challenge - I must be a mermaid, I have no fear of depths. - ota

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

The challenge was marked for 8:30am. The pool was open by 8:00am. Lasandra was there by 7:55.

The indoor-pool is Olympic length and eight lanes wide divided by boomers. One wouldn't quite call it state of the art, but it's well maintained and the tiles are pearl white, the water crisp with the smell of chlorine, and plenty of sunshine comes in through the glass windows.

Lasandra, Six of Hearts, stands posed on a lift, adjusting her nose plug. Her thick black hair was braided and then stuffed into a black swimmer's cap and she wore goggles that matched the hot pink lines to the technical swimsuit she wears. She made no quips about that purchase, that was an investment and her first month of Seven will certainly replace the cost. She finds herself one lane opposite from her opponent, Sorcha MacNamara. Sorcha is a friendly enough girl, taller than Sandy with flaming red hair that doesn't quite all stay under her swimming cap, chocolate brown eye, and really quite pretty with an open smile. She seems to be in high spirits compared to Sandy's quiet determination.

Sandy looks at the crowd only once, only looking for the face of Sunnae. Her aunt's face lights up and she waves to Sandy. No signs of pressure, no forcing her to smile or to be anything that Sandy isn't feeling now. A deep breath and her gaze turns away. She's... not ready to face the people she's been... do distant to lately.

"Ladies. At attention!"

The murmuring of the crowd is silent and both Sandy and Sorcha turn to face the Royals as the announcer and judge drones on. The intention of the contest is simple enough, whomever reaches to the end of the 50m lane first is declared the winner and times will be announced. There will be judges at the side of the pool to make sure both women retain their breaststroke position while a judge at the end of the pool will be keeping time. If either woman fails to keep with acceptable form, they are disqualified. Sandy's gaze flicks up to find Uncle Frederick, who had found out a few weeks prior about her secret training. Yup, there were corrections in her position but now... she would do well enough. She gives him the only smile she's given out that morning and he returns it.

"Attention!"

She stands at attention.

"Get set."

Her knees bend and she assumes a forward tipped angle.

"GO!"

And she in the water with the plan of staying long and streamlined increase her gliding speed before her hands and arms press into a y position. Her arms don't press too hard, using the flow of the water and her momentum to keep the speed. Her arms move like a blade, and draws her body forward Head always reaming straight.

Elbows remain at eye level and Sandy's movements are sharp and aerodynamic. She doesn't need to lift her head to breathe, despite what it looks like, her head remains aligned with her spine. It's just the movement that pushes the body out of the water as her arms cut through the water. Then she dives forward again, attempting to maximize her stroke length despite her height. She finishes her in-sweep so her front torso reenters shallow, gaining the speed. Again, her body returns to the long streamline position and legs, more powerful than given credit for, push her forward her.

She repeats this in the cool cutting water. She's barely aware of the sting of the water on parts of her nose that aren't completely healed and that manage get past her nose plug She hears quavery voices under the water. But her only focus is on the red X at the end of the pool. It feels long, so long. It feels like it takes forever. She has no idea how far or behind she is. All she knows she's getting closer but not fast enough.

Her hand strikes the red cross and she stops. Everything becomes still in her mind as she raises herself out of the water. She begins to take off her goggles to look around, just when Sorcha just touches her mark.

When Sorcha takes off her goggles to look around, she looks shocked to see Sandy already there and staring back at the redhead. Sorcha's friendly face hardens, but even with the dark look shot at her and the undeniable fact she was first, Sandy can't believe it when she hears the judge announce to the Face Cards: "Lasandra Adare, 48.90 seconds. Sorcha MacNamara, 52.34 seconds. The challenge is won by Lasandra Adare for the Rank of Seven."

And with these words, motion reawakens in Sandy's mind.

Then the judge turns to Sorcha and Lasandra, both clinging to the edge of the pool. Sandy has a look of delight that's tempered by knowing that Sorcha will counter challenge her. Glass etching? Not a problem. She can feel the redhead's gaze burning into her. She can't blame Sorcha, Sandy was a laughing-stock.

Too bad the counter would delay nothing but the inevitable.

