Lhûn Boat Racing {Game/RP}

[Moriel]

Alcadir, Navy Boat - B Roll - 1 - +3 - Ever closer to some kind of end, perhaps; as you make your way further into the storm in pursuit of the white boat, a freak gust of wind (or a sea maia with a sense of humor) sends you swirling back the way you came, behind the red boat and on a collision course for the green!

Erniel, Pink Boat - no roll

Finnbarr, White Boat - B Roll - 7 - +2 - The oysters recede, but no sooner can you begin to triumph in your seeming victory at the duel of words, when the real reason makes itself clear: in the midst of the sleeting storm, a monster wave rises up in front of your little boat!

Talina, Green Boat - no roll

Rilla Banks, Red Boat - B Roll - 4 - +2 - Turns out you were right after all: as you hurry and scurry to try and catch up with the pink boat, and errant current (or a sea maia with a sense of humor) seizes your boat and sends it whooshing ahead of not just pink, but green and blue boats as well!!

Big Poppa Sailsbad, Yellow Boat - no roll

Next update in ~~~48 hours!

@Tarawen @Goosil @Call of Bearthulhu @Lady Winchester @Lailyn @Ta'leus Shieldsong



Not all the boats have been claimed, which means that there's still room for latecomers! If you'd like to race, simply arrive at the starting line late, claim your boat, and make your first roll!

Boats Remaining:

[Galadrihell]

Alcadir in the Navy boat

The winds were picking up, tautening his sails and whipping his hair. Alcadir as an Elf was mostly immune to extremes of weather, short of Helcaraxë levels, but his skin still bristled with goose flesh and he laughed a short breathless gasp that was immediately torn away by the breeze.

Treacherously, the wind turned; a great surge lifted the swelling waves with the easy force of a god, slapping the tiny craft down and away, back towards... the green boat in which Talina was standing. Alcadir’s eyes widened in alarm, blue with the reflected storm.

“Look out!” he called, bracing his legs against the sides of the boat and stretching out with his light oar. A tap on the side of the other vessel should deflect the force and prevent a collision or a swamping!

B roll

[Lailyn]

Rilla, red boat

The waves, the wind, the water all seemed to suddenly be on her side! Rilla's boat soared through the water with all the grace of a swan and the hobbit jumped up and down with glee (and decidedly less grace than her trusty boat).

"Whoopeee!" She laughed at the sight of the blue and green boats nearly colliding and Alcadir's efforts to stop the crash. As she passed Erniel in the pink boat, she saluted him as thanks for lagging behind.

Sasparilla Brandybuck-Banks was back in the race with no boats in sight ahead of her! (Oh dear, she had not spied the white boat and the impending storm yet.) She could already see herself crossing the finish line and getting crowned champion. There'd be a crown, right? One that was perfectly hobbit-sized?

"Go, go, go!" She cried to the boat. "We're going to be the famousest hobbit and boat there ever was! The elves'll be recruiting me to sail their ships for them at this rate!"

B roll

[Baphởmet]

Finnbarr Galedeep, in the White Boat

“Well fredegar me running,” Finnbarr looked at the corpulent white mass heading toward him and understood why he’d won the flyting with the oysters. A wave that dwarfed his tiny craft was bearing down on him like an ex after alimony (not that Finnbarr would know anything about that mind you). “Hard to…” he shouted to his nonexistent helmsman, then remember he was alone. For a hard second, Finnbarr considered simply diving below the water and letting the wave pass. But that would be cheating, wouldn’t it? He looked at roiling blue waters longingly before finally sighing and jumping to the helm. The wave was much bigger than something he’d expect in the gulf, he suspected dear old Ossë was behind the rogue wave. What more did the sea god want? He already had Finnbarr’s dwarven whisky! Some people just want more. “If you give an otter a crayfish…” he mumbled under his breath. He swore and threw the wheel hard to port, nearly throwing him off balance (he was a 7,000-year-old sailor, if a little turbulence threw him off his balance he didn’t belong on the sea anymore). He stayed upright though and began to laugh as he felt the spray of the wave. The thing was big, almost comically so, but Finnbarr had speed, at least he believed he did, and with the right angle (not a right angle mind you) he knew he could slip passed the wave and be in the clear once more. He held his breath and braced himself.

