2019-09-17 - Ladies' Self-Defense Class (Free)

Erin has already been at the gym for most of the day and though her actual workday was finished now she'd hung around to help Joey out if he needed and to actually participate in the class. Dressed down in white tennis shoes, and fitness clothing from her favorite boutique, she's wearing black and white. The hoodie she'd been wearing over her tank top and sports bra is hanging on a peg and she looks ready for action with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. There's a towel over her shoulder and a bottle of water in her hand.

The fliers went out and the regulars were told, by Joey, "No I'm closing the place on Wednesday night. It's nice out go jogging or go to a bar and hope it's not haunted, or, ya know home" so very novel. Tonight has been set aside for specifically this, and now with the new parking lot lighting installed. That means 13% fewer muggings. That's a damn fine ratio for this town! Nabbad at all.

In the end the place if free of the usual meat golems that train and instead have seating out and the Police Captain and the good Doctor and a couple of EMTs on hand. The seating is in bleachers on 2 sides of the ring and to the side the soon to be 30 yr. old gym owner talking to a couple of the volunteers and announcing to everyone, "Water's over there. We'll give people a chance to come in and have a seat and we'll get going in a minute here."

Kelsey is a regular at Kelly's Gym. Often beating up the punching bags. Honestly? She shouldn't be out of the house. But she's SO TIRED of being in the house. Her right forearm is securely wrapped and strapped in a sling. How she managed to even get the oversized shirt she's wearing on is a miracle. A pair of torn jeans, beat up sneakers, and a hair that could use a decent brushing. She's not here to fight...she's here to observe. Learn by osmosis. Or maybe she WILL fight...she could always learn how to fight one-armed. She's just lingering for the moment.

Sutton sits on a low bleacher bench with one foot pulled up, re-tying her running shoe. Though she seems to be the shortest blonde in the room, she certainly looks in decent shape, tanned, well-muscled legs shown off by a pair of short blue running shorts and a faded Seattle FD tshirt, heather grey with PARAMEDIC across the back. This one happens to have a dry paint spatter at the hip, but it's still one of her favorite tees. Given her absence from Bayside since the night Erin was attacked, it seems she's probably living out of a suitcase somewhere with a very small range of choices. At least she doesn't smell like a hangover today, just understated, sweet florals and a little brown sugar & fig body mist or lotion or something. Most of a single sleeve of forest & fable tattoos is visible. She picks up a cup of water next to her and sips. It was a hot, humid ass run over here tonight.

Arriving a little late and looking a touch too made up for the gym (though her makeup is mostly a ‘natural’ look), Nicole rushes into the gym, her hands up, pulling her long hair into a ponytail. She’s wearing charcoal grey leggings with a matching sports bra, a dark purple racer back tank, and upon her feet, black and white nike cross trainers.

“Sorry, sorry,” she says before finding a spot to sit. “Had a late customer.... hope I am not too late.” She smiles with a wave to Joey before looking around to see who else she recognizes here. There are some clients, who also get a smile in greeting.

Abby is just now arriving at the gym. Dark circles under her eyes notwithstanding, she seems rather full of pep as she strolls into the space set up for the lesson. She's wearing what appears to be a Nyan Cat t-shirt, colors already fading and seeming to have partly dissolved away. Clearly a quality product of its time. The look comes complete with black leggings and silver running shoes. There's also a small black backpack. Her hair is up in a ponytail, and her make-up lconsists of a single dab of concealer. And chapstick. Water's over there, so she wanders over to get some water, distributing smiles along the way.

Minerva arrives in her usual quiet manner and there's no sign that she's hear to actually beat anyone up or try. She's wearing her dress and hat. Her eyepatch is snug against the empty eye socket. She gives a soft dip of her head to everyone before she sets her gaze on Joey and heads over to him. She gives him a smile and then whispers something to him quietly before giving him space.

As the official representative of the police force tonight, Ruiz has parked himself somewhat unobtrusively to one side of the gym, with half an eye on the door as people filter in and start stretching. He's attired in a black tee shirt with GHPD emblazoned across the back, black sweatpants and runners. His phone's out and his head is down as he composes a message while pacing to and fro slowly.