"I, Sorcha MacManara, declare the second chance to keep my rank of Seven." The other woman tells the judge firmly. "I counter challenge Lasandra Adare to Poker in the best in three rounds."

Sandy freezes in the water. She swallows everything but somehow, her voice doesn't fail her. "… … … I… don't … I request five days to practice learning the said game. I've never played it."

She feels the other woman's sharp gaze. "Terms are agreed to."

Slowly, Lasandra pulls herself out of the water, an automatic gesture as Sorcha quickly drags herself out and towards her much larger support group. Doesn't matter, Sandy isn't aware of the congratulations from her family. She smiles, she nods, she admits she's tried. And she'll show a worn smiling face that could easily be called a 'Diamond mask'.



[Notes: The Face Cards, if they're going to congratulate, should catch her before the breakdown. Friends or enemies can catch her prior to the breakdown. Friends can after the breakdown.]

Comments

Breakdown

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

About a half hour later, Lasandra sits quietly in the bleachers still clad in swimsuit though the swim cap and goggles are off. Her dark hair is in a mess and she looks ghost pale and her lips are too red. Everyone's gone now so the mask is gone too and replaced by a blank look. She simply stares at everything and doesn't see anything. The only noise is the water of the pool lapping lazily and her breathing.

Everyone was gone now, at the least she believes.

If she was hoping everyone was gone she would have sat still a few moments longer because she's trying to hide the pain, because it's a selfish thing to feel pain when you have it good. She scolds herself to stop feeling bad, to stop feeling sorry for herself. What crisis did she have? None. She was alive. Her mind is whole. She won her challenge.

Sandy's face crumples, she has no right to cry.

All her hard work was going to be lost to a fucking game of chance. All the humiliation of this past year, the distancing from her friends due to training and keep from being seen as pitiful or lovesick, her struggle with her disorder, the icy knowledge of knowing she would be left for better things by a man she shouldn't care about, and the sick realization that she was always going to be the silly little girl and baby sister to everyone...

It was a lot.

She stubbornly wipes away the first tear with the back of her wrist. But after that?

There's too many to catch.

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

She'd congratulated Sandy and gotten the slightly...cordial warm response that she'd been getting the last few weeks. So, after that she'd left - intending to go find Hadyn. But then she'd turned around again, walking back towards the pool. Her plan, really, is just to ask Sandy what's wrong, if it's something she's done. But that plan quickly goes out the window, and Zoe quietly climbs the bleachers to sit next to her friend.

After a moment she touches one of her shaking shoulders. "Sandy?" she says softly. "What's wrong?"

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

Usually she's...

Oh, there's never been a usually for this.

Sandy doesn't hear the steps or the movements on the bleachers. Everything felt wrong, she felt wrong for feeling like this. Even if the tears gave some sort of relief. Sandy flinches at the touch because she thought she was alone. And then she stares at Zoe before breaking into a fresh round of tears. One of the few people she's hurt in the last few weeks. "It's... I... I'm sorry."

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

Zoe pauses for a moment, but then she slides her arm around Sandy's shoulder. "Honey," she says. "What for?" Okay, so she's pretty sure she knows. But she's also pretty sure Sandy needs to talk about it, if it's exploded to this point, and Zoe rubs her hand over her friend's back.

"...Talk to me?"

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

It takes a few moments longer to catch breath, to stop the tears as much as she can with her face buried behind her hands. "For pushing you away because... because of my life choices." There's a sharp, struggling breath. "Being a hypocrite and pushing you away and..." Yes, she knows she's repeating but... this has been a talk a long time coming and the emotions aren't helping.

[somuchheart.livejournal.com]

It's at that moment that Blythe returns, "looking for her purse that she's left behind". In reality, she's checking for the other girl. The Nine had noticed that Sandy hadn't left the swimming pool yet, and that couldn't be a good sign.

Obviously, it was a smart decision. Blythe rushes to Sandy, skidding a little in her tall heels as she slides into a seat next to her, wrapping her arms around the older woman. "Hey- sweetie, what's wrong? Hey."

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

She didn't have the energy to move from the bleachers when she sat down. And compared to Sorcha, who had been in high spirits (if somewhat mean ones), it seemed strange the winner would be lagging behind.

