Pedal "Pedro" Metal - D3
Dec 26, 2023 14:32:42 GMT -5
Post by parsnip on Dec 26, 2023 14:32:42 GMT -5
Pedal Metal, or rather his nickname ‘Pedro’, is a child prodigy. Not only was his grandfather an iconic figurehead in the District for creating a brilliant contraption capable of high speeds, but so too was his own father, who raced it so frequently he was caught by the Peacekeepers. He didn’t see his father much, after that, aside from the stray visit to the penitentiary. Some might see this as fuel; there was no passion created for racing here, only resentment for the art. It's said his father was speeding outside the confines of a race, but it's a conspiracy in and of itself as to whether he was guilty of that, or maybe even guilty of wronging the wrong people.
He’s a slim chap with a cheeky white grin. His features are soft yet bold, and his hair is wavy as though permanently recovering from helmet use. His eyes are a deep vibrant brown, and he's so similar to his relatives in appearance and mannerisms that some, his mother, thinks he’s the reincarnation of at least his grandpa, Stellar Metal. His grandpa was a wise old man, if wisdom meant driving headfirst into the sharpest turns at full speed. It got the better of him many times, and some even Pedal seen first hand. It's impossible to prepare yourself for the imminent crash of a high-speed vehicle. The smell of rubber scolding the ground around it. It wasn't that which he couldn't get out of his mind, though, but the screech that those tires made as they span against both air and ground thousands of times a second.
Growing up was fantastic until his father was taken. He’d get shown the ropes on the machines. He’d happily learn how to pilot vehicles and how to repair things. Everything he learned was amplified when his father disappeared. He then had the ultimate motive. Become his dad, be better than his grandfather, and do them both proud in the same sweep. His relationship with his mother is difficult in only one respect. On one hand, Pedro’s mum would support everything he wants to do. On the other hand, that’s never true if it means she might not see him again one day. She hates racing. She loathes the danger. She despises the possibility of not seeing her son again some day.
Maybe someday there’ll be a race he’s allowed to be in. Even if the Peacekeepers oversee it strictly. When it comes to competition, Pedal is a gloryhunter (for sure). While he loves a race, he loves to win, and he hates to lose, he is ultimately in it for the fun and games of it all. To entertain everybody whilst doing it is something he learned from his now imprisoned dad. He would always win over the crowds right up until the door closed on his room, and he would sit and recap the race with Pedal himself. It's those days that Pedro misses the most, where their little family could relax and be more human than machine.
Growing up, Pedro's friendship circle was always that of racing. He's the biggest fan of all the greats in the District, sanctioned by the Capitol or otherwise. Everybody knows the best way to get involved is to go underground, and race in the foggy pollution. That's where he'd go in the secret hours. His friends were never as fast as he was. He was always reckless and pushed the limits at every given attempt. Now, he's not changed in the slightest. It doesn't matter how many injuries he encounters, he still keeps coming back for more.
With one racing legend gone, and the other locked away, reputation for the Metal racing family is scrapped. Working not just from the drawing board but and entirely undermined position, it'll take a long time for Pedal to feel like he's anywhere near pole position again. Nevertheless, his determined nature and tenacity for an entertaining race is what drives him to first place. It's the podium he dreams of every night. Nothing else. Working from the ground up may be the best way to start for the young lad. While his future is unknown, it could also be the brightest in the family. With the support of his mum, friends, and future rivals and peers, surely this little racer has a lot to offer.
Working in the local repair shop has been his only way of escaping the watchful gaze of the peacekeepers, so far. He'd fix up a truck or two and suddenly the escapades of the weekend were behind him and them. The kid had a talent for engineering. He knew the ins and outs of machinery as though he'd made it himself, and sometimes he may have done exactly that. In other ways, though, he's quite the fool. He falls for people's good natures all too easy. He's entirely trusting. It's what gets him in the most trouble, ironically. The shop itself has deals with the peacekeepers to keep supplies flowing. Pedal and the team offer their knowledge in trade for the most important currency of all, parts. It's a discreet job. Learning about the underworld trading means that while he doesn't like to, Pedro knows how to drive a dirty race. If he's on his last tires, he can still make it over the line.
When it comes to the Hunger Games, Pedal has thought little of the conquest for glory in that sphere. He heartily believes that, being seventeen, that he will never be reaped into the actual Hunger Games. Besides, what fun would he be in there? There won't be any racing. The only quick thing to happen there would be death. Training for racing is what consumes him, and while that is an extreme sport in and of itself, it's nothing when it comes to weaponry. If poor Pedal was ever to land in those Games, he'd simply be flailing sticks and making-do. And aimless flailing does not a winner make.
