He was not the first to arrive, far from it. As he approached the starting line he took in the sights of all the wolves lining up at the starting line. All of them were going to race? For a moment he wondered if he would see Dutch, amber eyes shifting around to find her familiar form but- fortunately- she was not there. Thoren knew nothing of her fling’s appearance, perhaps if he did he would have realized that he was positioning himself within a wolf or two of the pale male. Oblivious to this fact, Thoren squeezed in, offering apologetic glances to the wolves on either side of him before he hunkered down, muscles coiling lightly until just before the race began. Who knew, maybe his somewhat keener sense of sight would give him an advantage today? Perhaps not… "this is speech."

She had decided to come with her family, and of course, Holland and Rags were here. By now, she knew the woman had physical difficulties, so when she sidled up to her side along with her brothers kids, she cast a grin Rags' way. "Heya Rags, you'll do fine! We can run together if you want?" She was willing to race alongside the disabled woman, though she wasn't certain how well she'd keep up if her feet decided to give out on her at some point. Still, Kairi would be supportive and be a good sport about the whole thing. Glancing around, she didn't really recognize anyone else here but man there were a lot of faces. Packs from all over were here, and likely some loners though it was hard to pick out individual scents. Either way, she readied herself for when the race started, confident she'd do well. "Speak"

art by Birmapus

Theta was surprised when she found such a large gathering of wolves. They were all waiting and clamoring about something. Theta wondered what it was that could attract this many wolves. She saw wolves of all size and ages, pups to the elderly, tall to short. Theta couldn’t pick out much from the words that were being said but she got the idea that it was a race. She wasn’t going to bother about being picky as to where she stood or who she stood next to. Theta edged her way into the crowd and began to wait for the starting signal.

Strangely he hadn’t seen anyone from the empire in attendance, but the wolves that were there were mostly large and imposing. With his size and build he couldn’t say with any certainty how he would do but as he stripped off the saddle bag and gave it to Fauldr he felt light as a feather. He stepped into place at the starting line and crouched, muscles braced as he prepared to kick off from the ground and run for all he was worth. Like most of his actions Rain glared determinedly at the finish line he spoke no words but felt his jaw clench, his paws digging deep into the soil, if nothing else he had been made for this. "Rain lines up at the starting line! "Talk"  "Thought"   "You"

Many of his family had joined the race, his tail flicking slightly as he brushed not so subtly against Hannibal’s tail and found an empty place to stand in. He shook himself briefly so his fur settled neatly into place before he took his spot beside the smallest wolf he had ever seen aside from his sister and poked his tongue through his teeth to lick his lips. This would all be in good fun he was sure but the competitive edge in his heart wanted him to at least do well in the event and bring honor to the Klein family and their empire. Rosemary lines up at the starting line Speaking  Thinking you

The festival was beautiful so far and he delighted in Célestin’s company through the events. A race seemed like a grand affair to him although he had been too young to compete when he was in his home country. He lined up next to a female in black and white that he discovered was actually a man once his scent wafted toward him and gave a second glance at the other wolves beside him. Several of them seemed to have the black and white coloration but one in particular caught his attention who didn’t quite fit in with the others. He was as large as he was and red coated with a strange brown brindling that struck him as odd. He filed the thought away for later and crouched into position, trying to clear his head as he made a mad dash for the finish line. Pegasus lines up at the starting line speaking Thinking  you

he was late to the starting line, and by the time he arrived he had been pushed to the very edges of the line-up. spotting Kairi, Rags and two of Torin's children all close together, Holland should've made an effort to go with his Lirim packmates. but he didn't want to crowd them; there was a large group around them with little room for him. so he merely took a free place and stretched his long legs while waiting for the start of the race. this would be... interesting. there was a sheer amount of wolves looking to win, let alone participate. he only hoped to get a participation award. his goals weren't very high. "SPEECH" holly lines up!

