You rise to the Cowgirl’s challenge and get back up. (Requires Stamina 3)

Aches and pains erupt across your body as you start to rise, but you grit your teeth and ignore them. This isn’t so much about avoiding a facesit as proving to your opponent that you can take the absolute worst she can dish out and keep on coming.

Steadying your breathing, you get one hand underneath yourself, then the other, and slowly push yourself up to your knees. You’re half-expecting Dinah to cheat, maybe to step on your back and keep you from rising, but she just stands there and regards you curiously as you put all your effort into meeting her challenge.

Your bruised abs and ribs twinge in protest as you get up a little further, but it’s worth it to see the look on the Cowgirl’s face—surprised disbelief starts to dawn on her pretty features as she realizes that you’re actually about to pull it off.

“Well, I will be good God damned,” she says, shaking her head in bemusement. “Somebody’s been holdin’ out on me this entire time.”

The grimace of effort on your face slowly fades into a triumphant grin as you straighten up slowly, and finally stand to face the Cowgirl, in defiance of her arrogant challenge and all the odds against you. The crowd roars its approval of your fighting spirit (though some do seem to be disappointed that they didn’t get to see her sit on your face).

“I do love me a man with some guts,” Dinah admits, “and even if you are a little out of your league, you’ve obviously got ‘em to spare. Go rest up for a minute or two. You’re gonna need it.”

Your eyebrows shoot up. “You’re actually gonna let me...”

She chuckles and nods. “I wasn’t lyin’ to ya. Go.”

Thanking your training and your lucky stars for the break, you lean heavily against the ropes, trying to plan your comeback.