Welcome to Gaia! ::

The kiokote on the rock looks down at Rouge with an odd expression on his face: something like delight that a little pink acha should suddenly appear, dancing on her hind hooves like pollen on the wind. Tipping his head at her, he asks, "Your people -- you like to have fun, do you not? Perhaps you can help me. I want to see just what you are made of -- dancing, singing?"

In time, there will be another contest arranged, as the kiokote and the acha put their heads together. Not an especially large member of his kind, the kiokote feels like a giant compared to the dainty acha -- even more so when her little sand dog appears.

Tossing his head, the kiokote tips his head back and roars, "The second event has now commenced! Will all participants who are ready to sing or dance -- to contest their talents against our new cousins, the Acha -- please approach the center rock!"

-*-

Beetleshell winces at the kiokote's loudness -- and then turns away in distaste, almost bumping into the blue buck. "Perhaps." The doe seems to consider for a moment, but then shrugs. "It would be good to listen. To hear the singing." And with that -- as if she momentarily forgets he exists -- she begins to approach the walk in her weird boneless way.

Maybe she too has partaken in some of the more exotic delights a kimeti can find -- the bugs, or the fermented juice that are so highly spoken of.

-*-

"You did, but -- only just." Stormbreaker shrugs down at Snow-Blind, wishing that there was more he could do. The poor buck's ego must be shattered into a thousand pieces; he knows his would be. Tossing his mane out of his eyes, he looks around at the gathering, and then notes -- with some satisfaction -- that nobody is watching them. They're all gathering around the main rock. "Maybe you ought to rest."

And then, because he can't help himself, "Do you know any kimeti with glowing markings like mine?"

"Oh, I'm certainly alright," Re-wind chirped, distractedly, to either or both, or no one in particular, circling the big cat now that she was on her hooves, "much more than alright, really, what a wonderful opportunity this is!" Curiously, she lowered her head to inspect the quick-stepping paws, "Oh, it is true then - did you know? A cheetah's claws are only semi-retractable. Except for the dewclaw, all the others can be seen at all times. This gives it better grip than most while running - but their pawpads aren't suitable for climbing trees. To run faster, or to climb trees - which would you choose? Which would I, I wonder? But I suppose cheetahs don't really have a choice, and neither do kimeti. Or kiokote!" she suddenly turned to the buck in excitement, "I've heard so much of your kind, is it true that - oh. Oh, are you alright?" He didn't look quite well.

The cat was pleased to see her begin to follow him. She must have some sense in her head then. He turned his head forward and slowly began to move through the mass. It was easier at his short height to see the shins and hooves of the many creatures but he wasn't relying on his eyes to find the red buck. He let his nose lead the way -- ignoring the curious new scents in favor of finding Travels first. It didn't take him long and he gave a mrow of success when he spotted the buck.

A tight lipped smile spread against the buck's mouth as his cat, followed by the green doe, found him. He ducked his head as the cat twined about his front legs, head rubbing against his fur, as if looking for compliments. The buck, mouth still full with flowers, lowered his head and nudged the cat instead. A very silent "good job cat" passing between them.

Albatross took the Games at a leisurely pace. After having missed the race, she and the white doe were suddenly surrounded by others at their pond. The ground thudded their arrival. The water near her created ripples in response, distorting her reflection. Curling her lip back, she inspected her teeth. Shiny and clean, still. Her eyes were bright, check. No eye gunk and her pelt was for the most part, clean. Nevermind her hair. As she waited, she lounged next to the white bird, watching the kimeti, kiokote and foreign acha. She created character profiles for each to cure her boredom, casually swatting the other doe with her tail, making sure she was still there.

A familiar, clear voice rang out. Singing? Dancing? Albatross was entranced with new things. She liked change. She watched the others, making mental wages on who'd join at the rock. Then a pink little thing, acha she reminded herself, starting to croon. Spunky little thing. Making up her mind, she rose with audible cricks in her bones. Turning, she demanded, "Hey, let's sing and dance! We can do it together"Yeah, it was probably best for all parties involved to pretend Albatross asked. The wind blew her hair her bangs back, exposing keenly interested eyes. She was already up and headbutting the other doe very softly in the ribs.

Blue Streak blinked and bounced on her heels, making the foxbun yip and cling tighter. "You don't look so good was it something you ate or maybe it's all the action here I know big groups of people can be kind of scary and maybe you should sit down?" She might've been a blabbermouth, but Blue Streak was helpful -- she nudged the kiokote cautiously.

She turned her head slightly to stare at Re-wind, wide-eyed, at all the facts. "I'm glad you're okay and -- really?" It actually made her pause and think. "That's pretty neat and it does make sense for a cheetah since I guess there aren't so many trees out on the plains that they'd want to climb."

Then the other doe in the group turned to leave, and Blue Streak watched her go, looking bewildered. "Thanks for the well wishes!" she chirped brightly at Lull's back, apparently oblivious to the annoyance under the fake smile.

He looked up, blurrily sighting the sudden cause of all his problems.
"I'm either alive, or in hell." Pieces moaned, not bothering to move aside from slowly blinking. "Are you alive?"

The grey kiokote, standing in what is now a throng of Acha, looks around -- surprised, at first, and then delighted. Leaning down to speak into Rouge's ear, he directs them: each Acha will have a brief bit of time to sing, dance, play or otherwise frolic as best they can. At the end, a winner will be judged!

Hearing that the Acha enjoy frivolity and are more than slightly hedonist, there is a cluster of nearly over-ripe, sweet berries for the winner. They are the best the swamp has to offer (on ten minutes' notice), and they sit in a glistening pile on top of two large leaves. It is one of the kiokote's job to keep the flies and small creatures away from them; already one enterprising owlcat and swarms of flies wait to eat them.

After everything is said and done, the grey kiokote yells, "First up in our contest of wits, artistry and charm is --" a pause, "What is your name again?"

"Red-stained Blossom!"

On the tails of that announcement, however, a kimeti with a wild mane of pale hair, so tangled that sticks and twigs jutted out from every direction, rose out of the crowd to ask -- and the grey kiokote smiled at her, beckoning her forward. "Come forward! Test your mettle! Sing together if you wish, or alone if you would prefer."

It was about time someone volunteered!

-*-

Stormbreaker stops in his tracks, looking surprised -- and then decides it's best not to pursue. He had no intention of causing harm, but this kimeti seemed to be .. touchy. Well, Stormbreaker reasoned, if he'd just gone flying across the swamp and landed in mud, he might be too. With a shrug, the black kiokote turns and lopes back to his siblings, expression quiet.

Just in time to get thoroughly sprayed with mud. "--was that-- ugh! Bounce!"