Quests & Challenges

Figure Skating [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38533840] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/385339/38533840_350.png[/img] [/url] Gliding across the ice was such an exhilarating feeling. It was similar to flying, but different in ways Lucky couldn't describe. He felt graceful, elegant, and as light as a feather. He barely even noticed the people watching him. In his mind, it was just him, the ice, and the music. His body flowed almost like liquid with the ups and downs, swinging from side to side as the music morphed. The big leap was coming, and his body tensed with preparation. This was it. This was what Lucky lived for. This feeling, so pure and euphoric.

Speed Skating [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=21376734] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/213768/21376734_350.png[/img] [/url] If there was one thing Tempest loved, it was going fast. It was the air rushing into his face, and his worries being left behind in the dust, just like his competitors. It was a feeling of freedom and danger all at once. Competing in things like this was something he was addicted to, that and winning. In his mind there was no point in even trying if you weren't planning on winning, and so he trained hard to be the best he could be. This upcoming competition was going to be one for the books for sure, and Tempest was ready for it. He had heard of the Sornieth Winter Games many times before, but this would be his first time being able to participate in it himself. He had been preparing for months on end, and it was finally time to take his first steps into the arena. He puffed up his chest, and carried his head high as he made his way through the crowd. It was time to do what he did best, win.

@JinxMoonstone Woo! Thanks RNG! :D

[color=green][b] Speed Skating [/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=17142345] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/171424/17142345_350.png[/img] [/url] A young Spiral grinned confidently to herself as she strapped on skates. She could zip through the sky fast as lightning, what's a little ice and footwork to her? She'd beat them all. Now prepared, she awkwardly clomped over to the rink, skates impairing her normally light and sprightly stride. One foot, then the other, and- Over she tumbled, slipping on the surface of the ice. Perturbed, she scrambled upright, using the side of the rink as support. The cold began to seep in as exposed parts of her noodle-long body came in contact with the ice. Upright again, she did a little twirl on the ice to reassure herself of her abilities. Not as easy as she thought this would be, but she'd prevail.

[b]EVENT 4: Curling[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=29109531] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/291096/29109531_350.png[/img] [/url] Dante stepped towards the rink, awaiting his turn. His fins and wings quivered, sensing vibrations in the air, even as he heard the rumble that told him where the stones were and where they were headed. He could hear how quickly they were traveling, plus the sounds the athletes made as they glided across the ice.... Despite his blindness, he had a very good idea of where the targets were. Perhaps the bigger question was: Would he be skilled enough to score well? They were about to find out: As his name was called, he waddled forward and then slid gently onto the ice. In one paw, he gripped the curling broom, readying it for the crucial strike. ----- [b]EVENT 5: Alpine Skiing - Slalom[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38799346] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/387994/38799346_350.png[/img] [/url] As the newest member of the clan, Khamsin was determined to do well. She had volunteered for this event and was almost lightheaded with excitement as well as anxiety. She tried to maintain her confidence. She was an adroit dragoness, her agility honed by her training in the bamboo forests of the Windswept Plateau. For a Spiral such as herself, weaving among the poles would be easy! --She hoped. She settled her goggles more firmly over her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the signal to begin.

[b]Day 4: Ski Jumping[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=28432856] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/284329/28432856_350.png[/img] [/url] Ethera felt positively giddy as she approached the registration desk. Her friend Izhath hadn't been able to convince her that trying to go Ski Jumping was a terrible idea, and her resolve wasn't faltering. She had always admired the way dragons flew through the air on skis, and after she heard that Coriolane had applied for a ski race, she absolutely [i]needed[/i] to participate in this year's Winter Olympics, too. Doing something she had always admired? Check. Following in her friend and battle partner Coriolane's steps? Check. A chance of bringing glory to her clan? Check. A chance of winning a nice prize? Double Check! The possibility of getting injured in the process didn't even come to her mind. There was a happy skip in her step and she started humming quietly. She was so excited! This was even better than fighting powerful beasts in far-off venues! Oh, she was going to have so much fun.

