75th Ashan, 720
Location: ---
Ari'sora liked the idea of having a relationship with the elements, and she said as much. The wind was her friend already, and she didn't have any magic to make it happen. But she didn't like the idea of controlling them. You didn't control your friends. That was wrong. She felt very strongly about that. Was it possible for someone with Defiance to just have a relationship with the elements, though? To be friends with them, and ask them to aid you rather than to control them? There were things that you could do in exchange for their aid. And an even exchange didn't sound so bad.
The man's promise not to cheat startled her out of her thoughts, and she gave him a confused look.
"I never thought you would." she said simply.
And that was no more than the truth. It never once occurred to her that the man would use magic...or anything else for that matter to cheat. Why would he? What did it matter who won and who lost in this race, anyway? The only reason they were racing was in order to get stronger, right?
"I won't cheat either." she promised.
That was also the truth, and for much the same reason it never would have occurred to her that the man might cheat.
It was time to run though, and when the man gave the signal, she did. The first thing she noticed was that it really was hard to run in the sand as she imagined it would be. It shifted beneath her with each step she took, making her fight to keep her balance as she ran. Her wings spread instinctively to help her keep her balance, but she felt a drag on them as she ran, and that slowed her speed considerably. As a result, she pulled them back in, holding them tightly against her back.
When she had first learned how to fly, she had needed a running start to get into the air. It was no longer needed, but she did have a little experience with running. Not enough to do her much good, but the burning sensation in her legs, sides, and lungs was a familiar one. She wondered if she wouldn't feel it anymore if she improved her running skills.
Ari'sora reached the stump several trills after the man did. But the air was her element, and once she was in it, she was much more comfortable. Even with a lead of several trills, she managed to close the distance between them. It wasn't enough for her to win, but she was a close second. And her landing was a lot more graceful than his was. His laughter confused her, but it was also very contagious. Soon she found herself laughing with him even as she offered him a hand to help him up.