Boss_Hoss1

The awestruck pegasus looked back when he heard a clatter of metal and saw Earth Writer tumbling over in a splash of liquid and into the leaves he just bucked down. He quickly fell back to check on him [colour=#0000ff]"Um, you okay there?"[/colour] Hoss was suddenly nonplussed as the filly he met minutes before was the owner of the buckets and she seemed distracted, like she was in a runner's fugue(sp?). ...In fact she trotted right by him and spoke in a distracted rush to Earth Writer. and kept going. [colour=#0000ff]"I guess the wind knocked that bucket down.."[/colour] He spun a hid leg back to flip it off the path to hang from a branch on the tree it might have fallen from. [colour=#0000ff]"Safety first!"[/colour] Nodding in satisfaction, he broke into a sprint to catch up with Earth Writer, trying not to laugh.[colour=#0000ff] "Um, Would you like for me to grab a small cloud to wash you off at the finish line once we get there?"[/colour] he spared a glance at the busy mare steadily chugging ahead[colour=#0000ff]. "She didnt seem rude when I passed her earlier. I guess she's just 'in the zone' you mmight say. Me and my Sister get like that doing a long distance flight and not wanting to stop.,."[/colour]

Candy Catch-em hovered in place at an intersection as she checked the map for the next leg of the address. Swift Squall had been a handy asset during the recent mess with relocating "Tiny" the Mantacore, and, well. she could hardly involve Dunder. His finacee would be seriously ticked at Candy if she even breathed the word "adventure" near Dunder and lured him off to face a legendary beast. After a moment, she sped down the right street and pulled up short as she saw the end of the street. A manor on a hill? Well now, this was a 'horse of a different colour' indeed! She circled the manor wall to see if he was anywhere in sight before knocking at the gate. Suddnely, she pulled up in a hover outside the wall, seeing an occupied hammock "[colour=#daa520]hmmm that should be him... Excuse me! Swift Squall? Is that you? May I have a moment of your time?"[/colour]

Still keeping his steady pace, Hoss was glad to see the others of the group were keeping up. He nickered as he noticed the mare that had stopped for a snack was now among them, having apparently realized she was being passed up. Hoss made sure to keep an eye on Greenshot with his sprained hoof to be sure he was doing ok. Seeing the unicorn was looking somewhere other than the front, he saw that he was looking at the elegant unicorn, Risi. She was being silent so far. was she still blaming herself for the accident at the ravine? Well, this was a fine group of ponies to find he was becoming friends with so far. He was definitely having better luck than his sister had last year with bonding with the other racers. Hoss suddenly came around a bend to see Canterlot looming even more majestically than at the edge of the wood. While it was still miles away, its size more than made up for distance, making it seem like you could reach up and touch it. [colour=#0000ff]"Oh Celestia and Luna, that is beautiful!..."[/colour]

Keeping his head on a swivel, Hoss settled into a steady pace as the trail wound around from the ravene into Whitetail Wood. Canterlot Castle loomed closer above the trees from this vantage point. He stamped his hooves here and there as he ran to try and shake the leaves a bit more so he can see Canterlot better from here.[colour=#0000ff]"I've seen it from above and from eyelevel while flying, but from here? It's even more impressive!"[/colour] With the falling swirls of leaves, he thought some might have passed him by, and suddenly there was a mare ahead of him and flashing by. She had apparently stopped to tap one of the Maples still crowned with leaves for a liquid snack. The bay pegasus waves a friendly wingtip as he passes...

Well, that's encouraging... Dice have a nasty tendency to hate on me. Well better go to see how I did... *goes to check his standings...* (edit) 7th? Well, better than last year so far. I just hope the dice are nice to me this round. I find it funny that the physically weakest (as written) is now the front runner ^_^

Whinnying in relief, Hoss reared and pranced a moment on the trail as Gilda Griffon rescued AppleJack. He wondered if his words about ClockWise had that effect on her. Hoss sketched a quick bow to the others[colour=#0000ff] "And now that Miss Applejack is safe and GIlda is going to be on our tails at any moment, I say we run!"[/colour] The bay pegasus, who would be quite proud to know he was being described as mahogany by Risi if he only knew, wheeled around and broke into a sprint to try and get a lead before Gilda comes charging through. He thought[colour=#0000ff] 'Gotta win... The race statue is not going to be of a Gilda Griffon if I have anything to say about it...[/colour]'

