[Chr24] Sled Dogs

When Yvena woke, she looked over to see if the Polar Bavee the group had found about a week ago now.  It had warmed up to her quite well, and she was sure she wanted to keep it for herself.  Stretching as she stood up from her spot, she looked outside the small cabin they had slept in the previous night.  There was a fresh, untouched layer of snow that she couldn't help but wonder about.  She had heard whispers of a competition.  A racing competition, but she hadn't actually found any proof it was happening.  Of course, if there was such a competition, she was going to want to join.  How could she not?  She couldn't help but wonder if they had been waiting for such a fresh layer of snow.  She paused for a moment before looking back at the others, still asleep and moved towards the door.  Before she could reach the door, a floorboard let out the slightest of creaks.  She quickly stepped off of it and looked over at the Polar Bavee who had now been awoken.  Without hesitating, the smaller pet got up to walk by Yvena's side.

 

"All right, you can come."

 

Her tone was playful, though even if she said no, she had a feeling it would want to come with her anyway.  That she didn't really have a choice now that it had warmed up to her.

 

The two of them walked into town and Yvena looked around, it was kind of peaceful this early in the morning.  Because the snow had fallen and not many others were out and about yet, the village looked as if it were more of a model of itself.  One that would create a scene.  The houses were more like huts, in the sense it was clear they used the resources available to them.  Straw, wood, and mud seemed to be the majority of it, though some had stone or brick, likely newer.  The residents had been kind to the small group, not taking a bother to them being there or helping out where it was needed.  There were some outside on their "porches" and some who were walking along the sidewalk.  Or, well, where the sidewalk would be if not for the layers of snow that had yet to be shoveled aside.  Yvena gave a polite smile and nod as she passed a few others.  She eventually made it to the market and began to look around for some food for her and the others.

 

Meanwhile, at the cabin, the others had begun to wake up.  Maisiel was the first to notice Yvena and the Bavee's absence.  She glanced over at Maki and Maisiel.  "Where do you think she went?" Klasp couldn't help but ask.  "Probably into town," Maki stretched before looking over at the bedding on the floor, "I'm sure she'll be back soon, and if not, we'll just go looking for her."  Klasp sat down, "Yeah.  You're right."  The three of them decided to wait for Yvena to get back.  It didn't take much longer, and she came in with an obvious excitement.  

 

"We have to join!  There's no reason we shouldn't!"

 

The others looked over at the clearly excited Snowracer.  "Join what exactly?" Maisiel asked "The race!  It's a sled race, but with all four of us, it shouldn't be an issue at all." Yvena explained "We aren't even sure it's real, Yve-" Klasp shook her head.  "We have to at least try to get in, it is a real competition, I saw a flyer for it in town and there were more of them talking about it.  It's happening today, we have to go now!"

 

It was obvious there was no telling Yvena no, either.  The other three were a little reluctant, they weren't really made for racing like Yvena was.  Maki had his strength, but he wasn't very fast.  Maisiel was fast and agile, and while she had strength in a particular way, there wasn't much in the way of pulling a sled of all things.  Klasp was agile, and good at obstacles, but didn't particularly have the strength for pulling either.  While Yvena led the walk to the race, the three of them stayed back.  "I feel like we're just going to hold her back." Klasp said, her voice low enough to where hopefully Yvena didn't hear.  "She can't enter alone, she'll have more of a chance with the three of us than alone.  The best we can do is try."  Maki said and the girls gave a glance to each other.  It was easy for him to say now.

 

They had eventually arrived at the place and the three of them watched as Yvena was nearly bouncing around in excitement.  "Guess we're really doing this," Maisiel couldn't help but swallow hard.  She had to get her anxiety down somehow.  Yvena finally turned back to the others, "This is great, isn't it?  I have a good feeling about this!  And hey, when we're out there racing, Mariposa will be watching us!"  "Mariposa?" Klasp tilted her head in confusion.  "Oh!  I didn't tell you guys, did I?  I decided to name her Mariposa." She said and motioned towards her Bavee.  "Right." Maki said nodded to himself.  "Well, then let's not disappoint!" He forced a laugh before he took a step past Yvena, turning back after a few more paces "Well?  I thought you were excited!" He teased.  Yvena couldn't help but grin as she turned and began to run towards where they would be harnessed up and wait for the competition to start.

 

It felt like forever, and for all of them for different reasons.  Yvena was ready to start before it even started, and the others were both worried to disappoint and generally worried about if they'd be able to do this.  They guessed it didn't matter much, Yvena would probably just be excited to have competed.  Or at least they hoped it would be the case.  Before the three were really ready to prepare, a loud whistle rang through the air, signaling the start of the race.  Yvena was the first to go, she was prepared for it, the others.. not so much.  Maki was the first to stumble, in fact, head first into the snow.  "Wait!" Klasp called as they had tried to pull Maki out.  It wasn't a great start, and honestly, they were already in a disadvantaged state since the other contestants kept going.  They were able to pry him out of the snow before they all started to run.  This time, nobody was caught off guard.  They ran their hardest, and the fastest they could go without leaving any one of them behind.  It was a lot, and not something that any of them were prepared for.

 

The three felt guilty.  Yvena wanted to win, and not only did they have a bad start, they weren't as fast as the others, most of whom had been practicing for months most likely.  The trail wasn't the easiest either.  The snow was hard to traverse with a sled tied down to you, and when they hit the dense forest, the thicker areas of trees were the issue.  Hitting this and that tree, bouncing all around, it was really more surprising when they were able to get out of it.  Then it was the final stretch.  They were almost there, though they were far behind any others there could have been.  It had been obvious they had been through, but not so obvious they were anywhere near the group.  Uphill before going through a few twists and turns, finally they reached the end.

 

Maki collapsed, panting as he rested his head down on the snow.  "We came in last." Maisiel was clearly disappointed in the results, herself.  Still, they all went quiet and looked over to Yvena.  She turned to them and gave them the widest grin they think they'd ever seen on her.  "We did it!" She said "We... what?" Klasp was caught off guard with her continued happiness.  "We finished.  It was pretty fun, wasn't it?" She couldn't help but laugh.  The three looked at each other, then back to Yvena.  "We didn't win." Maisiel said "That doesn't matter.  I mean, you guys had fun, didn't you?" Yvena questioned and they remained silent.  They didn't want to burst her bubble.  Finally Maki stood up, "Yeah.  I guess it was pretty fun." He said.  The others were quiet.  Yvena took a moment to think before sitting down, even she may have needed a little break after that.  "I'm sorry-" She started, guilt creeping in.  "We just wanted you to be able to have fun.  If you had fun, then it was worth it." Maisiel said.  "I wanted us to have fun together." She said and Maisiel and Klasp glanced at each other.  "I guess it was pretty fun, I mean, Maki fell face first." Klasp couldn't help but laugh at the vision of him in the snow again.