Post by Ettie on Nov 25, 2020 15:53:11 GMT -6
When one's group was a child and her entourage of pups, playtime and training tended to blur together some; play-wrestling and roughhousing being one's form of sparring and practice. Today would be no different, as Ettie wandered out into Shire Town's training grounds one crisp yet sunny day, her pups following at her heels. Looking out into the open grounds, and noting all the other trainers and pokemon in the area, Ettie was already intrigued by the unfamiliar area - although Duchess, Princess, and Ruffian all seemed to have a good grasp of the area, as they briefly trailed on ahead.
<Come on, c'mon!> Duchess would bark back to Ettie and Anne, her tail wagging. <Know good place to play! This way!>
Well, Ettie couldn't argue with that, could she! "I'm coming - we all are! - just wait up, silly!" Giggling, she'd run after the other pups as they'd weave their way through the training grounds - and even Anne would be in a good mood, her tail wagging as she kept pace with her sister and their pack! Where were they going, the duo would wonder? In following Duchess and Princess through the grounds, it seemed that the 'where' would be an obstacle course of sorts..!
It was a pretty simple one, with the path of the course winding and turning around the trees and the other facilities at the training grounds in a sizeable loop; but nonetheless, it was the perfect thing for something that Duchess had been looking forward to for awhile now. <Wanna race!> She would declare, turning around towards the others; play bowing as her tail wagged wildly <Race me! Run with me! With everyone!>
A race, huh? Ettie would giggle; making her way towards what looked to be a starting line for the course, marked with some chalk across the dirt path. "That sounds like fun, Duchess!" She would call to the pup as the pack gathered - grinning down to the others. "How does a race sound, to you guys?"
<Yes! Race! C'mon!> Duchess chirped, bouncing about in circles around everyone; eager to go, if the sparking across her fur was of any indication. If they weren't gonna start soon, she might end up even running off on her own!
Princess, while she looked to be in a somewhat sleepier mood, was happy to go along with her sister's antics. <Alright,> She would murmur; stepping up to the start line in preparation. Perhaps she'd start taking a nap in the sun, once they were done here?
Ruffian, too, looked eager to compete with everyone; tilting his nose up in a confident fashion. <Gonna leave y'all in the dust!> He'd declare, joining the other pups at the starting line. He wanted to show everyone just how fast, he could be!
And Anne, meanwhile, would smile up to Ettie; briefly nuzzling the other's side. <Always happy to play.> She'd respond with a calm warmth as she, too, lined up with the other pups - nuzzling Duchess, too. Getting some running in wouldn't hurt, it'd be good practice!
Thus, the group would be lined up together - and Ettie, grinning happily, couldn't help but giggle in giddy anticipation. This was gonna be fun! "Okay everyone -" She would call to the other pups, glancing briefly between them. "- are we ready?!" When a chorus of yips and barks would respond in confirmations, Ettie giggled once more; hunkering down in place, and watching from the corners of her eyes as the others did the same. "Alright then, everyone; on the count of three!"
"One..."
"... Two..."
"And... THREE!"
As quick as a gun, the five-some would dart off as soon as the 'three' was called; sprinting ahead on the track...! Duchess, being the speedy electric type that she was, would take the lead with ease - running ahead of the pack with an excitable burst of barks! <Yes! Run run run..! Don't slow down!>
Ettie and Anne both would be right on her tail though, the two seeming to be keeping pace with each other - though whether this was on purpose or not was hard to say. "Ehehehe, let's go, Anne!" Ettie would call to her sister - to which the Rockruff would let off a wordless, but nonetheless eager, bark in response.
Ruffian, meanwhile, was trailing a bit behind at a close fourth place - despite his best efforts - prompting a growl of frustration as he realized this. <Come on!> He'd bark to express this frustration, pushing himself to try and at least close the distance between him and Anne - as short as that distance might've been. <Won't lose so easy!>
Princess, though, had no particular worry about winning. She was just happy to lumber along at her own pace from the start, even if that slowpoke nature of hers would mean that she was in last place (and would likely remain in last place.) At most, she would only be going just fast enough that she'd be able to keep track of the others, as they sprinted ahead.
