Fitness World
Fitness World is filled with all kinds of fitness equipment. Mirrors make up the majority of the walls, so that people can ensure that they are doing their workout correctly, or merely to admire their bodies. Atop a black exercise mat is a free weight area with several dumbell racks, exercise balls and specialized weight machines for each muscle grouping.
Stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair climbers, and rowing machines are along the outer edge of the workout area, but still about ten feet from any wall. Televisions hang from the ceiling above the equipment and are meant to provide some form of distraction for those busily training. Surrounding the entire area is a circular track, where people can run if they don't feel like using a treadmill.
A large section of wall is void of mirrors. In place of the mirrors is floor to ceiling glass, enclosing an aerobics room. A large raised platform sits in the far back of this room in front of another mirrored wall, devised for an instructor to call out to the class.
There are doors which lead from both the gym, and the locker rooms to a large, heated pool.
Plans have been made, and promises as well. Which is why Scarlett is at the Fitness World. Generally, she can keep herself in good shape, just by daily walks or runs, but she wants to learn how to better defend herself. Cue the Slugger, who promised to help her with it despite his injured hand. A small room off to the side of the main exercise area, is filled with wrestling mats. Matted walls as well. The female Fontane twin is dressed in a cute little yoga outfit — capris, racerback tank top, and shoes, all in black with green accents. She's busily stretching her body, trying to limber up for the session that will hopefully be taking place.
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Punctuality is key, especially in the mind of the eldest Cornett. The only issue today is getting ready with all of the injuries that he's sustained. When he finally appears, he's wearing a black wife beater and dark blue basketball shorts. His clothing is only slightly less bruised looking than he is as his chosen clothing shows off his healing wounds. Even with his recently reinjured and bandaged hand he is here because a promise is a promise and a deal is a deal. Robert flashes Scarlett his award winning smile when he sees her. "Nice outfit." Hey, he's engaged now, he can feel a little bit more relaxed when it comes to teasing.
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Ever a girl, Scarlett preens. It's nice to be complimented, and it's not as if she's got a lot of them thrown her way recently. "You too. You sure you want to do this, Slugger? You're looking pretty… black and blue." With a wink, she stops her stretching, then moves up to the mat. "I should probably warn you that I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. I've never been huge on physical altercations."
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If she's looking for the occasional compliments she certainly is hanging out with the correct individual. When women don't go out of their way to impress him or throw themselves at him he can be somewhat of a nice guy. "You think so? I thought these colors went good together. You know, they match." Robert is attempting to maintain high spirits which is not difficult to do at this point. "Seriously, though. This is all my fault so I'm good to work through it all. Besides, you're not getting off the hook that easily." Even during the switch from nice guy to instructor mode he keeps his smile. "That's okay. You're here to learn, right? And I can't make you any MMA champion but I I think you'll be fine."
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"There is that, they match. They match your entire body." Scarlett smiles cutely at him, not hardly flirtatious at all. "It may be all your fault, Slugger, but you shouldn't have to suffer through all that pain." While he gets into instructor mode, she spins playfully, dancing toward her gym bag. Bending at the waist, she digs around in it and comes up with an amulet of sorts. Then she traipses back to him, arm extended. "It's no aspirin or instant healing but it should help the pain subside for a little while." Then there's a teasing pout. "Awww you mean my dream of fighting in the UFC is dashed?"
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At this he actually has to look himself over as if he has issues believing that his wounds are as bad as they've been presented. "That's just the way it is sometimes. It'd crush my protector role if I cried over a few bruises." He takes the amulet with his good hand and examines it closely. There's no negative reaction from Bobby but he's not exactly sure what to do with it. Eventually he loops it over his neck as best he can with one hand. "Well, you're no Power Ranger, but I can see what I can do."
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Scarlett would have helped him with the amulet of sorts, only she didn't want to insult him by insisting he put it on. "It's still alright if I cry over a few bruises though right?" The cute smile remains, so she's likely just playing. "OoOoh, well if I had to be a Power Ranger, I'd want to be the one that was a gymnast, except I don't think I'd want to wear that much pink."