While she doesn't arrive alone, she is through the doors first, Isabella wandering inside and dressed as her usual, having quickly changed after her visit to the hospital in what she normally wears on a day out - jeans, a simple top, a light blazer and wedge-heel sandals, with her satchel slung diagonally from her shoulder. No gym clothes today, but not because she doesn't intend to participate, but rather in anticipation of the fact that this is a ladies' self-defense class, and she doesn't wear workout clothes day-in and day-out. If she's going to have to fight for her life, one day, she's going to learn in what she normally has on during the day.

Green-and-gold eyes sweep over the room, spying familiar faces and not so familiar ones, but there's an open smile even to those she doesn't know, and those she doesn't know well. She falls a step next to Minerva, lowering her voice. "I like your hat," she murmurs.

Minerva catches sight of Isabella and she smiles to her, "Thank you." she tells her quietly. There's a smile back to Joey, "It's no problem." she tells him. Then there's a look when her name is said and she gives a wave to the group, "Hi there, I'm Minerva." she tells them. Then there's a look to the others, giving a bit of a smile to those that have volunteered to come out.

Erin doesn't say anything just fiddles with the label on her water bottle, glancing up from it towards Joey briefly. He knew why she was here, probably most of the people in this room knew, if they knew her at all. So, she remains quiet and glances at the others who had gathered, more interested in their stories than her own. There's no taking a seat yet, she does remain nearby Joey as both a participant and a staff member of the gym.

Byron had to threaten to literally carry Lilith in like a princess invalid to make her not walk into the gym. Instead, she's wheeled in with a wheelchair, wearing a long summer dress with a wrap sweater pulled around, shades of indigo accented by smoke gray. Because of the choice of clothing, most of her bandaging is hidden on her pushed egress to spectate the gathering out of the way. But her features are still shadowed with mending fatigue, despite the tinted gloss she's put on to try and bid some color to her.

Once inside, she catches the tail end of Joey's question to the group and can't help it. She makes a joke because obviously, she's in the chair for SOME reason, "... I'm here to learn to dodge. I seem to be bad at it."

Raising her hand slightly before she speaks, Nicole says, "it's simple for me. I am here because I don't want to be hurt again." She leans over her knees a bit, elbows resting on them. With a shrug, she adds. "I want to learn to be stronger, so I can keep myself, and others, safe if I am in a position to need to do so. I want to be prepared for the surprise." Prepared for the surprise? In this town, it probably makes sense to most.

Of all the places that they could be right now - no, that they SHOULD be right now, Byron brought Lilith here instead of somewhere saner, like her own place, where she can continue to heal and get some rest. Not that the expression that he wears doesn't show his annoyance by all of this. It's there, that tight set of his jaw as he looms over the wheelchair that he'd pushed into this place. He frequents the gym often enough, rarely in his suit and tie, but that's what he's wearing today, just having stopped by at the hospital for a visit, which wasn't supposed to turn into a breakout.

Wheeling the princess over to a place where she can actually get a good view of things, he will comment in a surly tone, "She's right about that at least."

Sutton finishes off her water, her mobile phone resting on her knee. It's turned to silent, no vibration, so as not to disturb any of her fellow gymgoers while she plays what appears to be Candy Crush. When she picks up her phone, thumbs moving over the screen, she yawns a jaw-cracking yawn and tucks the device down her top so she can finger-comb her hair back. It's shoulder length and mussed into artful little waves she doesn't pull back out of her face. She glances up when Nicole speaks, her attention going to the young woman.

Kelsey is sitting quietly, one level behind Sutton and a little to the right, giving her a decent view of the woman's phone. She's listening curiously to the attendees who are going to actually partake in the demonstration. It was always interesting to hear different points of view.

Ruiz simply flashes the group a smile, taut and brief, when Joey introduces him. He's certainly not inclined toward making any speeches, and remains where he is until the gym boss decides he wants his input on something.

She winks at Minerva, before venturing closer to the group and finding a place to sit. Lilith's words earn from Isabella a silver flash of a smile from where she manages to situate herself, closer to the group. Byron's rejoinder, a surly interjection, has her clipping her teeth on the lower curve of her mouth.

