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It was all a blur after crossing the goal post. The explosive roar of the crowd. Lungs on fire. Her name being chanted over and over. She thrusted out her arm pointing with one finger towards the cheers as her legs continued to carry her from pure momentum.
She did it.
She won the Japanese Derby.
Vodka! Vodka! Vodka!
—
“Damn, that li’l upstart filly actually did it. Heh, not bad. Showed she ain’t just all talk.”
“Reckless and unprecedented but she made her dream come true. Only those willing to take those measures are fit to reap the rewards. I applaud your spirit.”
“That roar from the Tokyo Racecourse… Good. This is the start of her fight. That raging heart won’t settle with only one bout…”
“I… I can’t believe it! That idiot… She’s so strong…!”
—
Standing center on the stage. A sea of yellow lights bouncing. Singing her heart out until her lungs burned once more. Winning the soul.
The constant chatter of voices. Lenses and whirrs of cameras. Bright lights. Mics and devices all pointed at her not in threat but admiration.
The interviews all muddled into a hazy buzz. Declarations made. Gasps of shock followed by rapidfire clicks and more questions.
All those words were lost in the noise.
—
Then came a moment of silence. A hotel room free from paparazzi. A place where Vodka could finally breathe. An evening sky outside the window.
“... Your running was so inspiring.”
Those words carved themselves deep in Vodka’s memory. Far above anything else in the whir of today.
They echoed through Vodka’s mind as her body tangled with Scarlet’s celebrating her victory.
Your running was so inspiring.
Vodka’s words were long gone, but her hot passion spoke for her until exhaustion claimed them both.
—
Fwumph!
Vodka ungracefully flopped face down upon her bed in the dorm room. She drew in a long breath and let it out in a huge satisfied sigh as she practically melted upon the made sheets and pillow.
“Ugh, I swear… If I didn’t know you did something that crazy yesterday, I’d yell at you for being a slob for laying down before unpacking your things.” A familiar voice chastised Vodka.
It only caused her to perk her ears up and playfully swish her tail. She turned her head to look at her roommate Scarlet with a half smirk. She was in the middle of unpacking a small bag she used for her day trip to Tokyo Racecourse and the overnight stay. Vodka had a bag of her own but it was currently flopped on its side near her desk, unopened. “Isn’t sayin’ you should say somethin’ practically doin’ it anyways?”
“Oh shut up. You’re lucky I’m still in a good mood from yesterday, Derby winner.” Scarlet’s words held a bite, but it was a playful one. Her brows furrowed slightly, but that smile upon her face couldn’t remain hidden. She walked out of Vodka’s view for a moment carrying a few of her unpacked belongings. A curious noise caught Vodka’s attention, making her ears swivel around while the rest of her body desired nothing more than to remain flopped upon her bed and not move a single centimeter.
Scarlet’s footsteps returned with the view of her thighs and bottom of her skirt, “Someone left a note on your desk.” The pleasant view was now covered by a small black envelope. In golden metallic script, Vodka’s name was written on it.
“Huh?” Vodka pushed herself up and leaned against one arm to accept the envelope. She turned it in her hand, finding the other side sealed with a piece of golden wax with a streak of teal running through it. The impression of a slice of citrus embedded into it.
Immediately Vodka’s ears perked up and she scooted into a seating position, “It’s gotta be from Gim-senpai!! Damn, I forgot to find her after my race!” Vodka quickly slipped a finger under the fold of the black envelope to break the wax seal, “The press was up my ass the moment I got off the track or the stage. I bet some even ran after the cab we took to the hotel. Damn, I hope she’s not mad I wasn’t able to say anythin’ after my race…”
“I doubt she’d write you a letter to tell you she’s upset at you for obviously getting caught up by everything after your race. You did make history yesterday.” Scarlet took a seat upon her bed, watching Vodka with curiosity.
