[ME] [SE] frost and foremost

Something warm about the winter when you come around

Ignoring warning labels is half the fun. You'd warm it up if I did, right? Which, given that they're married and therefore under the law of the stars themselves, he has full permission to set cold toes against Flora at any time.

Kaisel's laugh follows traitor like he's reaching for a triumph not yet within range. It certainly ticks over the scoreboard though. Ignoring one thing Iskra says to pluck up the favored ones, much like M&Ms in trailmix, Kaisel brightens further. "Now that's sound logic," he declares about being able to try everything once. This is where could and should make a difference, but Kaisel is easily pursuaded into bad ideas if they involve anything remotely fun, or heroic, especially if he thinks he has a shot.

Glancing Flora's way with a rise of his brows as more explanations and reassurances land, each one like water eroding sand, he's left with the shape of her unwilling in the same way someone still peeks despite claiming not wanting to see. The current of disbelief seeps from her to him, trying to destabilize from within like a secret agent. We could always stash some, he counters, glancing towards the vendor stalls with a narrowed gaze as he attempts to calculate how quickly he could build and hide a hoard of goods. It seems time is short though, Iskra and Mel already breaking off for their venture on the track.

What she says pulls him back, and for a moment he searches her face in silence, almost looking like he's initiating a staring contest and whoever breaks first will be the loser of this decision. He can trace the edges of the reluctance there still, stressed in her tone and layering in the shadow of her lashes. Yet, there's something else, wrinkling the corners of her smile. "If it's awful, you can say 'I told you so' like a hundred times and I'll give you foot rubs until next season." He knocks his shoulder into her, then with the link of their arms drags her back as he leans the other way. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"

Kaisel

There must be something in the water, I know you feel it too

DEIMOS

Another team joined the fray, with Flora and Kaisel coming onto the track with a fortune favoring the bold mentality. Deimos waved them on, instructing the timer to start as the pair crossed the initial line.

The only bobble came at the start. Perhaps it was Flora’s nervousness (understandable), because despite coming along at good pace, the newly-forged demigod missed the first ring. However, Kaisel more than made up for the mild blunder with a stylish jump over his fledgling hill; one would think he could have landed some Olympic-level launch.

Once underway though, the couple worked well and in tandem; a mutual and inspiring effort as Flora managed to not only snag at the second ring, but steer the horse, and hasten the ropework enough so that upon Kaisel’s next approach, he soared again, taking the second knoll on like a professional, easily skimming their way into decent times.

--

Flora misses the first ring, but Kaisel makes up for their efforts and they only have one time fault. The team to beat!

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

the harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun

"That seems simple enough," Amhran confirms of just hanging on, the Raeling nodding to Erebos and snagging hold of the rope in question as it's handed to him. Then the boy mounts Sparkles and, theoretically, away they should go! Which they do, for like... two steps. Amhran winces apologetically as if he's at fault for the pony stubbornly refusing to move, and with a child on his back and a 6'5 (sort of) child hanging onto him in skiis, he doesn't feel entirely blameless either way.

"Sure, okay!" he calls to Erebos, making sure he's holding on properly and that his skiis are aligned and parallel, and as Sparkles sets off again - not quickly by any means, but at least consistently - his eyes light up as he realises they're doing the thing. "It's good!" he tells the boy. "I don't know if I'll go over any jumps at this pace, but I'm staying on! Let me know if you want to try out for real."

Iskra

Wonder why I tear myself down
just to get built back up again

Strapped into the skis before he knows it, he's grinning like a damn fool behind Mel as she gets seated onto the back of the beast. The rope in his hand is slack until they start, and he exhales in a bracing expectation of it suddenly snapping tight and wheeling him along beside the thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd.

It all goes to hell rather fast though, Mel's balance swerving as she dives, and misses, for the rings. "MEL!" he shouts out, too worried to keep his eyes on the track, his first jump lost as she nearly tumbles off the animal, leaning far too heavily off the side of the saddle. "STEADY MEL!!!" he shouts up, but the pace slows and she clambers back into a better seat. Never straying from the prize at hand, she collects the rings this time, and with a sigh of relief Iskra orients himself back to the sport and glides up the next jump with a whoop, rings claimed in victory.

