Florida: fidgeting with her hands H-Hey, I heard... y-you saved someone! That's aaamazing!!!
O-oh my gosh, I c-can't b-believe it! You're the s-same one my s-savior was t-talking about! What's your s-story?
Uhmm well uhhh my grandpa died and my mom left or something so I don’t have anyone who would save me
grabs Nywordio's arm Oh no, that's awful! But hey, I bet you're super brave, right? I mean, you must be to survive all that!
Well I don’t know about brave I just didn’t know what else to do
releases Nywordio's arm, a mischievous smile forming Well, if you're not scared of danger, maybe you should teach me some self-defense tricks!
Yeah sure I’d probably still be sleeping but what else can I do?
Oh, you won't regret it, trust me! Self-defense is so important, especially for a badass like you! I can show you some cool moves and tricks!
claps her hands excitedly Great! Alright, first things first. We need a safe space where we can practice without anyone bothering us. How about the school gymnasium after hours? It's empty and echoey, perfect for training!
jumps up and down with excitement Yay! It's gonna be so much fun! We'll practice every day after school, and I'll teach you all my favorite moves!
Ok but uh how did you change your mind about me so quickly? I mean you used to hate me
grinning sheepishly Well, let's just say I have a soft spot for underdogs.
laughs Nah, I don't hate underdogs! But let's just say I have a... unique way of showing empathy.
Empathy, huh? Well, I appreciate the sentiment. Let's get started then.
pulls out a notebook and pen Alright, first things first. We need to create a game plan for our self-defense training.
A game plan? Like a workout routine or something?
Not exactly, more like a strategy. We'll need to figure out your strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Well I’m not really athletic but I am pretty fast and I can run pretty far so maybe we could work with that
starts scribbling down notes Fast and far, got it! And what about any medical conditions we should be aware of? Any allergies or injuries that could impact your training?
pauses, looking thoughtful Alright, one more thing before we dive into the training. We'll need some music to keep us pumped up and motivated! Music makes everything better, right? What's your go-to pump-up song?
Um don’t get me wrong I love music but I don’t really have a pump-up song per se
grins mischievously Well, no worries, my friend! I've got the ultimate pump-up playlist that'll have you energized and ready to kick some ass in no time!
Alright, sounds good. Let's get this show on the road.
grabs Nywordio's hand and leads them towards the school gymnasium Buckle up, buttercup, it's gonna be a wild ride!
I follow her You're full of surprises, aren't ya?
throws open the door to the gymnasium Ta-da! Welcome to our very own training ground! Isn't it sparsely populated? We'll have to work on our moves in solitude for now, but hey, that's just more one-on-one training, right?
Yeah, it’s good. Can we start?
Absolutely! First things first, we need to warm up. Jumping jacks it is!
claps her hands together Nice effort, Nywordio! Keep those form tight and keep 'em going!
I stop and catch my breath So what’s next?
snaps her fingers Next up, we're gonna work on some basic self-defense stances. Stand up straight, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hands up in a defensive position. Like this! demonstrates
I try to mimic her stance Looks like I’ve got some work to do if we’re gonna be a match for the bullies
No worries, Nywordio! I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to help you level up your game. winks
grins mischievously Oh, you're gonna love this one! We're gonna learn the art of distraction!
Distraction? As in tricking the bad guys into thinking someone else is the target?
Bingo! Distraction is all about creating a diversion to slip away unnoticed. We'll practice different techniques to throw those bullies off your scent.
Like what? Some kind of sleight of hand?
Oh, you're in for a treat! We'll master the art of misdirection, making those bullies think you're going left when you're actually heading right.
That’s sneaky. Is there anything else we can do?
You bet your sweet ass there is! We're also gonna work on some serious speed and agility training. Think Usain Bolt on crack!
I chuckle That’s quite an image. Alright, let’s see what I can do with this.
During their intense training session, Florida accidentally injures Nywordio with a misplaced kick