Draklin was full of memories. Not necessarily all bad ones, but they still rung fresh.
The silver lining, aside from their newly acquired bronze, was that they’d managed to duck away from the post-race press conference. Cloudy, now alone, let the race settle in their mind, flicking the corners of their notes. The pages were covered in cramped, meticulous writing that wasn’t theirs: knowledge gifted to them to complete a dream.
They’d obtained them a few months ago, after a friendly race underneath the lights of Halifern. They still remembered opening the door, freezing in shock at who they saw, then rushing into them with a tight hug. The words came out tumbling over each other: how are you, what are you doing here, I’ve missed you, we’ve missed you.
“To see you,” Hazy had replied.
It had been nice, catching up, but Cloudy couldn’t stay.
“I get why,” Cloudy had muttered, “but this whole facade is more trouble than it’s worth sometimes.”
“I know,” Hazy had said. “You did really well out there today, you know? You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”
It had been that last line that broke them, bringing forth the tears they had been holding back through the entire conversation. Hazy had held them without judgment, looking a little confused but sympathetic.
“I mean it,” they had continued quietly. “I’m not involved in the decision making process, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Smokey chose you for Marbula 1 after today.”
“And how do you know I’m ready?”
“I trust you. All of you.” But not myself. Their gaze had turned distant. “Doubt’s something that will seep into everything you do until it swallows you whole and you lose your way. I tried to hide so much for so long, I…thought you were all better off without me.”
“We all regret things,” Cloudy had said. The wind outside sent a snow flurry past the window.
“But I let it consume me.” They shook their head. “Pass my message to Misty, would you? In the end, it all comes back to what we do now, in the present. We can’t see into the future, but there’s always hope. Show the world what we can do. We can climb.”
“Hope,” Cloudy echoed, taking the notes that Hazy passed to them.
“‘The past isn’t important.’ That’s what we’ve always operated on. This isn’t any different.”
To carry a dream. Back in the present, Cloudy steeled themselves with new resolve.
“I’ll see you again, then, at the top of the podium.”
“I would wish for nothing less.”
“Knock knock!” Rima announced their presence at the Coach’s door.
“Who’s there?” Spoke a voice from the other side.
“Rima.”
“Rima who?” Secondary chuckling at their lame joke.
“Rima, your second place racer! Now let me in, I wanna talk.”
The door opened and Rima rolled in. Secondary was studying race footage, no doubt to look at the strategies and analyze every move.
Rima flopped down next to them while fidgeting with their new medal with a grin plastered across their face.
“Y’know Coach,” they started, “I just have to say thank you. Thank you for… Well, everything!”
“Really?” Secondary sounded surprised. “Why’s that? You’re the one who just nearly won a race, don’t give ME the credit-“
“Secondary, shush for a second and let me finish. There’s something different about me than all the other racers. Have you ever realized that?”
“Well, obviously.” Their gaze shifted back to the race footage scribbling down a note while watching marbles shoot through the accelerator. “Everyone has their unique skill sets. If they didn’t, then this series would be really boring, wouldn’t it?”
“Well… yes, but no. Look at everyone else’s roster, and then look at me. I’m the only one who’s gotten taken out and then given a second chance.” Rima’s gaze shifted to the ceiling as they let out a breath. Secondary stopped writing.
“You believed in me. You could’ve tried to race Prim again, they’re tried and true despite the bad season. Or you could’ve brought Imar in, fresh new talent. But you picked me. You thought I deserved another chance at this, and you believed in my abilities. And now?”
Their gazes met. “Me and Aryp are going to make this our best season yet as long as you keep believing in us. I’ve seen it in me and I’ve seen it in them, it really does go a long way.” They got up again and looked towards the door. “I’ll leave you to it now. We’re gonna crush it out there from now on.”
As they rolled away, a ceramic clink was heard on the table and Secondary glanced down. Placed before them was a gift shop mug of a duck with a caption reading “Quacktastic!” And a note attached saying “To Marblearth’s best coach.”
It was a good race.
Without a doubt, their first race win had catapulted the team up in the standings, yet Swifty couldn’t help but feel disappointment that that was all they got from their captain before they slinked out of the podium ceremony.
“Swifts you good?” a voice called out.
Swifty blinked. Right, hotel, video call, Whizzy.
“Yeah,” Swifty nodded.
Whizzy frowned over the screen, “You weren’t actually paying attention were you?”
“No…” Swifty murmured.
“You seem… off,” Whizzy squinted at the screen.“You’re not even smiling! Come on, it’s your first win, you can’t be sulking!”
The trophy had been discarded onto the floor after beelining it back to the hotel room. They thought that sharing it with Whizzy would have made them feel better, but through the shaky wifi and warbling static, all it did was compound the feeling of emptiness.
“I wish you were here…” Swifty’s voice started to crack. If it were anyone else they’d have been embarrassed to be seen like this, but not when it was Whizzy.
“Aw Swifts, please don’t cry-”
But it was too late as four weeks of frustration started to come hurdling out.
“It feels so lonely without you…race after race, everything comes so fast, it feels like there’s never enough time.” They took a breath. “I went to this great concert but I haven’t talked with Cerulean or Royal since! It’s all stats! Boom! Race data! Bang! Press conferences!” They wanted to scream into a pillow. “And don’t get me started on Speedy.”
Whizzy laughs, “Same old Speedy?”
“Worse! It’s like they can’t even look at me! I’m doing everything right and it feels like it’s still not enough for that kid!”
Whizzy knew that feeling personally. “Hey, remember, whatever their deal is, it’s not your fault. You’re doing so well right now and I’m so proud of you.” They wink. “Takes my breath away watching you race, ya know?”
“You’re so corny,” Swifty sniffled, earning a laugh from Whizzy.
“You’ll have to just ask them directly,” Whizzy hummed.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Swifty sighed, “We’re flying out Sunday so I’ll try to have a chat with them on the plane ride over to Hunluen. They can’t avoid me there…theoretically.” They sunk deeper into the bed, suddenly exhausted. “I think I’m gonna pass out now. That track was like a roller coaster combined with a funhouse.”
“Yeah rest up, you’ll need it,” Whizzy smiled then paused, “Oh, One last thing, do you mind passing a message to Speedster from Rapidly?”
“Uh I guess?”
“It’s not that urgent; just remind Speedy to call home.”
Credits
- Writers: PippinPlover, Thinkdoodler, Toffeeshop
- Editor: Laurent Rollon
- Photographer: Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Reference: Marbula One S4 GP4 Greenstone RACE – Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Release: 26/05/2023
Project Marblearth 