Caboose watched as Cerea charged repeatedly across the field, driving her lance into the target...every time hitting slightly off center. He didn't quite understand why she was doing this, but he continued to watch to show support.

On the last run, her hoof slipped on the last step and she slammed into the target bodily. "Are you okay?" he called out worriedly.

Cerea groaned as she pushed herself upright. "I am...fine, Master," she hastened to reassure him. "My hoof just caught on...something…" She picked up the odd object she'd tripped on. It looked like a metal cylinder with an oddly shaped hand-grip, as though made for a very inhuman hand. Uncertain what else to do with it, she slipped it into a pocket on her dress. Frustrated with herself, she moved back towards Caboose.

While Caboose was by no means intelligent, it didn't even take the brains he was left with to recognize the pattern that was smacking him in the face. "Problems with your mother?" he asked in concern.

"...yes," Cerea agreed sadly. "Today my mother arrives...and I will engage in an unavoidable battle. I had thought...with your great strength, kind heart, and purity of soul, I thought I might convince her of my alternative...but her letter made it plain, she brooks no opposition in this. I shall...have to fight her over this."

"And...that's a bad thing?" Caboose asked in surprise. "Centaurs are warriors. Aren't fights normal?"

"It is not just my mother I will be fighting…" Cerea pointed out worriedly.

"So the odds will be against you?" Caboose asked. "That's okay. You're Blue. The odds are always against you. But you always win, too. Because you do things they don't expect. You take an absurd idea that should never work, and you make it work. You don't listen to the odds. You win because it's impossible. That's what it means to be Red and Blue...and you're Blue." He rested his hand on her arm. "You're one of my Blues, and I believe in you."

Cerea's eyes teared up, both from the heartfelt encouragement and the unwavering faith. "I...I shall not let you down, Master!" she promised.

"I know you won't," Caboose agreed happily. "Now let's go home. It's time for lunch, and I'm pretty sure you can eat carrot cake!"

Cerea chuckled as she raced after Caboose as he headed towards Blue Base. Somehow, she found she could almost believe what he was saying.

[Incoming message from Blue Base,] Cerea's Freckle informed her. [Unidentified centaur female is screaming at Base. Genetic scan confirms identity as Lieutenant Cerea's mother.]

Cerea's eyes widened. "...road apples…" she muttered as she picked up the pace.

"HARK!" a shout echoed from the distance. "BE THERE NONE BUT SOULLESS AUTOMOTA IN THIS ABODE?"

[You are trespassing on Blue Base territory,] Freckles declared as he faced down the shouting centaur, a female who closely resembled Cerea though looked...slightly older. If not for her more matronly, archaic garb and determined expression, she could have easily been mistaken for Cerea's older sister.

"STAND ASIDE, MACHINE!" she roared out. "IS THIS THE RESIDENCE OF MY DAUGHTER CENTOREA OR NOT?"

[Your identity has not been confirmed,] Freckles stated flatly. [Cease sonic assault or be deemed hostile.]

"IF IT IS YOUR DESIRE TO TASTE MY BLADE, MACHINE, THEN SO BE IT!" she roared, drawing her sword.

"Freckles, sit!" Caboose called out.

[Order acknowledged,] Freckles stated, squatting down on his large legs. [Ceasing hostilities.]

Caboose looked at the woman. "So you're Cerea's Mom?" he asked happily as Cerea caught up.

"AND YOU ARE CENTOREA'S HOMESTAY HOST!" Cerea's Mother declared as she turned to face him. "YOU ARE NOT WHAT I EXPECTED!"

"IS SHOUTING A CENTAUR TRADITION?" Caboose screamed out. "I DIDN'T KNOW THAT, SINCE CEREA DOESN'T SHOUT MUCH, BUT I'LL SHOUT IF IT'S TRADITION!"

"Okay, it's safe to come outside," Miia observed from inside the door, slowly opening it to reveal the others. "Darling's here."

"AND YOU ARE CENTOREA'S FRIENDS!" Cerea's mother declared happily. "WHAT A WELCOME SIGHT TO SEE HER BONDING SO STRONGLY!"

Rachnera winced, stepping back as she wriggled a finger in her ear. "Geeze...pipe down will you?" she grumbled.

"IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG-"

[Alert!] Rachnera's Freckle suddenly intoned, its optic burning red. [It has come to this unit's attention that your present level of sonic barrage is harmful to this unit's assigned partner. You will reduce your chosen volume, or this unit will reduce your available volume.]

"...huh?" Cerea's mother asked, not quite following.

[Translating to Captain Honey levels,] Rachnera's Freckle translated. [Lower your voice or lose it.]

"Is...is that thing threatening me?"

[Correction: this unit has issued an ultimatum.]

Cerea's mother blinked at the floating ball for a time...but eventually decided to abide by restrictions. "It has been too long, Centorea!" she called out at a more reasonable volume. "How great to see you in fine health! So where is your teaser?"

Cerea frowned, glaring at her mother, before stepping carefully up behind Caboose.

"What are you doing?" her mother demanded. "That man is your host family, is he not?"

"This man...is my Master, to whom I have sworn my fealty," Cerea corrected firmly.

Her mother's eyes narrowed angrily, and a dangerous aura began to build-

"Stop!" Caboose snapped out, breaking her focus and catching her attention. "I don't know what this is about, and I know you are warriors...but Cerea is a part of my Team, a part of my family. If you are not polite to her under my roof, you will answer to me!"

Cerea's mother snorted derisively. "You are but a human in armor!" she declared. "What can you do-"

Caboose grabbed Cerea's mother by one hand and hefted her entire body over his head without putting undue strain on her arm somehow. "Do I make myself clear?" Caboose asked calmly.

"How...how can a mere human have such strength?" she gasped in shock.

Caboose gently set her down. "Now...what's a teaser?" he asked curiously.

[Teaser,] Caboose's Freckle began. [Centaur tradition. Due to warrior culture, Centaurs have become incredibly strong, but strength became the defining characteristic of males. Culturally, centaur females became turned off by this. Teaser males of other species that bore the pleasing traits that centaur females desired were used to bring the female into heat, at which point the centaur stallion would breed her.]

Caboose was silent. Cerea and the other girls moved as far back as they could while still being in range. Caboose slowly turned towards Cerea's mother. "...let me see if I understand this correctly…" he growled, his voice dark and menacing. "You sent your daughter to find some pretty face she liked to get her into the mood so some strong guy you selected could rape her once her body wouldn't let her fight it anymore? And you want to do that to my Cerea?"

Cerea's mother took several steps back. Something about this man in his rage was...terrifying. "It...it is our traditions," she declared, though her sudden inexplicable fear robbed her words of much of their power. "Our race...values strength above all things-"

"Oh!" Caboose suddenly declared happily. "So that's what Cerea meant about fighting more than you! Okay! Polt! Is there a stadium we can use so Cerea can beat some sense into her Mom?"

Polt perked up. "Uh, yes!" she called out. "My Freckle and I have been expanding the gym facilities. We have a stadium in the basement!"

"Lead the way!" Caboose declared happily, as the others slowly moved back in towards each other and Caboose, now that the moment of rage seemed to have passed.