the_very_best
Fireflower nods.
"This is really interesting," observes Bella dryly. "All right, I guess I'm on Branch, although I consider it misleading that you didn't tell me Tony would be wooing my Fireflower with translation help."
"This is really interesting," observes Bella dryly. "All right, I guess I'm on Branch, although I consider it misleading that you didn't tell me Tony would be wooing my Fireflower with translation help."
the_very_best
Bella laughs. She tosses Branch's Pokéball and swings herself onto the Sawsbuck's back. "Shall we?"
bitofafiction
Sherlock produces Watson, who glances at the other two quadrupeds and inquires over his shoulder, "Strik?"
"Indeed we are," says Sherlock, mounting up. "Once around the lake, first one past the tower?" Watson positions himself appropriately.
"Indeed we are," says Sherlock, mounting up. "Once around the lake, first one past the tower?" Watson positions himself appropriately.
toblameforit
Tony reaches out a hand to Fireflower, slowly to make sure she has time to decide not to burn him, and when he has verified her cooperation he climbs on her back.
the_very_best
"Raaapidash," says Fireflower haughtily. She doesn't burn Tony.
"Saw," says Branch. Bella nudges him into a fair starting position.
"I'm all set," Bella says. "What should our starting signal be?"
"Saw," says Branch. Bella nudges him into a fair starting position.
"I'm all set," Bella says. "What should our starting signal be?"
the_very_best
"Sure. Five... four... three... two... one!"
And Bella squeezes Branch with her knees and a pat to the side of his neck, the other hand hanging on to one of his antlers. He lopes forward with long leaping strides that have grace, if not exactly blinding speed.
Fireflower starts all by herself. She may be letting Tony sit on her but doesn't appear to care all that much if he stays that way.
And Bella squeezes Branch with her knees and a pat to the side of his neck, the other hand hanging on to one of his antlers. He lopes forward with long leaping strides that have grace, if not exactly blinding speed.
Fireflower starts all by herself. She may be letting Tony sit on her but doesn't appear to care all that much if he stays that way.
bitofafiction
Watson starts at precisely the appropriate moment.
He - well - bolts forward, easily overtaking Branch.
He - well - bolts forward, easily overtaking Branch.
the_very_best
"Ayep," mutters Bella. "Keep up, honey, go on." Branch goes on leaping.
Fireflower sprints. She's up to top speed in ten strides, and top speed is staggering.
Fireflower sprints. She's up to top speed in ten strides, and top speed is staggering.
bitofafiction
Watson's top speed keeps pace pretty well, and he manages to put himself between the Rapidash and the lake.
the_very_best
Fireflower runs like she's got something to prove. She quite ignores Tony.
Meanwhile, Branch makes up some ground, when he's able to jump over a few tall rocks that the other two have to route around, but Bella falls far behind overall.
Meanwhile, Branch makes up some ground, when he's able to jump over a few tall rocks that the other two have to route around, but Bella falls far behind overall.
bitofafiction
As they reach the opposite side of the lake, Watson begins to pull ahead. He is better able to navigate the contours of the shoreline and turn sharply around obstacles without losing speed.
the_very_best
Fireflower runs like a madmon on the straightaway portions, and occasionally temporarily overtakes the Zebstrika, but ultimately she - or Tony, depending on how one counts these things - comes in second.
Branch lopes in some thirty seconds later.
Branch lopes in some thirty seconds later.
bitofafiction
"Good show," says Sherlock, disembarking from Watson and hugging him around the neck.
"Zeb," says Watson, nodding.
"Zeb," says Watson, nodding.
the_very_best
"Raaaapidash," complains Fireflower, snorting at Watson.
"Nicely done," says Bella, sliding off Branch and returning him.
"Nicely done," says Bella, sliding off Branch and returning him.
the_very_best
"That's all right, I can ride Fireflower." Since Tony's already vacated her, Bella vaults up. "I bet you can do it, pretty one," she coos. "Yes you can."
bitofafiction
Sherlock remounts Watson and guides him to the starting line.
"Shall we, my dear fellow?"
"Striiika."
"Shall we, my dear fellow?"
"Striiika."