| Felix Smalls | Musher | Frozen Roots | M: Frozen roots team |

Finishing signing up for the race made everything so much more surreal. The other two mushers were here as were their teams and soon they were going to be racing. It seemed like yesterday that they were just preparing and training, mostly having fun but also serious. Now this, there was no time for playing games here and he needed to keep himself alert. He needed to make sure everything was in place and he couldn't wait till just before the race. These jitters needed to leave, he didn't want his dogs to sense his nerves.

Once he had finished getting all signed in he let out a shallow breath and nodded to himself as if to say 'we've got this. ' Walking away from where he was, Felix glanced over to the barn where the dogs were and then to where his sled was. Checking the sled first would definitely calm him down and then he could go see his dogs and make sure they had everything they needed for the night. It was colder than he expected and despite them having their thick coats that were designed for this, he didn't want them getting too cold. At least for now they were in a barn with some nice bedding.

Turning away from the barn, Felix headed to his sled. He had set out his lines ready as they always got tangled and he would grow frustrated if he had to untangle them in front of everyone tomorrow. The only things he kept away were the dogs harnesses and necklines which were all organised in the sled. Everyone's names were on their harness and their collar which they were already wearing. He decided to make sure everyone's harness was there, muttering their name as he made note of each one. "Eska and Jasmine, check. Quilo and Saynaara, check. Laika, Lime, Esos and Azar check. Riddik and Bayani check. Good, all there."

Once they were all checked they were put back exactly how they were before he moved on. Felix crouched by the line, picking it up and slowly walking down the line away from his sled to make sure it was all intact. With a confirming nod, he placed it carefully back down and took a step back, narrowing his eyes at everything just to make sure there wasn't anything he missed before heading to check in on his dogs.

Felix made his way into the barn, noticing one of the other mushers was in there too. He believed he was on the Darkshade team but he wasn't completely sure, mostly keeping to himself. He didn't say anything to the other and instead walked over to his own dogs, opening the gate so he could walk in and check on them all, closing it properly behind him. Most of them were resting which he was thankful for, they needed all the rest they could get. Laika seemed to be the only one sleeping so he decided not to bother her. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked at the siblings of the team; Esos and Azar. Those two were always together and yet were so different. He found it amusing how Azar avoided the bedding completely and walked over to the male.

Crouching down he chuckled softly, gently running his hand over the dog's exposed side. "I'm sure the bedding is far more comfortable than the floor Azar," he said, obviously amused. He knew dogs didn't understand him simply talking but it felt natural. Giving Azar one last scratch on his cheek, Felix stood to check on everyone else. Bayani seemed to be watching the other dogs and was doing his own thing so he simply walked over and patted the large dog on the head, ruffling his ears a little as he continued walking around.

Felix decided upon sitting with the dogs for a bit, something that he liked to do quite often. He loved every single one of them and he spent every second he could with them. The musher decided to sit by one of his lead dogs, Eska. She seemed to be relaxing but was also awake, watching the opening to the barn. "You'll be out in the snow tomorrow girly," he said softly, placing his hand on her head. She had always liked the snow, most of them did. They were made for these climates. "Everything starts tomorrow, just remember everything we've learnt and we will do great," he wasn't exactly talking to Eska or anyone in particular. More just voicing his thoughts.

Azar perked up at the sight of Felix, forgetting his bone in favor of trailing after the male over to where he saw Eska laying. He chased his musher's hands for a moment, contemplating on whether he really wanted to be pet again before noticing the water bowl near Eska's bed and quickly becoming infatuated with trying to flip it over instead.

He didn't even hear Eos stalk her way over to him, a small growl rumbling through her chest as she nipped at his hind leg, making him yelp." Hey what was that for?!" The husky whined, quickly moving away from the bowl when his sister simply bared her teeth at him and made a move to cross over it. He knew that Felix was probably just hearing barking from him, just like he could bare comprehend what he was saying most of the time, so he groaned and laid by him, jumping up and moving around whenever Eos got close to him.

It didn't take long for her to lose interest in terrorizing him though, since she quickly noticed that their other sibling was right beside them and chose to go check on her.

It wasn't a secret to know that Eos didn't like being touched, and could little tolerate a small pat even from their musher, but had no qualms about being affectionate when it came to the pups who'd been born from the same litter as her.

She sniffed over Eska and gave an approving jerk of her head once she was done with it, circling said dog before laying down and placing her head on Eska's back, looking down at Azar who growled at her and pawed at the ground." This isn't fair, you know."

Eos sneered at him, her tail wagging lazily." Suck it."

Estelle had been watching the members of other teams from inside a respective corner area. She yawned, as if this was a regular day. The crowd seemed anxious, some relaxed, some eager. She was more of the eager crowd, looking forward to the heavy sled of their musher. She didn't know many of the other team's names, and infact she couldn't remember off the top of her head.

