“I wonder what it is that people like me have in common. I wonder what that driving force is that allows them to come so close, and just as their fingertips brush their goal, the entire world is turned upside down in front of them. I wonder…”

“Oh quit your whining. I’m sure that all those people have something in common, but I highly doubt that they all were literally hanging upside down. At least you didn’t come in dead last.”

Jester scowls at Lani as her face come into view. She’s pretty, even with her wind-tousled hair. Even upside down.

“You also didn’t try. Or train as hard as I did. And I know for a fact that Giselle didn’t train nearly as hard as me.”

Lani rolls her eyes. “Giselle also wasn’t nearly as stressed as you. Plus, her mount is much better than yours is. So what if you put the work in? I know that. You know that. So why does it matter if anyone else knows?”

Jester doesn’t answer. Lani sighs. “I thought you didn’t care about pride. I seem to recall a certain someone saying it was beneath him?”

“Faant.” He mumbles, before swinging out of the tree.

“Curd.” Lani replies curtly. He smirks at her, and she grins back.