Volume 1 Chapter 4: Question of Diverging Fates

We do not own RWBY or any other copyright content. All rights to it go to Monty Oum, Viz Media, and their original owners. All OCs are owned by us.

Writing credits go to Uzumaki Ricky, Monsterhuntergod, Sharad the hedgehog, and SlimShady2015.

Tiger King and Dragon Queen

Volume 1 Chapter 4: Question of Diverging Fates

"That's great to hear, Azura. Why do you look so worried?" Yang asked, seeing the look on his face.

"You look torn…" Ruby said with a hint of concern.

Azura sighed at that. "That is because I am. On the one hand, I may not get a chance to go to Officer's School again any time soon. But, on the other hand, I like spending time with you two and want to do this year at Signal before trying to get into one of the four big Huntsmen Academies…" He freely admitted.

"Whatever you do, we understand." Ruby told him.

"That's a big choice and I don't envy you right now, Azura. But from what I have seen, I know you'll make the one that will work out best in the long run." Yang said with a nod.

Azura smiled a bit at that, then thought it over. "Let us tell the others and see what they think. I already have an idea of what I want to do, but I need to check something first." He replied, sounding sure of himself.

With that, the four left Azura's bedroom to call a meeting with the others. As the others gathered around in the living room, Azura explained the situation as it had happened. Needless to say, the reactions to the news were as to be expected from the other members of both families.

"Honestly, brother? That's your choice to make. Plain and simple. It is your path, and only yours to take." Quain answered his brother simply.

Azolum nodded at this. "Quain is right, son. Only you may choose the path your destiny takes. No one else can do it for you." He sagely told Azura, agreeing with his eldest.

"Just follow your heart, Azura. It won't steer you wrong." Verdant said encouragingly.

"What does it matter? You beat people up either way." Argent said with a shrug, earning him an elbow in the side from Lazuli.

"What Argent is trying and completely failing to say is that, either way, you'll be able to see your duty fulfilled. So, at the end of the day, how you go about it is your decision." Lazuli replied, pointedly glaring at Argent.

"You're smart, Azzy. I know you'll do the right thing, no matter what it is." Aqua said encouragingly.

"If you want an outsider's perspective, do what you feel best in your heart, and in your instincts. You can never do wrong with that." Tai said comfortingly.

Azura thought that over for a bit, though he already knew what he wanted. "Then let us finish unpacking and make some dinner. I want to be absolutely certain that I am comfortable before I start at Signal for the new semester." He replied with no hesitation in his decision.

"Then let me give you the official welcome to Patch, Azura!" Yang said, giving Azura a playful punch to the arm and getting a smile from him.

"Why don't you go and pick up some ingredients for dinner while the rest of us unpack, Azura? You can finish with your room when you get back from the store run." Verdant offered with a smile of her own.

"Thank you, mother. Let me just pull up a map to the nearest grocery store or farmer's market on my scroll…" Azura replied, reaching into his pocket to take out his scroll and do a map search before being interrupted by Yang.

"I know how to get there, Azura. I've lived here my whole life, remember? You don't need those when you've got me to show you around." Yang said with confidence.

"Didn't you get lost on the way to the fair last year…?" Ruby said with confusion.

"I didn't get lost. I took the scenic route because I got bored." Yang interrupted sharply.

"I'm not sure about this…" Taiyang replied, suspicious of his daughter's motives.

"I do not mind if Lady Xiao Long tags along. It will be nice to have someone along who knows the area. Mother, is it all right if we take the van? My motorcycle is not good for grocery shopping." Azura replied before looking at his mother.

"Motorcycle?" Yang asked, a glint in her eye at the mention of such a vehicle.

"Oh, here we go…" Ruby replied in exasperation.

Azura nodded in response to Yang's question while looking at her. "Yes, Lady Xiao Long. I have a motorcycle. To be exact, it is a Shinsoku Shinobi 400." He told her, making the buxom blonde's eyes light up.

"We can make it work. Come on Azu, let's go!" Yang said, grabbing the poor boy by the arm and dragging him away.

