"So. ."

The sun has set, but the Upknott College indoor basketball court is brightly lit.

You and Meg, sitting in a front row of the stands, watch Jo snatch the ball out of the air. She feints left, dodges right and darts between two startled rival players, her long legs pumping in her green Upknott Unicorns shorts and matching jersey.

Her chestnut hair is tied into a ponytail. Her mocha skin gleams with sweat. You’re not too familiar with this newfangled mortal game of “basketball”, but she seems pretty good at it, as well as you can judge that sort of thing.

You nudge Meg.

“So. ****.”

“Not so loud.”

“Don’t worry. Nobody will overhear me unless I want them to. You’d like me to bring Jo down a notch, is that correct?”

“...right now?”

“What better time?”

“In front of all these people?” The stands are full of Upknott College students and basketball fans from rival Paxton U, all cheering on their respective teams. All eyes are on Jo as she sprints down the court, aiming to make a daring three-point shot. “I mean, that guy even has a video camera…”

“Perfect. All you need to do is say the word.”

“But…”

The ball sails through the air. Lands directly in the hoop, a stunning long-distance shot that puts the Unicorns once more in the lead of a very close game. Jo raises her arms in triumph, turning to face the cheering home crowd, a huge victorious grin on her face.

There’s a sudden, savage gleam in Meg’s eye.

“Do it,” she said. “Now.”