"A race? Um.. you can take me back if you want, but I don't mind staying if you want me to stick around for the race." Nathaniel replied. "Do you not want to do it? Can't you tell them that you don't want to?" He asked. "You shouldn't have to do anything you didn't sign up for."
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"I would lose points if I don't accept the challenge, which is pointless because I am not going to lose. You'd have to watch me, well you couldn't be in the car is what I mean" he sighed, "I love racing, but sheesh just because I'm at the top means everyone wants to beat me"
"Right, yeah… I don't want you to have to drive me all the way to your place and then all the way back here. They might think you're ditching, and it would take a while." He sighed softly. I guess Carter is pretty good at racing if he's at the top… I haven't ever seen a race like this before.
Carter nodded, "thanks. Don't mean to inconvenience you. And, I mean, in the city, this is kind of illegal, but for us, I mean, blood suckers, its fine. its… complicated, but I kinda started this before I got turned" he sighed, "thanks… it shouldn't take to long"
"It's fine! I don't mind. Just, uh… don't want to get arrested." Nathaniel laughed nervously and hesitated before getting out of the car. He didn't know when the race was and he didn't want to be in Carter's way.
Carter grabbed his mask, putting it on before he got out of the car. "You won't get arrested, this is an official race. The cops shut down the roads where we race, but if it was in the city, it'd be a different story." he shrugged. "In case you were wondering, I wear a mask because uh, I don't want these people coming after me for beating them"
"Oh, um… o-okay. Where should I go?" Nathaniel asked, looking around as though expecting the correct answer to simply jump out at him. Not finding one, he looked back up at Carter in the car for guidance. He hadn't ever been to a race or anything like this before, so he was completely in the dark.
"uh just stand by the tent, if anyone asks who you are, just say your with uh.. just point at my car." he said, "I'll show you" He walked over, leading Nathaniel to the tent.
"Um… right. Okay." Nathaniel followed Carter closely over to the tent. "I'll wait here for you until the race is over, yeah?" He smiled nervously, looking around at the nearby people who were eyeing him suspiciously.
"yeah, uh, it won't take to long" He smiled, not that it could be seen with the mask on. then jogged over to his car, he started it and moved it to the start line.
Nathaniel swallowed nervously when Carter left him alone, drawing his wings around himself a bit. He glanced over to the guys near him, who looked irritated. One glanced over to where Carter had left and then glared at Nathaniel, who cowered in response.
Carter finished his race in 20 minutes, getting a check after he won at the tent. His car had a long scratch on the side from the other car running into him, so most of his check would be going to that, he stood at his car, inspecting the damage.
When Carter had come to a stop, Nathaniel hurried over, looking disheveled and stressed again. He kept looking over his shoulder as he came over, but he felt more at ease once he was with Carter and not alone. "Good… good job. Can we leave?" He said quietly, breathless.
Carter nodded, "yeah get in the car" he sighed at his car, running his hand over the scratch before getting back in the car.
Nathaniel didn't need to be told twice and quickly got into the car, buckling himself in. "They're… t-they're mad. They don't like me." He whispered breathlessly.
Carter started the car, throwing his mask in the back as he pulled away from the crowd, "hey, it's ok Nathaniel."
"They're mad you won, they— they're mad I'm with you." Nathaniel stared at the floor, fidgeting with his hands.
"they are not mad at you, besides, they have no idea who I am. they know my car. Which I don't ride around unless I come here" he shook his head, driving back towards the city.
"But you walked me to the tent… they didn't see your face, but they still know I'm with you…" Nathaniel shook his head a bit, still tense and nervous.
"your fine, they don't care that I won, they still got paid" he shrugged.
"But… he grabbed me… what did you do to make these guys hate you so much? Just winning?"
"…. who touched you?… " he was quiet for a long moment. "Look, those people, are not 'supposed' to get physical…but that doesn't mean I'd trust them." he shook his head.
"It was some guy… he had on a face mask and sunglasses, so I couldn't see him very well. He had black hair, though… he grabbed my arm when you crossed the finish line. I think he might've grabbed one of my feathers when I ran off, too."
"oh..weird… I don't have many enemies… not personally. I usually split my winnings with the loser, shows good sportsmanship. But, eh, could just be someone on the bottom of the ranking, I'll call someone and see what they can do, sorry that happened, you seem pretty shaken up"
"It's fine, I-I'm fine…" Nathaniel sighed, closing his eyes. "I'm not sure the guy was even one of the competitors. Maybe a friend of a competitor, or even just a guy who likes watching theraces, I don't— I don't know."
"they have cameras around the tent, I'll see if I can find anything out. I mean, it's not cool" he sighed.
"Okay… it's really not that big a deal, I don't think, just… caught me off guard… I was worried he was gonna actually hurt me."
"that's not the point..but if you want me to drop it, I will"
"You can do whatever you think is best, I don't care." Nathaniel shrugged and stared at the floor.
"right" carter nodded, opting to be quiet for the rest of the ride. He pulled into a car shop, parking in the garage bay where cars got fixed, the next bay over had his other car. "Well, time to switch to the shit-mobile" he sighed.