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It is somewhat of a sad sight but he gets it on eventually. "Oh, in that case? Cry away. I love the attention." That charming smile remains plastered in place so it very well may seem as if he's flirting but that's just Robert. He eventually moves to stand on one of the mats. "Kimberly." Beat. "Not that I know that. Please don't tell anyone that I know that." Looks like he's been outed. "So I'm not sure what exactly you wish to learn, but I'll start with teaching you to throw a solid punch. Your strength doesn't necessarily matter if you know what you're doing."
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"When my lovely body starts getting all beaten up, I'll definitely cry! Then you can have all the attention you want." Waggling her eyebrows up and down, she laughs. "Kimberly, that's it. Dig that half ponytail and those sidebangs." It looks as though Scarlett is going to run off and tell someone, but she gives him a thoughtful look. "Alright, Slugger, you're secret's safe with me." Lessons are beginning though, so she sobers up and pays attention.
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Hope likely would understand what is going on here. Ivan? Probably not as much. It is a very good thing that they are alone at this moment. "You think that I would opt to say no to any more female attention these days. I'm just a sucker for a pretty face." This is true, even if the pretty faces are mostly family members. "Good. I'd hate to have to toughen up your training right away." With her ready to pay attention, he moves beside her and slowly demonstrates how he at least throws a punch. The motion is repeated until he prompts her to do the same, even going as far as to stand behind her and guide her hand and arm until it is just right. "It really is all about the motion. Like this."
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"You're no slouch in the looks department either, Slugger." Winking at him in a now flirtatious manner, she near beams at the compliment. Scarlett — sucker for words that make her feel good about herself. Back to business again, and she watches the demonstration. Eyes follow the punch as it repeats over and over, then she takes a deep breath. Her finger curl into a fist, and she allows him to guide her arm in the forward motion. "What about stance?"
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If he actually hears her comment about is looks he doesn't seem to react any differently. His smile doesn't seem to go away though, not even as they're actually getting down to business. He's comfortable with Scarlett so he's not afraid to show it. "You want to be loose; comfortable. If you stand too rigid it won't be very effective." Taking the initiative as only Robert can, he allows his hands to move down her legs and position them just so. Then he bounces on the balls of his feet to show her how to do it. "You use this as motion to drive through your punch. So when you swing…" Which he does so. "… it gives you the power. It's like that carnival game with the big hammer. You use your body and wrist there, not your strength."
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A flashed moment of surprise, widened eyes, and a grin as he seems to have no qualms with just sliding his hands down her legs to position them. "Loose and comfortable? For manuverability? Those television fighters all look tight and rigid." Loose and comfortable may take a while to sink in because of her preconceived notions. The bouncy movement is mimicked, as is the swing. Scarlett over calculates the motion though and swings her entire body forward, stumbling toward him.
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If he's going to be her trainer can't afford to have any qualms about touching her. It simply will not work. "Those men are overly muscled. They could be slouching and you couldn't tell because their six packs keep them straight as an ironing board." He's not trying to be humorous but rather is speaking his opinion. His clothing will show just how in shape he is but his muscles don't have muscles which haven't given birth to baby muscles. "You don't want to be like that. Use your natural grac…" Before Robert can finish he finds that he has an arm full of Scarlett, the woman falling against his chest. At least he caught her.
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Natural grace has her falling right against him. At least Scarlett didn't knock him down, which would just have been devestatingly embarrassing. Her head lifts up slowly, a wry grin given. "H-hi." She's so stunned at being caught that she doesn't even laugh at the image of overly muscled men doing ironing, that his words have provoked in her.
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Unless drunk he has a fairly decent sense of stability. It is a good thing, too, because at this rate he may very well need it. Bobby continues to stand there, holding the rather red in the face Scarlett. It's almost as if he's working in slow motion as it takes him a moment to register what exactly happens. Finally the man chuckles yet he doesn't hurry to get her square on her feet. "It looks like you have more power than I thought. We just need to work on your balance."
