Spreading Weakness
Hunter Vanessa: Kitty's gone, and I'm all alone. Just like last time...
A few years ago, in the arena where Vanessa grew up...
Vanessa: Heya, Liam! How'd the match go?
Liam: Oh, Vanessa. I...
Wolf-Ranked Fighter: Bwa ha ha! Am I seein' things here? Is a lion-ranked fighter associating with a TRAINEE? Better be careful, lion, or his weakness will spread to you!
Vanessa: Cram it, sister! I'll talk to who I want! ...Wait, Liam? Are you crying AGAIN?
Liam: *sniff* M-my match went okay somehow, but only thanks to luck. I...I don't know how much longer I can keep this up!
Liam: The fact that a trainee like me is even alive is already a miracle. So it's like that woman said—you should leave me before I end up making you weak.
Vanessa: That's bunk and you know it! Besides, you and me are stray dogs, so it doesn't matter who we hang out with.
Vanessa: Death sneaks up on everybody and clocks 'em over the head, so there's no sense spending all your time worrying about when it's gonna happen!
Liam: If you say so...
But in the arena, the strong eat the weak. Those who are weak either become strong, or they no longer become anything at all.
Soon, the time for the test was upon them.
Colosseum Owner: Liam, you pathetic lump'a wasted space! I've got half a mind to shunt you off to the mines! 'Least there you might be able to do somethin' useful for once!
Liam: N-no! If you force me away from here, I'd have nowhere else to go...
Colosseum Owner: You just run back'n forth and somehow manage not to get killed in the process. There ain't no value in a fighter like that!
Liam: Eep!
Vanessa: Hold up, boss! Sure, he might be a little on the skittish side, but what if me and him hooked up as a tag team?
Vanessa: Two fighters taking on a huge fiend would be one hell of a show, eh? Ehhhhh?
Vanessa: This is it, Liam! Win this, and you stay. Remember, I've got your back! You can do this!
Liam: Y-yeah...
Colosseum Owner: Hell, this is freakin' POINTLESS! Still, I suppose folks might enjoy watchin' the two of ya get eaten, so it's your funeral. ...I ain't payin' for a funeral, by the way.
Fiend: Graaargh!
Liam: N-no! I can't! This is too much for me!
Vanessa: What, this? This guy's a puppydog! Just follow my lead and we've got this thing in the bag!
Liam: I...I don't think I can... N-no! I have to!
Liam: Vanessa gave me this one chance, and I won't let her down! Haaaaah!
Liam: HURK!
Vanessa: L-Liam? LIAAAAAAMM!
Colosseum Owner: Bwa ha ha! Saw that comin' a mile away. What else'd ya expect, throwin' some fool weakling against a fiend like that?
What happened to Liam that day was my fault, and it left a dark stain on my heart. But it also taught me something...
If I associate with weak people, they will always drag me down to their level. It's inevitable. That's why I'm always seeking out the strongest people I can possibly find.
I don't even know HOW to associate with weaker people anymore. And yet...
Hunter Vanessa: Kitty's still gone? *sigh* Is there nothing I can do?
Hunter Vanessa: I wish we could go back to the way it was before—when we were still getting along. But if I were to be overprotective or ask her to do too much again...
Hunter Vanessa: Yeah, this is all a bit over my head. Maybe I should ask someone a little closer to her and see what they think.
Hunter Vanessa: I bet someone from the Soaratorium will know what to do!
Soaratorium Gal: ...Wow, that's quite the story there. So basically, because of all that, you wanna know about Felynes?
Hunter Vanessa: Yes! Tell me everything! I mean, your world is lousy with 'em, right?
Chief Researcher: Well, in terms of general traits, most Felynes are loyal, obedient, and have a strong sense of camaraderie.
Hunter Vanessa: Okay, good. So how do I deal with 'em?
Wyventurer: That's...not an easy answer.
Hunter Vanessa: Oh, come on! You know all about their race and traits and whatever!
Wyventurer: Yes, but not every Felyne is the same, just like all humans are different.
Chief Researcher: Agreed! If you wish to work with a specific Felyne—or even just be friends—you must sort out your differences one-on-one, just as you would with anyone else.
Soaratorium Gal: You gotta fight for the right to be buds!
Hunter Vanessa: My brain hurts...
Elisanne: ...And now, after all that, you have decided to seek my counsel?
Hunter Vanessa: Yeah. I mean, we get along despite the fact I'm weaker than you, so how do you do it? How can you even stand being around a pathetic lump like me?
Elisanne: First of all, I would never think of you in such a way. Your weakness or strength is, frankly, irrelevant to our friendship.
Hunter Vanessa: I...don't get it?
Elisanne: Then allow me a different approach: Why are you going so far to keep your Felyne friend around in the first place?
Hunter Vanessa: Because she's important.
Elisanne: Important how? Because she is a Lynian? If such is the case, your problem can be solved by simply befriending a new Lynian.
Hunter Vanessa: Hmmm...
Felyne: This is new, but...sure! Why not? Let's be fur-iends.
Felyne: It's a purr-fectly happy thought, Vanessa. Thank you, nya!
Felyne: (I'm scared... But I can do it, nya!)
Hunter Vanessa: No. I don't want to be friends with any old Lynian—I want to be friends with HER.
Hunter Vanessa: No one can replace her. She is my one and only Lynian in this or any world!
Elisanne: There you have it... What you feel at this moment is what's important—not whether she is weak or strong.
Hunter Vanessa: Oh geez, I had this all wrong...
Hunter Vanessa: All I've been thinking about is strength. But she's so much more to me...
Soaratorium Gal: Vanessa! We've got problems!
Hunter Vanessa: What's wrong?
Soaratorium Gal: Your Felyne friend ran off into the Hoary Woods by herself!
Hunter Vanessa: What? She'll be killed on her own!
Hunter Vanessa: I need to go save her!
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