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 Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:47 am
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:57 am
XXXXXXX[Safe Harbour]
"Hello and welcome to ladies and gentlemen alike!" Her voice boomed across the air, covering a wide expanse from where she stood on the 'podium'. From her vantage point she had the best view by far, but such things were obvious and expected when you were the commentator and game-master for the days events. She stood comfortably on the the little hillock, a single 'jut' in the otherwise flat landscape that was used to house the races, while the rest of the patrons surrounded her.
Positively glowing with anticipation and excitement, there was a certain electricity in the air that caused it to buzz. The anticipation and giddiness were evident and Harbour knew that she would be unable to control the masses for much longer. They were still continuing to amass and gather and the events wouldn't start for a little while longer, but all the same...she knew she wouldn't be allowed to delay.
They wanted to shriek, they wanted to yell...
They wanted to win.
Whether they be racers or simply soquili who were invested in winning some sort of item from their neighbour. They wouldn't wait long to watch the competitors...
"If you could hurry to your favoured spots as quickly as possible, we'll soon get started!" she continued over the thrum of the crowd, raising her voice just as touch more as the numbers began to grow towards the back of the crowd. She was fortunate in some respects, the further back you went, the higher the ground became given that the racing ground came after a dip from the slopes!
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:05 am
XXXXXXX[Delphine]
"I'm tellin' ya, you won't regret coming here," Delphine remarked as she pushed her way through the crowd. For a Usdia, who was dwarfed by the vast majority of the crowd, she was surprisingly adept at making them move. Her mother had never been this good and had often relied on Solstice to cut through the crowds with his bulk, but today it appeared to be the opposite as she passed from the back of the crowd to the front so that she could get some of the better seats. After all, there was no way that she was going to be able to see the races from the back, she was simply too small.
"They got the most amazing foods and you can make a few bobs," she eyed Solstice and his ragged attire, leather and cloth tattered and torn from countless adventures. With the exception of that he was rather neat, but those things had a way of ruining the overall look... Well, unless he was going for clean-shaven hobo, which she was reasonably sure he wasn't. "So you can pick up some supplies... Maybe even some new robes," she mused and offered an impish grin.
"But seriously, back the right competitor and you could win big, totally worth it."
Lapsing into silence for a rare moment, the mare then settled herself into position at the front of the crowd, seating herself beside an exotic wind mare. Draped in a gold scarf, Delphine could only assume that she had either been here before, or was from a wealthy family. Regardless, the tiny Usdia was beginning to wonder if it would be possible to bet and win that scarf - it'd look good on her and totally go with her eyes!
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:12 am
XXXXXXX[Solstice]
Who would have thought his travelling companion's daughter would prove to be a gambler? He wouldn't have put it passed her to begin with, but now that he thought about it, it was exactly like Francesca. Had she been human she would have probably taught her kids how to play poker and count cards to get the jump on someone. Alas, with his companion preoccupied with her mate, Solstice had been otherwise grounded and limited to the Kawani lands. He had thought he had known a great deal, but in his absence a lot had changed and he had been forced to reconsider.
...When it came to some things, he knew nothing.
Thus, it should have come at no surprise that he had agreed to come to the 'races' with Delphine, humouring the boisterous Usdia who had decided that he simply must learn about this particular sport. All other sports were unimportant, it was just this one that was of value and he was beginning to see why - she had a merchant's mind and if she could get a new trinket? Well then...
Ducking and weaving through the crowd after the tiny mare, he murmured a number of apologies to those he bumped into too abruptly and eventually came to a halt near the front of the crowd. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that his stature was going to cause problems for anyone behind him!
"Delphine, I'm not a gambler," he pointed out calmly, carefully lowering himself onto the ground. Now that he had lay down he was the same height as Delphine, and as such, a less problematic spectator. "And I don't need any new robes."
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:18 am
XXXXXXX[Latika]
She had always kept to herself, and she'd always been quiet, but when Delphine burst into view and promptly dragged the unfortunate stallion with her, she couldn't help but smile. She was further amused when he was forced to the ground by his own height in a clear testament to his character - evidently he was like her, endeavouring not to be a problem to the rest of the crowd... Although she wasn't too tall, she had still been aware that the front was often reserved for the smaller soquili and as such, she had lain down too.
