Runner Race

Training Area

An enormous expanse of flat land, it runs north-south and serves as training grounds for racers, young stock being broke to saddle, more advanced riding mounts, and cross-country jumping. Circumscribing the area is a fenced half-mile track wide enough for four runners to race at once. The track's infield contains a large, rectangular sandy arena without walls, but with a six foot high fence to decrease distractions and prevent any breakaways. A roof is suspended above the structure, supported by high beams at the corners. Adjacent to the covered arena is an equally high-walled, plank built round pen for the very earliest stages of training. The rest of the track's infield is devoted to a cross-country training course complete with a pond, water obstacles, two hills with assorted jumps and numerous fences on the flat. Further south, you can see the hall's runner herds grazing while the pandemonium of the main courtyard seems quite distant to the north.

Oppressive midsummer heat blankets the south. People move sluggishly and a noon siesta to get out of the worst of the sun seems almost mandatory. The sunlight glittering off the bay is almost blinding in its intensity, and the unending blue sky above is a deep rich azure.

Virginia is very impatient, and she begins tapping her foot on the ground. Poor Gigi, she really needs to learn how to patient. She is one of those bombs, just waiting to explode........

Lasarah shakes her head, looking at Jorg's unfortuate choice. "Are you sure you want /that/ one, Jorg? There are some in there that might be easier to ride . . " Eyeing flattened ears, she worries about Jorg's safety on this beast. Indeed, this is a runner she has avoided even grooming for the entire turn he has been in the herderhall stables.

Jorg looks at the girl through a swish of the straggly tail. "What could be wrong about him? He's a lean, mean racing machine and I'm gonna win on him. You don't have a chance what me go!" And with that he tugs on the reins and starts walking toward the track. The runner however doesn't follow leaving Jorg tugging valiantly on the end of the reins. The reaction? The gelding puts down its head and starts munching on the grass, that boy doesn't have enough mass to move him even when he was a foal. "I'm sure. Look at him, getting energy" tug, tug on riens "before the" tug "race." Yank.

Lasarah shakes her head, walking up to the animal and swatting him on the hindquarters to get him moving. "Lean and mean is right, Jorg - I don't know about the racing machine part, though." She sighs, wondering if she should let him go through with it.

Virginia grins at Jorg, and whispers something to Stardiamond. She turns to Jorg. "I think you're setting yourself up for a hard time!" *giggle*

Callysto arrives from the courtyard to the north.

Simkus walks into the trainin area and looks for Lasarah. He spots her swatting the hindquarters of a gelding that Jorg is in front of. Simkus walks over to her. "Greetings Lasarah. I see two racers here so far." Simkus looks over at Virginia and her runner. "Hopefully the rest will be coming soon."

Lasarah waves a greeting to Cally. Another herder - should be good competition for the other riders. "Why don't you go into the herdercraft tent and choose a runner for the race, Cally." She nods to Jorg's choice, adding, "I don't think the best have gone yet."

Jorg shakes his head stubbornly, "The stable hand said that he wouldn't miss this runner when it was sold. That means he is a nice guy who doesn't even give him enough trouble to bother him. I'll just let him have his head and I'll be to the end of the race before your runners even think of starting." With this said he replies to Lasa with "The best might not have, but the most wonderful has." Another full body yank on the reins drives the runner one step closer to the starting line, we may be here a while.

Virginia climbs onto Stardiamond's back for a moment, to test it out. "Feels good!" She dismounts, and pats Stardiamond's head.

Isaiah paws the ground, whinnying as the others arrive. Lasa flashes a quick smile to him. "Sorry, Isaiah, I don't think that you will be running today, as I will have to be watching this race!"

Callysto nods, walking over to a row of runners. She thinks, looking over each one. Suddenly, she spots one in particular that she likes. Strong hind legs, good muscles... Cally picks Aggressive Brown Gelding. She grabs a harness and saddle and fits in on the runner. Once complete, she leads the runner over to Lasa.

Simkus walks over and pulls a sugar cube out of a pouch for Isaiah. "Looks like he wants to run in it Lasarah. Maybe we should tie him up, or take him back to the stables, wouldn't want him to join in on his own, would we?" Simkus smiles at Lasarah.

