Adaland: The land of Zeo

Chapter 4: Training

And there we were, in the ever popular Youth Center. I ran to the bar with Elsie behind me and practically jumped on a seat, greeting the owner of the place:

- Hey Ernie!
- What! Are you Meijei, the little Meijei?
- Yeah, it's me! - I cried sitting properly. - I returned to enroll at A&C!
- Incredible! I almost didn't recognize you. I suppose you want the usual...

I nodded and pointed to Elsie:

- This is Elsie Hemmingway, my classmate. What will you take?
- Oh, well ... a club sandwich will be good to me - she said.
- Right away - Ernie nodded and started to prepare our food - I guess your friend is an outsider as I had never seen her... Tommy and the others still come often - and he addressed Elsie with a gentle smile - We call her little Meijei because she always hung out with older guys than her
- You say it like it was a bad thing - I muttered blushing.
- Not at all! - Ernie said - I know that Tommy Oliver and the others are good fellows.

Elsie gave a little cry:

- Tommy Oliver? The paleontology student?
- The same - Ernie nodded
- Do you know him Elsie? - I asked
- I read in the newspaper that he had made a discovery... he's a close friend of Billy Cranston, right?
- That's right - Ernie said serving the club sandwich and a tuna salad. - Meijei was part of that group of friends in High School.

Now I must be redder than the tomato in my salad. While trying to eat normally, I noted the curious eyes of Elsie on me, but she remained silent.

- The one I see least is Aisha - Ernie continued dispatching other dishes. - Naturally, a medical career is most demanding... but Rocky gives some courses for the children.
- It's true! - I cried. - Ernie, I wanted to ask if there's room for me to give drawing lessons.
- I don't think there's a problem, but you won't earn much and now you're in college...
- Never mind - I assured. - I loved teaching children and I want to do it again.

Elsie looked at me curiously while discussing the available time with Ernie. At that moment we heard a cheerful voice behind us:

- Hey, Meijei!
- Rocky! - I exclaimed turning to face him. - You came to eat?
- In fact I just finished – he nodded sitting next to me.
- Look Elsie, he's Rocky De Santos - I introduced. - Another prominent member of my High School group.
- Prominent? - Repeated the alluded with a crooked smile. - There isn't plenty of that in preparing others in Physical Education.
- No masters, no champions - I assured before taking a sip of tea.
- But they have all the fame – Rocky laughed. - Anyway, I can't say I dislike my job... Incidentally Meijei, as soon as you finish we've to go with Adam.
- Ah yes, of course. The dojo!
- I must go - Elsie interrupted folding her napkin and pulling out her wallet. - I'm in a hurry.
- Oh, sorry. And I'm not even at the half of my salad - I said timidly.
- It's okay - my friend muttered ashamed. - We'll eat calmly in other occasion.
- Of course! - I nodded.
- It was a pleasure meeting you, Elsie - Rocky said with a smile.

My friend slipped among the people and Rocky went on an endless chat while I ate.

...

Several youths of all ages practiced martial arts in a large enclosure with wooden sliding doors that enabled the view of the green scenery outside. Adam Park, dressed entirely in black, roamed by various fighting groups, occasionally stopping a fight and giving directions. Thus he was found by Mary Jane and Rocky when they arrived.

- And here you have it - said Rocky stopping at the entrance. - The Ryuu Dojo's heart.
- Ryuu? Like dragon in Zhunghuo?*1 – confirmed Mary Jane. - What happened to the lion?
- Let's say that Ryuu is a more appropriate name for a group of true warriors.
- Don't let Adam hear that, isn't he who knows more martial disciplines?
- Tell me about it, he has so many black belts that he could wrap himself with them!
- Which would be uncomfortable – the alluded said with a smile, approaching them. - What's up?
- Hi Adam - Mary Jane greeted.