Don't Push Yourself Too Hard on Leg Day

"W-we'll switch, okay?" Rambone said, calming her down. "M-my room has a white bed. We can switch, okay?"

Luca blinked and Pat was gone.

She continued to cry loudly for the next few minutes before she spoke.

"A-a-alright. I can do that," She agreed, still wiping off some tears.

Rambone broke from the bear hug, picked up her keys, and stood up. He offered up his hand to her to help her up, and she readily grabbed it.

"Come on, let's head out into the hallway." He said.

She nodded his head, and they went into the hallway. He closed the door behind them.

"Take some deep... deep... breaths, Luca."

She nodded once again and took some more deep breaths, her breathing getting more and more stable.

She got calmer. She wiped off her tears. She was calmed by what she had remembered what Pat liked to tell her before he wa-. Pat was still gone, there was no changing that. But, she could now find a little shred of acceptance in his death.

They could only hear the small droning noise and her slowing tears that made it all the more calming for the two.

"You good?"

She nodded. He wiped off her final tears. The tears yet had left behind what felt like a gentle scar on her face to her.

"We need to head over to the gym. Don't forget that."

"I just... need a second."

"Take as much time as you need. I'll be standing right here with you."

"O-okay."

There was a brief pause. The small little droning continued. Rambone took a moment to think.

"Hey, do you know what do you call a brownie when it's upset?"

"Huh?"

"A frownie," he chuckled to himself.

She chuckled too.

"That is the stupidest pun I have ever heard in my life."

"I know."

"Then why'd you say it?"

"Something to lighten up the mood, y'know?"

"That's so stupid, though."

"I know," he nodded.

"Oh my god, what is it with you today?"

He looked away for a second.

"I'm a mess today, aren't I?"

"We both are." She said sarcastically.

"Oh, yeah didn't you want us to switch keys or something like that. I'm sorry for getting so caught up in everything that just happened." She apologized.

"Yep. I don't think they'll care about it." He said and put his keys into her hand.

"I thought I had my keys. Not you."

"I took them before you noticed."

"Ah. I see."

There was another brief pause.

"Uhh... what now?" She asked.

Rambone scoffed.

"The gym... obviously. Cara asked us to meet there. We can't keep her waiting too long. Remember?"

"Oooooh yeah. I kinda forgot that." She said, scratching the back of her head in slight embarrassment.

"Put your keys in your pocket and let's go."

The two headed over to the gym thereafter. There, two glass doors met them before they could enter.

Cara heard them opening one of the doors and went over to open the other for them.

"You really didn't need to do that, you know," Rambone commented.

"No, I insist!" She replied.

As the two stepped in, she introduced the two to the gym. The gym was filled with equipment and scattered scarcely with other people. It was well kept and clean, with an all-black floor and white walls. A mirror ran across the walls.

"This here is the gym!"

"We know," Rambone said, sarcastically.

"Yes, but this is THE gym for any and all arena contestants!"

"We know," Luca also said sarcastically.

"Uhh... let me skip some of the introductory stuff basics then."

She pointed over to the left to where a water fountain was.

"That's the water fountain. That's where you'll be drinking water from."

"Stop treating us like we're 5. Just give us a workout routine and show us how to use the equipment," Rambone said.

Cara took a moment to take a deep sigh.

"Fine, I suppose I can do that. We'll be having you two work out every day until your first match. What do you guys want to work on first?"

"Legs," Luca answered first.

"Awesome! Great choice! Follow me!" She replied enthusiastically.

She showed her over to the treadmill.

"What's this?" She asked.

"It's a treadmill! Get on it," Cara stood beside it.

"Okay..."

Cara reached over to press the button to start up the machine. The pace of the machine forced Luca to walk at a more than brisk speed that quite wasn't enough to qualify enough as running.

"What n-next am I gonna do?"

Cara replied accordingly, and then the two got lost in deep conversation. What all the equipment was, Luca's workout routine, her health, and more.

In doing so, after a while, Rambone tapped on Cara's shoulder. She turned her head to face him.

"What's up, my young stud?"

"Could you give me a workout routine?"

"Welll... I think you already know how to do everything yourself. I can give you some pointers on what to do depending on what weapon you're going to use." She replied, skipping the question of what part of his body he wanted to work on first.

Rambone was disappointed in the question but also took a second to think about what weapon to use.

An axe? It can smash right through armor and deal a bigger blow. He could use it for more than combat purposes. No, no, no. That would leave him too defenseless against a sword or a polearm.

What about a gun?

"Hey, are we allowed to use guns?"

"No." Cara shook her head. "It's too dangerous at any level to use here. So are any other ranged weapons."

"I see, I see." He replied, going back to the drawing board. "What about shields?"

"The arena tries to provide the most entertaining battles and fights to its fans and its bettors, so shields may only be used as a standalone weapon!"

"That's dumb."

"I agree with your take on that. But, that's not what is best for business."

"But, isn't betting illegal internationally?"

"Yes, it is indeed! Aren't you smart?" She answered. "However... this place is full of illegal activities and in near anarchy, so that's why it's allowed here! You need her to keep these things in mind, Rambone!"

She shook her finger at him.

"What weapon do you recommend I use anyways? I really can't think of anything."

"Again, it depends. What style do you want to fight with?"

Rambone would think before telling her his answer.

"Versatility! I like outsmarting my opponent!" He answered.

"Let me think what would fit that then." She stroked her chin. "Oh! What do you think about a spear?! They're incredibly versatile."

"Hmm... they're a bit lame but I think they're cool."

She nodded her head.

"Good answer. Spears are much better than people give them credit for." She said, laughing. "It's a shame all the flashy and flamboyant ones use swords and knives nowadays."

"So... what do you think for my workout then?"

She stroked her chin once again, coming one with on the spot. "How about jump rope, dumbbell curls, lunges, push-ups, and sit-ups to start? Sound good to you?!"

"Hell yeah!"

"Let's get to it then, mister!"

Luca and Rambone were amped and excited to start getting stronger.

Cara would then spend the next few hours watching over them. She made sure they were doing each exercise correctly and were properly hydrated.

Luca would finish last. She fell to the floor as she finished a final round of squats. She would repeat a question she had previously asked Cara multiple times.

"Girl, why so much for our first workouts?! My entire body is sore all over." She asked, between pants and breaths.

She laughed and answered the same way each time. "Because it's the best for you."

Rambone got up after feeling much the same as Luca and extended a hand to help her up.

"Hahaha, see you guys later."

"Where though?" He asked.

"Hmm... meet me at the food court later at about 6:30. You should be able to find your way there."

Luca got up.

"Uuggh... it's so hard to stand up," she said and groaned.

Cara chuckled in response. "That's normal. You better get used to it."

"Fuuuuck," they both said, dreading tomorrow.

The two opened the door to leave and began heading towards the stairs.

"My legs are so fucking sore," she complained.

"My arms are god damn sore as shit."

"I hope the arms aren't going to be a pain for me," she said, stepping onto the stairs. She grimaced.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck. This is not good on my knees."

She fell and took a gentle fall down the stairs on her stomach.

"I can't physically get up the stairs," she said. "I'm gonna fucking scream."

"I'd rather you not scream, y'know," he smiled at him.

"Oh, shut up."