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More and more kimeti and kiokote were showing up by the minute. Glow was mildly interested in the kiokote, as she hadn't ever met one and had only seen very few of them. So many kiokote seemed to be here today. She began threading her way through the crowd of incredible variety, in color, shape, and size. She saw a few strangely colored kiokote, those that glowed as she did, as kimeti did. Was that strange? She wasn't sure, most of the kiokote she had seen were very dull and definitely didn't glow, but maybe she had only seen dull ones so far, and that quite a few of them did glow. As she continued to weave through the crowd, a sudden flash of purple caught her eye. That wasn't too strange, there were plenty of purple kimeti. But... wait, that wasn't a kimeti, that wasn't a kimeti at all! What was this creature? She sped up her pace, accidentally trodding and bumping into the various bodies around her, her moth fluttering agitatedly on her back. She muttered soft apologies but kept going.

She must know what this new creature was.

Somehow, Meets-the-Sea had stumbled herself into another large gathering of Kimeti and Kiokote. The shy little doe had been on her way back from an unusual visit to the borderlands, hoping to get to the ocean as quickly as she could, when she passed through the floodplains and saw the creatures gathering. The last time she had stumbled into an event like this had been at the spring festival of abundance, and she had not stayed there long upon the discovery of her pregnancy -- which had probably been for the best, as large gatherings were not her forte.

Meets was, however, trying to learn control over her anxiety a little nowadays. Whereas in the past she might have simply taken another path around the vast floodplain, today the little doe gathered up her courage and decided to brave the crowd -- at least for long enough to find out what was going on. There were many Kimeti here, and much more Kikote than she was used to seeing in one place. Perhaps she could make friends with one or two and learn more about the great plains that they called their home.

Meets was thrown off course, however, by the sight of a familiar buck. She almost laughed at the sight of the dweller of the harsh borderlands slurping up water like he would never see such a wealth of it ever again -- which he very well might not if he did not continue to venture beyond the inhospitable land he made his home. "Walks Without Rhythm," the little doe said, a smile in her voice as she came up beside the buck. "I'm surprised to see you here. You must travel quickly -- I only left your home in the borderlands a few days ago."



Smudge had come to the games as something to do -- to watch, that is, he would never participate in such ridiculous frivolity himself. Racing, he thought to himself with a snort and a roll of his eyes. What a useless pastime. But watching the other Kimeti and Kiokote make fools out of themselves would at least provide some sort of amusement, and perhaps he might even meet a doe he could spend some time wi--

The grumpy buck's thoughts were cut off as something nearly ran into his hind legs. He spun around, his brow furrowed, ready to make a harsh remark to whoever had been inconsiderate enough to bump into him, but his tongue was stopped by the sight of the strange pink creature and the absurdly tiny dog that followed her. He blinked at the two in shock for a moment before speaking. "What in the name of the motherfather are you?"

"No, now the fun has arrived!" Rock Squirrel launched himself over Plainsfire, bouncing to a stop. He bucked and jumped, laughing merrily. "I'm way more fun than you, Flare! Aren't I, Scattered?" He nudged his white sister, dancing around her. He didn't bother asking Once Forgotten or Stormbreaker - they weren't the kind to indulge him at all!

His eyes wandered around the large space, taking in the other kiokote and not-kiokote - and then there were not-not-kiokote that were different from the other two! His siblings caught his attention again and he trotted and danced around them, chattering excitedly. "There's games here, games! Are we gonna play, huh? Come on we have to play!" Left unspoken was the fact that they could play here, that there were more not-kiokote than kiokote, so the others of their kind couldn't run them off.



This was going to be so much fun! Games were all about the thrill, the competition! This was Without Warning's kind of place. There were so many here - the kiokote and then others, brightly colored creatures that Surprise didn't recognize. Everyone was here for fun and games and to absolutely crush the competition! She twined around the clearing and clambered up rocks to launch herself over standing kimeti. Quite a few times one of her hooves clipped someone or she bumped into a shoulder only to keep going with an excited, "Watch where you're going!" shouted to those behind her. When were the games going to start? She wanted to run!

It was a shame it didn't look like she knew anyone here. There were such yummy does and bucks. Perhaps after the games were finished.... Or maybe once she expelled a bit more of her energy, she wasn't sure she could stay in one place right now.

Of course, after making another circuit (or five) around the clearing Surprise slowed to stop on top of a stump, slumping down on its surface. Now she was bored.

