Artisan had decided racing was the coolest shit there was, and eager for more he continued through the western lands of Boreas in search of a new racetrack. The Illusions Oasis was less snow-coated then the rest of the world, and Artisan yearned for a race that didn't ache his paws with the cold. The sand was lightly dusted by still warm enough, and the oasis was not yet covered in a layer of ice. The palm trees were happy-ish, at least they weren't bare and sad like the other trees in Boreas were. He'd decided the circumference of the oasis would be a fine racetrack, and hastily drew a thick line in the snow-mixed sand beside a large palm to mark a start and finish space. When that was complete, the colorful man tipped his head back and howled for an opponent, enjoying the way his voice echoed off the tall bordering rocks and into the world. "Talk" "Listen" Think

Hanako couldn't say she liked the west all that much. The two times she'd swung this way were pretty anticlimactic to say the least, with one pack getting mouthy at her for no reason and the other ghosting her entirely. But this time she wasn't here tending to diplomatic matters. It had been a while she'd been put to work and so she wasn't entirely sure if trusted her enough yet, whether they thought she'd get distracted and trot off into the sunset with whatever dire next caught her eye. She figured her actions so far truly showed where her allegiance lay, but whatever, the situation was workable.

Either way, she found herself seeking out a bit of warmth and was quite miffed to find the west was as chilly as the south. Her pale ears tipped as she heard a call echo out across the land, someone wanted to race? Hanako didn't need to be asked twice. Quick to bounce onto the scene, she couldn't contain her excited little wiggle as her tail swished in greeting. The stranger had set up the area quite nicely, the lines in the dusting of snow clearly marking the track out for the occasion.

"I accept your challenge." Hanako fell in line beside him, muscles already limber and ready from the leisurely jaunt here.

It didn't take too long for a challenger to appear, and already this race was shaping up to be much better then his last because his opponent wasn't a fucking horse. In fact, she was a rather beautiful wolf who reminded him of autumn leaves. "Without any pleasantries?" He gave her a friendly smile, his multicolored tail swishing gently behind him. "My name is Artisan Aracari, it's a pleasure to meet you." His paw drew up to his chest and he gave her a shallow bow of his head as she came up alongside him at the starting line. Perhaps this was one of those wolves who liked business first and talk later, that was fine with Art. He spread his paws in the sand, finding that his center of gravity was harder to determine beneath the uneven ground. His opponent was slender and fit, obviously quite built for speed and likely more experienced in it then he was. His racetrack was sand, sparse grass, and if you cut too short a turn he'd take a tumble right into the freshwater oasis that made the centerpiece of the territory. This would be a real challenge. Artisan cleared his throat and began his countdown. "On one." He clarified. "Ready? Five, four, three, two, ONE!" The man took off, sparing only a glance back at his opponent to ensure they'd broke at the same moment and that nobody had gotten an unfair head start.   Artisan vs Hanako for Race Round 1/? Age: over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Light Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Intermediate Navigator "Talk" "Listen" Think

"You asked for a race, not small talk." She reminded him with a clever smile, though she was willing enough to introduce herself when all was said and done. A quick race seemed like the perfect icebreaker to her, though perhaps her social skills were a little less sharp than she would like these days. Ah well, at least his level of theatrics was enough to keep the mood chill. "We can speak after I leave you in the dust."

By now Hanako was most familiar with running on sand, most if not all of her races had taken place on such terrain and so she wasn't overly concerned about it. The snow was an unwelcome addition and would no doubt make the sharp corners all the more difficult to navigate. She made a mental note of slowing at the bends, but not enough that it would break her stride and allow her opponent to take the lead.

Waiting not so patiently, Hanako followed the countdown as she muttered under her breath. Races weren't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, the only thing on the line was their ego, but Hanako still had no intention of cheating. After all was the fun in that?

And...go!

Kicking off into a sprint, Hanako splayed her toes as best she could, maximising her traction in the hopes of getting a strong start. She'd just met Artisan, but a cursory glance was more than enough to tell her he wouldn't be a push over.


