As medical equipment beeped, a dozing Danni curled up beside her, Sabine had a few brief moments to think things through. Was she proud of her efforts? Could she stand back and see how she did in the fight between the Hex Girls and the Young Avengers and be content she gave it her all? The answer came fairly easily to her.

No.

The team itself was ramshackle, put together at the last minute. They had trained somewhat together, and they were friends, but that did not make them a great team. They gave it their all, they won against the Hex Girls despite their cheating attempts, but what was Sabine's contribution? She was not a close-combat person. She helped get some of their defenses down, but when it came to offense she was lacking significantly. And how many times had she tried to fight back only for her efforts to fail or worse?

She needed to get stronger. She needed to be better. Surely there was something she could do to focus her powers on more offensive capabilities. She would need help though and, so far, most of their teachers or supports had betrayed them or were gone. She wondered if Max knew of someone. Would he want to help her powers grow though? She supposed it didn't hurt to ask.

Someone came barreling in to the medbay. One of the staff for the contest who shared the news. The contest was over. Champions were crowned. And it was them.

They had won.

[h1][b][i][color=A2797E][center]Sabine Bassard[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1][center][img]https://i.redd.it/jcwl0xyqlj5e1.gif[/img][/center][center][/center][hr][center][color=A2797E][b]Location[/b][/color]: Contest of Champions -> The Court of Two Sisters
[color=A2797E][b]Gear[/b][/color]: N/A
[color=A2797E][b]Skills[/b][/color]: N/A
[/center]
[hr][hr]

After it was announced it was a whirlwind of information flying at her. Once she had her phone back she opened her social media accounts to see her numbers (formerly at a substantial amount) had doubled in size. She read messages of hope and inspiration, along with a few death threats. There were sponsorship offers and one invitation to a school that specialized in working with telepaths. She almost clicked on it instantly, but decided against it. She wanted to savor the moment.

They were photographed and it felt like hours. Sabine was used to it, but she knew the others were not. Her eyes drifted to Leah. How had she felt in this moment? Excitement over the victory? Upset with her for leaving? And what of the whole thing with the Hex Girls? That had not been resolved as far as she knew. Sabine made a mental note to go talk to Thuy at some point.

They were bombarded from all over and it was dizzying and spectacular. The team was rounded up to give answers to interview questions. Sabine had done a few AMA's in the past so she knew the score. There would be softball questions until they got to the soundbite questions; the ones they knew would get a quote to plaster over social media and make them look bad. Sabine had done it before, she knew how to skirt around a question or answer it in a way that it still made her look good. But Sabine was also not in the best headspace, reeling from recent events.

"Sabine! You've amassed a large social media following - how do you stay humble amidst the fame?"

[color=A2797E]"This is going to sound cliche, but it really is about my fans. I've felt more connected to them than ever, especially after sharing my own struggles. I think a lot of influencers try to hide the flaws that we all have. And trust me, they keep me grounded!"[/color]

"Sabine! What is your connection to the Hex Girls?"

[color=A2797E]"We met before the contest. Or rather, I met their leader Thuy. We traded barbs, but nothing more than that. She seemed eager to fight and I hope we put it all out there to her satisfaction."[/color]

"Sabine! You surrendered on the field, and now here you are, celebrating. Why?"

She knew this question would come. She had prepared. [color=A2797E]"I did not surrender with an easy heart. My choice to abstain was from different angles. I was in no safe shape to continue after being hit hard, kudos to America. But also we had just been put through the ringer and it didn't seem like the best option to continue, especially when I was so worried for Danni, Dorian, and Billy. Being hit out of the contest is one thing, but to go through something potentially traumatic and be expected to continue, it didn't feel right. However, I am still proud of my team for their continued desire to fight despite all of that and I'd like to think I helped before that all went down. Why wouldn't I celebrate my team's victory?"[/color]

"Sabine! Are you back together with your ex, April? How does Leah feel about this?"

[color=A2797E]"That is between us, if you don't mind. Let's keep the questions focused on the contest, yeah?"[/color] Not the best response, but April or Leah didn't need that at this moment.

"Sabine! Telepaths are more often seen as villains rather than heroes. How can you commit to earn the public's trust, if we cannot know the choice is our own?" 

[color=A2797E]"I understand the initial mistrust of telepaths and psychics and those with mind altering abilities. It is very easy for them to go down the path of evil, to get things they want with little effort. That is why it is important to highlight those that choose otherwise. Those that make attempts to do good, to lay everything out there for the world to see. And yes, part of it is on you, the world as a whole, to allow yourselves to trust. I've met people who have every reason to hate me and they don't. Someone close to me has every right to distrust me and want nothing to do with me and yet they still call me their friend. Heroes give people a chance to show they can be good and I do not, no I will not throw away that opportunity."[/color]

"Sabine! Can you do the new Snikt! dance?"

Sabine held in a laugh that would have rocketed the table. After being bombarded with personal questions, it was honestly soothing to be asked something so light-hearted. [color=A2797E]"I can try. I haven't practiced at all, but let's see what I can do."[/color]

[hr]

It had been settled before, but Sabine wanted nothing to do with the Hex Girls for now. She hoped the others would join them at The Court of Two Sisters for an impromptu celebration with the Young Avengers.

Sabine had gotten changed into something [url=https://www.refinery29.com/images/11845396.jpg?format=webp&width=720&height=864&quality=85&crop=5%3A6]more comfortable[/url] and made her way over. As she did, she marveled at New Orleans. She had not traveled much within the United States, her family preferring to take trips to Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Greece. The closest she ever came before was going to Mexico. But she knew cities like this were filled with magic and culture. A city that felt like it had its own heartbeat.

She arrived at the place and made her way inside. She scanned to see if she could see anyone and saw the Young Avengers talking and laughing with each other. As she made her way over she caught the tell-tail head of curly hair. Leah had made it. That was good, she reminded herself. 

[color=A2797E]"Hey guys. Nice to see you. That was a great fight. Especially you America. I think I am still reeling from that punch."[/color] Then her eyes wandered over to Leah as she stepped closer. [color=A2797E]"Leah, we haven't had a moment to talk since the contest ended. How are you?"[/color]