ORIGIN

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The unicorn remained where she was for a moment, standing on the rock formation as she watched the throng of gembounds split down the path and the hurdles, though one specific gembound caught her pale eyes. A straggler, a black wolf, trying to catch up to the crowd.

Ayr had heard of the fight in Eridanus, the war against Bloodberries. She hadn't participated in it, but she'd heard plenty about it. She wasn't too sure if it were one of them-- but a black, scarred wolf trying their best not to be seen? Even Ayr had to admit it was strange.

The ethereal creature bound down from the formation, tail lashing in the air, as she fought to catch up with Jayberry, tilting her head down as she fought to clear some hurdles to come side-by-side with the wolf. "--excuse me," the unicorn managed, breathlessly, "You are, ahhh, one of them, no?"

There was another pause as the unicorn crossed a hurdle, a pale hoof scuffing the wood as she barely cleared it. "The Bloodberries, I mean-- did you get permission to be here from someone? From who, may I ask?" Her voice was as kind as ever, as though she were unaware she were speaking to a literal serial killer.

@Jayberry

The she-wolf stumbled, clearing another hurdle. She wasn't blind, however, and as she raised her head from where her nose had almost hit the dirt, she caught sight of the ethereal white horse had come side by side with her. Eyes widening, she slowed to a trot, asking "One of them?" Although she already had an idea of what the unicorn was speaking of.

And, yes, she was right, and the wolf nodded. "I am, although I wasn't aware I needed permission?" her voice pitched up in confusion. "I don't want to cause any trouble, I'm only here to try and have some fun, although if you'd rather I could bow out?"

Really, she wasn't intending on causing any trouble. If the unicorn asked, she could slip off to the side and watch--from there, she could still look for Mother.

@Ayr

Oh boy! This was going to be great fun!

The dog stood among the others, nostrils twitching, tail wagging violently. He squirmed, wanting nothing more than to bark and play and chase! But, no, this was important business and so he settled for bouncing from paw to paw, ears quirking this way and that, taking in all the other Gembounds. Oh boy, oh boy, he hoped he could meet them afterwards! He wanted to make friends!

Max's tongue lolled out as he listened to the unicorn speak, the ears going in one ear and out the other, nothing more than a dull buzz. He was off almost the moment the unicorn said go, although he was only moving as he began to chase the other canine, barking excitedly. The Golden Retriever bounded, hopping as though he were trying to see above some particularly tall grass, yipping and yowling as he had the time of his life.

And then came the hurdles. Already, he was hopping high enough, and so he changed nothing. He hit the top of the hurdle, and somersaulted over it, rolling head over tail. Coming up on his paws, he shook himself, and continued to run, thoroughly unbothered.

This wasn't really the cat's scene.

But she was curious, and what was the saying? Curiosity killed the cat, wasn't it? Besides, there was always the chance that someone might have a shiny or bauble or something she could make off with, and that would all make it worth it!

So she stood, slightly to the side of the gathering, not wishing to be bitten or eaten or stomped on or trampled. One paw came up, and she licked the long fur between her toes, eyes remaining on the gleaming white of the horned horse. Oooh, that horn was pretty! Her head followed the gleaming horn, entranced by the pretty, although she knew, of course, that there was no way she could ever have it.

And then the unicorn called go!, and she began to run, long legs coiling beneath her, launching her quickly across the ground. She breathed deeply, eyes closing as she simply reveled in running, although she was careful not to go too close to the other Gembounds. Clearing the hurdles came easily to her, mind rapidly calculating as she leaped up, balancing on the top for only a moment before leaping back down, clearing the hurdles one at a time.

The Fossa stood proudly in the middle of the crowd, all the sounds of their murmuring echoing in his skull. He peered out of the eye-holes, the unicorn's radiance seeming to glow even inside of the bleached bone. Oh, she was like nothing he had ever seen before, and he was taken aback. Wasn't she interesting?

He held no fear, did not worry that he would be stomped on or kicked. If it happened, he would deal with it then, but he did not worry about the future--only the here and the now. He had participated in the Olympics last year, when he was an unmarked Gemling, still young and unscarred, not yet wearing his beloved skull; so much had changed in not too many Cycles. He was rather curious to see how things would turn out this time, whether he would rank in the top three (as he had won last year) or if he would be near the bottom of the ranks this time.

And so, when the Unicorn said go, he went. The skull's heavy weight did not throw him off balance, as he had long ago gotten accustomed to it, and he easily loped, long body slinging low across the ground. Leaping up, he reached the hurdles, landing on the top of the barrier and stumbling, nearly falling before continuing on.

