She knew she was not supposed to be out here, but well, she’d already explored all there was to offer at home. Who could blame the kid? That and she didn’t want her mum to catch her and worry about the ooze that had gathered around her lips like rabid slobber. She couldn’t hear out of her right ear, her front leg was still prone to the occasional outbreak of oozing where she had knocked a mushroom off, and she hadn’t even realised there was one on her gum until it came out with one of her baby teeth earlier that morning.

She hadn’t even needed to make Erik talk, just gestured with a tip of her head and they had set out together. Chips was keeping an eye on them, she could see that much, and even Fuji’s Kuzu was circling overhead so it wasn’t like they were alone. Their little pink sister was about their size now, but very good at hiding despite her bright coat so for all Morganna knew, she would probably burst from the undergrowth at any moment.

Still, she tried to ignore it as best she could.

Her ears tipped forward at the sight of the standing stones and her tail began to wave at her back, now this was something worth checking out! She gave her brother a glowing (hah!) smile and leaned back just slightly, a silent invitation to race.

Last one there was an oozy monster? Who was she kidding. They both were.

With Morganna, he doesn't need to talk. He doesn't need to speak, he doesn't need to explain himself. He doesn't need to fight against the choking strangeness that seems to well up in his throat when he fights to find the right things to say. Erik doesn't need to do or be anything other than what he is-- that's enough. A tip of her head, and they're off. There was a feeling hanging over their heads, feeling like they were being watched. They didn't need a babysitter, in his mind. He'd sooner bite his own tongue in two than admit that there was something comforting about the shadow Chips cast over them. The standing stones caught his eye a moment later than Morganna's. His head picked up, making eye contact for a moment before nodding once. She leaned back, and Erik did the same. He gathered himself over his hind legs before pushing off with a decent amount of effort. A grunt, a grumble in his chest as he takes off in the direction of the stones. Erik's grin was mostly to himself, for himself. Burning brightly as he made his way off in their chosen direction. Oozy monsters, thing one and thing two. Two peas in an oozy pod.

Erik vs Morganna for race
Round 1/2
Age: under 6m
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

The girl was well off hitting any sort of gangly stage, her legs will still short and her belly round. Though she might squint her eyes and imagine herself with long graceful legs like her mother, hers were still stubby and awkward, but with the wind racing through her fur and the fresh scent of crushed grass under her toes as she propelled herself over the rolling knolls, did it even matter?
She dipped her head down, eyes set on the end goal ahead, taking care to lift her limbs higher to avoid stumbling on a small stone that had rolled down from the hill ahead. Her lungs were burning with each inhale of the crisp night air, and they were only half way there...

"speech"

Morganna II vs Erik for Race
Round 1/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Navigator & Intermediate Intellectual

Both of them are hell on wheels. Emphasis on hell. Erik sees the stone kicked loose by their mad dash, lacking the control over his limbs to dodge it, to step over it. He slips on it, stumbling in his pace. Though there's a pain in the muscle, it's nothing worse than all the usual aches and pains. Pushing through and continuing on was sort of his brand already. At this point, it doesn't really matter. Keep going, keep going.

The boy finds himself pushing harder, propelling himself, throwing himself forward as he attempts to catch up to Morganna. A stride behind, but that was fine. They had both taken off at a dead run, and the race was anyone's game at this point. Wild eyed, brilliant, bright as they chase their way to the Runestones. It was good fun, even Erik would admit that much. These were the days, right?

"speech"

Erik vs Morganna for race
Round 2/2
Age: under 6m
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

With the finish line in sight the girl wouldn't allow herself to falter. Pushing - ever onwards, ever forwards despite the obstacles put in their path, she couldn't wipe the smile from her face knowing that her brother was at her side, and probably, hopefully, always would be. It didn't really matter who won at the end of the day (though she would be a bit bitter for a moment if it wasn't her). As the towering stones came into sight, she stretched out with all she had, propelling herself between two of the upright stones to sprawl on the grass in their center. It would seem the pair weren't the only oozy glowy things out here, the stones themselves gave off a gentle light. She allowed a laugh to escape her heaving chest, not a worry in the world between them in this moment.

"speech"

Morganna II vs Erik for Race
Round 2/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Navigator & Intermediate Intellectual

And the winner is...

MORGANNA

ERIK loses the race. Better luck next time! Totals: ERIK: Speed Roll: 38 Stamina Roll: 25 Balance Roll: 68 Total: 131 Speed[38] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 38.00 Stamina[25] + 15% Bonus[3.75]: 28.75 Balance[68] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 68.00 Total[134.75] + -30% Bonus[-40.42]: 94.33 MORGANNA: Speed Roll: 5 Stamina Roll: 67 Balance Roll: 60 Total: 132 Speed[5] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 5.00 Stamina[67] + 10% Bonus[6.70]: 73.70 Balance[60] + 5% Bonus[3.00]: 63.00 Total[141.70] + -30% Bonus[-42.51]: 99.19