[OPEN] Let the races begin

[cyclicalitymods]

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! ]

Comments

[raavashing]

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.

[mercuryadept]

[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?

[raavashing]

[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.

[mercuryadept]

[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.

[raavashing]

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.

[mercuryadept]

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!

[raavashing]

[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?

[mercuryadept]

[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.