Jane vs Jhoselin

We all have barely time to catch our breaths and contemplate how close the delectable number one seed came to defeat, before the next two combatants take their stand. It has been decided (which means by Overseer suggestion and my agreement) that four contests will take place on the same day, followed a number of days of rest and reflection, then another four contests and so on until round one (64 contests in all) is done. That will make 16 days of action here in the arena spread over a few months, and in the meantime we shall all be adjusting to life (or death, in many cases) under two suns.

So what of these two? There is great anticipation again – maybe not quite as much, for neither are seeded – because featured here we have the second of what we can consider the great matriarchs of the roster. Jane Lomax is 46 years old and the mother of no less than five daughters who feature here. As with the late Rachel, she found a piano teacher for them. Over a period of 12 years he got to know and like them all – sexually, but also as people – starting with Elina the eldest, until one day they got wind of local news they would rather have not have been subjected to. Me neither, though.

No, he did not lay hands on any of them on Earth. And their ages here on New Eden are wholesomely biologically developed, so far be it from the Emperor to show perversion:

Elina (22), Sarah (20, Serena (19), Melissa (15), Ailish (14).

Serena is number 7 seed. Their turn will come. There was another daughter would you believe (the youngest), but she was so dull to me – neither sexy nor any good at the piano – that she has been left out, 128 places on the entrants list being so valuable.

Jhoselin Ramos has not the slightest connection to Jane, being an 18-year-old Spanish girl from Zaragosa. Extraordinary fate lent a hand for her during my expedition to see the total eclipse, the day after the Overseer had laid out the offer’s details to me, amongst which was that I might select three ‘wildcards’ as it were. I was permitted to choose three from any random encounters I might have during my trip, even though their influence on my life was surely so minimal, but as a way to celebrate the special event and the ‘total’ (pun) watershed that eclipse 2026, Spain, had turned out to be in my life.

I paid a visit to the Zaragosa football club’s souvenir shop and when it came to buy the shirts I’d chosen, it transpired that assistant Jhoselin could speak no more English than I could Spanish, which is saying something. She got quite flustered by this, but we managed, especially when she got the inspiration of writing down the amount on a piece of paper – 145 Euros, damn expensive these team kits – and sliding it over to me. I smiled, as did she, and it is that solitary incident which has caused her to get this wonderful opportunity. She is only moderately cute, but some things stick in one’s mind.