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

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

"If people see you as that, it's their issue if they're so willing to judge someone by their outer appearance first." A slight wince when she says those words, remembering she used to be one of these people. "And I'm sorry you got challenged into that of all things. But you'll prevail. I know it."

"And I have a feeling if Zoë wouldn't have thrown herself so fast at it." It could just be Andrea projecting her experience on someone else. Starting at 18 and so close to becoming a 7 or even 8 at the age of 20. Most of the ambition stemmed from her parents' pressuring to be worthy. She starts to smooth out Sandy's hair again, the motions trying to be comforting and sure. "For now. Rest yourself for a little while if you're tired. Everything will be alright. You can do this. You won this challenge. You'll win the counter too. I can help you in poker if you want."

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

"... but when they have the power or the influence, there's... not so much I can do about that." Her voice is raw and she sounds so tried. She's going to creep into her bed, text her father about the outcome before shutting off her phone and sleeping for the rest of the day. "... I don't. I don't know how. I mean, Poker and... all of that.

Another shrug, though Charolette put the pressure on Zoe. But... so many parents did on Deck. She winces, but not in a bad way. The last time someone smoother her hair like this had been her mother. "I'd... like all of that."

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

"They're nothing but close-minded bullies then." Try to ignore that dull throb in her chest. Try not to wonder what this will be like if Sandy was smaller and had green eyes and her hair or his smile. "Don't let them get the best of you or push you too hard. It's what people like them attempted to do to so many people in the Deck in the past."

A sigh and she hugs Sandy tighter. A lot of people were still pushed down or sat on. Only a lucky few wiggled out to become something great. Andrea knew Sandy will be one of them. "Then it's settled. I'll help you then in Poker. If I can talk to my mother, I'll even get my old cards and games teacher to help you."