B Roll, once more!

[Lady of Shadow]

Talina, in the Green Boat

The Porpoise then did something that Talina wasn't expecting... he brought the pot back! "I never thought that he would do that!" the Ranger wannabe thought to herself, and was just amazed at how friendly these Porpoises seemed to be, or at least the one that seemed to take an interest in her (or her tasty morsels) was. She was still trying to figure out what kind of creatures they were. Were they somehow related to dolphins, because this Porpoise did seem to be a little on the friendly side, but then again, Talina would never intentionally harm an animal, she was just trying to lead the Porpoise away from her craft so that she could catch up to the others. Talina always had a soft spot for animals, and often wished she had a pet of her own, if circumstances would have been more in her favor.

Back in friendlier times in Pelargir (even though Talina was still quite young), she often found dogs wandering around that didn't seem to have any owners or caretakers of, and often tried to find out if they had a home. SInce Talina's parents were taken away from her at such a young age, she never had the opportunity to have a pet of her own (but often wanted one), so she found it was her duty to try and find homes for the occasional stray dog or whatnot that she sometimes saw wandering alone near the seashore.

Drifting back to the present, Talina thanked the Porpoise for bringing back the pot she found, since she may have to use it again before the race was finished (even if it were to catch some fish to eat, if she happened to run out of provisions). Since she was falling behind thanking the Porpoise for his or her kindness, Talina sped up a bit, but would back off again if she got too close to another racer. Although the announcer of this race didn't say anything about cheating, Talina wasn't about to be the first person to try it, whether it was allowed or not.

Another B roll, if you please

[Pele Alarion]

Shamara


Travelling around and seeing some of the distant lands was definitely fun, and while wandering around and exploring, the Umbarian ended up by the Gulf of Lhûn. Apparently the boat race was taking place, and for a while she stood on the shore and watched, hugging the warm cloak close to her against the wind.

Then she wondered whether the water was just as cold as the air, and balancing on one leg, she removed her left boot and sock and dipped her toes in the water. "Uuuuuuuh!" The toes came right back out. At that precise moment Shamara looked up and noticed that one boat had remained unoccupied. Without a second thought, she began jumping towards the boat, while still attempting to make sure her left foot was back in the warmth and booted. She ended up half-tumbling into the boat first and only then finally got her boot properly fitted yet again.

"I s'pose this boat was still for the taking, right?" she asked, hoping that she wouldn't be kicked out; the race had already started, after all. Then again the question remained of whether she could even properly handle the boat...

A roll, please!

[Moriel]

Alcadir, Navy Boat - B Roll - 9 - +3 - Your trick with the oar works, and you bounce off the green boat without damage, and go spinning along the racecourse, your little boat careening in circles. The green boat has managed to slip ahead of you with the help of those same sneaky porpoises. One of them reappears cheekily next to you, bearing.. a pot?

Erniel, Pink Boat - no roll

Finnbarr, White Boat - B Roll - 18 - +3 - Luck is with you, and you manage to slip over the edge of the monstrous wave, and speed off along the course! You've taken what appears to be a commanding lead, but the Gulf of Lhûn isn't finished with you yet. Up ahead the racecourse splits around a small island jutting out of the water, and you must decide which way to go. One is safe, and one holds a nest of giant crabs, but also a swift current that could cement your lead. Which will you choose?

Talina, Green Boat - B roll - 19 - +4 - The navy boat comes rocketing at you, but the elf inside manages to stick out an oar and deflect a major collision! The impact sends your boat spinning around and around- but also down the course, and you pass the red and navy boats! You now enter the storm, where sleet comes sheeting down and the waves are choppy.

Rilla Banks, Red Boat - B Roll - 11 - -2 - Oh no! In the commotion of the navy and green boats' near-collision, you've been caught up in a small whirlpool and flung back the way you came! Overhead, a large albatross calls, as if laughing at your fate.

Big Poppa Sailsbad, Yellow Boat - no roll

Shamara, Cyan Boat - A Roll - 4 - move forward!

Next update in ~~~48 hours!