When asked as to why they're here, she waits for her turn and answers, dutifully: "Because sometimes, running's not an option," she murmurs, in a voice that somehow carries.

Abby sits with her hands folded on her lap, one leg swinging ahead of herself. She listens thoughtfully while others speak up, pressing her lips tight for a few seconds. Then she also holds up her hand, giving a little wave. "Hello! I'm Abby. I'm here to - maybe learn something. You never know when it might come in handy, just in case something happens, right? So I thought, why not?" She shrugs.

Lilith looks up and over her shoulder at Byron's surly comment and tips up a smile his way after making a little punching 'go get 'em killer' gesture over Isabella's direction. It's a bit like she's bidding the other woman to kick ass on her behalf since she's currently not in an asskicking kind of way, more or less. Then she's reaching a hand for one of his to bring up for a bite on two of the fingertips with pinch, trying to playful the surly out of him to show that she's perfectly fine. At least for the time being, there's probably a point where soreness and fatigue from sitting up and being semi-active and attentive is going to catch up with her, but that point isn't right now.

For now, she just seems delighted to be out and watching and breathing not-hospital-air, informing suited male company lowly as she looks at Joey, the Captain on standby then the gathering with consideration after the surprise good-faith pep nipping, "You have to watch the demonstration close because when I can move like a normal person, I'm going to beat you up with my learned skills."

Choose a partner? Erin just looks towards the others, "I'm available if anyone needs a partner." She places her bottled water and towel to the side and finds a clear place to stand and wait to see if there are any takers. A guilty look is given over to Lilith and Byron, but for the moment she doesn't approach them.

"If you don't mind me, Erin, I'll be your huckleberry," Isabella says, rising from her place in the bleachers. She starts moving over in her direction, a warmer smile curling over the corners of her mouth.

Nicole rises up from her seat in the bleachers and looks about for a partner. "I'm really rusty," the hairdresser mentions. "Please be gentle." A grin slips onto her visage as she waits for someone to step forward. It's serious business they are here for, but, she tries to keep her humor about her.

Byron Thorne may look all kinds of displeased right now, but he'll still stand vigilantly by Lilith's chair once she's all settled in. He'll take in the room and those who have shown interest in learning how to better defend themselves. He can't be all upset by this. Lilith should be here for this, but not while she was still healing. He feels the nips at his fingertips, allowing her to take hold of his hand and that elicits a sigh, at least from his position beside her now. He'll tug it from out of her grasp to pet gently at her hair. Look, he's not all that mad.

He catches the look Erin gives them, offering her a reassuring smile despite the troubled look in her eyes. His curiosity is piqued, but he has a feeling her understands that look. He's held it himself before. There's also a moment where he spies de la Vega once Joey calls him up to help with the demonstration. His features soften, perhaps out of amusement. That's when Byron catches some of what Lilith says, his gaze drifting down to look upon her, "I'd definitely like to see you try."

Minerva sort of does what she's good at for the moment, which is watching and listening. The Jewish woman takes a seat on the floor and then lets her eye focus on who is doing what. And doesn't disturb anyone.

Abby shrugs off her backpack and stands up, arms swinging at her sides. She peeks around, maybe searching for an unpaired familiar face, then holds up a hand and waves in Nicole's direction, accompanying the motion with a friendly, warm smile "Hi. I promise I'll be as gentle as possible. I can give it a try, at least."

A welcoming smile is given to Isabella, "Imagine that, an Addington and a.. Reede." Squinting a little, not exactly certain suddenly what all was known by others, so Erin makes the correction sudden like. There's warmth in her voice though and the two look pretty similar in build and coloring. "I love that movie," she confesses in a softer voice. If indeed her quote was a movie line.

Sutton rises from the bench and puts side her phone, a tiny mp3 player from her pocket, a pair of earbuds, her earrings, watch, and paracord bracelet with a charm woven in — anything that could watch or scrape skin in a grapple or spar. She hangs back to swoop in to pair up with whomever's in need once the ladies begin pairing off, which takes her in a wander toward Kelsey. "Hey; Sutton." She offers her hand to the taller blonde.

Ruiz approaches dutifully of course, when Joey beckons him up. Has his game face on, and a characteristic lack of a smile. Hands pushed into his pants pockets for the time being, he comes to a halt in front of the guy, and waits to see what he wants him to do.