Callysto sends Daeran winging off her shoulder.

Callysto sends Timie winging off her shoulder.

Lasarah strides to the training area track, a white handkerchief clutched in one hand. Looks like there will be three contestents here - Virginia, Cally and Jorg - that is, if Jorg ever makes it to the track. "I'll drop the handkerchief, and you all will make three rounds arund the track. The first one to cross the finish line on the thrid round will win the race!" Lasa stands, waiting for the riders to mount and wait by the line.

Jorg gives up on leading the runner, maybe getting up onto it's back would be a better idea. Dropping the reins he walks over to the runners side next he, well stares at the stirrup hanging almost at eye level. "Um, Lasa?" he calls softly, "could you help me up? He's kind of high." The gelding takes advantage of the distraction to move a few paces off to a patch of clover.

OOC: Lasarah says, "After I pose dropping the handkerchief, you all pose, and I will pose between, telling you that you have completed each round of the track. On the third round, I will choose the winner, based on the poses."

Virginia walks over to Cally, and carefully studies Cally's pick of runner. "Looks good Cally." She grins, and pats her own, Stardiamond, on her star. Gigi grabs Stardiamond's reins, and walks her over to the starting line. No resistance, no resistance at all. She grins at Jorg, then turns and mounts Stardiamond. After a short struggle, she gets up.

Callysto nods and begins to lead Aggressive Brown Gelding to the track. He moves without too much hesitation. She places one foot in the sturrup and pulls herself up, checking the reins and patting his neck. Cally grins at Gigi. "Thanks." She straightens up, reins in hands.

Lasarah sighs, shaking her head. "There are runners more your size inthe tent, Jorg," she mutters with a little edge of disgust. Cupping her hands, she bends down to give him a boost. "This is an, umm, challenging runner to ride, Jorg. Sure you can handle him?"

Simkus takes ahold of Isaiah's reins and ties him off to a post, that way he doesn't join in the race.

Simkus walks over to the side to watch the race.

Jorg moves over to the wandering runner and makes an attempt to get up. With a nod he sticks his dirty bare foot onto Lasa's hand and pulls himself rudely on top of the runner. A bit more squirming and Jorg is actually sitting in the saddle. A quick look at his view of a runner tail causes him to slips and slide a bit more until more by luck then design he is facing the correct way and his feet are even in the stirrups. The bony runner takes a slow walk over to the line, much to Jorg's pleasure and stops head going down, there is an even better patch of clover here after all.

Lasarah spots Callista and holds up her hand. "Wait a minute! We may have another contestant! Callista? Are you going to ride?" This might really change things - if the riding instructor for Herderhall enters, things could get very challenging for the other riders.

Callista fidgets with the blooms in her hair, her energetic stride shortening as she enters the area. "Well...if you think it would be fair," the brunette Master replies doubtfully. "There's that lovely grey in the stables that I could ride." She's bright-eyed today, and smiling broadly.

Angharad arrives from the courtyard to the north.

Lasarah smiles at the Master. Who is she to tell her what would be fair? "Of course, Master Callista. That grey would be a fine choice." Certainly better than Jorg's choice . . .

Simkus leaves his spot by the track and walks over. "Greetings Angharad. If you are here to race you can go into the tent and borrow one. If you wish to watch you can come join me by the side."

Callista beams now. "Oh, all right. I haven't raced in a while, but I suppose there isn't much to forget..." You broke her arm to get her to ride her beloved runners, you did. The riding master heads into the stable for the grey, the runner-tail of her hair switching with her stride.

Kaski arrives from the courtyard to the north.

Jorg looks down from his perch. He got the runner to the starting line right? A stray bit of hair is wiped out of his eyes as the boy waits to spur his molted wonder to the finish line. Now if he could only reach the reins again. . . . .

Angharad enters the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Lasarah waves to Kaski. "Here for the race? There are plenty of good runners in the herdercraft tent to choose from!"

