Hanako had caught wind of a newcomer joining the Armada's ranks. It wasn't every day a new face appeared on the block and the diplomat was eager to get a sense of what sort of person they were. Would they be just another brick in the wall, a warrior who was only interested in gaining strength? She certainly hoped not. Though that was good and all for the pack, she sometimes wished people weren't so serious around here. There was plenty of time to train and surely they knew there was more to life than beating people up! Races for instance were a much better use of time, or so Hanako -not so- humbly thought.

With a jaunt in her step, Hanako found a neat little spot and tipped her head backwards, calling out for the newcomer to come and join her. There was no demand in her voice, she wasn't throwing her weight or title around, it was just a laid back request. Come hither if you are free, sort of deal.

In the meanwhile she eyed the stretch of beach with a cunning smile. She'd raced Mortis the first time they'd officially met, perhaps this was a trend she ought to lean back into. A nice way of cutting the ice.

"Speech"

For Dream, things were still very much sinking in. Maybe some part of himself didn't think he deserved it, or maybe he was just because he was so used to being alone all the time, but it felt like none of this was actually happening, like he was -ironically enough- dreaming. He had joked before that lady luck was usually on his side, but never to the point where he'd expected to be accepted into a pack. Packs were units of the most capable wolves, chosen specifically by their alphs to help protect the territories they claimed. There weren't too many of them in these parts, maybe a dozen or so, and they had literally dozens and dozens of other wolves and canines to choose from. The odds had never been in his favor- he was too young, too inexperienced, too uneducated in how things worked- and yet when he'd come to the border that day on the verdge of falling apart if he couldn't get some fucking social interaction, Sirius hadn't run him off. Instead he'd interviewed the blonde nd gave him a tour, leaving breadcrumbs of temptation that had made the tall canine want to throw himself headfirst into the midst of it all.

It had been a few days since then, and Dream had only really met one other member of the Armada- Sirius's son, Mortis. The blonde wolf had to admit that the winged heir was quite likeable, and he hoped to eventually say they were friends instead of just packmates. Dream could use some friends.

The sound of a howl calling for him caught himm by surprising, causing him to still for a moment in quiet curiosity. It had been... a very long time since anyone had sun out for him specifically and for a moment he thought he might have been mistaken, that it was meant for someone else. 'Don't be stupid' he told himself, setting off in the direction of the beach. He tried to imagine who it might be but the reality was that he'd never heard that voice before in his life, and so he wasn't really sure what to expect when he got there.

When he arrived there was only one other person out there, a she-wolf with ivory fur stained in calico. Dream was quickly learning that he was among the more plain wolves in the pack, having not yet met one that didn't have something unique or special about them. Did it make him a little envious? Sure. But not in a way that would make him cold toward his packmates. If anything, he was bitter with himself for not being able to offer them more. While he was among the tallest of the normal wolves, the dire heights, massive fangs, wings, and unique markings left him feeling uncertain about where he'd measure up with these more superior wolves. He'd have to work twice as hard to keep up and even harder if he wanted to surpass them, and as someone who couldn't stand being looked down on, you could bet your ass that Dream was going to find the time and energy to get it done.

"You rang?" he asked as he padded over, lips tugged into a small smirk. His tall, well muscled frame was relaxed and his words were friendly and casual, having yet to be given a reason to act otherwise.
"Speech"

Hanako was very rarely in any rush these days, but the newcomer's sense of punctuality was appreciated. She turned to greet him, her mannerisms soft and welcoming, with any and all judgments hidden well behind a bright smile. He was a fairly plain looking guy, but given the Armada had a wolf with a coat of puke yellow in their ranks Hanako couldn't write him off as ugly. Anything was better than that.

"That I did."  Her tail wagged as a friendly banner, beckoning him close. " I'm Hanako. I Just wanted to welcome you to the Armada, it's lovely to have another friendly face around here. How are you settling in?" It had been a while since she'd really met anyone new like this, a chance to fall back into old habits and sharpen her people person skills. Lest they get too rusty.

And then she paused, her smile turning sheepish. "Actually, I thought I might trouble you with a race. If you are willing. To this side of the beach to over there, maybe?"  She pointed with the slender line of her muzzle, eyes alight with a hopeful gleam.

To be honest, Dream hadn't been doing much when she'd called for him- nothing important, at least. And so it hadn't been much of a toss up between following the call and going back to what he was doing, as one was clearly more interesting than the other. The koi wolf introduced herself as Hanako, going on to welcome him before asking how he was settling in. She was among the first to do so, and while he figured that it was partly a matter of strategy -because had the roles been swapped then he definitely would want to know who the new face in his pack was- he was still greatful for her willingness to humor him. The entire reson that Dream had come to the Armada in the first place was because he was tired of being alone, and so any oppurtunity to get closer to these new wolves was a welcome one.

"It's been pretty good, actually. I still have to meet the rest of the pack, but so far, but Mortis and Sirius have been cool and the territory is fucking awesome. Definitely beats the setup I had going." he admitted with a grin. It hadn't been horrible, but as someone who was constantly bouncing from one place to another it was difficult to create larger, impressive camps like the one the Armada had to offer.