"It's happening. Better girdle that pride, bucko. With lace, at that. It's going down. I'm paying so much attention right now. You know I'm a little sponge when I want to be." Lilith tells Byron after her head tilts some into the stroke of fingers through her hair, watching people set up with partners just a touch wistfully. In fact, it makes her squirm a little with unrest in her wheeled chair, which... okay, that knocks the wistful longing look to participate right off of her face and turns it into a wince instead.

The expression clears quickly, though, and she smiles some with a bit of familiar encouragement that turns into good-natured eye gesture and point at Isabella while she's looking at Erin, "Watch her, Erin, she's sneaky."

Kelsey looked up a little surprised when Sutton walked up. She shifted a bit, focusing on the woman and offering a smile. Extending out her not-injured arm. "'Sup. Kelsey." At least her pain meds were still working! Garrett was going to kill her for being out like this probably. "Looks like it'll be fun yeah?" Looking a little amused.

Smiling at Abby, Nicole walks over to offer an introduction to the woman. "Great! I'm Nicole. We can try together."

The warmer smile softens the look of her, and Isabella stops to stand next to Erin and wait for instruction - they've not been told to proceed yet. But she takes the opportunity to take a closer look at the Addington, what she wears, radiating with that determination and resolve after everything else. In another life, another time, they'd be mortal enemies, if local lore and history were to be believed.

"I know." She winks. "I'm all for defying bloody history, though, if you are." Her hand extends towards Erin for a shake. "Miss Addington."

Lilith's encouragement has her tilting a grin over her shoulder at the other woman, and at the murmur, she laughs. "Tombstone's my favorite Western," she confesses in turn. "And I'm a Doc Holliday girl through and through."

"Good to meet you." Sutton says, friendly enough. Maybe it's something about Kelsey's demeanor that attracts her to the blonde. She does look ready to kill something, even if it's one-armed. She takes hold of Kelsey's hand, giving it a light squeeze before she releases it. "I'll practice what we can do with you, one-armed, if you like. If you're more watching speed, I'm happy to abuse the local law." She smiles at that, waiting for Kel to decide how much participation she'd like to engage in tonight.

Ruiz arches a brow slightly when it becomes clear he's going to be the aggressor. Not that it troubles him, mind you. He gives his shoulders a roll, and then moves in quickly to try to clamp his arms around Joey in a big ol' bearhug. D'aww, isn't that cute. Right up until the guy demonstrates how to break out of it with an elbow and a foot stomp. All he wanted was a hug! But he makes a show of staggering back in fake pain.

"I'm Abby," Abby says. She touches a hand to her chest and flashes Nicole a wider smile. "Nice to meet you!" She seems about to say something else when Joey starts to speak up. So she goes quiet and turns that way to listen, arms swinging loosely at her sides. She also tugs on her t-shirt, which seems apt to ride up into places. A small wrinkle makes an appearance on her nose as she focuses on the hold breaking. "Hmmmm. Well, okay. I guess it's hugging time."

Erin is wearing fitness clothing, but she does that a lot lately since she spends an awful lot of time at the gym. White tennis shoes, black pants with a single, thin white stripe up the side that reach just below her knees and a white sports bra beneath a black and white tank top. Her hair is in a ponytail. While dressed down, the clothing is still from an expensive boutique.

Giving her hand over, she smiles, the warmth reaching her eyes. "Miss Baxter." A return wink offered. "I am all for defying the past and forging our own future."

Turning a little, Erin listens to Joey, a nod given now and again.

Very observant Sutton! Kelsey gave a grin to Sutton. "Just don't go breaking my other arm, yeah?" She winked to Sutton and straightened a little more. The demo was watched closely and a thumbs up given to Joey at his advice. "Nice to meet you too, by the way." She adds absently to Sutton. Those dark blue eyes pinning back on her. "So, you gonna be my agressor first or vice versa?" She seems game to trying at least. It's good stuff to know!

