The sand was grainy beneath the pale of Hanako's paws as she bowed down into a stretch, muscles limber and loose. The journey here had been a pleasant stroll, time well spent in and of itself, but the open swath of beach made her want to make good use of the space. To run as fast as her limbs would allow. It was always better to run with company and a bit of friendly competition hurt no one, so Hanako tipped her head back and let out a soft request.

Whilst she waited she spent the time putting together a racetrack, a series of lines drawn in the sand with the pointed ends of drift wood. A quick lap there and back to the start, far enough to get the heart thumping but not enough to make it a tedious affair. Hanako was here for a good time, not a long one. As for the starter, she glanced up at the sun above with pursed lips. In a few minutes or so it would hang directly above her, it seemed as good as an objective witness as any other.

"Speech"

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn was slowly working her way northward from Auster into Boreas. She was very much wondering why as she moved across snow laden terrain. Luckily, as she moved farther east and the sun continued to rise most of the snow had melted, and the birds began to sing. She wondered how many would stay and brave the winter. Ideally she wanted to trek north and get a full experience of a northern winter in Boreas before high-tailing her way back into Auster like the summer bird she was.

She'd just reached the bay when she spied a familiar calico woman doing something in the sand. Jynn trotted over and barked out a greeting. "Hey there! What are you up to?"

"Hey yourself!"  Hanako greeted, her tail an enthusiastic white and orange blur. It had been a while since she'd last come across Jynn, but oh boy was she pleased to see a friendly face. She turned to look at her makeshift racetrack and gestured at it with a smug wave of her paw. "It's been aaages since I had a good run, so I thought it'd be fun to put together a race."

Padding to the starting line, she bowed down into a stretch and shimmied her rear a little. It was easier to fall back into playful old habits when the weight of her troubles were left behind at the Armada's borders. None of that nonsense here thank you very much. She shifted her weight from one paw to the next, careful not to step over the line in the sand as her tail kept on wagging.

"So are you game? Start when the sun gets right overhead. Any second now."  

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn peered forward with interest as the calico woman explained that she was setting up for a race. It had been a long time since Jynn had raced anyone but she did love a good run. She was built for running and leaping. When the other woman invited her to race she swiftly nodded. "Yea, I'd love to! By the way, my name is Jynn. I don't think I introduced myself the last time we met." The'd been trying to move so carefully through the plateau and avoid any trouble with ghosts that Jynn hadn't even thought to give her name. She lined up next to the calico woman and looked skyward, waiting for the sun to get into what she hoped was the correct position.

"Oop, you're right." Apparently they'd been too busy exploring, hoping to avoid ghosts whilst they were at it, it seemed. "I'm Hanako. Though most people call me Hana." She personally didn't really mind either way, she was happy to go along with whatever people thought suited her best.

Knowing that Jynn was ready and raring to go, Hanako shimmied on the starting line, each passing second felt like eternity as her muscles coiled in preparation. Granting her race-buddy one last side eye look, just to make sure the maned wolf was as ready as she was, Hanako looked ahead with her eyes narrowing a touch in focus. The sun inched a little more to their right and- GO!

Hanako kicked off into motion, sand scattering in her wake. The wind was chilly, like endless fingers carding through the fluff of her coat, but the blood pumping through her veins was more than enough to keep the worst of it at bay. Orange dabbled paws fell into a swift and blurry rhythm as Hanako fell into her stride with ease. She was running for the fun of it, of course, but winning would certainly keep the smile on her face for a little while longer.

Hanako vs Jynn for Race
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Speedy

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn filed away the calico woman's name while she watched the sun, blinking rapidly so as not to hurt her eyes. A moment later it was in position and Jynn kicked off after Hanako, her long legs eating up the terrain as she pushed herself faster. Sand kicked up in her wake as it occurred to her that she had no idea how far they were supposed to run but she figured she'd just keep going as long as she could or until she hit something that clearly looked like a finish line. Jynn hoped the track wasn't too long as she was more of a sprinter than a marathoner. Tongue flapping in the breeze as she panted she let out a joyous yell and picked up speed.

Jynn vs Hanako for Race
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Master Navigator & Master Fighter
Specialty: Scout

Scenery blurred all around Hanako as she rushed along, yellow, brown and blue all furling together as the pair charged along the length of the course. She'd raced a few other wolves by now, but out of all of them Hanako felt as though Jynn would prove to be the toughest opponent. After all, fair few canines were built as leggy as they were, mostly limbs with lithe frames perched atop. There was a degree of competition between them, it was sort of the point, but Hanako found solace in knowing no one would get hurt in the end.

They were out here to have fun and it showed.

Pushing onto the final stretch, Hanako enjoyed the burn that was beginning to settle in her legs. Her breathing was choppy and laboured, proof of how much effort she was putting in, but rather than feel a desire to ease up she simply doubled down. The finishing line was right there, with a bit more strain she would cross the line in the sand. But who would win? They were so neck in neck it felt truly impossible to say!

"speech."

Hanako vs Jynn for Race
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Speedy

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn took in big gulps of air as she ran, trying not to let herself tire too quickly. Hanako was proving to be an amazing opponent. Jynn had to push herself just to keep up. Still, win or lose, it was just fun to cut loose and see how fast she could go without worrying about whether or not she'd have a meal at the end of the chase. Soon the finish line came into view and Jynn urged herself to continue the pace and not fall behind. This would be a difficult race to call but Jynn would do her best. Sand rocketed into the air with each paw step as birds and crabs scrambled out of the way of the racing wolves.

Jynn vs Hanako for Race
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Master Navigator & Master Fighter
Specialty: Scout

And the winner is...

HANAKO

JYNN was left in the dust! Totals: Jynn: Speed Roll: 53 Stamina Roll: 4 Balance Roll: 96 Total: 153 Speed[53] + 5% Bonus[2.65]: 55.65 Stamina[4] + 5% Bonus[0.20]: 4.20 Balance[96] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 96.00 Total[155.85] + 25% Bonus[38.96]: 194.81 Hanako: Speed Roll: 99 Stamina Roll: 95 Balance Roll: 69 Total: 263 Speed[99] + 5% Bonus[4.95]: 103.95 Stamina[95] + 5% Bonus[4.75]: 99.75 Balance[69] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 69.00 Total[272.70] + 40% Bonus[109.08]: 381.78