@Tarawen @Goosil @Call of Bearthulhu @Lady Winchester @Lailyn @Ta'leus Shieldsong @Pele Alarion


All boats have been claimed! If you missed your chance, keep your eyes open for the next game!

[Baphởmet]

Finnbarr Galedeep, in the White Boat

He sighed with relief. By the luck of the octopus, he’d managed to skirt around the edge of the rogue wave. He wiped his brow then laughed as he realized how foolish that was, his brow being slick with salt water spray. He patted the ship’s wheel with a tender touch. “I think we were quite lucky there, don’t you?” The Pearl Queen could have managed such a wave (it would take a lot to rock her) but this little boat, hardly more than a skiff, would have been absolutely devastated and he would have had to swim to his father with his tail tucked between his legs. Tension released in his shoulders and relaxed.

Upcoming was an island, he hadn’t noticed it before, his attention being solely focused on the large wave. He had just moments to make a decision. One way looked shorter, but there were more crabs. From this distance, Finnbarr couldn’t tell to which crab clan they belonged. Crabbius was a friend, but his clan was not the only one in the gulf and they did not always get on with each other. His friendship with Crabbius could be seen by other, more hostile crabs as an invitation to get into a fight. Finnbarr, normally, would not have batted an eye, after all fights in the ocean were just how things worked, but he was pressed for time today. He looked back. He was a fair distance ahead, but he was by no means in control of a commanding lead yet. He looked back at the crabs as they clacked their claws in the mist. The Falmari frowned and turned the wheel, taking the longer route. It was better right now to be safer than faster. His little white boat had already been through quite an ordeal with flying fish and oysters, giant crabs might do the poor thing in.

He felt a bit sad, not getting to engage with the crabs, but there was always other sea life to entertain, perhaps he’d find some more on this side of the island.

Taking the longer way ‘round and a B Roll, if you please

[Galadrihell]

Alcadir in the Navy Boat

He exhaled as the oar bumped the other boat, the paddle flexing slightly as the energy travelled down it with a slight hollow sound, almost lost in the rushing of the waves that carried them away, spinning in a loose circle. Alcadir did not try to correct their course; he let the current turn the boat; he trusted it would straighten out before the end. The green craft was rushing on ahead and Alcadir saw a plume of spray and a cheeky grey rostrum reared out of the water. The porpoises! “Fickle,” he said, quietly; but noise carries along water and not long after the same perpetually smiling snout surfaced alongside him.

“Hullo, found some singing you liked better?” Alcadir greeted his companion cheerfully.

“Eek Eek,” said the porpoise, turning its head to let him look at what it was carrying.

“A pot? For me?” asked Alcadir, dubiously. He put out a hand and wiggled it out of the porpoise’s grasp.

“Shrimp?! Are you kidding me?!”

B roll pls

[Lailyn]

Red Boat Rilla

Everything was going so well.

Then it wasn't.

The red boat got caught in a whirlpool and Rilla went spinning. She stumbled to the port-side (oh, if only there were some port to drink) and she went careening toward the starboard. Back and forth, she went like a pinball ricocheting in a machine and let me tell you on behalf of Rilla, being a pinball was not fun.

"Ohh!" she exclaimed in a dreary tone as she gripped the side of the boat and looked into the water. Everything spun 'round her like a night of one too many ales at the Green Dragon and she thought she might be sick... "Granmaaaa!" she moaned. "I don't feel so good..." To top it all off, she was sure that a giant sea gull was having a laugh at her expense.

B roll

[Moriel]

Alcadir, Navy Boat - B Roll - 18 - +3 - You manage to sneak by both the green boat and the tricky current, to forge deeper into the storm! Your pot fills with rainwater to go with the shrimp, suggesting perhaps it's time for dinner. That, or the sea knows your previous night's misfortunes and is mocking you. Suddenly from beneath the shrimp, a frog leaps out of the pot to slap into your face. What is it doing here?!

Erniel, Pink Boat - no roll

Finnbarr, White Boat - B Roll - 6 - 0 - The longer way is indeed slower, and you don't move an inch after making your choice. Why could that be? As you peer over the rail of your boat, many tiny tentacles appear to be giving your vessel a cuttle.

