Welcome to Gaia! ::

The girl was clearly excited as she stood in line to sign in as she could barely hold still. It wasn't the near bitter cold that was beginning to set in nor the mass of people around that caused her petite frame to move impatiently as she reached for a pen. Certainly, it wasn't any need to feel charitable as she paid the person at the gate rather quickly and with not much mind.

For her, it was the prospect of the race itself.

The young girl was quite competitive, to say the least, and she was certain not to miss an opportunity like this.

A charity run.

For Aura, it was clearly more for the 'run' part than the 'charity' portion.

α

Emily Wren Wiley - Competing

"Mmmm." Emily clung, burrowing a moment longer before peering up, shaking her head.

"I'll tell you later." She murmured, and nuzzled into him, still clinging to both firmly with a while. Finally she movd, peering up whining.

"Really? Dad's not slow!" Cue sad eyes.

Allison Abson

"That I can agree with." Ally snickered, and motioned. "But nobody wants me planning charities. Gothic looks would be everywhere. Even a black christmas tree." She chuckled, and moved to cast her shadow over Cara, nodding.
"So how did they get you into Saint Mag's home for Society's Failed Stepford Wives?"

Alexandra Pepper - Competing

Alex notted the stranger curiously, head tilting before she moved over at an idle pace and nudged him quietly, and motioned.

"No idea. Assuming they'll be saying on the loudspeaker." She noted. "Seems pretty packed though."

Alerana Ikaros

Rara had started doing a few stretches to warm up when the announcement went out for everyone to gather. The race was about to begin! She eagerly made her way to the starting line and braced her feet, waiting for the call to start. There were a last few tense moments before - GO! She was shooting down the road like an arrow.

An arrow in a forest, apparently. When they'd said it was a run, she'd expected a straight marathon. Not the fake tree obstacle course she soon found herself up against. They weren't even all standing straight, there were some lying in the street or propped up like road blocks. Determined not to lose any time, she started to climb over the peppermint "logs." She was good at climbing, and figured that would be a breeze. Unfortunately, even though they looked like trees, they didn't feel like them. At some points they were too slippery, so she couldn't get a good grip. At others they were so rough they snagged on her coat and gloves, slowing her down. Eventually she got frustrated at the trees and started walking around most of them. It could hardly be any slower.

Total: 2

Albert Wily - Competing
Albert frowned at the redhead's words and preened at his daughter's defense, but patted Wren's shoulder and grinned. "He'll see, little bird, don't you worry," the be-sweatered man promised with a chuckle. He pressed a kiss to her temple affectionately, but that was all he had time for because from there, the race was starting. Or rather, the race was starting, and he had something to prove.

While he knew better than to run as fast as he possibly could, he was also out to show Wren's boyfriend that he wasn't slow, and so started off at a decent clip. He would slow down a little further on, when he needed to rest a bit. Besides, this peppermint forest was rather pretty! A bit cheesy, perhaps, but adorable - it really did feel a bit like a winter wonderland, if a very... saccharine version.

Whatever lay beyond it was bound to be just as interesting, he was sure, and since he was having no trouble navigating it - it couldn't be that hard, could it? It was just the first area! - he would get there in plenty of time to see it.


Joseph Ross - Competing
He'd only been teasing the old man, but it looked like the programmer had taken it personally. He'd apologize later if either Wiley was truly upset, but right now it only seemed to have kindled a kind of competitive fire in the middle-aged man. Glancing once more at Wren to make sure she would be alright - Curls was upset, he could tell, but there simply was no time to really find out why - he joined the others at the starting line and took off.

His speed was good, his long legs carrying him along at a good pace with perhaps less effort than someone with a shorter stride, but once he reached the forest, things got tricker. Or perhaps trippy would be a better term, if in a more literal sense than usual - just where had that fallen 'tree' come from, anyway? Had this been an obstacle course? Huh. He must have missed that on the sign-up. Oh well, it just meant he'd have to keep his head a little better. And besides, he was doing this for charity. Winning wasn't something he was aiming for in this race.


Cara Stauss - Competing
'Saved by the starting call', Cara thought to herself as she rushed out a quick "Well it's a long story I'll tell you later gotta go run!" to the goth girl, taking her place at the starting line and anxious to just get this damn race over with already. She did not want to explain to her senior that she was a) in the foster system and b) was dumped in mags after getting out of juvie. Not when the older student had been kind of ... nice to her.

And maybe that was why she took off as quickly as she did. This was a longer race which meant she really should be saving her stamina, but - but she wanted to get some distance, first, and maybe find a way to keep from ever having to explain herself to Allison. Unfortunately, her fast pace was slowed significantly when she had to crawl under a tree that blocked her path, and then again, and...

Who the hell set up this trail? And were they some kind of candy-cane sadist?!?