As far as the track itself went, the first portion would be a straight run forward - nothing fancy or surprising, to say the least. As a result, the current places would remain more or less the same! Anne and Ettie would be on Duchess' tail as the overexcited puppy ran at the lead, and Ruffian in turn would be on the duo's tail. The gap between Ruffian and Princess, however, would be a bit more sizeable - given the Snubbull's aforementioned leisurely pace.
The next portion of the track, however, would begin to curve back and forth; winding around a few large trees. Duchess, while she was a speedy lil pup, lacked in handling; skidding into the trees on the first couple of curves when she wasn't able to turn quite fast enough, and being forced to slow down on the subsequent curves of the track to avoid any further skidding! Anne and Ettie, however, both would have a comparatively easier time; these turns being no different from when the duo would weave their way between the trees in their wilderness adventures! As a result, they would be able to close the gap between themselves and Duchess with ease; and Ruffian, too, would be able to handle the curves as he dug his claws into the ground for traction.
Princess, meanwhile, would saunter along the curving and winding track without any trouble, given her slow pace. <Hm hm hmmm~>
Before much longer though, the curves would soon lead to this obstacle course's first true obstacle; two sets of angular slopes - steep and rough on either side, with plenty of handholds (and pawholds) - that the group would need to climb and descend over! This would - understandably - be another wrench in Duchess' plans of 'go very fast'; given that while she was good at going fast, she wasn't exactly all that great at sharp turns or climbing..! She'd be forced to slow down to avoid tripping or falling as she began trying to ascend the slope; allowing for Anne and Ettie to catch up!
Meanwhile, the sisterly duo - given their upbringing - would be able to ascend the slopes with ease; seeing this as no different from the rough terrain they sometimes traveled through, alongside their original pack. "C'mon, guys!" Ettie would encourage the other pups, as she ascended the slope on all-fours. "Y'all can do it!" Anne, too, would nudge Duchess upwards briefly in an encouraging gesture as the two passed - taking the lead now.
Ruffian, meanwhile, might not have been as agile or fast as the others - but he seemed to have a decent grasp of climbing the slopes, even if he wasn't anywhere as fast as Anne or Ettie were. Step by step, he would ascend with an almost careful hue - not wanting to rush and fall back down...
... Which is what would happen to Duchess, as she tried to scramble to catch up with the others! Yelping, she would tumble back to the ground - unhurt, but grumbling with a faint hue of frustration. She wasn't truly angry - this was all in good fun, after all - but could one really blame her for being frustrated, when she was doing so good before...? Bunching up her muscles, sparks crackling across her fur, the young Electrike would attempt to catch up by leaping her way up the slope; jump by jump, to try and catch up to the other three before they got too far ahead..!
What Duchess wouldn't expect though, was for - with each pulse of electricity crackling across her fur - the way that she would begin to feel... Almost lighter, in a way?
In fact, she'd begin to feel so light - electromagnetic energy building in her fur - that she'd proceed to leap up towards the peak of the first slope - which allowed her to, with another leap, float on over to the peak of the second slope! This sight would bewilder the other three - watching as Duchess leapt on down, floating her way back into the running, and managing to catch up to the group with an eager and excited bark...! <Wheeee!>
She wasn't too sure as to what, exactly, she was doing - let alone how - but it sure worked..!
Princess, meanwhile, was just continuing to vibe as she pleased, as she only just begun to reach the first slope. Without a care in the world, she would ascend at her own pace, just as the other four were already continuing on, to the rest of the track ahead.
Which, the next portion in question would be another few winding curves; something that Duchess, by now, was finding her balance between speed and handling for! This would allow her to keep pace with Anne and Ettie - the three of them neck-in-neck - whilst Ruffian remained just behind them, on the trio's tails. And as soon as the track returned to yet another straight shot, Duchess would be able to retake the lead; running up ahead, now that she was able to reach full speeds once more!
