Skating Rink [EVENT]

[Kittie]

Outside, a large skating rink has been set up. The crystalline surface has been scratched and scuffed by many happy skaters for the day - but it is smoothed out beautifully each night. Usually, the rink is full of happy families, trainers skating out their stress, or cheerful couples appreciating a short excursion. Today however, is... special. The rink instead is fairly empty. The occupants today are more than your average skaters. They look like professionals! They glide across the rink happily, pirouetting with grace and precision, skating circles around the rink with wild abandon. You witness something interesting, though, about those who try to approach one of these speedy skaters.

All of the professionals have a bag strapped to their back, and once someone who clearly doesn't belong to their squad manages to approach one of them, they toss a cracker to them. The capsule, when opened, contains a nice surprise.

So? Do you feel like approaching one of these guys for a prize?

Each character you play may obtain one cracker, and posts must be done in-character.

[Xav]

Aquilo had always had a fascination for winter sports- Skiing, snowboarding, and especially ice skating. Inverno didn't see what the big deal was but it didn't keep him from humoring his brother by joining him in watching whenever Aquilo's managed to find such events. The ice skating rink had been his favorite watching spot and the Froslass morph had dragged him out multiple days to sit and watch people try to glide along the ice, seeing it like many people saw a comedy. What was it with humans that made them determined to try and master the elements when they were so poorly equipped for them? He had seen so many failures and tears that it didn't seem worth it to him, but yet they kept at it anyways. He had to commend them for their determination, even if it was misdirected.

He was within eyesight of the skating rink on this day when he quickly noticed that something was different. The wobbling children and tottering fools had been replaced by humans that seemed to know the ice- he wouldn't call it a mastery but they were far better than what he had seen from most. He hovered towards the edges of the rink, blue eyes watching almost hungrily on the spinning forms until he noticed that it wasn't only skating that was going on- they were rewarding people who managed to keep up with them!

Some little part of him felt offended though he knew he had no reason to be. Who did these people think they were, being able to judge who was good on the ice? Well, he'd show them who truly reigned over the ice, and he didn't need any stupid skates to do it! "Inve, take off your shoes. Those people are handing out presents." He knew his brother wouldn't follow him just because Aquilo wanted to show up the skaters, but the idea of a reward would work. As he thought his dark-skinned brother quickly slipped out of his shoes and socks and soon Aquilo stepped barefoot on to the ice, letting out a soft sigh as he was once more in his element.

He pushed himself forward, bare feet gliding over the ice as easily as if he was on a floor. There was no strain on him, his icy body instinctively moving along the rink better than he did anywhere else thanks to his Snow Cloak ability. Inverno wasn't quite as steady as him but his control over the ice itself ensured he wasn't about to fall any time soon. "Come on brother, get one of them!"There was a hint of a mischievous laugh to his voice which was more than he usually let out in public but he was enjoying himself. It was a rare day when he was able to show off a little after all.

His locked his eyes on one of the skaters with a bag and sped himself up to catch up to him, a playful smile crossing his face as he did. From the corner of his eye he could see Inverno single out a skater as well, choosing to focus on a female- he should have figured. The Glalie morph didn't have any of the flail Aquilo did on the ice but it simply wasn't his way, choosing instead to chase down the skater until he was able to glide up to her, grinning widely. Got anything in the bag for me, babe?

[Midnight]

<sub>"Well, hello handsome," the woman responded, smiling a sly grin of her own. She turned to face him, sliding backwards on the ice. Her level of talent allowed her to do so without much difficultly, and she seemed comfortable enough with her surroundings to maintain her undivided attention upon him. She regarded him with a pair of elevator eyes, taking in his whole appearance at once, her devious grin widening. "Let me check, honey, I just might," she purred, and slowed her pace long enough to zip open her bag and toss him a peculiar looking cracker. "Have fun, doll." she said with a wink, and quickly pecked him on the cheek before rushing off to join her squad.