Talina, Green Boat - no roll

Rilla Banks, Red Boat - B Roll - 1 - +3 - The whirlpool releases you, and even seems to point you in the right direction! You gain ground on the little green boat as you cross over into the edge of the storm, and sleep begins to whip down at you. Brr!! Was that a hailstone?

Big Poppa Sailsbad, Yellow Boat - no roll

Shamara, Cyan Boat - no roll

Next update in ~~~48 hours!

@Tarawen @Goosil @Call of Bearthulhu @Lady Winchester @Lailyn @Ta'leus Shieldsong @Pele Alarion


All boats have been claimed! If you missed your chance, keep your eyes open for the next game!

[Pele Alarion]

Shamara


She managed to tackle the sail well enough to make some way forward; coming closer to the yellow boat. It seemed just within the reach, if only the wind was favourable for her. Well, if she knew how to sail well enough, it should be said. She was not sure whether she would be able to catch up with the other boats that she could spot further away.

This is all just for the fun of it - Shamara thought to herself, and yet felt increasingly competitive. She should at least catch up with that yellow boat, if nothing else!

B roll, please!

[Galadrihell]

Alcadir in the Navy Boat

They nudged past the green boat, the current spooling out, the waters feeding Alcadir’s vessel into the mouth of the storm.

He looked up, bracing one arm against the ropes and the other flung up to shield his face from the fat wet drops which flurries faster and faster from the sky, sleeking his white-gold hair against his skull. Alcadir looked down at his pot, filling up with a spattering noise, one of the shrimp bobbing upside down, little legs still waving, although under the shrimp’s power or that of the rainfall, he had no idea. Hastily, he suppressed a retch and tucked the pot under his tiny seat and dragged on the ropes to tuck the sails in closer against the wind, hoping it would speed him forward... but even as he bent over, he abruptly fell back with a muffled oath. A clammy creature had sprung out of the water and was now attached to his face! Alcadir detached it firmly with his fingernails and held it out at arm’s length.

“Ribbit,” it declared.

“Well I’m not kissing you,” said Alcadir, stoutly.

B roll please

[Baphởmet]

Finnbarr Galedeep, in the White Boat

And he was off! Finnbarr closed his eyes, inhaled, and prepared for the rush of wind that came with swift movement, it was one of his favorite things about sailing. It was cold out, but despite that and his lack of a shirt, the work he had been doing onboard the little vessel had made him work up a sweat. The cool breeze would have gone a long way.

Wait… what?

Finnbarr opened his eyes and sighed. He wasn’t moving. Why wasn’t he moving? He exhaled, letting out the anticipatory breath with something akin to aggravation. He looked over the boat. Was that? He squinted. That couldn’t be right. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Yup, cuttlefish. A lot of them. Finnbarr pulled himself back over the edge and looked from the waters to the sky. Cuttlefish? Why were cuttlefish stopping him from… Oh! It took a moment but soon the bearded Falmari remembered a solitary colony of nomadic cuttlefish he ran into about a decade ago. They were eager to share the story of their trip, and very eager to cuddle. Finnbarr supposed he couldn’t blame them. It was in their name, sort of, not really. Most of the cuttlefish he’d encountered over his seven thousand years were solitary and grumpy, hiding from him almost as soon as he appeared near them. But this colony had been different. They were outgoing and friendly. They had mistaken him for Ossë and asked him to officiate a wedding. Finnbarr tried to tell them they were mistake but, they would not be dissuaded. Thankfully the next year he saw them they stopped confusing him for the sea lord (but still insisted that he officiate another wedding).

“Is it time again?” He said, leaning over the edge of the boat. “Who’s getting married this time? Priscilla? I bet it’s Priscilla. Who’s the lucky…” he frozen, what does one call a male cuttlefish? “… groom? Lorenzo? Or is it Giovanni? Did he finally come out of his shell?” He snorted at his own pun. “It seems you’ve all caught me at a bad time.” He paused to smile at another pun. “I’m in the middle of a race, but as soon as it’s over, I’d love to come down and talk.”

He was met with a course of “Hi! Hello! Hey! Greetings! Hi! Hello! Salutations! Hi! Greetings! Hello! Hello! Hey! Hi!”