However, with the straight shot, came the next obstacles; a few sets of hurdles, of varying heights! The first set would be easy for Duchess to leap over - with them being lower down - and even the higher second set would be doable, thanks to her new little floating trick! As the electricity ran across her fur, it would grow more concentrated briefly - especially around her paws - as she got a greater hang on it, and leaped over the last of the hurdles in the second set...! This was great!
Even with this new ability of hers though, it was not true flight; only making her lighter and more floaty. As a result of this, though she'd try her hardest to use this new move to clear the third set of hurdles, it would be to no avail. These hurdles would be much too high for her, and it would lead to her instead impacting into them with a yelp as she came to a sudden stop!
This stop would be enough for Anne and Ettie to close the distance some - the both of them leaping over the first two sets with relative ease, and even Ettie being able to (more carefully) leap over the third set! Anne, meanwhile, would squeeze under the third set of hurdles instead of jumping them - allowing her to keep pace with Ettie, without risking smacking into the hurdles like Duchess did.
Ruffian, in seeing this, would steal Anne's idea - following the Rockruff's lead in leaping over the first set, before using his smaller size to duck under the next two sets! Duchess, meanwhile, would've gained her bearings again - ducking under the third set of hurdles to try and keep up with the group!
As Princess eventually reached the hurdles though, she would briefly eyeball them - as if judging whether she could jump them or not - before deciding to casually climb over them, one by one with little grunts. It was not quite jumping, but it did the trick!
The other four would now be reaching the final stretch, though - Anne and Ettie slightly in the lead, though Duchess was catching up fast, and Ruffian was tied with the Electrike for the time being...! Who would win this race was hard to say at the moment, with their different advantages and disadvantages; but one thing was to say... It was likely that the next - and final - obstacle up ahead would decide who the victor of this race was...!
The obstacle in question was almost like a forest of large poles, set up in the path in such a way that one would have to zigzag between them - as quickly as they could - to get to the other side...! Duchess would struggle to maintain her speed as she darted back and forth between the poles - whereas Ettie and Anne had an easier time, being used to dodging back and forth between the trees as they ran through forested areas. What no one would likely expect though, was for Ruffian to easily catch up with everyone - his small size making the obstacle quite easy for him to zigzag through!
As they reached the other side of the 'forest' of obstacles, the group would end up more or less exiting it all at once - a practical stampede of puppies and child as they all scrambled to try and take the lead, seeing the finish line just up ahead! They were almost there...!
... Except that as the group of four all passed the obstacle at the same time, a bit of a collision would occur; the group collectively proceeding to practically trip over themselves and each other, as they'd all tumble just shy of the finish line, all at once..! There would be yelping, yipping, barking, and laughter as the quartet ended up in a tangled pile of girl and dog alike; the group panting for breath, and for the most part being in no immediate rush to untangle themselves. Anne, Ettie, and Duchess had more or less forgotten about the competition to instead focus on the fun, after all!
Ruffian, though, seemed to be the only one who realized that the race had not yet ended - he could still win, if he could. just. manage. to get out from under everyone...! In vain, he would attempt to squirm his way out from underneath the pile - prompting him to bark <Get off, everyone!! All heavier than munchlaxes!!>
Just as Ruffian was perhaps halfway free though, Princess would soon catch up to the group - giving them all a neutral look. Her gaze would meet with Ruffian's, and she would raise an eyebrow at him - murmuring a blunt and almost chiding <Relax.> as she made her way towards Duchess; pulling the stunned Electrike loose. Casually - and perhaps with scarily surprising ease, given their identical sizes - Princess would heft her sister above her head, bringing the electric pup with her, as she'd make her way across the finish line...!
It was only now, that Ruffian - growling a mocking <ReLaX~, huh, will show you relaxed...> in snark to Princess as he did - would be able to pull himself free of the pile; tumbling and rolling forwards a couple of paces in the process as he popped free! Briefly, he would shake his head as he regained his bearings - and upon noticing that Princess and Duchess had won, would be unable to help a grumble of dismay. Still... Third place wasn't the worst, he figured; wasting no time in trotting over the finish line, and attempting to tilt his nose up in a smug fashion. <There.> He would state to the others, tail wagging. How was that for a race??