You have received four rare candies!</sub>

[Glitch]

Ice... it's like water, except it's frozen. Frozen water was better than normal water, but it wouldn't stay frozen! All it took was a little bit of heat- heat that she would naturally give off, being a typhlosion morph, and whammo! Instant water! These thoughts were what kept alex clinging to her ice skates clutched in her lap, her knuckles white agaist them as she glared at the white sheet of slippery frozen water that other people were cheerily circling on, laughing and talking. What had possessed her to come here? Why on earth was even Edgar and Lucas having a good time?! Her gaze flickered to the little sled they had rented, Edgar perched on it, his face as blank and emotionless as ever, and Lucas, her young heracross, reined to it like a Stantler, sliding around on small pokemon skates, his face a mask of rapt glee, despite being used by the little manipulative bird.

She hesitated for a moment longer, and with her heart doing uncomfortable flips in her chest, she tugged on the skates, laced them up, and waddled to the ice. Tentatively, she touched it with one razor-like blade on her skate, a low growl forming in her throat, and then with a little more force, she launched herself onto it, slipping and sliding with an utter lack of balance, nearly falling a few times, before finally reaching the edge of the rink and clinging to the wall.

"Absolute nonsense!"

She muttered to herself, violently pushing her spiky red shoulder length hair out of her face and glaring over at her pokemon, who were having the time of their lives on the godawful ice. She decided to try to go over to them, to try to convince him that they should leave soon, and so pushing herself off of her blessed wall, she began to awkwardly slide towards the little sled, going a bit pale as she started thinking off all the nightmares falling over would supply.

[stiefeln]

"This shouldn't be too hard."
Was what Son would say every time he met a skating rink. It has been a while, though, and if he had done so again sooner, his memory would have been much more fresh.

"At least it's an outdoor one." Indoor ones looked too massive, he presumed, and were what he had trouble with. Outdoor ones... he had only seen them.
"Though, what's with all the oddly equipped people? Isn't this supposed to be for trainers?"

He noted several others, who appeared odd in their own way, and some Pokemon manage, with some haphazardly. They looked to...
"Why are they... Are they trying to follow them?"

He spotted one seemingly professional skater hand out a prize upon being met by one who was not like she.

"You got to be kidding me."

So that was how he would have to acquire his prize. Who would have guessed? Certainly not he.

"I thought the skating part was optional, those bastards."

He moved forth with his skates, walking along the safe ground. Anxiety built up as he neared and when he peeled the door aside, ensuring that no one was bound before he embarked on the frosty terrain, he paused to take a breath.

And then he went on the ice, starting slowly. At this pace, someone was surely bound to collide with him, though the chances were minimal. He would have to pick up his pace.

He moved his legs and moved quicker, finding it rather easy to get himself moving, and soon, a little too fast for his taste. He had no idea how to slow down, though, and so he skated near the boards to ensure he had something to grab onto to stop himself.

Eventually comfort strode in and he attempted to free himself from his insecurity, and perhaps, lack of adequate ability. But was there anything he had to lose in trying? Nothing as far as he could tell.

"Oh, what the hell with it."

He picked up his speed and began to travel across the rink rather quickly. Comfort soon drained, replaced by the anxiety that decided for him to draw to the boards.
Unfortunately they were far off now, and by the time he would meet them, he would be going at a high velocity.

Skaters of a selective sorts strode around him, some far and some nearby, all exchanging distance.
He noted some having more trouble than he, so he felt pretty good about himself to some extent.

Their markings guided him. He had no trouble determining where he was bound until he met them, and then they stole his blades and forced him to follow their trail, unable to muster the courage and strength to counsel their path.

The boards came fast and he prepared himself for the collision. His form travelled near a curve, thankfully, meaning he would not meet a flat surface dead on.
The curve swerved him along the board, his pace slowed by the touch and his own grasp.

"This could take a while."

It seemed impossible. There was no way he could catch up to any of those so-called professional skaters. What he could do was dart through the rink in hopes of colliding with one, and hoping that they noticed him before then, or else someone could get hurt.