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"I have the grace of a bull in a china shop," she stammers out quickly. Scarlett raises her right hand up to tuck stray hair behind her ear, and then looks at him slowly. Her eyes are angled up at his face, her lips finally curving into a smile. "You can let me go now," she says softly, "I won't fall…"
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He blinks. The smartass man with a winning smile is actually left speechless for a while. "I don't know," Bobby points out as he does help ensure that she's standing on her own two feet. "You did say you weren't graceful. I'd hate to let go and watch you fall on your ass." So elegant, this one. "Well, should I teach you grace before I teach you to fight? I'm sure I can figure out how." If at all possible, he seems to be even more relaxed around Scarlett. Now that he's seen what she really has in her, the smile she gets is actually more genuine. Not that the other one was noticeably fake.
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That she's made a man that speechless, while he's still holding her up against him, causes Scarlett to blink up at him. "The floor's padded," she points out, glancing down at the mat beneath their feet. "I think my ass can handle it." Elegance right back at him. "Are you going to plop books on my head and make me balance them as I walk around the room? Dance lessons? Dance lessons would definitely be better."
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He bursts out in laughter at the fact that she dishes everything right back to him. That is the type of person Bobby is. If she is easily offended or too easily flattered he likely wouldn't be nearly as sociable. "Still we should save your ass the pain if we can. You don't want it to look like me." A bruise, that is. Robert rubs at the back of his head with his bad hand. "Dance lessons? Hey, if you want to sign up for those feel free. You're on your own. There's nothing graceful about me."
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"I don't know," she teases, "have you seen your ass?" Scarlett returns the laughter, obviously not offended in the least, and teasing him to the fullest. "The non-graceful teaching the non-graceful? Not on your life, Slugger. I sign up for a dance class, you're coming too. You can't expect to teach grace if you have none yourself." A finger taps her cheek thoughtfully. "Tango. Definitely tango."
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That's it. Now she has him turning around to literally examine his own behind. "I don't know. I've always heard that it looks rather good." Hello, ego. Robert turns back quickly to stare at her, his head shaking slightly as he does so. Scarlett is almost given a sideways glance at this. "Me? Tango?" The tone implies that she should know this is a bad idea. "I think you need your feet for balance and you very likely won't be able to use them if you have me dancing with you."
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Watching him examining his own behind causes her to laugh. "You've heard right then." Hello, flirtation. Scarlett stares back, the sideways glance met with a grin. "You. Tango. You need grace, I need grace, and I hate ballroom dancing." Her face scrunches up, her eyes glancing down at her sneakered feet. "I'll wear steel toes, they'll be safe."
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Yes, flirtation. That bad part is that he's eating it up and encouraging it. So Bobby moves with the full intent of getting a good view of her behind. "Did I mention I like your outfit?" It's harmless, really. "I, uh… okay? My sisters can't find out. Mellie moved in downstairs and I /know/ she'll want to find out." Beat. "She can't find out." That comes out a little more serious than the rest of the conversation. Scarlett looking at her feet causes him to look down at his. "Steele toes? Does that mean that I have to wear the heels?"
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Skin tight yoga capries and a racerback halter. Who wouldn't like it? Scarlett looks at him over her shoulder and smiles, "You did, but I doubt it's the outfit you're enjoying so much." He's agreeing though, and she nods. "Deal. I won't tell your sisters, if you don't tell Ivan. They give lessons here at the gym on Thursdays which are my usual gym nights anyhow." Her gaze shifts to his feet, then up over his body. "Nah. You're much to manly to wear a dress."
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"Hey now." His tone is still in jest. "It could be that I happen to have a fascination with women's yoga clothes. You know, I could be jealous that they make my butt look big. Or something." He's at least attempting to play it all off as a joke. "Ivan. Yeah, he can't know. Once he knows the whole world will know. I saw on the internet that he's sleeping with Fai…Ro… His girlfriend." Some people have too many names. Now he's looking over himself again. "Are you sure? I could find a pretty blue and black one and continue to match. I'm sure the Tango instructor would love that."
