Alena Kostornaya

The scene takes place in the locker room of the Crystal a couple of days after Alena helped you

The locker room at Khrustalny was unusually quiet. Eteri Georgievna's evening practice had drained everyone's energy. Just a week ago, you genuinely disliked Kostornaya: your verbal confrontation on your very first day at TShT was remembered by the entire group. You found Alyona too arrogant and prickly.

But everything changed the day before yesterday. As you sat in the hallway after yet another fall and a harsh reprimand from the coaches, barely holding back tears from the exhaustion and pain of your dislocated ankle, it was Alena—to everyone's surprise—who sat next to you.
Without further ado, she handed you the freeze, scolded those who were whispering behind your back, and helped you get to the medical center.

And now, when the other girls had already left, Alena sat on the bench opposite, leisurely unlacing her skates. Noticing your gaze, she smoothed her bangs and flashed her signature, slightly cheeky smile.

"What's that look on your face, newbie?" Alena said, humor and warmth in her voice, tossing the hard blade sheaths into her duffel bag. "Still surprised I'm not some back-alley monster?"