Lilith can go on and on with her teasing taunts, whether Byron hears them or not, there's no further response. He's in observation mode for the time being, finding some interest in what is being said and demonstrated this evening. Hell, if he wasn't minding Lilith's wheelchair, he'd probably be there helping out with demonstration as Ruiz is doing currently. He's taken his own fighting lessons in the past, but it's good to have a refresher. Once the demonstration is over, he'll cast his gaze at all the pairings to see just how well they fare.

Tossing her hands up into the air, Nicole smiles at Abby. "Talk about an ice breaker, huh? 'Hi, nice to meet you. Wanna hug?" Opening her arms wide she asks, "you want to be the hugger or the huggee first?"

"Aggressor seems to type." Sutton laughs, and moves around behind Kelsey to wrap the other woman in her arms, gently, and without locking her hands. She doesn't touch the arm in the sling at all, so their practice ends up being more of a pantomime than the real thing, but that's probably for the best.

Abby turns back to Nicole and does a little stretch, swinging her elbows from side to side. "I know! It's one way of getting to know people." She smiles and hesitates for a second, finally making up her mind with small shrug. "I guess I could be the hugger. I definitely have a bit more practice with that, at least." She takes a deep breath and raises her arms. The way she's holding them, if she suddenly starts saying something about brains, it might be best to run.

"If you want to get in there and help demonstrate or anything, you can. I can hold your jacket and tie. It's not like I'm going anywhere. You put the brake on my wheels and I can't lean aside to reach it off comfortably, so... no wheeling on people's feet or anything for kicks." Lilith suggests to Byron as she tips her head toward Joey and the Captain up between the pairings, a hand taking to playing fingertips absently at her bottom lip with pinch and tug while she watches, "They might want another bigger-sized fellow to alternate around the pairings for practice after they get a feel for it. Just to account for size differential in a real situation. And you know how to take a knock around."

Despite her sidebar suggesting and conversation to Byron by her chair, though, she watches and listens to the tactic and execution of practice and display a bit thoughtfully. Then her eyes go a little far away as she continues to watch there for a beat, her brows knitting down some.

There's a clasp, warmly, on Erin's hand, and at the lowered address, Isabella smiles faintly - not many people know what the B. in her name stands for, but she is one of the ones privy to that information.

With that, the archaeologist steps to the side, to quietly, and painstakingly, listen to Joey's instruction, watching Ruiz and the owner of the gym demonstrate how to break out of the hold. Lowering her voice, as an aside to her partner. "Ever seen the Sharknado movies?" she wonders, since the other brunette seems to enjoy her love for campy films. "Now that he's brought it up, I've always wondered why sharks always land mouth first..."

When it's demonstration time, she laughs and holds out her arms. "I can grab you first." She waggles her brows, in a manner so exaggerated it can't even count as lasciviousness of any stripe.

It most definitely is better they are pantomiming! If Kelsey had even just a little more mobility in her injured arm she'd TOTALLY want to try all the way. And well...that would just get ugly fast. Even just this stuff, focusing on her good arm, she was likely going to be regrettng it in the morning. But she follows through like a champ! "Remind me when I'm outta this for a rematch. So we can do all this again but, like for real." Kelsey laughed.

Looking at Abby with just a touch of skepticism at the way she holds her arms to hug her, Nicole waits for her arms to wrap about her. She moves cautiously, mimicking Joey's movements, fake punching the nurse in the gut then stomping her foot towards the woman's ankle... but not making contact. She doesn't want to even accidentally hurt the other woman. After, when the hug is supposedly broken, Nicole asks, "how was that?" The right idea?" She's asking in the direction of those in the know; Joey, Ruiz, some of the more practiced people, whoever is near.

Does Byron actually /want/ to help demonstrate anything? Probably not. He's content with just watching. He's neither dressed for it or in the mood, to be honest. Though those punching bags looks good right about now. "I'm sure that Captain de la Vega is conditioned for this sort of thing. I am pretty sure that they don't need me." No, his grip never loosens from the handle of Lilith's chair and he doesn't look like he's about to budge either. Not until this is over. "Just keep watching. Though I'm sure if you want a practice partner to get a feel of what it's like, Kelly can set that up for you at a later date."

"Anytime, Kelsey. Heal up fast." Sutton gives her new friend a little salute after the hold is broken and she windmills back like a dude who got his attitude readjusted after going after the wrong blonde. "I went up against a wall of meat last time I was in here, and basically bounced off of him into bruises. Somebody a little closer to my size will be good practice."

