A shiver tumbled down Hanako's spine as she bounced her weight between each paw. It was terribly cold out and yet she'd ventured from the Armada all the same, hoping to stretch her legs a little before curling up for a well deserved midday nap. There was a weird tension in the air back home ever since the mess at the border with the Fireside wolves, and though Hanako was on friendly enough terms with their King the same couldn't be said for the rest of the pack at large. She bowed down into a stretch, tail swishing behind her as she loosened up the muscles threatening to get all tense and taut. There was no better place for a quick run, from this end of beach to the other, and though she didn't have company she sensed that would change any moment soon

After all, she stood out bright and clear amongst the black of the sand. Someone would likely happen upon her soon and with a bit of work from her silver tongue she'd be able to chat them into racing her in no time at all. Or at least that was the plan!

"Speech"

She was no stranger to Obsidian Beach. The black sand stretching beneath her paws was a reminder of the storm she had watched as winter rolled in. A chilly breeze nipped at her ankles as her small paws sunk in. It was a familiar place she liked to go on days she wasn't visiting with the Valhalla pack. Breathing in the salty air deep, Audra took to the harder packed areas of the shore. Listening to the lull of waves lapping nearby, her honey-brown eyes cast over the land. Not far off, a white and red wolf stood tall. Curious, Audra's tail flicked back and forth. She wondered what this other girl was waiting for. Feeling rather adventurous and extroverted today, she wandered over to the koi pelted female. "H-hello!" Her voice called out over the rippling winds as her wet paws danced over the sands. "I'm Audra. Here for any occasion?" The smile on her face lit up her honey-brown eyes as she kept her distance, hoping she wasn't intruding.

Hanako wasn't left waiting for long and good thing too since she was shifting her weight between all four paws, ready and raring to go. Turning with a beaming smile, Hanako's tail wagged in earnest sweeps, side to side as the loner drew closer. She, whoever they were, weren't much to look at, but Hanako was quick to brush that side in favour of their friendly disposition. After all, she wanted to run with them, not from them!

"Heya! I'm Hanako. Just looking to race, if you feel like joining me." Her offer was friendly enough, not pushy in the least, but a hint of hopefulness warmed her tone. Making it crystal clear Hanako had her toes crossed she'd say yes. "How about it? From this end of beach to over there?" She asked, raising a paw to point to the distant stretch that lay ahead of them.

It would be a long enough run to get the heart racing and all that good stuff, but not a marathon.

Audra liked this girl's demeanor. Friendly and inviting. As her tail flicked from side to side, she looked down the beach to where Hanako pointed. A race? That was something she'd never done, but it sounded interesting. A good way to stretch her legs. "Sure! I accept," Audra smiled again, turning to face the direction Hanako had pointed. It was quite a stretch down the beach, but wasn't as daunting as running through the forest would be. All she had to do was make it down the sand to the other side before Hanako did... Itching to get going, she waited for Hanako to start since she was the one who initiated. "Ready?" Audra said, glancing sideways at the pretty wolf, her body tingling with sudden anticipation.

Visibly pleased with the loner's response, Hanako offered her the most beaming and bright smile she could muster. Pale lips pulled wide as her eyes crinkled at the corners. Beyond all her material pleasures, racing really made the diplomat happy, as though she was excelling at one thing many others did not. Allowing her racing partner time to settle beside her, neck and neck with paws equally placed, Hanako nodded. She was as ready as she'd ever be.

On your mark. Get set....go!

Hanako kicked off into a sprint, dark sand spraying out behind her as the fire of her paws were quick to set into a rhythm. Running was as free as any wolf could get, and though she loved fishing it was hard to make it into a competitive thing. With races, she could prove she was the fastest and make it look damn effortless too.

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

"Speech"

She'd never raced before, but how hard could it be? Move your paws down the stretch and hope that you make it first. Inhaling a deep breath, Audra watched carefully as the adrenaline seeped through her body. Paw to paw with Hana, she could feel her chest tighten. On your mark. Get set... go! Off she went. Her legs curling up under her body and then stretching out before her. Toes splayed wide as sand kicked up behind them. Her ears flew back as she pushed her head forward, leading her nimble body toward the finish line. Breathing in the salty air with shallow breaths, Audra was in love. The way the wind whistled through her coat and how her heart slammed into her ribcage, demanding she finish first. It was a long way to the end. Still neck and neck with Hana, she grew more determined as they started to edge closer to the finish... Audra vs Hanako for Race Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Small Build: Light Skills: Beginner Healer & -----

The wind howled in her ears as she ran, spurring her on as her heart thumped in tune to the beating of her paws. She'd never been one for hard work, even now she took shortcuts where she was able, but there was something so freeing about running. As though Hanako was so fast all of her troubles and worries just couldn't keep pace and catch up.

The same couldn't be said for her opponent, she was just as swift as Hanako had expected. Small and slim, with short legs more than capable of maintaining momentum as the pair approached the invisible finishing line. To their credit the pair had crossed the stretch of the beach as though it was nothing, steps swallowing the ground as though they were flying, but who had taken the lead? With her vision so blurred by the motion Hanako didn't want to risk slowing down to see. She simply had to have faith in the swiftness of her paws, the outcome of the race would become clear soon enough.