Brushing against the chain-link fence, she itched her side, then her face. It always felt much better when a human did it but hers must be elsewhere she supposed. She eyed the crowds of dogs like they had wronged her. She was very eager to hit the snow, she didn't like being cooped up in the barn. Her fur bristled as she started to circle the pen. Rounding obstacles because it was easier than trying to barrel through or climb over.

| Nero | Wheels | Tundra's paws | M: Raven/Yéil and Estelle |

Upon smelling a familiar scent, the male paused in his pacing and looked around. He could smell his owner was near and enjoyed her company just as much as his team mates' company. Nero's curled over tail started swishing against his back, all the nerves fading for a moment. He couldn't help but lean into her touch, enjoying the comfort it brought. The younger male always enjoyed physical touch, as long as he knew the individual. When it came to strangers he was more weary and his anxiety would just kick right back in.

He didn't understand a word she was saying but her voice was calm and soothing which eased him up a bit, though as soon as she was gone his mind was left to wander again. Nero sat where he stood, clawing at the bedding beneath him as he watched Raven interact with his fellow teammate. Following her footsteps with his eyes, the male watched as she left only to get up from his spot once she had. Nero's tail stopped it's movement across his back and his ears pinned back a little.

It was getting later, that much he could tell by the way the air was feeling. It was growing colder. He couldn't help but think that once he woke up the race would get started. Sure he was excited to run but the closer it came, the more nervous he got. Without even realising he was pacing again, Nero didn't notice his friend and partner at the wheel come up to him. Only once she felt her fur brush up against his own did he snap out of it, snapping his head over to her direction with a quick step to the side. As soon as he noticed who it was he perked up a bit and moved back into her touch.

"You startled me," he said with amusement in his tone, giving a small lick to her ear. "Ah I'm fine Estelle, the race is just so close and I want it to go smoothly," he replied to her question, turning his head a little to face her.

Estelle gazed over Nero as she approached, he didn't seem to notice her, and what was he looking at- she glanced around and found nothing of interest to her as she came to his side. Mild concern passed through her ears as her companion sharply moved away. She curled her head as his tongue rippled over her ear. "Didn't mean to startle you," Tipping her head to look toward him, she listened. Her anxiety riddled friend had brought out something she was worried about, even in so few words. There were many possibilities for failure out there on the snow but she didn't want to dwell, that never ended well.

She affectionately gave a lick to his jaw, sitting down and curling her tail. "I do too, but our people are good. How do you like the barn? It seems cozy. To me at least." She asked tentatively, distracting him was one of her techniques. Everything seemed to be going well for the humans, there hadn't been any loud sounds that she could hear that weren't meant to be there. Of course she hadn't been listening the whole time. A dog's gotta sleep.

| Felix Smalls | Musher | Frozen Roots | M: Azar, Esos and Eska |

Felix turned his attention to Azar, noticing the male had followed him over to where he sat with Eska, smiling as the male seemed to want his affection. He moved his hand from his lead dog and ruffled the fur on top of the male's head, only to watch him go play with the water. It was nice to see them play and act like the pups he remembered some of them being. He wanted them to still be dogs, as much as he loved working the sport with them all that is.

His eyes glanced over to Esos, watching her prowl over to her brother and start terrorising him. Felix chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Esos, stop bullying your brother," he said in amusement, draping his other arm over Azar as the male laid beside him, only lifting it every time he had to move because of his sister. Thankfully she didn't take too long to grow bored of harassing her brother and Felix watched as he managed to settle next to him finally.

However she just seemed to move on to annoy their other sister instead. He chuckled softly once more and shook his head at the female. For a dog that didn't really like affection she seemed to be the one to start things with her siblings. It was always amusing to watch though, they seemed to talk to each other in a way but Felix knew it was just grumbles and barks.

Knowing he'd have to get up and leave soon to get some rest himself he signed softly, this was the only proper break they were going to get until the race was over. He enjoyed spending this time with them. Then again, it was exciting and he couldn't wait to run with them again. No matter if they won or not. With that being said he was dead set on wanting to win.

| Nero | Wheels | Tundra's paws | M: Estelle |

Nero lifted his head a little, leaning into the lick she gave to his jaw. Estelle always managed to calm the male down. He wasn't sure what it was about her, maybe it was her calmness or maybe even the fact she's had so much more experience than him. This was his first big race, he has partaken in some over the year or so but this was the most important one. He listened to what she said closely and always made sure to try and take it in, no matter how nervous he was.

The male gave a small nod, their people were good. They truly did care for them and always made sure they were fed, watered and well rested. As much as he knew that, there were still things that could go wrong. Nero huffed at his own thoughts, following suit with his friend and sitting himself down.

At the question, Nero looked around a little at the barn they were in. It was definitely quite comfortable, the straw being a nice padding to lay down on. It was warm and dry, away from the elements and it was a nice place to stay rather than outside. "Yeah, it's quite cosy. We've got quite a nice amount of room to spread out in, " Nero agreed, Estelle doing good with distracting him from thinking so much. She always did and for that he was thankful.