Another B Roll, please

[Lailyn]

Rilla, Red Boat
Ugh. The last spiral of the whirlpool did her in. Rilla leaned over the edge of the boat and up came her Red Ale. Now it was fish food. Still green in the face, she crawled a few paces before giving up completely, laying down flat on her stomach and moaning.

How long she lay there is anyone's guess. Long enough that the whirlpool mercifully spit her out. Long enough for a change in the weather. Long enough for a change in the season?? The storm ahead looked even bigger than Will Whitfoot, the Flourdumpling himself! Rilla sniggered at the thought, then sobered as hail bigger than the Flourdumpling's hairy feet smacked her face.

"Oh, I wish I never left the Shire! This must be the worst thing that's ever happened ever ever ever to a hobbit who dared to the leave the safety of home!! I wish I could go home..." Big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks and she collapsed, folded her knees up to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut.

B roll

[Marceline]

Erniel, Pink Boat

The usually-jolly elf rested his elbows on the boat’s edge and gazed morosely down at the water. “Was it something I said?” he wondered aloud. “Or perhaps Tweep was suddenly called away on important birdy business. Yes,” he declared, “that will be it! Well, I wish him luck wherever he’s gone!” Cheered significantly by the idea of Tweep skimming over the water, occasionally diving to snatch up an insect or a small fish, Erniel resumed his humming and aimless tinkering with the boat’s many ropes and other paraphernalia.

He was not long at it before the air was full of the flapping of wings. Above it all, Erniel heard Tweep’s merry song and looked up to see his avian friend flash overhead, a great number of birds of all sizes following his lead. The birds wheeled and hovered beside Erniel’s boat and then - at a sharp, “Tweee-eeep!” from Tweep - stirred up a gale by beating their wings in unison. Erniel’s hair whipped around his face, and the sails filled with air.

“Aha!” he cried, waving to Tweep and the rest of the birds. “You’ve done it, you brilliant birds! Thank you, Tweep, thank you!” He whistled his own little response to Tweep’s continued trilling, but was interrupted by a thunk when a heavy pelican landed by his side. “Oh,” Erniel said simply. Once recovered from the surprise, he resumed his cheery demeanor and added, “Hello!” The bird fixed a beady eye on the elf, and Erniel knew instinctively that it was contemplating whether it could make a meal of him. “Oh please, not me! Here, have one of these!” Erniel picked up a convenient net affixed to a long pole and dipped it down into the water. When he pulled it back up, three shining fish were flopping about inside. “Take these! And shoo!”

B roll please

[Moriel]

Alcadir, Navy Boat - B Roll - 8 - +4 - "But why not?" the frog asks, a stiff breeze causing its limbs to wave as your boat somehow speeds forward. What? Is this a hallucination, perhaps sent by Ossë to distract you from the giant wave looming ahead? Or is the frog simply starved for affection?

Erniel, Pink Boat - B Roll - 20 - 0 - Offering the fish was a wonderfully generous gesture, but now ALL the birds are distracted, and descend upon you looking for snacks! Which also causes the wind to drop out of your sails completely.

Finnbarr, White Boat - B Roll - 9 - +3 - The chorus of greetings fades away with a disgruntled "Aww, fuhgeddabouddit" from Lorenzo (or perhaps Giovanni?) as the cuttlefish release your vessel, allowing it to move along down the longer path. You still hold a lead and the waters are calm for now, but Alcadir is creeping up on you!

Talina, Green Boat - no roll

Rilla Banks, Red Boat - B Roll - 16 - -3 - The sea seems to have heard your plea, and the storm pushes you backwards! Or maybe it's sending you towards a friend, as you draw within sight of the pink boat and its cheerful captain.

Big Poppa Sailsbad, Yellow Boat - no roll

Shamara, Cyan Boat - B Roll - 4 - +2 - You have indeed caught up with the yellow boat! It doesn't seem to have moved in a while- do you offer assistance, or simply speed on by?

Next update in ~~~48 hours!

@Tarawen @Goosil @Call of Bearthulhu @Lady Winchester @Lailyn @Ta'leus Shieldsong @Pele Alarion


All boats have been claimed! If you missed your chance, keep your eyes open for the next game!

