Tony woke up in a gigantic bed. He knew it was gigantic because none of his arms or legs were sticking off the ends, and for someone who was 6'5", that was an unfamiliar feeling. He'd been locked up for a decade and grown used to the relatively tiny prison beds, but this... this was amazing. He stretched in the bed and sighed contentedly; if he wasn't so hungover, this would probably be heaven.

Tony's idea of heaven improved when a mess of tousled hair rose from the bed next to him and a beautiful dame turned to look at him. When a second beauty joined her, he stopped thinking and just decided to be grateful for his good fortune. A smile cracked his face as he imagined the boys on the prison block seeing him now. Quite a first night of freedom! 

He just didn't quite remember how it had happened. 

There'd been a dinner his sister had thrown him with a cake and everything that- right. One of these gals had pinched the cake and his car, and he'd followed her... and wound up walking into a different sort of party. The names came back to him slowly: Runa and Elle.

The two girls seemed to have recovered more than him. How did he even get here? Where was here?

"Uh, hey girls."

Runa threw a blanket over his face as he heard Elle scamper off, presumably to the bathroom.

"Welcome back, Tony," smirked Runa. "So. Not sure you remember our conversation from last night, but you work for me now. And Elle. Or Elle? Look, you definitely work for one of us."

Tony watched as the brunette emerged from the bed, wrapped herself in a sheet, and moved to the nightstand, where she threw a wad of bills at him.

"There's six months of pay in advance. You're going to be muscle when I- or we- need it. And you're going to teach us how to fight, too. Just... in a couple hours. Any questions?"

Tony blinked. "Uh... Okay. Did we..." He indicated the bed, then waved an arm that encompassed Runa and the direction Elle had walked off in.

"You wish, Tony."

Looking at the king-sized bed that took up most of her bedroom, Runa sighed and turned around. She'd go to whatever shower Elle wasn't in, then they'd meet back here and start training. After breakfast.

The water pressure in Runa's apartment was much better than that in Elle's, and as she stood under the showerhead, Elle now knew why. The thing was as big as a dessert plate, it swiveled, and there were various notches on it to control water flow. Elle was seriously considering another nap in here when the pressure dropped suddenly. 

"Awww." Rinsing the last of the soap away, Elle made a mental note to ask Runa where she's gotten all the nice furnishings. She grabbed a fluffy towel, dried off, and re-dressed herself quickly. In the medicine chest, she found a bottle of aspirin and carried it with her into the kitchen.

"Oh. Um. Hi, Tony." This was awkward. There'd been no funny business, but the three of them had indeed slept in a huge puppy pile of bodies last night. Or was that this morning? 

"Where's Runt?" Elle pulled a pitcher of orange juice in her direction, along with a glass. Tony appeared to have culinary skills, beyond the stabbing and stripping. She watched him low-flip a perfectly cooked over-medium egg in the air and catch it in the pan again as if it were a pancake or a pizza. The yolk didn't even bust.

"Who?" She couldn't see his face, his back was turned and she could hear a peppermill being churned.

"Runt. Runa." 

"Oh. She's at your place, using your shower." The front door opened, and Runa entered, wearing some of Elle's clothes. Seemed fair, since Elle had borrowed some of hers. They were the same size, so it worked. Elle waved at her enthusiastically, then immediately wished she hadn't. She grabbed the aspirin bottle and popped off the top, spilling a small handful of tablets into her hand.

"He cooks, too!" Elle mouthed at Runa as she approached. Elle slid the juice pitcher and aspirin bottle her way, then pulled out a chair and sat. The sound of sizzling bacon was a beautiful symphony, and her stomach lurched, settled, then growled noisily.

Runa waved back at Elle and they shared a grimace and a small pile of aspirin.

"We're fine," said Runa, taking a deep breath and sounding like she's trying to convince herself. "We're fine. We're going to feel normal in a little while. Just need some food. And a nap."

"Order up, girls," said Tony, as he served them both eggs. "Been a while since I cooked, but it seems like it came out pretty well."

Runa watched with wide eyes as the bacon hit her plate as well.

"So Elle," said Runa, chewing, "I officially hired Tony. Figured I'd give him the third apartment. He can be part bodyguard, part fighting tutor, part cook. We're payin' him well enough for all three jobs, I think. He can stick around here, and tag along with one or both of us if needed. We can make a calendar or something."

