On a frigid winter morning that was impossible to see in without the aid of glows from inside buildings, Luvi made her way through the sparsely populated streets. The cold air was sharp, biting at any exposed skin, and her breath formed small clouds of mist as she exhaled. Ahead, there was a building stood as a beacon of warmth and light, promising refuge from the winter’s chill. As she pushed open the door, a wave of heat washed over her, chasing away the cold that had seeped into her bones and offering a comforting embrace.
Luvi had been looking forward to this lesson, each session a cherished step in her martial arts journey. However, what she encountered upon entering was far from what she had expected. The usually serene and familiar space was now teeming with people she didn't recognize, their voices and movements creating a lively, albeit unfamiliar, atmosphere. For a fleeting moment, Luvi felt like an outsider, her mind racing with questions. Had she gotten the day wrong? Was she inadvertently intruding on another class?
Her concerns were soon alleviated when her instructor caught her eye from across the room. His gesture, a friendly wave, guided her through the sea of strangers.
“Good morning, Luvi,” her instructor greeted her, his voice a familiar comfort amidst the hubbub. “Quite the crowd today, isn't it?”
Luvi couldn't help but agree, her gaze drifting over the gathered individuals once more. “I was surprised. I thought maybe I got the time wrong. What's the occasion?” she asked, the puzzle pieces not yet fitting together in her mind.
He offered a smile, one that seemed to acknowledge her unspoken concerns. “They're here for a different class altogether. The instructor’s running a bit late, but he sent word that he’s on his way,” he explained, his tone carrying a hint of empathy for the waiting crowd.
“Oh, I feel bad for them, then,” Luvi responded.
“It happens from time to time, especially with the weather being what it is. I’m surprised so many decided to brave the snow,” the instructor mused, his gaze briefly sweeping over the crowd. “It seems the cabin fever has set in harder than the frost.”
Luvi chuckled and glanced to the side to see that the other members of her class were present. “So, shall we get started? It looks like I was the only one you were waiting on,” she asked, eager to dive into the day’s lesson, to lose herself in the familiar rhythms of training that had become a cornerstone of her routine.
The instructor was about the respond when the room's energy subtly shifted, drawing his attention to the entrance. A woman, striking in appearance, stepped through the doorway, her presence commanding an immediate and silent admiration from those around her.
She was tall, with an elegant poise that spoke of confidence and grace. Her hair, a cascade of glossy, raven-black locks, fell over her shoulders, catching the light with every movement and framing her face perfectly. Her skin was luminous, the kind that seemed to radiate an inner light, and her eyes, a deep shade of hazel, sparkled with intelligence and warmth.
Her attire was simple yet impeccable—a fitted black athletic top paired with charcoal leggings—that accentuated her athletic build, hinting at the strength and agility that lay beneath. Luvi watched, momentarily awestruck, as this woman navigated through the room with a serene confidence, greeting a few familiar faces with a smile that seemed to light up the space. It was clear she was no stranger here.
The instructor's reaction was subtle but noticeable to an observant eye. His professional demeanor momentarily gave way to a warmth and brightness that was reserved, it seemed, for this particular individual. There was an undeniable spark of recognition, and perhaps something more, as he greeted her with a familiarity and fondness that spoke of a shared history.
"Luvi, this is Sabrina," the instructor introduced her to the class, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "She’s been training with us for years but has been away on a trip recently. It’s good to have you back."
As Sabrina acknowledged the class with a broad smile, her gaze momentarily locked with Luvi's. Instead of the expected warmth or camaraderie, Luvi was met with a look that cut through the air with an unmistakable sharpness. It was a glance that seemed to carry a weight of intimidation. Luvi felt a chill that had nothing to do with the winter outside.
"Why is she looking at me like that?" Luvi questioned internally, the unsettling feeling gnawing at her. The good nature she had initially sensed from Sabrina was overshadowed by this new, disconcerting expression. It felt like a deliberate attempt by Sabrina to assert her superiority, to mark her territory in this shared space. Luvi couldn't shake off the feeling that this was Sabrina's way of telling her, without words, that she was inferior.
As the instructor called the class to order for the day's drill—a fundamental series of punches and kicks—Luvi prepared herself, keenly aware of her novice status among the more seasoned practitioners. The instructor demonstrated the first punch, a straight jab, with effortless precision. Luvi, attempting to replicate the motion, found her own attempt awkward and uncoordinated, her fist landing off-target, her balance precarious.
