Backstage at TUFF, the noise of the arena hummed low through the walls as Lola adjusted the tape on her wrist, steady, familiar—until she noticed Evie just a few steps away, hands careful, practiced, something calm in the middle of all the chaos. Lola didn’t rush it; she never did. She gave a small, soft smile instead, stepping just close enough to be heard without crowding her space. “Hey… you’re Evie, right?” Her voice was warm, a little nervous but grounded. “I’ve seen the way people walk away from your table—like they can breathe again.” A pause, just enough to let Evie choose the moment. “I’m Lola. No pressure or anything, but… if you ever need someone to practice on, or just sit with when it gets loud back here… I’m pretty good at that.”