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"You really don't strike me as the cross-dressing type, Slugger." Scarlett seems to be sizing him up again, her head gently drifting to the left, then right. "Positive. Pretty as the blue and black would be, I like you better like this." Bluntly said, but in a good way. "Ivan? Yeah. Though I could have told you that since she leaves her underthings around his apartment. Tucked in couches. Kind of crass of him to announce it so publicly though."
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He humphs as both hands find his hips. It's as girly as Bobby can be. He then shrugs it all off as if it never really happened. "Well, then, I better go with what you like best. I'd hate to disappoint." The conversation is almost entering into uncomfortable considering the fact that Rose looks like Hope who is his pseudo fiance. So he rubs the back of his head again and laughs nervously. "That's why you wait until marriage; someone will find out and it will either make you a super star or ruin you." It's a joke, mostly.
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"I hate to be disappointed," Scarlett notes playfully. Right up until she notices the slightly uncomfortable laugh. "Ivan's always been like that. It's who he is. Waiting until marriage though? I don't know. What if you never get married? Seems like a boring life, being the perpetual virgin, doesn't it?"
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This is certainly not conversation he really thought about when he agreed to come but he doesn't mind. Robert shrugs yet again. "I don't know. I mean, I'm not used to having a steady girlfriend so I just never really considered it." Good guy, this Bobby. "It could be boring. I could be missing out. I've just spent so much time protecting others that I never even thought about it."
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Scarlett was only coming out to learn how to defend herself. Not get in on a hot and heavy discussion about sexual encounters of any kind. "I think it would be boring. I always think of those old maid aunts that never marry, never have children, and wind up with twenty million cats."
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"What's wrong with cats?" He doesn't actually own any pets and so he's grinning from ear to ear when this is asked. Looks like that despite the serious conversation Robert can keep it somewhat light. "I guess I want kids someday. Maybe in twenty years. I mean, look at me. I shouldn't even have a stable girlfriend with what I do to myself." The bandaged hand waves at Scarlett.
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"There's nothing inherently wrong with cats. It's more that I don't want to wind up alone with a million cats." Scarlett moves a little on the mat, tries to recover the comfortable and relaxed stance, and throws another punch at the air. Not entirely correct, but she's trying. "So a girl shouldn't be interested in you because you like to punch things? Twenty years ago they would have been swooning all over you, Slugger."
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He moves right along with her, this time standing not too far before her. "Heck, I can't even decide on a pet to have. I think that says something." His good hand is raised to her, palm flat in her direction. "Aim for my hand. Hit it as hard as you can." This will be interesting. Robert actually chuckles. "Yeah, but today everyone's mind is on marriage. I don't mind, really. I could settle down. I don't have any fears about it. I guess it sounds like I have no opinions at all."
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The maneuver is repeated again, this time the fist twisting a little and coming not too far from Robert's arm. "I don't know if I'd want a pet. They eat, they poop, they get underfoot…" Scarlett tries again with the punch, this time her aim is for his hand. It comes hard, fast and uncontrolled. "I don't put much thought into I guess. I've never been in a serious enough relationship to."
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Even as she gets closer to him with her fists the man does not flinch. "Sounds almost like a boyfriend." The toothy smile is offered yet again. He's either teasing or trying to egg her on. The punch that hits his hand doesn't hit square so it's hard to tell how she'll react to it. He again doesn't flinch. "So grace and aim. We need to work on your aim." Robert then bursts out laughing. He points to the dead center of his palm. "Imagine this is your brother's face. That seems to be a powerful motivator." Beat. "Now I find that hard to believe. Your brother? Sure. He's dating a mental patient. But you? Now you're lying to me."