"W-We will need to get the side car set up so we can keep the groceries in it…" Azura pointed out.

"Passenger can hold onto them. Let's go." Yang said swiftly as they were soon out the door, door closing behind them swiftly.

"... What was that all about!?" Argent demanded to know in disbelief.

"We'll explain when you're older." Quain replied.

"I'm younger than Argie and even I know." Aqua answered cheekily.

"Not everyone is as smart as you, Aqua." Quain said, patting her head as Aqua beamed in pride while Argent pouted angrily.

"Dad, are you sure leaving those two alone is a good idea? Especially with how Yang is with motorbikes?" Ruby asked.

"I'm sure she won't do anything out in public to scare him off. Maybe. Hopefully…" Tai replied to his second born daughter, sounding about as sure of his words as Ruby was.

Meanwhile, Azura and Yang stepped up to the garage of his new home as Azura raised the door. As the door slowly opened, Yang caught sight of the vision of beauty that was Azura's motorcycle as the light from the day slowly filtered into the garage. Immediately, its similarities to her own Bumblebee set in. Similar dimensions, part placement and design features were obvious to her. However, in its differences, it was clear this bike was a beast unto its own. The parts were top of the line quality, the build quality was gorgeous and had a much more aggressive styling to its azure-blue body with an azure-blue dragon painted on each side of the bike. It screamed everything you would expect out of a top-of-the-line liter bike.

'So, he can somehow afford one of these babies? Bare minimum we are having a track day.' Yang thought, the biggest smile she could have plastered onto her face.

Azura smiled and walked up to his bike. "Hello, Azure Dragon. It has been a while." He said, running a hand along the bike.

"Like the name. I think I've heard that name in a story once." Yang said.

"I am glad you do. I put the dragons on myself. Ready to go, Lady Xiao Long?" Azura asked as he attached the side car, in case they had a lot of groceries to bring back with them.

"Oh, more than ever. I've always wanted to be on one of these things!" Yang answered, chipperly, practically leaping onto the back of the bike like a jungle cat.

Azura chuckled as he finished attaching the side car. "Get ready. This baby doesn't purr like a kitten. She growls like a tiger…!" Azura replied with a smirk, putting on his helmet and getting on to drive.

"Then let's roar!" Yang yelled, putting on her own helmet.

Then, with a rev of the engine, the two future Hunters-in-Training sped off. Taking off as fast as they could without overtly breaking the speed limit as they headed for the nearest grocery store in town. For Azura, it had been a long time since he had been on Azure Dragon out on the open road. The familiar feeling of the wind rushing by and whipping around him, as well as the roar and vibration of his bike beneath him, were comforting in a way. Though, with how closely and tightly she was holding on, Azura was acutely aware of his passenger as he tried to keep his attention on the road in front of them.

'This baby doesn't mess around. You have to really know what you're doing to keep a handle on this one.' Yang thought as she kept her grip firm.

"How are you holding up back there, Lady Xiao Long!?" Azura called out over the roar of the engine.

"Gonna take a lot more to make me want off this ride!" Yang yelled back.

Azura smiled at that, happy to have found a girl more his speed when it came to his bike. "Then maybe we should take a trip to a track some time! That way, I can really let this baby cut loose!" He suggested, his thoughts mirroring Yang's from the moment she saw Azure Dragon.

"You got a date, Azu! Now let's get going! We have food to get!" Yang yelled back with glee.

Azura blushed a bit under his helmet but smiled as his confidence increased from being on his bike. "Then hold on tight!" He called out as they sped up more.

"FUCK YES!!" Yang roared with sheer happiness.

Soon, they arrived at the grocery store as Azura slowed to a stop and parked in an open parking space. Taking off their helmets, the two smiled and placed them on Azure Dragon. Azura looked at his companion, a big smile on his face.

"Told you she growls like a tiger, didn't I?" Azura asked with a grin.

"Growl? I think you mean roar." Yang answered with an equally big grin.

Chuckling, Azura pulled up his scroll to check the ingredients list for what they needed. "Okay, it looks like mother wants ingredients to make beef gumbo, gandule rice, and whatever I feel like cooking. So, we are going to need a lot of ingredients." Azura replied.

