After the Ice Dash ended, Billy found Smoggy in the Hazers’ common room as usual, slumped dejectedly against the couch watching local news play no louder than a hum.
“Hello, Billy,” Smoggy greeted them, not turning their gaze from the TV.
Tag Archives: Marble League
ML2023 Memo #14: Shadow of a Doubt
They’re going to be the first Marble League champions to not win a single event. It’s as if with every revolution around the bell that statement made its own loop back into their minds, a reminder of what they couldn’t reach four times over this season. At least those saying it admitted to their eventualContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #14: Shadow of a Doubt”
ML2023 Memo #15: Penultimatum
At the bottom of the sand slope, still covered with a thin film of sand, Pinky Toe was greeted enthusiastically by the rest of their team. A mood soured by anxiety after their first-race wipeout only made their victorious comeback sweeter, and the Rosakan team was by far the loudest amongst those greeting their racersContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #15: Penultimatum”
ML2023 Memo #13: To Roll and Roll Again
As Snowdrift took a long and deliberate breath the contours of their mind began to sharpen. The fuzzy edges of their frenzied flurry towards the finish line became clearer and cleaner. There was no single fatal mistake, but they simply hadn’t kept up in such a field of four that was enough to guarantee elimination.
ML2023 Memo #12: Rolling Waves In The Tide of Change
One left, two rights. A full rotation and back to the left. Even now, they can remember it as clearly as day. “I need you to take over the team,” Rosa had asked, quiet and resolute. “My resignation letter is on Promise’s desk.” To say they hadn’t seen the resignation coming would be a lie.Continue reading “ML2023 Memo #12: Rolling Waves In The Tide of Change”
ML2023 Memo #11: Lost Ways in the Marble Maze
Under the fluorescent lights of the Superhive’s changing rooms, Kinnowin’s gold medal shone like the sun. Their entire team had gathered to celebrate its acquisition before they’d even made it back to the athletes’ village. “It’s a nice little reclaim, isn’t it?” hummed Tangerin, watching it bob as Kinnowin held it proudly aloft. “Of what?Continue reading “ML2023 Memo #11: Lost Ways in the Marble Maze”
ML2023 Memo #10: A Bitter Taste
A silver medal finish would be worthy of celebration to many. It wasn’t gold by any means, but to have beaten fourteen other teams and given the chance to stand on the podium was usually just enough to drown out the woes of what could have been. Usually, anyways; if you happened to be ThunderContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #10: A Bitter Taste”
ML2023 Memo #9: Tri, Tri Again
“…so, as I was saying, we have this giant festival that takes place at one of our lakes, and if you go there you’ll see motorbikes for miles, everyone lined up in the mud and strolling between the rows talking. It’s awesome.” “Damn. You’re speaking my language.” “And if you buy the weekend ticket, youContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #9: Tri, Tri Again”
ML2023 Memo #7: Funnels All the Way Down
To their fans, the sight of the Shining Swarm and Pinkies on the three steps together was a welcome throwback. But they were missing someone. In their post-podium walkabout chat, Sterling, Rosa, and Sheet had been joined by Pulsar, who was content with having advanced out of the heats. In the midst of a livelyContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #7: Funnels All the Way Down”
ML2023 Memo #6: All is Fair in Tug-of-War
During their MFC days, the Pinkies had begun a victory tradition. For each medal earned, they would get an at-table barbecue and follow it with a round of karaoke. It had continued until the 2022 League, where blowing their voices out after every piece of hardware earned quickly became incompatible with the sheer and suddenContinue reading “ML2023 Memo #6: All is Fair in Tug-of-War”
Project Marblearth 