[Baphởmet]

Finnbarr Galedeep, in the White Boat

The sea was quiet. That was strange and unsettling. The sea was never quiet. There was always some creature or another gibbering or squeaking or ribbiting or one of a hundred thousand other noises. But right now, there was nothing. The sea elf thought the whole think odd, but did enjoy the momentary peace and quiet. There was still a race going on. Yes, really. Despite all his interactions with all the animals of the gulf thus far, in the back of his mind he knew there was supposedly still a race going on. Was he first? Was he last? Finnbarr had no idea. The race could have been over for hours as far as he knew. He’d taken a much keener interest in the animals, well the animals had taken a keen interest in him and distracted him thoroughly enough that the thought of racing was receding in Finnbarr’s mind. And really, when you get to talk to cuttlefish, flying fish, giant crabs, and yes oysters, is there a better day than that? Finnbarr corrected his course a few times, bored and uninterested. What he wouldn’t give for a group of sea otters right about now. What’s better than sea otters? Technically nothing, unless we are talking about the Galedeep Sea Otter, a subspecies that Finnbarr discovered (and named after himself because why the hell not?), there is nothing better than a sea otter. The Falmari was quite sure that even if he was still in a race and not just jaunting about the gulf in a strange white boat with no shirt on, he would immediately dive overboard and spend the rest of the cold, rainy day with the otters. What are the chances of that happening though? Finnbarr looked into the middle distance with a look of expectant anticipation. Perhaps a narrator or game master or something of sufficient power could make that happen? Or maybe they were saving such a sight for the end of the race. Was there still a race going? Finnbarr could only make out one boat behind him. He was probably losing that’s why.

B Roll baby!

[Galadrihell]

Alcadir in the navy boat

But... why not?

Alcadir frantically, soundlessly mouthed the words back at the frog, who had, after all, asked a perfectly reasonable question. He poked at the skin of his hand, and made so far as to scramble to the side of his craft and examine his reflection, wavering and trembling too swiftly in the scattered light to see if his pupils were abnormally wide. This had not been an ordinary day. Alcadir supposed he should, as it were, go with the flow.

“I beg your pardon, sirrah,” he declaimed, gesturing with highest drama, “but I think it not proper to kiss people - or frogs - before being properly introduced, wot?”

The frog’s limbs undulated, weirdly. Desperately, Alcadir rubbed at his eyes. This was some ploy. Some deviltry caused by drugged smoke. Or something in the water... he should never have trusted those porpoises. “Never trust a porpoise,” he whispered feebly as the wave came crashing down...

B roll!

[Lailyn]

Rilla Banks, Red boat
Laying back on the deck, Rilla gazed up at the sky miserably. The clouds were moving and twisting and laughing at her. No, those were gulls. They were probably going to eat her! Did gulls like hobbit-meat? She'd heard rumors they'd eat almost anything. Rilla whimpered and tried unsuccessfully to shrink further back into the deck.

A jolly voice carried on the wind toward her. She realized that they were not gulls, but Tweep & co. come to see the elf in the pink boat. The hobbit pulled herself up and peered over at them.

Her face looked quite green. "Please! Don't shoo them away!" She cried weakly at Erniel. "Maybe they can fly me all the way back home...hey birds! How would like to go to the Shire? We have lots of food...I'll share..." Moaning, she slumped face-down on the deck. So much for winning the race?

B roll please

[Moriel]

Alcadir, Navy Boat - B Roll - 6 - 0 - But the wave didn't come crashing down. Both your boat and the wave seem somehow frozen in time.. perhaps by some strange power of the frog which seems to be glowing slightly?? It's waiting for you to introduce yourself.

Erniel, Pink Boat - no roll

Finnbarr, White Boat - B Roll - 9 - +3 - As if on command, a sea otter boards your vessel with a mighty leap! It squeals something or other about you surely being far enough ahead to jump overboard and come for a swim- but there's a mischievous glint in its eye. Dare you risk it?

Talina, Green Boat - no roll

Rilla Banks, Red Boat - B Roll - 1 - +3 - As much as Tweep & co. seem smitten with Erniel, it seems they're a gluttonous bunch! The promise of Shire food os too great to resist, and calling out to Erniel that they'll be back (eventually), the birds swoop over to your boat and with a mighty thrusting of their wings, stir up a wind that sends you scooting along the water!

