*Araden*
Tall and lean, trained for many years as an FBI operative, Araden Dex had good reflexes and was sharp on her toes. But even if she hadn't been, she would have heard the voices of the laughing women from a mile away. Convinced two laughing women would pass by the sparring room this early in the morning, she continued doing her yoga, balancing in the dancer pose.
"Hello?"
Araden ignored the voice, hoping that it would leave her alone. No such luck.
"Excuse me? My friend and I would appreciate learning some self-defense? We have heard that you are the specialist." Araden kept her eyes closed, breathing in and out, blocking out the annoying sound that she did not want to deal with at this time of the day.
"Come on, Tera, it looks like she is busy right now. We will come back later. Or we could find the other guy. What did the General say his name was? Westley Dex?"
Araden started at her brother's name, but did not fall. Though she and Westley were at odds as to who would train the most Atlantis personnel, these two sounded particularly annoying, and she decided he could endure their company far better than she.
"No, Meredith, I am pretty sure she just wants us to go away." Araden heard the one named Tera inch closer as her voice grew louder. "However," Tera's voice came right into Araden's ear. "We will not leave until we have properly learned some self-defense!"
Angry, Araden opened her eyes and dropped from her pose into a crouch and knocked the woman closest to her over. "I will not be bothered, thank you very much."
The raven-haired woman lying on the mat simply smiled and jumped to her feet. "See, Mer? I told you!" She brushed herself off and extended a hand to Araden. "Dr. Tera Mal Doran, assistant to Dr. Steven Drew. Pleased to meet you."
Araden ignored the hand and instead turned her intense gaze to the woman closer to the door, with light brown hair, though with auburn hints, and blue eyes. "Special Operative Araden Dex, former FBI Operative."
The other woman looked around, as if unsure of herself, before responding, though Araden noticed that she wisely did not extend her hand in greeting as Dr. Mal Doran had done. "Dr. Meredith Rose McKay, Head of Science and Research." Araden nodded in approval at the woman's simple statement. A quality that she had picked up from her father, Araden always believed that simple was better. Unless a situation came to maybe blowing something up. Then the answer was always blow it up.
"You would like to learn self-defense? Then here." Araden swiftly picked up two sets of bantos rods and handed them to the women. She then briefly described the correct stance before demonstrating. Both Meredith and Tera had fairly good stances, though Tera was holding one stick entirely upside down.
For another good hour, Araden showed the women typical moves, the proper stances for them, and stretches that would increase their flexibility required for some of the moves. Araden soon grew frustrated with their lack of skill however, and had to calm herself many times in order to not lose her temper. One of these times, Tera noticed her loud sigh as Araden yet again corrected Tera's handhold on one of the rods.
"What? We aren't good enough for you?" Tera stood straight now; rods forgotten limp at her sides, angry that there was another person treating her like a child.
"Yes, in fact." Araden lifted her chin arrogantly. "You two are absolutely despicable at this. I hope neither of you ever end up off-world or in a compromising situation."
Both Tera and Meredith were shocked at her words. Meredith dipped her head, but Tera threw the rods to the ground in disgust.
"You vile woman! We are only beginning! Who in their right mind would put such a terrible person in charge of self-defense training! Most of the people you will be teaching will have little or no experience, and you can't expect them to become better with words like those!" Tera's brow furrowed greatly as she sized up Araden, but deciding it was better not to come to physical blows, she simply threw her an angry glance over her shoulder and stalked out of the sparring room.
Moments passed after Tera left the room. Araden simply put her rods in a corner of the room and resumed the same pose that she had been in before her interruption. Meredith awkwardly stood there for a moment before putting her rods away as well.
"I am very sorry for Tera's outburst. Thank you for your time." Araden opened her eyes at the woman's words and turned her head slightly to meet Meredith's eyes. "If it is any consolation, you were much better than her and I think a little practice would do you good."
Araden watched as Meredith's face visibly brightened. "Really?"
Araden turned her head away and closed her eyes again. "No, not at all." Standing there in the pose, Araden had almost achieved perfect balance when she felt a large figure crash into her side.