(OOC: been waiting to see if GIlda responds after checking with River. Clock is ticking down so I'd better make a post now at least showing he's aware of the problem and ready to jump in. may make a post later in 2 hours.) Giving a sigh of relief at making it across, Hoss paused and looked back, glad to see the official race teams waiting to help if the bridge fails. He had to laugh when the others vented their frustrations about the bridge to the officials, Star and Earth Writer loudest and foremost. Suddenly an orange streak caught his attention, AJ and Gilda both sprinting for the bridge at full speed. The others quickly gave way for them, only for AJ to fall through the bridge and hang by her tail. The only thing that kept him from jumping in after her was the official ponies already moving in to assist. No need to risk a midair-collision so far. Even so, he stood with his wings open, in case he was needed while the officials were browbeaten into ferrying the others across. He kept his weather eye on Gilda as well...

(OOC: the question of a pretend date was already brought up in a previous post, the time adjustment asked was for allowing Jubilee to know Hoss already in-game Hoss felt a forboding of disaster.[colour=#0000ff] "I'll do it just to keep my sis safe, but if Luna forbid, Jubilee somehow appears as my luck tend to do, i want all of you to swear now that you will talk to her about the truth!"[/colour] Madam Bistro and Thorn look at each other, then nod [colour=#800000]"We will" [/colour] Meanwhile Lightning Horn bows "I swear on my ancestors. Also, we will also watch the brother Flim as you ask." The stallion looks at the others in the room.[colour=#0000ff] "Um, should I be in western disguise, or just try to brazen it out?"[/colour] Meanwhile, Shanna giggled happily as Flam was behaving quite gentlemanly to her

Taking a good moment to relax before everypony was ready to go again, Hoss started eating his last apple. The stallion chuckled softly as the larger unicorn apologized to Sugar Apple and used him to hide behind while she did so. Sugar Apple was thankfully quick to reassure the mare.[colour=#800080] "It's alright, sugar. Dem things just happen sometimes. It's not yer fault."[/colour] He nodded and looked behind himself at Risi... make that Star. He hoped Jubilee would not get jealous that he made such friends today. [colour=#0000ff]"Like she said. Its a normal hazard in rescues."[/colour] He smiled and returned the salute given by Earth Writer while Greenshot was being tended to. [colour=#0000ff]"Thanks Earth Writer. I've met a few reporters before and too many of them are more concerned with being objective witnesses than active participants when it's needed. Keep up the good work."[/colour] Since Greenshot dozed off before he could take the apple he offered, he found he still had an apple left after all and tucked it back in a pouch for later. One last stretch before Earth Writer called the restart, and... giddyup! Hoss bounded off in the direction of the bridge that was now visible around the bend with much of the mist there cleared and slowed to a trot across the wobbly planks...

Hoss watched her carefully as she tried to shrug off her pain and succeeded somewhat. He had to keep his face and ears impassive, hoping to hide the streak of amusement as she told him never to speak of it, instead nodding his agreement. The bay stallion could not stop the chuckle when she playfully pretended to be offended by his comment on her size. He held steady for her as she thought how to get on then did it. He straightened up in good humor and felt her hold on with her hooves around his neck. [colour=#0000ff]"I like to think I'm First Class Transportation at least, Miss Star. Ready? Here we go." [/colour] With that, he flapped his wings gently to rise straight up since it wasn't very far and felt her stiffen in fright and give a thin howl of fear. Quickly he spoke in soothing tones [colour=#0000ff]"It's okay Miss Star. Just look ahead to the cliff. we'll be there in moments..."[/colour] He leaned forward just a little to direct himself over the edge of the cliff and set down near the others. As he crouched down for Risi to dismount by simply standing up, he noticed race officials were finally there [colour=#0000ff]"Well, better late than never..."[/colour] Hoss looked back to the pale pink unicorn mare figuring she needed some praise to keep her spirits up. "[colour=#0000ff]I'm guessing that was your first flight? You did better than most land ponies at staying calm for that. Good Job!"[/colour] Feeling her dismount, he streeetched his wings to get the kinks out before folding them up. He looked over at Greenshot and pulled out an apple to hoof over. [colour=#0000ff]"Want one? How's that leg doing?"[/colour] Hoss also looked at the race medics taking care of Sugar Apple, as well as ClockWise and Earth Writer standing near her.[colour=#0000ff] "How is she doing?" [/colour] While he was anxious to get back in the race, it smacked of cheating to simply run away now that the actual help was here and before the others were ready to continue...