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

Okay, this whole running in sand thing was a terrible idea. Artisan's first few strides fell terribly short as he kicked up more sand then he made ground across. It took him a moment to gather how to splay his paws, center himself, and push off without sinking deeper into it. Hanako was pulling ahead with skillful grace and speed and Artisan would have bitched at her had he not needed his lungs for running. Eventually he found his footing and made his way across the track, curving around the corners and inwardly repeating "don't fall in, don't fall in, don't fall in" as the oasis waters nearly touched his toes. He expected the exertion to overheat him, though there was ample shade across the track generously gifted by the towering palm trees scattered around the water. His lungs were burning, his paws angry and feeling the sharp poke of sand like glass between his toes. Still he ran, hoping with his larger size that he could overtake her in at least stamina and cross the crudely drawn finish line before her. Artisan vs Hanako for Race Round 2/2 Age: over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Light Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Intermediate Navigator "Talk" "Listen" Think

Sand was no problem on its own, but sand AND snow? Yeah, no, Hanako couldn't say she was keen. It was too late to back out now and if she skidded to a halt she'd never be able to live it down. She didn't know this Artisan fellow but she could see him getting smug about it, nyah-nyah I won by default! It still counts! Taking the bend, Hanako couldn't suppress an alarmed EEP as she slipped, her hind left leg splaying out to the side, like she was about to fall back onto her rump. Yanking it back in, Hanako dug in her front paws, hard and dragged herself back into stride. She doubted she would care much if she was the loser, but damn it they were both impressive as heck for managing to run as fast as they were on this terrain!

The tingling burn that settled in her limbs was a welcome distraction from the biting chill of the wind ruffling her coat, honestly spring couldn't come soon enough. For reasons.

Their paws thudded against the earth, filling Hanako's ears, managing to hold its own against the puffing of her breath and beating of her heart. They were getting so close she could almost taste the sweet smugness of victory. She risked a glance to her side, it was hard to say who'd snatch victory out from under whose nose but darn it she wanted to find out, and soon!

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

And the winner is...

HANAKO

ARTISAN was left in the dust! Totals: Artisan: Speed Roll: 11 Stamina Roll: 54 Balance Roll: 13 Total: 78 Speed[11] + 5% Bonus[0.55]: 11.55 Stamina[54] + 10% Bonus[5.40]: 59.40 Balance[13] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 13.00 Total[83.95] + 10% Bonus[8.39]: 92.34 Hanako: Speed Roll: 9 Stamina Roll: 37 Balance Roll: 79 Total: 125 Speed[9] + 5% Bonus[0.45]: 9.45 Stamina[37] + 5% Bonus[1.85]: 38.85 Balance[79] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 79.00 Total[127.30] + 40% Bonus[50.92]: 178.22

Though Artisan had put his full effort into the match, Hanako broke past him smoothly and across the finish line. Artisan gave a loud groan, a good-natured smile upon his maw as he trotted up alongside her and made a show of panting out his exhaustion. "Damn lady you fast." He complimented, splaying his legs and falling into the not-so-warm snow mixed sand. From his vantage point on the ground he could clearly see the divots their paws had dug around the oasis, the sand beneath the snow more visible and darker with moisture. He considered momentarily crawling beneath one of the many palm trees for some shade, but couldn't quite determine whether or not he was too hot or too cold. "Do I get my small talk, now? At least a name?" He urged her from the ground. "Talk" "Listen" Think

Slowing to a trot, smugness thrummed through her veins as Hanako basked in her victory. Artisan had proved himself a competent racer but it just wasn't enough to steal victory from her pale grasp. Her lips quirked up into an amused smile as she watched him flop to the ground with all the grace of a fish on dry land, it was tempting to do the same though not enough to make her throw manners to the wind.

Instead, she settled on her haunches, tail curled around her side, taking a much-needed moment to try and steady her breathing. It was easier said than done, by the time Artisan shot a question her way her breathing was still chopper than she'd like, with unwelcomed gaps between words.

"Mmm, don't see why not. " As though she was oh so gracious for indulging him."I'm Hanako. Pleasure to meet such a friendly face."