Princess, quietly, would flash Ruffian a placating thumbs up - whilst Duchess would, with an excited yip, tackle into Ruffian! <Did great, Ruffian!> She'd yip in compliments - oblivious to Ruffian's startled and displeased barking, and his attempts to squirm out from under her.
Anne and Ettie, meanwhile, would be sharing a good laugh; the two finally getting up, and dusting themselves off, as they caught their breaths. "That... T-that was fun, pftahahahaha!" Ettie laughed between brief pants, smiling down to the others. <Had fun, too.> Anne would bark in agreement, tail wagging lazily in a calm satisfaction, as she went to join the other pups. She and Princess both would nuzzle Duchess - the latter of whom was clearly happy that she was able to secure the lead for her sister, even though she had been taking it slow and easy.
Ruffian, meanwhile (once he was able to get out from under Duchess,) was satisfied enough with his third place to not be upset; though he knew better than to be too smug about it, lest Princess point out the fact that she and Duchess had technically gotten first place. Instead, he would simply strut alongside the group as Ettie looked for a nice open spot to set up in - preparing some water bowls for everyone, so that the pack could get some refreshments.
Once the water bowls were set up and everyone was having their fill of drinking, Ettie would sit amongst the pups; sipping from a water bottle that she had brought with her. However, her eyes would be on Duchess; remembering what had happened before, with the electric-type pup, during the race. "Hey, Duchess -" She'd call - prompting the pup to lift her head from the water bowl, her muzzle a soaked and dripping mess from how messily she had been drinking, and tail wagging. "- you looked like you had learned a new trick there, during the race."
<Yep!> Duchess would bark in confirmation as she trotted over to Ettie, nodding. She wasn't sure what it was exactly, but it sure was a new trick!
The response would prompt a smile to cross Ettie's face; the young girl giggling a bit, as she reached out to pet the Electrike. Even though she'd receive a little jolt in the process, she'd pay it little mind - instead asking "Could you show us that again, if you can? It looked really cool..!"
At the request, Duchess would take a second to think, before nodding; barking <Sure!> in confirmation, as she bounced back a short distance from everyone. She'd think back a bit to the two times that she had used it - namely during the climbing and hurdle sections of the track - and focus on the sensations that had it had come with. The floaty feeling, the static across her fur - particularly focused on her paws - feeling as though it were lifting up...
... And before long, she'd be doing it again; using Magnet Rise as she managed to make herself float, a few inches off the ground..!
While it wasn't true flight, it was still quite impressive; and Ettie, amazed, would smile brightly, clapping her hands together in excitement. "That's great, Duchess..!" She would praise. "I bet that'll come in handy, in the future...!" The other pups, too, would bark their agreements - all of the collective praise having Duchess' tail wagging like mad...!
Barking eagerly - <Fun! Fun to fly! Happy it's good!> - Duchess would initially flail her limbs in the air a bit as she tried to figure out how to move around while floating like this; managing to hover in Ettie's direction, and half-collide into the young trainer, so as to happily lick her face! Ettie couldn't help but respond with a spluttering laugh, patting Duchess on the head as she teased "Good girl; how about you go and get yourself some water and take a break, silly goober!"
With a little nudge in the direction of the water bowls, Duchess would comply with a playful bark; landing on her feet so that she could resume relaxing with her packmates, tail wagging. Princess would once more nuzzle her sister, which the Electrike eagerly reciprocated - and Anne, too, would nod to Duchess with a smile. <Doing great.> She'd praise, tail wagging.
And with that, Ettie couldn't help a soft and relaxed exhale, as she leaned back in the grass; twisting the cap back onto her water bottle. Already, their playing and training was starting off with plenty of positive vibes, and already, someone had learned an exciting new move from it..! She was eager to jump back into the playing and training - though she knew that the pack needed their rest, too. But perhaps, once everyone caught their breaths, they could all see about learning some more new moves? Maybe they all could do a bit of roughhousing together, too?