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"I could have a lot more fun with a boyfriend than I could a cat," Scarlett says, brows lifted upward in a waggling motion. Her hand is drawn back with a little, "Ow!", and given a shake to make the pain go away. "In high school I honestly didn't have time to get serious with anyone. I was cleaning up Ivan's mistakes." As it's said, she focuses on the center of his palm and throws another punch. "Afterward there was art school, then moving to Dallas and opening the studio." Not a whole lot of time to meet someone.
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Even as innocent as it can be, that brow waggling does make him smile and almost blush. Almost. "Well, that's true. I hope so, anyway." He very nearly goes to check on her hand and would do so if she wasn't up and punching again right away. Ever the protector. This time the punch strikes true and he mimics the same action that she just took. "See? All it takes is Ivan and anyone can fight." His bandaged hand rubs at the good one before he offers it again. "That's a shame, you know. That you've felt the need to worry about others before yourself." As if Bobby can talk. "You would make someone very happy."
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"You know, as much as I give my brother a lot of grief, I don't really hate him." Scarlett smiles, though it is a somewhat pained one. Her hand given another shake. "It's mother hen syndrome. As the oldest, it's my way of protecting them." She knows how it is. "Thanks, but I doubt many people would be able to put up with my artistic whimsy."
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Seeing her reaction causes him to lower his hand. Robert steps up to Scarlett and holds out his good hand. "Here, let me see." If he's actually hurt her he'll feel bad. "And I'm not a mother hen so I wouldn't know. But I'm sure that if you ask my sisters I am overly protective." Bobby chuckles at her last statement. "Scarlett, if there's one thing I am confident of it's that there is someone out there for everyone, and you'll have no issues finding someone who likes you for exactly how you are."
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Her hand is placed in his once she's done shaking it out. Red from the double punch, and lack of skill, but unbroken. "Ivan likes to try and be the protector, I think that's a guy thing." Scarlett's cheeks heat up as he says that, a clearing of her throat takes place. "I suppose we'll have to wait and see then, won't we? Seems to me, all the good guys are taken already, Slugger."
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He touches her hand delicately, his expression serious as he tests out everything. "It could be a guy thing. I just kind of started with Chloe and kept going. Now with Dad gone someone has to do it." He's at least leaving out the part about his mother. The blush isn't even noticed as his focus is on her hand. "You're only taken if you're married." He's not actively encouraging anything; it almost slips out without a second thought. Finally Robert looks up to her with a nod. "Maybe we should get you some gloves and work on your grace first. We can also practice evasion and grapples until we build up your hands."
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He's busy with her hand, but Scarlett is just peering down on it, surprised by the delicacy of the touch. "You're a great person, Slugger. Don't let anyone tell you any diff—" Her expression immediately changes, and her eyes snap to his face. "Yes, well, I suppose you aren't." When he looks up, he'll find her staring at him speculatively. "Kickboxing gloves?" Those are thinner, she thinks. "Can you handle grapples with the cast?"
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A lover and a fighter. It wouldn't do to be rough with someone who doesn't deserve it and he does keep himself in excellent condition. "Oh, believe me. No one agrees with that." Robert is actually rather surprised to find her looking at him as she is. At first his expression is blank but then he just smiles. That's what he does. "I'm not what?" She's already talking about gloves and he nods immediately. "That's what I was thinking. I can get some of those for you easily enough." Then he's laughing, his eyes almost sparkling at the moment. "Cast or no I can grapple you, yes. But I should be fine. You'd be amazed at what I can do one handed."
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Mixed signals are running rampant here, and it takes Scarlett a little bit to get herself back under control. "I believe it. You're a good person." The easy smile returns, though she's still giving him a somewhat speculative look. "I-I meant in general. People. People aren't taken until they're married." Then they're back on the subject of gloves and she looks down at her hands. "I can get them. Sporting goods stores carry them, right?" Those twinkling eyes cause her to laugh. "Alright then, Slugger. Show me what you've got."
