's life again, and well..."
"Jun was part of the package," Monkey laughed. "He's a good kid."
"I understand," Azura added softly. "And how long have you and your wife been married?"
"Six months," He replied, "My daughter has lived in the Valley, running her business sometime before we married."
"Her business?" Azura looked surprised.
"She runs the entertainment department in my father's restaurant," Po added.
Tai Lung nodded. "Our son moved to the valley just before the wedding was has been selling his work, and performing with her. I couldn't be more proud of them both..." he took a moment to compose himself, before revealing his news. At that time, Crane started to sip his tea. "My wife and I are having another child."
Bad timing.
Crane's choked on his tea, coughing and spluttering. Saffron looked worried at first, before she laughed, only because she saw Po and Monkey grinning at his reaction, while Azura rose out of her chair, looking concerned. "Are you alright darling?" Azura frowned at her daughter. "Saffron, this isn't funny."
"I'm fine Azura. I'm okay. Sorry-" Down went Crane's cup, and up went his wings, raised to the same level as his head for dramatic effect. "What?!" He squawked, which made Saffron laugh more. Only then did Azura start giggling too. "Since when-" he looked at Monkey and Po, who laughed at his reaction. "When did this happen?!"
"We only found out on the way here!" Monkey clapped his hands excitedly. "Isn't it exciting?!"
Crane looked back at Tai Lung, beak agape. "When are you-"
Tai Lung laughed too, but it felt forced. "Sometime in the autumn."
Crane frowned. "Why not now?"
Tai Lung raised a brow, a little confused. "Nuwa and I only found out a few days ago. Just before we left for Gongmen City."
"Wait so- Crane coughed again. "So she's pregnant?!" Tai Lung nodded. "I thought you guys adopted a kid! This is amazing!" He moved down the table and sat a wing on Tai Lung's shoulder. "Congratulations!"
"So you'll get to raise this baby then?" Po, Monkey and Tai Lung froze, looking at one another, before Saffron gasped excitedly. Crane twisted his head to glance at the door.
"Ozai!" Saffron leapt from her chair and ran for her big brother. He caught her in his wings, smiling at her while she hugged him tightly around his slender neck, which faded as soon as she was facing behind him. He looked back at the Masters. Monkey's eyes widened slightly, while Po coughed. Tai Lung waited a moment, before turning in his chair to look at him.
Ozai was a white, almost sickly looking peacock with red eyes, dressed in dark green silk. Tai Lung's brows knitted together slightly but didn't give away any particular emotion. Glancing back at Po, who suddenly looked at little uneasy, and Monkey, who looked a little pale. Tai Lung wasn't sure why, and made a mental note to check in with them privately later.
"Hello darling," Azura got up to hug him too. "You're back in time for breakfast. Come sit down, and meet our guests properly."
"Yes Mother," he moved to sit in the spare seat between her and Crane. "It smells wonderful..." but before doing so, he bowed to Crane respectfully. "Hello, Master Crane." Po and Monkey looked at one another, brows raised.
"Welcome back Ozai," Crane ignored their looks and focused on his future step-son. "How was the trip?"
"Good," Ozai replied with a shrug. "My grandparents were asking for you." He then turned back to stare Tai Lung down. In retaliation, Tai Lung remained composed and nodded respectfully.
"Ozai, I would like to introduce you to Crane's very good friends; Master Po, Master Monkey and Super Attendant Lung." Azura motioned to each of them with an open wing, pausing between each name so that Monkey and Po also had the chance to bow their heads to greet the young peacock. "They're here to see some of Crane's sponsors." Ozai sounded out a gentle hum in response.
"Super Attendant Lung just told us that his wife is going to have a baby!" Saffron said excitedly. "And we're going to their hometown soon! Isn't that so exciting?!"
"Sure," he smiled at Saffron, before glancing in Tai Lung's direction. "So Super Attendant Lung," he spoke a little too loudly- almost sneeringly.
"Just Tai Lung is fine. You don't need to use my formal title." Tai Lung corrected him, nodding at Saffron also. "I appreciate it-"
"Congratulations on the news," Ozai interrupted, which made Po and Monkey glance at one another, brows raised. Tai Lung was going to thank him and push by the rude interruption, but the peacock continued. "So is this going to be your second baby, or your third?"
Tai Lung took a moment to register his words, while Monkey and Po stared on uneasily. He straightened up in his seat. "It'll be my third child." He replied coolly.
Ozai frowned. "Your son is adopted, is he not?"
The snow leopard nodded. "Correct, but that doesn't change anything. I care for him like he is one of my own. So, my wife is pregnant with my third child."
The young peacock raised a brow suspiciously. "Hmm, yes, but you didn't raise him, did you? Nor did you raise your daughter. Forgive me, I heard the conversation outside the room before I came in, I can't help but be inquisitive. But this will be the first child of yours that you actually get to raise, is it not?" The older snow cat felt his brows furrowing slightly, maybe a little too heavily, because Azura went a few shades lighter.
"Ozai!" Azura hissed warningly, but Tai Lung rose a paw to appease her.
"No offence taken Azura," he replied calmly. "The boy's just curious." Crane's mouthed 'sorry', but he chose to ignore it. At least for now. "But yes, you're correct. I get to raise this child myself" He then focused on Ozai a little more firmly, totally unfazed, which seemed to annoy the younger peacock. "And I am not ashamed to admit it."