Adrenaline Rush [HARPG Show]

I never even heard about the blacklight drill until this competition. I decided that it was worth trying though and I would be riding Shine for it. The lilac doe could need a little work when it came to teamwork, so I thought perhaps she would be a good idea. Kate was riding Kryptonite again. The pale stag seemed pretty calm and at ease, not too bothered by the costume that he wore. He was still in his ghost costume; Kate had left it on him after the costume show. Shine was still pretty looking zombie-ific and dead too, to my surprise. I figured she would have shaken the fake flaps of skin off of her face by now. She didn't even seem to be trying. Perhaps she liked the costume! I didn't have time to dwell on it too much though. The two men who had been standing on either side of the arena doors stepped aside to welcome them in. It was time to begin!

I sent Shine forwards and the lilac doe offered no resistance, arching her neck proudly. Kryptonite stuck to her side like glue. As soon as we entered the arena, which was pitch black other than the black lights that illuminated it, was huge. I couldn't help but be intimidated by how little I could see, and the fact that I couldn't see the judges. It probably would have soothed my nerves if I had known that the judges weren't actually in the building and were watching through the cameras instead. “Ready?” Kate asked me as she moved Kryptonite closer, our legs pressing together slightly. Her voice was reassuring. Shine, beneath me, was surprisingly calm. “As I'll ever be.” I responded a bit negatively, but with humor in my voice.

We sent our fawnlings forward, the black light engulfing us. Kryptonite and Shine’s costumes seemed to come to life. Kryptonite’s ghostly cape glowed with vibrance. The chunks of flesh that seemed to be missing from Shine's face seemed even more creepy, almost seeming to oozy slimy, glowing pus. I couldn't see Shine's costume well, as I was riding her, but I was impressed by Kryptonite's. The judges couldn't see us clearly, but that was the point. We we wore no costumes, so we didn't show up well beneath the black light. We weren't supposed to. This show was about Kryptonite and Shine, not us. The fawnlings were obviously taking advantage of the limelight (or black light, rather). Feeding off of one another’s behavior, they sped into a very showy and exuberant trot. The two lilacs kept perfect tempo with one another, their gaits smooth and flawless. Shine didn't move like a zombie as she had in the costume contest. No, this was all about beauty, despite the horrificness of her costume. Shine sped into a canter and Kryptonite hurried to keep up. For a moment I was worried that the wolf sooty doe might leave him behind, but he had no issues with matching her pace.

We swept around the arena now, keeping close the walls at first. I could feel Kate's pants leg brush against mine every once in awhile and it was reassuring to know that she was still there, even though the pounding of Kryptonite's hooves made it obvious that they hadn't gone anywhere. It was so strange not being able to see hardly anything, riding a cantering fawnling in the darkness. The only light we had was of the black lights causing the costumes of our mounts to glow. It was time to switch gears. I took in a deep breath and squeezed my thighs around Shine. Kate simultaneously did the same with Kryptonite. This sent the stag and doe speeding into a gallop, sweeping across the stadium. It was insane. I'd never ridden a fawnling in the dark before and… it was all I could do not to laugh and ruin the whole show! The adrenaline that coursed through my veins was exhilarating. In perfect union, Shine and Kryptonite sped around one corner of the arena and made their way towards the middle.

Kryptonite peeled away from Shine now. It was time for the more impressive, showy part of our performance. Kryptonite sped past Shine and when he reached the other end of the arena he doubled back. The two fawnlings now ran towards one another. It seemed as if they were about to ram right into one another. We'd practiced this many times before, but never under the a actual black light. Seeing the ghostly figure of Kryptonite rapidly approaching was enough to keep anyone awake at night. I was certain it would give me shivers for many nights to come. At the last second, Kryptonite and Shine both angled their positions and swept past one another. Rearing, their both pivoted inwards and soon wound up right back where they had started- side by side. It was the most impressive part of our performance, for sure. I could hear Kate’s breathing, a bit labored from the excitement of it all. We had pulled it off! The rest of the performance was all about keeping pace with one another, which would be no problem. Kryptonite and Shine had perfect rhythm and synchrony.

The two lilacs swept alongside the walls of the arena again before coming inwards, running along the middle. Once we reached what we were certain was the middle of the arena, Kate and I simultaneously asked our mounts to stop. Shine and Kryptonite slammed on the brakes (or so to speak) and came to an abrupt halt, sending some dust flying. The dust seemed like black specks against the glow of the black lights as it obeyed the rules of gravity and fell back to the arena floor. The fawnlings took up their perfect show stance now, body squared with legs neatly together. Their necks arched, chest puffing and heads held high. Their tails flagged behind them. They held their position for a few more moments before starting forwards, calmly walking in unison as they exited the arena.