I fill the void up with polished doubt
fake sentiment

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

There were a few moments, like when Melita was staring at the ground and fighting to not become a part of it, where she thought maybe she’d bitten off more than she could chew. Such a notion was a rare event, and she wouldn’t be making any other claims to associate with it, especially as she wound back around on the power of determination and sheer dumb luck, finding herself back in the saddle. Wiping her brow, she unfurled a long, slow breath. Iskra ’s worried shouts also didn’t help, and ignoring the pangs of guilt, she grimaced before turning around with a makeshift smile, as if this had been the plan all along. “All good! I’m fine!”

It had been just the sort of rattling she’d needed though, because with a steady inhale, her brows furrowed, relying less on speed and more on tact (not a common Honeybee strategy) for the present interim and abilities. “Okay, we’ve got this,” she whispered to the massive beast below her (who’d saved her ass), as they snagged the second ring, and she turned to check on Iskra again as he sailed over the last jump. After patting the equine for putting up with her shit, she whooped and hollered, fist-pumping for the success in not being vanquished from her own dumbass ideas.

Winding them off the track, she grinned back over to him, striving to see how far to push and pull and laugh. “Wanna go again?”

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

everything I let go

If Erebos had inherited anything at all from those Ignatius and Wordsworth lines melding together, it had been stubbornness. Intending to see these notions through, he adjusted his kicks into gentler chords, at which Sparkles seemed much more obliging. Huffing and puffing all the way though, it still took surefire determination to get to the end of their training montage. Turning to glance back at Amhran every so often also had him contemplating their speed options, but perhaps this was a good as they were going to get. “Let’s go try it!” as others whooped and hollered in the distance.

His gaze went towards the track itself, holding steady to the Raeling’s rope and the reins on his pony (though the equine would prefer not to go anywhere at all). “Okay Sparkles, I’m counting on you,” he murmured, before slowly dragging them towards his father, bright grin on his features and ignoring the comments from the sidelines.

Erebos

has claw marks on it

DEIMOS

Deimos had to wonder if the mixture of apprehension and pride would ever coordinate into merely the latter as Erebos and Amhran approached. It was something he’d have to get used to as they grew and set off into the world, and as much as he’d yearned to tuck them all into his grasp and ensue they’d always be safe, he understood it wasn’t pragmatic. They were allowed to strive and try. Still, he took a long, slow breath, putting a multitude of faith into a pony. “Go get them,” he nodded to the boys, granting a wrinkle of his nose and a smile that didn’t unfurl every ounce of his trepidation.

Then the timer started, and they were off.

Predictably, not to a running leap. Erebos gave a few kicks and Sparkles started, begrudgingly, at a decent walk, before a slow, plodding trot. This gave Amhran ample opportunity to glide neatly; nothing at top speed, but certainly enough to appreciate sights and sounds and any adjustments he’d have to make. By the time they got to the first ring, however, the pony saw an opportunity to veer off slightly, and while Erebos struggled to get his reins back together, he missed the hoop. Regardless, the Raeling put in a good show, and they carried on.

By the time they reached the second, the pace had picked up (a quicker jog), and both youths seemed to have coordinated their efforts into something worthwhile. Snagging the ring from overhead, Erebos successfully grabbed and wrapped it around his arm, kicking the pony onward until they were at a barely passable canter (perhaps Sparkles had sensed food at the end of the course), leaving Amhran to rally on a neat and tidy jump. By the time they’d finished they had quite a passable effort, and Deimos shouted amongst the audience, and silently promised Sparkles an entire bag of treats by the end of the day.

