The Stuff of Dreams

Dinner

"I don't know if this is the best type to use, but I'm sure making it a T-word would do it," Po said to Tigress. The tiger nodded as he handed her poem back. 

"Have you heard back from the publisher people?" She asked. 

"No, not yet. Tai-Lung mentioned that it could take a while to hear back from them. In the meantime, I've been sending them to other publishers as well."

"Which one would you want to be accepted?"

"Hm?"

"Some books get rejected. I know mine have been," Tigress said heavily. "But some authors want some books to be accepted rather than others. Do you have yours?"

"I really want my 'It Is Well' story to make it. I put a lot into it," Po smiled. His body was silently jittery, Tigress could sense that. In any case, Po wrote down the last part of his comments. They waited a bit in silence before Po finally asked, "So, I've been thinking. Is it possible... I mean... you don't have to say yes right now, but... in the near future would you... like to go out for dinner?" Po shakily grinned. 

Tigress smirked. "Finally chasing your tiger, hm?"

"Darn it, why did I tell you that," Po grumbled. "But... wait... if you knew then why-"

"You're an intriguing person, Po, but I didn't want to make you feel bad."

"Hmm, well. Where do you want to go?" 

"I know this great place. I'll text it to you," Tigress smirked. "Today is okay with me if you like." 

"Okay, what's the attire?" 

"Public casual. Don't worry, you'll like this place," Tigress winked. She left Po with more questions than answers. 

Tigress and Po had been working back and forth with each other. After learning about his dream, the tiger seemed to be around the panda a lot. She visited his sister, and they seemed to like each other immediately. When Mei came back with the news that she would be working at Tai-Lung's house for her new job, she tried her best to hide the reason why. "You know... it's just... he has a bigger fridge, and he's more available than you are to taste the food." 

"Mmm," Po smirked. Crane and Po noticed Tai-Lung was a good deal happier, though. "Now all we have to do is wait for the marriage," He joked to Crane. 

"You do realize his fortune would be available to you if she does, right? What will you do if she does marry? Ask for a boatload of money?" 

"Nah, some people are given blessings to help others. Others are just given everyday things to make the world just a little bit better," Po smiled. "I'm okay with my little bit."

Soon the night came on, and Po was waiting at his apartment in a pair of dark jeans with a black and white short-sleeve shirt with the words "I heart noodles" on it. He had been inside his room for a while and noticed that Mei was home early. Soon the air filled with a pleasant yet spicy taste. Hmm, she's trying a new dish, Po thought. He simply continued writing in his room, hearing the unusual whistling and giggling of the panda outside the door until he heard the apartment door open. The smell of food still lingered in the air so why would Mei all of a sudden leave? 

Then Po got a text. It was the address that Tigress was going to give him, but there was something strange about it. "Wait, this is my-" Everything happened at once. He could hear giggling from the kitchen. The deadpanned-faced panda walked out the door and saw Tigress and Mei sitting at the kitchen counter with wide grins. "I hate both of you," Po muttered. 

"Don't you like the restaurant I picked? The food is really amazing," Tigress smiled. Po rolled his eyes as he sat down next to Tigress. "I'm surprised you didn't come out earlier."