On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

[Stracio]

How dare you exclude Marvelous Sunday.

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My mistake! I shall add her now!

That said, the fact that Wrandwaffles is also fixing the timeline to prevent the whole everyone is around at the exact same time as everyone else issue means that I wouldn't be surprised if the more blatantly supernatural edges of the setting are tuned down.

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Admittedly the Golden Gen is one of the more grounded generations. They don't have supernaturally strong Umas like Kawakami Princess or Gentildonna, whatever Marvy's deal is, or Gold Ship. There's always Stego, but she's one year before them.

 

[YetAnotherLurker]

If what ends up pushing her to try her hardest and win ends up being something cheesy like ''love'' or ''power of friendship'' I would be disappointed.

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"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, to hear the lamentations of their menfolk."

Another possibility that I find amusing is if she unlocks her Zone not by trying to win, but because of other motivations entirely. One image that's been in my head for a while now is of a classmate that's ahead of her taking a nasty injury, and Shiro catching them without breaking stride and then just absolutely booking it to the finish line with them over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes because it's the fastest way to get them to medical assistance.

What year is it in story anyway? Somewhere in the 2000s to 2020s? The Japanese side of her family is safe and secure, but what about the Polish side?

 

[Zweibach]

What year is it in story anyway? Somewhere in the 2000s to 2020s? The Japanese side of her family is safe and secure, but what about the Polish side?

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Mid to late 90s.

Another possibility that I find amusing is if she unlocks her Zone not by trying to win, but because of other motivations entirely. One image that's been in my head for a while now is of a classmate that's ahead of her taking a nasty injury, and Shiro catching them without breaking stride and then just absolutely booking it to the finish line with them over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes because it's the fastest way to get them to medical assistance.

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Pretty sure that's a disqualification.

 

[Greymatter02]

Pretty sure that's a disqualification.

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Yes, but it would still result in her unlocking her Zone. There are other races that she can run. Also Shiro would absolutely care more about the well being of a friend classmate than winning or placing as shown by the previous chapter.

 

[Impstar]

Another possibility that I find amusing is if she unlocks her Zone not by trying to win, but because of other motivations entirely. One image that's been in my head for a while now is of a classmate that's ahead of her taking a nasty injury, and Shiro catching them without breaking stride and then just absolutely booking it to the finish line with them over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes because it's the fastest way to get them to medical assistance.

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Depending on the nature of the injury, that might also be a good way to make it worse. There's a reason that stetchers are how you regularly move injured individuals before a more detailed analysis, it's because it's the least likely to cause further injury while moving them.

Prioritizing getting them medical attention a minute or two early max is the kind of thing you would only do if they were literally about to die and that is not the usual type of injury you see on the race track.

 

[canzzer]

Another possibility that I find amusing is if she unlocks her Zone not by trying to win, but because of other motivations entirely. One image that's been in my head for a while now is of a classmate that's ahead of her taking a nasty injury, and Shiro catching them without breaking stride and then just absolutely booking it to the finish line with them over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes because it's the fastest way to get them to medical assistance.

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I would probably find this amusing as well in a non-canon side story or a what-if scenario or something, but I don't feel it matches Tanya or the story's tone as a whole at all. It also falls right into the power of friendship category.

I don't know how the story plans to do the eventual motivation, but let's say the catalyst is her family's restaurant needs the money badly, and it all hinges on her winning the race.
So Tanya is in the last stretch of a big race and is pushing herself to the limit. I don't want her thought process to be. ''I have to win for my family. They need the money for the restaurant.''
I want it to be. I need to win, I need that money. She will, of course, still give the money to her family and the outcome would be the same, but the thought process behind it would change.

Edit.
The feeling and vibe of the moment would obviously also change.

 

[YetAnotherLurker]

Depending on the nature of the injury, that might also be a good way to make it worse. There's a reason that stetchers are how you regularly move injured individuals before a more detailed analysis, it's because it's the least likely to cause further injury while moving them.

Prioritizing getting them medical attention a minute or two early max is the kind of thing you would only do if they were literally about to die and that is not the usual type of injury you see on the race track.

