The Pit Fighter

Part Two: Getting Stronger

Jammer led Tiffany down a short walk from his parent's home, being gentlemanly by carrying her sizable bags.   Tiffany was realizing how long it had been since she got away from the Arena, taking in the light of the stellar analogue, the smell of cut grass and the wind on her skin.  They reached a small cabin, and Jammer set down the heavy bags, letting out a sigh.

"Well, this is the guest house." Jammer said. "It's kinda small but it's a roof over your head."

Tiffany smiled, holding Jammer's hands and nodding her head in thanks.

"Mom said your welcome to stay as long as you need, and Dad is setting you up a place to train down at his forge." Jammer said, waving a hand over the door to unlock it. "I'd help you unpack but Mom's pretty traditional, an unmarried woman in a house alone with a man. . .she'd never let me hear the end of it."

Tiffany smiled shyly as she pushed open the door, still holding Jammer's hand.

"Well . . .I guess it wouldn't hurt to show you around." Jammer said, not able to take his eyes away from Tiffany's.

     The big woman pushed inside, and to their surprise saw Jamila inside, wiping off the counters in the modest kitchenette.

"Ahh, our guest." Jamila said happily. "I was just dusting the guest house, it's been so long since we had company."

Tiffany grinned, nervously.

"Abdul, were you. . .coming in here with Tiffany?"

Tiffany shot Jammer a questioning look.

"Mom, I changed my name to Jammer." He said, respectfully.

Jamila walked by, pinching her son's cheek. "I did not give birth to someone named Jammer, or nurse a Jammer, or potty train a Jammer."

"Mom!" Jammer said,

Tiffany giggled at her friend's embarrassment.

"Now, Tiffany, Abdul here is a bit of a fan of fitness himself." Jamila said. "I know what he liked to eat when he was workout out.  High protein, chicken breast, beans and rice for plenty of fighting energy."

"You're going to love it, Tiffanny." Jammer said. "Mom can really cook."

"Now young lady, I find pit fighting abhorrent but I know you're trying to put it behind you." She said. "You have my husband and I's full support.  Abdul, let's go."

"Mom. . ."

Jamila sighed, "Jammer, let's go.  Let Tiffany have a chance to settle in before dinner." She said.  "And I see how you look at that young lady, don't let me catch you trying to sneak in here."

"Don't worry, you won't catch me." Jammer said with a smirk.

"Young man, you may be able to sneak past the Scrappers but I am your mother."

——*——

      The Shamoon family forge was a large brick facility, and in the barren freight yard Jabbar had his people set up a place for Tiffany to train.  He put down a foam rubber mat, and put together some weights by welding handles to the large ingots of rough metal.  It wasn't exactl top-notch workout equipment but it was heavy.  Silver was leading Tiffany as she lifted a few of the heavy metal ingots, and Jabbar proudly wheeled out a man-shaped robot which had been covered in foam rubber.

"Look what I have for you!" He said joyously. "A sparring partner that will never get tired!"

Silver laughed. "Seriously? That thing?"

"Yes!  Watch this!" Jabbar said excitedly.

     He adjusted a few things on the drone's back and the machine's servos whined as it took the equivalent of a fighting stance. He hit another button, and the machine started pulling punches, before taking a step and toppling over with a crash.