"What rice?" Yang asked.

"Gandule rice. It is a rice dish native to the Southeastern part of Sanus, just outside the kingdom of Vale. It is made with green peas, olives, sofrito, and pork. You must try it." Azura said with a smile.

"I thought you were from Eastern Mistral?" Yang asked, raising an eyebrow at this sudden bit of knowledge.

"I am, but my mother was born and raised in the South of Vale. Her father, my Grandpa Calico, is from the South while her mother is from just outside the kingdom of Vale, right in the area where this dish is a cultural staple." Azura explained with a smile.

"You really are a bundle of surprises, aren't you?" Yang answered with a smirk. "Now let's go get the food. Considering the rabid pack of animals waiting for us, it's not good for us to dawdle."

Azura chuckled at that. "Agreed. Let us get moving." He replied as he pocketed his keys and they both headed into the store.

Meanwhile: Back at the Cabin

While Azura and Yang were shopping for ingredients for dinner, the others were unpacking things and moving things around. Verdant and Azolum were working in the kitchen and living room respectively while Taiyang moved back and forth between the two as needed to assist them. Ruby was assisting Azura's siblings with the rugs and unpacking things in the bedrooms. Overall, excellent progress was being made.

"So, Lord Azolum, Lady Verdant… is there anything about your son I should know about if I end up being one of his teachers?" Tai asked inquisitively.

"Well, Azura is a hard worker. He studies hard, trains hard, and always puts a hundred and ten percent into whatever he sets out to do. Though he does need to work on his social skills and learn to read a room. That boy is far too polite for his own good when he isn't sparring or on that bike of his." Verdant explained with a smile.

"Not to mention that he has a challenging time making friends, though that can be partially blamed on our clan's reputation. It can intimidate people. That being said, we are pleased that he managed to make at least two friends in the form of your daughters, Taiyang." Azolum said, backing up his wife's words.

"They have a way of getting through to people." Tai said with a chuckle, clear pride in his girls showing.

"For that, we are grateful. We have not seen Azura smile and laugh this much in far too long…" Azolum replied, trailing off a bit.

"How long have there been issues with him?" Tai asked sincerely and with concern in his voice.

"Six years. We have not seen Azura this happy outside of combat or being on his bike in six years…" Verdant replied sadly.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I promise as a fellow parent and his host, I will do everything in my power to make sure he is welcome and comfortable here." Tai said firmly.

This brought a smile to both parents of the young samurai. "You have our thanks, Taiyang." Azolum replied.

"You do me a great honor." Tai answered while bowing his head.

Meanwhile, as the parents were talking with Taiyang trying to get more information on his daughters' new friend, Ruby had the same idea. As she was helping to unpack in Azura's room, she decided to try to find out more about him from his siblings. Seeing him as the best place to start, she began with Quain.

"Um. Quain? Can I ask you a question about Azura?" Ruby asked.

"Of course, little Rose. What information do you feel you need?" Quain asked.

"Well, Yang was saying something about Azura getting sad while looking at people in some pictures. Who are they?" Ruby asked, causing everyone to stand ramrod straight as a couple of them dropped a box.

"Lazuli. I'm cashing in that favor you owe me stat!" Quain hoarsely whispered to the second oldest of the Sōtora brood.

His sister sighed at that. "Fine, but you owe me for this one Quain…!" Lazuli whispered back.

"You don't owe someone for repaying something they already owed you! That's not how owing people work! If that were the case, then I'd owe Argent back all the gum he owed me! And I'm still a box short!" Quain hoarsely whispered to his sister.

"It is if the favor being called in is bigger than what's owed! Do you honestly think that this is any easier for me…!?" She whispered back.

"Wait. I know exactly how to resolve this. Argent! Answer Ruby's question!" Quain yelled.

"Why do I have to answer it!?" Argent asked indignantly.

"Because you're just young enough to get under Azura's 'too young to punch' clause. Besides, Kenshi isn't here, and you've got the next biggest mouth." Quain explained.

