Grooming The 6th

Image 2/5 for the Shedu Novice Diploma ( fav.me/d6www6d )The second day at Elsevier dawned much brighter, and Vie ruffled through her bag looking for the oldest and grungiest outfit she owned.  "This is an affront to my wardrobe," Vie told Argo. The shedu cub was currently sprawled out on the bed of her guest room, his lavender eyes bright.  Once Vie settled into a pair of green cargo pants and a dark shirt, Argo set up a chorus of chirps as though he was laughing at her.

She ruffled the fur between his ears. "Let's go to work."

At the familiar command--usually the precursor to some kind of adventure--the cub leapt off the bed and nearly tripped over himself in an effort to beat her to the door.  Vie had decided to bring the cub along largely so he could learn some manners from other large racing cats.  Tia's file said she was fond of cubs and kittens.  They would test the theory today.

She bridled The 6th and brought the queen out to a grooming yard.  She had tied Argo to a fence and (despite his efforts to gnaw through the tie line) when she reappeared with another shedu he froze.  Tia flicked her ears forward but paid the cub no mind; her training really was impeccable, and her level-headed personality shown through. Vie only hoped Argo was taking notes, though it currently seemed as though he was more interested in chasing butterflies and his own shadow.

Argo whined low in his throat when he saw the hose and brushes come out. His favorite thing in the world was to play in water, but Vie had no intention of making the guest quarters smell like wet cub.  Once she had finished washing Tia, she hopped the fence and loosened Argo's tie.  She brought him into the pen and watched carefully as he ruffled up his fur and promptly went to hide in a corner.

Tia watched him with bright orange eyes but didn't move to interact.  By the time Vie finished brushing Tia's silver coat, Argo had creapt closer on his belly.  Vie brought out the nail trimming equipment and he almost jumped over the fence in an effort to flee, but his curiosity got the better of him.  "Learn a lesson from Tia," Vie said pointedly. "Racing Shedus have to have their feet handled."

Argo chirped as if protesting. He despised having his feet handled.  Tia responded to the chirp by lowering her head and giving a friendly chuff.  Vie felt a clutch of nerves when Argo suddenly bounced up and pounced against the much older, much larger Shedu.  If she decided to crush his head it would be simple for her to do so, and it wasn't as though Vie expected Elsevier to do much about it.

But the large cat simply kept her head down and let Argo wash her cheek.  "Very helpful," Vie said once she licked her lips to get rid of the taste of fear.  "At least you're learning something about grooming."