Dasher
Reoseans Included
Yule was a wonderful time of year, and Iniko always got into the holiday spirit. The best part was the holiday events that he could have fun with. When he found out about the sled races, he was reminded of the summer fair, and while he wasn’t the best at running, a sled is the one that does all the work.
The majority of the competitors were runners though, including last year’s winner, a soft brown fluffy legged cutie. He wore a jingle bell harness and anklets, and seemed to be wholly in the holiday spirit.
Iniko though found himself also drawn to another puller, dark blacks and grays, blanketed like him, and blanketed in red. Iniko smiled and found himself drawing closer.
“Heya Vampire Edgelord,” he played on the bat wing shape of the blanket and the general color along with the bat-like ears to give the nickname. “Got any plans to take down Sweet as Sugar over there?” Iniko gestured to the runner with the extra long feathering around their feet, almost resembling a horse.
Last year’s winner was sucking on a cane cane while doing stretches, and the sandstone puller noticed a small pair of floating wings by his neck. Must be magically enchanted, and only added to the cuteness.
***
Surprisingly, Draycon enjoyed the snow. He liked the way it crunched under his red paw pads, the way it gathered on the trees and brush of his home and the tingling sting of being outside too long that would brush against the short coat along his shoulders and neck.
So when snow came, Draycon would smile, and look forward to the Yuletide events that would decorate his home and the lands beyond. Sure it made hunting 100x harder (as if hunting was easy with his piercing red eyes and bloody shoulders) but yuletide also meant lots of yummy treats. So the red toed vayron would follow the twinkling lights to whatever market had popped up.
Tonight he found himself lounging about in said snow, enjoying the way it cooled his naturally hot body down, watching with piercing eyes as a race of some sort was set up. He could see cubs and adults, human and children all excited and hopping about, dragging along sleds and the such. There was a soft brown runner that was the center of attention; the winner of last year's races. They looked like they were having fun, trying to get others to race against them this year and he contemplated joining, but he was a puller, all hard muscles and strength. He’d be lucky if he beat one of the cubs running along.
His pointed ears flicked as another puller walked up to him, a warm sunset coated vayron planting his ass beside him. Draycon rolled his eyes in amusement at the nickname (one of the more colorful ones he’s heard) and smiled “Where’d you learn to come up with such creative nicknames, Spots?” He barked a laugh, before sitting up beside the dark shouldered puller.
“But I don’t know, either of us aren’t exactly built for endurance races are we?” He joked, butting his shoulder against the others. “Maybe we should team up?” Perhaps with the other puller beside him, they might have a chance at taking down the one they were calling Dasher, who tossed them a wink and a smile as if their voices could be heard across the way - it dared the two pullers to try.
***
“Just a talent I suppose.” Iniko laughed as the other male went along with him. “Spots huh? I suppose I’ve been called worse.” He grinned wildly.
“You know, we aren’t built for speed, but I think we got an advantage. We got the strength so pulling those sleds shouldn’t be hard, and I might have an ace.”
He nodded over to the soft looking runner, glistening markings around their face and paws. When the runner, Dasher, was occupied with their candy and the little ones around them, causing a commotion and wanting the autograph of a winner, one might have observed something jump from a snow drift, and gently land into the basket carried on the harness.
Iniko’s gryph companion poked her head out from the basket, winked at the two pullers, and ducked back in before Dasher could notice her.
“She’s supposed to distract Dasher, tickle them, something during the race.” The sandstone puller explained, and shrugged. “But she’s just as likely to be enticed by their candy. It’s a shot at least.”
He gestured to the starting line where sleds were waiting with harnesses. Iniko held one up for his new black companion, smiling. “Come on, they’re about to start!” Dasher had more than enough help, humans and reos alike fawning over him to help, as did some of the other runner entrants, so it was up to the pullers to help each other.
***
Draycon raised a brow as Spots spoke, watching the lighter colored puller described his devious plan. Well, it wasn’t that devious, just a little holiday fun. His grin widened as the Gryph poked her little head out, talons waving at the pair before disappearing again. He had no clue how Dasher of any of their attendants had neglected to notice her, there was no way they were that oblivious, could there?