Argent grumbled in frustration at that. "Fine! But this makes us even for the gum I owe you!" He replied.

"Not like I was getting that from you at this rate anyway. So, hop to it. I'm going to take out the trash." Quain said, grabbing several stuffed garbage bags and heading towards the door.

Argent sighed and looked at Ruby. "Who specifically do you want to know about?" He asked, dreading the answer he suspected was coming.

"The pale bat Faunus boy." Ruby answered simply.

Argent let out another sigh. "I was afraid you'd say that…" He replied in frustration.

"Why are you guys so twitchy about all of this? What did he do to Azura?" Ruby asked, getting a hint annoyed at her questions being dodged.

"His name was Drake. Drake Blackslate. At one point, he was Azu's most trusted retainer, closest confidant, and very best friend. But, because of a 'certain incident,' things became more… 'tense' between them. Until they reached a boiling point, and he did something. An unspeakable act that none of us can ever forgive…" Argent replied, trying to contain his anger at the thought of the pale skinned bat Faunus.

"I'm sorry I asked… It's clear it wasn't my place." Ruby said, gulping a bit and worrying she made her friend's family angry at her.

Argent took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. "It's fine. You couldn't have known. All I can tell you is this: If he ever shows his face around us again, none of us would hesitate to try to kill him for what he did to Azu." Argent replied, slowly calming down.

"He's a meanie and a big doodie head!" Aqua spoke angrily.

"I have no more questions." Ruby said to try and calm things down.

The others then began to take deep breaths to calm down. Once they had all sufficiently calmed themselves, they immediately got back to work unpacking. Though the silence that accompanied them was more awkward than comforting.

Back at the Grocery Store

The two Signal students made their meandering path through the store. Normally Yang would just get the things and go, but Azura was taking his time on the matter. One could almost say annoyingly so. Everything on the list was carefully inspected by the young samurai for an exorbitant amount of time. Observing a bell pepper finally got Yang to speak up.

"Yes Azura, it's a pepper. Just grab what we need already. It's been forty-five minutes." Yang said, annoyance oozing out.

"Patience, Lady Xiao Long. Patience. One of the keys to a well-made dish is making sure you have top notch ingredients." Azura sagely replied before deeming the bell pepper sufficient, putting it in a plastic bag, and gently stuffing it into the shopping cart.

"This isn't a Well Foods, Azura. Top notch isn't exactly what you're going to be getting around here." Yang answered poignantly.

"You'd be surprised at the kinds of good ingredients you can find in a common grocery store if you know what to look for." Azura said with a smile as he finished inspecting one last bell pepper and bagging it.

"Careful, big boy. At the rate you're going, I'll eat a slice of you just to get home." Yang said as she pushed the cart along.

"Alright, I believe that we have all the ingredients we need for the gumbo and gandule rice. Now we just need whatever either of us want to make. If you would be all right with helping make dinner, that is." Azura said with a smile as they moved to the next aisle.

"On the condition you pick up the pace." Yang answered simply.

"As you wish, Lady Xiao Long. I think I will make some yakitori and saba shioyaki." Azura replied, a contemplative look on his face.

"Yes, I totally know what that is…" Yang muttered as they continued through the store to the meat, fish, and poultry aisle.

Azura chuckled lightly at her response. "They are eastern Mistrali dishes. Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers while saba shioyaki is grilled mackerel." He explained.

"Well, those sound edible. And easy to make. I can cook those." Yang said confidently.

Azura smiled brightly at that. "Then we can work together on those. I already have the ingredients for my family's sauce recipes for both of those dishes at home, so we will just need some good chicken and mackerel." He told her.

"If I remember from last week, mackerel is in season around here. It helps being on an island, you get very fresh seafood." Yang said with a smirk.

"Even better. Saba shioyaki tastes best if the mackerel is fresh." Azura replied as they reached the poultry and started looking over the chicken meats.

"This place is good at getting fish ready for sale the same day they're caught. Well, that is if Tony is working in the back. Frank's not as quick on the draw." Yang explained.

