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“Tigress…!” she heard her name being called. Tigress saw the others were musing around the props.
Crane and Monkey was looking at green substance that would make them look like jade zombie, Mantis and Viper both insisted they didn’t need it since they were already green.
“You called me?” Tigress asked.
Meanwhile, behind Tigress, Kai was fretting about his horn because he had to wear it all the time during the shooting.
“This is sooo heavy, I’ve hurt my neck! Can’t you guys made one from styrofoam?”
Tigress snickered inwardly, he might look menacing and huge, apparently act like a wimp. Both Po and Oogway smacked him with their staff and told him to stop moaning so everyone can get on with their part.
Jen nudged Tigress on the waist, winning back her attention to the script.
“Now, I want you to look exhausted and injured. You’ll emerge from the panda village gate, where Sang Fang Huye is going to meet you there.”
“Ok… ” Tigress said monotonously, paying more attention on the script that she memorised religiously since a few weeks ago.
Her part of the act in this movie was quite straight forward.
She guessed because the main focus on the story was between Po, Sang Fang Huye and the new co-star Li, played as Po’s new father. She had to admit, She was quite relieved, acting emotional driven scene that showing a lot of feeling really not her forte.
In the second movie, Sang Fang Huye and Master Tigress had to take 300 takes alone inside Gongmen jail, because Jen wasn’t satisfied on the way she cuddled her co-star and her love interest in the movie, Sang Fang Huye.
He is a male tiger… yes, you didn’t read her wrong.
But after the second movie instalment, most of our fan agree that Tigress and Sang Fang Huye made a cute couple.
So… either Jen was a genius, or the audience were blind. But don’t get Tigress wrong, Sang Fang Huye is attractive… he has such a warm and endearing personality.
Tigress was initially annoyed with the amount of time she took to memorise her line (and she was one of the main character… for crying out loud),
but when she returned back for the second movie, Tigress realised how much improvement she had made.
Sang Fang Huye took his role seriously, his acting was full of expression and very much convincing, and he was patient with Tigress on those 300 takes, even managed to calm Melissa and Jen from beheading Tigress.
Tigress thought that for many people the best shot in the second movie was the ending, when Po cuddled Mr Ping and told him he knew who he was… he was his son.
Dang, even she cried when she watched them. The second on the vote was the hug scene, when Tigress cuddled Sang Fang Huye in front of our comrades and Gongmen citizen.
Jen said Tigress’s expression was priceless! Tigress was embarrassed, but nonetheless she was proud of all of the movie we’ve made. Tigress just hoped the third instalment would be as successful as the first two, if not more.
“Tigress, it’s time.” Tigress felt a paw on her shoulder.
“Sang Fang Huye?” She said half surprised. “I didn’t know you are here.”
“…yeah, sorry I am a little late. I was helping Li with his line just now, it’s his first time.” He chuckled.
“Are you ready?” Sang Fang Huye smiled gently, the smile that melt her hardcore soul… so it was in the movie. Tigress gave him a warm smile as her word.
Then we all set. Tigress heard the motion ‘3…2…1 action’.
She climbed over the props, not forgetting to look as tired and injured as possible.
Then Tigress saw Sang Fang Huye, he was wearing terrified and worrisome look on his face, very fitting. Sang Fang Huye scoop Tigress into her arm, as we continue to lock gaze, she let her mind take the conversation that she memorised by heart.
“And CUT!” the producer made the motion.
“That was superb, well done Sang Fang Huye, Tigress.
Only one single take, and it was… very compelling and passionate acting from both of you.”
She patted Sang Fang Huye and Tigress’s shoulder. She saw Sang Fang Huye stole a quick glance at Tigress and smiled as she caught his gesture.
“Right, that was the last sequence that we need to do.” Jen announce.
And with that everyone chorus a coherent cheer.
“We will have our celebratory dinner tonight, and until we see you again… if we ever decide to make another sequel.”
she saw everyone hugging each other. Viper, Monkey and Mantis came to Tigress to give her a hug.
“I am going to miss you Tigress!” she squealed as she coiled around her waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hope we are going to hang out together again.” Monkey shook her paw and Mantis hopped on her shoulder. Tigress beamed.
“So I hope” And Crane emerge from among the crowd, next to him was Shifu - who played as her adopted father.
“Tigress!” He landed one arm on her shoulder.
