Chapter Text
Ragatha had a lot to be thankful for in life. She had never had it easy, she had gone to public schools, never gone on field trips, never traveled. But she had a family. Her mother Agatha, her father Bruce, and her brother Andy were a safe haven of immense support. And she genuinely couldn’t care less that the children avoided playing with her because she only had one doll and not the latest expensive, superficial plastic dolls. She would have her brother who would play with her. She didn’t care that she didn’t go on field trips, because her parents would take her to the frozen lake in the city park and let her play for as long as she wanted.
She still remembered when she discovered the sport. She had fought with her brother for pushing her too high on the swing, and came into the living room crying and stressed. She sat in front of the television and turned on a random channel. An Olympic sports channel, the athlete on TV, Bella Garcia, she still remembered. A young woman of only sixteen years old. Wearing a bright pink leotard with silver sequins and a flowing turquoise skirt. Her bright blonde hair beautifully arranged in a braid adorned with red ribbons, as soon as Ragatha laid her non button eye on the figure, she felt mesmerized, and could not look away.
Bella Garcia. Olympic ice skating athlete, two-time consecutive gold medal winner. She seemed to fly over the ice like an angel.
Ragatha admired her as intensely as it was possible for a five-year-old child to admire.
She asked her parents for a pair of skates that same day. They both questioned her about it, and the little doll just smiled broadly, saying that she would be an Olympic champion one day. Her parents laughed at her, laughing and asking more about her dream, and she babbled for hours about her new ambition. Both parents thought it was just that, a dream.
When they took their daughter to the lake and watched her try to imitate the champion's movements, they knew she would shine brighter than a star one day.
On Christmas that year, Ragatha came downstairs with her older brother, so early that her parents weren’t even awake. Her brother got a jacket from his favorite rock band, and she got ice skates. The doll would skate along the river all winter, and then on the artificial rink in the small shopping center in town. She was only five years and a half when Loo saw her. The sponsor happened to be doing an interview at the local mall, with the camera crew asking her questions, and the skating rink in the background.
Loo was responding normally when she turned to talk about how she admired the little talents, just in time to see her performing a loop followed by a perfect salchow.
The woman effectively shut up and walked onto the rink, wearing only normal shoes, she slid awkwardly several times before reaching the little girl, picking her up in her arms and spinning around on the ice with her. Ragatha was clearly frightened by the stranger, as were her parents who were watching from afar. Everything was cleared up when Loo told them about her intention to train the young girl for a small skating event in another state.
The parents were worried that they could not accompany their daughter without missing work. Ragatha begged, and her mother had to work overtime for a week to get the extra day to accompany her to the only event her daughter could attend.
The skating rink where the competition would be held seemed immense to Ragatha when she arrived. The cold of the ice felt familiar and comforting, but the pressure of competing for the first time made her heart beat faster. In the days leading up to the event, Loo trained Ragatha tirelessly. Even at her young age, Ragatha displayed a discipline that surprised everyone around her. She repeated movements, fell, got up, and tried again. Loo, ever patient, adjusted the details, corrected her posture, and encouraged the young girl with words of encouragement, reinforcing the idea that every mistake was an opportunity to improve.
Finally, the big day arrived. Ragatha was nervous, but Loo calmed her with a smile and a tight hug before she stepped onto the ice. The lights in the gym were bright, and the crowd seemed huge to her. But as soon as her skates touched the ice, all her nervousness disappeared. It was as if the world had disappeared, and all that was left was her and the ice rink. Ragatha glided smoothly, executing each move with a grace that was impressive for a child her age. She spun, jumped, and landed with precision, and when she performed her final move, a triple jump that Loo had taught her, the crowd erupted in applause. Agatha, in the stands, could barely hold back her tears as she watched her daughter shine.
When the judges announced the results, Ragatha’s name was called for first place. She had won the gold medal in her first competition. The smile on her face was unmistakable, and applause echoed through the gym as she stepped onto the podium. After the event, Loo approached Agatha with a proud smile “I told you she had potential” the coach said, patting the emotional mother on the shoulder and stroking the head of the beaming and proud child, wearing Loo’s coat on her small body and sporting the gold medal on her chest. Agatha, still a little skeptical but completely overcome with pride, recognized her daughter’s talent and finally allowed Ragatha to train under Loo’s guidance.
The following weeks were an explosion of enthusiasm and hard work. Ragatha trained with Loo daily, perfecting each move and learning new techniques. The coach, who had dedicated her life to training champions, saw in Ragatha a promise that few others had, a mix of passion, natural talent and a discipline unusual for a child her age.
Ragatha, on the other hand, didn’t see training as work. For her, it was pure joy. Every move she made on the ice made her feel more alive, as if she were in her natural element. She practiced for hours on end, under Loo’s watchful eye, always striving to improve. And with each new achievement, she fondly remembered her origins. That frozen lake in the city park, where her parents would let her skate for hours.