"You as well?" she mused with a small chuckle, offering a much warmer smile to the pair who had come to join her at the front. Granted, more Usdia and those of smaller statures were making their way to the front as well, but the mare was somewhat relieved by her 'neighbours', suffice it to say that Solstice didn't look like the excitable type and while Delphine might be, she seemed unlikely to do too much damage.
For this reason, Latika could relax in the knowledge she wouldn't get crushed under hoof!
"You got here just in time, it doesn't seem like it will be too long before they start and you've managed to avoid the worst of the crush."
She took a moment to glance back over her shoulder, glancing at the mass of legs that rippled behind her. It had reached a point that there was so many soquili and other critters that she couldn't see any light whatsoever... However many there were, there were considerably more than there had been when she arrived. She was rather glad that she had flown in rather than attempting to walk, suffice it to say that she would never have gotten through...
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:36 am
XXXXXXX[Delphine]
She even sounded foreign! Delphine's curiosity was piqued as Latika spoke and she promptly ignored Solstice's remark regarding gambling and turned her attention on the wind mare. On further inspection, the Usdia noticed that Latika was actually rather small, barely above the height of a Usdia in many respects... it came as a bit of a surprise, as Delphine had never been exposed to anyone so small beyond her own kind, to be honest, she didn't even think such a tiny soquili existed! Unsurprisingly she had to resist the urge to blurt that out, and instead she simply stared for a few moments.
Fortunately the mare did eventually recover and she gave an emphatic nod towards Latika in regards to the crush. It was true that they had missed it, but they'd done so at the very skin of their teeth because a certain someone had gotten distracted.
"We barely made it," Delphine confessed, her tone a touch dark as she shot Solstice a dirty look. "Solstice over there got distracted by some kind of plant and you gotta be honest, I sure as hell haven't got the strength to drag him away," she grumbled. Heaving a dramatic sigh, she lifted a hoof and gave it a flick as she looked over her shoulder at the crush that was growing steadily behind her. "Any later and we'd have been stuck at the back and then I would've been real mad," she finished.
Nevertheless, complaints aside, she then peered at Solstice and then back towards Latika, her expression comical.
"And now I've brought him with me I discover he doesn't even gamble! You'd think he'd live a little!" she announced.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:43 am
XXXXXXX[Solstice]
"You are still disgruntled over that?" Solstice gasp an exasperated glance to the frustrated mare, regarding her as she ranted about his behaviour. She was clearly indignant about it and she had made that perfectly clear on the way here - hell even his mother hadn't lectured him that much within the last few years. Granted he hadn't been around much in the last few years but when he'd come she didn't do it... Suffice it to say that Delphine was definitely her mother's daughter as Francesca had always been extremely vocal, and blunt, when it came to his antics.
"I did tell you to go ahead and I would catch up," he pointed out calmly, though it soon became apparent that she wasn't listening. In fact, the mare had quickly launched off on another tirade about the fact he neither gambled, nor led an adventurous life. While he didn't gamble, he would have been the first to dispute the fact that he didn't 'live a little' given that he was always off doing something that he deemed exciting...alas, Delphine had a great deal to learn in that respect.
Electing to let her rant for a little while longer, he waited until she had worn herself out and sat in a flustered silence, and then he offered Latika a mild smile.
"You will find Delphine is a very dramatic individual," he sounded apologetic and shook his head. "Although if the crush had been too bad I would have flown over it, or towards higher ground, there are a few vantage points appropriate for those wings," he paused and eyed Delphine. "And for those who can be carried up."
"Forward thinking has never been this generation's strong point." he finished.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:54 am
XXXXXXX[Latika]
The pair were clearly friends, either that or they had known each other through some other source. Solstice was quite obviously the older of the two, much older in fact, so she had ascertained that he might even be a family friend. Regardless, he had made a very accurate series of observations regarding the very passionate Usdia that had now decided to inform her of her great disappointment towards Solstice. Evidently Delphine had very particular views on what was fun and what wasn't and Latika would hazard a guess that botany was not the Usdia's strong suit.
"No, I expect that you wouldn't have the strength to pull him with you," she replied with a mild smile, her head tilting to the side as Delphine continued to rant. If Latika hadn't known any better she would have assumed that the younger mare was traumatised by the fact that she had almost missed the races - gods forbid that happened, then she would have to do something else with her day... It might even be constructive!