Though not much of a fighter, Zee was built for speed. As soon as she heard there was to be a race, she abandoned her treasure hunting, stashed away the tickets found in the dirt and headed for the starting line. It seemed she got there on time, many wolves were already lined up and waiting. Within the opponents she saw the familiar faces of her Klein masters as well as that of Deathbelle and Archon. She gave her mistress a soft smile of encouragement, pleased to see that she could enjoy herself even in her encumbered state. Gaze drifted to Luce who had a not-as-pleased expression upon her face, and Zee couldn't help but giggle. The Klein healer was so very protective, but surely a simple race wouldn't pose danger to the pups, right? Besides, if things got rowdy and rough Deathbelle had a massive number of allies spread out among the line - Zee guaranteed any of them would stop their sprints to defend the Empress. Stretching out her limbs, Zee settled at the far end of the gathered wolves and ducked low against the ground in preparation. As soon as the start was motioned, she'd be able to kick off and give it her all. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Cannival peeked her head around a boulder, scanning the line for any wolves she recognized from Abaven. So far Shaye, Rhyme and Motif were not among them and so she moved quickly to the far end of the line to take her place. She was living in Risen to pay back Rain for the assistance he'd offered her, and though she felt guilty for not telling the Abaven wolves of her intentions she was not ready to face them yet. It wouldn't be forever, she told herself. Just until she'd felt that she'd paid back the Risen healer. She crouched, prepared to spring. A lioness was surely faster then all these wolves, right? Hopefully she'd not be disqualified. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Fracture was lounging in the sun when he saw a flash of ivory walk passed. He recognized her immediately as his pack-mate Heloise, one of the few wolves he lived with that he'd actually shared words. Curiously, he pulled himself to his feet and wandered along in the direction she'd gone. In view came a line of wolves, obviously eager and ready to race. The black male's ears perked with intrigue, and he squeezed in beside Heloise to offer her a smile. "Hello, and good luck." He wished her, turning his head to stare out in the direction of which they'd run. He stretched his limbs lazily, and then set himself in a position for racing- mismatched gaze fixed upon the finish line. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Amaretto moseyed up to the starting line and then covertly began to check out the wolves around her. There were a wide variety of wolves present. They were all different shapes, sizes and ages, and she thought she saw at least one big cat. This was all new territory to her and while she found some things unsettling, Amaretto was loving every second of it. She was like a sponge soaking up every drop of strangeness the event had to offer. If she ever made it home she would have to tell everyone about this bizarre get together, although she wasn't sure anyone would believe her. "Speech"|"Ademre"

Oh...my. This was not one of his better ideas, but when signing up for the race he hadn't given the size difference between himself and the rest of the participants much thought. He'd heard the words 'tickets' and that was about it, so now, standing not even knee high to the average participant, it was just beginning to sink in how utterly out of his element he was. Oh well, too late now. He was "in the shit" as the saying went.

Armando eyed the tall wolves all around him. Maybe he could ride one of his neighbors to the finish line and then fling himself over his or her head at the last second thus ensuring a decent finish. It would be his luck, though, that his 'horse' would take offense and buck him off or maul him for his winnings after the race.

Iroh pranced into place as he saw the growing number of wolves take up their place in line. His eyes glittered with excitement as his tall not quite as barrel bodied form took its place near the other risen wolves. And lioness. The boy smiled in their direction, finding himself also noting the smaller bear, cat, racoon thing. H couldn’t help his stare, but pulled his gaze away as he had to focus on the race. He wanted to win and bring glory to Abraxas name. Iroh felt himself fall into a ready stance, ears back and head low as he coiled his limbs and prepared to sprint to the finish.

As Imperia and Solitude found Lou in the sky Rhyme’s blue and lavender eyes would fall on Theo’s tall form. The slate alpha made his way closer to her as he skimmed over the other wolves that gathered. He couldn’t miss Ashmedai, which caused that all too familiar pang in his heart. He hated how their relationship had deteriorated, but he sook the thoughts from his head. He had to get in the game, this was a fun event and he couldn’t dwell on the unchangeable.

