melodiesoflife | Event || The Festival Of Light

Event || The Festival Of Light

Characters: All the Heroes of Light and their Moogles.
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: July 27th - August 03rd
Summary: Feel free to use this post to participate in the Festival of Light. Post your own threads or jump into someone else's thread-- This is a free for all mingle post!
Warning: N/A

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Really? I'm sorry. I've been wrapped up in a few things. I'm sorry I haven't run into you sooner.

[Come to think of it, the old man was probably going to get back at him for being so distracted when he WAS around.

Cloud glances over at the other bird and nods. It's not in the worst shape but it doesn't have the fine care a chocobo could and should have.]

Mmmm. I'm sure it can still run a good race. Are you ready?

[Normally he'd offer to help get Squall a mount of his own, but now was not the time.]

There's no need to apologize. It's a busy place.

[Squall grips his reigns again and adjusts himself to make sure he was ready. With a clam nod he looks ahead to observe the track. It was a simple and short one. He'd picked this one to satisfy Selphie's burning enthusiasm that he try something here at the festival. Short and quick, so she'd get off his back about it.]

Ready.

[Cloud seemed to be a chocobo enthusiast. He knew how to recognize a good bird when he saw one, but he wasn't particularly interested in chocobos. The job with the ranch was merely a source of income for him right now.

But with that thought, there's a loud crack in the air as the race begins and Squall kicks off.]

[Cloud can't help but frown briefly. It has indeed been very busy lately, and the reason why is a thought he's been trying hard not to let interfere with his enjoyment of the festival. In the end, he just gives Squall a quick nod of agreement before looking forward at the race route ahead.

As the race begins, Cloud and his bird start at a nice steady trot, keeping with the pack. The rider sees no need to push his bird just yet, and he knows that Zack has a good measure on the race and his own stamina. For now the two of them both watch the other racers to see how they are doing, sizing them up before they make their move.]

[As predicted, Squall's bird isn't the greatest or in the best of shape. He feels it's muscles move under him but there is very little power in it. He wouldn't be able to push the bird too hard. It wasn't the worst chocobo though.

It was a good thing he wasn't that concerned with winning.

He glances at Cloud and his bird and he shot him a competitive smirk. Cloud seems to be pacing himself for the beginning of the race. Careful and smart.

He urges his bird a little faster taking place ahead of Cloud for the time being. His bird kweh'd happily.]

[Cloud responds in kind with a smirk of his own. He's got faith in his bird and he knows they have a shot to win. As the race moves to its middle and some of the more reckless jockeys and eager birds begin to flag, Cloud gives Zack's reins a snap and the chocobo begins to pour on the speed.

Squall and Cloud aren't at the front of the pack just yet, but they're steadily moving forward.]

[The crowds watching start to cheer and whoop at the racers. Squall glances briefly at them with a roll of anxiety settling in his stomach. He wasn't a fan of being in the limelight. But people seemed to be enjoying the race.

Deciding to kick it up a notch (more or less to bypass the shouting cheerers and get this over with) he kicks his bird into a faster pace and starts to sprint closer to the front of the racers. A nearby racer lets out an angry growl as Squall passes him and starts after Squall.]

[While having the focus on him was making Squall uncertain, the cheers of the crowd energized the blonde. Normally he'd hate being the center of attention too, but when it came to games and chocobo races he was in his element.

With a whoop, he snapped the reins of his mount and Zack poured on the speed, keeping pace with Squall and slowly edging forward. Cloud paid the other racers no mind, they were in the zone.]

Come on Zack, we can win this. Just push ahead bit by bit.

[He eyes the track ahead. One more turn and then the rush to the end.]

[As they round the last bend in the race, Squall gauges the distance carefully. The last stretch was always a sprint, at least from the races he’s seen.

His bird is doing surprisingly well. He pats its neck with new affection and readies for the last stretch. Just as he does so, the other riders kick up into a sprint as well. He joins the last sprint.

Here we go.]

YAH!

[And Cloud and Zack are off like a lightning bolt, Cloud looking the role moreso than his mount as his blonde hair flutters in the wind. They duck and weave around the other riders, and as the pack falls apart in spots and tightens in others he finds himself running alongside Squall and his bird once more.

This finish will be close!]

[Squall is surprised when Cloud bolts forward with new energy. He kicks his bird into as fast a sprint as he can push it. They're neck to neck and only seconds from the finishing line.]

[The two lead birds cross the line and the crowd goes silent. It was impossible to tell who won. They both hit the line at seemingly the same time. All eyes go to the judges who busily review and discuss...and declare Squall and his bird the winner!

Cloud shoots the other Hero a broad smile. He would have liked to have won, but it was a damn good race and he's glad one of his fellow Heroes won. And his own placing is nothing to sneeze at.]

[Squall is honestly surprised. A slight flush of embarrassment stings his cheeks as the crowd cheers and claps. He dismounts and pats his bird on the neck in gratitude.]

...That was unexpected.

[Squall mutters, but gives Cloud a small smile too. Cloud is a good sport, and didn't go easy on him either. He appreciates that. He holds his hand out to shake on a good race and good sportsmanship.]

[Cloud shoots Squall a nod, while his chocobo gives a more grumpy trill. He thought he had the race. Cloud is willing to let this one slide.]

Yeah. I thought for sure we had it but I guess yours was able to push out enough in the end. You might want to see if the race committee will let you buy or rent the bird from them.

[Squall quirks and eyebrow at Cloud. Buy or rent the bird? It's a good idea, but would he have time to care for a bird?]

I'll have to think about it. Do you keep yours at the farm?

Most of the time, yeah. Since I work for them they help take care of him for no extra cost. Granted we pretty much take care of all the Heroes birds for free but I get a bit more flexibility in his care.

[Squall nods. Seems like a good set up.]

Thanks Cloud, I'll look into it. And thanks for the race too.

[The crowd is still rather cheery so Squall takes this moment to duck out of the limelight. He gives Cloud a small wave.]

I'll see you later.

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Event || The Festival Of Light

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