Only time would tell, as she'd watch the pups mingle and relax amongst each other.
WC: 3431
TWC: 3431
Notes: Duchess is learning Magnet Rise here, and I'd like to skill up Ettie's Agility here too!
<Come on, c'mon!> Duchess would bark back to Ettie and Anne, her tail wagging. <Know good place to play! This way!>
Well, Ettie couldn't argue with that, could she! "I'm coming - we all are! - just wait up, silly!" Giggling, she'd run after the other pups as they'd weave their way through the training grounds - and even Anne would be in a good mood, her tail wagging as she kept pace with her sister and their pack! Where were they going, the duo would wonder? In following Duchess and Princess through the grounds, it seemed that the 'where' would be an obstacle course of sorts..!
It was a pretty simple one, with the path of the course winding and turning around the trees and the other facilities at the training grounds in a sizeable loop; but nonetheless, it was the perfect thing for something that Duchess had been looking forward to for awhile now. <Wanna race!> She would declare, turning around towards the others; play bowing as her tail wagged wildly <Race me! Run with me! With everyone!>
A race, huh? Ettie would giggle; making her way towards what looked to be a starting line for the course, marked with some chalk across the dirt path. "That sounds like fun, Duchess!" She would call to the pup as the pack gathered - grinning down to the others. "How does a race sound, to you guys?"
<Yes! Race! C'mon!> Duchess chirped, bouncing about in circles around everyone; eager to go, if the sparking across her fur was of any indication. If they weren't gonna start soon, she might end up even running off on her own!
Princess, while she looked to be in a somewhat sleepier mood, was happy to go along with her sister's antics. <Alright,> She would murmur; stepping up to the start line in preparation. Perhaps she'd start taking a nap in the sun, once they were done here?
Ruffian, too, looked eager to compete with everyone; tilting his nose up in a confident fashion. <Gonna leave y'all in the dust!> He'd declare, joining the other pups at the starting line. He wanted to show everyone just how fast, he could be!
And Anne, meanwhile, would smile up to Ettie; briefly nuzzling the other's side. <Always happy to play.> She'd respond with a calm warmth as she, too, lined up with the other pups - nuzzling Duchess, too. Getting some running in wouldn't hurt, it'd be good practice!
Thus, the group would be lined up together - and Ettie, grinning happily, couldn't help but giggle in giddy anticipation. This was gonna be fun! "Okay everyone -" She would call to the other pups, glancing briefly between them. "- are we ready?!" When a chorus of yips and barks would respond in confirmations, Ettie giggled once more; hunkering down in place, and watching from the corners of her eyes as the others did the same. "Alright then, everyone; on the count of three!"
"One..."
"... Two..."
"And... THREE!"
As quick as a gun, the five-some would dart off as soon as the 'three' was called; sprinting ahead on the track...! Duchess, being the speedy electric type that she was, would take the lead with ease - running ahead of the pack with an excitable burst of barks! <Yes! Run run run..! Don't slow down!>
Ettie and Anne both would be right on her tail though, the two seeming to be keeping pace with each other - though whether this was on purpose or not was hard to say. "Ehehehe, let's go, Anne!" Ettie would call to her sister - to which the Rockruff would let off a wordless, but nonetheless eager, bark in response.
Ruffian, meanwhile, was trailing a bit behind at a close fourth place - despite his best efforts - prompting a growl of frustration as he realized this. <Come on!> He'd bark to express this frustration, pushing himself to try and at least close the distance between him and Anne - as short as that distance might've been. <Won't lose so easy!>
Princess, though, had no particular worry about winning. She was just happy to lumber along at her own pace from the start, even if that slowpoke nature of hers would mean that she was in last place (and would likely remain in last place.) At most, she would only be going just fast enough that she'd be able to keep track of the others, as they sprinted ahead.
