The stress of their first matches might have gotten to other people. There are countless instances of how it could - whether through butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms, or just plain old nerves.

But those concerns were for lesser fighters. 

Some others might succumb to a different temptation. As the crystal fire infuses you, as you become one with your mecha, the thrill, the rush, it all comes to a point of adrenaline and rash decisions.

Those concerns were for lesser pilots.

There would be no such mistakes here today. Not from her, not after all her training, not after all her research and [i]definitely [/i]not after all the jokes otherwise from the Terrible Trio. Some pilots might take consolation that the qualifiers are not knockout territory, but Isabelle Lozano was not just "some pilot". She meant to ace the qualifiers, no matter what. It was time to put on a show, and part of that meant not just waltzing into her opponent's trap.

And most definitely not after such low-bar trash talk. I mean, [i]come on[/i], give the commentators something interesting to speak about!

"You know, "Jacinterina", I would have expected at least a better opening shot than that." she says, injecting her voice with just the right balance of snark and venom to play well on the holos, as well as to get the other woman off balance. Most definitely emphasising the air quotes too. Those were important.

"Is all that time running from the law finally taking its toll on your banter? Or is this just another one of your decoys? I mean, I understand wanting to hide after everything that happened to you."

Mentally, she took a breath, hoping that the research would pay off as she moved Emberlight into cover, waiting for the inevitable reaction. On her face was a half-lidded smirk for the cameras. She was in control of the situation, after all.

"I mean, it's not every day you get a hunt called on you by your own tribe. Such a pity. It's going to be a long time before you can be around someone and blink."

[[b]Know your place[/b]: 4 + 5 + 2 : [b]11[/b] - word spreads of her sharp wit and she takes +1 forward against 'Jacinta', who now has to pick an option from the move. (Back down, Make a fool of themself, Attack her]