"Excellent. Also, I think I've already found the best pieces of chicken in the bunch to use for the yakitori." Azura replied, pulling out three packages of chicken meat before bagging each one and adding them to the cart.

"Is the selection this place offers up to your tastes?" Yang asked curiously.

"Oh, there is a surprising amount of incredibly good ingredients here. And so much variety for a store on an island, too." Azura replied with a smile.

"You know, for a guy trained to fight, you sure know a lot about and love cooking. Not what I would expect from someone walking around with two swords all day." Yang said.

"Well, cooking was one of the ways mother and I bonded while I was growing up. She would ask me to help her in the kitchen and teach me how to cook various kinds of dishes. She would affectionately call me her 'little sous-chef'." Azura explained with a smile.

"I mean, from the pictures I saw, you did look quite cute in an apron. Probably still would now." Yang playfully said as she moved the cart towards the fish.

Azura blushed lightly at the compliment as he tried to compose himself. "I-I will check to see if there are any extra ingredients for the sauce. W-Would you mind getting the mackerel, Lady Xiao Long?" He replied, trying to calm down.

"Of course, my ever-faithful sous-chef." Yang said with an ever so innocent smile, before sauntering off to the fish.

As soon as Yang arrived at the fish counter, she looked to see who was behind it. To her relief, Tony was behind the counter. Truly an ogre of a man, his long thick mustache and ponytail combined with his thick features made him look quite intimidating. However, as soon as a smile wide enough to core a watermelon showed itself, he revealed his true colors.

"Yang, my girl. Glad to see the old man let you out on your own for once. Was getting worried he put you in the doghouse after your last fiasco in Vale." The giant of a man said to her in a jovial tone.

"I wreck one nightclub and dad overreacts. Hi, Tony. I'm actually not by myself today. I'm here with someone." Yang replied with a smile, motioning towards Azura at the nearby shelves inspecting sauce ingredients.

"So that's the Sōtora that the town has been talking about so much. So, is he getting the full small-town experience, or are you actually passing on one for once?" Tony asked, leaning on the glass with his elbow.

Yang giggled in response. "He's just a friend at the moment, Tony. Although that may change in the future depending on how things go." She replied with a grin.

"Frank! Get off your lazy ass and get over here! Yang's got a samurai in her sights!" Tony roared into the back, causing an unholy clatter to happen. "Well, that proves he wasn't working."

"A samurai!? As in from an eastern Mistrali warrior clan!?" Another gruff voice called out from the back as the shadow of another man stepped up to the curtain.

"Yes Frank, that kind. What, you think Yang would fall for those weirdos in Atlas that call themselves samurai?" Tony shot back.

"This I gotta see!" The man said, stepping out into the light.

The man in question looked like Tony. However, unlike Tony, Frank had a long beard held in place by a hair net around it. He gave a look over at the young samurai near the spices and gave a smile.

"Well, well, well. Looks like little Yang's really traded up compared to her last boyfriend. He definitely looks like a keeper." Frank teasingly said.

"So, what did you do to get into his good graces, Yang?" Tony asked.

"Met him after his tests to get into Signal and offered to help him find a place and get settled in. He's as adorable as he is handsome. Sweet, too." Yang explained with a grin.

"Well, be careful Yang. Those Mistral types, especially from the east, they're their own brand of crazy. Got a cousin that married someone from there. They got eight kids and counting in a decade." Tony said, finally putting on a more serious front.

"I'm with Tony on this one, Little Dragon. Make sure you really get to know him before you start making a serious move." Frank added in concern.

"Oh, I will, boys. Don't worry. You know I can take care of myself." Yang replied with a smile.

"We know. We just worry. So, what can we get you today, Yang?" Frank said, moving on from less serious topics and getting down to business.

"Three of the freshest mackerels you got, boys. Azura over there's having us over for dinner with his family as thanks for helping him move in. We're gonna be preparing some yakitori and saba shioyaki together." Yang explained with a smile.

"I'll get it. That and clean up whatever mess you did back here, brother." Tony said, heading into the back through the curtain.

