Submission (#5621) Approved

Taiga did not even let Sariel finish the string of excited babbling that poured from his jaws.  The white kittom simply closed his eyes, raised an impassive paw to quiet his companion, and said firmly: “No.”

“No?” No?  Sariel was so stunned; he could barely formulate a coherent thought.  A simple ‘no’ was more than just a negation, it seemed to so tidily sum up something that should be intensely complicated.  ‘No’ was simply not an option in this case.  Taiga, as beloved a friend as he was, should have responded with anything but a ‘no’.  The very word seemed to stop the breath from his lungs.

“No,” Taiga agreed.  As if that explained everything.  Sariel could see by his expression that Taiga did fully believe that it did indeed explain everything.

So, desperately, with a keen edge to his voice, Sariel prompted: “Why not?”

Taiga did not even have to think of his answer.  He merely said, “Practice and we’ll talk then,” as if his permission was somehow necessary.  But as Sariel scowled, looking to meet his friend’s eyes, preparing a discourse on the error of his friend’s judgement in his mind that would surely impress millions, he deflated.  No.

No.

That was his answer.  And, curses, Taiga was right.  Again.  Only a glance at his friend’s eyes told him as much.  He couldn’t do this against his friend’s tacit approval, not when he also desired his help.  So, with a resigned nod, Sariel could only mumble a reluctant, “All right.”

Taiga did not look smug, but by the nod of acknowledgment he gave, he was as close to it as he could get.

* * *

Together with Taiga, Sariel devised a plan to boost his energy and stamina through exercise.  Ever-disciplined Taiga was ruthless in his pursuit of his friend’s betterment.  He convinced Sariel that the key skill the kittom needed was dedication and preservation, and that surely these would be good traits to master for any skill, never mind something as purposeful and rare as a fire breath.

The push was gradual, with team light exercises between the two kittoms that gradually increased in intensity over the course of the month.  Sariel started with simple stretches to loosen muscles, working in concert with Taiga to ensure both kittoms were warmed up and flexible enough to practice the more intense sets they had mapped out for their progress.  Then they would chase and race against each other.  Using the grounds as an obstacle course is as much as possible.  The exercise so mimicked play, that the kittoms easily lost themselves to the enjoyment of their feeling their bodies move to the rush of the wind against their fur, and the exhilaration of the chase or the upcoming victory.  The made-up exercise varied from their usual activity in its intensity, but nevertheless proved a riveting challenge.

Taiga then decided it was time to climb.  This exercise would challenge their muscles further and improve their breathing control in what he viewed as the more dangerous situation.  To accomplish this, they began by climbing over furniture, eventually building up to climb one of the twisted trees in the gardens.  They ensured to sharpen their claws so that their grip on the bark would not falter.  In this way, Sariel and Taiga both hoped to improve their chances of obtaining power of breath.

It was at this stage that Taiga seemed assured of the seriousness of his friend’s task.  Not a mere fancy, as some of Sariel’s pursuits often were, but a dedicated effort to gain a tangible prize.  It was he that inevitably convinced Sariel to pursue a healthier diet, and add meditation to their routine.  They spoke with older elnin, to enquire about the best protein, the best vegetable, the best method of hydration, the best way to consume their food.  Sariel and Taiga both hoped that this would improve their chances of mastering breath, for surely such a skill required careful balance of all the body’s capabilities.

By the end of the month, both kittoms took turns engineering a series of obstacle courses that would test their ability to run, duck, climb, jump, and move quickly on their feet.  Sariel’s home soon became a confusing arrangement of furniture, haphazardly located or stacked to best challenge the kittom’s stamina and endurance.  Several such courses ended with either of both kittoms under a heap of furniture, or narrowly avoiding a spectacular crash, barely avoiding an incident sure to cause injury.  Most courses tended to end with both kittoms gasping for breath, chests heaving at the effort of keeping their bodies steady.

Over time, Sariel began noticing changes in his physical capabilities.  His breath came easier, his muscles did not become as sore, and he could dash faster, climb many things with ease, and calm the beating of heart with shorter and shorter delays.  With his home becoming their playground, he also discovered new nooks and crannies in his own home that he had never quite noticed or known, extending his understanding of the home his parents had once inhabited.

Taiga seemed pleased with their progress as well.  He relished their play and training, oftentimes sharing a satisfied smile with Sariel at the end of their sessions.  It was with something like satisfaction, after one such day of successfully completing one of the most complicated obstacles engineered, that he turned to Sarial and asked the obvious question: “What next?”