As far as the track itself went, the first portion would be a straight run forward - nothing fancy or surprising, to say the least. As a result, the current places would remain more or less the same! Anne and Ettie would be on Duchess' tail as the overexcited puppy ran at the lead, and Ruffian in turn would be on the duo's tail. The gap between Ruffian and Princess, however, would be a bit more sizeable - given the Snubbull's aforementioned leisurely pace.
The next portion of the track, however, would begin to curve back and forth; winding around a few large trees. Duchess, while she was a speedy lil pup, lacked in handling; skidding into the trees on the first couple of curves when she wasn't able to turn quite fast enough, and being forced to slow down on the subsequent curves of the track to avoid any further skidding! Anne and Ettie, however, both would have a comparatively easier time; these turns being no different from when the duo would weave their way between the trees in their wilderness adventures! As a result, they would be able to close the gap between themselves and Duchess with ease; and Ruffian, too, would be able to handle the curves as he dug his claws into the ground for traction.
Princess, meanwhile, would saunter along the curving and winding track without any trouble, given her slow pace. <Hm hm hmmm~>
Before much longer though, the curves would soon lead to this obstacle course's first true obstacle; two sets of angular slopes - steep and rough on either side, with plenty of handholds (and pawholds) - that the group would need to climb and descend over! This would - understandably - be another wrench in Duchess' plans of 'go very fast'; given that while she was good at going fast, she wasn't exactly all that great at sharp turns or climbing..! She'd be forced to slow down to avoid tripping or falling as she began trying to ascend the slope; allowing for Anne and Ettie to catch up!
Meanwhile, the sisterly duo - given their upbringing - would be able to ascend the slopes with ease; seeing this as no different from the rough terrain they sometimes traveled through, alongside their original pack. "C'mon, guys!" Ettie would encourage the other pups, as she ascended the slope on all-fours. "Y'all can do it!" Anne, too, would nudge Duchess upwards briefly in an encouraging gesture as the two passed - taking the lead now.
Ruffian, meanwhile, might not have been as agile or fast as the others - but he seemed to have a decent grasp of climbing the slopes, even if he wasn't anywhere as fast as Anne or Ettie were. Step by step, he would ascend with an almost careful hue - not wanting to rush and fall back down...
... Which is what would happen to Duchess, as she tried to scramble to catch up with the others! Yelping, she would tumble back to the ground - unhurt, but grumbling with a faint hue of frustration. She wasn't truly angry - this was all in good fun, after all - but could one really blame her for being frustrated, when she was doing so good before...? Bunching up her muscles, sparks crackling across her fur, the young Electrike would attempt to catch up by leaping her way up the slope; jump by jump, to try and catch up to the other three before they got too far ahead..!
What Duchess wouldn't expect though, was for - with each pulse of electricity crackling across her fur - the way that she would begin to feel... Almost lighter, in a way?
In fact, she'd begin to feel so light - electromagnetic energy building in her fur - that she'd proceed to leap up towards the peak of the first slope - which allowed her to, with another leap, float on over to the peak of the second slope! This sight would bewilder the other three - watching as Duchess leapt on down, floating her way back into the running, and managing to catch up to the group with an eager and excited bark...! <Wheeee!>
She wasn't too sure as to what, exactly, she was doing - let alone how - but it sure worked..!
Princess, meanwhile, was just continuing to vibe as she pleased, as she only just begun to reach the first slope. Without a care in the world, she would ascend at her own pace, just as the other four were already continuing on, to the rest of the track ahead.
Which, the next portion in question would be another few winding curves; something that Duchess, by now, was finding her balance between speed and handling for! This would allow her to keep pace with Anne and Ettie - the three of them neck-in-neck - whilst Ruffian remained just behind them, on the trio's tails. And as soon as the track returned to yet another straight shot, Duchess would be able to retake the lead; running up ahead, now that she was able to reach full speeds once more!
However, with the straight shot, came the next obstacles; a few sets of hurdles, of varying heights! The first set would be easy for Duchess to leap over - with them being lower down - and even the higher second set would be doable, thanks to her new little floating trick! As the electricity ran across her fur, it would grow more concentrated briefly - especially around her paws - as she got a greater hang on it, and leaped over the last of the hurdles in the second set...! This was great!
