Scenario:Cidala and Makura - Crouching Tiger Hidden Rabbit

Crouching Tiger Hidden Rabbit

Huang, Bai, and Laolao visit Makura to pass on year spirit duties and end up helping her rehearse for an upcoming play. Laolao gives the Divine Rabbit high praise for a fantastic script, which gives her the confidence to later put on an amazing performance for the main event.

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???: Hm...

A low, troubled groan rings in the outskirts of the island housing the Rabbit Temple.

The groan comes from a well-known young woman on the island.

???: Hrm...

???: Sigh... What a toughie... It's just not quite right...

Distant Voice: Heeey!

Distant Voice: Makuuuu!

Makura: Huh?

Makura smiles at the sight of the figures approaching in the distance.

Makura: Hahah! Here come the chatterboxes.

Bai: Maku, long time no see.

Huang: They told us at the Rabbit Temple that you'd be here!

Makura: Good job finding me! I suppose this is about passing on year spirit duties? Glad you could make it.

Makura: Soon enough I'll be the year spirit, huh... I'd better give it my all.

Laolao: Divine Rabbit, it has been a while.

Makura: ...!
L-Laolao! You're here too!

Makura: Look at that floofy beard—I mean, you're looking as majestic as ever!

Makura: I just remembered I've got a nice bottle of wine here! How'd you like to share?

Laolao: Oh, what a delight that would be! Thank you for offering, gawr!

Makura: (Ahhh... Talk about adorable!)

Makura: (I have a rising urge to just snuggle up to him, but I have to hold it in!)

Makura: (He's a respected figure in Divine General history... I can't be rude!)

Makura: Hehe... I'll just have to resort to my usual tactic of letting the drinks flow before going in for the snuggle...)

Laolao: Well then, are you prepared to make the transition?

Makura: Um, about that... Could you possibly... give me a bit more time?

Huang: What's wrong, Maku?

Makura: Truth is, I'm struggling with an act for the upcoming play.

Bai: An act you came up with yourself? That's impressive.

Makura: I showed the troupe and they love it, but as the main event draws closer, I find myself feeling unsure...

Makura: Since I had some time alone, I was racking my brain thinking of ways to take things up another notch.

Makura: So at the moment, I'm not so sure I can concentrate on taking over year spirit duties...

Huang: Sounds like a bit of a pickle. Then again, we don't mind waiting a bit for you.

Makura: Sorry... Thing is, I still don't have any ideas on how exactly to improve the act...

Bai: Must be tough as a traveling performer.

Huang: Yeah, we can't even imagine.

Makura: Hey, I know! Why don't you two join me on the stage!

Cidala Sisters: Wha?

Makura: I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner! Adding the Divine Tiger to the act will make it a big hit with the audience!

Makura: The Divine Rabbit and Tiger both onstage at once! We're gonna absolutely kill it!

Makura: What do you say? Care to liven up the stage with me?

Bai: Um... Well, we wouldn't want to impose.

Makura: Hm, do I sense you holding back? That ain't the Cidala I know.

Huang: We'd just end up stealing your limelight.

Makura: Hah, that's more like it.

Bai: Even though it's your show...

Huang: We'll end up getting all the attention the moment we show up.

Makura: Bwahahaha! You've got spunk, all right! It's a contest then—to see who does a better job of captivating the crowds.

Makura: You girls...

Harry: Woo-hoo-hoo!

Makura: Are totally oooonn!

Harrington: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Makura: Gimme just one sec!

Makura quickly revises her script to add a scene where the Cidala Sisters show up, then proceeds to begin rehearsing.

Makura: You two feel free to read the script as you go along!

Makura: Let's see what you've got! Go ahead and stick it to me!

Huang: (The road to showbiz has just opened up for us... What if we end up getting scouted after this?)

Bai: (I don't think I can handle more fans than I already have...)

Makura: You're the audience, Laolao, so keep a close watch, won't ya?

Laolao: Wait, what about the year spirit succession, gawr?

Makura: C'mon! We're starting, you two!

Makura: Aha! So you're the pair responsible for all the mischief round these parts!

Huang: We don't have a clue what you're talking about. Who are you anyway?

Makura: You can't fool me! You're causing mayhem all over as the Tiger Sisters!

Bai: Heheh... And what if we are?

Makura: Well, I'm here to put a stop to your shenanigans—right here, right now!

Bai: Hah, you're all talk.

Huang: Wait till you see what we Tiger Sisters are capable of!

Huang: (Hrm, something's missing... Anyone can read off a script. I need to go the extra mile to be a true actress...)

Huang: (Wait, when it comes to acting, there's one thing you can't do without!)

Makura: Bring it on! I'll take on the both of you at once!

Huang: Get a load of this first!

Bai: Wha?

Makura: ...!

