You Gotta Learn How to Fight Better

Euphemia had long since begun to resign herself to her own obsolescence before today. A life spent hunting, fighting, and killing left her highly skilled, but with a skillset that saw very little use on the island. There was nothing for her to fight here, no use for killers like her.

When she'd heard from Celeste that her niece was looking for someone to train her, Euphemia realised she finally had a real opportunity to utilise her knowledge. She found it strangely comforting. This was an area that she was very familiar with, unlike almost every other facet of life on the island. This wasn't something she would struggle to understand. In fact, she could actually make herself useful to someone else using her skills. She found herself surprisingly eager to begin.

She entered the gym precisely at the time they had arranged, spotting the older woman immediately. Euphemia approached her, politely standing in front of the bleachers where she sat.

"Ms Del Bosque? I am Euphemia Dvorak." She bowed her head in greeting, formal as ever. "I am here to assist in your combat training."

She hardly looked like the image of a trained fighter. Her lanky build, religious robe, young age and almost delicate features did little to cultivate an intimidating figure. But there was no sign of timidness in her posture or her words.

"Yes. I have been made aware of what you are looking for." Euphemia nodded, having no issue matching her businesslike behaviour. "I believe that I match the kind of qualifications that you are looking for."

With another short nod, Euphemia thought it best to explain her capabilities. She closed her eyes as she began to explain.

"I have been trained in myriad unarmed martial arts, consisting of Judo, Savate, Brazillian Jiu-jitsu, and Hapkido. I am trained in various weapons, including quarterstaffs, escrima, throwing knives and chain whips. Though I am most proficient with a sword. I possess training with firearms, I am capable of utilising most handguns and long guns. I also have experience using weapons that are magical in nature."

There were other things to mention. Tracking skills, stealth, first aid, assassination techniques, but she reasoned that those weren't relevant to the current discussion. She opened her eyes once she finished listing her skills, head tilting just slightly to the side.

"If I may ask, Ms Del Bosque, have you received any previous training? It is best that I know what you are capable of before we begin."

"Very well. I will endeavour to instruct you in self-defence as well as I am able."

After she made this declaration, there was a small pause, and Euphemia frowned inwardly. She didn't actually know how to teach someone to fight. Her instructor's methods were very...intense. She remembered enduring a great deal of pain as her techniques were drilled into her again and again. Something about repeating such methods felt wrong to her. She was still used to showing deference to adults like Zora, it wouldn't be proper.

After considering this for a moment longer, Euphemia addressed her again.

"Might I ask if you are willing to demonstrate what you already know? Perhaps with a brief sparring session?" She asked. It seemed like a good place to start, learning what Zora was already capable of and continuing from there.

Euphemia followed Zora to the middle, standing across from her. Her stance shifted, knees bent, her centre mass lower to the ground, palms open and facing down. Her expressionless face remained the same. She kept her sword sheathed. This was a simple spar, and they weren't practising with weapons. No need to use that.

"Now, use any and all means at your disposal to incapacitate me." She instructed. "Utilise any skill or natural power you possess. Please do not hold anything back for my sake. I will be able to withstand whatever you do to me."

If anyone else had said it, it might of sounded like Euphemia was bragging. But she was well aware of her own power, and didn't want Zora to worry about hurting her instead of fighting.

Euphemia simply nodded.

"Yes, use any and all means at your disposal."

She maintained her stance, eyes locked on Zora, observing her closely. Her body was like a coiled spring, ready to burst into movement at any moment. However, she seemed content to wait for Zora to make the first move.

"Please begin whenever you are ready."