Under the Shining Lights

Beautiful Dawn

"You want to aim for the nose," Leo said, pushing his palm out, "And then you kick 'em in the dick,"

"Right!" Signey laughed, thrusting her palm forward, "What if they don't have a dick?"

"Eh, stomach's a good second,"

While the dancers were incredibly fit and more than capable of landing good punches, there was still a wall that Leo couldn't overlook. Skill. Leo had been training and fighting with ninjitsu for years. He'd have to start from scratch to teach his friends ninjitsu. So, instead of dealing with that headache, he made a list of moves that were effective and easy to teach. 

Leo was surprised by Aries' skillset when she came in a few times. She said that her sister fought in the Nexus and taught her a few things. While Leo had no issue with Aries, he was worried when Aurora stopped in. They hardly had any weight to them and Leo was worried their bones would shatter if they tried to fight. So, he taught them moves that focused more on redirection rather than striking.

"How is the class going, Leo?" Madam Christel asked, hands behind her back.

"It's good," Leo patted Signey's back before making his way to the Yokai, "Signey's really getting the hang of it now that I told her where to aim."

"I see," Christel hummed, "I notice you have a penchant for teaching," 

"Not really," Leo shrugged, "I'm just showing them a few moves, telling them the best places to hit somebody,"

"Is that not teaching?" Madam Christel chuckled, "You also tailor your lessons to the student. Elana got a harder lesson with more dangerous moves, you gave Signey lessons on vital points so she could use her impeccable aim-" Christel then pointed to the spider Yokai sparring with Otto- "and Aurora got a lighter lesson with moves that were about control without having to put too much weight behind them,"

Leo watched the spider pivot on foot, guiding Otto, who had thrown himself into a punch, away from them. They were making him run circles around them, just as intended.

"You don't need to worry about them getting hurt," Christel said, "They're a lot more hardy than they look,"

"They're just so skinny," Leo whispered, cringing when they went to block a strike from Otto, "I'm worried that if I grab their arm too hard it'll snap,"

"They aren't glass, so don't treat them as such," Christel lightly chastised before glancing at the door, "However, that's not what I came in here to say,"

"What's up?" 

"You and I have been summoned," She said, a grim look on her face, "By the owner of the Nexus,"

"B-big Mama?" Leo whispered. Mama summoned them both? She knows?

"Yes, that woman," Christel huffed, "Honestly, she's deplorable. There's a reason why I refuse to associate with her. I will say, she has been acting strange lately, almost kind. It makes me uneasy,"

"W-when did she want to see us?" Leo asked, still reeling.

"Oh, she wanted to see us today, but I don't plan on going," Christel answered curtly, "I just wanted to warn you,"

"No, we should go," Leo sighed, "C'mon, I know a shortcut,"

Madam Christel seemed taken aback. She silently followed him out of the building as Leo made his way to the alley. He sliced a portal to the front of the hotel, helping Christel through. She held onto his arm as he led her into the hotel, side-eyeing the receptionist that Leo nodded to. They went straight to the elevator, and the bellhop immediately transported them to the top floor.