--

Erebos misses ring 1, but grabs ring 2, and Amhran successfully, tactfully, and impressively navigates all the jumps, sliding into second place timewise~

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings

Flora raises a brow at Kaisel, and though her mouth stays primly shut above the soft white wrap of her scarf, her thoughts slip through the bond with all the sweetness of a poisoned cherry. But if I did that, how would you ever learn? Still, the brush of him through the bond is enough to soften the edges of her resistance, not enough to make her sensible—that ship had sailed directly into a reef the moment she’d agreed to marry him beneath Safrin’s stars—but enough that when he offers her a hundred chances to say I told you so and foot rubs until next season, Flora’s whole face changes. Her grin goes wicked, bright and immediate, all resistance snapping like a ribbon between her fingers. "That’s all you had to say!" she announces, already turning toward the track. "Let’s go!"

Heading toward the horses feels like walking directly into a decision she’ll either brag about for the rest of the season or deny under oath, and Flora glances sidelong at Kaisel with a lingering, forward-looking I told you this was a bad idea so already loaded behind her eyes for how spectacularly, hilariously, publicly badly this could still go. Her stomach does something rude and fluttery as one of the attendants helps her mount, and for all that she wears her confidence like lipstick, glossy and deliberate and reapplied as needed, the height of the saddle and the restless shift beneath her make every piece of half-remembered riding knowledge scatter through her mind like loose petals in a snowstorm. Reins settle into her mittened hands, instructions arrive in brisk little pieces, and Flora nods as if she is absolutely absorbing all of it.

Then they’re off. The start is not graceful, and the first ring slips past her in a flash of mortifying almost-there while her heart leaps somewhere into her throat and decides to build a vacation home there. "Oh, fuck off," she hisses under her breath, not entirely sure whether she means the ring, the horse, the laws of momentum, or the entire concept of winter sports.

But then the rhythm catches. Not neatly, not like she knows what she’s doing, not like some elegant little Halo snow-princess born with reins in hand and frost in her lashes. Beginner’s luck blooms in her, and Flora leans into it as her fingers tighten, and her breath tears out in a laugh. Babe, she calls down the bond, giddy and breathless, every syllable sparkling with disbelief, we’re doing it!!

By the time they cross the finish, Flora’s cheeks are wind-pink beneath the edge of her scarf, and her pulse is hammering with the wild, stupid joy of having survived something she fully intended to complain about and when her gaze lifts toward the scoreboard, she's shocked to find that it's their names listed at the top. Flora’s mouth drops open, her aqua eyes going wide as she whips her attention back toward Kaisel, and the brightness that breaks across her expression is pure, ridiculous sunshine over snow, all delight and disbelief and the immediate rewriting of history in her favour. "See! I told you this was going to be a good idea!"

and I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Something warm about the winter when you come around

It's only when he's strapped into the long set of skis and positioned behind the business end of a horse, rope in hand, does he even consider that maybe they've just jumped into something they shouldn't have. Before he can even properly relay that thought, stomach starting to tighten low, the round's call goes off and Flora's set the horse into motion (or perhaps it did it all on its own).

The snap of tension in his hands answers shortly thereafter, and he shoots off behind them like some comet trail of chaos and dumb luck. Flora's first ring doesn't take, but he's barely got the room to notice as his first jump sends him soaring into the air, an immediate shout of elation bubbling up as all organs lift into his chest and throat for a moment. He sticks the landing, sliding and leaning into the rope with a rush of adrenaline so complete there's nothing left to the world except Flora galloping ahead of him and the curve of snow and ice. So locked in, he can almost see the lit up, glowing path of success, veering into the right pockets.

She succeeds this time, he witnesses, a smile dashing bright into his cheeks. You're doing so good!! he fires back, all pride and excitement dancing like the edge off a laugh before he's lining up for the next jump and his rings. Check it out, I'm FLYING! the bond thunders with the thrill as he skates over the open air, guided by the fleet feet of the horse and her direction, the pair his wings for the brief time before the white sea reclaims him.

He whoops the instant he lands, one arm pumping up as they glide over the finish line. In the lead, though he doesn't know it yet, already winning on the pure joy of the act and the lack of dismemberment either of them suffered. He drops the line hastily, unhooking himself from the skis to grab at her and haul her against him in the ultimate victory. "I never should have doubted you!" he laughs, slipping into his newfound role with ease.