Laolao: Wh-what are you doing! Let go, gawr!

Laolao, who was supposed to be part of the audience, is now in Huang's arms.

Huang: You move an inch, and I'll tear into the little tiger!

Makura: Ooh... Eager to playact, I see.

Bai: I told you not to move! The tiger's life is in your hands!

Huang: Don't make us do this!

The Cidala Sisters do not hold back, pinching Laolao's cheeks and poking him all over with reckless abandon.

Laolao: C-cut that out, gawr! It hurts!

Tiger Sisters: Take this!

Laolao: G-g-g-gwaaar! Leave me out of it!

Makura: ...

Huang: Drop your weapon, and we'll consider letting the tiger go!

Bai: Get on your back and show us your tummy! Submission pose!

Makura: For bunny's sake...

Huang: Huh?

Bai: What?

Makura: Your utter disrespect of the most adorable tiger of all time...

Makura: Calls for the harshest of punishments!

Huang: Um... Maku? You realize we're just ad-libbing it, right?

Makura: No excuses!

Huang: Eep! Run for it, Bai!

However, a response comes not from beside Huang but from far behind her.

Bai: Huh? You called?

Huang: How'd you get there so fast!

Makura: Got you, Huang!

Huang: Gyaaaah!

Makura has Huang restrained, putting an arm across her neck.

Bai: I'll never forget your sacrifice, Huang... My dearest sister...

Huang: Why do you get to survive!

Makura: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Did you actually think you could get away from me, Bai?

Bai: Eek!

Keeping a firm hold on Huang, Makura leaps over to Bai.

Bai: P-please, no...

Huang: Anything but that!

Makura: I hate to say this, but what you two have done is unforgivable! Prepare to be tickled to bits!

No sooner than she declares the disciplinary measure does she rush in for the tickle fest.

Huang: Nyahahahaha! Ehehehehehehehe!

Bai: Teeheeheehee... Hahaha... Hoohoohoo... Haahaahaahoo... Gwahaha... Hooheehee...

Makura: I'm just getting started!

Cidala Sisters: Nyaaaa...

Laolao: Hah... Now you see what it's like to be on the receiving side of your pranks. I hope this has taught you two a lesson, gawr.

Makura's punishment lasts longer than expected. The Cidala Sisters are both collapsed on the ground by the time it's over.

Huang: Huff... Huff...

Bai: After what I just went through, I'm not sure I can still get married...

Laolao: Come now, it wasn't that bad.

Laolao adopts a triumphant attitude as he looks down at the sisters, unaware that Makura is right behind him.

Makura: Laolao! Tell me you're okay!

Laolao: Urgh! What is the meaning of this! Unhand me at once, gawr!

Makura: Thank goodness you're all right! You have no idea how worried I was!

Laolao: Yes, enough with the snuggling now, please!

Makura: Aah, Laolao! You're the beeest!

Laolao: Brgwaaaah!

The snuggle session continues for quite some time... until Makura finally decides it's time to continue the scene.

Makura: It's over for you!

Huang: Gwaaah! You trounced us...

Bai: I yield...

Makura: Okay, that should do it for our rehearsal!

Laolao: ...

Makura: Laolao, how was it!

Laolao: To be frank...

Laolao: That bored me to tears, gawr!

Makura: Wha!

Makura: You know... Haha, I appreciate you being upfront with me...

Bai: You don't look too appreciative right now.

Laolao: To be fair though...

Makura: ...?

Laolao: I took a look through your script and other than the rushed scene where the twins show up, I think you have something special here, gawr.

Makura: You mean...

Laolao: I recommend simply going with what you already have. The Cidala Sisters are unnecessary for your act.

Makura: ...!

Laolao: Just like yourself, the Divine Rabbits up until the previous one always expressed concern for their new act during this time.

Laolao: It's why the Lepus Troupe has grown to the extent it has. What you have here is bound to be a hit with the audience, Makura—I guarantee it.

Makura: Laolao...

Laolao: Have faith in yourself, gawr.

Huang: That's right, Maku!

Bai: Instead of being with you onstage, we'll be cheering you on as part of the audience.

Makura: Huang... Bai...

Huang: We'll back you up with our powers of feng shui!

Bai: By making sure a favorable wind blows your way.

Makura: Phew... Looks like I was the one who wasn't being myself.

Makura: Really appreciate it, guys! I can feel the confidence building up within me!

Makura: And thanks for the sage advice, Laolao. I hope you'll come watch too!

Laolao: I will. Gladly.

Huang: We're looking forward to it, Maku!

Bai: We can do the succession ceremony after that.

Makura: Yep, I've got it all in the bag! You three just relax and enjoy the show!

Makura works on perfecting her act, which later proves to be a roaring success.

As year spirit, the Divine Rabbit will no doubt prove to be just as capable in bringing smiles to all.