Chapter Text
Just seven at the morning and there's no way she's getting any more sleep. Who's that twenty one years old nuisance? So let me introduce you Madeline- the main character of this story. Woman looking like a man and, right with bravery to leave her physically comfortable life of lucky back in lavish mansion of Sombre family to gain something as elusive as freedom in this day and age, cowardly and diffident ass creature. She's weird as hell if you ask anyone from her past: too bold and independent for a woman.
Today was the day when her new life will begin: new name, new routines, new everything. Well it's hard to say would there be any "routines" considering the race, although she just liked the idea. Finally that short part of uncertainty between past under name of Madeline and future under name signed into Steel Ball Run race participant form: Lorenzo. But although having new name didn't made anything easier. She stuck her head out of the cramped tent like animal peeking out of its den to watch the outside and immediately getting her nostrils deleted from reality by a blow from amount of dust and hellish mix of smells including smoke, human and horse sweat, probably a little of shit and holy corpse knows what else. But still, no time to watch others.
Very few things Madeline kept with her were already packed since yesterday. Getting to sleep during night before such changes was harder than it sounded, so thanking to anxiety everything was checked and re-checked probably about dozen of times. After all it's the big day, being ready is just essential to don't make fool of herself on the track (although out of nearly three thousands people there definitely will be enough fools). So yeah, anxiety is going over the roof. But it's not like there was a single minute to space out: preparing the horse would take time too. Since Madeline wasn't exactly the most experienced with all the parts of taking care of a horse due to the fact back home her family had servants to deal with this kind of tasks but determination and some hard work could do wonders, right? At least she wanted to believe in it.
So yep, back to horse. To that skittish white-faced bay mare probably kinda horrified of the idea of running in this race. No wonder really, it's easier to say which horses here weren't all rilled up.
- how's it going girl? - Madeline stroked mare's mane while carefully fastening bridle straps around its head- You're nervous now huh? Me too.
Calm speaking to the horse somehow made it calmer. Of course, when owner is here it'd feel safer than around complete strangers. But after all saddling was done and it was time to move somewhere closer to the start line. It'd really take time to find the right spot.
On the way was a little crowd that's nothing special but still, she had to go through. Carefully maneuvering among other people and horses Madeline finally caught a sight of what all those people found so interesting: on the middle of the street one horse, not so perfect-looking one was absolutely freaking out. It was all tense rushing back and forth and kicking the air violently. For a brief moment she couldn't even understand what made animal act like this but after all she seen it. A guy about Madeline's age clearly unable to calm the animal down but from some reason refusing to let go despite very clear danger. His legs completely immobile were nothing but useless anchor on him, a pitiful sight really. From some reason though Madeline could feel weirdly related: he wasn't supposed to be here too but still came. She could really respect this.
But watching this poor soul isn't that important. Little does she know in a little more than twenty days she'll be joining this poor soul and his hehe friend in their holy carrion hunting. That story is just beginning...