[Kittie]

"Ahahahaha!" a cheerful laugh rang out from behind Alex as a nimble girl skated a couple quick circles around the unsteady girl. "Oh, wow! You sure are trying your hardest, aren't you? I think that's really - ahahaha - admirable!" she chuckled, covering her rosy face with a deeper and rosier red glove. "Oh - ahaha - goodness me! You're going to fall right over head-over-teakettle if you're not careful! I say, here, your effort is - ahahaha - good enough for me!" her giggling was getting almost obnoxious as she rifled through her bag to pull out a golden Christmas cracker.

"Here, oh, just take this! Hahaha! You'll really like what's in there, I promise!" with a final little chuckle, the girl tossed the cracker to Alex and pirouetted off across the ice, silver skates glinting in the sunlight.

You have received four rare candies!


---

Luckily for Son, one such skater had narrowly missed him on his first pass. This time around, however, he was luckier. The man spun around Son quickly, giving a casual wave as he passed. Without needing to look, he removed a cracker from the bag at his side. He waved it lightly and skated another circle around the other man. "Looks like you're having some trouble. No different from anyone else here though, I guess."

He sped up, spinning to a stop a little ways ahead of Son's trajectory. As the man passed, he held out the cracker to pass it off. "Enjoy your prize. Looks like you're one of the lucky ones to catch us!"

You have received four rare candies!

[Deleted]

For others standing on the sight it probably was an amusing sight: a guy trying his best among the professional skaters but utterly failing, sometimes accompanied with swears shouted and muttered. But to the guy in the skates it was an absolute nightmare.

He thought, perhaps a bit cocky, this wouldn't be a big problem. He'd been watching the rink for a while first and noticed how people got something when approaching those skaters. Eventually he decided he was going to try it himself. After all, he loved gifts.

With a loud bang, Levi hit the side of the rink and immediately held on to it as if his life depended on it. His lungs were actually burning, an odd sensation for him as he had a good stamina. While trying to catch his breath, he glared to the skaters passing by, making their perfect jumps and pirouettes. He needed to know what was in those crackers, but that meant he would have to get close to at least one.

He slid along the side, keeping a firm grip on it to maintain balance, until he was facing the backs of all the skaters, in the longer side of the rink. After one last, deep breath, he pushed himself off the side with all his strength and somehow managed to stay up, be it with his arms flailing wildly. He pushed himself forward a few times in an attempt to gain more speed. When he finally dared to look sideways he found he was matching their pace, at last!

"Eh, hi!" He shouted. It came out a lot more pitched than he meant to, but at the moment he really couldn't care. He just hoped someone would look at him and give him his darned present.

[Nekayne]

watch your heart when we're together
- - - - -boys like you love me forever

"F-f-fucking c-cold."

A bundled Houndoom Pokemorph cursed under her breath as she stood at the edge of the ice, skates strapped to her feet, and a Aron and Ponyta standing behind her safely on the sidelines. She had finally managed to stand up straight after slipping and stumbling about. She had never skated before and would hope to never do such a stupid...cold sport ever again.

All for a fucking cracker.

She shuddered violently against the cold, her hot breath being seen with every exhale. She was hoping that one of the professionals would come closer to her so she didn't have to move to receive her prize, but they seems rather adamant on keeping their distance.

<Are you not going to move, predator?>

"I thought I told you to stop calling me that." Lilith spat, refusing to turn her head to cast a glare at the Ponyta. "I hate the cold. This is retarded."

<If you moved you wouldn't be so cold.> Marshall commented, shifting his hooves to keep his own warmth and blood flowing.

"I need some sort of plan. I am not going out there just to fall on my ass." Lilith huffed as she looked around for some kind of idea or clue as to getting herself close to one of the professionals without the work involved. She scowled as she watched them show off in front of the masses. Oh if only one of them took a tumble...

Suddenly, an idea.

Lilith slowly turned herself around to face her Pokemon, putting a hand onto the back of Marshall's neck to keep herself steady. She sat herself down onto the ledge of the rink between him and Lamont.

