[center] [h2][b] Saturday March 18th 2094 Qualifying Day South African AGP Cape Town, South Africa 0637 GMT [/b] [/h2] [/center] [hr] Hyeon-Ae ran her fingers through the stream of water pouring from the faucet and sighed. Ten seconds on the coldest setting and still lukewarm. Was it even possible to live like this? Was she just spoiled? No, she decided, with a mild frown kept to herself, it was them who were content to live in squalor. She wetted the hand towel lightly and used it to dab at her forehead before laying it over her shoulder and turning the faucet off. Back in her room, she swiped open her touchpad and sat down on the bed as she pressed play on the footage she'd been watching the night before. Old footage from South Africa. She'd practiced on it, ran it in a simulator, and even then there could be something she missed to be gained from simple analysis like this. She flicked through footage and snapshots of previous years' pilots who were going to face her on this track and had at least last year of prior experience with the layout. Did she gain much from it? She'd already combed over their weaknesses with a fine tooth comb, and looking at highlights of Stirling taking corners wouldn't be of much help since the Zygon machine was hopelessly outclassed. Still, maybe she'd find a kernel of information. What else was there to do but work? [hr] [center] [h2][b] Race prep Several hours later [/b] [/h2] [/center] Hyeon-Ae obsessively checked the clasp on her glove again, staring at the machine in front of her as had become her ritual of choice. All around her, engineers pulled out the final stops for the moment ahead. The strategy team and old man Jinwoo had told her not to put too much of her energy into this one hot-lap, that results would shake out properly during the real thing. But they were wrong. Broadcasting strength was as important as being strong. Fans, sponsors, the team, her own willpower. Everything was tuned by reactions to the world as they perceived it; a bad result would temper expectations going forward, a good result would lift interest in the team - and more importantly in the brand that was Han Hyeon-Ae. She stretched out her arms as they contained her in the bulky suit, helmet locking to keep her in with only her own breath and her thoughts. “It's ready for you, Hyeon-Ae [I]ssi[/I],” one of the engineers cut in from the side after all external checks were done. Hyeon-Ae made her way to the vehicle, climbing into her little metal home and shifting for comfort. Today set the mood for the future. [hr] [center] [h3][b] Radio Highlights [/b] [/h3] [/center] “Overheat warnings.” “[I]Ye[/I], I'm pushing it.” … “Whose idea [I]exactly[/I] was it to tune the dorsals to such high resistance? We need to talk about this.” [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b] Interview[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Hyeon-Ae, who had been sitting quiet, placidly smiling while Aurora and Cassie spoke, straightened her back as she expected the questions to soon swing her way. "A shame, but these things can happen. Han, do you look forward to fighting in the mid pack and bringing home the points?” “I am looking forward to it, of course. Valkyrie are, how do you say, a classic nemesis, but I think we will do well against them.” Han offered with a confident smile, before tilting her head briefly towards Cassie. The camera picks up the brief look that does not look as filled with camaraderie. But you'd have to pause for it. “And Miss Cassie should not be discounted either; she always finds new ways to surprise us with her bold moves.” [hr] [center] [h2][b] Post-qualifier Bathroom [/b] [/h2] [/center] She gripped the porcelain tightly, eyes downcast to stare at the swirling water escaping down the drain. It's not your fault. This isn't you. You did your part. The mantra repeated in her head, over and over, a futile attempt to ward away the self-criticism, the doubt. The memories of punishment and disappointment. Perfection is the only way. The racing team - the sponsors - Cassie - none of them had acted like this was any issue. None of them seemed worried, none of them were unhappy. So why did she feel so nauseous? “Miss Hyeon-Ae, Marketing Manager Lee wants to speak with you. I have her here on the phone.” Sanbeng spoke through the door. Hyeon-Ae looked up at the mirror, at the weak, unacceptable loser staring back at her. She lifted her hand to pull a few hairs from her eyes, and relaxed her face slowly. Practiced smiling gently a few times. Drove away the demons with some practiced happiness. With a task to focus on - to talk to someone - the doubts went away on their own. Now it was time to perform again. She left her hiding place to exit back out into reality. Took the phone off of her aide. “Naeyun [i]nim[/i], what a delight to hear from you so soon~...”