The kicks proved even more challenging for Luvi. The instructor's display of a front kick, executed with a sharp snap of the leg and a perfect balance on the supporting foot, was something Luvi could only aspire to. Each of her attempts was a struggle, her kicks lacking both the fluidity and power demonstrated. She stumbled more than once, her frustration mounting as she failed to keep up with the class.
Noticing Luvi's struggles, the instructor made a decision. "Sabrina, could you please work with Luvi on these basics?" he asked, his voice carrying across the room. Sabrina approached Luvi, a slight smile on her face that didn't quite reach her eyes, which held a cold, detached quality.
"Let's start with the punch," Sabrina began, her voice kind despite the chill in her gaze. She broke down the motion step by step, demonstrating the alignment of the arm and the rotation of the fist. Luvi tried to mimic her, but her movements were still clumsy, her punches lacking the crispness Sabrina's had. Despite Sabrina's patient instructions and the occasional, "That's getting better."
They moved on to the kicks, Sabrina explaining the importance of balance and the need to keep the body aligned. "Focus on your center of gravity," she advised, demonstrating a kick with a grace that seemed effortless. Luvi's attempts, in contrast, were tentative and unbalanced.
Sabrina was quick to leave Luvi to her own devices, but Luvi didn’t blame her. There was little Luvi could do but keep trying again and again until she got the feel for things. It took quite a while, but Luvi’s initial concentration on her movements gradually gave way to a rhythmic automation. The crisp sound of fists cutting through the air, the thud of feet landing back on the mat after each kick, began to blend into a continuous, meditative cadence. About twenty minutes into the drill, Luvi realized she had entered a trance-like state. Her body moved with practiced ease, each punch and kick flowing into the next without conscious thought.
In this trance, Luvi's mind was both alert and at peace, aware of her movements but detached from the distractions around her. Her breathing synced with the rhythm of her movements, deep and even, fueling her through the sequence with a steady supply of oxygen.
The only thing that broke her focus was when Luvi caught her instructor glancing at Sabrina. She couldn't help but notice a subtle undercurrent of attraction revealed through her instructor's actions. It was in the way his gaze seemed to linger on her, an unspoken acknowledgment that went beyond the usual teacher-student interactions. Even during the most mundane of drills or when addressing the class as a whole, his eyes would invariably find their way back to her.
Luvi had had drinks with the man last season. His polite yet distant manner at the time, which Luvi couldn't decipher, now seemed painfully clear. Clearly, his affections were already engaged elsewhere, rendering her hopes for a deeper connection with him futile. She wished she’d seen this sooner, or at least had the courage to ask him if he was interested in anyone.
As the regular training session wound down, a palpable shift in energy swept through the class. A few of the advanced students, seizing the moment during the break, moved to a cleared space at the side of the room. Their intent was to practice tricking, which was basically a category of martial arts that dealt with twists and flips. It was hardly practical in a fight, but they were fun to look at. The first student took a running start before launching into a corkscrew, but he landed on his side with a painful thud.
Another followed, attempting a series of handsprings that, although not perfectly executed, still managed to draw appreciative nods and whistles from the watching students. "there’s a whole class dedicated to just this kind of thing," murmured one student to Luvi when they noticed Luvi’s awe.
“Can I try?” Luvi asked, without thinking about how badly she would inevitably do.
The instructor chuckled. "You’re free to do as you please," he explained. "I'm afraid I won't be much help with advice, though. My expertise lies with practical fighting."
Emboldened by his response, Luvi decided to attempt something less complex but daunting for her—a handstand, which looked to be one of the main components of the handspring. She took a deep breath, and kicked her legs up. The first attempt ended as quickly as it began, with Luvi tumbling sideways to a smattering of sympathetic laughter.
"Keep your core tight, and push off more confidently!" one of the more advanced students called out, offering a tip despite their own limited expertise.
Luvi, flushed but determined, tried again. Each attempt saw her getting a little further, her balance improving incrementally with the encouragement of her classmates. "You've got this, Luvi!" they cheered, their support buoying her spirits.
Finally, after several tries, Luvi's feet pointed triumphantly to the ceiling as she held a shaky but successful handstand. What really made it possible was squeezing her core to stabilize herself, else she wouldn’t have been able to hold the position for even a moment.
A cheer erupted from her small audience, celebrating her persistence and success. Breathing heavily, Luvi let her legs fall back to the mat, a broad smile splitting her face. "I did it!" she exclaimed, exhilarated by her accomplishment. The instructor, watching the scene unfold, nodded in approval while Sabrina scowled in Luvi’s direction. At that, the class was dismissed and Luvi tiredly made her way home.