Hoss watched as the mare thought over his words and seemed to be running a mental checklist of her elegant body. After a moment, she definitely seemed to be in pain, just realizing it now. 'Hm, her adrenaline buzz seems to be wearing off..' Of course, she tried to smoothly lie to him, but her eyes told the truth. At least there seemed nothing race-stopping wrong with her that he could see. Hoss nodded [colour=#0000ff]"All right.."[/colour] Just then, Greenshot called out from above, asking if things were OK and hoping food was ahead. He looked up "[colour=#0000ff]Yes, just as she says. I've still got 2 apples from earlier if you need one!"[/colour] When he turned back to the mare, he smirked playfully [colour=#0000ff]"Am I able? I should think so, pulling a loaded cart in the air from one end of Equestria to the other. As big as you are though, I am afraid you'll have to sit on my back instead of a foreleg carry if that's not a problem?"[/colour] With that he knelt down and flared his wings for her..

(OOC: ugh, finally getting back into the swing of things. Sorry for the massive delays from illness) Thorn brayed softly and shook his head in reply to the sherrif. [colour=#696969]"No, nopony that really stands out. We've had tourists and visitors of all kinds, but the outlaw types are more interested in the Salt Block." [/colour] After that, he looked at Apple Cinnimon [colour=#696969]"Oh I am sure they'll appreciate those songs. Sounds like Buffalo and Ponies arent that much different since they value those things."[/colour] He clopped his hooves together happily at her tale [colour=#696969]"Fascinating! Is it a magic fiddle, do you think? or just part of the family legacy?" [/colour]

As Sugar Apple moved to stand up, declaring she was ok other than her wing, something fell out of her mane. He realized after a moment it was an apple, currently too filthy to eat and saw the mare look at it longingly. Hoss looked at the wobbly mare as she raised a hoof. [colour=#800080]“Eff’n ya’ don’t mind… could ya’ lift me back up thar? Be gentle now… ya’ hear.”[/colour] He nickered and nodded, [colour=#0000ff]"Sure thing. I hope you don't mind, but this is the safest way to carry you at the moment. I just hope my Special Somepony understands..."[/colour] Hoss quickly dipped his head under her and lifted her onto his back behind his wings. After a moment to be sure she was holding tight, he beat his wings and flew upward, turning into a curving climb when he began to stall from the extra weight. After a moment he angled to land on the last upward curve right when he go to clifftop level, and eased her off his back. Quickly, Hoss pulled out his compact 1st aid kit and an apple from the pouches tucked under each wing. [colour=#0000ff]"I'll be back in a minute, and I think you need this apple more than I do..."[/colour] With that, he took back off and looped over to cautiously land next to Risi. [colour=#0000ff]"Hello there, Star Skybright, or Hoss to friends. Any injuries I need to know about before I get you back up there?"[/colour]