“How’d you get her to do that!” He laughed “Bribed her with candy? Or maybe something shiny I bet.” He grinned, his black teeth reflecting some of the twinkling lights.
Draycon quickly followed after the other puller, ducking his head into the harness and shoving his legs through the leather straps. The leather squeaked a little, his muscular legs slightly pushing it past it’s limits, but he just hoped that they wouldn’t snap before the race ended. In return he quickly grabbed the other harness of the sled beside him, holding it open so the spotted and sunset puller could step in for his own sled.
Draycon shook out his shoulders, watching as the deer looking Vayron came towards the starting line, head raised high and chest puffed out. Dasher sure looked cocky, like he knew he was going to win again this year. Draycon raised a brow, grinning at them before turning to Spots and winking.
“Let’s hope your gryphie does a good job eh?” Draycon wiggled his ears, watching as the rest of the contestants began lining up, including the previous long eared champion, the jingle bells of Dasher's custom harness adding to the Yuletide merriment of the whole event. Draycon had to admit that while Dasher was extra flashy, it fit the holiday al too well.
“I’ll buy you a drink if she actually manages to trip them up a little bit” Draycon’s red eyes twinkled with amusement “Vampire Edge Lord’s promise!” He barked, wiggling his short tail and readying himself for the horn to blow.
***
"You're on!"
While Iniko and his new companion were waiting for the starting signal, it seemed as if Dasher was expecting it. The runner sped off almost before the horn sounded, flying along as if those fake wings on their back actually gave them speed. Well, that just won’t do.
Iniko and Draycon pulled their sleds forward, the snowflake male couldn’t imagine ever catching up to the runner. Any runners really were just too fast, but that one in particular seemed to float over the snow. It was like Dasher was blessed by the spirit of Yuletide, and the jingle of their harness was both merry and taunting.
He caught a glimpse of Revas poking her head out from Dasher’s bag of treats, a candy cane stuck in her mouth. The traitor! The dark male beside him caught it too, laughing all the while. Looks like Iniko would be the one paying for drinks tonight, as the little red head trilled in happiness, munching on her newfound sugar.
Dasher looked back at her, smiling. They didn't even seem surprised there was a stowaway in their pack, and winked again at the two pullers. How in the world did they know?!
As Dasher led the way across the finish line, the two pullers weren’t even close as other runners raced ahead across the line.
“Hey, maybe we need a better strategy next year.” Draycon rolled his eyes at the puller, when Dasher approached, handing over the happy, sugar-buzzed gryph.
“I believe this is yours.” The twinkle in the runner’s eye betrayed the mirth they couldn’t keep from their smile, and Iniko took the creature to fake scold her like she was a naughty child.
“Want to join us for drinks? Cocoa or booze, it’s on me since I lost the bet to Edge Lord over here.” The black vay snorted while the brown one smiled wide.
"Sounds like a plan. Maybe I can give you guys some racing tips for next year, eh?"
The pullers shared a laugh over Dasher's comment, for they all knew there was no way they'd beat the runner short of magic or a miracle.
With two new friends for company, Iniko figured the holiday had been more than worth it.
-End-
One of the many things that comes with the holidays is an ample amount of snow! One of the many activities held when the snow is thick is the sled races. Your Reosean has decided to join this year. Dasher is last years champion, and your Reosean finds them preparing for the race this year. Draw or write your Reosean preparing for or participating in the sled race with Dasher. Perhaps it’s all good-hearted fun, or a heated competition. Maybe your Reosean has decided to sabotage the champion’s cart…
Collaboration between xQueen0fHellx and Paganstars in which each wrote the PoV of their own characters
WC 1523 +15
Personal +3
Collab +2
Other Reo Iniko 13582 | Dashing Through the Snow 084 +2
Guild Member Iniko 13582 +1
Anomaly Event Link +3
Total = 26 CP
WC 1523 +15
Personal +3
Collab +2
Other Reo Draycon 11824 | Dashing Through the Snow 084 +2
Guild Member Draycon 11824 +1
Anomaly Event Link +3
Total = 26 CP