"So, Yang. What can you tell me about the new boy in town so far? Wanna know what we can expect." Frank inquired.

"He's here for Signal like me and he got that cabin near my place. So far, he's had nothing but praise for being on Patch. Honestly, however Eastern Mistrali's treated him for him to be like this about our little island is a folder I'm leaving closed for now." Yang explained.

"If he's from one of the big-name clans, he's probably not used to being treated like a normal person. Probably a breath of fresh air for him to just be able to be a normal boy for once." Frank explained.

"I'll make sure to remember that." Yang mused.

"One thing I know about those Eastern Mistral types is that a lot of them are too polite for their own good. Does that seem to match up with what you know about him?" Frank asked.

"To a tee." Yang answered with a nod.

"Well, I'm sure a girl like you can bring him out of his shell quick enough. You're pretty good at that." Frank replied with a smile.

"It's always the stuff inside the shell that always gets me on edge. But I'll do my best." Yang said as Tony came back with the Mackerel.

"Here you go, Yang. Three of the freshest mackerels we got. Hope things go well with you and your new boy toy." Tony replied with a teasing smile as Azura came over to put some sauce ingredients in the cart.

"Pardon my interruption, but I found some good ingredients for the sauces. I take it that you two are Tony and Frank." Azura said, looking at the two tall and beefy men.

"Got a good ear, young man." Tony said with a smile.

Azura gave a polite, but genuine smile. "I am Azura. It's a pleasure to meet you both." Azura replied with a bow as he and Yang accepted the mackerels and put them in the cart.

"Ready to go, Azura?" Yang asked with a grin as the young samurai inspected the fish.

Azura gave a smile. "Oh yes. We have everything we need. Including some particularly good mackerel for the saba shioyaki." He said after finishing looking the fish over.

"Just got it off a boat an hour ago." Frank replied.

"No thanks to you." Tony muttered.

"I can tell. There is a slight difference in the appearance and smell that gives it away." Azura respectfully stated with a smile.

"You've got a sharp eye and nose for quality, my boy." Frank said with a smile.

"I do try to only pick the best ingredients I can get my hands on when preparing food for friends or family. I am glad to see we came to the right place to do so." Azura replied with an aristocratic calm and a respectful, but honest tone.

"Well, it's a pleasure doing business today and hopefully in the future with you, young Bushi." Tony said, bowing his head respectfully.

"Likewise. I will be making sure to pick up my ingredients from here from now on if I cannot make it to a Well Foods or a farmer's market." Azura replied with a smile and a bow of his own head.

"I like this one, Yang. Nice and respectful." Frank told the blonde pugilist in a loud whisper.

"You'll probably be seeing more of him until we get into Beacon, Frank." Yang whispered back with a grin.

"It was nice meeting you both. If you'll excuse us, we need to make it home to make dinner." Azura replied with a bow and a smile.

"See you, boys!" Yang called out as she and Azura headed to the registers.

"Take care, you two!" The two giants called back.

Finally, after paying for the food, Azura and Yang loaded the bags of ingredients up into Azure Dragon's side car. Once it was loaded up, Azura put on his helmet and took his seat as Yang did the same. Smiling and revving the engine a bit, the young samurai looked back at his passenger.

"Ready to head back?" Azura asked her.

"Let's go. I have a feeling we have a hungry mass to get fed now. Let's hope their patience is as good as yours." Yang answered.

Azura grinned a bit at that. "Then I guess we'll have to hurry home." He replied playfully.

"Yes. I think we should." Yang said back with a grin.

A Bit Later: Back at the Cabin

The remainder of the Xiao Long-Rose and Sōtora families were finishing unpacking Azura's things and getting prepared for dinner. As they did, they looked at the clock. To Taiyang's concern, he noticed that Yang and Azura were running a little late.

"Where are those two?" Tai said, looking at the nearby clock and tapping his foot.

"I'm certain they're on their way home. Azura likes to take his time with finding the best ingredients he can when cooking for family and friends." Verdant explained with a smile.

"Let's hope that's all he's taking his time with." Tai muttered.

"Dad…!" Ruby whispered harshly, smacking her father lightly on the arm.