It was only a few months later that Loo considered the possibility of taking her to a competition in another state, farther away. Five to seven days from distance. Her parents couldn't go watch her because of work. But both parents saw the sparkle in their daughter's eye and still lovingly and proudly kept the medal displayed in the living room. So with teary eyes and lots of hugs, they granted Loo legal custody to be Ragatha's guardian in their absence.
Ragatha promised to bring back another medal for them, and she did, another gold one.
The competitions continued, year after year, further and further away from home.
And although Ragatha appreciated Loo's attention and the training, she felt alone . Each climb to the top made the young girl feel extremely lonely as she looked around and saw no familiar faces of her parents, brother, or friends.
Loo noticed this, and the poor coach, to her credit, tried everything. She took Ragatha to plays, let the now twelve-year-old eat ice cream and desserts she usually avoided, bought her beautiful and exorbitantly expensive dresses. And Ragatha thanked her for every act, but the feeling was still there. Only fading with each arrival at the airport in her hometown as she ran into the arms of her family.
It was then that at the next state championship, Loo introduced her to Jax.
Jax, at the age of seven, was everything Ragatha had never been. Known as one of the greatest skating prospects, his personality left much to be desired. Coming from a wealthy family, he was used to having the best of everything without effort. Spoiled, arrogant and always with a disdainful look, Jax never missed an opportunity to remind everyone around him of his superiority. He would parade through the halls of competitions with his state-of-the-art skates and custom-made sportswear, as if the whole world revolved around him.
Ragatha was initially surprised when Loo introduced Jax to her as her new skating partner for the competition. She had already competed alone for years, and the idea of sharing the stage and the ice with someone like Jax seemed less than appealing to her and more of an affront. The difference in age, temperament and experience was stark. Ragatha dedicated herself with passion and humility, while Jax seemed to view the sport as yet another way to display his superiority.
During the first few practices, Jax’s arrogance was evident. He would constantly criticize Ragatha’s moves, saying she was “slowing down” and making a point of highlighting his own accomplishments. To him, Ragatha should be on a different level, not “dragging her way around the ice.” He loved being the center of attention, and any mistakes he made were quickly blamed on her. Loo, concerned about the dynamic, tried to keep the peace, but knew that Ragatha needed a real connection with her partner if they were to both succeed in the championship.
Day after day, Ragatha faced the challenge of dealing with Jax. He tormented her with his criticisms, impatience, and sarcastic comments. She often left practice in frustration, trying not to let his behavior get to her. Still, her determination kept her focused. She knew this competition could be a chance to rekindle her passion for the sport, and she wanted to show that she could overcome any obstacle, even if that obstacle came in the form of a difficult partner.
As time went by, Ragatha slowly discovered that despite his immature behavior and arrogance, Jax had impressive technical ability. When he let go of his superior attitude, he could perform precise, complex, and elegant movements. In the rare moments when they were in sync, the duo's potential began to shine.
Loo, realizing that their on-ice chemistry was far from ideal, made a bold decision. She chose “The Phantom of the Opera” as the song for their championship performance. The piece, with its dramatic and mysterious tone, required the two to complement each other’s every move, bringing out both the intensity and vulnerability of their characters. It was the kind of challenge that could bring the two together on the ice, or completely break them apart, even if their personalities continued to clash off it.
Finally, the day of the competition arrived. The gym was packed. Ragatha felt the weight of responsibility. She knew Jax still saw her as a poor teammate and it didn’t help her already growing nerves. Backstage, Jax was more impatient than ever, adjusting his skates and grumbling about the song choice as if everything was wrong.
As the announcement of their performance echoed through the gym, Ragatha took a deep breath and walked onto the ice rink alongside Jax. The audience watched them expectantly, and for a brief moment, all the tension between them seemed to melt away. As the first chords of “The Phantom of the Opera” filled the space, something changed.
Jax took on his role with precision. He executed each movement with technical perfection, while Ragatha brought the emotion and grace that complemented his intensity. They moved as one entity, as if the drama of the music had seeped into their souls. Every turn, every jump, and every lift was performed with stunning synchrony, and the audience was quickly captivated by the rapport and confidence that the duo exuded.
The choreography constantly challenged them. In the most intense moments, Jax would lift her with surprising strength, and Ragatha would spin in the air as if she were floating, descending with the same smoothness as a ghost. On the ice their differences disappeared, and all that was left was the perfect combination of technique and emotion. The contrast between Jax's explosive energy and Ragatha's graceful lightness created an engaging narrative that transported the audience into the tragic and passionate world of the work.
In the final minutes, as the song reached its climax, Jax and Ragatha performed their most risky move yet, a high lift followed by a spin in which Ragatha spun rapidly in his arms before being thrown into a final leap, a move that required complete trust in each other, and one that they had always avoided doing in training despite everything. The audience was silent, apprehensive, until Ragatha landed softly on the ice, finishing the performance with a dramatic pose next to Jax.