To Hoss' surprise, he ran into mist. He had known the next section was thickly forested, but had flown over the course without bothering to actually walk the new sections beyond the bad spots he could see from above. This was about to bite him in the tail big time. If he had walked this entire section, he would have realized it was thick with moisture to provide patches of mist. [colour=#0000ff]"Oh great! Not only is the foliage too thick to see where the ravine is, we got mist! Why do I get the feeling a lot of ponies are going to find it the hard way?"[/colour] He picked up his trot, adding a bit of spring into it to shake the leaves and buck at the mist to break it up. Drifts of leaves swirled across his face as he headed down the path, or so he hoped. He suddenly stopped short of running into a tree. Looking around bewildered, he realized he had gotten turned onto a deer trail. [colour=#0000ff]"Agh! Why does everything look so different from GROUND level?!"[/colour] Snorting, he snapped a kick at the offending tree, and was rewarded with every leaf on the tree coming down on him at once. [colour=#0000ff]"OH COME ON!"[/colour] After a moment to free himself, he shook most of the leaves out of his mane and pulled out a compass, trying to find his way back on course. Before he could get his bearings. he heard shouting to his right, muffled by the thick foliage. [colour=#0000ff]"O.K., that way works..." [/colour] Hoss turned to head in the direction of the shouting when a loud roll of thunder came... no, not thunder, too solid! The ground was shaking a bit from it. "[colour=#0000ff]Avalanch!" [/colour]Quickly the stallion kicked and jumped his way through the trees, making his way to the ravine. "[colour=#800080]...ANYPONY HELP ME! AH’M TRAP[/colour][colour=#800080]PE[/colour][colour=#800080]D DOWN HYAR![/colour]" ".[colour=#0000ff]..the cliff wall![/colour][colour=#0000ff] Hurry! Anypony out there!?[/colour]" Hoss jumped over a log "I'm coming!", and almost went over the edge himself. Only an instinctive flap of his wings kept him from an embarrassing tumble off the edge. Looking around, he saw Earth Writer and Greenshot were a furlong away to his left on the trail, while ClockWise appeared out of the trees on the other side. (OOC; correct me if I have that wrong) The bay pegasus might have been a bit wild looking with leaves and vines stuck all over him. its not hard to guess he had gotten lost... [colour=#0000cd]"Hay! Earth Writer! Greenshot! ClockWise! Thank Luna I found you guys!" [/colour] Hoss trotted on over and peered over the edge, seeing a mare who's name he had caught earlier in the Sweet Apple Acres section. Risi was on a ledge partway down and below her under the rocks was Sugar Apple. The look of one of her wings as the rocks were levitated made him flinch involentarily. He shook his head and spoke to Earth Writer [colour=#0000cd]"Luna's Wings! What a race! I think everyone who makes it today should get the Royal Star Cluster for Bravery... Careful, I'll be going down there to help Sugar Apple."[/colour] With that, he hopped over the edge, cupping his wings to glide on down a safe distance from the dusty mare before stepping closer to look her over and help dig her out. [colour=#0000ff]"Hello there Miss Apple, Are you hurt anyplace beside the wing?"[/colour]

Ohhh That actually make sense. The parts of RD that normally get sun are her back, so she's just keeping the colours even by sunning her front? Good idea!

Hoss nickers and smiles at Greenshot [colour=#0000cd]"You are welcome, Greenshot."[/colour] He tucks his compact 1st aid kit back into the pouch strapped under his left wing. After seeing Greenshots pleased face at the taste of the grass, he grabs some himself and munches on it before speaking again. "[colour=#0000ff]Well, If ClockWise and Sugar Apple are around, Gilda must be too. I'd better get going since Earth Writer will be with you. See you later in the race and good luck."[/colour] Hoss rears and whinnies in a burst of high spirits and gallops off down the tail, keeping an eye out for Gilda. Surely she cant have gone around him already? The bay pegasus looks at the glade around hm, waving a wing when some more fawns wave at the passing ponies.

Hoss whinnied and lifted his left wing, dipping into his other pouch for the compact first aid kit so he would have a way of fastening things. He spoke as he got out the fasteners for bandages and sat on his haunches to work with his black-banded wingtips. [colour=#0000ff]"I'm Star Skybright, Hoss to my friends. It's okay, I'd never hear the end of it from my family if they knew I'd left a pony hanging. At least Weather Pony training keeps me and Sis safe at night with our Astronomy duties too."[/colour] Working quickly with hooves and wingtips, he checked the sprain and used one bandage by itself to keep the swelling under control. Hoss then braced it with a splint and used a second bandage to tie it in place, securing it all snugly so it would not pop open and unwind. [colour=#0000cd]"This isn't one of my better ones, but it should get you to the next bunch of race officials since they have full medical kits on hoof. Can you move okay with that?"[/colour]