“Too bad we didn’t interact too much in this movie, but I’ve enjoyed to see you again.” His smile as wide
“So am I… and also lovely to work with you Mr. Shifu. I hope this won’t be the last time.” she said courteously. Shifu smiled,
“You’ve grown into such a fine actress Tigress, it’s been more than 10 years since we worked together. I heard about the plan to gather us again in a few years time.” He added.
Tigress was quite surprised, even Jen had not told her.
Normally Sang Fang Huye and Tigress would be the first to know.
“There would be a challenge for you and Sang Fang Huye.” Shifu winked meaningfully.
Tigress raised her brow, but he placed his skinny finger in front of his mouth indicating he won’t be able to tell Tigress.
A question begging her mind, and Tigress knew just the person to ask.
“Jen…can I ask you something?” Tigress enquired.
Jen was still talking to Alexandro and Melissa.
“Sure, give us 5 minutes and I’ll be with you.” Tigress left them and went to find the panda girl who had become so attach to Tigress during the course of the production.
While still scouring every room in the studio, Tigress heard the familiar soft voice.
“Looking for her?” Tigress turned around to see Sang Fang Huye was holding Lei Lei on his shoulder.
“Oh, yes… how do you know?” Tigress wondered.
“Well… she was looking for you too, and so was I… so I told her, we can look for Stripey baby together.”
A huge grin explode all over his face. Tigress couldn’t help but to smile, he might often look pathetic - but yes, nothing can beat that captivating smile.
But Tigress quickly shook those absurd thought and gain her usual composure.
“Right, I just wanted to say goodbye to everyone… who knows when we are going to meet again.” Tigress said plainly.
Sang Fang Huye placed Lei Lei on the ground, and the cub instantly took her hand in her paw
“Uhm… Tigress… would you like to go out with me tomorrow?” Sang Fang Huye prompted, Tigress can see a glint of nervousness as he meddled with his claws and tried to avert his gaze.
“Sang Fan Huye… are you asking me on a date?” Tigress asked concisely, teasing him. Even though he was a famous star now, in reality, Sang Fang Huye was still quite a shy guy.
“… you can say that.” Sang Fang Huye mumbled, a light blush to form at his cheeks at gentle teasing. Tigress chuckled, somewhat enjoying torturing this poor man..
“…Yes, I’ll go with you, could you pick me up? I can give you my address and number.”
“Really?” His feature lit up like a firework. Tigress thought that was kind of charming. Tigress gave a small nod.
“…Thanks Tigress…!” Sang Fang Huye embraced me in a tiger cuddle, which by now, after numerous take, Tigress has grown used to. Tigress cuddled him back.
“See you tomorrow Sang Fang Huye.” Tigress said with enticing voice.
“Night Tigress!” Sang Fang Huye pranced through the crowd as Tigress sighed, he was indeed one very special male tiger. Tigress almost forgot that Lei Lei still holding her hand.
“Stripey baby?” her voice snapped Tigress from her momentarily daydream.
“Yes Lei Lei? shall we find your grandma? Tigress need to ask her address so we still can see each other.” She giggled as a response.
“Stripey baby, I think Fuzzy Stripes really likes you.” she commented. My heart nearly stopped.
“What?” that’s all came out of Tigress’s throat.
“I think Fuzzy Stripes really likes you.” she repeated her sentence, as if trying to convince Tigress.
Tigress felt blood rush to her face. Was that true? Me and Sang Fang Huye had known each other for a decade, thanks to Jen, Alexandro and Melissa, and all Tigress knew Sang Fang Huye was always being such a kind and caring soul, even when Tigress am being rude or impatient to him at our first take.
But considering him as her other significant yet to cross her mind.
“I’ll consider that.” Tigress smiled to Lei Lei.
The panda cub let a shriek of joy knowing Sang Famg Huye and Tigress Might get together.
And then, Tigress saw Jen approaching her.
“Tigress, you wish to ask me something?” Tigress quickly move her head as a sign of agreement.
“Yes, I heard from Mr. Shifu, you’ve plan the next sequel… and there’ll be challenging part for Tigress and Sang Fang Huye?” Tigress emphasised the last part of the question.
Jen just laughed.
“Depends… do you think kissing Sang Fang Huye would be challenging enough? You both did fine with cuddling, so I put a bit more twist on the next movie.
Now I suggest that practice may help, you have 2-3 years to get yourself ready. You don’t want retake the scene 300 time don’t you?”
She patted Tigress’s shoulder and left Tigress with her own thoughts.