Kaski saunters in, glancing around the at the crowd through eyes narrowed against the sun. Weaving, she catches a glimpse of the other Xanadu stablehand as she enters the tent, but decides not to follow, pausing by the clump of runners already outside. As she is shouted to, stablehand turns head to grin slightly at Lasarah. " You bet." She calls back, ducking through the crowd to the tent.

Kaski enters the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Lasarah returns to the track, white handkerchief in hand. "for those new arrivals, I will go over the rules again. After I drop this handkerchief, you will circle the track three times. The first runner to cross the line the third time is the winner!"

Angharad leaves the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Kaski leaves the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

OOC: Lasarah says, "After Lasa starts the race, each contestant will pose one time per round of the track. Lasa will pose after all contestants make it around the track each time, so you will know to start the next round of poses. After the third round, the winner of the race will be announced."

Lasarah Stands at the starting line, handkerchief fluttering in the light wind, watching to see if all the contestants have their runners lined up and ready.

Callista reappears, leading an elegant seal-grey gelding. Unable to resist showing off, she's in the light saddle with a delicate leap, the vault only apparent after the leather creaks at her slight weight. "All right there, easy, Llasen," she murmurs, and the gelding arches his neck and pricks longish ears.

Simkus moves himself off to the side so he can watch the race.

Kaski wanders out again, traisping over to the others with dark colored gelding in tow. " M'y as wull try 'im out." Stablehand mutters to herself, fastening the tack more securly upon the runner. Mounting up, she moves to the starting line, steadying the runner, and turning gaze to watch Lasarah. " C'mon bud, I'm countin..." Having never ridden the animal, she's going on luck here...but an expirienced hand such as hers may to the trick with the curious gelding. She poises, waiting for the hankchercheif to drop.

Jorg nods happily, partly because he just managed to catch the reins on a finger and pull them in. The boy sits up strait as a pole with the reins clutched in both hands, hey he'll probably need the leverage. His bare legs press against the runner's sides anticipating the drop, the rush, the race in general. Mr. Runner on the other hand is very happily munching on the patch of clover a ratty tail occasionally brushing flies away or a slight shift in position, but other then that he could be made of stone, his back is uncomfortable enough.

Virginia grins at all the other contestants as she mounts Stardiamond. After a short struggle of getting into the saddle, she gets up onto Stardiamond's back. She urges Stardiamond up to the starting line, and has no resistance. Take that Jorg! She grins again, then waits for the signal to start.

Lasarah counts six contestants, their runners seem eager - well, all but Jorg's, anyway. Hand is raised, and the handkerchief flutters to the ground as she shouts "Go!" A quick hop to the side and she scrambles up and over the fence next to Simkus, eyes on the race.

Callysto watches the hankerchief drop and she tightens her grip on the reins. Cally digs her heals into the side of Aggressive Brown Gelding and he rears up in the air. Cally holds on and watches him land back down on the ground, not moving. "Ah, go, go, /GO/!!" She kicks the horse again and he bounds into a run, slowly increasing speed. Callysto concentrates on the runner, but feels quite embarrased about her slow start. I might not win now... but oh well, this is fun! Callysto decides to forget about her start and just think of what's happening now, wind rushing past her face, tied-back hair waving wildly. "Yee haw!" Is shouted, --if not just to be wierd,-- and clanking hooves partially cover the sound.

Angharad hops without grace into the saddle of a sorrel gelding, wrinkling her nose at the short stirrups. "Stand, boy. Steady.... Ack, go! Giddyup!" Legs pump at the mud-hued sides, and the gelding shoots forward, nose plunging with his bone-jarring gait, hooves covering great swathes of ground. Dust flies in his rider's face, but Nara is close to her chosen mount's neck, and from here, there's just skimming hooves and whipping mane left to her world.

Jorg kicks hard right in the runner's flanks. His eyes shine bright with excitement, /here/ /he/ stays. The runner seems to be quite happy in his present spot thank you very much. All the kidlet's sharp kick causes the runner to do is back up a step, over the starting line indecently, before he recovers and walks back across to the untouched pat of the patch. Jog is starting to have second thoughts on his mount chose, but now's a little late to change.

Bane walks in.

