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[hr][sup][color=47815a][b]47815a[/b][/color][color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [b] Arena [/b][/sup][/center][hr]

Without asking, but definitely fishing, Evelyn took some of his pain away like an immediate shot of an opioid medication. But better because it didn’t need to be injected or swallowed or make him too dopey. [color=#ffc300]“You’ll still need to take care of it,”[/color] she said. 

Daniel found himself exhaling dreamily as pressure released from his back and he felt like a real boy again who could sit, stand and move with ease if he wanted. He nodded at her kind warning. [color=47815a]"Whatever you say,"[/color] he replied, more like a child that wouldn’t quite heed a cautionary tale than completely dismissive. 

River read out the results for all to hear. And he read a lot of names and times that weren’t Daniel Vadas yet. He had no expectations to be in the top tier. That was all Zeus and Ares kids’ place but still, he wasn’t called at 10 or 11 minutes. Then his name fell after 12 minutes. He beat the 15 minute window after all.

However, the list rolled on, looking more grim for others. His current company falling past the 15 minute mark and nearing 16. That obviously bust the mood because her soothing ceased on him, and she tried to nurse and soothe her own composure instead. Daniel sat up slowly, studying her. He didn’t think he had ever seen her upset. Or shitty. A darker part of him was quite intrigued to see the new side but she gathered herself well enough. [i]Of course she did.[/i]

The goodies were dismissed for the whole rest of the day. But Daniel stayed unmoving, because there was no mention of the baddies yet. Then…BOMBSHELL! The poor bastards who didn’t meet the time had to run it again. Had he not been near Evelyn and recently aided by her, he would’ve laughed. He could feel the suppressed laughter tickle his throat as he rubbed his jaw to cover his fleeting smile. It wasn’t typical funny, it wasn’t bully funny, but it was ironic and just a tad chaotic. 

The redhead next to him grabbed the water she previously refused with intent, took a few gulps and replaced it unhappily. [color=#ffc300]“Excuse me.”[/color]

Daniel bowed his head forgivingly, lips wavering to fight a smile. He didn’t take any slamming of bottles personally. She had right to be ticked off and didn’t have to use manners. But she did.

Daniel sighed to himself, getting to his feet. Well, he wasn’t exactly sure the support she wanted was more witnesses to the course again. But he did feel bad as more than a few people brought their plus ones along and she autopiloted to do it alone. No expectant glances at the stands for help or batting her eyes to charm someone into it. Daniel rubbed his neck and sat back down. It was the least he could do. She moved with focus and tunnel vision, he was almost certain she wanted - or at least expected, to do it alone.

There were early signs of fatigue on the re-run. More errors, less zest. From her and the others. The rope wasn’t happening for her but she tried when she should have skipped past it a lot earlier than she did. She hesitated at the pool, seemingly pausing for a long moment at the start. He squinted his eyes, wondering what was going on in that head of hers from afar. She dove in and pretty quickly he could see it. Fine in appearance but not what she had her first round and her strokes only carried her most the way before they deteriorated and she broke for the wall.

Evelyn yelled out at River. Not for help as much as mercy, like he was actively torturing her. Daniel’s eyes widened as he looked between River who was cool as a cucumber and Evelyn. She snapped. She actually snapped.

Daniel didn’t budge from his spot though until she was finished and let her legs cave. He rose from the stands and headed down to the arena to her steadily, honestly half expecting someone else would peel her from the ground or sit with her before he got there. But maybe she was too goal orientated for her own good. Maybe no one wanted to accompany the girl that had her first outburst in a century. Daniel held his hand out to help her up. [color=47815a]"I gotcha."[/color] This time it was his turn to offer an assuring smile with a wink.

He pulled her to her feet and steadied her with his other hand. Daniel stepped back with a small relieved exhale when he was confident she could stand on her own without swaying or faltering. [color=47815a]"Hey, maybe all this drying, running the course, jotting down notes and observing people will wear him out,"[/color] he tried. Something again they both knew better about but as long as it was a comforting thought.

Daniel looked her over. She was undeniably attractive even when sweating, shot to hell, raw hands and…between her top and pants, the peak of a scar stuck out. He grinned. [color=47815a]"Welcome to the club."[/color] Daniel pat over his predominant scar on his chest currently concealed by his shirt, having shown and told Evelyn about all his battle scars before. [color=47815a]"It’s basically camp initiation. You’re locked in now."[/color]

With a flick of the wrist, their jackets landed in his arms. [color=47815a]"Whenever you’re ready,"[/color] he said with gentle sincerity. She could sit, lean, stand and talk as long as she liked. He didn’t mind.

Maybe there was a moment or two that ticked by where he was normal and tame. But thinking more on how Evelyn wasn’t quite ship-shape and she crashed out, the wheels started turning. Confident they had their own space around them, he let it fly. [color=47815a]"You know, with your blessing, I can, uh, give him a visitor later."[/color] Unsatisfied with his own sales pitch, sure that was too ominous for her liking, he continued. [color=47815a]"Make sure the leader is actual leader material, give him a proper dose of camp."[/color] It was still ominous, but at least it had an experimental purpose. No different really than what he was doing to them. [i]Still wasn't sitting right?[/i] [color=47815a]"If he doesn't apologize?"[/color] he suggested as a sweetener.

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Evelyn [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] River[/color]
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