Hoss quickly gained ground scrambling out of the woods after making sure his number, 22, was still in place over his Cutie Marks. As he ran, he could sense the edge of the stormfront before he reached it. Passing out of the last stand of trees before the Galloping Glade was like passing through a curtain as the rain suddenly ended right there. Sighing in relief, he decided a moment for his own health was needed even if it cost hm time. He slowed down and went a little ways off the road to spread his wings as wide as possible and shake himself like a dog, sending a great spray of water for over 10 feet around him. Immediately after, he flopped down on the thickest part of the grass and rolled like a foal to dry off, ignoring the giggles of nearby fawns at seeing a pony act so much like them. After a good healthy bout of rolling around, he stood up and shook the lose grass off and trotted back to the road, angling his path to come back to the road further along the path. To his surprise, there was the green unicorn he had heard in passing was another Apple, sitting with an injured leg. As he trotted on up, Motion Paradox left bandages and shot off a signal for race officials to help, then got back to the race. Already Clockwise and Sugar Apple were trotting by as he reached the green unicorn. The unicorn, Earth writer also stopped just before him and was asking questions of GreenShot. Hoss looked around and did not see a helper in sight just yet. He sighed in obvious good humor as he was about to have another minor delay, since Weather Team are often reguarded as a default First Responder because they are often the only ones already there in the aftermath when taking apart bad weather. [colour=#0000cd]"Hello there. Greenshot, is it? I'm good with first aid since me and sis are often alone in the back of beyond, whether we are doing weather by day or astronomy by night. Mind if I patch you up real quick?"[/colour] He hoped he could give the help quickly enough to keep ahead of Gilda..

Snails trotted back to the clearing where Zecora was waiting with many of the other foals. [colour=#daa520]"Hi Zecora! Ah'm back fer one last visit to th' monment before th' night is over fer us foals."[/colour] Regretfully, he dug into the store of unsorted sweets from visiting the homes of Ponyville and dumped a good portion in front of the statue. He was not going to dip into the sweets given by the Princesses if he could help it. In fact, just to make sure he still had those, he pulled out that bag and peeked [colour=#daa520]"4 candy? Umm wait! This aint my bag either!"[/colour] Shaking his head, he put the bag back in his costume, wondering if Discord did that...

Snips Yelped at the sight of Discord. He hid under a statue and missed seeing his bag quiver, then magically swap itself with the other pony in the place. Once the spirit of Chaos wet his merry way, Snails creamed and ran out of the attraction. He scrambled up an over a statue of Chrysalis that wasnt there before at the exit, knocking it over. The malevolent mare groaned "This is the last time I investigate an insulting amusement atraction myself..." and passed out.

(Snails is dressed as a spider from a Daring Do Book, back up to 2 pieces of candy.) Snails was feeling much better now that he had met Princess Celestia twice. Now if he can only find Princess Luna again and get even more candy before returning to the Nightmare Moon monument for one last time. [colour=#daa520]"Snips! Where'd ya go again? Ah'm goin back ta th' Changelings Lair before th' Nightmare Moon Monument again. ...Snips?"[/colour] The orangy unicorn foal trotted back to the Changeling Lair attraction to get a closer look at those statues of the Changelings and their Queen. How you could have a creature that was both bug and pony at the same time was really strange to Snails. Maybe he could investigate that someday. -Just not in their domain. Rumors had spoke of captured ponies being turned into Changelings themselves when their love was sucked away. Brrrrrr! Creepy! He trotted into the entrace, looking back to see if Snips was behind him.What if there were real Changelings in here after all?! [colour=#daa520]"S-s-sniiiips? Ya here?"[/colour]

