cyclicality | [OPEN] Let the races begin

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[OPEN] Let the races begin

January 10th is a big day for anyone interested in the races. Or rather, interested in a little bit of gambling. Located in the Southern Water Tribe, the penguin sledding races are the place to make it big or lose everything! Races will be held from dawn until midnight with stalls selling food and souvenirs are set up around the event area. Everyone is free to take place in as many races as they want on one condition — they have to catch their own otter penguin, which might be a bigger challenge than actually sledding through the race track. They take this rule very seriously! Those who hire others to catch their otter penguins for them will be disqualified if they're caught. Just remember that this is the South Pole. The event area isn't around any residential areas, so bring warm gear when you hike to it in the cold.

There's fun in Republic City, too. It's snowing, at least, so a few otter penguins have been shipped in for racing around a smaller track. There's stalls set up in the city, too, selling knickknacks and Water Tribe cuisine. People are free to place their bets here as well, but any penguin sledder who's anybody is probably already in the Southern Water Tribe where the big fish are.

So there are options. People who have free time and money to travel can take a ship to the Southern Water Tribe to see what there is to offer. People who are short on time or money can stop by the penguin sledding arena for a few minutes to see what's up.

[ OOC: Feel free to include a variety of scenarios in your tag. It's an all-day event, so if you want to include scenarios for travel, otter penguin catching, sledding or just spectating. Whatever floats your boat! ]

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"Mitten-clad Mia"? [She's still laughing ridiculously and completely fails at sounding faux-offended by it.] Oh you are so going to get it when I get this penguin captured for good!

[Clearly this isn't quite working, so Mia, while still holding on, attempts to pick the thing up. It's heavy and bulky, but she's clearly, though barely, got the otter penguin's feet off the ground.]

If you want your friend back, you're going to have to come after me yourself, you penguin tamer!

[Wan devolved into more laughter before he managed to get himself under control enough that he could walk over to where Mia had the otterpenguin awkwardly held in the air. He held his hands up to indicate a surrender.]

I think it's against the rules for me to steal an otterpenguin that's been rightly captured.

[He did, however, reach over to pat the struggling otterpenguin on the head and try to calm it a little.]

It's okay, big guy. She's a good person. You'll be fine with her.

[A moment passed before his lips twisted playfully and he moves his hand from the penguin to Mia's head, fully taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't push his hand away without letting go of her prize. Pat. Pat.]

You did a very good job, too.

[Mia's laughter echoes Wan's for very much the same reasons. She's having far too much of a good time than she has any right to, and she's practically tickled by this little encounter.]

Oh you're finally giving up? [She still can't cease her laughing entirely, but she just smiles rather victoriously up at Wan when he gives the otter penguin those reassuring pats. It actually calms itself down, quieting its struggles and almost going playfully quiet in Mia's arms.

[But then Wan's reassuring pats go from her captured penguin's head to her own. And the expression on Mia's face is one of surprise and disbelief. She can't help but paradoxically smile at it though, completely amused by the "audacity" of it all. In a quite unladylike fashion, she sticks her tongue out at him and raises an eyebrow.]

Well, thank you, my most gracious and benevolent teacher. [She can't wave away his patting of her head, but she could move. But she doesn't.] I'm glad I rose to your expectations.

I never doubted your ability.

[Wan let his hand drop, the playful victory he'd achieved was enough for him.]

I guess I should say goodbye to the rest of these guys and go watch the races. If it's okay for me to walk with you?

[Mia smirks a bit at that, side-eyeing Wan. The fact that he's so willing to just leave his pile of friends behind now that Mia is heading off doesn't entirely escape her.]

I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I'd love the company, provided your friends aren't going to be jealous that this one here, [she indicates to the penguin in her arms with a nod of the head,] will be getting all your attention.

[Wan twisted at the waist to toss the rest of the fish he had on him away from the two of them and the group that were around his feet waddled off, grunting and honking loudly.]

I don't think they'll mind too much.

[He turned back and reached out to scratch at the head of the otterpenguin in Mia's arms again.]

And as great as he is, he's not really the one who'll be getting all my attention.

[Well, okay, he really is flirting with her. Not that she's of a prerogative to mind though.

[Though she can't help but pass up the moment to tease him a bit on account of the fish.]

Oh, you've been using fish the entire time to make your friends? [She laughs a little bit, and if her hands weren't full she'd try to cover her mouth a little at the laugh.] I'm disappointed; I had believed that you just had a knack for otter penguins, that you were just that good of a charmer.

[She looks up to him and casts him a knowing smile. He is a charmer, really. She bites her lip a little bit at his second comment, feeling rather lucky.]