At the mention of a race Dreams ears would pricked foreward slightly in interest. The female looked fast, built more for speed then he was, but he was no slow-sally. Besides, a race would be a great way to feel out this new clanmates abilities while testing his own. Really, Dream was always down to hone his skills or push his limits, something he clanmates would likely learn quickly once they got to know him.

"Sure, sounds like fun! " he replied, readying himself on the invisible line she'd pointed out.

"Speech"

There was no denying his enthusiasm was infectious. The Armada had plenty of faults, all packs did, but his words rang true in Hanako's mind and mirrored her own when she'd first joined. More or less. Besides, it was nice to talk to someone who was so upfront in speaking his mind, unafraid to be casual in the company of his betters. The more laid back people the better, honestly.

"I'm glad to hear it. They ain't bad for a pair of giants, are they?" She raised a fiery paw, hovering it over her head in a demonstration of their dire heights. "Do lemme know if you need anything to help settle in, I'll do what I can."

And then onto the fun stuff.

Standing right beside him on the starting line, Hanako wiggled in anticipation.

On your mark. Get set. GO!

Kicking off into a dash, Hanako whipped across the beach, a joyous laughter spilling from her lips. She'd been running so much lately but it never got old, every new opponent provided a new challenge and she was eager to win! Glancing to the side, she risked to see where Dream was and wondered who would pull ahead at the last moment. After all, from what she saw they were neck and neck. Close as could be as they charged along, paws thudding and hearts racing.

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

Dream was glad that he'd spent a lot of his free time wandering the beach. Not only was it wherethe clans main training setup was located, but as a wolf who'd grown up alongside bodies of water, things like fishing and swimming and diving were commonplace for him. The feeling of the sand beneath his paws was familiar and comfortable despite not being as firm as the soil of the grasslands, and as he held the line waiting for the signal he kept his green eyes locked on the prize; the other end of the beach.

On your mark, get set, go!"

Dream sprung foreward with a powerful thrust of his hindlegs, a grin and a laugh on his muzzle as he surged foreward. He might not be as lean or aerodynamic as Hanako build-wise, but he had pleanty of power in his long legs and sure-footed paws. Side-by-side they rushed foreward, a spray of send left in their wake like to demons were tearing up the shoreline. He couldn't tell who was ahead of who, but he was certain at some point one of them would pull ahead, and he was putting his money on Hanako, who seemed far more familiar and experienced in this little game of theirs.

.Hanako vs Dream for Race
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigation
Specialty: None

"Speech"



Hanako easily fell into the old routine, her limbs moving with swift ease. Almost blurring together in a meld of orange and white as she charged down the beach. Now that she thought about it Hanako realised she only raced on beaches, but why? She supposed she liked the feel of sand beneath the soft pale of her pads, it was familiar and she knew how to move without losing traction. Did that mean she was slower on drier land? Heck no! But maybe she ought to test it one day, just in case.

Focusing on the here and now, Hanako realised there wasn't long left. Just a few paces more and the winner would soon be revealed. She couldn't wait, the not knowing was killing her!


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

"Speech"

You know, for much of Dreams life he'd considered himself a happy guy. Sure, there were days when boredom would make him anxious or multiple failed attempts during a hunt would leave him frustrated as he was made to learn from his mistakes, but he'd always been under the impression that things were good. Great, even.

But oh, how wrong he was.

The Armada continued to prove him wrong each time he turned a corner. It was a little jarring at first, learning that you had the definiteion of something so wrong your entire life, understandibly leaving him wondering just what else he was missing out on. This moment with Hanako, as simple and random and seemingly insignificant as it may seem, was one of those reminders. A reminder that happiness was so much more raw and real than he ever thought it could be, not just a content warmth in his heart, but a burst of adreniline and electricity through his veins that made him feel alive. Because it wasn't just happy, it was fun, something he''d so seldom gotten to taste in his time alone that it was hard to identify now that it was everywhere.

And he let that feeling give him strength, let it surge through his body to spark the gleam in his green eyes and pull a genuine smile onto his lips, muscles working methodically like gears and pistons firing off in his body to make his legs strong and steadfast over the sand, racing along with his packmate as if paradise were almost within their reach. But who would reach it first?

Hanako vs Dream for Race
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Hunter & Beginner Navigater
Specialty: None
"Speech"



And the winner is...

HANAKO

DREAM lost the race. Better luck next time! Totals: HANAKO Speed Roll: 95 Stamina Roll: 85 Balance Roll: 86 Total: 266 Speed[95] + 5% Bonus[4.75]: 99.75 Stamina[85] + 5% Bonus[4.25]: 89.25 Balance[86] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 86.00 Total[275.00] + 40% Bonus[110.00]: 385.00 DREAM Speed Roll: 90 Stamina Roll: 81 Balance Roll: 43 Total: 214 Speed[90] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 90.00 Stamina[81] + 5% Bonus[4.05]: 85.05 Balance[43] + 5% Bonus[2.15]: 45.15 Total[220.20] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 220.20