"Sure," interjected Tony. "Although I'd prefer not having much to do on Sundays. My sister has a big family dinner and she wants me to come. And I'd like to go.  I mean, if you're in trouble and you need me, then that's fine, but if there's an option... just putting it out there."

Runa shrugged as she tore into more bacon. "Sure, why not. And if you ever hear screaming from my room or Elle's room in the middle of the night, you have our permission to barge in and protect us. Just make sure it's not the good kind of screaming first."

Tony smirked.

"Uh..." Runa kept chewing. "Teach us how to fight, protect us, don't come in my room without me asking unless there's yelling... Elle, are there any other rules that Tony needs to be aware of? I already made him aware of the Race Street connection."

Elle considered the question as she smeared a piece of bacon through a puddle of egg yolk. The food was really, really good, and that wasn't just the hangover talking.

"Hm. No, I think you hit the high notes. Although, it might be in our best interest if we could maybe get Tony's parole officer on our payroll. I recently lost a really good dealer, thanks to a P.O. who actually did his job. Tony's a good egg, no pun intended. I'd hate to make more unnecessary trouble for him, he's already lost a marble cake and had the bumper torn off his car." Elle shot Runa a grin as Tony sniggered. 

"If you two are up for it, my afternoon is wide open. I think our first lesson is in order, but I kind of need another nap first, to clear out whatever's still going on up in here." Elle twirled her fingers around her head. The headache was subsiding, but it was taking its sweet time about it. 

"Tony, thank you for brunch." Elle finished her orange juice and stood. "Runt, I'll get your clothes dry-cleaned before I return them, but I have a feeling we both just doubled our wardrobes." She stuck a tongue out at her buddy, saluted, and left on the promise of returning in a few hours for practice.

Runa pointed a piece of bacon at Elle, then nodded.

"That's a great idea, Elle. The nap and the training and the parole. I didn't even know about that"

Tony nodded his agreement. 

"Sounds good then," said Tony. "We'll rest, then meet back here for training."

6 hours later

Runa sighed as she exited her apartment and walked over to Elle's, where she knocked and then headed over to Tony's. She was dressed in simple pants and a t-shirt, as her new bodyguard had requested. For now, they were training using the empty third apartment that Tony would be staying at. 

"Alright," said Tony, who'd crossed his muscular arms in front of his chest. "How much experience do you two have in scraps?"

Runa raised her hand. "I have never actually tried to punch anyone."

Tony blinked, then looked at Elle. "What about you?"

"I'd say I have more experience roughhousing than I do with actual fighting. Guns, sure. Knives, some, and I'm actively trying to get better because people don't think to look for those, not on a girl, anyway." Elle shrugged and shifted her weight. She may have had too much tea.

"Alright then. Answer me this, what's going to be the best weapon you have, right there on your person?" 

Runa looked down at her chest, Elle glanced at her crotch. Tony lowered his head and composed himself before starting again. 

"Up here, Ladies." He tapped his temple with a thick finger. "Guns shoot, knives stab, but your mind is limitless. Use it. Get creative. You can bet your bottom dollar the other guy is gonna use anything at his disposal, and he won't have trouble fighting dirty. Elle, come at me. Don't be scared to try anything." Elle looked at Runa and shrugged, then charged Tony. Her knee came up, making a beeline for his beanbag. Easy as pie, Tony clasped her airborne knee, set her off balance, and dumped her on the floor. 

"Good, good. Your only problem there was projection. I could see what you were aiming for before you even started moving." He helped her up, then gestured at Runa. 

"You try. Don't let me see what you're thinking." Runa walked forward to meet Tony, her eyes bouncing around all the different contact points on his body. Wordlessly, she grabbed his t-shirt, stretched it up and over his head, and hooked her foot around his ankle to trip him while pushing him as hard as she could on his shoulder. When he crashed to the ground, both girls cheered.

"Excellent!" Tony freed himself from the confines of his shirt and stood up. "Now you're getting it! One time in prison I had to use a spoon to... eh, nevermind. The point is, there's always something you can do. Go for eyes, go for the Adam's apple, use someone's hair. If you're wearing rings or high-heeled shoes, you're never without usable objects. Alright. You two square off, show me what you've learned so far." Tony leaned back against the nearest wall. He was trying to look and sound very professional about it but honestly, this was probably going to be very hot, and he couldn't believe he was getting paid to watch.

