[Chr24] [CHR24] Sled Dogs

The cold seeps through the brick of the building they're in, the quiet shuffling of clothes interrupted only by laughter or the sounds of rough housing. Otherwise, most of the people within this room are hyperfocused on one thing- the monumentally important task before them. They stuff things away, don items like harnesses and other tactical gear, some even scowling as they place muzzles on themselves. The muzzles are giant on their still human faces, but they all know this gear will fit like a glove once they transform. Ryker feels anxiety and anticipation rippling through him, and it's all he can do to latch his own muzzle as his fingers tremble slightly.

As he pads outside, he sees people already in their prime forms for the competition, getting settled into their formations side by side. He sees his own team not too far away, some of them ready and one of them in particular not quite as he talks to their so-called musher. He shakes his head, bracing himself, and let's his bones shift and transform him into what some humans may see as a beast. The cold is even less effective with the fur now covering his body, and as he walks up, he realizes that Ozias is going over the final bit of their route with their musher. He still stands on two legs, but is still shorter than the Bucks beside him. They aren't all linked together yet, and there's some chatter amongst the team- Ryker prefers the silence offered by one of their wheel Bucks, Draven, so he sits nearer to him than the others.

Despite this, he hears a coarse snicker and suddenly someone is slamming into his side- there's a growl from his throat, but he knows from the smell alone that there's no point in aggression. "Bluejay!! I was wondering if you had decided to skip out on us after all! Took you long enough- what, didn't wanna put on your muzzle or something?" Malachi's huff of laughter and speech is muffled by his own muzzle, and Ryker rolls his eyes. "Sure. You know not everyone would prefer to actually live like a dog- pretty sure that's exclusive to just you on our team." It isn't as aggressive as it used to be, but Ryker's coldness is obvious. Malachi hums like he's considering something, and as Ryker looks over, he's smirking in that way he does when he's looking for something a little more exciting than a race. "Really? Well, that has me shocked considering all those collars I see you in- or maybe that's just for your cute little bo-" Ryker's growl is building again, claws gripping the snow, but a stern, deep voice cuts whatever Malachi is going to say off. "Enough. Ozias is about to go over our positions and expectations." It's Draven- imposing despite his sleek form, they're well aware of the power within him. He looks down at Malachi in particular and clicks his tongue. "I thought you'd be on better behavior given the last warning you got. Not just the warning, but the injuries too. Don't forget we're forcing you two in muzzles for a reason." As he finishes off, he walks away with a parting nod to Ryker. Ryker scowls deeper, ears pinning back as he feels scolded. He watches Malachi grimace a bit too, rolling his eyes and giving a dismissive huff as he turns back towards the sled. He walks to his position closest to the sled and plops down with dramatics, his wrapped tail throwing snow around as it thrashes.

Draven, for his part, merely walks towards the edges where friends and family gather. Sitting there is his daughter, and with her, their fluffy pet Bavee. Rkyer isn't sure of the name of the creature off the top his head, but he knows Draven told him more than once. Maybe something like Achilles..? Regardless, Ryker turned himself to look further back behind the throngs of people, and spotted what he wanted to with a smile. The whole reason he signed up was for a chance at money, and said was was gently petting May, who laid her head right in his lap. Ryker couldn't see any discomfort from him or May, and the wheelchair seemed cozy despite the cold, but he approached anyway.  He got a smile as he approached, and May rubbed herself against him as he approached to touch his cold, wet nose against a cold hand. After a brief exchange, well wishes spoken softly and lovingly, Ryker went back to find that Ozias was addressing the rest of the team, most of whom were in position already.

"Now, I know we've gone over this race a number of times, but it can't be stressed enough that you must follow the markers correctly. I know we have had unfortunate set backs and reroutes before, but there is no other option for this race as the off path ways are perilous, to say the least. This is also a test of endurance, moreso even than of skill in some areas, so do not use this as a way to show off- we'll have other races for that, understood?" There was a pointed look at Ryker as he approached, but there was also another pointed look at their so called ace runner and at Malachi. "I know we have the experience and the ability to place at the top of the board, but don't harm yourself or others- I don't want to clean up any bloodbathes today, understood? Get in your places so we can get to our position in the race."

With that, his own form began to change as he walked towards the front, hooked next to the other lead Buck as their guides. Ryker walked up behind him, settled right next to Draven, the two of them entrusted with being the swing Bucks. Malachi sat in the back of the line, but was surprisingly never disgruntled with this position- with the exception of when things went wrong and he would end of biting the Bucks around him. Ryker asked, "So what's the mileage looking like?" To which Ozias and Draven both made noises of disapproval. Before either could scold him, he gave a laugh and came clean, "I was just joking guys, c'mon. Lighten up a little." Ozias grumbled, and Ryker watched as he caught the eye of his lover and their beloved Reetle, Ditzy. Ozias visibly grew more relaxed, but seemed more focused now, and they trotted over to the start area.

Once they took off, it truly was just as grueling as they had been expecting. There was a chance it was even moreso, the biting cold of ice numbing their paws and cracking under hooves. There would be no breaks in this race, as it was to be done within a single day unlike some of the treks they had managed before. Speed would matter, as would skill, as the terrain shifted from ice to soft, fresh fallen snow, to sharp, cold gravel under their feet. Ozias was a great lead, though, reliable and steady- and this made it easy for his team to follow suit. The musher called out from behind, and though they were mostly following their own skills and abilities, the calls helped them coordinate where Ozias couldn't communicate. Ryker thought back to seeing their friends and families waiting for them, and a surge of energy renewed him- though he no longer had family by blood, the love for the family he had gained, the one he had fallen in love with, was more than enough. He would win, and he would get the money he needed. He was sure Ozias, Draven, Ronin- his whole team thought the same. They were all here for a reason, and they were here to win. When they reached the end after several brutal hours, their pace had slowed but their wills persisted. The end was in sight and, with a jolt to the ones in front, they saw the ribbon hadn't yet been broken! With a final push, they broke the ribbon and cheers could be heard likely for miles, the cold helping the sound echo like nothing else. The announcer was ecstatic, money was thrown around, people could be seen enraged as they lost bets, but nothing else mattered to them- they had accomplished what they came to do, and they would be rewarded in the ways that mattered.