[BotT RACE] Westfen

[LOLLI qAq]

The tinkling of water over rocks reached his ears, and though he was loathe to stop when he'd just gotten going ... The thought of water brought a parched throat to immediate attention. He stopped to take a long drink around the stick and hydrate himself.

The cool water felt amazing.

Energy: 56
Feet: 5  

[LOLLI qAq]

Unfortunately for him, that cool drink from the creek had meant travelling through waist-deep bogginess to keep going. He sludged and trudged his way past the sucking mud and came out the other side. He could do this.

Energy: 48
Feet: 10  

[LOLLI qAq]

The stench of the bog and the slight huffing of his breath attracted a local dog. For a second he was concerned that he may be attacked, or that there was a pack nearby, but instead he got a friendly nudge on the side. The encouragement boosted his self-esteem and he surged forward. He took only a split second to call back- "Thank you!"

Common courtesy was important.

Energy: 48
Feet: 15  

[LOLLI qAq]

Apparently common courtesy also got you added companionship and the dog ran with him for a bit longer. It was relaxing and he didn't even notice that he was over half way to his mark.

Energy: 48
Feet: 20  

[LOLLI qAq]

Dual was sad when the dog veered off and left him to run alone, but it was such a lovely run that soon he was back in his own lonesome groove. Strong legs and hooves soared over roots and rocks as he ran.

Energy: 47
Feet: 25  

[LOLLI qAq]

... And then he got cocky.

Dual Natures went careening into a tree, and had to sit while he waited for his vision to clear. Nausea took hold of his stomach but he swallowed it down as he took deep breaths to steady himself. Once he could see and move without feeling sick the buck took in his surroundings. Somehow he had moved off course a tad and it would take him longer to get back onto the right path.

Energy: 42
Feet: 22  

[LOLLI qAq]

Having strayed from his initial course he found that he had to force his way past a thicket. Bramble cut into his side and caused him to lose focus on the very important item he was carrying in his mouth. He let out a loud yelp as a particularly nasty thorn bit into his neck.

... He hoped he hadn't just dropped the stick.

Energy: 39
Feet: 27

[ Morphy or Phoe- Do I count the first roll as far as energy and feet go, or do I ignore that? ]

LOLLI qAq

Yeah, count both! - Morphy

 

[LOLLI qAq]

It wasn't in his mouth. He said several unsavory things as he searched desperately about the bramble for the relay stick. His eyes finally landed it on it and he could swear that his face turned red with rage at himself.

It was on the ground. At his feet.

He hated it, but he knew the rules. With a deep sigh and bitter disappointment Dual Natures ran back to where he began.

Energy: 40
Feet: 0  

[LOLLI qAq]

He got back to the start of his section and turned to dart off again when he saw them-- Jellyfish. He'd only seen one or two, always familiars and never together, so this was a rare treat. He watched them float on with interest. He knew this was a race, but he'd already had to restart. What was a few moments more before he got serious again?

Energy: 40
Feet: 0  

[LOLLI qAq]

A slight, familiar, stench of still water hit his nostrils and then he was one foot in the bog. Being that they lived primarily in a swamp this wasn't new, but he could swear as he waded and swam through that this was indeed the exact same patch of bog he'd passed through earlier. It meant he was going in the right direction and was gaining some ground towards his goal.

Energy: 32
Feet: 5  

[LOLLI qAq]

As he came sloshing out of the muddy waters that had previously been almost neck high, a curious voice called out to him. It was the new friend he'd met earlier. They must have assumed that he was done with his leg of the race because they started at him with a friendly barrage of "how did the race go" and "did you win"s. He smiled easily and answered the questions, pleased for a break after all of the effort of the bog.

Once they were through with their second chat for the day, Dual returned to his duties.

Energy: 34
Feet: 5  

[LOLLI qAq]

He gained speed and was pleased with how easily the trek back was so far. As smoothly as it was before he hit the tree and ran into the thicket ... He slowed his pace just enough to be more cautious and carried on.

Energy: 33
Feet: 10  

[LOLLI qAq]

While he loved that so far things were going so well Dual was starting to notice the fatigue that came with pushing yourself. His muscles strained against the work. He was really meant for sprinting, which is what this would have been if he hadn't dropped the stick, and his body was starting to feel it. That's what endurance meant, though. So he pushed on.

Energy: 32
Feet: 13  

[LOLLI qAq]

Getting his second wind, Dual was once again soaring. He made sure to be careful of oncoming trees, and so far it had saved him from another mishap; when something hit him from the side.

There was a yelp but not from him. He looked around to see what or who had hit him and found several dogs getting up from the collision. None of them seemed to be hurt badly and he wasn't that much worse for wear. He stepped back to let the pack take care of their own and then move on. Judging from the lay of the land it seemed that he'd at least made some good distance this time.

Energy: 22
Feet: 23  

[LOLLI qAq]

He moved on from the scene of the dog collision and was presented with a hill. Truthfully, with all that he'd been through already, Dual was glad to see it was just a hill. He smirked at the easy challenge and started his climb.

Energy: 19
Feet: 26