ORIGIN

Of the two judges, one stepped forward. Ayr, who's iridescent coat was usually snow-white, was illuminated in the bright green, blue and pink light of Polaris. She was ethereal, a ghost pacing delicately along the stone floor and up to the rock formation, hooves clicking softly as she climbed up.

Mercurius, she'd discovered, struggled with moving. In light of this, she offered to climb the rock on her own and announce the beginning of the obstacle course. 'Take it easy,' had been her actual words to him before she dipped her head and turned to the crowd.

Atop the formation of rocks, the unicorn stood staring down for a moment with slow-blinking eyes, but she did not raise her voice in the slightest to address the gathering of gembounds below, hoping that her presence would be enough to grab their attention.

"Welcome, friends," she said, despite not knowing a single one of them. "Welcome to the Olympic's obstable course. My name is Ayr, and behind me is the wonderful Mercy, and we'll be your judges today." She dipped her pale head backwards to the lion, and then back to the crowd.

"Now, allow me to take you through the course," she continued, indicating to the hurdles with a flick of her tail and a turn of her head. "In the southern side of Polaris you'll be jumping through hurdles. If you're a smaller gembound, you'll find holes in the fencing where you can make the jump. Mercy and I would like to remind you, however, that no flying is allowed if you are capable."

"For the second section, you'll be running two laps around the Spire. Ahhh, try not to touch it in the process."

"Then, you'll make your way to the river," she nodded towards the direction of the river coursing through Polaris. "Near the shore you'll find a bundle of rocks. On some of the rocks you'll find a red mark-- though do be warned that there are many rocks and small red marks, so search carefully! Mercurius and I will be checking the rocks after you've finished the race." There was a short pause, before the unicorn added, "also, there are multiple rocks-- only take one with a red mark, as the others are for other racers."

"Once you find your new friend, make your way back to the Spire where you'll find a glowing boulder and tag it, then turn back and towards the finish line-- keep your rock, of course. Don't abandon the poor thing." There was a hint of humour lacing Ayr's voice as she nodded to the final section of the race, hooves clattering quietly.

"And, finally, a sprint. You may notice that there are a field of flowers there-- but also please keep an eye out for the crater courtesy of the black cat. Racers are reminded that we do have a medic on hand--" she nodded to Oliver "--if you happen to fall down it. But I'm sure everyone would rather you did not trip, hm?"

With this, Ayr turned back towards the crowd, tail flicking back and forth leisurely. "Now, is everyone ready?" She asked, waiting for a chorus of general agreement before she drew herself up a little further, the lights of Polaris dancing off her curled mane.

"On your marks," she said, a little louder. "Get set, and go."

Kera had participated in the Olympics before-- but only the magicka competition, and lost. This time, Kera signed up for all of the competitions. She knew she'd be more likely to win, at least, and she was coupled with the raw determination not to lose again.

She turned her broad head around to listen to the unicorn as she came climbing up onto the rock formation, ears rotating back and forth, and then the broad wolf moved to the starting line to come shoulder-to-shoulder with several other gembound, large and small, preparing.

The wolf gave a small hum to indicate she was ready, and burst off as the glowing creature above gave the order to. It felt good to feel the impact of her paws thumping against the smooth cave floor, and when she came to the hurdles she sprang over them like a rabbit.

A kind of lopsided, heavy rabbit, who's claws scratched the tops of them more than once with a sharp scuff of wood, but a rabbit who'd managed to get through it regardless.

Squick was eager to begin, the worm's small, round body quaking with excitement. It couldn't see Ayr as she made her announcements. Heck, it couldn't even see the course save for the dull, blurred shadow of the first hurdle somewhere ahead of it. But it heard her, and listened excitedly. It peered around before beginning, looking up to the other Hosts assembled ready to compete.

It felt awe that it could exist in the same world as such creatures, beside them, and compete in the same challenges. Even if those challenges weren't meant for such a little worm.

As she called go, Squick let out a startled squelch and began to lumber its way forward, anticipating a stampede of larger creatures to soon overtake it. It was only a worm, after all, and its movements were, if nothing else, painfully slow as it made its way to the first hurdle... curled up... and then flick! It was sailing up and over.

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When I think.