[size=4][font=Book Antiqua]No one wanted to admit it, but Lady Andhera was a pain in the tailfeathers. She was pushy, snappy, and what some saw as refreshing directness, others saw as being downright rude. It was fine for the battlefield, but this year's Games team knew they'd have to have a talk with Queen Meroe about assigning her ever again.[/font][/size] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=37376767] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/373768/37376767_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]Fortunately, as deputy captain, Lady Andhera had very little power. It made it a whole lot easier for the real captain, January, to send her through an event, then send her the heck home.[/font][/size] [size=5][color=#0D095B][font=blackadder itc]"I shouldn't go home,"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]Andhera protested.[/font][/size] [size=5][color=#0D095B][font=blackadder itc]"I'm deputy team captain. My place is [i]here![/i]"[/font][/color][/size] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38179033] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/381791/38179033.png[/img] [/url][/center] [size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"You are also Commander of the Grand Army of the Black Ice Temple,"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]January reminded her sweetly.[/font][/size] [size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"How can you keep your troops in shape if you're here playing piddly little carnival games?"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]Andhera gave an unladylike snort, but she knew her captain was correct.[/font][/size] [size=5][color=#0D095B][font=blackadder itc]"Alright. But only because you buttered me up!"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]Everyone was in such a hurry to get rid of Andhera that they practically threw her onto the ice before the team ahead of her had even cleared the finish line, much less had her skates tied. While the rest of the competitors straggled out onto the ice, Andhera ignored them. If there was anything she hated more than trash talk, it was idle chitchat. She wasn't sure how she'd gotten talked into [b]speedskating[/b] when it turned out there was no biathlon, but here she was, on the track...and massively distracted when the starter pistol fired.[/font][/size] [size=4][color=#44b8ff][font=Arial]"Go, Andhera, go!"[/font][/color][font=Book Antiqua] the rest of the team shouted as she sputtered down the track. With a little effort, the combat mistress caught up with the pack and made her four laps around the track...only to finish in third place.[/font][/size] [size=5][color=#0D095B][font=blackadder itc]"I want to go again!"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]she shouted.[/font][/size] [size=5][color=#0D095B][font=blackadder itc]"Give me another event, Captain!"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]But it was too late. January had already doled out the rest of the assignments and passed Andhera a ticket to the Beachfront Express, which would take her within flying distance of the palace.[/font][/size]

[size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"Hel[i]lo[/i], my tiny terror!"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]January greeted Storm with a bright smile.[/font][/size] [size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"How do you feel this afternoon?"[/font][/color][/size] [color=#444F69][size=5][font=garamond]"Like I'm really tired of asking you not to call me that,"[/font][/size][/color] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]the petite nocturne sighed.[/font][/size] [color=#444F69][size=5][font=garamond]"I suppose you want me for the luge?"[/font][/size][/color] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=37138384] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/371384/37138384.png[/img] [/url][/center] [size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"You can do anything you'd like,"[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]his captain reminded him.[/font][/size] [size=6][color=#5B0F14][font=Pristina]"But yes, it would be extremely beneficial to our team if you agreed."[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]To Storm's surprise, January walked him up the hill, settled him on the sled, showed him how to use the controls and waited until he got out of the starting gate.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Book Antiqua]Now if only he had a little thing called [i]confidence...[/i][/font][/size]

[b]Day 4:[/b] Speed Skating [b]Dragon:[/b] Meteor [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=5165181] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/51652/5165181_350.png[/img] [/url] [I][b]Meteor[/b] stared down the track at the start of the race. This was it. Her big moment. She had been practicing for months in secret, giving up time with her Astronomy books and charts to read the information in that large Ice Tome, and freezing her tail off in conjured snow, all for this. She was finally getting a chance to [b]Speed Skate[/b]! After three years of waiting she was finally going to be able to-- The starter horn sounded, breaking into her thoughts. After months of practice, in all sorts of conditions, the horn caused an automatic reaction: Meteor was skating before she even realized the race had started. Pulling her thoughts back in line, she concentrated, adjusting her speed. Moments later she was flying down the ice, picking up speed so quickly that some of the watching dragons thought that she was trying to emulate her name...while others wondered worriedly if this older dragon was still in control of her speed, or if they were about to see a spectacular crash....[/I]

[center][i]First Event:[/i] [b]Figure Skating[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=28328320][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=28328320&skin=0&apparel=15721,15713,15737&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url] [i]Glisten[/i] [rule] [i]Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORDXWrL5EuQ]History Maker[/url][/i][/center] [rule] It had only been a few weeks ago that Glisten heard the Ice flight's Winter Games would include a figure skating event this year, but he'd immediately proclaimed he would sign up for it. Partly it was to ensure his clanmates didn't decide it would be a good idea to force him into doing that terrifying ski jump again, but he was also genuinely interested in trying the activity. It had taken some doing, but he'd managed to import a rare musical recording along with the required equipment to play it from Lightning territory. He'd fallen in love with this particular song as soon as he heard it, so he was deeply pleased to have the opportunity to skate to it. He began practicing everyday, teaching himself how to move in the skates, first just staying upright, then progressing to gliding, then spins, then tentative jumps. He chose to skate the bipedal way, using his wings to help him keep balance. He knew he wasn't at an expert level, but he was satisfied with the progress he'd made. Now that he was finally at the competition he felt jittery as he waited for his turn on the ice and took a deep, steadying breath. He was wearing the pretty, flowy outfit he'd specifically picked out for this event, and he didn't actually care how high a score he got: he just wanted to show what all his practicing was for. Slightly startled as he realized it was time for his performance, he glided smoothly onto the rink and got in position as the music started. Soon he was dancing across the ice, his wings moving with the music to accent its emotional changes. He couldn't help flaring his headcrests at certain moments when he got too caught up in the melody, but he did manage to keep his tail off the ice as he skated. As his song faded he became aware of his surroundings again and meekly glided over to the booth where he would await the judges' scores. Distantly he knew that his performance hadn't been that exceptional—he hadn't managed any jumps more advanced than doubles—but he was now giddy at having finished his routine at such a large venue. He had no regrets about how he had spent the last few weeks. [size=2][i](I couldn't help myself with the music, I love it too much and had to include it.)[/i][/size]