1.5 Blazing Whiskers
With quick feet, a strong heart, and an able mind, a nekomata can stand against even the most fearful of creatures.
Tiger Whipgrass, captain of the imperial army, speaking to new recruits.
"I can, too!"
"Fancy yourself a cheetah, Lupe?" teased Cherry.
"I may not be a spotted, but I am still a far better runner than you!"
"It's always a pleasure to beat you in a race, dear sister."
"What are you girls doing?" asked Sapphire.
"We were just about to have a race," answered Cherry at the same time as Lupe said, "Cherry thinks she's really fast."
"Of course I'm fast. Here, let me prove it."
The pair crouched in a starting position, and at the count of three, took off. At first it seemed that Lupe was in the lead. She was a good eight feet in front of Cherry.
Within moments, Cherry had overtaken her. Lupe redoubled her efforts, and had almost caught up when she felt her legs give out. She spun head over heels, crashing into the ground with a loud scraping noise.
"Oh! Oh! Errrgh!" groaned Lupe, clutching at her ribs.
"Oh, dear! Are you all right?" Sapphire asked concernedly, leaping to Lupe's side.
"I think I'll be fine," murmured Lupe, inspecting the scrape on her left side.
Sapphire quickly set to picking out the bits of foreign material and licking it clean.
"What happened? Did you trip?" asked Cherry.
"No. My legs seized up. You were running so fast!"
"I suppose I've proven which of us is faster. When you feel like challenging me again, think twice. I'm off to see Silver. Later!"
"Lupe, have you ever stopped and looked at Cherry's legs? What are they like?"
"They're red."
"Indeed they are. But what else?"
"I don't know."
"Are they longer than yours?"
"Yes, I suppose they are…"
"Because she has longer legs, Cherry can run farther with less effort. Your legs are powerful, but they're still short," said Sapphire. After she had licked her side clean she continued, "You were faster at the start, but that's because you run fast all the time. You don't have very good endurance either."
"Cherry's older than me. I'll never be better than her," Lupe muttered dejectedly.
Sapphire sighed.
"Age isn't everything. You just need to practice. Run enough and you'll be faster than anyone."
"I suppose I'll have to get healed up first."
"Lupe, if you really want to be fast… I can introduce you to a great teacher. He's always been the best."
"Who is he?"
"Hazelthagar. We go way back. He's staying at Misty Meadow Inn. I'd go see him myself, but he can get a bit… boisterous."
"What about my chores and lessons?"
"We'll take care of your jobs and I'll give you your lessons when you get back."
"Thanks, Sapphie!" cried Lupe, giving her a hug.
"You'd better hurry. The village gates close at sunset. Your bag's in the parlor cabinet."
"Bye! Tell Cherry I'll beat her in a race when I get back!"
Sapphire just smiled and waved.
(Executing Task 7b. Please wait…) Son of a-
The journey took all day, and she arrived just before sunset. It wasn't difficult to find the inn; it was the only one in the town. She walked right in, as travelers are always welcome in such establishments. The innkeeper met her at the door.
"G'day, Miss. Gravy & Biscuits is the name, an' being at your service is my game. What's your pleasure?"
"Um, my name is Lupe, Mr. Biscuits-"
"Gravy & Biscuits, Miss Lupe," corrected the spiky-haired pig-man.
"Sorry, sir. I came in search of someone named Hazelthagar."
The innkeeper looked around and whispered conspiratorially, "He doesn't want anyone to know he's here. How did a wee girl like you find out?"
"A friend of his sent me."
"Ah. That'll be it. Please sit here and wait. I'll send him to you directly."
Nothing could have prepared her for the sight that followed. I don't think anyone could do any better than she, as the sight of a werefiend in its prime is quite a sight. Especially when they notice that it filled the stairwell like a bear fills a cat carrier.
"A little push will do it, I think," growled Hazelthagar.
Gravy & Biscuits gave a great push and the werefiend flew down the steps to land heavily at the foot of the stairs.
"Thank you Mr. Gravy & Biscuits."
"My pleasure."
"Excuse me sir-" whispered Lupe, quite intimidated by Hazelthagar.
"Wha? Speak up, girl! I'm getting on in years, can't hear little chords like yours."
"Uh… YOU'RE BIG!"
"Heh?"
"Sorry, had to say it. Mister, could you train me to be good at running?"
"Out of the question," he said flatly.
"Say what?"
"You're too small, and I'm too busy."
"Busy with what?" asked Lupe. "We're in the middle of nowhere."
"That's none of your concern. How did you find me, anyway?"
"My auntie Sapphire told me you were staying here."
Hazelthagar stared at her, mouth agape.
"Your aunt is Sapphire?" he asked incredulously.
"Um… yes."
There was a moment in which the tension of the room was like a steel cord pulled to breaking point.
"That old girl's still hanging on, then, hmm? I suppose she told you I was some kind of roguish fiend who could lift mountains in his prime or some such, am I right?"
"N-Not really…"
"You'll have to speak up, little kitty! If Sapphire really did send you, then I guess I can take some time out of my busy schedule to give you a few tips. All right, outside," he ordered.
A few minutes later, in the village square, Lupe squared off with Hazelthagar.
"First, 300 lunges," said Hazelthagar.
"I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. How many lunges did you say?"
"500."
"That's absurd! And besides, it says right up there that you said 300! That's a lot of typos!"
"500? I could do that with one leg. If you want to be any good, I'd recommend at least 1000."
"What in the world?" Lupe cried in disbelief.
"See? You just throw yourself forward and land on one leg, then lower yourself into a kneeling position without letting your leg touch the ground."
"Not what I meant. Isn't this the least bit crazy?"
"You think? This is my daily routine."
"So this is what Sapph meant…"
Three days later.
"Lupe! There you are! Where have you been?" asked Cherry.
They were in front of the house, it was late in the afternoon, and Sapphire was humming happily to herself as she watched from a second floor window.
"I've been off training! Ready for a race?"
"I'm ready to win again, what's the destination?"
"Saimon's house."
"You're on! Ready, set, go!" shouted Cherry.
"Oh dear, I hope neither gets hurt," said Sapphire with a shake of her head. "Hmm, I feel as though I'm forgetting something."
The salmon in the oven was burnt that evening.