Isaiah Varney // Spectating with an eye on Albert Wiley

Isaiah was unaccustomed to people talking to him in public events like this. He didn't mind it; company was acceptable so long as it didn't cover uncomfortable topics, and these scanty interactions seldom did. "Charity, mostly." The answer sounded distant against the backdrop of the initial cheers.

The runners took off to an impressive start, and Isaiah eyed the front-runners down the initial stretch. "To be honest, I don't think I recognize any of the participants. I'd like to see that middle-aged guy win, though. Wouldn't it be a pisser for all the teens and twenty-somethings that decided to participate today?" The runners looked like they tackled the false forest relatively well, as none ended up getting stuck and requiring assistance. Interestingly, as they emerged, Isaiah's pick for winner maintained a slight lead. "Looks like he knows how to get through the fake trees, anyway.

"How about yourself? Friends or family in that gaggle down there?"

Kailey O'Carroll - Competing

She still wasn't feeling super well after the crap that went down at the Gardens, because who ever feels good after getting hit with a damn flu, but here she was, ready to run after paying her entrance fee. She tried to participate in the holiday events like this each year when able, figuring it was the least she could do to support the legitimate charities.

Kailey spent her time before the race stretching, hoping at least keep herself from feeling even worse after the endeavor. When the signal was given to go, she was feeling at least marginally confident she wouldn't pull a muscle or cramp up. Hopefully.

Though not as fast as some of the other entrants, she was able to make up some time with her efficiency through the obstacles. Bonus points for being tiny and flexible.

{ 4 }




Jericho Cross - Competing

He'd been pushed into this by his parents. Not that he was going to openly complain--there was a level of pride in it, and knowing that he was forcing his school (and the church he attended, through their own similar vow) to match donations.

Didn't mean he was overly excited about this. He was... pretty confident in his endurance, but speed or flexibility? Nah. About all he had going for him, he figured, was his longer legs. But he knew other racers would be able to outmatch him pretty quick--ha--and wasn't about to kid himself.

Still, when the race began, Jericho was off to an alright start. His speed was decent, and it wasn't too difficult to get up and over the trees--though crawling under was a hell and a half. Still, he pushed through, suddenly surprised Leucite hadn't set up a stunt like this for some training class.

{ 4 }




Cassie Finlay - Competing

Ok so she was definitely out of her element here, and Cassie knew it. Still, it was for a good cause, and she was wearing DCU colors loud and proud. Even if she didn't do that well here, it was supposed to be fun, right?

She wasn't in the best shape, and she knew it, but the lights and the decorations still had her grinning and her eyes lighting up like a kid's.

She almost missed the start of the race because of that, distracted as she was. Her burst of speed surprised her--and she hoped it didn't come around to bite her in the butt later on--but she wasn't confident enough in her ability to climb around any of those fallen trees... so a detour was necessary each time, cutting into her time. But hey! Made it through the first zone!

{ 4 }

Kirra Morrow (competing)

Kirra wore the yellow shoes, because Pikachu was electric, and lightning was the fastest thing ever. Flash, bang! Speed of light. She bounced happily beside her mum, auntie and cousin as donations were donated and entries were arranged. Her school was going to give even more money for the hospital kids just for her running, which was super-nice of them. And she was getting gingerbread when she reached the finish line. She was going to have to finish first for sure, and eat the most gingerbread while everyone else was still running.

Oblivious to her mother's duplicitous play and her cousin's outrage, she waved cheerfully to the adults as they left.

"It's starting, it's starting!" she told Gigi, dragging on her hand to get her to line up properly. "I'm going to run so fast, you won't catch me!"

She raced off fast enough, but her legs were much shorter than everybody else's, it wasn't fair! Though she succeed in leaving Gigi behind, catching up with anyone else was not going to be easy.

A little 'oh' of wonder escaped with her puffing breaths as the Peppermint Forest came into view, just like something out of a storybook. And it smelled sooo yum! This would slow down all the tall people, she thought, dropping to the ground to crawl under a fallen lolly tree. But it was harder going than she though, as she wiggled and writhed and got herself thoroughly stuck in no short order.


Also 0. sweatdrop

Jocelin

When she heard the announcement over the loudspeaker she checked her number and headed over to where her starting point was. She was glad everyone else around her seemed to be in the same boat, not professionals but out for the run to just enjoy things.

When the official "Go" sounded she was happy to join the others and head off on the course. She tried not to laugh as some people took off as fast as they could at least knowing starting at a slower steady pace was a lot better for a long run.

The sign for the Peppermint Forest was a surprise and the smell of peppermint everywhere was really a surprise. Trying not to cough at the unexpected smell she rubbed her nose and continued on past the painted trees.

"Wow ... they put a lot of work into this." She laughed as she took in all the trees and decorations. If this was how good the first area looked she was excited for the rest of it.