Frantically, Hoss kept up his hover, encoraging the unicorn to grab the rope. He definitely didn't want to get yanked in if he held out a hoof as his father taught him might happen. If he had to though, he might have to drop in behind him and grab on. To his relief ClockWise grabbed on, giving him time to hear Ember Heart yelling that the rope was slipping but now secure, and to get the rope around the unicorn. Hoss increased the power in his hover, doing a loop to throw part of the rope under ClockWise's forelegs and help tow him in against the current. The bay stallion landed, panting after pulling the unicorn in the last couple feet. Hoss took a blanket offered by a race official an put it over Clockwise. [colour=#0000cd]"I'm so glad I could help you! Soon as you can, you get right up and get running. You need to boost your heat right back up."[/colour] He then smiled in relief at Ember Heart [colour=#0000cd]"And thanks for your help too, I couldn't have done it if that rope had come loose."[/colour] Hoss bumped hooves with them both [colour=#0000cd]"I'm Star Skybright, Hoss to my friends."[/colour] He suddenly started to shiver [colour=#0000cd]"Whups! I'd beter take my own advise. I don't do sudden cold all that well so I'd better run and heat back up! See you both at the finish line!"[/colour] Fluffing his wings for insulation, Hoss scrambled up the bank, and scooped up the apples he took the extra time to purchase from Applejack and ran up onto the bridge, heading for the other side as it rocked and swayed underhoof. The stallion grew frantic as the bridge shimmied like it was rubber and jumped off the other end into the mud, skidding several yards before getting his traction and pounding his way past... *SCREEECH* Hoss pulled up short on the trail as he realized the pile of mud standing there was most likely Gilda Griffon. "[colour=#0000cd]Hay Gida, Thought you should know that Unicorn is still alive, no thanks to you. His name is ClockWise! [/colour] [colour=#0000cd]Oh yeah! You might remember my sister from last year, Shanna. I'm Star, and you'll remember it cause my flank's all yer gonna see at the finish line, 'cause you got me good and mad!"[/colour] With that he reared and whinnied, then broke into a gallop...

This Year, Shanna watched the race from the sidelines. She and her parents had parked several clouds above the spectators to absorb any rain for a little while at least. She eagerly waved the flag they had made with their shared Cutie Mark as he raced off with the others. [colour=#008080]"Yay Hoss!"[/colour] Shanna looked around to see if Jubilee had arrived yet. Meanwhile, Madam Caramel Bistro had come once again to the Running of the Leaves, her cart set up to sell hot chocolates and coffees. Snails was ready to come up ad get a hot chocolate when he had to dodge the strange device the Flim Flam brothers drove around [colour=#ff8c00]"Lookeee here Brother, Its a damp and dreary day. Lets sell some hot drinks, what do you say?"[/colour] Bistro whinnied angrily[colour=#800000] "If you please! I was here first! Take that thing a little further down the line![/colour]

(OOC: Hoss Skybright is going for the bridge) Before he could get properly started for the next leg, he heard a very clear ringing voice! The famous Applejack herself saying they were stealing. Hoss blushed and did an about face and ran right up to her. The strange black unicorn from earlier was ahead of him also paying Applejack. he dipped into the pouch under his other wing for the amount of coins she typically charges for Four apples. [colour=#0000cd]"I am so sorry Miss Applejack, I thought what the others were doing was expected. That's 8 bits, right?"[/colour] He hoofed her the coins and lifted a wing to show her how many apples he had. [colour=#0000cd]"I will of course be back after the race to buy more, Miss Applejack. No other apples taste sweeter than from this farm..."[/colour] After a quick bow to the orange mare, he spoke some more [colour=#0000cd]"Again I apologize, and thanks for straightening me out." [/colour] With that, he turns and breaks into a sprint to catch up with the others. [colour=#0000cd]"Ohhh Luna Above! Run!Run!Run! Fast!Fast!fast!"[/colour] He was a brown and black blur as he caught up to where he was in the race before, the growing rain steaming on his hide even as he transitioned into the Whitetail Wood stretch. [colour=#0000cd]"*pant* What the hay, this worse than I imagined! That's it, I'll talk to dad and volenteer tomorrow to go help get Baltimare unscrewed up this week! First I gotta make it through this race!"[/colour] The storm was doing more for shaking leaves down than the race was, but he still had the satisfaction of seeing extra leaves falling down in his wake as he dashed along to catch up. As he rounded the corner, he got his first look at the crossing that was so tame last year that his sister got to pass through. Gilda was already there fighting her way past ponies onto the bridge. Oh well, it's an improvement. Sugar Apple, Ember heart, and Clockwise, names he had picked up keeping his ears open.[colour=#0000cd] "Hello Everpony! Whats the holdup?"[/colour] A race official was now raising her voice as the ponies began to pile up at the bridge. "The bridge is unsafe! We have set up a rope swing further down. Please cross there! Hoss shook his soggy mane [colour=#0000cd]"I'll take my chances! I got wings!"[/colour] Before he could line up for the bridge, Gilda's jostling knocked Clockwise off to bounce and skid down the bank to splash in the water. His father's stern training taking hold, Hoss popped his wings open to let his apples fall in a safe spot and yelled out [colour=#0000cd]"WEATHER PATROL! PONY IN THE WATER!" [/colour] Hoss quickly grabbed one of the safety ropes in his teeth. One of many being rigged to hold the bridge. Surely he would be forgiven using his wings in a rescue mission only! With that, he skidded down the bank for speed and flared his wings just above the water to soar out after the unicorn. He hoped the stake would hold as he dangled the rope in the unicorn's face.[colour=#0000ff] "Grb Ohn! Hrry!"[/colour]

