[Maya looks relieved to see it. Maybe if she were someone else, she might have reached out to pat his shoulder or give him a hug. Instead, she simply gives a little shrug at his question. Moving right along.]

In retrospect, it seems quite a lot less devastating. [It's still devastating to her but...]

I was part of a competition back home. A series of duels against competitors unknown. The winner would be granted the ability to stand on any stage they so desired. It was... everything I had always worked for. And given my background, I should have been successful.

But my photo showed me losing.