Albatross was never late. She arrives right before the peak of action. Yeah. Sauntering out from under the leaves, she took in the rearranged landscape and didn't spare it a second glance. She held no sentiments for the past, instead opting for the future. Nearest to her was a lost white doe traipsing about to and fro. She was naturally programmed to like white things and feathers. This one couldn't fly away. Hmmm. She wondered how long it would take the doe to realize she was standing there. Minutes passed. Geeze. She couldn’t care less about what happened to the land or the doe, but it was a lot easier to feign not knowing what was going on if you had another kimeti to blame it on. Target in sight, she advanced. “Hey, whitey. Let’s go see what’s up, shall we?” She playfully tapped her tail against the other doe’s flank.

"What am I?" Asked Riddle, started by the newcomers lack of preparation. You'd think before traveling such a long distance, you'd take the time to figure out the where's and what's of your destination. Being from an unusually nomadic family, Riddle assumed every land had a curious nose or two, and these elders were the ones to approach when travel was inevitable, lest you be caught unprepared. Unless this Acha was one of the elders in question? No, he seemed too young for that. Not without a hint of sarcasm, Riddle finally said, "The swamp is home to Kimeti -- she does not birth Acha. You're too slight for her liking, I'm sure."

A sudden and familiar scent pawed Riddle's snout, interrupting his good-natured interrogation as he followed the effect with a surprising level of patience. At first he mistook the scent for his mother, but it was far too uncharacteristic of her to venture toward sounds of merriment, unless her intention was to bring him home, and in any case he was too old for that. It wasn't long before his softly glowing eyes rested upon Forgotten Feathers... he had seen her somewhere before, or at the very least known her scent. No matter, this creature before him was far more curious than his kin, and he resumed his teasing without intention. "Do the Acha have names? I'm certain you're called 'Little Legs' or 'Skinny' with a frame like that. Why ever would you come to a gathering of skill?" He chuckled, finally breaking the stillness of his expression.

Not so far from Riddle, Caller was reveling in her chance to coddle, touching her nose to the colt's shoulder and ear to take a few curious breaths. He didn't smell the least bit familiar, but no surprise there -- she didn't socialize much with the other females in the swamp and she had a natural aversion to bucks once they were old enough to fend for themselves. "What are you called, little thing?" She cooed, sidestepping to get a better look at the near-infant. "...and whose left you all alone?" Caller had been taken in by her Father and her siblings had found their ways just as quickly, it surprised her to know Kimeti were still left on their own.

Though Meadowchild wasn't really much of one for gatherings of any sort, she had showed up to see what all the buzz was about. There were so many kiokote and kimeti about, and the pressing bodies were waking longings for solitude again, but Mead pressed on, wanting a good view of whatever tests and skill displays were to come.




Charm had been looking forward to the games when news spread about the day of fun that had been planned. She'd met several kiokote during the harrowing hours of the flood that had nearly swept her and Night away and culminated in several rescues of foals. Now she was hoping to experience the joy to be found here, and had brought several charms that (she hoped) should work as good luck for contestants, or even just as favors for those so inclined. She had charms for perseverance, charms for luck, and more, draped around her neck and carried by her green and gray owlcat, Talisman, as she wandered through the crowd.

Smudge continued to stare down in shocked perplexity at the strange pink frolicking creature and her little growling dog. "Um." He was unsure how to respond to the strange -- though apparently female -- creature prancing in front of him. Was he supposed to be attracted to her? He squinted, tilted his head. She was a very pretty color, but so small! "I'm not quite sure what I'm seeing, to be honest," he responded, more confused now than disgruntled.

Boredom propelled her; she lived for excitement. Gloom was off doing "research." She snorted. Probably masturbating or observing useless things such as how fast a moth or songbird can flap their wings or the many phases of the moon. Look-See was off having one of her moods. Doom was alone. And hungry.

Doom was not a savage. She might feel more comfortable with carnage but when she ate, it was delicate. For as varied as she had lived, she had grown accustomed to the nuances of food and texture. Her ears perked up. Free. Salt. Exotic. She didn't hear the rest. When one was constantly covered in blood like herself, it was only naturalto grow a fondness for salty treats. Interests renewed, she slowly walked forward, doing her best to look harmless. She was like a lynx under a big mongoose's stole. As she came up to the sunset buck, she beamed at him, flashing her dainty teeth. Alright, perhaps caiman was a better image. "I spy with my pretty little eye something delicious. What is this?" Playing nice was hard but practice is good from time to time. Her ringlets bobbed in rhythm with her surprisingly genuine effervescent personality.