Vodka pulled out a small letter and unfolded it. The handwriting was obviously Gimlet’s. It was elegant, drafted with pen and dark ink that shimmered with gold in the light. It was a short message.
“Ratatoskr has brought word to the eagle up high,
A feat of legendary strength in the world of mortals.
When the god of light spills his blood painting the sky crimson,
Warrior come seek me at the foot of the sacred tree of the world.”
“... What does any of that mean?” Scarlet’s brows furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t know.” Vodka admitted but looked up with a grinning face and eyes shining bright. Any sign of her earlier exhaustion was completely gone with her practically vibrating in her seat, tail thumping against the covers. “But Gimlet wants to talk to me! I figure she wants to meet at the bar where she works at sunset! Ahhh, I’m so amped up!” She suddenly stood up and bristled with anticipation. “I gotta go get ready!”
“At least unpack first!”
“R-right!”
—
Vodka paused her walking in the city to look up at the sky. The sun was setting, dramatically coloring the sky. The clouds above took a two toned color, dark blue tops with streaks of crimson underneath. When the god of light spills his blood painting the sky crimson. Gimlet sure had a way with words when describing well, anything really. Damn, she was so cool. Vodka made a mental note of writing that down as inspiration for her own badass phrases.
She stood next to a bar. Well, it wasn’t a full fledged drinking bar and had a nice dinner menu so Vodka could walk in without being shown the way out for being underage. Above the door was a lit sign of a tree with the name Yggdrasil underneath. Warrior come seek me at the foot of the sacred tree of the world. This was the meeting place.
Vodka adjusted her leather jacket and ran a hand through her hair to make herself look more presentable and walked in and was greeted with low lights and the chatter of patrons unwinding with the coming evening. She waved slightly to a hostess answering that she’ll find a seat herself. There was only one place that Vodka seeked here- the bar. A few steps here, a turn there, and her destination was in sight. A long bar where a few patrons sat with only a drink or a combination with a meal before them. Shelves of numerous bottles of various alcohols and spirits lit up against the wall. All ignored as Vodka looked at the bartenders. One was an older man but the other… an umamusume with short wavy dark crimson hair with a large curved blaze. An eye patch over her right eye and a smile upon her lips. Dressed in a black vest, white shirt with rolled up sleeves, black and white gloves, and a bright teal tie.
“Oi! Gim-senpai!” Vodka called out as she took a seat at the bar.
Gimlet looked up from cleaning a glass with a great big smile, “Ah, the warrior has heard my call. Welcome!” She held out an arm in a flourish while bowing, “Welcome to the hall of champions, Valhalla! Allow me to slake your thirst from your journey, Vodka.”
Immediately Gimlet set to mixing a drink.
“Did you see me, Big G? I won the Derby!” Vodka couldn’t contain her excitement, everything she wanted to talk about immediately after her race wanted to burble out of her right now, “Just like I said I would for my pops and you and I actually did it!”
“Fukukuku… Yes. My eye was absolutely captivated by your race. A splendid feat that has etched your name into the annals of history and forever in my spirit. That shining moment of time will never leave me.” Gimlet sighed blissfully, running a gloved hand through her curved locks. Then she poured out a chilled drink into a tall glass. She slid it gently towards Vodka, “A drink to refresh the spirit.”
Vodka accepted the drink and took a sip. It was slightly salty, mild in flavor. It was like a sports drink she enjoyed after her training! She continued drinking it while listening to her admired senior.
“Such a display of strength and willpower- yet! You have merely matched me in our contest, Vodka. We stand together, side by side. Brothers in arms and blood in this war. You are my comrade! BUT!!” Gimlet slapped her hand upon the bar table in dramatic emphasis making Vodka’s ears stand at attention. She shut her eye, shoulders hiking up from a single exhaled snort, “This is not the vow we swore upon the brilliant gaze of the sun! Vodka!” Gimlet thrust out her arm, pointing a finger mere centimeters away from piercing the younger umamusume’s heart. Her uncovered golden eye sparkled with excitement matching the wild grin carved upon her face, “Speak to me the words we shared in our moment of kinship.”