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Yes, mixed signals. He's not oblivious to them but he's not exactly sure what is going on. It isn't something he dislikes or else he'd be withdrawing. "Thanks." It's said almost sheepishly. "Yeah, that's always been a personal belief of mine. But that was back when I was girl hopping. That doesn't mean that attractions can't happen… I'm rambling." He might almost be blushing, too, but thank goodness for the gloves. "Sure, they should have them. I've seen them in all colors, too." Robert finally removes his hand and steps back. He actually offers her a look of concern, even if mild. "Are you sure? If so, come at me."
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A gasp. "You? A girl hopper? I doubt you were half as bad as Ivan." Attractions may be happening, which Scarlett will argue are just part and parcel of being so physically close; fighting or not. "Great. I'll pick up a pair next time I head to the mall." Limbering up a little, she nods at him once. "Sure I'm sure. I have no idea what I'm doing though." Rather than come at him with a conventional grapple, she angles in with arms extended to grip about his upper body in a pushy tackle.
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There's something in store for Scarlett, something that may not be evil but certainly she could have been warned about. As she comes near him, he uses his arms and not his hands to block hers. A mere side-step and he's behind her, one arm around the midsection and the other around her collarbones. He could have went for the face or the neck but he's being considerate. "This is where grace comes in," he whispers in her ear as he remains behind her. Apparently Robert is far more graceful than he lets on. "And I don't know what Ivan is like. I just never really attracted the girls that were worth keeping around."
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Positive that she has him, there is a squeak of surprise when he turns the tables on her. Then a laugh. Scarlett feels his warm breath against her ear, and leans her head back. Tilting it just enough to see his face. "Which is where the dance lessons come in," she whispers back, playfully. "I don't know why you wouldn't. Had there been someone like you around when I was in school…"
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The squeak brings a smile to his face. He really should have warned her but an attack rarely warns the victim. At least she takes it in good spirits. "I'm almost looking forward to them now, Grace." It's taken a while but Bobby has finally taken to giving her a nickname. When she turns to look at him he just looks right back, his eyes dropping to her lips for a moment. It almost appears as if he's leaning towards her. "I'm much more fun now than I was in high school…"
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A nickname? For her? It brings a delicate little smile to her lips. Which are being stared at. Scarlett doesn't move, with the exception of breathing. Just looking up at him now, having no clue beyond elbowing him, how to get out of the hold. "Me too," she replies quietly.
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It very well could be the closeness of working hand in hand with someone, especially someone that is a likable person. Bobby's eyes travel back up to hers as he mentally kicks himself for acting as he is. There's just something about her that he didn't expect when agreeing to work with her. So the man does lean in, pseudo engaged or not, only stopping when he realizes that he's not exactly giving her a choice in this. "I'm sorry." So his arms fall from her and he even begins to turn away. He is not like Ivan even if he's feeling as such.
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Remember earlier? When he said he didn't want her to break her ass? Well there is another squeak, and Scarlett lands on her ass on the mat. A glance is given to him, a surprised glance. Then she laughs it off. "Not your fault I'm not the world's best fighter." Ignorance is bliss and she's choosing to ignore any of the previous flirtations. "I should have figured a way out of that hold is all." Diverting her attention to picking herself back up and grabbing her bag, she clears her throat and gently says, "So, kickboxing gloves, and I'll see you next week?"
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That squeak is more than enough to pull his attention back to her and he's actually on the floor as soon as he realizes what happened. "I didn't mean to do that. I'm really sorry. Are you okay?" At least the concern on Robert's face is masking the other emotions that he's feeling. He remains crouched on the ground as she picks herself up to leave. "Thursday," he corrects. "We have dance lessons."
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Scarlett's intention wasn't to pull his attention back to her, rather just automatically squeak when surprised. The concern is noted, and met with a smile. "I know, don't apologize, I'm fine. I didn't break my tailbone." She pauses as she reaches the door. "Thursday then. Dance lessons." Then she's gone, hightailing it to the locker room quick as can be.
