Beware Of Chicken

“Activate the poison Ri Zu put in your tea.’ the rat returned pleasantly.

Tigu paused. Ah, Bi De realised, she didn’t pause, her muscles locked up.

The cat keeled over, her Qi flaring and sparking uncertainly.

‘Ri Zu is weak. Ri Zu is timid. Ri Zu defied Chow Ji.’ The little rat said pleasantly, approaching the cat.

She shoved a digit into the tip of Tigu’s nose.

‘Ri Zu can fight. Ri Zu will live. Worry not for her, Young Mistress.’

She turned her back on Tigu, and waved her paw, green medicinal Qi surging. Tigu’s muscles abruptly relaxed, and she started gasping.

‘Was this what Chow Ji used?’ Tigu asked, her voice strained. She had been… skeptical of the wicked Rat’s prowess. She had not believed before this moment.

‘Oh no, what he used was much more debilitating. It was agony given form, and Brother Bi De fought through it anyway.’ Ri Zu supplied.

There was silence once more in the coop.

Tigu rose to her feet, her face impassive. He expected more stumbling, but instead, it was almost graceful. Ri Zu tensed, as did Bi De. He expected anger. He expected wrath.

Instead, Tigu simply turned, and left. Her face was a mask.

Bi De complemented the impressive showing of his Sister.

Ri Zu jumped and started flailing.

‘Ah, you saw Ri Zu do that?’ She looked embarrassed, and was tapping her forefingers together.

‘Indeed. Your courage and resourcefulness is always a sight to behold.’ He proclaimed. Ri Zu hunched in on herself, but smiled up at him.

Pi Pa sighed. ‘I had hoped for a less… well, a different outcome, but this may work as well.’ Pi Pa admitted. ‘Perhaps thinking that Tigu would gain some appreciation for Young Miss Ri Zu’s knowledge was too optimistic. I’ll go make sure the Young Miss does not do anything rash.’

With that, she stood up, and left.

Bi De hopped down from the window sill, and went to sit beside Sister Ri Zu. She clambered onto his back, as was her proper place, and she buried her face in his feathers.

‘Ri Zu does not like fighting.’ she whispered. ‘...but was Tigu right? If Ri Zu cannot poison her foe, she will surely die-perish.’

The Disciples of Fa Ram would protect their own. But Bi De would be pleased, if Sister Ri Zu wished to join him in the morning training.

There was silence, and then a nod.