The gym erupted in applause. The sparkle in Loo's eyes, watching from the sidelines, showed that she had always believed in their potential. For a brief moment, Jax seemed to let go of his arrogance and gave Ragatha a sincere smile, acknowledging her talent and dedication.
The results of the competition were announced shortly afterward, and they had won first place. The golden gleam of the medal around their necks sealed the triumph of a partnership, and for the first time since she began competing in competitions, Ragatha was able to look for her side and share a proud, genuine smile with her partner .
Ragatha although still aware of the difficulties of dealing with Jax off the ice, could not deny that this moment had Increased her passion for skating. The ice after all, had always been her refuge, and now she had someone to share it with.
~
“. . . Dollface. . . Dollface. . . Ragatha!” Jax’s loud voice snapped her out of her past memories, and she blinked several times at the bunny in front of her. She didn’t usually think about how much he had grown since they were kids. How his shoulders had gotten broader and every feature more masculine. He waved it in front of her face dramatically, and she frowned, taking a step back “Can you pick another time to ramble? We’re on a tight schedule as it is without you delaying everything even more”
She sighed, yes, that hadn't changed much even after twelve years of working together "Yeah, I know, I was just thinking" The doll spoke before walking and entering the training ring. Wearing a t-shirt and tights appropriate for the cold weather, she extended her hand to Jax.
“About what?” He asked, his voice sounding as disinterested as possible and took her hand. Both skating to the center of the ring in sync.
“About when we met”
Jax rolled his eyes dramatically, as if he was tired of that story "Oh, sure, when I saved your career from a life of solitude on the ice" he replied with a cocky half-smile. Ragatha, however just laughed. Already used to his smug humor.
"You were just an insufferable brat" Ragatha retorted, as the two began to slide across the ice, warming up for training "But I have to admit... you saved that day" Jax could be annoying, but on the ice they were practically unbeatable.
"I know, I know" Jax said, raising his hands in mock triumph "But seriously, Ragatha...were you really thinking about that right now?"
"Yes" she replied, with a softness that contrasted with the playful tone Jax had adopted "I was thinking about how everything has changed since then. And somehow, we're still here"
Jax was silent for a few moments, something rare for him. He clearly remembered the feeling of sliding across the ice with her for the first time, just like the first continental Olympics they won...and the second...and the third.
"Do you think it would have been different?" Jax asked, his tone a little more serious now as they both skated across the ice with almost automatic fluidity, the result of years of practice and partnership "If we hadn't been partners, I mean"
Ragatha looked at him for a moment, thinking “I guess so” she said sincerely “We’re both competitive and we’ve always had something to prove. But I guess that’s what brought us together, in a weird way. Without you, I’d probably still be good… but I don’t know if I would have the same spark. You pushed me to be better.”
Jax raised an eyebrow, surprised by the genuine recognition "Wow, I didn't think I'd hear that from you" he said smiling, but this time without the typical arrogance "Although you've certainly set me back quite a bit, I would already be a worldwide sensation"
Ragatha rolled her buttonless eye, though she still smiled "You're a true angel Jax"
Jax gently lifted her by the arm, twirling her in the air before letting her come down gracefully. The movement was as automatic as it was natural. Both continued the choreographed movements, Ragatha felt the familiarity of mutual trust. Jax lifted her with the same strength and security as always, and she spun in the air with the lightness of someone who knew she would always have that support. Maybe off the ice they would never be best friends, but here, in that environment, there was nothing separating them.
"Do you think you can improve your spins in time?" Jax asked, without the usual joking tone "We only have a few months..."
Ragatha nodded and proved it by spinning around and performing a perfect triple jump, the rabbit watched every move, nodding satisfied with the result. She then returned to his side, both skated a few meters, the rabbit's hands on her waist as they practiced the choreography "Are you afraid of getting old, Jax?"
“Me? Never” He smiled, his double-pierced ear quivering and making a tinkling sound “Why do you ask?”
She stared at the rabbit's face for a few seconds, he noticed the act and stared back at her. Sighing, she looked away before saying "Nothing"
Silence fell between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that comed with years of coexistence, as if they could understand what the other wanted to say despite the lack of words.
They resumed the choreography, repeating the jumps, turns and lifts that they mastered with mastery. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, and the music, although silent during training, was present in their minds.
"So... what do you think will happen in the big performance?" Jax asked, changing his tone to pragmatic as they wrapped up another perfect sequence.
Ragatha smiled "Same as always. The world awaits for us and we show that we are still the best"
Jax nodded, with a sparkle in his eyes that Ragatha didn't see often "Yes. The world be prepared"
And so they continued training, as they always did.
They only had ten months before the next Olympics.