"If that boy tries anything, then I'll be sending him to his ancestors so quickly they will get whiplash with his arrival." Tai whispered.

"I'd be more worried about Yang doing something to Azura…" Ruby muttered.

"Worry not, you two. Azura will not try anything if Yang does not request it first. We raised him to be a proper Mistrali gentleman." Azolum reassured them.

Mercifully before the conversation got a chance to go downhill, the door flung open. Yang and Azura walked in, arms stuffed to the brim with bags of groceries. The two had happy, if hungry, expressions on their faces.

"Well, we should be good. Glad to see no one ate the house." Yang said as she gently kicked the door shut.

"I hope you like yakitori and saba shioyaki, Lady Rose, Lord Xiao Long. That is what we will be making together." Azura replied with a smile.

"What do those weird arches have to do with food?" Ruby asked innocently.

"Not that kind of Torii, Lady Rose. Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers while saba shioyaki is Eastern Mistrali grilled mackerel." Azura explained with a chuckle.

"What do you have against chicken to skewer it? Is that something Argent put you up to?" Ruby asked.

Azura looked at Ruby in confusion, then looked at Yang.

"Don't look at me, I just live here." Yang answered, heading off to the kitchen with Verdant.

Shrugging, Azura followed right behind. "Fair enough…" He replied, bringing his own bags to the counter to take out the ingredients.

"Alright. Azura, get working on the rice, both for dishes and for the meal. Yang, I hear you are good with a grill, handle all the grilled items. I will take care of the rest. Azura, I understand you like getting good ingredients, but this is unacceptable with company over." Verdant said as she got everything moving with stunning speed in the kitchen.

"Yes, mother! I will do better!" Azura replied, getting an apron on and getting to work with equally stunning speed and efficiency.

"You really know how to run a kitchen." Yang said as she tied her hair back in a ponytail, put on an apron, and got her grilling station ready.

"It comes with having six children and a husband, dear. Perhaps you'll learn that for yourself someday." Verdant teasingly replied.

"Well by the sounds of it, I need an Eastern Mistrali man to get at least six kids in this day and age. Unfortunately, those are in short supply this far west." Yang mocked a lament.

"Indeed. Although you do know of one I think would be a good fit." Verdant said playfully.

"It is the woe of every woman of a dragon breed, that the tiger destines himself to wall himself off from a fierier breed." Yang replied, pulling every single bit of Mistrali prose she could out of her limited stock from being online.

Azura blushed heavily at the implications of the two women's conversation as the two shared a giggle at his expense. Trying to act like he had not heard it, he quickly went to work preparing the rice and getting it into the pots to boil.

"So Azura. What do you look forward to most in Signal?" Yang asked.

Regaining his composure, Azura smiled shyly at the blonde pugilist. "Honestly? I believe what I will be looking for most is spending the next year learning and training alongside you. A-And Lady Rose, of course…" He added nervously.

"Well, it is not every day a man of such a lofty position gets to spend time with the fine company of some island girls." Yang said with a wink as she began to cook the chicken and fish.

Azura blushed and gulped. "A-A-Apparently so…" He replied shyly as he finished preparing the rice.

"Alright, Azura. Now let the rice cook and help Yang with the grilling." Verdant said with a smile.

Azura nodded and moved to Yang's station to assist her. "Y-Yes, mother…" He responded as he began cutting up and putting more chicken on skewers to be grilled.

"Don't worry Lady Sōtora, I promise I don't bite. Just keep at it, Azura, I'll have more space soon. You really know how to cut them into perfect amounts for cooking." Yang said with a genuine smile towards him, trying her best to put him more at ease.

Azura smiled at that. "Thank you, Lady Xiao Long. I have had years of practice." Azura replied as he continued quickly, but precisely cutting up and skewering the chicken pieces.

"Please Azura, just call me Yang. You'd do me no greater honor." Yang replied as she began putting new skewers on, and the cooked ones on a serving plate.

Azura blushed lightly at the request but smiled. "As you wish… Yang…" He replied.

To Be Continued...