Phoebe

Up on the stadium roof, the wind was gusting strongly enough that Phoebe had to lean on Soot's shoulder as they waited for their turn to practice on the starter perches. The sky was grey, and despite the wind, it was a muggy, clingy day. Between that and the lingering stiffness in her shoulders, her race suit felt like ancient plate armour.

Ahead, the crested gold form of Marca Calwehr's Squillo spread his wings, crouched low and leapt. His first stroke as he pushed left towards the first ring wavered in the wind, and then he was away. Next in line, the tiny, delicate form of Sam Muiko hauled herself up into Pil's saddle, and the yellow-and-red-clad Reubas techs set about checking their stirrups. Phoebe patted Soot gently, preparing to walk him forward once Pil mounted the perch.

"Phoebe." The voice startled her, and it took her a moment to realise that the unfamiliar flat tone belonged to Niki. She turned to find the tall, gold-crowned rider standing by Soot's tail, arms folded. Zir grey-green race suit was a perfect complement for the day. Wind seemed to flow even in the patterns of shade over its quilted surface.

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"Hey, Niki." She hadn't realised ze had come up behind her in the queue, but Incandesia hulked with her back to the wind, thirty yards away across the grey felt, attended by a gaggle of Lautern personnel. Something about Niki's pose put tension in Phoebe's spine. Please don't make me-

"Is it true?" Again there was no sign of the airy, gracious voice that Niki had cultivated over the time they'd known one another. Zir tone was dull as stone.

Please don't make me lie to you. Phoebe tried to sound cheerful. "The rumours?"

Niki rested a hand on Soot's scales. "Is Tenebrae a mob team?"

"No!" Phoebe didn't have to pretend any of the vehemence that surged in her throat. "It's my team." Relieved, she chuckled. "Well, mine and Petunia's. I definitely wouldn't have made it this far without her."

Niki showed no sign of cheer, zir attention on Soot again. "You really tamed him from wild?"

"Could've done a better job of it," Phoebe managed, hoping that Niki wouldn't notice her tense out of the corner of zir eye.

The other rider straightened and faced her again for a moment. Zir voice stayed flat. "Good luck out there."

"Thanks, you too."

Niki walked away without another word.