Private Finished Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

Garrett seemed to be well aware of what kind of place the strip was, Cosette was relieved in a way that he was. She had been forced to make the Strip her home and she knew what kind of place it was out of need, not because she wanted to. So Cosette didn't like explaining anything about it to people, or explaining what she did. Though that was one of the things she could've told Garett.
As Garrett assumed it could've been something illegal Cosette did shake her head.
"Oh no, do not worry, it's nothing illegal. I wouldn't even dream of mixing innocent bystanders into it if I did something illegal."
Cosette explained, she wanted to say she would never do something illegal but she also knew that if her master ordered it Cosette couldn't disobey. And Cosette didn't want to lie.

Cosette listened to Garrett intently, and it was clear that she was eager to learn anything and everything she could. She nodded occasionally, including when Garrett assumed she was a human. Cosette might as well have been a human, her strength and other abilities were that level.

Cosette almost took a step back when Garrett approached, she was worried her aura was bothering him, but he must've had a reason to come close and he did. Although Cosette frowned a bit when Garrett told her to hit him as hard as she could. Cosette opened her mouth to express her concern and hesitations, but she wanted to trust that Garrett knew what he was doing. It didn't make hitting him any less hard, and Cosette took her time before she, hesitantly, kicked her knee into his crotch. Cosette didn't use all her strength, which was about the same level as a normal human, but she had muscular legs and a strong kick.

"I, um, I'm a stripper."
Cosette said and fidgeted slightly, she hoped Garrett wouldn't think badly of her because of her occupation. He didn't seem like the kind of person to do so but Cosette was always worried about it.

During the few moments Garrett just stood there Cosette took a step back and looked at him with big, worried eyes. Had she hurt him badly? Was he okay? Oh gosh, had she hit a bad spot? Cosette wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she accidentally somehow permanently crippled him.
Cosette blinked in surprise when Garrett burst out laughing, but she was also relieved he was alright. Or at least he seemed to be, from the way he laughed and praised Cosette. She looked down, blushing slightly. It was nice to be praised for something else than your outward appearance, people rarely saw anything else about Cosette when they talked to her.
"Thank you."

Garrett resumed giving tips and advice, and Cosette listened with interest. She didn't like violence, but she was ready to use it if it meant protecting herself. Because if Cosette protected herself that meant she could protect others even more. When Garrett laughed a bit again it was contagious and Cosette chuckled a bit too.

Cosette felt much more comfortable hitting Garrett's hand, and as he held it up Cosette took a slightly wider and better grounded stance and made a fist. She winded her arm back and his Garrett's hand as hard as she could, Cosette's punch wasn't really that strong and she has very small hands when compared to Garrett's. She looked down a bit in embarrassment when Garrett backed away, she could tell her punch was pretty pathetic.

Did she enjoy her job? That was a hard question to answer. Cosette wasn't a stripper because she wanted to be, so that automatically could've meant she didn't enjoy it. Cosette didn't like treating her body like it was just a tool for strangers to get enjoyment out of. But she liked dancing, even if it was seductive dancing, and her co-workers and boss were all nice people.
"I'm not sure. It changes every day, I suppose. Today I enjoyed my job, and this is a nice way to end the day."
Cosette answered and smiled.

As she had thought, the punch was weak. Well, at the moment Cosette couldn't help it, and her arms and wrists were still slightly sore from blocking her master's kicks yesterday.
"I'm glad I at least have some good prospects. I don't have to start from square one."
Cosette said and smiled. She wanted to stay positive, or this wouldn't go anywhere.
Garrett began showing and explaining how Cosette could improve her punches, and she looked at what Garrett was doing, trying her best to remember the position and way he did it. Cosette took a step back and circled him, trying to see Garrett's stance from every direction. He terminated every piece of info Cosette had thought she knew about punching, but she was glad her false knowledge was corrected.

Cosette nodded at the end of Garrett's example, and she got little nervous when she was supposed to try. Cosette took her jacket off, under it she had a light pink sweater that was also a bit big for her, and had a neckline so wide it almost revealed her shoulders. But thankfully it didn't show any cleavage because Cosette had a black tank top under it.
Cosette folded her jacket neatly and set it aside carefully before returning and trying to mimic the stance Garrett had taken earlier. It wasn't bad for a first try, Cosette was perceptive and she did a good job at getting the form down. But when she punched she still tended to wind her arm back a bit, and her upper body stayed rigid instead of turning. But there was good bend to her knees and Cosette's stance was flexible but firm. After punching few times Cosette glanced at Garrett, waiting for his judgement.

Cosette was not surprised Garrett had a background in fighting, he seemed knowledgeable about it. For the first time Cosette felt relieved she had decided to contact this person, he was already being very helpful and he seemed nice as well.
"No wonder you're skilled then, I can see you like fighting. It's great, as you said."
Cosette answered and chuckled a bit, she didn't approve of senseless violence or killing but if you liked something then you shouldn't be ashamed of it. Well, that rule of course had exceptions, but fighting was within it.

Cosette's face lit up slightly at the nod, and as Garrett ordered she stayed in stance as he approached. She knew there must've been a lot of areas to improve, but Cosette was just happy she wasn't doing everything wrong.
Cosette nodded when Garrett said he'd touch her, she didn't mind it as long as he had good intentions. Cosette was more worried about Garrett, and how her aura was affecting him. But for now he seemed fine as he gently guided Cosette's movements, his touch didn't give her that uncomfortable feeling like when a customer touched her. His touch had a different purpose, and it was rather nice to be touched in a way different from sexual or violent.

After Garrett's guidance Cosette tried doing the punching movement like he had shown her, and Cosette did feel the difference to earlier. She did it couple of more times, Garrett would be able to see a significant development to earlier. Cosette turned to smile bit excitedly at Garrett, she was proud of herself.

Cosette listened as Garrett explained things about kicks, but when he told Cosette to punch him in the face only to cut himself short Cosette looked unsure for a moment. She didn't want to hit anyone in the face. Cosette knew very well getting hit in the face was quite painful and though in the situation where she would be assaulted Cosette's mind was going to be in panic she knew she would avoid the face no matter what. But Cosette didn't say any lf this, she merely nodded along as Garrett explained the places on the body that she should hit.

When Garrett told Cosette about the solar plexus, and how you could even kill someone by hitting it too hard, she looked scared and stared at the spot on Garrett's body where the solar plexus was. Cosette probably wouldn't be able to kill anyone, not with her power, but the thought was scary and made her very hesitant to him Garrett when he told her to.
"I, um, might need a short moment."
Cosette said quietly and tried to take in all the information she had just received, her eyes still on Garrett's solar plexus. Cosette definitely didn't want to hit him there now. Instead, after a minute or so, she took the stance and punched Garrett in his liver. Her form was good, Cosette stayed in the stance, and her punch was now as powerful as the one of an average adult man. Right after punching him Cosette took a step back and looked at Garrett alarmed and concerned.
"Are you alright?"