The 'flag' drops and, after moment's hesitation, Kaski digs heels into the runner she strides. Now to see how this gelding really does. A clean sprint is given by the gelding, stablehand keeping her speed and position in check. Bum is raised slightly off the back of the dark gelding as he slowly gains momentum, racing alongside the fence. A soft murmur of encouraging words is given to the runner, flowing from Kaski's mouth into whippings of dark mane. Runners ear prick slightly at the sound and runner seems to speed up a bit...or is it just Kas's imagination. In any case, expirienced hand directs the gelding smoothly on his course about the ring, with only a minor detour for other runners.

Virginia watches the handkerchief flutter to the ground, and promptly falls off Stardiamond's back. Gigi has absolutely no talent with runners, yet she bought one and now she is in a runner race. Typical Gigi behavior. She jumps back on, and almost falls off again, before she digs her heels into Stardiamond's side. They're off! Gigi tries to hold herself up straight, and some how manages it! She rides along, looking quite the natural, trying to regain the time she lost, and her dignity. That wasn't the best start ever, in fact, probably one of the worst. She looks alright riding though. Maybe she is good with runners after all.......you never know.......

Ceanna walks in.

Callista says not a word now, but the subtle motion of her legs and the excitement suddenly burgeoning is enough for Llasen. A great push of his hindquarters, almost a jump, and the lean runner and his tiny rider are off, setting a ground-devouring stride that won't overtax her mount too early in the race. Still, the pair is near the middle of the racing runners, both focused on the track ahead. They may not be neck-and-neck, but they are definitely eye-to-eye, a speeding, composite creature with hooves that barely touch the ground.

Bane enters the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Cyrene walks in.

Lasarah waves over the newcomers to the best vantage point to watch the race, Runners pound the track, rounding the final curve, and the leaders cross the line for the first lap. The pounding of hooves, the creak of saddle leather and the grunting of the straining runners all pass by, leaving the clods of flying dirt in their wake.

Bane leaves the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Hair bounces along with the up and down motion of the gelding beneath Kaski, legs kept at a taut squeeze against the runner's sides. Cyan eyes see only the head and track in front of her, if not a bit of a runner's rump once and a while. Arms hold the rope, and Kaski tries to direct about a curve, finding a bit more force than she usually uses necessary. A yank on the reins and gelding takes a brief fumble to sidestep then bounds on across the sandy course below him. Stablehand leans into the runner's neck, her own hair mingling with the tickling mane of the horse's. Taking a deep breath, Kaski slows the gelding a bit, as to keep his stride secure on the track, and not set a stumble-worthy pace. She doesn't care /how/ surefooted a runner is, she doesn't want to topple over forward if the gelding should, by chance, stumble.

Cyrene walks over to Lasarah, and snugs the snr. appy. "Hello."

Cyrene sends Periwinkle winging off her shoulder.

Cyrene moves over so she can see better.

Callysto bounces up and down with Aggressive Brown Gelding's strides. She lags behind a few other riders, and the gelding even seemed to be slowing a bit. "Aw, come /on/!" She kicks the runner again a few times and the gelding regains his pace. To her left, she spies a rider passing her, just going a bit quicker. Cally digs her heels into her runner again, but gelding stays in his pace. "Come on, you can do it, you can /do/ it..." again she kicks the runner in the side. Cally can't tell whether he is running much faster or not, but she pats him gently with one elbow, keeping her hands on the reins.

Jorg lets lose some very irate sound as the other runners take off leaving him in the dust, literally. He tries jiggling the reins, nope, he tries kicking the runner again, the only responses there is an irate head shake on the runner's part. As the sound of pounding hooves comes up behind him the boy takes the reins firmly in hand and twists around to deliver a solid smack on the runner's hindquarters. Perhaps it is the other runners pounding past, or the slap, or maybe both, but the large gelding follows orders for once. This may not be the best for Jorg as he has pulled the reins way over to the side when he was twisting about, so when the big brute finally listens it is not down the track he goes, but rather in a bit smaller of a circle. This is going well.