More's the pity. Erin could use a little lasciviousness in her life. A wicked grin back to Isabella as she gets into the hugging position, she gets into her own. "I should watch Sharknado now. It's a done deal. Set in stone." She bends her knees a little preparing for the twist, elbow and stomp, but not really a stomp and all that, just the practice one. She's not out to hurt anyone. Or to be hurt herself.

Erin Addington, it seems, takes instruction well.

Isabella manages to get her arms banded around the other woman; she is two inches taller than her, the height difference isn't tremendously significant and so she's able to do that without hunching over too badly. She waits and does what a proper partner does, evident that she has had some training. The twist loosens her hold, the elbow pushes her back, and the stomp sets Erin free. There's a grin after that, rolling her left shoulder once. "Not bad," she teases. "Any more where that came from, and I might have to consider leaving you-know-who for you."

"I like it when you talk dirty to me," Erin teases back, but then she gets into position, hugging Isabella the same as she'd just been hugged, pure mischief sparkling in her dark eyes. "Your turn, I have every faith in you, you got this." She does really try and hold on, not as tightly as an attacker mind you, but she's not going to make it simple!

Sutton steps back and gives Kelsey's good shoulder a squeeze, sending the woman off to grab a drink or slip out, where ever she's off to. She flashes a thumbs up to Joey. The petite paramedic wanders around the area, watching the others fight, and ends up standing near the edge of the ring, her hands on her hips, taking a bit of a breather after her single pantomimed comeuppance. She sweeps up her phone on the way, squints at the screen, and her thumbs go to work returning a few texts she missed in that time. To Ruiz, she asides, "There's nothing I like more than seeing a bunch of hot women learning to put a hurt on dudes."

Abby does stop with the zombie arms once she's close enough to Nicole to wrap them around the other woman. It is a pretty comfy hug, as far as hugs go. "Ugh," she grunts. Not that the blow hits, or the stomp, but she's acting her way through the whole thing. "Ow!" So she's not the greatest actress, but she's doing her best to contribute with some verisimilitude. Look, she's just following Ruiz's example. Once that is done, she looks over to listen for the answer to Nicole's question, and pays close attention to the various techniques being demonstrated. "That would've hurt if it was for real," she comments as an aside to her partner.

Lilith glances back over her shoulder at Byron and nods a little bit after blinking off her distraction. Her eyes wander between the sparring partners as she resumes tugging and playing at her bottom lip with pinch while posted up in the chair. Carefully, she crosses her feet at the ankles and shifts some to pick up a water bottle she has nestled in the chair with her, taking a lengthy, paced drink of the liquid before capping it back up again. Then she takes to playing with the bottle between her hands instead of messing about absently with her lip, most of her attention centered between demonstration and Isabella and Erin as the more familiar set of partners to spark interest in regards to how well 'who' is doing 'what'.

Then when Joey addresses her, she pulls up a slight smile and mentions, "He didn't fall for my distractions with you at him, I probably actually have a zero chance. I just like to pretend I'm bigger and meaner than I actually am. Still value in failing miserably, though."

When he's not occupied with assisting with demonstrations, Ruiz has been doing a few rounds of his own. Commentary here and there on technique, though he mostly leaves that to Joey. Most here are already familiar with him, so only a small handful of introductions are made.

By the time Sutton approaches him, he's standing near the bleachers, listening to a young mother talk about a neighbour who's concerning her. He hands over a card with a number scrawled on it, and she flashes him a smile before slipping away. "Are you disappointed you didn't get to hit me?" he enquires of the blonde paramedic, hands pushed back into his pants pockets as he watches her walk up.

Sutton parks it next to Ruiz, shaking her head at her phone. She tips the screen against her chest and glances over at the cop's question. "Yes."

"Maybe after I get more practice in," Nicole says to Abby. "Gotta work on my muscles." A fist lifts, not to strike, but to flex. She's not tone-less; she's a fit woman, but she's not a bodybuilder either. "Ready to be hugged?" She smiles in anticipation, almost eager.

