A/N: Yay, I found time to write a chapter this week! It's fairly short, but at least it's here. Also, this is one of two chapters that weren't in my original outline but that I found myself increasingly wanting to add. So, that means the story is now likely to be 17 chapters long. Hopefully, that's a good thing.
I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been reviewing this story as you read. Your support really helps a lot. Thank you also to BK2U, who has been turning around my chapters very quickly every time I finally manage to get one to her. You definitely make life easier! :-)
Chapter 10: Tris – Defenses
The room fills slowly, with people trickling in as families or individuals. Tris is pleased to see that Tobias was right about the age range – there are two kids and a few teenagers, but the rest are adults, with several who are definitely older than she is. And at least half of the group is female. Good.
They're all in sweats and T-shirts except for Amar, his husband George, and Tobias, who are wearing their karate uniforms – Tobias used the word "gi" – complete with their black belts. They look more than a little intimidating as they wait to start the class.
Tobias closes the door right at six o'clock, and George immediately claps his hands for attention. "Welcome to Introductory Karate!" he announces, once all eyes are on him. "I am your lead instructor, Sensei George. I will be here every class." He gestures toward his husband. "Sensei Amar will be here most nights, and Sensei Four is here for at least tonight." His gaze flicks between Tobias and Tris, knowing full well that Tobias is only here for his girlfriend. He normally assists with the intermediate and advanced classes instead.
George assesses the people around the room next, his expression neutral. "Before we begin, I want to make sure that everyone is clear on the purpose of this class. There are many misconceptions about karate, but we are definitely not here to learn to hurt others, or to be bullies. Karate is the art of self-defense, and it should only be used in a real situation as a last resort."
His gaze takes in the entire group, making sure they understand. "If you do not have the right attitude, I will kick you out of this class, so be clear on that going in." He stares hard at two of the younger men, waiting for them to nod before adding, "The main things you will learn here actually have nothing to do with fighting. You will learn discipline, self-control, and self-confidence." Tris swears that he looks at her on the last part.
He moves around a bit as he continues. "We will start every class with warm-up exercises, and then we will practice technique and movement. You will not be sparring in this class – that is reserved for the next level up – but we will spend a quarter of each session on practical self-defense." His gaze sweeps the room. "Any questions?"
There are none, so he immediately moves on to a series of stretches before introducing basic punches and kicks and blocks. They just aim into the air today, since apparently they're likely to hurt themselves if they hit bags with their current lack of skill, but the techniques are still more complicated than Tris expected. She's glad that Tobias pauses by her, helping her get each move right before going on to assist the others.
It's strange to see him in this context – he seems so calm and professional. But that shouldn't really be a surprise, since he started taking classes from Amar and George some eight years ago, when they were all in Boston together. By now, with his second degree black belt, he's almost as polished as his two teachers. She can't help but wonder if she'll ever get that good – probably not, judging by the critical eye that George turns on her as she struggles with the back kick.
She's tired by the time Amar gathers them into a circle for the last half-hour of the lesson. "We're going to start with some basic self-defense moves today," he tells the group, "and we'll get more advanced with time." Turning to George, he asks, "Wrist grabs first?"
His husband agrees, and they proceed to pair the students up so they can practice each technique in turn. In some ways, Tris finds this part easier than hitting the air; at least with this she can tell if she's doing it right.
"Well done," Tobias praises her as she works her way out of her partner's shoulder grab. "But turn your body just a little more to the side." He demonstrates, having her practice with him a few times. It feels radically different than it did with the teenager she was paired with a moment ago, but she can't say if it's more effective or not, since his presence definitely evokes other feelings.
"Very good," George states when she gets away for the third time. She smiles, feeling a surge of pride at her success. "In fact, come here a sec, both of you." He gestures her and Tobias over and calls the class to attention. "Let's talk a little about how to escape if someone grabs you from behind." He twirls his hand, telling Tris to turn around, and she does, feeling Tobias' arms wrap around her in a bear hug. It feels almost intimate, and the start of a blush rises up her face at having the whole group watch them this way.
"When you're like this," George continues, his voice clinical, "your arms are trapped, and you don't have a lot of wiggle room with your legs. Do you?" It takes Tris a second to realize that he's asking her, and she quickly tries twisting free to test his words. Tobias' grip isn't tight, but it's rigid enough to prove George right. He nods as he continues, "But there are a few simple things you can do."
He addresses her and the class at the same time. "You can bring your foot up and stomp down hard on the back of your attacker's foot with your heel." He waits for Tris to try that, and somewhat to her surprise, she finds that she's able to do it – though she doesn't stomp hard. She doesn't want to hurt her boyfriend.
"Or, if your attacker is farther away, you can do a back kick into their knee." Tobias shifts backwards, and Tris tries the move, as poorly as she's been doing that particular kick all night. "Or, if you can maneuver your arms at all, you can work them backwards and pinch your opponent in the side." He reaches out, demonstrating the technique on Tobias, who yanks back immediately. George grins. "You only want to grab a small amount of flesh when you do that, but use your nails and pinch hard. The goal is to startle them enough to make them move."
