Willfur
Symbolic cleansing with fire and smoke, a type of communal ritual seen in many cultures around the world. It's one made popular by dramatic visuals and typically some sort of trial, either real or contrived, the completion of which brings a sense of worth and belonging, feelings often sorely missed after months trapped in winter's frigid isolation.
This one has the added gimmick of being labeled a race, though Willfur can see that the track is winding and often obscured by smog or clever nuances of light and color. He knows a riddle when he sees one, but far from discouraging the heavy mule (as an unadorned test of speed might), he's all the more intrigued for it and so, steps forward, though far off to one side of the main lineup.
Judging from the look of grim determination and deeply flexed joints of the tallest and lithest contestants, he imagines the majority will leap forward at breakneck speed as soon as the call is made and since he has no intention of slowing them down, politely leaves room for the stampede to pass. In contrast, he stands quiet, long ears tipping forward and back as he both listens for the start and peers into the haze of unknown ahead.
Spectators have gathered around the fringes, faces stretched tight with excitement, and the din of voices slowly quiets until he can hear a faint melody playing, inviting and disarming. He lets his mind wander with the gentle music, enjoying the pleasant warmth of the fires against his skin, seeping into muscle and bone, and the smoke bringing sweet scents of jasmine and honeysuckle and the dry, bright taste of wood burning to his nose and mouth, all of it made even sweeter by the acrid tang of anticipation building among the crowd.
Unperturbed, Willfur lets himself be lulled and if he's not left behind because of the lapse, he's at least left farther behind because of it. The sign is given, whatever it might have been, he misses it in his inattention, and the line of competitors surges forward, startling the mule and sending him off in a rushed trot, embarrassment and laughter grinning across his lips.
Whoops.
"talk talk talk"
@Official Dawn Account