"But he raises a valid point, he seems like he would be large enough to carry you," she pointed out with another chuckle. She did at least have the decency to look a touch 'shocked' on Delphine's behalf at the fact the stallion didn't gamble though. Granted, she never really gambled herself, but it seemed like humouring the Usdia was the appropriate thing to do in the circumstances.
"I'd wager," she paused, pondered and then pushed forward what appeared to be a pearled bangle. "That you can't guess which one of the competitors will win," she murmured, challenging Solstice with a bemused smile.
"Done," he responded, though no further conversation was possible as Harbour's voice cut over the crowd.
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Epine de Rose rolled 2 10-sided dice:
8, 4
Total: 12 (2-20)
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:17 am
XXXXXXX[Safe Harbour]
She had received the nod from those assisting her with the races - if there was ever a time to start the competition then it was now. It was going to be difficult for any more soquili to pack themselves into the clearing and the only other space was on ledge vantage points that were only accessible to the winged. With that in mind, it was unlikely that very many more would attend and for that reason, there was no reason to delay.
It was time to compete.
"Ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls and other fabled creatures!" she announced and turned towards the crowd. "It is my great honour to welcome you to this afternoon's races, where we pit the best against the best. As you all know, there are multiple events this afternoon and you should have received a rough time table of when these will begin!" She paused to let this sink in, and to rest her voice before continuing.
"We are going to start these proceedings off with a bang with our quarter-mile drag race. We have eight competitors for you today, each seeded accordingly," she smiled, turned her attention to the field as the eight soquili lined up and familiarised herself with the competitors. While most had been seeded through previous performances in the races, there was also an unlikely newcomer who had entered through a qualifying heat.
It would certainly make for an interesting race, especially when the defending champion was also present.
It was at this point that she fell silent and waited for the race to begin, keeping her eye on the soquili who manned the starting lines so that she would know when to start commentating again...
[[Winner: Hastings (Left), Debut (Right)]]
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:41 am
XXXXXXX[Comply or Die - Hastings]
Urgh, all this talk and all this waiting always set her on edge before the big event. Thought she may not have showed it to her fellow competitors, not an event went by when she wasn't anxious. She had to discipline herself, silence her nerves and excitement, otherwise she would find that her adrenaline would come early and she would exhaust herself before she could make use of this valuable store of energy. It wasn't that she lacked confidence, on the contrary as the reining champion she was far from lacking in that, it was just a case of nervous energy that all competitors got.
Nevertheless she had sought to calm herself by watching as the crowds filtered in, lifting a brow as parents entertained their children with silly little games and the other adults either held energetic discussions or jested. Suffice it to say that it didn't take a genius to work out that there was a great deal of enthusiasm today, particularly given the line ups in not just her own race, but the others too!
Ah, but she would have to watch them afterwards.
For now she wouldn't allow herself to become overconfident, for there was a newcomer in her midst that had caused quite the stir during the qualifying rounds. While she and her fellow competitors were seeded and knew each other's tactics, he had come out of nowhere and for that reason, he gave some cause for concern. He was unpredictable and he had given nothing away in his warm ups... more bizarrely, he was wind soquili.
How often did you see a wind race?
Competitively.
Alas she wasn't given much longer to dwell on it as the race organisers summoned the competitors and herself to take to the field. Even as she walked out she realised it was a much larger crush than normal, the place was positively heaving now that she could see it properly! Well, that certainly added a little bit of pressure to it and she couldn't help but smile as she took her position on the starting line and waited.
A few moments later her fellow competitors joined her and as the stretching began, she listened to the commentator in the foreground. Positioned on the top of a hillock she was fairly easy to hear, which was rather advantageous to the competitors as they would also know their current standings and the condition of one another. However, with the commentator providing rules and a summary of proceedings, Hastings elected to zone out for the time being - none of the proceedings were of her concern.
It was only when the linesmen gained her attention that she woke herself from her stupor and prepared. They would give the same count down that they always did, and then everyone would take off, it was all a matter of timing and she couldn't mess this up, she needed that 'springboard' of a lead.
She waited for a few moments, preventing herself from tensing and then the countdown began.
Three.
Two.
She tensed.
