Quicksilver was beginning to tire of the consequences of their actions. One kind gesture to RN3 and they were suddenly whisking them away to a quaint little meadow that nobody seemed to know about and presenting them with another box.
Held together with a white satin ribbon, it bore on each side a logo Quicksilver didn’t recognize. When they pulled at the ribbon, it unfurled and took with it the box, which collapsed outward onto the picnic blanket. Inside was a stack of shortbreads coated with chocolate and coconut, somehow still perfectly arranged.
Quicksilver blinked slowly. “These are from Quixote.”
“Do you like them?”
Quicksilver took a measured bite. Crumbs scattered across the grass. Between each layer was a thick puck of gooey caramel, melting the flavors together.
“It’s just like I remember,” they sighed. “You didn’t have to,” they then followed, sharper.
“Well, I wanted to,” replied RN3, smiling.
After the podium ceremony, Reflektor and Blizzard Blaster agreed to have a celebratory dinner at a nearby restaurant. As they waited for the food to arrive, they discussed how their perceptions had changed as the season progressed, joyful the whole time.
“Consistency is big in the long run, but once you pair it up with a medal, marbles take a different look at you,” the championship leader said.
Blizzard Blaster smiled and replied. “That’s true. Suddenly you’re launched up the table and into the public eye. Of course it’s everyone’s goal here, but it’s a weird feeling for someone who’s not used to this, right?”
“It’s… unique, for sure. But there’s always someone who enjoys lurking behind the champion until the opportunity comes…”
Reflektor’s expression changed, as the overtake by Dragon’s Egg on the line for second came to mind.
“What’s made you worried all of a sudden, buddy?”
“Well, it’s just that I still have some areas to improve.”
It’s a nonstop process,” Blizzard Blaster said upliftingly. “You’ve improved a lot this year already, and you and Blue Moon should be proud.”
Both of them began to smile, distracted as their dinner arrived.
Eight years they’d known them. Eight years, and even when they raced separately, they always met up again eventually.
Big Pearl, Dragon’s Egg, and Ghost Plasma meandered together across Doornse Gat (“If we mess up the track, we’ll get in trouble,” Dragon’s Egg had warned) until the sun kissed the horizon and the evening poured its twilight hues across the sky. The trio finally settled atop a branch that straddled a split in the sand, where the wind whistled as it squeezed through gaps in the wood and the podium was a mere white speck.
“Thanks for being here,” Big Pearl said quietly. Thanks for being here even when I struggled in the Showdown last year. Even when I wasn’t invited before that.
Dragon’s Egg smiled. “Feels like we stood on that podium together yesterday.”
“I’ll join you two again someday,” Big Pearl declared. “I just want to deal with a certain someone first.”
Ghost Plasma’s gaze slid over to them. “El Capitan?” they suggested, as if it could have been anyone else.
Big Pearl kicked at the sand. “Well, the showdown championship’s probably going to come down to us, unless someone mounts a challenge from the back.” They eyed Dragon’s Egg. “I’m sure you know what I mean.”
“I do.”
“It’d be way more impressive if I pulled it off,” interjected Ghost Plasma, grinning playfully.
Big Pearl gave them a flat stare. “You?”
“It’s mathematically possible!” they protested. They nudged the marble beside them. “Eggsy, back me up.”
To Ghost Plasma’s indignation, Dragon’s Egg coughed politely and looked away. Big Pearl laughed. “C’mon, let’s go back. It’s getting chilly.”
Credits
- Writers: Edu G.J., Millim, Toffeeshop
- Copyeditor/Editor: Millim
- Photo Credits: Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Reference: Marble Rally Season 7: Round 6 | Jelle’s Marble Runs
- Release: 24/07/2024
Project Marblearth 