The calm humming tone of nature and all its serenity washed over him. Burly, stout even, with a wide brimmed hat shading his eyes from the glare of the sun peeking between the canopies, the Pandaren whistled well naturedly. He wobbled a little unsteadily, but to any with the eye for such things he was certainly well poised for a large animal-humanoid at least a little intoxicated. His hands waved at his sides and the casket on his back bounced as he made his way steadily through the forests, seemingly uncaring in his new predicament. It was enough, for one such as he, to just be alive and enjoying what the world had to offer.

Liu grinned.

After a time of senseless wandering the forest began to thin, and Liu looked towards the edges with excitement growing. Eventually he would reach a new place, something more to see, yet he had no true idea of the familiar sight he was about to take in. Temple grounds, so much like those of his homeland he almost broke into a sprint, almost heard the chanting and familiar laughter of his people. Liu, however, was smarter than one may think. Martial arts trained the mind almost as much as the body, and quickly he observed the subtle differences which would have bespoke a Pandaren training grounds. His smile slipped for but a moment as disappointment washed over him, but then with a sigh he walked on regardless. It was a few minutes later when he noticed the groups of young trainees sparring and exercising on the stone floor. Liu stared at them slightly confused, but as always shrugged his shoulders and wandered over to meet them. It was a short walk, but Liu was wasting a fair amount of time criss-crossing and simply enjoying the sights, so it took him a good five minutes.

He was fairly certain at least some of the students had noticed him by this point, as an excited murmur rang out at the sight of the burly traditionally clothed Pandaren arriving at the fairly normal scene. Most looked confused and a few scared at the sight, obviously unused to such creatures being present, but Liu gave them a friendly grin as he strolled over. Up close, the smell of crushed pine and the faintest stench of well-brewed alcohol washed over them, but it was not an unpleasant mix of scents.

“As the waters of the rivers curl and bend so too must the life of the monk.” Liu greeted them strangely; the first he had encountered in this world, his words were spoken jovially but they had a much stronger meeting. They must put behind their close-minded-ness here, for things would change in this new world and the sooner they accepted it the better.

“And now, would any of you brave lads like a drink?” He smiled, and water lifted itself seemingly of its own accord out of Chen’s flask, manipulated subtly by Liu’s right hand. It pooled for a moment in the air, allowing any brave enough to take a drink before he released it splashing to the ground. They stared at him, and then two of the younger and less experienced frightened for their lives attacked.

Liu eyes widened for a moment, and then he smiled some more and established a strange wobbling stance, his three assailants looked less sure of themselves but pressed in regardless, each throwing a multitude of blows. Liu remained in the same spot, but as each blow came he somehow moved his substantial body away from the blow or caught it on a furry forearm. More came at him, until he was completely surrounded by the trainees who had lost their nerve and gone to aid their friends, still many remained and watched obviously upholding their vow of non-violence unless necessary. Although they were indeed young they were still formidable, yet Liu was skilled at the art and somehow avoided every blow, seemingly untiring as he blocked flurries of attacks without countering with any violence.

Eventually it became quite tiresome for him to jest and play with the fighters who were becoming more and more frustrated with the panda. Splaying his arms wide he suddenly jumped, high over their heads and rocketed down towards the same spot, cracking the earth and dropping each and every one of the students on their backs. They groaned in surprise, but he was sure he had not hurt them very much.

“I hope you don’t greet everyone who greets you pleasantly in such a way younglings.” He told them all in his whimsical way, turning to look at the students splayed all around him sat on the floor. The others who had not joined the battle smiled for the most part, but some looked worried. Liu realised he may have caused some trouble, and dealt with it as any good Pandaren would. Slowly a line of ale trailed from Chen’s flask into a mug he held poised and ready, it poured into his cup and he drank heartily with a sigh.