Runa glanced at Elle and nodded. 

"I like the knife idea. Seems like those could be really intimidating, get people to talk pretty easy."

Oooooh. The mind. Right. Runa pondered, thinking about how her brothers would torment her and each other when they were younger. Then she grabbed Tony's t-shirt and pulled it over his head and tried to trip him. It worked, surprisingly, and she had to wonder how much of it was Tony trying to build her confidence. She was pretty 

"Alright, Elephant, get ready to get... hunted... or something."

Runa punched the air like Tony had taught them, trying to keep her weight on the balls of her feet. 

She glanced at Tony.

"But I don't want to fight Elle."

"Pretend she's someone who hurt you," suggested Tony.

Runa bit her lip and pondered.

"I mean, no one's ever really hurt me. My mom left when I was little, but it's not like I hate her or anything. It just feels weird trying to hurt Elle."

Tony stared for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally he settled on saying, "You've had a fortunate life, kid. Just, uh, do your best, I guess."

Runa and Elle stood apart from each other for a long time with their fists raised. Neither one seemed willing to make the first move.

Tony sighed. "Alright. New plan. We'll keep reviewing the basics: punching, dodging, footwork... maybe start practicing with some knives. We'll do that for a few hours, have dinner, then go out and you two can start a barfight. Elle, find some territory where Don Mezzo might want to make a statement? Nobody too dangerous. But a bar where some locals might need a little lesson? I'll let you two take the lead, but I'll be there to bail you out if needed."

By the time a couple hours had passed, both girls had the basics down pat. 

Problem was, they had zero desire to actually cause each other any harm. Tony grew weary of watching Runa and Elle air-punch each other, or try to kick a shin from a foot away. He yawned, then kicked off the wall.

"Okay. You two look ready for something more... realistic? Elle? You think of a place yet?" 

Elle stopped pretending to elbow Runa in the ribs and looked at him. "Well, sure, there's always a place with drunks who don't understand the life, you know, talking shit when they think it's just them and their friends? There's an Irish place not all that far from here, ii's small but usually rowdy. Italians avoid it, unless they're looking for a fight." Elle smiled, because that was exactly what they were doing.

And within half an hour, the girls were changed and sitting in the back of Tony's beaten-up ride. 

​​​​​"There! See it, Tony? It's that... aww. You passed it." Elle looked at Runa, she'd mentioned the place was tiny, right? Tony was cool, though, and slowly eased the rattling rustbucket into a u-turn, then parked several car lengths down the block from the entrance. 

"Alright, Ladies. I'm going to clear off a clean spot on that dirty-ass window, and watch you from there. If things look hinky, I'm coming in after you. Before you ask, yes I'm carrying." Tony strode down the sidewalk ahead of them, and Elle had to admire his authoritative demeanor. She looked over at Runa, then clasped her hand. 

"Ready?"

"Well, what better way to learn, right?"

She projected confidence, but Runa's grip was like a vice and Elle could hear the nervousness in her voice- so much of Runa's skillset was based around never needing to throw a punch. They walked into the bar together, scoping out the crowd. There were a couple of young Irish lads at the bar, though they looked a couple years too young to be there. It was a little hole in the wall with a half dozen people in it. Walking in, Runa immediately felt like she was at home, back in the Bigger Fish tavern her dad ran.

Runa looked nervously at the two young men at the bar, who were already glaring at them. 

She couldn't just walk up to one and punch him, right? 

Better to provoke. Taking Elle's hand, Runa led her to the table right near the window. She sat down and put her dirty boots up on the table, then hit the table loudly for service. Growing up in a tavern had at least taught her how to be an asshole.

"Couple beers!" Runa yelled. "And the good stuff! None of that piss you paddies call beer!"

She leaned forward.

"So what do we talk about while we wait for them to- oh shit that was fast."

"You're very talented," hissed Elle. "Here they come. Get ready."

Runa and Elle popped up off their chairs as the two young men approached her and Elle. 

"I think you lasses are in the wrong place," said one of them. Neither one looked particularly formidable, although the bartender looked like he could break either of the girls over his knee if he was so inclined.

"Unless you're here lookin' for a man," said the other. "In which case, we'd be happy to show you a good time."