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The injuries that are particularly dangerous to move when the scene isn't itself dangerous are spinal injuries or injuries involving or risking major vessels. An argument could be made that the leading edge of a pack of runners is a dangerous scene, but ultimately it wouldn't be a considered action anyway, just pure reflex. Also, I believe it's been noted that due to Shiro's history as a food delivery runner, her form is remarkably stable for her cargo. Either way, part of the point is that it isn't really a reaction that fits Shiro the runner seeing a friend competitor start to go down with a non-life-threatening injury on the racetrack, but it is a reaction that could fit Tanya the traumatized veteran seeing a sister in arms start to go down on the battlefield. Cue flashback, cue massive overreaction.

I would probably find this amusing as well in a non-canon side story or a what-if scenario or something, but I don't feel it matches Tanya or the story's tone as a whole at all. It also falls right into the power of friendship category.

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Isn't part of the point of this entire story that Shiro is slowly moving forward and away from the mentality of both the Salaryman and the Soldier? What she tells herself her motives are may not match her actual ones, no matter what she thinks.

 

[Liar]

I do hope Shirogane at least qualifies for the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara races. The loss in this chapter was painful, and I have to admit I was a bit annoyed that she didn't even place second as she usually does. However, I understand that this is a slow-burn story, so patience is necessary. Still, it's tough to see her lose. On the bright side, it's encouraging to see her finally becoming motivated to win, especially as she grows increasingly frustrated by her losses.

 

[Hexygramatical]

I do hope Shirogane at least qualifies for the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara races. The loss in this chapter was painful, and I have to admit I was a bit annoyed that she didn't even place second as she usually does. However, I understand that this is a slow-burn story, so patience is necessary. Still, it's tough to see her lose. On the bright side, it's encouraging to see her finally becoming motivated to win, especially as she grows increasingly frustrated by her losses.

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She 100% will. What she's kind of forgetting is that the trial races are only for the guaranteed spots, the rest are filled out based on past performance, which uh:

Standings update!

At this time (post Hochi Hai Yonsai), the Class A standings are:
Shirogane Orzel - 4 wins / 16 starts, 16-4-10-0; previous races + G2 Yayoi Sho (3/8/98, Ch. 23, 5th place), G2 Hochi Hai Yonsai (3/15/98, Ch. 23, 4th place); estimated winnings: 175.85 (previous sum) + 5.40 (5th place G2) + 7.80 (4th place G2) = 189.05 million yen.
Grass Wonder - 4 wins / 5 starts, 5-4-1-0; previous races + G2 Yayoi Sho (3/8/98, Ch. 23, 2nd place); winnings = 114.69 (previous sum) + 22.30 (2nd place G2) = 136.99 million yen.
Special Week - 3 wins / 4 starts, 4-3-1-0, previous races + G2 Yayoi Sho (3/8/98, Ch. 23, 1st place); winnings = 52.79 (previous sum) + 55.05 (1st place G2) = 107.84 million yen.
King Halo - 3 wins / 5 starts, 5-3-0-2; previous races + G2 Yayoi Sho (3/8/98, Ch. 23, 3rd place); winnings = 56.83 (previous sum) + 14.15 (3rd place G2) = 70.98 million yen.
El Condor Pasa - 3 wins / 3 starts; winnings = 55.41 million yen. NO CHANGE.
Seiun Sky - 2 wins / 3 starts, 3-2-0-0; previous races + G2 Yayoi Sho (3/8/98, Ch. 23, 4th place); winnings = 25.27 (previous sum) + 8.10 (4th place G2) = 33.37 million yen.
Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi - yet to debut; 0 yen.

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So yeah, she's getting in.

 

[arky4444]

She's also working off the assumption that to go into both circuits she'd have to clinch a berth in both otherwise they would not put her in the other circuit despite her high prize total.

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"Didn't anyone teach you not to talk back to their seniors, little girl?" The unpleasant woman's face twisted into an equally unpleasant expression.

"Those who need to demand respect are unworthy of it."

The cranky woman blinked, before her eyes flashed with anger.

"I can make your life very unpleasant, you midget mongrel–"

"Enough, Nozowa-san," their Trainer interjected, a frown pulling her face into a serious expression. "Such behavior is unsuited for your position."

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She 100% will. What she's kind of forgetting is that the trial races are only for the guaranteed spots, the rest are filled out based on past performance, which uh:
So yeah, she's getting in.

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I would say that while Shirogane was just being paranoid about being denied entry before, the existence of Nozowa now makes that a very real possibility.