He had to admit, this race had been nothing like the previous one. Between ground disappearing, clouds appearing, running and jumping and doing it all while keeping the eyes firmly closed, it perhaps wasn't strange to find the former champion in the position he was, far back in the crowd. According to his dragon it was Kahlua and a pale unicorn child that was in the lead, and while he rather would have seen himself up there... well. He wouldn't wish to take the thrill of victory away from the sweet paint, now that she was in such a favorable position. He owed her that, for failing to live up to her expectations.
Still, he wasn't going to just lay down and give up. There was still a trace of enjoyment left in the heart of this vagabond, and when cloud after horrifying cloud failed to give in on him, he ever so carefully dared to open the eyes again. Every leap still made his stomach sink and churn in protest, but if he squinted just so and pretended that he was jumping rocks across still, reflective waters... Yes, it did the trick.
The turtle, it seemed, wasn't finished with them just yet however. Just as Lace had gotten used to running with his eyes open again, a sudden gust of wind filled with rather out of season flower petals came swooping down towards them. Snorting as the soft down tickled across the skin and tried to obscure his vision he tried looking over them, tried ducking the head beneath, to no real avail. Finally Fajira stepped in and took to flying just ahead of him, so that the turbulence of her beating wings disturbed the flow of the dancing leaves, pushing them downwards just enough for the stallion to see.
And what do you know. There, just up ahead he could see the glistening arc of the final hoop, marking the end to this rattling experience. Sucking in a deep breath the agile equine mustered his remaining strength, dug the hooves deep into the surface and surged forward, doing his utmost to pass as many horses as he could. Maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to pinch a third place at the very least.
It wouldn't be half bad. After all, he was getting on in age; he shouldn't expect being able to catch up to the young and spry mares when they had such a lead.
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[O] :: Equine Cross Country Race ::