She hears the clack of the high heels and the soft squeak of skidding. So she doesn't jolt when she feels someone hugging her. Sandy tells herself not to lean to the hug, her suit is still damp, but she does. "I... I... everything. The last few weeks, nothing's gone right or I'm not doing right. I don't even know how to play Poker."

[somuchheart.livejournal.com]

Whatever, it's an old ratty Ramones shirt anyway - and they invented dryers for a reason. Blythe pulls Sandy closer, running a soothing hand over her back. "Hey, listen. That's- that's not true. Trust me. Shhh." First, to calm her down. Then they can talk about things.

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

Andrea comes to the pool at 8:10 to get a good spot among the others and cheers loud as her often unused voice will allow her. Danielle, accompanying her to make sure she didn’t do anything stupid, had pulled the woman aside about something just as Sandy gets out of the pool so the woman didn’t get a chance to congratulate her on her win.

That can be fixed, she thought. She’ll slip in after Danielle finishes talking to her and say her congratulations and hand the gift she made for the occasion. But by the time her cousin finished her talk, speech really about something she didn’t even want to talk about anymore, it was almost half an hour since the challenge and a lot of the others had left by now. Was Sandy even there?

Yes, Andrea realized as she raced in and tried not to slip on the floor, Sandy was still there. Sitting at the bleachers, looking very… Oh.

“Sandy.” It won’t be the first time she’ll slip by her friend’s side, quiet as a tense cat, and lace their fingers together. This time she’ll make herself taller, to let Sandy know it was okay to lean on someone for now, to rest herself on someone’s shoulder. “I. I… I’ll wait for you. Until you want to talk. Don’t worry. Take your time.”

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

She had been stressed last week and oh so close to tears. But they would have been hot tears that lasted a few moments and done what they needed to do. Release tension. Crying was not a bad thing. Not really. But not when you're conditioned to think you don't need to cry. There are others who have it worse than you do. But her hands squeezes tightly as she struggles for breath and she hears Andrea's voice. She can force herself to stop when others are around. People... weren't supposed to see this.

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

It was alright to cry. That was why her shoulder is being offered to cry on and her settling into the bleachers showed they can be there for a long, long time if needed. It was alright to put her own frustrations above others because why shouldn't she? They were her frustrations, her struggles. They deserve release and attention just as much as other people with their own issues do.

"Take your time, dear. You have all of it right now." Her voice holds a patient sincerity to it. She was willing to wait until Sandy could talk again, could take a breath and feel like the world won't fall apart around her like the most fragile glass. It make take some time but that was okay. This will be okay soon. But first. The Small Steps. "We'll be here for you. We'll wait."

[maskofhearts.livejournal.com]

So....it might have been his fault. He might have muttered something about Sandy not knowing how to play poker with a group of other Hearts that might have included Sorcha. In hindsight, he shouldn't have said anything. He didn't even recall why they'd been discussing poker to start with. It had just sort of come out and was gone with the next thought.

Smooth move, Novak.

"Well....for someone that won, you're looking pretty blue." He commented, with a weak smile. "Maybe you need a hot shower."

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

Not being able to play Poker on Deck was like not being able to tie your shoes at the age of eight. It was the real reason why Sandy didn't want anyone to know. Things like that slip, because it's not supposed to be a big deal. Sorcha probably could have challenged with something else.

Whoever told Sorcha that isn't on her mind. It's fact it's chance.

She freezes when she hears the voice, shoulders still in mid sob. She quietly sits up to look at Hadyn, face clearly a mess from crying and tears still streaming. She takes a shaken breath before getting a towel to wipe her face. "Maybe." A hitching breath and a deep breath to keep from sobbing. "I have shitty luck."

[maskofhearts.livejournal.com]

That might have been a bit of an overstatement. There were a lot of people on Deck- and many of them probably didn't have a clue how to play poker. And the best of three hands was a bit ridiculous because it was all about the luck of the draw and reading your opponent. Poker took hours to win, after all.

"Sorcha is just a bitch," he said with a shrug. "It is pretty much a given that she was going to counter, right?" He tried to smile a little as he sat down next to her. "You okay?"

[graceandwit.livejournal.com]

"Hey now." She'd been there, of course, standing with Sandy's family to cheer her on. It had been a long week, sure -- it had been a long couple of months too, really -- and things finally seemed to be coming to a head.