Even with this new ability of hers though, it was not true flight; only making her lighter and more floaty. As a result of this, though she'd try her hardest to use this new move to clear the third set of hurdles, it would be to no avail. These hurdles would be much too high for her, and it would lead to her instead impacting into them with a yelp as she came to a sudden stop!
This stop would be enough for Anne and Ettie to close the distance some - the both of them leaping over the first two sets with relative ease, and even Ettie being able to (more carefully) leap over the third set! Anne, meanwhile, would squeeze under the third set of hurdles instead of jumping them - allowing her to keep pace with Ettie, without risking smacking into the hurdles like Duchess did.
Ruffian, in seeing this, would steal Anne's idea - following the Rockruff's lead in leaping over the first set, before using his smaller size to duck under the next two sets! Duchess, meanwhile, would've gained her bearings again - ducking under the third set of hurdles to try and keep up with the group!
As Princess eventually reached the hurdles though, she would briefly eyeball them - as if judging whether she could jump them or not - before deciding to casually climb over them, one by one with little grunts. It was not quite jumping, but it did the trick!
The other four would now be reaching the final stretch, though - Anne and Ettie slightly in the lead, though Duchess was catching up fast, and Ruffian was tied with the Electrike for the time being...! Who would win this race was hard to say at the moment, with their different advantages and disadvantages; but one thing was to say... It was likely that the next - and final - obstacle up ahead would decide who the victor of this race was...!
The obstacle in question was almost like a forest of large poles, set up in the path in such a way that one would have to zigzag between them - as quickly as they could - to get to the other side...! Duchess would struggle to maintain her speed as she darted back and forth between the poles - whereas Ettie and Anne had an easier time, being used to dodging back and forth between the trees as they ran through forested areas. What no one would likely expect though, was for Ruffian to easily catch up with everyone - his small size making the obstacle quite easy for him to zigzag through!
As they reached the other side of the 'forest' of obstacles, the group would end up more or less exiting it all at once - a practical stampede of puppies and child as they all scrambled to try and take the lead, seeing the finish line just up ahead! They were almost there...!
... Except that as the group of four all passed the obstacle at the same time, a bit of a collision would occur; the group collectively proceeding to practically trip over themselves and each other, as they'd all tumble just shy of the finish line, all at once..! There would be yelping, yipping, barking, and laughter as the quartet ended up in a tangled pile of girl and dog alike; the group panting for breath, and for the most part being in no immediate rush to untangle themselves. Anne, Ettie, and Duchess had more or less forgotten about the competition to instead focus on the fun, after all!
Ruffian, though, seemed to be the only one who realized that the race had not yet ended - he could still win, if he could. just. manage. to get out from under everyone...! In vain, he would attempt to squirm his way out from underneath the pile - prompting him to bark <Get off, everyone!! All heavier than munchlaxes!!>
Just as Ruffian was perhaps halfway free though, Princess would soon catch up to the group - giving them all a neutral look. Her gaze would meet with Ruffian's, and she would raise an eyebrow at him - murmuring a blunt and almost chiding <Relax.> as she made her way towards Duchess; pulling the stunned Electrike loose. Casually - and perhaps with scarily surprising ease, given their identical sizes - Princess would heft her sister above her head, bringing the electric pup with her, as she'd make her way across the finish line...!
It was only now, that Ruffian - growling a mocking <ReLaX~, huh, will show you relaxed...> in snark to Princess as he did - would be able to pull himself free of the pile; tumbling and rolling forwards a couple of paces in the process as he popped free! Briefly, he would shake his head as he regained his bearings - and upon noticing that Princess and Duchess had won, would be unable to help a grumble of dismay. Still... Third place wasn't the worst, he figured; wasting no time in trotting over the finish line, and attempting to tilt his nose up in a smug fashion. <There.> He would state to the others, tail wagging. How was that for a race??