Reluctantly, Tobias steps forward again, grabbing Tris and waiting for her to follow George's lead. He jumps when she manages the pinch, releasing her. She finds out why when she's on the receiving end of it a few minutes later with her partner. It's surprisingly painful – and yet a bit fun – and they practice it back and forth for several more minutes.
"All right," George calls as they approach eight o'clock. "We only have a few minutes left, so the senseis are going to walk around and randomly 'attack' you the way we've shown, and you need to escape. Think about what you've learned, and do your best."
Tris manages better than she expected when Amar grabs her shoulder, and then when George gets her elbow later. She's in the middle of escaping from Tobias' bear hug when George snaps, "Four, grab her like you mean it. It won't do her any good that way."
There's a pause, Tobias' breathing heavy on the side of her neck, before he steps back, releasing her. "No," he says simply. "I'm sorry, Sensei, but I can't do that." There's something undefinable in his voice, and his eyes lock with his instructor's. They only stare for a second, but they seem to exchange years' worth of conversation in that time.
George nods, waving Tobias on to another student before wrapping his own arms around Tris from behind, hard enough to trigger a sensation of panic. "Adrenaline is your friend in a real situation," he tells her, his iron grip locking her in place, "if you know how to use it." His voice is gravelly, and she focuses on it to reduce her instinctive fear. "It speeds up your thinking and gives you time to analyze the situation. So, use that to think about where you have room to move. Focus on your hands and your feet and decide which to use, and then act."
Tris does, deciding to stomp her heel onto George's foot – harder than she did with the other students.
"Good." He steps away slightly before looking back at her. "Talk to me after class, okay? There are a few things we should discuss." She nods, but the words make it hard to focus as George wraps up the session.
A few stragglers remain behind, asking questions, but eventually George pulls away, leaving Amar and Tobias to handle them while he takes Tris to the side.
"I don't want you practicing self-defense with Four," he starts, his eyes evaluating her response. "The other techniques are fine, but not that." He glances at Tobias. "I assume you know why."
It only takes her a second to nod. "He's afraid he might hurt me." She doesn't like that he still has that fear, but after everything he witnessed between his parents, it's hardly surprising.
But George frowns thoughtfully, shaking his head a little. "Probably more that he doesn't want you to associate him with the feeling of being attacked." He looks slightly guilty at revealing that. "But either way, he clearly won't practice the way you need, and I don't want you picking up bad habits, so I'd like you to come here for extra practice instead. Can you fit that into your schedule?"
For a second, Tris can't respond, struggling to absorb George's casual explanation. Is that really why Tobias refused to grab her hard? Because he doesn't want her to associate him with Peter? It bothers her that he could even think that.
George clears his throat, catching her attention again. "Would the same time work for you on Wednesdays?"
"Umm…" She glances at Tobias before returning her gaze to her instructor. "Yeah, I guess. Would it be the same rate as the regular sessions?"
An almost sad smile touches George's mouth. "You're the first person Four has ever brought to class. For that reason alone, I wouldn't charge you." He looks down for a second, and she does, too, not sure she's comfortable being a charity case. "But you should also know that I have a policy of not charging people who didn't get to learn this stuff before they needed it." Her eyes leap up to his, startled. "I figure you've already paid too high a price."
For a long moment, Tris just stares, feeling as if the wind was knocked out of her. What the hell did Tobias tell him? About her private life?
George seems to read her mind. "Don't worry – Four didn't say anything, about either of your situations." The corner of his mouth lifts in a grim half-smile. "I grew up gay in a time and a place where that was far from welcomed. So, I've been through enough and seen enough to recognize others who have been through it, too." He holds her gaze. "I can help you, but only if you're willing to do the work. If you miss more than two classes a month, you lose your free status. Understand?"
Tris' brow furrows as she debates whether she's willing to take on that commitment. Her eyes move to Tobias again, watching his calm, confident movements as he works with one of the remaining students. This program has clearly done a lot for him. Could it do the same for her?
"Can I actually get good at this, at my size?" she asks softly.
"Absolutely. In some ways, karate is easier for short people." A spark enters George's eyes. "Look at Yoda."
It's an absurd comparison, but it brings a smile to Tris' mouth to imagine spinning through the air like a small green alien, wielding a light saber against Peter.
Realistically, she would be a fool not to take George up on his offer. How often does a fifth-degree black belt offer free lessons? So, she nods her agreement. "I'll make my schedule work." For a few seconds more, she watches him, trying to figure out how to convey her thanks, but something in his expression tells her she doesn't need to. He already gets it.
So, instead, she lets her lips lift. "But don't call me Yoda."
He smiles, patting her on the shoulder as he turns back to the others. "Only if it annoys Four."
A genuine grin lights her face at that, as she finds herself feeling at ease for the first time tonight. George may be extremely intimidating, but he's on her side. "Fine," she mutters. "Then, see you on Wednesday I shall."
A/N: Please take a moment to let me know what you thought of this chapter. The next chapter is likely to be long, so it will probably be over a week before I can get it posted. Sorry...