Well, I can't say I disappointed, [she says a little shyly.]

Giving my friends gifts I know they like is not the same as using those gifts to make friends.

[Wan said in 'tsk tsk' tone before sticking his tongue out at her.

Only after her shy admittance did he seem to have the decency to blush and look to the side in embarrassment. The grin that had taken over his face wasn't able to be suppressed - though he did try for a moment.]

Well... that's... good.

[Smooth, Wan. Smooth.]

We should... um... probably get you over to the sign ups. I could carry him for you, if you want?

[Mia giggles in response to the first bit.]

Well, I suppose that's very true. After all, I'm rather appreciative of the gift that this little guy is.

[She smiles down at the otter penguin, and he just tries to nudge her face with his little whiskered nose.

[For better or worse, Mia misses Wan's own blush. When she's finally looking back to him, he's looking off to the side. But she could still see the edges of his grin.]

No way are you taking this guy from me after I worked so hard to get him! [She just flashes a jokingly distrustful look. But all the same, she knows he's completely trustworthy.] What will they do if I get to the check in desk and see that I didn't "catch" him myself?

Okay, okay, no carrying him. But I do think you can probably let him walk with us and it'll be just fine. I'll show you a trick to keep him focused on following you, if you want.

[Mia just can't get that grin off her face. Even if he's almost taking it as serious.]

Okay, that's fair. Though I don't suppose it's as simple as just telling him he's about to go penguin sledding.

[She sets him down, though she still tentatively keeps her hands on the otter penguin.]

What's next?

[Wan very carefully reached down to take one of her hands and place it on the penguinotter's head, arranging her fingers with a light touch. His face was bright red from overly familiar touch and he tried his best to ignore it. Or at least not to let his body temperature rise so much he started melting the snow with his feet.]

Rub his nose and the area above his eyes right here... and here... every so often. It's hard for them to scratch or rub themselves there, so it ends up feeling really good. Stop just long enough that he doesn't give up on getting more attention from you before doing it again.

[Well, at least somewhat thankfully for Wan, Mia does have mittens and long parkas covering her hands and arms, but it's not as if the touch isn't overly familiar for her as well, and she can't help but blush a little bit too. ~~It's the cold, right? The cold weather.~~

[She lets him move her arm to the appropriate spot, and she gives the otter penguin a little scratch there, which seems to please it rather greatly.

[She remains looking down, away from Wan despite knowing that he's right there so close to her, and she giggles a bit childishly.]

Well, my faith in you having a knack with otter penguins is restored! [She tries desperately for a moment to contain a grin and finally risks a quick glance up to Wan.] He does seem to like it. And it will probably save my arms from getting exhausted before we make it back.

I'm so glad I've restored your faith in me! I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't!

[Wan replied back in his best over-dramatic voice. Then he started walking, grinning harder when the otterpenguin decided it wanted to try and waddle after him. He held his hands up and away so the only person it could get immediate affection from was Mia.]

And from the looks of it, you'll definitely need your arm strength for making sure this guy stays on course when you go sledding with him.

Well thank goodness for that, then. I wouldn't want you to face that sort of consequence.

[Is there going to be any ceasing of Mia's laughter? Not by the looks of it considering how overly dramatic Wan is aiming upon being. But still, Mia is enjoying this moment, and Wan's smile is music to her.

[Mia quickly jogs up beside the otter penguin and gives him a little scratch again, and it seems to make him more and more follow her command, though every once in a while, it will go after Wan for affection instead.]

I think so. I think I'm going to have my hands full just trying to keep him in line, much less trying to hold on as he goes down the slopes!

[Every time it tried to go after Wan, he casually side-stepped himself out of it's range and somehow always managed to put Mia between himself and the penguin. Essentially leading it back to her.]

Well, when you're going down the slopes it is important to hold onto him, but I'm pretty sure it's slightly more important to get him to go where you need him to just so you can stay in the bounds of the race. Not that I've ever gone penguin sledding before, so I'm not quite sure how that's done...

Huh... maybe you should watch a few races before you go so you can figure out how the people who know what they're doing are doing it?

[Well at least he's being good and proper with helping her corral this ornery little penguin. Every time she manages not to give it enough attention she catches up to it and give it another scratch. Someone definitely made good friends with this one!]

Oh, yes, I imagine so. I was joking just a little bit before, but it wouldn't hurt to look to see how someone might... steer otter penguins down the slopes. Though I would hope part of that is going to be their own instinct; after all, they seem to get as much fun out of it as we do.

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[OPEN] Let the races begin

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