<Giving up already?> Lamont blinked as he looked at his trainer.

"I just need a bit of motivation. Lamont, come onto my lap. Let's cuddle." Lilith looked over at the ball of steel, patting her lap as she moved her hands out of the way for the Aron.

Lamont's blue eyes lit up brighter than the holiday decor. Finally, an act of compassion and love! Lamont wasted no time crawling onto Lilith's lap, his heavy form sinking into her. He had been waiting for so long to finally be accepted by her and to chip away at the rough exterior. He was right - there was softness underneath.

...Why was he suddenly on the ice?

In his thoughts, Lamont hadn't noticed that Lilith only had him crawl onto her lap so that she could easily propel his steel form across the ice, aiming for the legs of one of the professionals. Once they were down, she would just have to casually slide over and gain her prize. Making someone look stupid and gaining something all in one!

WORDS: n/a EXP: 000/000 NOTES: n/a

[/div]TEMPLATE BY VIKA OF CAUTION.[/center]

[Xav]

On the other side of the rink another trainer was having trouble with the unfamiliar sport of ice skating. Elei wasn't too bothered by the biting temperatures as much as he was the bright pink ice skates on his feet- due to having rather /dainty/ feet he had been forced in to a pair of girl skates. The last pair in his size, of course they would have to be a bright shade of pink that made his eyes water just looking at them. Normally he would have thrown up his nose at the thought of wearing such a thing but the only reason why he was here in the first place was because the skaters in the rink were throwing out /prizes/. And really ice skating shouldn't be that hard, right? Wrong.

After a few minutes of slipping and flailing about Elei was certain that his ass was going to be black and blue for days to come. Hellas wasn't at all helpful despite Elei bringing him to the rink for support- every time Elei ended up falling sent the Aron in to a fit of laughter. Both his body and his ego battered the Gothita morph was at the end of his limits and chose to take out his frustration on the one thing he could. "You think I'm so bad Hellas, let's see you go get one of those crackers for me!" Outraged he pulled the aron on to the ice and gave him a vicious shove to get him going across the slick ice. Hellas was not made for such slippery conditions and couldn't find any way to slow himself down as he slid further and further. Oh dear Arceus, he wasn't going to stop until he hit the wall!

As luck would have it, he didn't make it that far before he made impact with another Aron, causing a bit of a crash in the middle of the rink. Hellas flailed as he tried to untangle himself from Lamont, a bit stunned by his crash. Was that how all his opponents felt when he tackled them!? The skaters and Elei were forgotten for a moment as he tried to pinpoint where he was and how to get out of there before he became a speed-bump for all those sharp looking skates the humans were wearing.

[Kittie]

A pair of skaters looked over at the struggling boy at his squeaky call. With a grin, they looked at one another and gave a short nod. The one closest to Levi fell back, quickly losing speed as the second skater swooped in with incredible speed. "Careful!" she called mischievously, swirling past him in a flurry of sparkling ice flakes.

The girl disappeared from sight briefly before popping up on the other side of Levi, cracker clutched in hand. "You've been trying so hard, haven't you!" she called, wiggling the prize under his nose. "Well here you are! Go on and take it then!" she said, tossing the cracker and spinning off once more.

You have received four rare candies!


---

The skater who had fallen back from Levi previously eyed the aron collision in the center of the rink. Well, that wasn't safe at all, was it? She clicked her tongue a couple times before calling over another of the skaters and motioning toward a large bag near the sidelines. The man she'd called over laughed quite loudly before pulling a sharp turn and speeding off to retrieve the contents.

The girl shook her head sadly. The contents of the bag weren't really meant to be used by one wearing skates, but this scenario was just screaming for this rather haphazard measure. Without wasting a moment, the man returned to her side with two curling rocks - one in each hand. He passed one off to the female skater; her arms drooped with the extra weight. She was confident that she was a pretty good shot though, plus this would be fun!

