Thread: Against the Ropes [CrimsonKitten and Sigr]

Beatrice's mumbled reply brought warm laughter to Sarah's already smiling face. Sarah couldn't help but find the boxer's awkwardness cute. She fumbled with the hems of her gloves in the brief moments of silence that followed, holding Beatrice's gaze. She stayed staring through Beatrice's lecture, absorbing each word with ravenous curiosity that shone through the set of her glinting grey eyes. Sarah held that gaze, mesmerized by the beautiful brunette and her candid personality. She was genuine... real. Beatrice didn't fake anything. She was who she was and she was proud of it. In Sarah's eyes, this was one of the most alluring features of the gorgeous woman. Her self-honesty and confidence was infectious it filled Sarah with a desire to better herself, to put in just as much effort into her well-being as Beatrice. But more than that, it made Sarah long to strip away her self doubt. That crushing weight that tailed her like a metaphorical storm cloud, raining depression and doubt upon her at every turn. Watching Beatrice, she felt as if anything were possible. Sarah drifted off, picturing the date before even discussing the details with Beatrice. She saw the beautiful woman standing in the doorway of a nondescript apartment, looking as she did in the gym... only less sweaty. Beatrice was stunning, breathtaking. Confident and sweet. She was gorgeous and Sarah found herself wondering how the date had even come to be set up. She couldn't believe that a girl as beautiful as Beatrice would even talk to an introvert like herself. But here she was, standing mere inches away from her charming smile, clear resonating laughter, and comforting hands. Not to mention her lean body. Sarah wanted nothing more than to wrap Beatrice up in a passionate embrace to savor that feeling of closeness and unfettered intimacy. To wash away all the inhibition cutting away the awkwardness inherent in such personal matters. She longed for that night, their date... but more than that, she wanted to know how it would pan out. Would they date? Would she get the chance to share her life with Beatrice -- to support her and be supported in turn? Or would it end of flopping? Nervousness began to creep along the fringes of Sarah's thoughts. Watching Beatrice in all her physical glory filled Sarah with a lighthearted resolve. If she was to follow through, if she was to be more than just some clueless girl fawning over her crush, Sarah knew she'd have to dedicate herself. She watched carefully as Beatrice made her calculated strikes, taking meticulous mental note of every minute detail. Her breath, measured inhalation followed by controlled expulsion as she punched. Rounded shoulders -- curled not hunched. Torso rotation assisted by hip flexion. Strong foot planting though. Snapping extension of her rotating arms... and like that her time for watching was up. Beatrice was finished with her demonstration. It was time for the rookie to put her limited knowledge to physical practice. Sarah stepped up to the bag, heart racing. A steadying breath loosened her posture as she raised her guard in a rough imitation of what Beatrice had shown. The boxer's gentle guiding hand made its first correction, bringing Sarah into the proper guard stance as she rounded her shoulders. She was compact and focused ready to spring into a strike. At least mentally. Beatrice's instructive words and guiding hand filled the rookie with confidence... even if she'd never executed the movements herself... correctly. Sarah lashed out with two measured jabs, connecting with the heavy bag lightly. She paused, correcting her guard with Beatrice's corrections before continuing. The rhythmic thuds of her leather gloves marked the pace of her breathing as she worked the bag, adjusting and tweaking as Beatrice suggested or tweaked her style. Her heart raced, a light sheen of sweat building, but her breathing was steady and her face was smiling. She felt great. Learning not only how to throw a basic punch but also the first lessons on self confidence from Beatrice. Sarah couldn't think of a better teacher for either subject as she smiled through the training set.