Open To Lose with Grace

[Brooke Townsend]

Brooke didn't consider herself a bitter person. Sitting around sulking was for talentless people who had nothing better to do with their time than lament their own failures. In previous years, when she'd been knocked out of the duelling tournament, she had just been all the more adamant about winning next year. She'd work harder, practice more, and finally get a chance to show Sydney she was a force to reckoned with. But after this year, Brooke didn't know how much harder she could truly work. She'd given it her all and she'd still lost. To Ivy, no less. Someone who'd spent most of the school year so far with watching herself in the mirror rather than working on her spellwork. It was insulting and demoralizing and Brooke wanted nothing more than to storm back to her dormroom and pretend she hadn't even tried.

She'd made it about as far as the exit to the duelling chamber before Brooke stopped herself, leaning against the cold stone wall and taking a few deep breaths. It was unbecoming to run away just because she lost. Brooke didn't want to let anyone know this affected her, but maybe she could allow a few moments to be upset before forcing herself back into the chamber to watch the rest of the matches.

 

[Simon Thorne]

Simon was disappointed in himself, which wasn't new. But the dueling tournament was one of the rare times at school where he actually felt like he was competent. He usually lost to Sydney in the end but he usually at least made it past the first round. It being the last tournament he'd probably ever enter also seemed to add insult to injury and he need to get some air before going back to cheer on the rest of his friends. Or get as much air as he could in the dungeons. Simon ran a hand over his faces and noticed he wasn't the only one licking their wounds and he saw Sydney's sister sulking just outside. He hadn't paid much attention to the rest of the results, except to see that his clueless brother had managed to win his first match. But from her expression he could guess she wasn't happy. He took a few tentative steps before ducking his head to try and catch her eye. "Stiff competition this year, eh?" he said, trying to sound sympathetic.

 

[Brooke Townsend]

Brooke glanced up at the sound of someone approaching, quickly moving to smooth down her hair and wipe at her face. She didn't imagine she'd been actually crying, even if she'd felt like it, but the horror at the idea of even puffy eyes was enough to warrant a quick brush under her eyes just in case. She stilled her movements though when she recognized that it was Simon, one of Sydney's very limited friends, talking to her. For a moment she imagined he was here to deliver some message from Sydney, straightening her shoulders defensively at his comment, trying to parse out his meaning. It sounded sincere, and Sydney generally didn't bother with this sort of obfuscation when she was displeased. Brooke wouldn't even be surprised if her sister hadn't even noticed she'd joined the tournament, let alone lost already. "Quite... I would have preferred to make it another round, but these things happen I suppose," she said, trying to keep her voice composed despite the way her throat still tightened when she spoke, making her voice catch. It was just a stupid school match, she thought, frowning at her own reaction, she shouldn't be so upset.

 

[Simon Thorne]

Simon nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. "Couldn't agree more." he said with a sigh and notices the sharp up right way she carried herself. He'd seen his sister do that too. Maybe it wasn't such a stretch that Brooke and Lila were friends. But he started to realize that the bitterness he felt after his lose was already fading fast. It was like the tension that kept his reflexes sharp in the duel seemed to leave him all at once. "At least you have next year." he said sounding equally tired and wistful. The sadness was still there but he didn't want to dwell on it. "Who did you lose to?" he asked curiously.