Runa took a deep breath and punched the boy in front of her in the nose- a good straight jab that she followed up with a punch to the stomach. Entirely focused on her opponent and trusting Elle to handle her own, Runa tried to kick her guy in the crotch, but he twisted his leg and managed to block it.

Her reflexes were good enough to dodge the two wild haymakers her opponent threw, but her second dodge led her to stumble and the Irishman charged her, pushing her with so much force that she was lifted off the ground and landed with her back on the table behind her before she skidded off and hit the floor. 

Rubbing the back of her head, temporarily in a fort of an overturned table and chairs, Runa chanced a look to see how Elle was doing. 

Watching as the little scene dissolved into a shit storm upset Elle. It was their first try, and it seemed as if they were going to get their butts whipped by two scrawny boys before even a minute had passed. She was reaching down to try and free Runa from the tangle of table and chair legs when two arms wrapped around her in a reverse bear-hug. Her feet kicked out in a panic, until she saw Tony's face through the window. 

"Use your head." He mouthed. Elle stopped struggling and became dead weight. A second passed, then she smiled and threw her head back into the second boy's face, smashing his nose. He released her and she spun around just in time to see a bar stool swinging her way. Another patron had joined in the fray, and Elle ducked, then popped back up, bringing her closed fist into his crotch as she did. He dropped the stool, and Elle used his forward momentum to grab his ears and yank his head down into her rising knee. 

"Woohoo!' She hollered as she spun around again, fists raised and bouncing around like a boxer. She was fully prepared to help Elle with her situation but, much to her happy surprise, Runa was holding her own. Back on her feet now, she was trading some impressive blows with the first young man. The bartender was lumbering over now, though, and Elle knew neither could take him on, so she yelled out towards the sparring pair.

"Hey is your name Adam?" The boy stilled, arms still raised. The question had confused him, but Runa knew what it meant. Her little fist flew straight forward and into his throat. He made a funny little sound and grabbed at his windpipe just as Elle grabbed Runa's hand and pulled her out the door. They hit the sidewalk running, joining Tony for a short jog to the car. 

"Did you see? Runa wiped the smile right off that jerk's face! That was amazing!" Elle was practically hopping up and down in her seat as the car gasped to life and motored away. 

"She did great! You both did! I'm very proud of you. We're going to stop at the market next and grab some bags of frozen peas for your knuckles. I'm thinking about a nice primavera for dinner." 

Runa kept raising her hand to her cheekbone and wincing.

"You know... I'm glad we did okay. And we keep practicing every day like you said, Tony... but I still think my way of sneaking around and not getting hit is easier."

Still, she was grinning as she lay back in the seat. 

"That was a nice move you did with your head there, Elle."

Suddenly, Runa's grin faded from her face.

"Hey... that kid I hit in the throat. He's definitely okay, right? I didn't actually hurt him or-" 

She couldn't say the words "kill him".

"-or anything?"

Tony glanced at Elle; with him on the other side of a dirty window, she'd have seen it better.

Elle caught the look from Tony in the rearview and deflated a little. She'd been so excited over the outcome that she hadn't given any thought whatsoever to Runa"s more sensitive nature. She picked her next words carefully.

"Okay, so, I understand your concern. I mean, yeah, we basically picked that fight, but those guys could have really hurt us. Hurt us in lots of ways, if they wanted to, and for all we know, they wanted to. Certain people are kinda built that way. It's why you find them day-drinking in a crummy run-down joint instead of out trying to make a living. Did you hurt him? Sure, some. He's going to recover, though, and you know what? He's gonna probably go on to fight someone else for no good reason whatsoever.

"The important thing is, though, is that you stood up to him, you did what you had to do, and you did it really well! It's fine to keep doing things the way you're doing them, avoidance is almost always the better choice. But, now, you and me and Tony here know you're capable in a pinch. Right, Tony?" Elle hoped she'd at least made Runa feel better about the whole thing, bit she was also wishing Tony would drive a little faster. Pasta primavera sounded so yummy right now.

"Great!" beamed Runa. They'd kicked ass and no one had gotten hurt- a victory all around.  "So Tony, we're done practicing, right?"

Tony laughed. "Training. Every morning. Until you're both very good, if not experts."

Runa sighed, but grinned at Elle. They'd navigated their first big fight, and in the coming weeks they'd probably get even better.

"Well, looks like we can celebrate tonight... even if we'll regret it in the morning when Tony wakes us up."