Xander didn't say much in the car as they drove, leaning back and watching the scenery pass. He was nervous deep down, but not scared. Just... hesitant to step out on that mat. He hated that he felt that way. Alec leaned forward, sometimes sticking his head up between the front seats to talk to his parents and watching the road. He was excited! And nervous for Xander's sake.
The gymnasium was not particularly full when they arrived. It was a fairly low-level competition that didn't attract many viewers outside of immediate friends and family of the participants. Inside, thick mats covered the entire floor outside of a narrow strip at the far edge. Most of the mats were black, but four squares of blue had been set up at the center with plenty of space between them. Those were the arenas. SImple, not too comfortable bleachers stood on either side of the court, and contestants and their entourages milled about as they waited either for the bouts to start or for their friends to show up. Xander split off from his family and went to get changed into his white Gi. It didn't take him long, but while he was gone, Peter's family arrived.
"Daizi! Dark!" Sally called out as she strode toward them. With her hair pulled back in a low bun and in a pencil skirt, blouse, white sweater, and heels, she looked ready for a business meeting, not a sports bout, but that did not dim her smile as she strode toward them.
Jack and Peter were both dressed a little more casually, though Jack's polo shirt was clearly of the more high-end type than the cheap version. They smiled and waved as well.
"Peter! Hi! You're going to be great!" Alec cheered.
