Mallard had been competing in top-level tournaments for long enough to keep their composure throughout the podium ceremony and press conferences, but on the roll back to their hotel room their emotions were fragile. They had come close to winning a race before, but this was the first time Mallard had truly felt the victory in their grasp until they overshot the hairpin on the last lap while Starry executed the turn flawlessly. With the first 29-point weekend on the line, the cost of that mistake had affected Mallard more than any of their previous close calls, and Mallard couldn’t hold back their tears as they entered their hotel room.
Wiping their tears with one final tissue, Mallard threw the empty tissue box at the wall as they heard a knock on the door. “It’s unlocked,” they called out.
Billy rolled in, closing the door calmly behind them. “I figured you’d want space to clear your head before dinner. Wouldn’t want Starry to get the wrong impression.”
“Fat chance,” Mallard laughed. “They’ve spent enough time on the track with me to know I don’t take defeat personally. I’m fine.”
Billy looked at the pile of balled-up tissues, then back at their sibling. “Mallard, quit acting like a captain for once. You’re allowed to be sad, you know? It was a tough loss.”
Mallard sighed. “I know. I just hate the idea of being that marble that cries over second place. Especially when I’m one of the highest-scoring racers of all time. It feels like I’m being ungrateful for all that success if I get upset.”
Billy shuffled closer and pulled Mallard into a hug. “Come off it. Getting upset is fine so long as you channel it in a healthy way. Heck, I’m always a little upset to end the season with a win and still be outscored by you!” Billy smiled.
“Being successful is never a reason not to be upset. Nobody’s perfect, but that just means everyone’s got things they wish they could do better.”
Mallard smiled back at their sibling, another tear flowing across their glass. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just feel like I have to be professional in front of the crowds.”
“Well, the crowds aren’t here now, are they?” Billy replied with a grin. “Come on, take your game face off for a minute, then we’d better go. You don’t want to keep Starry waiting.”
After spending a good two hours celebrating their gold medal with the rest of Team Galactic, Starry left their hotel suite for dinner. After taking the other podium finishers for a meal after winning the very first race at Savage Speedway, it had become a tradition in Marbula 1 that whenever Starry podiumed, they would go for dinner with the other medallists. They’d stopped paying whenever they won a race fairly quickly, though – it had always felt a bit condescending.
Orangin had already made plans for that night, but Mallard was waiting for Starry in the lobby. “Sorry I’m late,” they said as they rolled out of the lift. “The rest of the team are still partying upstairs.”
Mallard laughed. “I’m not surprised! After the season you’ve had, it’s about time you had a medal to celebrate.”
“I could say the same to you!” Starry replied as the pair left the hotel and started making their way towards a diner down the street. “It feels weird being on such a long downward streak this season when I’m used to being at the top of the game.”
“To be fair, it’s nearly the same as last year for us,” came Mallard’s response. “Billy’s win in race 8 was our first medal then as well. The only difference is how many races are left to go.”
Starry smiled, remembering their hosting experience the previous year. “True. I guess the shorter season is skewing my perception a bit.” As the pair rolled up to the diner and were directed to their table, they had to fight their way through a small wave of fans who’d noticed their arrival and rolled over for an autograph, which Starry and Mallard were happy to provide.
As the pair ordered their food, the conversation quickly turned to the race. As they reminisced and joked about their fight for the lead, a question popped up. “How do you manage to keep from thinking about all your close calls?” Starry asked as their server carried two burgers over to the table. “You’ve come close so many times, but not having a win yet must be frustrating.”
Mallard sighed. “It’s not easy. Every time I podium, I’m always left thinking about what I could have done better to get that win. Like today, pretty much since the race ended I’ve been wondering what could have happened if I hadn’t overshot the hairpin, or if I’d nailed the quad split again at the end like I did earlier on. But there comes a point where you have to stop obsessing over it. As Bombay likes to say, if I raced differently I would have won, and if they had wheels they’d be a wagon.”
Starry smiled. “That’s pretty good advice,” they replied. “I guess I’m wondering because having wins under my belt feels like it amplifies that pressure to be perfect. Sure, you can’t win every race, but I often feel like since I’ve proved I can win, I can’t settle for anywhere else on the podium. If I did well enough to get that far, I could have done well enough to win. Not really relevant today, I know, but it’s come up a lot recently.”
“I can imagine,” Mallard replied, thinking back to the finale of the Marble League, one of the last times they’d competed against Starry. “For me, it just helps to have those experiences behind me. Keeping a consistently high level in this league is so tricky, you don’t have to win all the time to earn respect for good results.”
After pausing for a quick bite of their food, Mallard winked. “Although between you and me, having a good cry after every close call helps too.” Starry couldn’t help but laugh as they tucked into their meal. It felt good for things to be back to usual, no matter how long it would last.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“Howdy! I’ll take a baker’s dozen – choose your favorites. All of them will be my favorites.”
“Sure thing! That’ll be…wait a second, you’re…”
“Doesn’t matter who I am,” Clementin said, passing the cashier their credit card. “I like supporting small businesses.”
“And we like you! Here you go. Congrats on that win last week!”
“Thanks! Hey – congratulate Orangin too – they just got bronze today.”
“OH HI! So sorry I didn’t recognize you. Those fedoras are a little low on you both. But now that I think about it…I don’t know who else wears cool hats like that in Zuro.”
Clem sighed. “Such a shame. At least you make good donuts.”
“Well, I hope you two enjoy them! Safe travels!”
As the two O’rangers rolled away, Orangin chuckled to themself. “I didn’t have the heart to tell them that I’m gluten-free. Are those any good?”
Clem shrugged, having gulped down their first donut. “They’re donuts. The fact that they exist at all is good enough for me. By the way, nice race today. You think we have a chance to repeat?”
“Nope. But it sure is fun seeing half the fanbase get scared about it. I’m ready to cause some chaos next week. Stir the pot a little,” teased Orangin, smiling. “Are you?”
“Almost…just let me finish these first. And then, please. Don’t let me buy another box until after the season ends.”
Orangin laughed. “I don’t know if I can promise you that.”
“…Good.”
Credits
- Writers: GhostDM, Stynth
- Photographer: Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Reference: Marbula One S4 GP8 Electron Expressway RACE – Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Release: 23/06/2023
Project Marblearth 