TEO TORRIATTE , steel ball run

good morning to you, 3 months ago

IT WAS September 25th, 1890. People from all over the world gathered at the beach of San Diego for one joint reason. Why you may ask? For the Steel Ball Run race of course! Everyone on this beach had a goal to win this race for one reason or another... but... one person had no intentions to win going into this race. Hell, they didn't even go into this race to survive.

The entire town surrounding the startline at San Diego Beach was bombarded by participants, it was hard to go... anywhere. Avery Evermore rode into town on their trusty steed, Night Rider. They had hoped they made it on time for the beginning of the race AND enough time to actually sign up.

They even came two days in advance to be certain Avery could apply in time! Avery had made sure they had everything they needed to apply... $1,200 USD... check! Night Rider... of course! Race Supplies... double check. Okay! Avery was ready!

Avery made their way over to one of the booths set up for people to enter into the race. It was a box with a chain fence on the window of it with a small slit to pass information from the person and the booth clerk. There were a few counters in a small building on the beach.

Walking up to a free booth with their horse and bag, Avery placed the $1,200 entry fee on the counter.

"When the $1,200 entry fee is paid, there will be no refunds due to personal reasons. The start of the race in two days will be held rain or shine, regardless of accidents. Please sign here to acknowledge the rules," spoke the booth clerk, as he slid the agreement form, "we'll record the rider's fingerprints and horses' noseprints on the starting day. Once recorded, exchange of riders or horses is strictly prohibited."

The booth clerk handed over 2 other things as well towards Avery. "This is your player identification card, Number B-555. Also included is the race commemoration badge," continued the clerk, continuing on with what he has probably said to 100 other eager participants that day... Avery took the identification card and badge, placing the two items in their bag.

Avery grabbed the pen provided and signed their name onto the document: "Avery E." There! Avery was all signed up. They had already made their way outside; heading for a tent to settle in. Just had to wait out the next—

From a few meters over, Avery heard a... fight? There was a generally unremarkable man... and a man with blonde hair wearing a strange hat with holes in it and two green steel balls attached to a chest holster? Ah! It looked like it would become a full on gun duel?!

It was causing quite the commotion... Avery stayed a good bit away from the ordeal but close enough to see what was happening, holding onto the reins of their horse to keep her close.

The blonde man— somehow made the gun shoot the gunner himself! Avery saw there was some sort of rotation that happened to the man's shooting shoulder... Huh. As he was walking off... noticed Avery and he flashed them a smile before chuckling, "Nyo ho~!" Before continuing to walk off? What... a strange man...

Avery made their way to one of the unoccupied tents, they had heard something— Huh?! Johnny Joestar... his legs moved? Avery could have sworn they had moved... but last they heard, he became completely paraplegic! Ah... whatever. As bizarre as it was, it didn't involve them!

Leaving their horse in a pen until the beginning of the race; Avery had set up in one of the unoccupied tents nearby the pens. They knew Night Rider would get a bit antsy if she got lonely... It was probably best to be nearby to ease Night Rider's nerves.

Three hours before the beginning of the race... Avery checked their bag again to make sure they had EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED. They did NOT want to get into the race just to forget something dumb...! Okay so—

What consisted of Avery's items were: a Flint Lock pistol, a rope, a blanket, a horse brush, saddle, towel, a canteen, canned foods, a knife, a pocket mirror, thread and needles, toothbrush and tooth powder, matches, chopsticks, a map, toilet paper, soap, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, small bag with some small items inside, 2 bandage wraps, medicine, a compass, and a small notebook with a pencil attached.

Okay! Avery was all set! Hm? There was a commotion outside in the horse pen? Johnny Joestar... again? He was trying to get on a supposedly untamable horse— at least... that's what Avery heard a few men say. Ah! There was that blonde man again too! Avery just couldn't stay away from there two huh...? Hm.. was Joestar planning on entering the race? That's what it seemed like to Avery. Whatever he had in mind, they would hope he would succeed! That was the least Avery could do.

Thirty minutes until the beginning of the Steel Ball Run Race began! Avery lined up in their corresponding spot before the start time of the race. Huh... Avery was just about 80 horses away from that blonde man from earlier. They listened intently to Steven Steel's speech from where they were.

"Pfft... heheh," Avery softly giggled at Steven Steel's 'break the ice' joke. Though— Avery had tensed up when they had heard an all too familiar name was competing... Diego Brando. Avery had just hoped they would avoid HIM this ENTIRE race if lucky!

Their eyes followed Johnny as he was dragged by the horse called 'Slow Dancer' Avery believed... Something about Johnny and that other man... something about them drew Avery to them. Avery wondered just why exactly... Then! Johnny Joestar miraculously made it onto the horse in some sort of spinning motion— like a force flung him onto it! Avery saw it with their own eyes!

There was no time to even ponder on that right now though! Avery heard the announcement...

The race... was about to begin.