She took careful aim and lobbed the rock toward the first aron she'd seen swept onto the ice. The direct hit launched him right back toward his irate-looking owner. "Alright! Awesome! Did you see that?!" she jumped across the ice, swirling around in a wide arch past the houndoom morph. "All of the points go to me, yeah that was great! And oh, hey, I guess you can have this, that was pretty fun, thanks!" the girl grinned, tossing a cracker into Lilith's lap as she passed.

You have received four rare candies!


---

The man did as he'd seen his partner in crime do just moments ago. With careful aim, he tossed the curling rock down the ice, aiming to knock the intruding aron back to its trainer. His aim was slightly off, however, and this much was clear as he saw the less-than-promising impact the rock had on the aron. He frowned as he watched a pair of not-so-snow-savvy trainers tumble onto the ice to avoid the aron and curling rock currently pinwheeling across the rink.

He watched the pair make a soft thud, impacting one of the snowbanks at the side of the rink. He nodded to himself as he sped off after them, spinning across the ice and kneeling next to the - likely quite dizzy - aron in the snow. "Well, that was certainly an adventure! Here, take this to your trainer." he said, tossing a cracker to the aron. "Try not to do anything too reckless, we get enough people hurting themselves on the ice without any extra effort from their pokemon! Hahaha!" the man laughed to himself as he skated off, rejoining his merry skating troupe with a speedy spin.

You have received four rare candies!

[Kittie]

. . . . . . .

The trainer venue looked like the place to be today. The skating rink was crammed with people of varying skill on the ice, but most notably, the team of elite skaters handing out shiny little capsules with prizes inside. Anton had his eye on those prizes - being able to nab one for himself would certainly be a proud feat.

He'd seen several trainers with almost no skill on the ice walk away (or, well, stumble away) with one of those crackers clutched in their successful grip. He, at least could manage to stay on his feet on the ice. Surely he'd be able to claim one too?

Gal seemed less than enthusiastic, but the little squirtle rarely seemed anything close to excited. Most likely he was probably unimpressed that all of the water surrounding them was currently in the form of fluffy ice crystals. "What do you say, Gal?" Anton said, watching his little squirtle turn his attention to his determined smirk. "Think I can drift into one of these guys, or am I not lucky enough for that sort of thing?"

His little squirtle just shrugged lackadaisically - a reaction he'd almost anticipated by now. Galahad plopped himself cozily into a chair-like nook he'd dug into one of the snowbanks at the rink's side to watch his trainer likely tire himself into all-too-familiar frustration as he attempted to chase down one of the prize-touting dancing skaters. Or, what did he know? Maybe the kid would get lucky and have one passed onto him without much trouble at all. That might actually be nice.

"Alright, here goes nothing." Anton said, pushing himself away from the railing finally and coasting out across the ice. This place was cluttered with participants, but he only had his eyes on the pros. If he just went around this rink enough times, he'd have a pretty decent chance at running into one based purely on luck, right? He sincerely hoped that was the case, because there was no way he had the skill to keep up with these guys.

[Nekayne]

One of the professionals seemed to be getting a kick out of skating away from struggling people who had finally made it just inches towards her. With a flip of her curled hair, she skated away from the groaning group that had been struggling to reach her, giving a small curt laugh as she did so.

However, there was one on the ice that didn't seem to be struggling as much as the others. No, instead he just skated along with no real intent so it seemed. Gliding backwards, she crossed her arms as she watched the man. Why wasn't he coming after her? If it wasn't for her prizes, then it should surely be for her phone number. Wasn't that what everyone wanted? Oh being this gorgeous was a sin!

Intrigued by the lack of interest he appeared to be showing in...well, anything, the professional decided to change her course so that she came towards him and in the process, decided to show off a little by jumping and doing a couple turns. Upon landing, she skated up just before Anton, turning herself around backwards once more to look at him.

"Lookin' for a prize, cutie?" The woman tittered. She passed Anton one of the crackers which she seemed to have been stocked up on. "It has my phone number in there too."

Well, no wonder she wasn't giving them to just everyone.

You received four rare candies!