Hoss Skybright, wearing the number 22 on his flanks, galloped along at a steady pace. He wondered if he had outdistanced the winner of the Iron pony, Gilda Griffon, but the way the knot of more agressive ponies had surged through, she might have been in that bunch. After the initial sprint to get a good place in the herd, he looked at the others in his section of the line-up as theroad curved into Sweet Apple Acres. He nodded politely and smiled to each as their gazes met. The ones nearest him were a purple unicorn with a tangled red mane and a slightly befuddled look on his face. Next was a lighter colored purple pegasus mare with a pale rose mane and apple Cutie Mark and a set of features common to that family line. Also nearby was a tan unicorn with blank mane and tail, followed by another obvious Apple family member, a green unicorn this time. Just how big was that family?! Another unicorn, this one was a filly with a green sweater and blue hexagon diamond Cutie Mark..wait is that a colt? just try to not say anything out loud around him... At least he was sure the pale pink unicorn over there was indeed a mare. Hmm, a lot of Apples and unicorns in this race today, including Lyra, whom he had seen in various stops in Ponyville, and a strange black unicorn mare with a long cloak. Strange indeed! The route from the starting line to the farm had felt heavy with damp. The leaves he shook off dropped closer to the trees from being heavy with dampness. Hoss nodded knowingly. They would be hitting drizzle soon enough, and right as he reached the farm, there was a growing pall of drizzle coming down. Gleefully, he skipped and bucked a little in joy at the feel of it. Just the endurance boost he would need if the race got more and heavier rain as it sounded, as it sucked the excess heat off his body. Oddly the air, thick with the sweet scent of apples, had an almost electric feel to it. Perhaps the expected storms were going to be a whopper. -Either that, or Granny Smith had brought out some of her special cider... Entering the farm's property, he decided to make a pit stop while he had a chance. Trotting up to a short line with a yelow filly in charge, he waited and flexed his wings to shake off the damp and dump some heat trapped under the wings. Grabbing the apple juice and paying as needed from the pouch under his wing, he broke into a run "[colour=#0000cd]ThankYoulLttleFillyBye!"[/colour] He drank as he ran, almost chokeing as the tan unicorn tried to snatch an apple and got yanked back when the apple did not come off. He spit the now empty bottle out into a trash barrel near one of the stands and laughed. Hoss was still laughing as he passed harrington Sleuth taking a rest by a tree and spotted the tan unicorn get smacked in the face with a wad of wet leaves fallen from the trees. Before he sped off after catching his breath, he nodded to the resting pegasus [colour=#0000cd]"Dont rest to long now Harrington..."[/colour] A little further down, he spotted a bunch of apples that looked especially juicy. Since the Apple clan in and out of the race seemed to be allowing it, he stopped at the tree and looked up. Much as he wanted to try an acrobatic jump up after them, the stems seemed to be extra stubborn today and promised only swinging like a jungle lord hanging by an apple in the mouth. Snorting for a moment, he turned his flank to the tree, cocked his right hind leg and let fly, like trying to make a small loud rain. *Smack* the tree shook for a moment, letting several apples fall.[colour=#0000cd] "Sweet!"[/colour] He grabbed them and tucked all but one under a wing as he began eating the biggest.