Virginia is somehow still on Stardiamonds back, though all physical evidence should have proven otherwise. At this moment, the laws of gravity come into play, and Gigi falls off Stardiamond /again/. The runner races on, without her rider, and Gigi is left in the dust. She runs after Stardiamond, and soon catches up to her, seeing that the runner has stopped for a meal. She hops back on Stardiamonds back, and rides on, slightly bruised and dirty, but none the worse for wear. She urges Stardiamond on, trying to catch up, but almost certain she wont. Come on Stardiamond, come on Stardiamond, MOVE IT! Her yell is lost in the pounding of hooves, but she doesnt care. Stardiamond must have heard her though, because she picks up the pace and moves Gigi back into the running. Whew. Maybe shell make it to the end without falling off again............

Ceanna goes home.

Angharad's expression is not a nice one, but she continues to urge her mount on, gaining a little ground on the curves where her mount is slightly more confident than others. The sorrel's ears are flat against his head, his eyes white-rimmed, but mighty lungs and speeding heart power those unattractive limbs onward, and though Angharad can feel every step in her bones, the quickness of those jolts almost smooths his madcap gallop. He's not running away with her, not quite, but the line is a perilous one that the younger stablehand ignores.

Periwinkle flitters about after luanching off of Cyrene's shoulder, and lands on the rail. He watches with interest, but the race loses his attention and he glides over to land next to Daeran, his brother. He yitterchitters, exchanging compliments with the brown.

Grey mane is invisible--grey legs blur. Snakelike with his stretched and yearning neck, Llasen jostles for position, weaving and dodging a faster now, gaining momentum. Callista is a multicoloured hump over his withers, and she /listens/, whispers, feels the snap of hock and the shock to shortened cannon bone. She is merely direction, now, a feather-light hand on the reins to tell her willing mount where he should next fly.

Rosemary walks in.

Cyrene noddles to Rosemary. Hello.

Lasarah ducks slightly as the round of runners fly by, then sits up straighter again to see who might be in the lead. Callista flies by, Kaski close behind. Jorg, meanwhile, seems to be rather, well, stationary.

Cyrene watches the runners fly around. She shouldn't be rooting, she really shouldn't, but she waves her arms and screams, "Go Cally, go!" She yells this over and over, happilysmiling the whole time. She loves races, and is hoping to buy a runner of her own soon as her parents send her the money she asked for.

Rosemary waves to Cyrene. "Hello."

Now, /now/ is the time to give it everything, and hands knead along ewe neck, inspiring withers to rise and fall like a ship's bow. If truly this is so, then the seas are stormy, for the sorrel gives a startled leap and stumble, shying toward the rest of the field before regaining equilibrium. He tries, oh, he does, but Angharad's bony frame is awkward, and the sorrel has never known this heady excitement before. Breakneck pace slows as the gelding tries to figure it out, growing more agitated by the moment by his rider's desperate urging.

Virginia grits her teeth and holds on tight, willing herself to finish this race /on/ the runner. A sudden change in Stardiamond's stride almost throws her off, but self-determination, and a strong grip allow her to hang on. Imagine that, the change in stride was a picking up of pace. Stardiamond wants to win this thing as much as Gigi does. "That's it Stardiamond, good girl. I'll make sure you get loads of sugar if we win this." Gigi and Stardiamond get up more speed and go racing around a bend, but Gigi doesnt even falter. She's getting the hang of this! Too bad its the end of the race.........

Callysto passes the starting line for the second time. "There, now, just /one/ more lap, /one/ more, honey...." She kicks the runner again, and steers him closer to the right side of the track. "You can do it, come on." Again, Aggressive Brown Gelding begins slowing. Slower than he was before. Again, a rider passes on her left side. Cally grits her teeth and kicks him again in the sides, but he slows even more. She sighs, and just leads him on. Suddenly, and very much out of the blue, the brown gelding does a small spurt and gets back into pace. "Oh, yeah! Come on! Come /on/!"

