The Champion Tent

Darien noticed Boris going over and subconsciously moved forwards.

Ana grabbed his arm and yanked him back a step.
"Leave them be. It's not your fight any more." She muttered.

Darien looked crestfallen, but stayed where he was.
I can't have lost Diana...can I?
Quite possibly.
Ana! My thoughts time!
Don't care. And you are both pathetic.

Darien spared her a glare before glancing over at Diana...

"The same," Boris replied, trying to keep the nervousness out of his dark eyes. It was one thing to show Nick he was nervous: it was quite another to show it in front of a woman. In fact, it wasn't at all something he would consider doing. A small smile appeared on his face, to show he was not being stiffly formal about the whole thing.

"It... is not acceptable, in my country, to vish somevone luck or positive sentiments before an event occurs. A silly superstition practically programmed into who I am," Boris began with a measured confidence. "But... Nicolas says it is... -" the Russian boy heaved a sigh and attempted the phrase, "-boo-ay-nah s... svear-tay ((buena suerte))... in yours."

Hopefully I did not just butcher that beyond recognition... Boris mused, silently cursing his lingual habits.

Without another word, the Russian placed a hand on Diana's shoulder and gazed meaningfully into her eyes. Though he would not say it, the nearly onyx orbs clearly indicated a loud-and-clear, resounding:



It was a good thing that most of the people in the tent didn't know the real him... with the exception of Nick - who knew why he was being so pleasant toward Diana - and Darien, whom he was for the moment ignoring.

Helena stiffled a giggle at Boris' attempt at spanish... not that she was any better. Diana elbowed her.

"Ow..."

"Thanks," Diana said her voice a little bit shaky. But she gave Boris a smile. "Buena Suerte to you too, Boris."

Darien spun around, his back to Diana when Boris put a hand on her shoulder.
You're right Ana...It's not my fight anymore.

"Darien..."
But Darien had already swept out of the tent, back into the stands. But he refused to let his hurt show...except in the heart of his eyes.

Ana cursed quietly and conjured a seat. Now he was in a mood! Just brilliant.

But he wouldn't go far...He would never miss Diana fighting trolls.

Ana sighed.
Why was her brother such a drama queen?!

He was only barely aware of Helena's stifled giggle. To be honest, he was glad that someone else thought that laughter loosened one up as well. Perhaps he wasn't quite as insane as the Vaights thought he was...

At her reply, Boris responded with a smile in return. Though, words entirely failed him. What else was there to say, he asked himself?

He looked up at the sound of movement and noticed Darien had left the tent. That was... somewhat strange, to him. If it had been any other time, the Russian may have contemplated what was going on or even smirked in triumph. But right now... the only thing on his mind was the Task at hand. Literally and metaphorically speaking.

“I vill see you after the First Task,” Boris offered, giving Diana’s shoulder a light squeeze before approaching Nicolas once again. Once within arms reach the Russian teen initiated the handshake pattern created by him and Nick when they’d first founded the Conquistadors.

“I vould use the expression ‘vish me luck,’ but you already have,” Boris laughed. “See you after the task, my brother.”

And with that, Boris stepped out of the tent and into the bright sunlight...

With a very heavy sigh, Diana re-entered the Champion Tent to be engulfed between Helena and Nicolas.

"Guys... I can't breathe!"

Eglantine entered the tent, her wheelchair humming slightly as it hovered above the grass.
"Miss Casillas. You did wonderfully." she exclaimed, a rare smile gracing her face. Pride shone in her green eyes as she approached her student.

Diana breathed out once both Nicolas and Helena let her go.

"Thanks Professor, I was so very nervous."

Eglantine nodded. "I can imagine, Kleine." she returned. "But you did marvelously." She nodded to Helena and Nicholas as well.

"Kleine?" Diana said slightly confused.

"It is German, Miss Casillas. Um...little chicken or little one." Eglantine glanced around. Kiara had asked the same question. Whenever she was nervous, excited or happy, she had trouble not lapsing into either Gaelic or German.

"Oh..." Diana wasn't sure how she felt about being called little chicken but then realized it was really part of a language. In spanish for example, 'mono' meant cute however, literally speaking it meant monkey."Thanks Professor." Diana repeated. "I hope I fair well with the judges though...."

"I am sure you will score well." she nodded, her smile replaced with her usual indifferent expression.