Following Razzy’s injury, Ruzzy had stepped in as the Raspberry Racers’ finalist in Marble League 2020’s Hurdles. Pit against three athletes who had prepared months in advance for the event, the odds were stacked against the reserve who had been watching from the stands just moments ago. Yet in an incredible upset, they’d claimed the gold, racing past Swifty, Wuspy, and Yellow Eye to stand on the highest step of the podium.
Now they were back, having sprung past Rapidly and Clementin in front of the Savage Speeders fan section to become the first reserve member with two gold medals.
Podium selfies taken, Ruzzy rolled down to meet their team. In front of the Raspberry Racers fan section, they were greeting the superfans who’d been in the stands in 2020, but all five of them surrounded their reserve when they rolled into view.
“That was incredible!” Rizzy whooped.
“You belong on that step,” Rozzy added.
“Guess that equals us on golds, huh?” Rezzy chuckled. “Hey, wanna say hi to the fans? Got a familiar set of faces out here,” they added, gesturing to a clear marble with a blue swirl who owned an estate in Rubow. Ruzzy called out in greeting and they responded with an energetic cheer.
The first time there’d been no celebration. They’d gone to the infirmarblery and sat quietly as Razzy recovered. But now their captain was here and well to enjoy their victory with them.
“We’ll have a proper outing this time, yes?” Razzy said, smiling fondly.
“Heck yes! Let’s get burgers? Please?” Ruzzy begged, knowing their captain wouldn’t say no. Razzy nodded and they hopped up and down in excitement.
“Only the best burgers in Buzznya for you,” Berry laughed.
They were excited, but sand still clung to them. “Yeah! Gotta grab a shower first, though.”
“Take your time,” Razzy added.
(Art Credit: Piney)
Ruzzy departed for the changing rooms, taking their time cleaning up and relaxing. When they returned to the stadium the audience and most of the staffers had left. Only two marbles remained; White Eye and Yellow Eye, tucked into a dark corner.
“I couldn’t make it. What else can I say?” Even without hearing the first part of their conversation, Ruzzy could tell the mood was dour.
“Why couldn’t you make it? This falling short- it haunts our team.”
“I don’t know. Look, losing to a reserve twice doesn’t feel good, believe me.”
Staying was beginning to feel like an intrusion. They left for the exit and met their team outside. They were going to take a tram to a place Swax had recommended.
Fans surrounded them onboard. Rizzy and Rozzy fended off the attention as Ruzzy sat. Despite the excitement around them, they just wanted to contemplate.
Losing to a reserve. Those words hung in Ruzzy’s mind. Did Yellow Eye take losing to them badly because of their position? Was it embarrassing to them to lose to someone they thought they should be better than?
Ruzzy almost couldn’t blame them. They’d seen main members made their team’s reserve for poor performances, and over time they’d watched many reserves move up from the role to become a main member for the opposite. Even Greg had remarked on how exceptional it seemed for them to be there; Ruzzy, the reserve, the only reserve in the finale.
“Hey, Razz.” Their captain was sitting between them and the crowd. “Be honest, does it bother you that your reserve has two gold medals before you have one?”
Razzy smiled, serene. “Absolutely not. Having the most robust reserve? It’s a great credit to our team.”
“It’s not a problem?”
“Ruzzy, I’m proud. So, so proud. I want to finally have the chance to celebrate your victory tonight, so please, don’t worry about it.”
They hadn’t become a reserve to be the weakest member of the team. They had joined knowing their specific job was to help their new teammates. And they had grown in the role because Razzy and everyone else believed in them and trusted them to have their backs.
“Yeah!” Ruzzy squeaked, their worries dismissed. “We’re the best, cap. Let’s go eat some food!”
(Photo Credit: Jelle’s Marble Runs)
After the festivities have passed for the podium finishers, Rapidly decided to train for the night. On the way, however, they saw Clementin, looking rather content with themself, eating what looked like a candied orange. Feeling like talking to their friendly rivals, they decided to interject, “Y’know, we did beat you in that battle, right?” Rapidly joked.
“Who knows? We might win that war again.” Clementin retorted, also in a joking matter. Both shared a laugh as they reminisced about their close battles against each other. “Feel like chatting?”
Rapidly and Clementin decided to chat for the night, talking about things from the numerous quirks of Buzznya, to certain rumors about the Marble League, to even about their relations with the other teams.
Rapidly started to become curious about why the O’rangers went to become a team as a family as they were both discussing how the other Fruit Circuit teams were doing and their history with each other.
“So, why your family members? What makes them unique to you?” Rapidly asked.
“Family is everything to us O’Marbles.”
Clementin later added, “Why would you of all people ask that type of question?”
The atmosphere suddenly felt wrong. Clementin struggled to keep the mood from going sour while Rapidly became perturbed by Clementin’s question.
“Let’s just say that it is tradition for us Speeders not to say anything about our training,” Rapidly said in a surprisingly bereft tone. “I mean I love my sibling, Speedy, but sometimes they become my own weakness, like I just feel inferior to them.”
Clementin then said in a warm tone, “I’m sure that while you aren’t ‘perfect’ in the essential sense, you’re still their perfect sibling.”
“What do you mean?”
Clementin started to reminisce about the first time they were ever midpack in the standings, “I remembered the time we failed to do good back in Marbula One, we expected disappointment from our fans back at Orlango, but we didn’t get that. It was simply the usual cheers and festivities. And the O’s, can’t forget those.”
They then said, “What I’m saying is that if you love someone or something that much, you tend to forget their flaws. Doesn’t Speedy always defend every action, even if it is the downfall of your team? That’s what being a family means.”
Rapidly then smiled back, “Well… thanks for that.”
They then returned to the lighthearted mood that they had before, starting with “But now you have to keep this conversation from others, okay? This is part of training now.”
“Don’t worry, partner,” Clementin said, winking slyly, “Your secret is safe with me.”
(Photo Credit: Jelle’s Marble Runs)
RUZZY’S BURGER DIARY: ENTRY #216
LOCATION: Buzznya
DATE: 21/10/23
ESTABLISHMENT: Buzzy Bee Diner & Restaurant
ORDERED: Three Patty Cheeseburger, Spicy Fries, Onion Rings & Honey Mustard Dip with Non-Descript Soda
VENUE RATING: Lovely bee-themed decor (everything in Buzznya is bee-themed, but I still liked it). Very clean and all the condiments and utensils we needed were on the table already. Price was good. Kinda noisy, but there were a lot of fans around. We were treated like we were old friends while we were there- and we are! Turns out the place is owned by Vespa, who was in the 2020 Hurdles with me! They came to the table and we reminisced about a lot of fun stories together. We even got some free baklava, but rating that here feels like cheating. 5/5
FOOD RATING: Burger was lovely and juicy and all of the toppings were fresh and crispy. The cheese was different than usual; maybe it’s a regional thing? The spice was unusual as well, but I enjoyed it. Onion rings could have been slightly less fragile to eat but the honey dip really saved it. Non-Descript Soda still hard to describe as usual. 4.5/5
FINAL RANKING: 4.75/5
Credits
- Writers: Millim, Steel
- Copyeditors/Editors: Stynth
- Artist: Piney
- Graphic Designer: Flamigiri
- Photographer: Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Reference: Marble League 2023 Event 3: 5m Hurdles | Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Release: 27/10/2023
Project Marblearth 