"If you think that's dirty, I've got things to tell you, lady," Isabella laughs. "Naughty, nerdy, academic things that's practically guaranteed to make you-- no way, what is that?" Said when she's finally hugged, in turn, her voice carrying her gasp.

But she follows with the instruction - the twist, the elbow, and then the stomp. She manages to ease herself away from Erin's instructional grip, and she does look satisfied enough with her performance that she flashes the other woman a grin and both her thumbs going up in approval - not just at her performance, or her partner's, but the instruction in general. She may have been duly warned, as far as Joey Kelly is concerned, but the man knows his stuff.

Ruiz glances left, then right, as if to ensure he isn't being talked to, then slips his phone out of his pocket when it buzzes, and taps out a reply.

Abby beams a cheeful grin at Nicole and holds her hands up when she flexes. "Well, now I'm scared." She does turn around then. It's possible there's some strength there, but it's definitely under some amount of cozy padding. She takes a deep breath and waits for the hug, then puts the maneuver into practice. There's just a little more flailing than strictly necessary between the twist, the elbow and the stomp. The elbow just barely makes contact. But she does have her focused, fierce face on for this. It immediately melts into a questioning, concerned look to make sure she didn't actually hurt Nicole by stomping very, very far from her foot.

"Oh baby.." Erin laughs once the hold had been broke. While she is so completely taking the training seriously, it felt good just to laugh. "That was invigorating. I can't wait to try this again. I'm going to be training every day though, so expect me to be a little better next time you see me." There's a hint of a shadow in her eyes though. If there was a next time. The pending exorcism weighed heavily on them all. "Once everything is over, we should go out. Bring your, you know who, and I'll play third wheel and make you both miserable. Sounds fun!"

"It's not as if I haven't already gone through a lot as it is." Byron says wryly with a roll of his eyes at Joey's comment to Lilith right before the guy pats him on the shoulder. There's even this moment when he's looking at his watch, but he's a businessman and entrepreneur, he probably always has somewhere to be or a call to take. He knows that their most current threat isn't going to be hindered by a lone self-defense class, but he will say, "From what I've seen, your forms were decent." This is said to the pair of Erin and Isabella who he's been watching, knowing both women. "With a few more lessons, I'd say that the men in town better watch out." There's light humor in his tone, even if the joke is said rather blandly.

That's something that has been put on hold for a time due to multiple injuries among other things, "Can't say that I'm not envious." Okay, maybe he wouldn't have minded helping with the demonstration, but more likely he has other ideas in mind, "Sometimes you just have to move to get all of that tension," And frustration, "Out. And with the way things have been going on, I've been neglecting that." So yes, he can understand Lilith's desire to be up and out of her chair, despite not being in the best shape to do just that.

Joey snorts "Like hell that didn't work. Anytime I have to yell at my sparring partner , 'Look at me when I'm hitting you' that means the distraction is working." To that end Lilith gets a tiny applause. And it's back to helping people make small corrections and even talking to a couple people inquiring on other resources an such which takes up a small chunk of his time. There's a pause to Ruiz that is brief and ends in a nod. They can play amicable enough when there's a common goal!

She's at least as good an actress as Ruiz is an actor... at least. When Abby twists, elbows, and stops, Nicole grunts, jerks as if struck, then hops about on one foot for a moment. When she notices Abby's concerned look, she laughs lightly. "You did great," she says, resting a hand on the nurse's arm and ending her bad acting. "I should get going though... I have an early morning delivery at the salon tomorrow. it was really nice to meet you, Abby. Maybe we can practice again some time. Are you a member here?"

Ruiz looks up when Joey stops by for a quick word. The cop's expression is briefly circumspect, then it smoothes away to a slight smile for the younger man. He claps him on the shoulder firmly as Joey turns to go, a few words offered in parting before someone else stops by to ask him a question about whether the cops are doing anything about the body found in that dumpster. Which, of course, she gets the party line and a disarming little grin from the Mexican that seems to mollify her enough.

"That was much better acting than mine," Abby praises Nicole, even clapping her hands a few times, then tilts her head to watch the others still practicing. "Oh, I don't know about the kicking, though. At least it's not a very high kick," she comments, hands coming to rest on her hips. Looking back to Nicole, her smile brightens up after a moment's hesitation. "Sure! Practice sounds great."