“U-uh!” Vodka was swept up for a moment from Gimlet’s natural theatrics. C’mon, you can do this Vodka. She set down her finished drink and drew in a breath as if she were standing at gate 3 at Tokyo Racecourse once more. Bristling with excitement. Feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Ears forward. Eyes gazing out not to the green turf ahead but beyond. Beyond the finishing post.
Vodka placed her hands upon the bar and stood up with a lean forward, allowing Gimlet’s finger to press against her chest where her heart beat with fervor and determination. With the same burning spirit, Vodka boldly declared the promise she made to her senior.
“That I’d become an umamusume that breaks through any adversity or common sense! Do what everyone believes that I can’t, claimin’ it’s impossible.” Vodka shook her head, dismissing the naysayers, those who weren’t imaginary but had real faces and names, “Watch me. Watch me and I’ll show them what’s impossible. That I would not beat you but… exceed you!”
“YES!!” Gimlet spread out her arms and shouted with mad glee that caused a few of the patrons of the bar to turn their heads in confusion. The bar owner simply shook his head, more than used to these sudden outbursts from his exuberant employee. A gloved hand slapped upon Gimlet’s chest with an audible thump from the force. “Vodka! I want you to destroy the God of Destruction!” Her fingers dug into her chest, clutching over her heart. That wild golden eye challenged Vodka as if they were set to race in a duel right here in this very moment, “Stomp those hooves down to split the epitaph I’ve carved in stone with mine own blood and sweat. Shatter the earth to her core so the demons of hell scream out your name! Let those who witness your might blaze your feats into the annals of history! Make the God of Destruction but a fleeting whisper in the grand shadow of your statue. Show the world your true meaning of coolness!”
Vodka stared in awe of Gimlet’s words. She didn’t understand at least half of them but damn, did they sound so grand and powerful. What she did understand was Gimlet’s bold wish- to be destroyed. Gimlet’s wish to not simply be surpassed, but to be destroyed. It was such an imposing declaration. No one ever states that they want to be destroyed like that. Made only a memory. Normally, they’d fight tooth and nail against that but not Gimlet. No, she stated her strong claim with no hint of hesitation. She wanted Vodka to succeed. Not in a way where they stood together but with Vodka lifted so high that her inspiration would get lost in history. It was such a daring way of living that Vodka couldn’t help but admire. She wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“I will!” she declared loudly causing Gimlet to grin even wider. Vodka pounded a fist against her chest with a firm nod, “I’ll show you- no. I’ll show everyone what I’m made of! I’ll take on my races head on, runnin’ my heart out. Showin’ what I’m made of! I ain’t stopping at the Derby! No way in hell! This is only the beginning. I’ll keep on racin’ until everyone knows my name- Vodka!”
“Excellent! Make me the one who desires to run by your side- running stride in stride next to a legend! Let us drink to your shining future and my destruction! Ahh, I know just the cocktail for the future I see rolling like a thunderhead in the distance approaching the turf.”
Vodka sat back down and watched Gimlet grab a number of tools she didn’t know the name of beyond possibly metal cup and then smaller metal cups or long spoon. Yet the way her senior’s hands so deftly used each tool like an extension of her fingertips with a musical hum reminded her of how her father showed Vodka how to do various repairs and maintenance on his bike. Rather than oil, more palatable liquids were added in different amounts. Some measured, others a simple splash. It was amazing how much Gimlet could create while still keeping her cocktails non-alcoholic. Once Vodka was old enough to be able to drink beyond the occasional beer her pops let her have during family cookouts, she wanted Gimlet to make her a real cocktail. That would be the coolest way ever to celebrate her monumental birthday.