One - And with a flare of their wings the linesmen released the competitors, Hastings bounding off at just the right moment to give her the few feet of a lead that she needed to ensure her victory.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:55 am
XXXXXXX[Debut]
He had been lucky up until now... In fact, it had been by chance and a series of unlikely events that he now found himself in this position. It had been entirely unexpected and to assume that he was at all conditioned or prepared in the same way his competitors were, would have been wrong. He was not a professional racer, in fact, he'd entered the qualifying rounds as a stubborn dare! Neither he nor his friends had anticipated that he would actually win and now he found himself in an arena filled to the brim with excited spectators and a set of seven very daunting competitors.
He didn't stand a chance; not in the slightest!
However he wasn't one to admit immediate defeat and while he might have been tempted, ever so slightly intimidated by the number of spectators, he elected to ignore them and instead, focusing on the path ahead. All he needed to do was keep his head down, his wings close and his eyes on the prize. Provided he didn't fall or stumble everything would work out, he would at least finish the race with his dignity intact even if he was up against some daunting contenders.
Thus when he lined up at the starting line he expected no miracles and no surprises, he merely set out to finish. Taking a breath, he therefore calmed himself and waited patiently for the linesmen. When they began their countdown he readied himself, and when they released him he ran... though nothing prepared him for the speed that one of the competitors left the line. He could only assume that was the reigning champion, though much to his pleasure she had also left everyone else in the dust!
Narrowing his eyes the stallion therefore pulled himself forward and while ignoring all other competitors, and every little cheer, he made for the finish line.
None would have expected what happened in that race.
...None would have anticipated that the tunnel visioning, under dog, would smash through the finish line and come in second, astonishing both reigning champion and his fellow competitors.
Even as they caught up with him and slowed to a halt, the congratulations and murmurs of approval caught him off guard, particularly from Hastings when she regarded him with curiosity.
"Good race," he offered when he had gained his breath, flexing his wings in an attempt to return feeling to them. Suffice it to say that it was not within a winds nature to hold his wings that stiffly and he wouldn't be doing it again!
"Very good race actually," he lifted a brow as he regarded Hastings with equal curiosity, and then he promptly shook his head. "You're incredible," he added, smiling wryly. Much to his surprise she provided him with a rare smile of her own and he watched as she departed to receive her reward - it was clear that she was built for this environment... But his place? That had been a fluke.
Definitely a fluke.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:03 am
XXXXXXX[Latika]
The outcome had not been entirely unexpected and she had known that Hastings would defend her title, but the mare was ever so slightly discomfited by the fact that the newcomer had come so close. She flicked her gaze towards Solstice, observing the mild smile on his lips as he continued to watch the prize ceremony before the next race. She had nearly lost her jewellery to this stallion, he'd had a 1 in 8 chance of failing and he had almost won - by an absolute hairs breadth, if Hastings hadn't been there...
"It would seem that I get to keep my jewels, no?" she jested, sweeping the bracelet back onto her leg as she glanced at Delphine, unsurprisingly the the Usdia looked at touch disappointed that she wouldn't be playing with the shiny object any time soon! "But I must admit that you were almost on the mark," she murmured and furrowed her brow. While she held her conversation with Solstice she turned her attention to the new comer, Debut, who was still flexing and stretching his wings in the most unusual fashion.
"...How did you know he would perform well?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:09 am
XXXXXXX[Solstice]
"I didn't," Solstice replied, looking away from the ceremony and offering a slightly deeper smile. He had always been one for honesty and he wasn't about to paint a picture of an expert in racing. He hadn't known if Debut would win or perform well, he had simply decided to side with the underdog because that was what he had always done. Granted it wasn't the most intelligent of things to do in the grand scheme of things but in a harmless environment like this... well, he couldn't see why not.
"I think I would refer to that as pure luck and chance," he continued and returned his gaze to Debut, chuckling as he recognised what was wrong with the unfortunate stallion. Debut had run so fast and held himself so stiffly that his limbs were locking up and rebelling, Solstice could afford some sympathy for the stallion as he had been through that himself, though perhaps not for the same reasons.
...Racing was never going to be Sol's thing.
"The fact he tunnel visioned and had such focus was...as I said, very lucky," he concluded. Nevertheless with the award ceremony over for that particular race, it was only a matter of minutes before the competitors had left the green and taken up their positions in the stands to watch the races that came next. Unsurprisingly Solstice made no further bets and neither did Latika... Though Delphine continued to do so.
Alas, she would go on to lose quite a few of her 'trinkets' as a result as today was not his companion's lucky day at all!
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