(The Ishi to kawa dojo, a martial arts school training the most gifted of fighters and a favored location to one Bethony Rockwall, who is currently engaged with a sparring partner, as her match lingers Bethony suddenly spots an opening and seizes the opportunity, taking her opponent and tossing him on the ground, capitalizing on her throw she immediately follows up with a strike that lands near her partners head, with the match clearly over her sensei issues his command for them to separate)
Sensei Yoake: Enough, take your seats.
(This is sensei Yoake, the master of this dojo, he has spent years watching Bethony grow in skill and has felt nothing but pride when watching her preform, today however he sees that something has changed in her)
Sensei: You've all improved greatly but there is still always more to learn, never forget that, dismissed.
(The students bow and begin to depart, fully dressed in her street clothes Bethony makes her way towards the exit but is then stopped by her sensei)
Sensei Yoake: Bethony, I would like to have a word with you.
Bethony: Yes sir.
(With the last of the students gone the two sit infront of each other)
Bethony: What was it you wanted to talk about?
Sensei Yoake: Your match today.
Bethony: (Nervous) W-was there something wrong, was there a misstep in my motions?
Sensei Yoake: No, your motions where fine as all ways, what I have grievance with is your execution.
Bethony: My execution, forgive me sensei, but my opponent was already on the ground I didn't see any reason as t-
Sensei Yoake: There is always a reason, your opponent is not finished until you have finished them, this is something I thought you new well.
(Unsure of how to respond Bethony sits silently)
Sensei Yoake: Am I understood?
Bethony: ….Yes sensei.
Sensei Yoake: I do not think I am, enter!
(On demand, a woman younger then Bethony enters the dojo and seats herself next to Bethony)
Sensei Yoake: This is Jasmine Bridges, I, for the past year have been giving her private lessons in the hope that she may one day join our sessions.
Bethony: ….?
Sensei: This however seems to be the perfect opportunity to test her abilities and for you to re-acquire your edge that you've seemingly lost.
Bethony: I shall go change.
Sensei Yoake: No, you'll fight as you are and should you lose you will be expelled from my dojo.
(Bethony gasps at the ultimatum presented as Jasmine smirks, soon standing at the center of the matt the two bow towards one another then towards there sensei, with the wave of his hand sensei Yoake signals the girls to separate from one another, once separated the two girls take there stances, a moment passes and there sensei signal for there match to begin, the two lunge towards each other countering their blows as they pass by one another)
Jasmine: (Lite chuckle) Seems sensei Yoake wasn't just blowing smoke when he said you weren't half bad.
(The comment distracts Bethony for a moment which Jasmine takes advantage of, as she closes in to deliver a devastating attack Bethony quickly comes to her scenes and evades, with Jasmines back now exposed she moves in to strike however Jasmine counters with a swift back kick launching Bethony away, Bethony quickly rebounds from the counter and launches into a flurry of attacks forcing Jasmine on the defensive, however Jasmine soon begins to match her movements and the two begin to counter each others every attack, soon however Jasmine falters in one of her strikes, Bethony sees this and takes full opportunity of the opening landing a crippling blow throwing Jasmine on the ground, Bethony then moves in to capitalize on her new opening, raising her leg above her she prepares to strike the final blow but as Jasmine brings up her arms to guard, Bethony hesitates, seeing this Jasmine quickly recovers and launches a counter attack knocking Bethony off balance, Jasmine then capitalizes on her new opening and forces Bethony to ground striking her face)
Sensei Yoake: Enough, separate!
(As Jasmine goes to take her seat she smirks, while Bethony picks herself up)
Sensei Yoake: Bethony it is clear to me that you no longer wish to pursue higher learning at this dojo and I cannot teach those who do not wish to learn, you are expelled, leave.
(Bethony in shock remains silent and for a moment she clenches her fists in her laps but ultimately, she stands and leaves out the door, Jasmine begins to chuckle)
Jasmine: (Lite chuckle) Well I guess she wasn't all that after all, I told you I cou-
Sensei Yoake: SILENCE!
Jasmine: !!
Sensei Yoake: Make no mistake, though I expelled her it was not because she was lacking in skill, it was merely because she was lacking in instinct, had that not been the cause the match would have had a far more opposite outcome.
(Sensei Yoake stands up and heads towards his office leaving Jasmine with a warning)
Sensei Yoake: Do not mistake something so silly as compassion for weakness.
(As Jasmine is left alone a scowl grows across her face as she looks in the direction of Bethony's departure, the next day at school as the students begin to leave for the day, as Shannon is packing his things Bethony walks into the room)
Shannon: Bethony, this is a nice surprise, earlier in the halls you didn't seem like yourself, I was hoping to ask if you where okay.
(Bethony doesn't say a word she simply walks over to Shannon's desk and takes a seat)
Shannon: Are you okay?
Bethony: (Sigh) No, I'm not, I was expelled from my dojo yesterday.
Shannon: Really, why?
Bethony: Its because I lost a match to a new student.
Shannon: That can't be the only reason can it?
Bethony: (Hesitant)….It's…. not, Shannon do you think I've…. changed?
Shannon: Well your grades are definitely a reflection of it.
Bethony: I'm serious!
(Shannon looks towards Bethony and sees the depression on her face)
Shannon: How do you mean?
Bethony: I don't know…. that time we fought, what did you....feel.
Shannon: Hmm, aggression, frustration, sadness, and fear.
Bethony: ….?!
Shannon: A-at least that's what I think.
(Shannon moves over to Bethony and rolls the chair closer to her looking deep into her eyes)
Shannon: However….now you seem calmer, less guarded and all around happier.
Bethony: Happier?
Shannon: But that's my personal opinion, really boils down to how you feel, do you like how you feel?
(Bethony lets slip a chuckle as she blushes)
Shannon: ?! I didn't mean it like that.
(With Shannon distracted Bethony sneaks in a kiss then rushes out of the room)
Bethony: Thanks!
Shannon: (Sigh) Fell for it again.
(As Bethony rushes out of the room and down the hall Jasmine soon walks out from a nearby corner)
Jasmine: (Lite chuckle) Looks like I found the reason why your "lacking an edge", I think I'll have some fun.
Dismissed