Rhyme couldn’t help but offer Samara a good luck wink before nudging Theo’s shoulder. ”Good luck, kid. You’ll need it if you want to beat your pop.” He chuckled deeply as his joints bent and his limbs coiled, ready to the starting line to race.

The little sprout sprinted over to the start point. He didn’t like the idea of being amongst all those moving feet, so his eyes immediately sort out the large lioness, and he darted over towards her. “‘excuse me, excuse me” he said as he ducked under paws, walked under stomachs, and in general navigated the crowd the only way a short wolf could.

He appeared beside Canni, and stole a spot right under her legs. Considering how easily he could walk under her belly without even brushing against it with his head, it was easy to place himself directly between her two front paws. His back bristled, and his tail fluffed up as he set himself ready to go. “Keep them fumbling giants from squishing me, eh?” he said to his friend.

(extra small)

She found Rhyme and Theory easily enough, her height well not quite so superior in this gathering, it still gave her enough of an advantage to find a wolf or two. She put herself on the opposite side of Theory, grinning down at her young apprentice, before looking up at Rhyme.

She heard the tail end of Rhyme’s speech, but it was enough to give her a good grasp of what he was saying. “Bring it, we can toast you any day” she said, nudging Theory and winking as through to say she and the younger wolf where a team. She set her stance, prepared to spring at the moment the race started. Her adrenaline already pumping.

The titan knew he was good for short, fast spurts, in the way a boulder could move. Long distance running, and racing in general? He knew he didn’t stand a chance. Of course, that wasn’t going to keep him from the start line. He knew a challenge when he saw one, and he wasn’t about to let Zee charge down that line without him acting like he was chasing her. He wanted the smaller wolf to win, even if he wouldn’t say it.

He found Deathbelle, already tucked in between Archon and Hannibal, and shook his head with a silent sigh. He made his way towards Zee instead, who set herself near the end of the line, and appeared beside her. “Last one to the line is on grooming duty.” he teased her quietly.

There were too many wolves. The youth would look at the festival grounds from afar hesitantly. He’d been told that this would be a good place to come to…but…with so many around the chances of him getting snatched were much higher. Perhaps if he started a fight…he could be protected? Fights were against the rules if he remembered right… Feeling a bit more confident he would slink forward towards the festival grounds and towards a massive gathering of wolves. Big wolves, small wolves, giant wolves, tiny wolves…wolves of all size and age seemed to be here. Nervously, he would settle at the edge of the starting line, shaking out his fur with anxiety as he waited for the race to begin. Glancing around he would note the stance many took and would find his own comfortable twist on the stance and wait at the ready. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if he won and beat these older wolves?

Célestin moved his way along the starting line, his gaze swinging around as he searched for his companion. He shouldered his way in beside his friend, shaking out his limbs to loosen himself out. He hadn't ever really had proper races, he had been competative with his brother, especially after he'd started acting like an asshole but he'd never really been one for running. Still he'd be damned if he was going to lose, at least to Pegasus. "Loser has to peek under the merchant's cloak?" He asked, winking at his friend. He took up the same position Pegasus had adopted. -Célestin takes up position at the starting line- Walk, "Talk", Think

Wyvern walked with her head held high, she wasn't totally sure she was all that excited by a race. She was hardly one for getting her paws dirty and she had no doubt being jostled around in a wild dash for the finish line would be just that but she'd be damned if she wasn't going to win. Of that she was sure. She glanced along the line, hoping to spot anyone familiar and while there were one or two familiar faces from Winterfell no one she really had spoken too. So she found a space that was less crowded, choosing not to fraternize. Wyvern stretched her limbs, feeling her muscles stretch and loosen. She spotted Farai moving off to stand on the sidelines where a few others were watching the racers. She assumed what she thought of as the proper starting position, not that she actually knew of course. "The Princess Decrees!" ~ "The Princess Considers! ~ "Farai Speaks"