Kaisel

There must be something in the water, I know you feel it too

COLT

Her head turns to watch other teams fly by, the scoreboard starting to rack up the counts and placements. Visible breath puffs around her, excitement as much as the cold tinging the round edges of her cheeks rosy. It has been some time since she's ridden for more than work or travel, the anticipation to really let loose prickling through her.

"You set back there?" she calls out to Liam, twisting a touch in the saddle to throw a look over her shoulder at him. He's still fidgeting with his equipment, and so for one last time (again), Colt checks her girth tightness, stirrup length, and the tie down of the rope on the saddle that'll haul Liam behind them. They should be up soon.

Cowgirls don't cry
Ride, baby, ride
It's gonna hurt every now and then
If you fall, get back on again

Iskra

Wonder why I tear myself down
just to get built back up again

Their success is chalked up to sheer force of will and maybe some luck. Still, the exhilaration of the run vibrates through his bones even as he steps off the skis and winds his way closer to her side. "Again!?" he startles, a deeply amused and slightly smug laugh escaping. "Let's not push our luck." He holds out a hand to help the daredevil dismount, the beast she rode on quick to be retrieve by whoever's organizing the track, and they'll shortly be ushered off it to make way for the next finishers.

"There's plenty more of the festival to enjoy," he offers instead, features still bright with the rush of what they'd just accomplished. "After all that, why don't we nab a spot to watch the auroras?" He motions with his head towards the more quietly tucked away portion of the gathering, where warm blankets and cozy quarters await, feeling like a well deserved victory after the slopes.

I fill the void up with polished doubt
fake sentiment

Maybe it wasn't any more dangerous than the rodeo, strictly speaking, but Soh still winced as another person fell from an attempted flip to faceplant into the snow. Her free hand drifted up to brush her stomach, a protective instinct as she considered all the ways that skiijoring could go wrong. For that matter, she supposed the rodeo could also go terribly wrong, but there was something about the "bulls" being shifted people - and therefore somewhat in control of how terribly they treated their rider - that made it somehow different in her mind.

In any case, they made their way over to the hot chocolate. Soh dropped her hand away from her stomach as she looked over the selections available. Zavien grabbed two cups, and Soh laughed, the sound light and fun. "Marshmallows, definitely," she said. Then, spotting some red and white sticks among the toppings, she added, "Maybe a peppermint stick, too." But that was enough for her; perhaps, were she not fighting morning sickness every day of her life right now, she'd be more adventurous, but for now, just chocolate and peppermint were enough.

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

Liam

Only twenty minutes to sleep

Paired with Colt, Liam began the process of getting his equipment prepared. He had to borrow what was needed, and it took him a few minutes to get everything strapped into place. The skis were awkward to move in, but he hoped that he'd get the hang of it quickly enough. Shoving aside the thought that maybe this wasn't his best idea, he focused instead on the fact that there were plenty of healers nearby if he suffered any significant injury from his bravado.

Colt called back to him and Liam gave a thumbs up. "Ready!" he called back, gripping the rope that would pull him along tightly and bracing for the inevitable impact as Colt kicked her horse into gear. Whether or not he'd be able to succeed was beside the point; if nothing else, he hoped that this would be a little lighthearted fun in the midst of all of their preparations in Hak Etme.

---

Liam and Colt are ready to roll!

But you dream of some epiphany

Nina

I was in my tower weaving nightmares
Twisting all my smiles into snarls

As Amhran and Erebos joined the activities, Nina called an amused, "Good luck!" With Deimos focused on directing the skiijoring, that gave the keeper time to watch the festivities. For a moment, she observed the skiijoring. It was every bit as chaotic as she'd thought it would be, and she watched as various pairs tried their hand at the game. When Erebos and Amhran came sailing by, she couldn't help but smile at their efforts.

Then her gaze flickered over the rest of the festival. There was the hot chocolate bar, and the aurora viewing area. A small part of her wondered if perhaps the First Flame could have been included in some way - but no. She'd had plenty of opportunity to share the Flame with others, and more to come in future. This was all Deimos's fun, and she would have to be content to observe.

---

Nina watches everything going on!

They say what doesn't kill you makes you aware
What happens if it becomes who you are?