She wound her arm's her friend's waist, chin on her shoulder: "What's the matter, honey?"

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

For a moment she was stiff when Tegan's arm wrapped about her. Then she heaved for breath. She thought Tegan had left with the family, believing in Sandy's excuse she was hanging back to take a shower.

"I... I'm so tried. And... it's just all... it feels everything I've been doing was for nothing."

[graceandwit.livejournal.com]

"It's been a hectic couple of days --" weeks, really, but who's counting "-- but you did really well. And everyone is so proud. So, c'mon. Buck up, and tell me what's really the matter honey. I can't help unless I know what's the matter."

Pre-breakdown

[heartafterheart.livejournal.com]

There was something about Counters that Ceiro didn't miss. It was harder, and twice the stress. Some people never countered, either. They took their loss with grace and moved on. Or the artist, who tended to bounce around in ranks for the sheer joy of a challenge.

Poker- was a bit unusual, though. Practice wasn't something he'd ever considered as much help. Then again- Ceiro wasn't the greatest of poker players.

"Congratulations, Lasandra," he said as he came up to her. "It was quite the race."

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't be said now, but when the emotion is all over, when she's back on her feet? Sandy is going to be furious at Sorcha and herself for not having the wit to deny the challenge. But right now, she smiles a little wider for the sake of his majesty. "Thank you, your Highness. I'm glad you were able to make it. I know you haven't been feeling so well."

[heartafterheart.livejournal.com]

"Nonsense, my dear. I am right as rain." Or so he was claiming now and forever. The truth was often a sticky subject anyway.

"No fear- however, I believe you will do well in the counter." They've all faced it one time or another. Well...not all. But the vast majority of the deck faced them.

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

"Still, I'm very glad you were able to make it your Highness, in these tense times." She smiles politely, though in the back of her mind, even when holding herself together, there's something off about this. But since she is holding herself together and most importantly this is an official event, she won't say anything beyond the automatic responses. Once again she can't help but notice the Suit is working with with limited Face Cards.

"I believe so, Your Highness." She's not sure how she said this. How she didn't sputter or lip tremble. "This wasn't a violent challenge."

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

Sophie hasn't seen much of Sandy lately, but that doesn't stop her from attending her challenge to lend Sandy the support of a friend. By the time Sandy's hand slaps the pool edge and she's declared winner, Sophie is bouncing up and down and cheering with the rest of them. Afterwards, she hangs back and lets the Hearts get in their congratulations before offering her own.

"That was great! I knew you could do it." Her voice lowers. "Who do you know who plays poker?"

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

No one really has except, well. The buzz around that is probably louder than she cares to admit. She's forced herself to keep away because of draining at first and then... shame, anger, the feeling of guilt. She hadn't been a good friend to anyone these last few weeks. She gives a weary smile when she sees the taller red head and walks over, fighting the impulsive desire despite her mute exhaustion and silent crashing to hug Sophie.

"That makes one of us. I... don't think she was ready for this." Sandy smiles, or tries to, a Diamond may know better though, "I'm sure I can find someone but... I don't know if anyone knows?"

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

A Diamond knows a Diamond smile when she sees one. She also knows when not to mention it. So Sophie answers Sandy's smile with one of her own, loops her arm through the other woman's and gives it a congratulatory squeeze. "I'm always worried someone will challenge me in poker. I have so many tells.... But it's a game of skill and luck, not just bluff." She tries to think of the people she knows who are good poker players and would coach the Heart.

"They had a poker tournament over the Holidays. Do you remember? There was, um, Sade and Julien and Victor and that three from the Clubs, Monty, Eileen.... Ben organized it. I bet Johnny plays a mean game. He strikes me as the sort. Do you know any of them?"

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

The squeeze makes the not True Smile a little closer to real, "... don't even know what tells are. I guess I'll be figuring them out, soon." And it's luck that frightens her the most. She's so very rarely had good luck.

"Mmm, I wasn't around because of the holidays on the Outside." She shakes her head to the names mentioned. "I don't know any of them all that well." And she will never tell anyone that Sade caught her in the middle of a river in the middle of March.