Big Poppa Sailsbad, Yellow Boat - no roll

Shamara, Cyan Boat - no roll

Next update in ~~~48 hours!

@Tarawen @Goosil @Prometherion @Lady of Shadow @Lailyn @Ta'leus Shieldsong @Pele Alarion


All boats have been claimed! If you missed your chance, keep your eyes open for the next game!

[Pele Alarion]

Shamara


She had started well, and soon found herself next to the yellow boat. Curious, she carefully stood to peer into the boat of the competitor and called out: "Hey, are you napping over there, or fishing at your leisure? This is supposed to be a competition!" However, she did not intend to linger overly long, after all she was way behind the others herself and had much to do in attempts to catch anyone else. That is, unless the wind went against her and blew the boat in the wrong direction.

"Anyway, see ya later!" Shamara added merrily, and turned her attention back to making the sail work for her.

B roll again, please!

[Baphởmet]

Finnbarr Galedeep, in the White Boat

As if by command indeed! No sooner had Finnbarr thought about the special otters that bore his name (an allowable arrogance when he was the one that discovered them) than one appeared. It not only appeared, but it jumped right up on the deck! What made the Galedeep sea otter special was their strong hind legs, their propensity to live in colder climates (having developed an extra layer of fur), and (most importantly) their ability to hold their breath much longer than sea otters normally can, thus enabling them to dive deeper and stay under the waves longer. Sounds like anyone racing in a white boat today? They were also distinguishable from the ordinary sea otter (blasphemy there is no “ordinary sea otter”) was the black and red markings around the face, similar to that of the red panda.

“Well, hello there!” Finnbarr barked with a deep laugh. “I was wondering if I’d get to see any of you today. It’s a cold day out, great for diving, isn’t it?” He looked from the mischievous looking critter to the boats behind him.

“You’re right,” the Falmari said, musing his option. “We are pretty far ahead. Would a dive hurt? Just a short one of course. I bet you know where some good mussels can be found around here eh?”

The otter grinned and licked its chops. Finnbarr could feel his mouth begin to water. Mussels on a cold day, with some winter warmer beer. Now that was heavenly. His father would want some too of course, the old man would call it his “racing fee” and that was fair enough, he supposed. “Oh alright!” he laughed. There was not much of an argument to be had. It was freediving with sea otters. Anyone in their right mind would abandon just about anything to go swim with otters. And mussels, mustn’t forget the mussels.

“After you little one, lead the way!”

The sea otter squeaked in amusement and Finnbarr snorted. “A bet? You think you can get more than me in one dive? Oh you’re on!”

Without letting the otter disappear, Finnbarr leapt over the edge of the boat, did a swan dive and disappeared into the deep blue.

Continue the tradition of B Rolls, please!

[Galadrihell]

Alcadir had screwed up his eyes in anticipation of the crash of water over him, the fine salt spray wetting his cheeks.

A heartbeat passed. Another.

Cautiously, he opened his eyes.

The frog was still staring at him, its golden gaze complacent and expectant. The shimmering wave hovered, frozen, behind. Alcadir’s eyes bulged out so far as to almost match the frog’s.

“Erm, errr,” he stammered, “are you- is that - you?”

He gestured vaguely at the wave, glowing in pulses to match the frog’s eyes.

“So, I’m Alcadir,” he continued, lamely.

B roll

[Lailyn]

Rilla, red boat

“Oh hello birds! I mean...tweet tweet!” She cried with joy, flapping her arms like wings, making her appear like some sort of miniature, flightless flamingo. With their company, she no longer felt afraid and her joy was renewed. If these little birds could survive far out at sea, then surely one hobbit lass could, too, right?

“I don’t know what birds eat but I’ll find out when you visit!” she promised. “I have some really smart friends, they’ll help! You can meet them, I bet you’ll love them!”

Home! Home would be waiting at the end of the race. And food. Mushrooms, macaroons, mince pies and marzipan...mmmm. She saluted Tweep & friends. “From this day forward, I solemnly swear, I will never eat any fowl ever again!”

B roll please