As Fate Would Have It

Justin gripped the metal bars, his hands a few inches apart cupping from underneath and pulled, his body rising and his head bobbing above the bar. "One," he said quietly before lowering himself down completely to start again. He continued to do this, pull-ups he thought they were called until he got to fifty. A nice, even number. He did not try for records or for time, just went at his own pace and tried to enjoy it. He loved that he did not have to rush around here, he did not have to always please someone else, he could do what he wanted — at least for the time being — soon he was going to be with the other selected and the queen herself. He shook his head to rid himself of those anxiety-inducing thoughts, he did not want to think about that now.

Lowering himself to the ground, a small sheen of sweat began to form on his forehead and sweat was already starting to drip down his back. He felt the exhilaration that exercising always brought and decided to continue with the new fancy equipment. Might as well make use of everything while he had the chance. It was when he was looking around the room at all the different objects and machines that he heard something coming from the other room adjacent to the gym he was in. He was curious, to be sure, but did not want to be caught snooping, so he disregarded the noises and went to an interesting looking machine.

This time he picked the bike. It was now 7 am and he had only worked on his arms, his legs were protesting slightly because of the run yesterday, but Justin loved using his legs and the bike was something new to him, so he wanted to give it a try. He sat down and put his legs on the pedals, starting to push them forward, surprised when they started going in a circular motion, but he did not stop. He chuckled softly: this place was astounding. He created a steady pace with the pedals, focusing on his breathing and heartbeat.

~~~

With a scream, Ava pitched forward, staying low to the ground and swinging her blade. The black-haired guard parried, while the other swung his blade. Ava dodged and swept her foot out, tripping the other guard. The black-haired one, Az, as he was called, swung his blade, aiming at her calf, and Ava parried it. The guard on the floor groaned and did not get up, sword abandoned at his feet. Az tried the move that Ava used yesterday on Asher, and Ava's blade swung out of her hand. "Very good!" she said, gasping, as the friction stung her palm. Reaching behind her into her waistband, she pulled out two long knives from their scabbards. "Too bad I have these babies." The guard grunted and swung heavily. Ava stepped to the side and parried with her right hand while slashing his chest with the other. The guard stumbled and fell with a groan, and Ava sheathed her knives. She walked to the guard, who, though in pain, was looking at her in awe. Ava lifted his shirt over his head and probed the wound. She had studied briefly with the healers in the palace, and knew how to take care of basic injuries. She looked closely at the wound and was glad that she had not cut too deep, it looked worse than it was. "This should not leave a scar," She said, standing up, "Though I will need to get a medical kit from next door." She cast one more glimpse at her friend before leaving the room.

~~~

Justin looked at all the buttons on the bike and wondered briefly what they did, though he dared not touch any of them for fear of breaking the machine. Instead, he was content to just ride the pedals and enjoy the exertion of his legs. He heard a faint scream coming from the next room and wondered if he should get up to help, but it did not seem like a scream for help, rather one of exhilaration. He sighed and focused on going faster and faster with his legs to set a brutal pace, his breathing still even, his heartbeat strong as he went hell for leather.

~~~

Ava went into the other room, her black hair was still slick with sweat. She did not see many people in there, something she was grateful for. Some of her subjects did not take kindly to her love of sports, and she did her best to ignore them when possible. She walked to one of the walls that held shelves laden with different medical supplies. She knew exactly where each item she needed was, as she had treated similar cuts and bruises on herself. She grabbed a roll of gauze and some ointment and turned around to go back into the room before she noticed a familiar figure spinning on one of the bikes. She looked and admired his single-mindedness, as he did not look up or pay attention to any of the other men, or women, in the room. She leaned against the wall, watching his toned legs move, before remembering that her guard was still bleeding and in pain.

~~~

Justin faintly heard the sound of the door opening, but assumed it was just another person coming to exercise; as time went by, more and more came, but he found them easy to ignore, instead he chose to focus on increasing his pace slowly, but steadily. He loved to push himself, this was good because if he did not, his father loved to push him enough for both of them. This did not bother Justin though, as he always strived for the best of himself regardless. He had his own morals and judgment for the world and his view of it, no one could take that away from him, not even his father. His pace was fast now and still gaining, his legs screaming for rest, his back slick with sweat, and his shirt clinging to him. He reached up and over to take it off and drape it around his neck like he saw that woman from yesterday drape the towel around hers.

~~~

Ava shrugged, and made a mental note, as she was apt to do, to find him some other time and talk to him. She turned and exited the room, going back to her guard. In the other room, she dressed and treated the guards before escorting them to the room and picking two others. It was late now, 8 am, when the boys were supposed to be having their makeovers. Ava went back to her room, leaving her guards outside and drew up a bath herself, putting in scents of vanilla. She soaked for a few minutes, letting her muscles relax before scrubbing the sweat and dirt off of her. She also checked for bruises and cuts that she would have to conceal, as was her routine. Luckily, she found none and rinsed off. Donning her red dress and sneakers, Ava awaited her maid to call her to the Great Room.