“If you kick with your toes like that you’ll hurt yourself,” Phoenix says.
“Well then, how am I supposed to do it?” I ask.
“You’re supposed to kick with your foot flat so you hit with your whole foot, not just your toes.”
“Why do I have to do that?” I’ve never heard anything like that in action movies.
“Do you want to break or sprain a toe?”
“No.” Obviously.
“That’s why.”
I kick again, this time following Phoenix’s instructions. After a few more demonstrations we move on to me trying to hit a target, which is Phoenix. His hands, rather. Then the ever-charming Derek joins us outside.
“What are you guys doing now?” he asks.
“Kicking.” I reply curtly. Hopefully he’ll take the hint and go away.
“And you expect to go hand-to-hand every time? Doesn’t seem very likely.”
And there he goes again!
“Well I need to start somewhere don’t I?” I am not hiding my anger well. I have to forcefully open my clenched fists. Derek scoffs. Bastard! I take a swing at him but he dodges easily.
“You should probably practice more.” I growl menacingly, but he doesn’t seem to care. As usual.
Phoenix sighs. “Alright, stop fighting. Both of you. We have things to do.” He gives a meaningful look at Derek before we both go inside. Today we finally get to meet Phoenix’s rebel group. For the past few days he’s been going out to talk with them. I think it’s to let them know about the new people he met, but I’m not sure. I didn’t ask.
We wait a bit before leaving so Derek can snag something to eat for breakfast. We’re going to have to find jobs soon or we’re going to run out of food. We head out, Phoenix leading us through busy streets before turning off into a nearly empty shadowy alley. We make some turns before reaching a quiet street with old, worn buildings.
Phoenix walks up to one and knocks on the door. It opens and he has a hushed conversation with someone inside before the three of us get let inside. I step inside to an immaculately kept living room with several chairs and a table at the back covered in knives. A freckle-covered girl with horns sits at the table, sharpening a dagger. She greets us with a wave before resuming what she was doing and the man who let us in disappears down the hall.
It isn’t long before a different man comes down the hall toward us, with a tail swishing behind him.
“Good to see you again Phoenix. I assume these are the friends you mentioned.”
“Yes, this is Alex and Derek.” He motions towards the both of us, on either side of him.
The man looked us both over before saying, “My name is Ellery. I am the leader of this organization. I know Phoenix gave you some information about our goal, so now I have to ask. What exactly can you contribute?”
Ohhhhhh shit. Basketball is ruled out by default and I don’t know if my degree in sports medicine counts as ‘useful.’
Thankfully Derek answers first, “I was a soldier for four years and I am proficient in melee combat. I also have a few basic magic abilities.”
Apparently picking locks and teleportation are basic. News to me. Ellery says, “Ah, another military man. I’m sure we can find a place for your skills.”
Now he’s looking at me. How am I supposed to compete with that!? I guess I just have to go for it.
“I have a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and know a little hand-to-hand.” I shall utilize even the most pathetic of my abilities. I am not going to be useless!
Ellery pauses to think for a moment before replying, “Am I right to presume this degree is from the human world?”
What the hell? “Yes.”
“Hmmm…” He crosses his arms and taps out a little beat on his arm. “Do you think you can use your knowledge to get a job as a royal medic? It should be relatively simple for you to get your qualifications here with our help.”
“Sure.” It’s been six years, but I think I remember the basic gist of everything. Except maybe some medications. I’m not sure if I should mention that.
“Good.” Ellery turns and walks back down the hall before I have a chance to say anything. Looks like I’m not telling him.
Phoenix looks over at me with a surprise expression. “You have a degree in medicine?”
“Yeah. Is it really that surprising?”
“I suppose not. I just thought basketball was your main skill.”
Then Derek, of course, has to interject, as always. “What is sports medicine anyways?”
Fucking great, this shit again. “Basically, it’s acting to prevent injuries for sports players. Usually things like strains and concussions. If someone has an injury on the field, the sports medic has to check if they can continue playing or need to be benched. Serious injuries go straight to the hospital.”
Derek seems to accept that answer, as he resumes ignoring me like the massive douchebag he is. Well, excuse me for wanting to take pride in four years of work you jackass!
The knife-sharpening girl sets down her dagger and walks over to us.
“Hi, I’m Gala.” She holds out her hand to me and I shake it. “Phoenix mentioned he’s been trying to teach you how to fight and he needs a little help.”
“I’m Alex. Nice to meet ya. You gonna teach me to stab shit?”
“At some point. Basics first. Want to see our blade collection? It helps if you have a better idea of the kind of weaponry we have available and then you learn to use it effectively. Building a solid foundation is critical considering how chaotic a fight gets.”
I follow her over to the table and she picks out two different-looking daggers. She starts explaining some of the critical differences between the two of them, but I find it difficult to pay attention. She notices and says, “Maybe it’s better for you to see them in action. We can do that later. For now, let’s get to know each other.”
She puts the daggers back and goes to take a seat in an armchair. Now I’m stuck sitting on the couch next to Derek cause Phoenix took the other one. I do not like this.
I sit as far away from Derek as I possibly can as Gala leans forward in her own chair. “Anyways, I never did get to hear the whole story of how you three met.”
Phoenix explains Derek busting us out, our escape to the human world, and subsequent deportation. Unfortunately, Gala’s curiosity isn’t quenched yet.
“So, why were you in a prison for political prisoners, Alex?”
“They were after my father and older siblings. I was just collateral damage.” Just how many times will I have to borrow details from Ava’s life before I can just be me? I don’t think I’ll ever reach the end of it.
Gala looks thoughtful as she parses my answer. Thank goodness for small mercies because I’m not the subject of her next question.
“And why were you there Derek?”
He looks over at her and gives her a clipped answer. “I was looking for someone, which turned out to be Alex. Unfortunately.”
“Fuck you too! Why do you have to be such an ass all the time? Would it kill you to relax for three seconds!?”
He ignores my outburst. Again.
Gala leans back in her chair and says, “Looks like you two really dislike each other.”
“Yeah, well, he’s not the hot one.”
Gala looks a little surprised.
“What?” I ask.
She smirks. “Hey Phoenix, looks like someone thinks you’re hot.”
I look over at him. He seems rather flabbergasted. And it’s starting to sink in now. I should really think before I speak. I really, really should. I’m barely fighting the urge to sink back into my seat and hide my existence from the world. Why did I say that? Shit, this is awkward. I’m just going to live under a rock now. Seems like an excellent use of my time.
Fuck!
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