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

"Speech"

The harsh saltiness of the ocean stung at her eyes as they barreled down the beach. With each thud of their paws into the packed sand beneath them, she could feel herself propelling faster and faster toward the finish. Would she finish first? Or would her first attempt at racing end in a loss? Hard set on trying her best, Audra didn't dare look back or forward. Her breathing became ragged as she sensed Hanako was right there next to her. While her opponent was taller, she was of a lighter build, it was most definitely possible that Hana was faster. It would only make sense. They were getting closer now. Audra could see where Hana had pointed to earlier. She could almost smell victory as she closed her eyes at the last moment. The small vixen wanted to savor the end, whether or not she won or lost... Audra vs Hanako for Race Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Small Build: Light Skills: Beginner Healer & -----

And the winner is...

AUDRA

HANAKO lost the race. Better luck next time! Totals: HANAKO Speed Roll: 100 Stamina Roll: 13 Balance Roll: 11 Total: 124 Speed[100] + 5% Bonus[5.00]: 105.00 Stamina[13] + 5% Bonus[0.65]: 13.65 Balance[11] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 11.00 Total[129.65] + 40% Bonus[51.86]: 181.51 AUDRA Speed Roll: 95 Stamina Roll: 84 Balance Roll: 71 Total: 250 Speed[95] + 10% Bonus[9.50]: 104.50 Stamina[84] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 84.00 Balance[71] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 71.00 Total[259.50] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 259.50

Winded, Hanako offered Audra a lopsided smile. She'd managed to pull ahead and managed to snatch victory from right under Hanako's nose! She wasn't even mad, not really, but she still had energy to spare. She wondered if asking for another race would come across as her being a sore loser, like she wanted to go over and over again till Hanako was the victor. It was kind of true but such thoughts lacked true venom, she was having fun and didn't want it to end so soon. That was all.

"Wow. You're fast. How 'bout we go again? There and back like last time?" She asked, bouncing on her paws, eager to go again.

Hopping over to the line, Hanako bowed down into a stretch. Just to make sure she was doubly limber and ready. The first race had been a warm-up, this would be the true test! And...they were off! On the run once more, Hanako's tongue lolled out the side of her mouth. She was really gonna give it her all and not underestimate the competition, she'd gotten cocky and paid the price!


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

"Speech"

_________________________________________________________________ She'd done it! Right at the end, as her paws smacked into the packed sand, her nose reached out and she'd beat Hanako! Excitement trilled inside of her as she beamed back at the koi-colored female. Doing a little dance back and forth on her slim legs, her tail wagged in a wide sweeping motion. She couldn't believe it. Hanako's legs were longer and she obviously was more into racing than she had been, but maybe not for long. The exhilaration she felt was too good to be true. Caught up in her thoughts, she almost missed Hanako's request for a rematch. "Huh?" She said, pulling back to the present. "Yes, again!" Audra chirped, following suit and lining up at their starting line. Twisting her neck back and forth in her own stretch, she shook out her auburn coat, sanding flying in all directions. She was ready... Then she was off with a half-second late start. Folding her ears back and gritting her teeth, she never lost her smile as she raced after Hana. Audra couldn't let her first win be beginner's luck. No way, no how. Kicking up her feet and letting out a happy yip, she kept the finish in sight as she sped alongside her competition. _________________________________________________________________ Audra vs Hanako for Race Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Small Build: Light Skills: Intermediate Healer & Novice Navigator

Hanako didn't even spare Audra a side glance as she pushed on, fully focused on the finishing line. No doubt to onlookers they looked overly serious about this, dashing back and forth as though there was no end in sight, but they were having fun, so what did it matter? If nothing else they were keeping the winter chill readily at bay, as Hanako felt nothing but comforting heat rushing through her veins. Anticipation and excitement mounted, rising with each step.

They were almost there, so close she could taste it. Come on, a little more! And THERE, she'd passed the line! She whipped her head around, eager to see where Audra now was. Behind or ahead?


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

"Speech"

_________________________________________________________________ Mad dashing to the end was all Audra had on her mind. Sand kicked up behind their paws, flinging into the air carelessly to anyone who could've been behind them. Giddy with happiness, she had never felt so carefree before. There was nothing but the open beach, a clear sky, and the two of them on this beach. Nothing could stop their fun in racing back and forth. Her body was warm now, muscles working easily but hard as she was determined to win once more. Pressing forward, her eyes were on the end. Hana was a blur beside her as the finish line neared. Stretching her paws before her, she crossed with one final leap. Breathing hard, attempting to catch her breath, her eyes looked back and then over to Hana. Focused purely on her own trek to completion, she had barely noticed if she was ahead or behind. So who had one? _________________________________________________________________ Audra vs Hanako for Race Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Small Build: Light Skills: Intermediate Healer & Novice Navigator

And the winner is...

HANAKO

AUDRA was left in the dust! Totals: Audra: Speed Roll: 37 Stamina Roll: 1 Balance Roll: 85 Total: 123 Speed[37] + 10% Bonus[3.70]: 40.70 Stamina[1] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 1.00 Balance[85] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 85.00 Total[126.70] + 5% Bonus[6.33]: 133.03 Hanako: Speed Roll: 4 Stamina Roll: 86 Balance Roll: 67 Total: 157 Speed[4] + 5% Bonus[0.20]: 4.20 Stamina[86] + 5% Bonus[4.30]: 90.30 Balance[67] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 67.00 Total[161.50] + 40% Bonus[64.60]: 226.10