Princess, quietly, would flash Ruffian a placating thumbs up - whilst Duchess would, with an excited yip, tackle into Ruffian! <Did great, Ruffian!> She'd yip in compliments - oblivious to Ruffian's startled and displeased barking, and his attempts to squirm out from under her.
Anne and Ettie, meanwhile, would be sharing a good laugh; the two finally getting up, and dusting themselves off, as they caught their breaths. "That... T-that was fun, pftahahahaha!" Ettie laughed between brief pants, smiling down to the others. <Had fun, too.> Anne would bark in agreement, tail wagging lazily in a calm satisfaction, as she went to join the other pups. She and Princess both would nuzzle Duchess - the latter of whom was clearly happy that she was able to secure the lead for her sister, even though she had been taking it slow and easy.
Ruffian, meanwhile (once he was able to get out from under Duchess,) was satisfied enough with his third place to not be upset; though he knew better than to be too smug about it, lest Princess point out the fact that she and Duchess had technically gotten first place. Instead, he would simply strut alongside the group as Ettie looked for a nice open spot to set up in - preparing some water bowls for everyone, so that the pack could get some refreshments.
Once the water bowls were set up and everyone was having their fill of drinking, Ettie would sit amongst the pups; sipping from a water bottle that she had brought with her. However, her eyes would be on Duchess; remembering what had happened before, with the electric-type pup, during the race. "Hey, Duchess -" She'd call - prompting the pup to lift her head from the water bowl, her muzzle a soaked and dripping mess from how messily she had been drinking, and tail wagging. "- you looked like you had learned a new trick there, during the race."
<Yep!> Duchess would bark in confirmation as she trotted over to Ettie, nodding. She wasn't sure what it was exactly, but it sure was a new trick!
The response would prompt a smile to cross Ettie's face; the young girl giggling a bit, as she reached out to pet the Electrike. Even though she'd receive a little jolt in the process, she'd pay it little mind - instead asking "Could you show us that again, if you can? It looked really cool..!"
At the request, Duchess would take a second to think, before nodding; barking <Sure!> in confirmation, as she bounced back a short distance from everyone. She'd think back a bit to the two times that she had used it - namely during the climbing and hurdle sections of the track - and focus on the sensations that had it had come with. The floaty feeling, the static across her fur - particularly focused on her paws - feeling as though it were lifting up...
... And before long, she'd be doing it again; using Magnet Rise as she managed to make herself float, a few inches off the ground..!
While it wasn't true flight, it was still quite impressive; and Ettie, amazed, would smile brightly, clapping her hands together in excitement. "That's great, Duchess..!" She would praise. "I bet that'll come in handy, in the future...!" The other pups, too, would bark their agreements - all of the collective praise having Duchess' tail wagging like mad...!
Barking eagerly - <Fun! Fun to fly! Happy it's good!> - Duchess would initially flail her limbs in the air a bit as she tried to figure out how to move around while floating like this; managing to hover in Ettie's direction, and half-collide into the young trainer, so as to happily lick her face! Ettie couldn't help but respond with a spluttering laugh, patting Duchess on the head as she teased "Good girl; how about you go and get yourself some water and take a break, silly goober!"
With a little nudge in the direction of the water bowls, Duchess would comply with a playful bark; landing on her feet so that she could resume relaxing with her packmates, tail wagging. Princess would once more nuzzle her sister, which the Electrike eagerly reciprocated - and Anne, too, would nod to Duchess with a smile. <Doing great.> She'd praise, tail wagging.
And with that, Ettie couldn't help a soft and relaxed exhale, as she leaned back in the grass; twisting the cap back onto her water bottle. Already, their playing and training was starting off with plenty of positive vibes, and already, someone had learned an exciting new move from it..! She was eager to jump back into the playing and training - though she knew that the pack needed their rest, too. But perhaps, once everyone caught their breaths, they could all see about learning some more new moves? Maybe they all could do a bit of roughhousing together, too?
Only time would tell, as she'd watch the pups mingle and relax amongst each other.
WC: 3431
TWC: 3431
Notes: Duchess is learning Magnet Rise here, and I'd like to skill up Ettie's Agility here too!