Well it was progress, kind of. Jorg yanks on the reins again, trying to pull his mount to the right direction. Too late, the large animal is done listening to orders, eating is what he has gone back to. All the tricks he has seen are in play, slaps, whispers, a much prized sweet beat is even held in front of his nose. Well the slaps whispers and kicks are ignored and the sweet beat is eaten, the boy's arm just isn't long enough. Discouraged and more then a bit mad the boy swings his leg over the side of the runner and dismounts, he wants to do things the hard way, Jorg will make him. Landing less then elegantly on the packed ground the boy gets up quickly and grabs for the retreating reins, you think he would learn not to let go. Jogging the wrong way the boy reaches the grazing beast and pulls and tugs him step by slow step back to the finish line. If he has to lose this badly he isn't going to suffer the additional shame of not even reaching the end.

The Home Stretch. As Kaski and her, yes she claimed him, dark gelding round a curve, stablehand gives a jolting squeeze with work-strengthened leg muscles and the runner jumps into play, energy seeming to spark around the pair as expertise and long career come out in the final moments of a runner race. Encouraging words are sent to the gelding's laid back ears as Kaski concentrates on easing the runner forward bit by bit on the track. Filling her lungs with the rushing air, stablehand purses lips as the gelding pounds the course below him, caution thrown to the wind as hooves meet earth and the liquid state of a racer comes into place. It is /now/ she and he must race, not as rider and runner, but as a pair of beings against the wind. Kaski's eyes see nothing but the track now as she strains herself alongside the runner's progress, legs tightening even more against the fluid motion of the gelding's muscles. Hands wrap themselves about the slackened reins, stablehand gritting teeth as the gelding jolts her about the curve and propels onward.

Cyrene cheers louder and louder for Cally, her best friend. "/Go/ Cally! You can do it!" She cheers, and udden;y Peri sits up on his haunches and adds a warbling note to Cyrene's cheering. Cyrene grins and rubs his head knobs. Peri warbble-chirps and half-oopens his wings so he can get more air into his lungs. His chirping turns into a fluting song, specially composed by Peri the blue for Callysto the Herder Appy.

And with one word, Llasen is reduced to a pantherish grey streak, kinetic energy, a breaking tsunami. Callista is now speaking, a hurried murmur, and long ears flick back to catch the fuel in her words, haunches almost overstepping his fore as he surges forward at breakneck speed. Sleek as a greyhound runs Llasen, and if he were not darkening still more with sweat, he would appear to be doing no more than a casual lope. No froth flies from his bitless mouth, but nostrils suck air with increasing need behind their fluttering, greyed pink. If he can but keep the lead....

Nellie walks in.

Periwinkle 's fluting song continues, now directed at all of the runners. Cyrene giggles, and thinks about writing the notes down for a harper. It certainly is beautiful. Cyrene takes out a scroll and quill and scribbles away marking down the notes for a harper. Peri's song continues Fluting as the runners cross the finish line.

Lasarah keeps her eye directly on the finish line, watching carefully to see which runner will cross first. This is going to be a /very/ close race. Runners strain the last stride, but Lasa thinks that Callista's mount may have edged out Kaski's by just a nose. Turning to simkus, she confers for just a moment before announcing their decision. Yes, Callista it was, by a nose. Congratulations!!

Nellie waddles in, accompanied by a nanny trailing behind her with a carful eye over the small child. Nellie grins brightly as she sees all the runners gathered in the field. She begins to wonder if Aunt Keelin would ever buy her a pony? Naw, they are to much work. Maybe she would settle for a nice kitty? She shrugs and makes her way happily into the area.

Jorg stands reins in hand and face bright red, not entirely from physical exertion. The embarrassed slant of his face says clearly as and sign that he is in need of a recipe for crow stew. (In need of a crow too for that matter.) "I bet he has a really long stride when he is running," is all that he says about the matter, would you say anything more if you were in his shoes?

Periwinkle song finally finishes, it's last note ringing it's joy to the world. Peri flitters over to Callysto and her tired mount, and lands for a brief second on the geldings huanches. He then whirls into the air again, landing on Cally, rubbing his triangular-shaped head under her chin comfotingly.

Cyrene finishes scribbling out Peri's song a few seconds after Peri is done, and she strides oer to help Callysto cool down her runner.

