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“Is everything alright, sweetheart?” A woman with the same red ponytail and striking green eyes approached, surrounded by several professors. “Are you hurt? Are you okay? That fall looked dangerous! You should’ve taken better care of my child. She’s not even fifteen! Why didn’t you hold back? Are you out of your mind?” Her voice shifted sharply from protective to accusatory, the last words clearly aimed at you. What could you even say to that? She was just a mother defending her daughter.
“I’m fine, Mother.” Pyrrha stepped between you both. “Really, I’m fine. If anything, Miss Shelly was careful. She held back a lot. Please… don’t talk to her like that. She treated me well.”
“But the fall! And then she pointed her weapon, and I thought that I-” Her words faltered when Pyrrha gently touched her arm.
“Mom… please…” You couldn’t see Pyrrha’s face from where you stood, but her tone said everything.
The two stayed quiet for a long moment, exchanging a silent understanding. Pyrrha’s mother finally turned to you while the professors continued examining her daughter for injuries.
“I’m sorry. She’s my pride and joy. I… get emotional seeing her fight, and results like these aren’t something I’m used to. I’m sorry, Miss Shelly.” Her voice softened, genuine remorse replacing her earlier hostility. You couldn’t blame her. If your mother had watched you fight, she’d probably have reacted the same way.
“No worries, ma’am. Your daughter is a prodigy. I’m sure she’ll have an incredible career ahead of her.” You hid your bitterness behind a polite smile.
“Thank you… Sweetie, let’s go.” Pyrrha’s mother placed a hand on her shoulder, gently trying to pull her away from the arena.
But Pyrrha resisted. She turned back toward you.
“Can… can you give me some pointers? Some tips? Tell me how to get better?”
Her mother and a few professors tried to usher her off, but she stood her ground, even as they tugged at her arm. The moment was awkward, but it felt sincere.
> “You rely too much on your Semblance.” She fought well, but depended on it too heavily. Against a clever opponent that got used to it she would be in big trouble.
> “Don’t use flashy moves against dangerous opponents.” Her loss came from risking too much for spectacle. Even when she executed it well, those moves were just not ideal against someone of equal or more skill.
> “Fight more like me. Be more aggressive.” She had the power, the stamina, the speed, and the skill, everything she needed to seize the initiative. She just had to take her chances when she got them.
> Other (Write in)
