Get ready... {Adult Race}

[Lan]

The Winglet Race had already took place, and now it was time for the Adult Races. The set up was similar... one platform containing the starting and finishing line, and another platform far into the forest set up with flags. Only there were three times the flags that were at the Winglet Race. For the Adults, it would be a relay. G'len and Alianph had thought it sounded best, since it would even the odds by counterbalancing speed with stamina. Alianph checked the stretch of the course again, gliding leisurely as his amber eyes checked ever length of the race course to make sure there was nothing that had changed that could be deemed hazardous. Then he circled back, landing with ease and dignity next to the still Senior Commander of the Eyrie. It was a good day... and not just because not too long ago he had proven himself again to Eceph. Today he would host a race. It was a nice change from simply flying sweeps non-stop.

The Adult Race shall begin shortly. All participants and their riders should meet at the stands in ten minutes! The black's mental voice boomed to not just the contestants, but all simourvs. After all, what was a race if there was no one to watch? And it was for a fair prize as well. Not that it would be disclosed before the end. Alianph wanted no foul play in this match, not that he totally suspected any. It was meant to be fun and a chance for his siblings to stretch their wings in a way that wasn't for war or duty. When all the contestants had come, the Commander passed out numbers so that they could be easily identified. Number one for K'ean and Red Seronaph, two for Ts'kal and Rainbow Aburoqaph, three for Es'tev and Red Hjolteph, four for M'ari and Green Valenph, and finally five for Fe'ra and Green Liliph. As soon as all were situation, G'len mounted the his large lifepartner and gave the rules.

"For those of you who saw the Winglet Race, this race will be very much the same... only longer." After a moment's pause, he continued, "On the signal, you will mount your simourv and will fly to the designated platform far out into the forest. Once there, your rider will take one flag with your designated number and then you both will bring it back here and place it on your designated pedestal. After this you will go a second time for your second flag, and a third time for your final flag. Are we clear?" G'len swallowed and paused for questions. When there didn't seem to be any, he decided it pertinent to continue.

"While it shouldn't need to be said, there is to be no fighting, quarreling, jabbing, or stealing of another contestant's flag. If Alianph or I catch such behavior, you will instantly be disqualified." Here Alianph gave a snort for emphasis and eyed each of his siblings squarely to make sure even on the simourv side the rules were understood. "Alianph will count us off today." G'len gave an affectionate pat to the neck of the very large black simourv he rode.

Toes on the line, with equal spacing between you all... Alianph began, then waited for all the racers to follow the instructions. There was a long pause, and then he began the count-down. On your mark... The black's wings spread wide as he readied himself to take off as well to fly in a position where he could watch the race. Get set... His legs bent into a low crouch and all was still except for the twitching muscles of anxious simourvs ready to fly. There was an appropriate pause to build the tension, then in a loud mental projection that could be hear by all the simourvs and people in the area, Alianph and G'len as a unit declared:

GO!

[‡§åkørü‡]

MINE!

Aburo, I know. Shut up. I'm going as fast as I can.

Oh, miiiiine!

Aburo! Shut UP!

The simourv finally did as he was told, but it was impossible to shut him up entirely. The mental voice could be turned off (which Ts'kal found a little sad), but it was impossible to silence the incessant trilling and chirruping that punctuated every one of Aburoqaph's breaths. Wriggling in excited glee, the rainbow pattered his tail against the ground, practically rolling about as his rider made sure the harness was on tightly and properly. When Aburo got going, he really got going, and a fall from him would mean certain death. Granted, Ts'kal never put the harness on improperly - he was mostly just trying to make his simourv shut up and wait for once in his life. Not that he minded the ceaseless chatter, it was just... ceaseless. There was no end to it, ever. Unfortunately, that was no excuse not to let the excited rainbow race - he was so excited to try and win that it would have broken his heart not to be allowed to participate. Not that His minded; Ts'kal loved races, especially on simourv-back. Okay, Aburo. All ready?

Yupyupyup! Mine, let's gooooo! I wanna raceracerace! Aburoqaph whined. At last Ts'kal complied, and they headed to the stands, cheerily accepting their number from G'len. Ts'kal fastened the large number "two" to Aburo's harness, tying it where it could be easily seen, but not where it would interfere with riding. And then they settled in to wait, human patiently and simourv less-than-patiently. They both nodded as G'len asked "are we clear?" and committed the rules to memory. Of course, both simourv and rider looked at each other incredulously when the blackrider actually had to explain that there was to be no cheating, violence, etc. If anyone committed those crimes it wasn't going to be them. At least there were no direct accusations; when Alianph looked at him, Aburoqaph chirped positively, golden eyes bright with enthusiasm and understanding. He would be good! He'd be very, very good! And fast, and fabulous, and, well, colourful!

Aburo, shut up or we'll miss the start.

The start came immediately. Having already been lined up exactly as they were supposed to be, the rainbowpair were swift to act. Ts'kal launched himself into the saddle and, almost before he was seated, Aburoqaph shot into the air, squealing with delight. Pure enthusiasm radiated from him; shrieking his excitement, the little rainbow dashed forward, intent on getting ahead of everyone else. As the smallest simourv he had an advantage in speed, but he didn't have the stamina of the bigger participants. So, his plan was to win right away! Yup! Then he wouldn't be able to burn out and maybe he'd even beat the big reds!

Either way, the rainbowpair paid no attention to the other competitors, focused only on their target and the sheer fun of it all. The wind rushing over their wings was a glorious feeling, and both of them reveled in the sensation. Plus, there was the terrific fear of being overtaken that pushed Aburoqaph to fly as hard as he could, chirruping excitedly. It didn't take long before they (and the other participants, they suspected) reached the forest platform, seized their flag, and started on the trip back. With any luck, they were ahead, but even if they weren't, they were being good! Good good good!

[zeis]

M'ari double checked his own harness as the black-pair explained the rules, grinning like a fool as he fiddled with the buckles. He was looking forward to this. Not only because he and Valenph loved the thrill of flight and the feel of the wind in their faces, as every self-respecting rider should, but because Valenph had explicitly forbid him from drinking until the race was over. The green had been rather emphatic about it. Mead she said, fuzzed his mind and thus made her own slightly dulled. He had of course obliged his dear green's wish, as his first mug of celebratory mead after winning would taste all the finer.

We may not win. Aburoqaph is fast, and the red's are steadfast. Valenph whispered to him distractedly as she got into position, sidling along to give herself equal spacing, and lining up her toes along the line. Her voice was more animated than normal, excited and humming with anticipation. She loved to race, she truly did, even if she wasn't the fastest green at the Eyrie. That didn't matter, winning didn't even matter. All she cared about was having a good time with hers, her siblings, and theirs. How about second place?

At the signal, M'ari flung himself with unusual force and speed onto Valenph's foreleg, scrambling up her side in such a hurry that he was forced to laugh at the ridiculousness of it. He snapped himself securely in place and sent the mental command to Valenph that all lay well. The green, who had been shifting and twitching anxiously, launched herself into the air alongside the others. In a flurry of bright green and dark crescent striped wings she rose, one of two green competitors. Her strategy was nonexistent, she would simply go as fast as she dared for as long as she could. It was bound to be a good time.

As was probably predicted by the crowd, after the first starting burst Aburoqaph was in the lead, followed by Liliph, with Valenph close behind her, striving to catch up. Behind her were the two reds, though she didn't chance a look behind her to tell the order. They reached the platforms quickly, and M'ari seized the flag before the wheeled around heading back. She knew their lead on the reds was only a temporary one. If they were not careful, the larger simourv would outlast them.