Callysto spurts past the finish line, and then slows her runner down. Hearing the news she grins. "Master Callista! Congratulations!! Cally dismounts her runner and reaches into her pocket, drawing out a runner treat, which she hands to Aggressive Brown Gelding. She pats him on the neck. "Thanks, little guy! Ya did good!" Cally reaches up and pats Peri, leading her runner over to /water/!

Virginia pulls on Stardiamond's reins and gets her to stop. She dismounts, and holds on to Stardiamond's reins and makes her way over to the winners. "Good race. Congrats!" She grins, and dusts herself off. She didn't have enough time to do that earlier.

Simkus nods his head in agreement with Lasarah, then smiles at her. "A very good race i would say."

Periwinkle launches off of Cllay, only to flutter over to land in VIrginia.

Nellie's vivid eyes widen, "Oh a race!" she calls excitedly. She remembers watching them ay Nerat with her father when she was younger. Nellie wiggles her nose and walks up to the fence, leaning her arms agains the rail. "Nellie, don't get to close." her nanny warns. Nellie pouts as she looks out across the track, "Aww...it's ov'er." she says sadly.

Lasarah stands, watching the riders have pulling up their runners, watchng until they have slowed to a walk, waiting for them to circle back towards her again. In her hand is two pieces of paper - one neatly lettered, the other obviosuly quickly dashed off. She waves to Callista to aproach her, and then turns to - Jorg? Yes, the other paper /is/ for Jorg.

Kaski's runner seems to still want to run, and it takes a couple more strides before stablehand can slow the gelding down enough to turn him around and trot back to starting line for verdict. Nodding at Lasarah's decision, she dismounts, patting the sweating runner with a grin on her face. " Yah did good, bud. I thank yeh." Giving the gelding a check over, making sure she hasn't strained the runner moreso than need be, Kaski leads the dark creature to the side of the course, walking the runner slowly and carefully.

Jorg looks over to see Lasa waving him over and a hastily written piece of paper. He knew it, she is going to give his the recipe. Slow steps pulls him toward his friend, the runner is left behind, he does want to reach her sometime this turn, besides, the likely hood of him moving more then a few feet is near nonexistent. Okay he's here, say 'I told you so' go on, he deserves it.

Simkus stands up next to Lasarah and smiles as Jorg walks over.

Llasen knows, somehow, and once finish line is crossed, the fire in those dark, intelligent eyes flickers and dampens, back to the calm certainity of any runner's gaze. Callista, face pale as snow for the moment, is beaming. Flowers torn from her mussed coif are squashed beneath runner hooves, but she gives them not a look. Her cavaling mount approaches Lasarah, ears pricked, still blowing. "'Twas close, Llas, but you made it," murmurs the riding master, unself-consciously.

Virginia takes Stardiamond's reins.

Lasarah chuckles as the dejected boy slumps over to her. "Jorg? We really do have /something/ for your efforts. Despite moving the /least/ in this race, it seems you worked the hardest. So simkus and I thought we should reward you. We'd like to give you this." Lasa holds out the hastily scrawled paper for all to see. "this paper entitles you to three riding lessons. I'll be glad to help teach yu to ride on my runner, Isaiah. Maybe next time, then, you might even make it around the track!"

Lasarah then turns to Simkus. "perhaps you can explainto Callista the prize for actually /winning/ the race?"

Nellie, being ignored by some others, takes a step onto the track. Her nanny, whom has been caught-up into talking with an old friend of her's, seems not to pay attention to the child as she goes off to 'explore'. Nellie waves her hands in the air, trying to get someones attention. She makes and effort to approach one of the nearest persons with a runner in their care. She starts as she hears Jorg's name. 'Where is he?' she thinks. "Jorg?" she inquires with arched brows.

Virginia notices the little girl wandering around, and her nanny standing a distance away. "Hello there....."

Jorg looks up in surprise. "Really? You aren't upset with me for ignoring you? Thank you Lasa,, and on Isaiah? He's, he's your runner." A smile breaks over his face, he managed to stay out of trouble even though he messed things up? Knock on wood, there's a nanny near by. He walks back toward the runner slowly, well he did let me win anyway, in his own way.

