Chapter Text
Tracen Academy, Student Council Room
“Hey, President, I've got something interesting for you.” A familiar voice echoed out of the open doorway, glancing up from the President's deck, Rudolf couldn't help the small smile that quirked at her lips. Her pen being placed to the side, watching as Narita Brian approached with a small usb drive held between her fingers.
Easing back into her chair, she took a moment to pause before reaching forward to open up the laptop that sat to the side on the desk. “And, what makes you think it is so interesting??” Gesturing to the device, nodding to Brian.
“Simple, all the scouts who are out there looking for folk with potential have missed an absolute treasure.” Brian’s face split in two with the size of her grin, Rudolf paused to note the hunger that curled at the edge of those lips. That in itself made the Emperor pause, but only for a moment as she slowly sat herself forward to watch as Brian pulled up a video from the USB.
Though, the moment the video started Rudolf’s hand lashed out to pause the video. A deep frown marred the Emperor’s features as she looked up at the grinning Brian, anger flashing in her eyes. “This is a Black Circuit race.” Watching the other Uma nod, the enthusiasm never fading in the moment. “Why are you showing me this knowing that we do not condone the abhorrent measures those racers often take to compete.”
Brian leant in, her eyes locked directly on Rudolf's for the moment before she slowly looked down to the screen, her finger pointed directly at a blonde umamusume with blood red tips accenting their hair. “Because she’s all natural miss president. She an’t wearing any aids, she an’t taking any aids. She’s a whole and healthy uma.” Her finger tapping the screen as if to make a point in the moment. “And somehow, she’s slipped through the cracks because our talent scouts have never, ever even heard of her before.”
Rudolf slowly sat back into her chair once more, frowning still, her elbows leaning on the armrests as her fingers linked together in thought. “Tell me all we know about her first, before we watch the…. race.”
Brian held back the snort as she sat back onto the desk’s edge, reaching down into a pocket of the uniform to pull out her phone. A couple of taps along the screen and she cleared her throat. “Bloody Oath. Mother is Naga Striker, adoptive that is. Often runs miles, and rarely medium courses, prefers to hang towards the back of the packs. This could be due to the rougher nature of the circuits she runs however.” Brian glanced up as she read, noting that Rudolf had got out of her chair and began to rifle through the tower of paper records that sat in the corner of the student council office. “The person who recorded this race notes that her skills are incredibly rough, but she’s been racing against seasoned racers since day one as they don’t have debut races like the official organisations like us. Really believes that she could be great one day.”
“And why is she not at a Regional School like someone her age and health status should allow?”
At Rudolf's question, Brian scowled in annoyance before answering. “Prestige. Her regional school didn't want to take in the child of someone who had a criminal history, didn't want to be seen as allowing that sort of thing. So they refused her access, and sadly that type of refusal tends to spread rumours.”
Rudolf nodded slowly, making her way back to the desk with a folder in her hand. Reaching out to resume the video once more, fingers resting on the keyboard as it played. Her visage blank as she took it in, though mentally she grumbled about the amateur nature of whoever was recording the race. Her eyes suddenly narrowed, pausing the video in that instant. Rewinding it slowly, Brian merely grinned, watching as Rudolf worked in narrowing down the exact frame she seemed to be seeking. Only once she leant back into her chair did Brian speak. “Found the moment there, President?”
Rudolf merely nodded in response at first, leaning in a little more towards the screen, her fingers tapping back and forth on the arrowkeys to force the moment to replay again and again. She stared at the screen in concentration, before looking up to Brian again. “I can see why you’ve brought this to me. I’m guessing that the URA isn’t too keen on inviting over a Black Circuit participant?” The growl of annoyance was all she needed in answer. “I see… And I can see why you’re batting for her. You want her all trained up, so you can race her properly don’t you?” The growl turned into a slight smirk and a nod. “Wonderful, I’ll bring the details and put some pressure on board to see about getting her accepted into the Academy. I know the Director will be all for it as well… Especially since we owe her mother something.”
Brian blinked, her head tilting for a moment before she looked down at the folder that Rudolf had brought over from the cabinets of files. Her eyes widened as she recognised the student information folder, and the name written across the top.
Naga Striker.
“Her mother was a student?” Brian asked, a hand waving to the folder, silently requesting to pick it up. Only the shake of Rudolf’s head prevented her action.
“Yes, she was from before my time actually. I believe she even raced while Maruzenky was active, though never against her. A… Sprinter if memory serves me right. I think I even saw her race a bit when I was young and waiting for the G1s. According to the records she had the talent and the drive, but an accident occurred and ruined her future career chances. A bit of faulty building structure in the gym according to the reports.” Rudolf took a breath, sighing as she picked up the folder to stare at it once more. A somber look on her features. “So, really the Academy owes her something. Especially since it was the institution rules that led to her leaving after barring her from competition.” Leaning back into her chair, it took only a moment for her to sit up properly once more. Eyes closed. “Well, time for me to get to work then. Brian, can you catalogue all the information we have about Miss Oath so I’m able to present it to the Director and the URA. We’ll need everything we can get to get her invited.”
Brian nodded, striding with purpose to the cabinets once more. Pulling out various bits of paperwork. Rudolf however pulled her laptop before her properly, staring at the frozen image of Bloody Oath’s surge forward, the look in the uma's eyes as she overtook the other racers. “I look forward to seeing your future Miss Oath.” The video closed down as she got to work.