“‘Tis finished!” With a flourish of Gimlet’s hands, not one but two mocktails were presented on the bartop. They were in those neat shorter glasses that reminded Vodka of a mug with no handle. Different from Gimlet’s favorite style of martini glass. The chilled mocktail was mostly yellow in color with a top layer of teal that slowly bled further down. At the bottom of the glass there was something lighter in color yet Vodka couldn’t tell what it was. But what she did know was that it looked so cool! A special cocktail made just for her in her racing colors!
Gimlet gingerly slid one of the glasses towards Vodka, “Rise to your feet, Vodka. For when we toast, we must stand as equals.”
Vodka answered with a quick nod and stood back up, accepting her custom mixed drink. When she picked it up, Gimlet mirrored her gesture with her own and a smile.
“A toast to the start of your warrior’s journey…” Gimlet lifted the glass halfway, waiting for Vodka to follow suit before continuing in a low powerful tone, “May it be difficult, may there be countless enemies to strike you down, may there be naysayers who spit at your name.” A wicked smirk crossed Gimlet’s face and her shoulders shook with a defiant snort, “For when you conquer over all them, the victory brought by your blood, sweat, and tears will become the sweetest ambrosia. I will be watching your every step. Waiting for you at the end for you not to return as an equal, but a warrior I admire above no other. A legend who destroyed the God of Destruction and became the Queen of Helheim, Hel herself!”
Gimlet lifted her glass up higher to tap it against Vodka’s with a proud grin, “As the warriors of eld, as Derby stallions- we drink!”
Rather than immediately drinking at the toast, Gimlet leaned forward and crossed her arm with Vodka’s. There was a brief moment of surprise in her eyes but she was so enthralled by Gimlet’s speech, she fell in line also leaning forward to complete the link of their arms allowing each of them to reach their glasses.
Then they drank.
A harsh bitterness was the first note to hit Vodka’s tongue. Enough to cause the both of them to wrinkle their nose and stiffen their ears. Yet while they were linked together like this, simply stopping wasn’t an option. There was no way that Vodka would refuse to drink a cocktail made by her idol no matter how bitter it is. It was a test of strength and Vodka would never lose to that! The both of them continued to drink, the bitterness giving way to a mellow sweet blend of citrus. Then finally at the end of their drink journey, a burst of sugary sweetness hit Vodka’s tongue. She blinked in surprise, not expecting the treat of rock sugar at the end. It was exactly as Gimlet said for her warrior’s journey- a difficult path but one with a sweet reward for fighting through to the end. How Gimlet accomplished this in a drink was far beyond Vodka but it was absolutely amazing.
The both of them sighed in satisfaction after finishing their drinks and unlinked their arms.
“I eagerly await to see what destruction you bring to the world, Vodka.” Gimlet set down her now empty glass on the bar and lifted her head to smile proudly at Vodka. Her expression was far softer than it was during their talk tonight, but Vodka could see that proud brimming fire lighting up behind that golden eye. It was the same way her pops looked at her when she accomplished anything. From bringing home good grades, placing in mock races in elementary school, to helping out with learning basic motorcycle maintenance. Those beaming happy eyes and soft smile of her pops were right there in front of her. “I’m proud of you, Vodka.”
Pinpricks of heat touched the corners of Vodka’s eyes, feeling her heart swell up in that familiar comfort. No- wait. She had to be cool in front of the coolest, most badass person she knows! Quickly she rubbed at her eyes and drew in a deep breath through her nose to chase those tears away and give the biggest grin ever.
“Y-yeah!! Yeah! Watch me! I’m gonna carve my own path and it’s gonna be so sick! I’ll make ya proud, Big G!” Vodka puffed up to her fullest, brimming with excitement and tail wagging behind her.
Gimlet simply answered with a hearty laugh and held her hand out towards Vodka, which the other eagerly took in a firm clasping handshake, “Marvelous! Let yourself become the fiery steeds of war with smoke and flames as your breath. Bring destruction for Ares’ chariot and ride down to the gates of the Underworld and return back with riches unforetold!!”
“I will!!”