Very slowly, Ayr tilted her head. "Your... family," the unicorn began explaining very gently, slowing down to meet Jayberry's pace. "Have killed and fought and forced a great many gembound into their chrysalis. You may not mean to cause trouble while you're here, but I'm afraid there may be people who are... uncomfortable, with your presence."

Ayr was one of them, of course-- but she wasn't about to try to wrestle Jayberry out of the race. Violence, for all Ayr was concerned, was definitely not a valid answer to anything. The unicorn cast a brief glance out to the crowd, and the throng of racing gembounds up ahead as she weaved past a hurdle, not wanting to risk jumping again.

"I would suggest," Ayr said very quietly as she came to a stop, her head bowed, but her tone beginning to subtly frost over with her next words. "Hiding while you can. There may be those who wish to engage battle with you while you remain, and I've no right to stop them if they wish to avenge their friends or, Caves forbid, family that you or your own took from them."

She waited for the other racers to pass before the ethereal creature took steps back towards Mercurius to continue watching the rest of the gembounds. "It is your choice, Bloodberry, but I'm afraid you'll find very little allies here. Good luck to you, whatever you decide." Ayr's tone was, at least, genuine. She wished Jayberry good luck, and then she breathlessly went panting back towards Mercy to watch the obstacle course continue.

@Jayberry

"Speech."Kallista decided to join the obstacle course as a rather spur of the moment sort of thing. As she headed to where the competition was to took place, she took comfort in the fact that Todd would be there, watching her. Cheering her on, no doubt. She smiled at the thought as she looked up to the unicorn and listened.

And then the signal to start was given, and she quickly bunched her legs up and started running. She got a shaky start - there were more gembounds here than she was used to, far more. She nearly got pushed over a couple of times, but she managed. And when she got to the hurdles, she didn't do too well there either. But she still managed to clear them - even if her stomach brushed over them, throwing her off slightly.

But she just shook herself a little and continued on.

Lamia had timed this all well. She had been able to preserve most of her water in her body by breathing small breaths and it would most likely be enough for her to get through this obstacle course, although it would probably be a little uncomfortable. But if Lamia was anything, it was determined and the exhiliration of this change, of being out of the water, it made her fearless.

She lined up with the others and looked around. Land dwellers were so varied in shape and color. Most of the fish she met looks quite similar, with the same bulging eyes, the scaley skin, and the intelligence of a rock. But these creatures...they were fascinating. Large four-limbed creatures covered with thick, fluffy fur. A huge glowing white beauty with a horn on its head. A strange creatures with mismatched limbs and wings that reminded her of Tenzin. A little speck that looked like an ugly minnow. And so many more in the crowd. It was awe inspiring.

But then they were moving and Lamia knew it was time to go. With a hoarse grunting noise, she began to crawl forward with all the speed she could muster. There were things in front of her that she saw the others leaping over and she decided to go for it. She got to the first one and bunched her tail behind her like a spring. With the strongest thrust she had, she pushed on the ground and went soaring over the first hurdle. She did the same with the others, although it had been admittedly quite slow. Still, she had done it! Gotten through the first challenge. She dared to take a breathe of her preserved water as she began to wriggle her way to the next part of the race.

Alright, it was time for some goddamn, rootin'-tootin' redemption. After losing the race last year to some no-life dragon that he could only remember the vague silhouette of, Howl had been seething. Every moment of his life had lead to this point. This would be the eminence of his efforts; and, for once, the hybrid was planning to play completely fair. No trash talk, no shit-throwing. Just him and the course. No distractions!

"On your mark," said the unicorn, softly, "go."

"AH'M GWYNE KICK ALL Y'ALL'S ASSES, Y'HERE?" Okay, well, that wasn't really trash talk, right?

Anyways, the hybrid shot off like a bullet, jaws cracked wide-open in a manic grin. He came right to the fences very quickly, and slowed down if only to gather strength in his hind legs. Howl's tail hiked up and over his back ('time to own tis show!') as he sprung.

Time had done kind things to Pollux, she had grown considerably in her time wandering the caves. As she had wandered about she heard the word of the Olympics. Naturally, it peaked the hybrids interest so she was quick to find her way there and get involved in at least one of the events. Her frail body was not meant for wrestling, and her magick skills were subpar, but agility... now that was something she could handle.

She found herself among the writhing mass of gembounds. There were so many about! It was in moments such as these that she wished her voice worked. But, she simply listened eagerly to all the chatter before turning her attention to the unicorn. After a quick description of the course and some rules, they were let loose.

Pollux bunched up her back legs and pushed hard off the ground. Running wasn't her strong suit as her front legs didn't really bend, but speed hopping was a thing. The hurdles came up quickly as she jostled for space to jump.

Pollux thinking.

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Ayr

Jayberry

Max

Calypso

Mayngo

Ayr

Kallista

Lamia

Howl

Pollux