Once it's all over.

Soon.

Isabella's bravado - overinflated, and sometimes even to her detriment - surges like an angry dragon, and what she flashes at Erin is a smile that is wholly unshackled and merciless in its ebullience. As if determined to burn away the shadows playing over the heiress' fine-boned face with that expression alone. "It will be," she says firmly. "Over. And then you can throw the housewarming event to end all housewarming events in true Addington fashion. We can all come, and I can bring you-know-who and the thing I bought you for precisely the occasion." There's mischief there, in full force, as she cants her head at the other woman. "It's a surprise. So it has to happen now so you can find out what it is."

Byron's compliment has her grinning broadly in that direction. "Like they weren't in trouble already," she says with a defiant tilt of her chin, though it's clearly done in a playful manner, slinging a comradely arm around Erin's shoulders, if she allows, free hand propped on her hip. "And once Lilith's back to her hundred percent, this city doesn't have a prayer."

Sutton seems engaged with her phone, and she moves to collect all the stuff she took off at the bleacher bench, putting on her watch, bracelet, et al. She frowns at a text, takes a seat for a moment, then leans over to exchange a few quiet words with someone else spectating. She glances up now and then, watching more than a few ladies execute a nice break. She heads over to get another drink of water, her earbuds strung around her neck.

Lifting both hands, Erin gives in to Isabella's fire, a grin in that moment of compliance. "Then it will be over and we'll have the biggest and best house warming party this town has seen. You bring you know who and.. a surprise? I love surprises. Can I at least have a hint?"

At the approach of Byron she smiles and bumps her hip to his when his arm comes around her. "I wish I could help her. One day, I swear I'll learn. She's already taught me so much." Smiling at the other woman. "We've got this. All of us, we'll do it and then we can rest easy." Including Isabella in it too.

"Great!" Nicole beams to Abby when she agrees to some practice. She looks down towards Abby's legs then back up. "Who knows, you might be surprised. Let me get you my card." She returns to the bench where she had been sitting, where a hoodie is draped with a small wallet in the pocket. Pulling it out, then letting the garment hang over her arm, she returns to Abby, a card held between two fingers. "Give me a call and maybe we can arrange a time to come down sometime." She starts to walk away with a wave, adding again, "it was nice to meet you!" Ponytail swinging, she turns on her heels and looks for Joey, approaching him and waiting for him to be free enough for her to thank him for organizing the event. ".... And, I need to come down and set up a membership. Don't let me forget." Sharing a quieter word after, she then turns and heads towards the exit, waving as she slips on her hoodie. "Good night everyone!"

Lilith looks a touch guilty when Byron speaks to Joey, though she knows it's not all her doing that's made Byron's life generally hectic, difficult, and consumed lately to neglect outlets, so to speak, in whatever fashion. Her hands stop play with the water bottle and she flats her palms to rub against her legs while watching the others, considering Erin with Isabella for a time. Then she admits to Byron, after a time, "... if you want to run me home and put me in bed with some medication, I think I'm ready when you are. I've seen what they're doing and had my taste of fresh air and... movement of life again. It'll free you up to manage whatever else you need to manage for the day. Stairs are going to suck, but..."

But Byron will manage them for her. Just like he manages so much else on her behalf. Her hand reaches up to touch back at one of his on the handle of the chair, "Probably don't even really need to move the car, at least, unless you want to." Then she drops her voice, "Maybe Erin can stop by on her way home too, if she wants to... try that thing again."

After a moment, though, Lilith says to Byron, remembering, "... or we can do your elevator if we want to avoid me having stairs, actually."

Ruiz snorts softly at something he's just read on his phone. He shoves the thing away, watches after Sutton for a few moments, then lets his gaze wander back to those who are still going through the little routine Joey showed them. His brows furrow a little as he watches Erin and Isabella interact, though opts to observe from afar rather than muscling his way into their conversation.

A hint? "Absolutely not!" Isabella laughs, curling her hand into a loose fist and tapping Erin's shoulder lightly with her knuckles. "You get to wait and see what it is." Ruiz's furrowed brow earns him a grin and a wiggle of her fingers from where she stands.