Angharad, red-faced, is half-wrestling with the hard-mouthed, wild-eyed sorrel, who now refuses to stop, and is darting from rail to rail like a peevish pinball. It looks like the younger Stablehand is running another lap... But no, with a buck and a skitter, the nervous sorrel stops dead. Angharad is still stuck grimly on his back, and she dismounts with a mutter and a sigh, stirrup leather creaking ominously. "Oh, well," Nara tells the gelding as she walks him cool, fingers twined in his pathetic excuse for a mane, "that's what you get, borrowing runners. You aren't that bad a beast."

Simkus smiles at Lasarah then turns towards Master Callista. "The prize for winning the race is a runner saddle and tack. Unfortunitly, the young herder that is working on the tack hasn't finished it yet." Simkus smiles. "We will get the tack to you as soon as it is finished though."

Merian arrives from the courtyard to the north.

Nellie eyes Virginia for a long moment. Then a cute, innocent smile appears on her face. "Hihi!" she says with a warmful note. All of the comotion and noises startle Nellie slightly. She bunches up her arms and shoves them into her pockets. She just hopes she doesn't get stepped on, being so small.

Merian heads north towards the courtyard.

Callysto puts away the runner and smiles to everyone. "Well, I should go home and get ready for the auction tonight. See you all! It was fun!"

Callysto picks up Daeran.

Callysto picks up Timie.

Callysto goes home.

Virginia waves a goodbye to Callysto, then turns to Nellie. She kneels down, so as to be shorter than the little girl. "Hello! What's your name? I'm Virginia, but you can call me Gigi."

Kaski turns head to watch Angharad struggle with her runner, pausing as the other stablehand gains control. As she passes Callista, Kaski offers a nod and a said ' Congratulations ' before heading slowly on back towards the tent to see if the gelding she has is quite for sale. As she walks, she talks to the runner, out of habit. " Yer not seh bad a run'r. I culd use som'n like yerself in my stables...." Etc, etc...

Lasarah hands Callista the certificate with a nod of congratulations, feeling a little awkward giving her own riding instructor an award for her equestrian abilities. "Thank you so much for coming, Master Callista, and umm, demonstrating your riding skills." A shy smile, and she adds quickly, "I learn something everytime I watch you ride."

Berjer arrives from the courtyard to the north.

Callista applauds softly. "Very appropriate. I still can't believe it....Llas's incredible. You're both doing such a great job with this Gather," notes the Master, smiling down at them benignly. A quick slide and she's off the grey's back, and standing proud by his side. "Very well rode," she calls after Kaski, regretfully. A very shy smile curves at her lips in return. "Do you really? I still don't feel like the Riding Master at all, you know."

Nellie scratches her head in puzzlement, "Why'd ya called Gigi if yer name is Virginia?" she asks. Then she holds out her little hand like Aunt Keelin told her, "I'm Nellie." she introduces. She looks around her breifly, eyeing everyone that is making their way into the stables to put away the borrowed runners.

Jorg takes the stubborn runner by the reins and pulls. Tring a different tactic he takes out his last sweet beet and runs in front of the stubborn gelding. It seems to work a bit better on the ground as the runner is now walking faster then he has sense he was taken out of the tent. The boy is over taken right at the entrance to the tent and his beet is taken. Oh well the stable boy gets to deal with this piece of irresponsive beast now. He can always snatch a few more sweets from the kitchen after all.

Zaffer pops out of the icy chill of ::between::

Zaffer drops Sandy Dune Egg.

Kaski enters the Herdercraft Gather Tent.

Simkus hears kaski's words, and after a nod towards Callista and Lasarah, he follows Kaski into the herder tent

Virginia takes the little girl's hand, and shakes it virgorously. "Well met Nellie. Gigi is just my nickname." She grins, and lets go of Nellie's hand.

Lasarah dunks her head with the Master's compliment. "thank you, Master, Callista. We are really enjoing putting allt his together, and are so happy to see that everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. And /you/ don't feel like the Riding Master? I can't imagine why not! I've learned so much from you - and from the other herders here that you have taught."

Nellie shuffles her feet on the ground and smiles up at the older lady. Afterall, Nellie should act like a good young lady in front of others. Nellie winkles her nose cutely, "Ohh..I see." she says.