Pheo was sweating, he kept his fists on the large raw dough they made, but his vision started to blur.
"Come on!' Ryu shouted out, "Keep your punches fast and strong!"
They were practicing while in the kitchen. The wardens chalked it up as some reckless playing. They always made sure to do their share of work beforehand after all.
Ryu looked at Pheo, he would barely stand in a fight. His defense would always be lowered after the first punch.
He keeps his movements wild and flashy, sometimes hitting people out of his vision on accident.
He needs experience
Pheo swung one more punch before falling down, putting both of his arms on his stomach to try and cope with the exhaustion.
"Maybe we should make you practice on endurance before getting into actual fighting"
Ryu told him before throwing a ball of dough at Pheo's face.
He used it to wipe his face before throwing it away, "Did I at least do better than last time?"
"I'm sure there's progress somewhere" Ryu told him, but he couldn't exactly think of where that progress went. He went and sat down next to Pheo
"I think I'm getting better at fighting" Pheo punched the air, "I could probably throw way more punches than I could before"
Ryu laughed, "Maybe, but does it matter when all you hit is air?"
"If I punch fast enough, you won't even be able to dodge" Pheo continued to punch the air, making plane sounds as he did it.
"Good luck with that" He chopped Pheo in the stomach, forcing him to sit back up.
"Come on" Ryu stood up and reached his hand out to Pheo
"Someday its going to be you in the ground" Pheo told him as he grabbed his hand, getting himself up.
Ryu chucked at his confidence, "Yeah yeah, you look like a ghost by the way"
He handed Pheo a shard of glass, showing him his reflection.
Pheo's face looked like a Mime's, he grabbed a glass of water from one of the platters and splashed it on his face.
"I'm sure they won' notice a bit of missing water" Pheo told himself, wiping the water off.
They both laughed, grabbing the plates they prepared beforehand and getting out of the kitchen.
"I think you're right" Mark told Jim as he watched the two of them, "He's definitely got the spirit, but he isn't one of us"
Jim nodded, "He gave up his chance as soon as he slapped Jug's hand"
"I'm sure the next time an opportunity comes by, you know what to do?" Jim looked to Jen.
She was also sitting with them, the three of them started hanging out more.
She looked at Pheo, "Wouldn't miss my chance to get out of this place for anything else"
"You want one?" Tom went up to them. He was someone who would always be on Jug's side.
"I knew you guys were planning something" He told them, "I would usually tell Jug about this"
"Usually?" Jim questioned his words.
Tom looked at him, "I cant deny that his judgement's been off lately"
The doubt in his face was enough to make Jim smile, "So you plan on going against Jug?"
"Aren't you all too?" Tom sat down at the table, "Jug's a good leader, but he's too slow"
"Waiting for the perfect moment is getting us nowhere"
They all stayed silent, they were all tired from Jug constantly stopping them when opportunities came.
"I can make it happen in a few days" Tom told them, "A chance that won't disappoint"
"At least, for one of them. You guys have to deal with the other two" He proposed to them.
Jim looked at Jen, "No, we'll only have to deal with one"