Stone's Throw

[Andreas Amell]

"I think it kind of is? I mean, being the son of your tribe's leader is a far cry from being one of the leaders of the entire city-state. It's a more direct power, it's a greater power, it's an external power and it was a surprise power. I mean, assuming the lead-hood theories about you having been secretly groomed since birth to be the Light are wrong," he finishes with a grin.

[GamesMaster]

"But I was always the one you had to be careful around," he argues. "The one you had to be sure you wanted things solved when you came to me with problems."

[NPCs]

"Increase is change too," Cadmus manages slowly.

[GamesMaster]

"I suppose. It's just, by the time the dust settled..." He trails off, knowing full well his father knows he had lost all his former friends except Miki when things went south with Beth. 

[Andreas Amell]

Andreas, of course, knows no such thing, but can guess the general shape of that silence well enough to trot hurriedly along. "Do you ever use the dyes?" he asks without stopping to question whether that's insulting to ask.

[GamesMaster]

"Oh yes. When we have Bharnerol's festival I will often dye my stripes."

[Andreas Amell]

"Oh? To a particular color or just something novel to honor the festivities?"

"Pink," Cadmus answers, then taps himself as he adds, "lime." Part of the festival-- a large part-- is honoring the hunter aspect of their deity, which is played out in games of seek prey. Most games are very serious affairs, grouped by skill level (and matching prizes), but there are also games specifically for children wherein grandparents and elders of the tribe will act as the prey for the children. It's become tradition for them to dye their fur with eye-catching colors to make it easier for the youngest groups.

[GamesMaster]

"There's a game we play with the kits. Actually, you should attend this year. If you've not yet had your first heat you're young enough to play."

[Andreas Amell]

"Ah, I, uh, I have not," Andreas mumbles, cheeks flushed. "We're not sure if... Umm. Game? What-- what's it like?"

[GamesMaster]

"The youth get to practice hunting while the adults are the targets. Hence why we dye our fur bright colors."

[Andreas Amell]

"Wouldn't that make it easier which is the point because they're children," Andreas realizes, flushing again, though this time it's for a far less mortifying reason. "Are there any other big games or contests?"

"Many. Racing. Flyting. Climbing." Cadmus glances at his son to expand and add more.

[GamesMaster]

"The races can be very fun, as they go through the streets of Cattown, so you can use vertical movement to help you get over obstacles and take shortcuts. And there's shooting competitions of course, and even light sparring."

[Andreas Amell]

"Are there, ah, crafting competitions?" Perhaps art competitions?

[GamesMaster]

"Not as such, but there's a display area where people can show off their best creations of the year. It's more celebratory than competitive."

[Andreas Amell]

Ears swiveling upwards, Andreas nevertheless tries to keep his tone casual. Very 'just curious, for no particular reason.' He clears his throat, then, "that's pretty interesting. How does that work, exactly? Who can submit showings?"