****
Iramy stared at Avon and Jeremy as they walked into the kitchen late afternoon. "What in the hell happened to the two of you," Iramy gasped. Avon's shirt was ripped and stained green. Jeremy's cargo pants were torn at the knee and stained with blood. Iramy was confused as both were laughing.
"We were sword fighting," Avon continued to laugh.
Jeremy laughed even harder. "Actually we just took turns beating each other with the bamboo rods. I'm sure it didn't resemble sword fight at all."
"It looks like both of you need the regenerator to heal a few wounds and then a trip to the sanitizer stall. You're both bloody and dirty. Those clothes are ruined."
"We fell a time or ten," Avon chuckled. "Our coordination sucks."
"Are you hurt; really hurt?" Iramy asked filled with concern.
"I'm sure we both need some of your purple goop," Jeremy shrugged with a smile.
"Did you wear the vests?" Iramy asked suspiciously.
"Nope," Avon replied. "No pain, no gain."
Iramy's face her abhorrence. "What the hell?!? This isn't about beating each other into submission."
"True but it does motivate you to defend yourself," Jeremy retorted, still smiling.
"And to run fast," Avon added with a giggle.
"So were you practicing or just chasing each other around the yard?"
Avon and Jeremy glanced at each other and busted out laughing. "Both," they called out in unison.
Iramy wasn't sure whether to be amused or disappointed. "Go clean up and heal the cuts. I'll mix up the 'purple goop' for the bruises. Looks like I'll need to have more eucalyptus delivers. I'm going to run out by the end of the week."
"Sorry," Avon and Jeremy sounded out facetiously and ran out of the room.
Iramy shook her head watching Jeremy and Avon run towards the stairs. She smiled. Finally, they found something they enjoyed doing together. Together they would learn. Together they would learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. Together they would push each other to succeed.