“A picture is worth a thousand words.” This might be the case for a blurry selfie on the podium with Superball and Pollo Loco, after an intense battle during the second race of this year’s Marble Rally. Tired yet euphoric, Reflektor was at the top step for their first time ever in a main league race, and could not wait for their professional camera to capture this moment.
“I know I could’ve done it much nicer, but it doesn’t matter right now,” Reflektor commented, putting their phone back into the pocket and then looking closely into the details of their gold medal.
“What matters is that this golden shine looks good on you. It’s a tough contest; I thought I had the edge but you found the lines to catch us off guard at the right time,” Superball added, coming second despite leading most of the race.
Pollo responded, jokingly, “Your portrait for the logo reveals could be nicer, for sure. They made you look like Blazing Fireball!”
“To be fair, that’s more of an editing error. The pics are fine, and I’m sure we’re distinguishable enough on track,” the race winner commented, laughing as the trio left to get some drinks to rehydrate.
(Photo Credit: JMR)
This is a declaration of war.
On their athletes’s village balcony overlooking the sandhills, Superball turned Cool Moody’s words around in their mind. At first it had been confusing; after some thought, it felt more self-aggrandizing than anything. It was only a single bronze medal, after all, and it was no secret that Cool Moody wasn’t taking the DNQ well. Then it was a silver medal that left them topping the standings, and Dragon’s Egg and Slimer were watching them depart the track with a certain consternation, and it was suddenly harder to conclude that Cool Moody was only running their mouth about the mood amongst the rest of the rallyists.
Faced with a sun creeping down below the horizon, Superball sighed and withdrew inside. Their progress so far was something they’d fought for, and there was nothing to regret. And there was no real guarantee it would keep going as well as it had been going.
Lighting up the screen of their phone, left on the bed earlier, was a text from Lollipop.
Lollipop: hey, want to watch something tonight?
Superball: I’d love that.
Either way, it wasn’t all bad.
A good day of racing always called for a celebration. After a while of scouting around in the towns adjacent to the sandhills, it was a basement dance-and-karaoke bar that El Capitan and Pollo Loco had ended up together, an old favourite of El Capitan’s that was much the same as it had been the first time they’d visited in 2016. Hazy yellow lights and an old wooden dancefloor welcomed them with a warm familiarity, the day’s racing having sapped neither their enthusiasm nor their energy.
For the first time that night the karaoke mic was open long enough for El Capitan to swoop in. They beckoned enthusiastically for Pollo Loco to join them in a duet.
“Same as usual,” they whispered, and Pollo Loco responded in the affirmative. Both took a deep breath, and they began to sing.
“I’ve raced, I’ve won and DNF’d; I’ve had my fill, my share of losing,” they began, out of tone but well-synchronized, “and now, as tears subside; I find it all just ridiculous—”
“Boooooooooo,” came a voice from the seats adjacent. “Don’t change the lyrics!”
“Sorry, Quick—you can come up and sing it with us if you want!” Pollo Loco called out. But Quicksilver’s expression sunk into a sharp sneer.
“Absolutely not. Never in a million years,” they hissed.
“Ah, your loss, then,” laughed El Capitan. “For what is a marb, what have they got? If not their glass, then they are not—“
“Alright, that’s enough,” Quicksilver barked as they stormed the stage. All eyes in the building were on them as El Capitan and Pollo Loco went silent, sharing an amused expression. Light chatter turned to silence then to cheering. Quicksilver, Quicksilver, Quicksilver, the crowd brayed, and Quicksilver snatched the mic for themself.
“Go on, Quick!” exhorted El Capitan. Quicksilver’s expression narrowed.
“I never said I was going to sing. I don’t sing. I just wanted to shut you two up.”
“C’mon! You’re not gonna disappoint the crowds, are you?” Pollo Loco cheered, backed up by the crowd. Quicksilver cast their gaze around the room. They were absolutely outnumbered.
“Alright. Fine. Just this once,” Quicksilver sighed. “Ay, Quick on the beat, yo!”
Pollo Loco’s eyes went wide. “Wait, don’t say anything stupid!”
Credits
- Writers: Edu G.J., Millim
- Copyeditor/Editor: Stynth
- Photo Credits: Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Reference: Marble Rally S7: Round 2 | Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Release: 05/07/2024
Project Marblearth 