She was confused as she lay on the ground, not sure how he had separated himself from her. He smirked and saw the oncoming attack of the glove as she was now up and throwing it at him. It was a very good through too good in fact, which meant she still had energy to spare, something he noted for the next lesson. If his students didn’t leave the class exhausted and or crawling away he didn’t push them hard enough. He always liked pushing his students to their limits; the more he pushed the more they were capable of.

Instead of dodging the thrown weighted glove Sam stood still and reached his hand up the last moment catching it with a smack as it braced his bare hands. He set the glove down and folded his arms slightly as the blue paint from his hand brushed against his skin. ”You were angry? Really?” Sam asked as he smiled placing his hands on the back of his head now, ”No Gawain was never in any real danger, well more than usual, I never aim to injure my students no matter how hard I push them, I’m not that kind of teacher, I only push to get them to up their potential.”

Reaching down and picking up the glove he set down he continued, ”Just like I pushed you today,” Sam walked a few feet closer to the blonde and handed her the glove, ”In the hallway today you confronted me but back down the second you spotted a possible confrontation, sometimes this is good however I don’t want people walking all over you,” taking a few steps back Sam looked up then back at Twyla, ”Only after realizing you put Gawain in trouble did you really step up, you need to realize though at some point you need to stand up for yourself instead of only for other people, you need to give yourself a bit more credit than that…”

Pausing and scratching the spot under his patch Sam continued, ”Though I do have to apologize for scaring you like that, it was a low thing to do but it was the only way I figured you’d step up… which you did.”

”So now that you know that Gawain isn’t in trouble because of you, would you still act the same way as you did before and cower before me the second you realized that I wouldn’t cower because you made the mistake of confronting me?” life lessons 101 never back down when you feel strongly about something, he wondered if the lesson stuck with Twyla, she like all his students had potential to do great things but would she learn from his lessons like they did or fail to recognize the lessons in his lessons.

It was probably a good thing that he caught the thrown glove--Twyla half regretted it a moment later, although there was a strong part of her that was slightly disappointed that there was no satisfying glove-to-body-smack. Of course he would catch it, there hadn't been anything sneaky whatsoever in the chucking since it was a purely instinctual action that had been only halfway thought through. It had looked like maybe it would hit him, but it never was going to. She shouldn't be disappointed since it had no real chance anyway...but still...

Twyla resisted the urge to roll her eyes at what she assumed was some sarcasm on the part of the Mansion teacher. Instead she just watched him, trying to make her expression as neutral as possible, waiting for his answer to her question. When he finally gave it...A slow blink and then another. Really? You've got to be-- At first some of the left over anger surged up again but then it was replaced by a much more moderate feeling. That's good. Good. No worries then. Relief hesitantly wrapped itself around the girl. Everything was going to be okay so long as she wasn't responsible for making Gawain's life any harder. The fact that she had believed him though...that was a bit embarrassing, so the girl's cheeks tinged a bit pink as the tension went out of her shoulders.

The glove was picked up from the ground and brought over to the blond girl. She took it when it was offered, now both gloves were hanging from their respective hands at her sides. Her balance was restored. He was trying to push her? That made sense, what he was saying made sense and the girl found herself mulling the words over--they were reminding her of late night conversations. She'd told Maya she'd be better one day...figured out the importance of balance with Em...things were starting to pile on each other, moving things around and making them click.

Then he was apologizing. "Don't be sorry--you were right." That probably was one of the only ways to get Twyla that motivated and if he hadn't used such a tactic she probably would have meekly attempted to follow his instructions, getting embarrassed and flustered maybe but probably not driven enough to go for it. The girl looked away as she came to that conclusion and then she shook her head. "I wouldn't have been able to do that if I was just doing it for me." Not that she had done much, but it was about small victories.

A question was directed at Twyla and she looked back at Sam. "I don't know...maybe. Right now I probably wouldn't, but I'm feeling more solid right now." Solid was a good word for it. A lip was bitten as things in the back of her mind continued to piece themselves together. "I want to be better at that--standing my ground I mean but I need to remember why I want to stand my ground..." Whoops, she didn't mean to say that out loud--she hadn't realized she'd been verbalizing her thoughts. "Sorry, just thinking..." Her cheeks tinged a darker pink.

"Dammit, I'm late."

Gawain skipped from mirror to mirror, with ocasionally a window or other reflecting surface in between, making his way hastily towards the Danger Room. He had a session scheduled with Sam - scheduled perfectly for him to get there in time after his last class.
The last class he just kinda sorta happened to skip for the sake of some extra archery practice.

Peeling gloves off as he ran, Gawain merged out of the mirror closed to the Danger Room hallway, landed on his feet, and continued taking off his forearm protectors as he arrived to the door. It was not locked. Sam must already be here. Shoot.

"... sooorry Sam I was held up bwhoa whoa whoa what the heck?!"

Twyla?!
It was definitely Twyla. Definitely not dressed for practice. Also definitely blushing, slightly panting, and more than a bit disheveled. With on certain icemancer whose lack of clothing suddenly became and issue since he was apparently holding some kind of a private session for Mirror's girlfriend.

Gawain stopped in mid-stride, mouth hanging open.
Stop and stare.
Reboot.
Grin.

"So, Sam, is my girlfriend kickin' your ass or what?"

Nodding his head and smiling Sam spoke, ”Well it’s a good thing you and I have more classes over the course of the year isn’t it? I’ll help you turn that solidity into confidence then well see what your capable of, maybe you’ll learn a few more things as well?” Sam asked as he walked over and picked up his shirt and tossed it on his left shoulder.

When she apologized Sam shook his head, ”No worries, try not think to much on the subject for now, it’ll come to you and if it’s a really important I’m sure you’ll remember why you need to stand your ground…” he paused and looked over to the entrance and smiled when he spotted Gawain, ”Speaking of…”

He looked to Twyla and winked with his good eye that could have been mistaken for a blink, ”She defiantly has more promise than a few of my other students…” Sam said his right eye trailing on Gawain, ”She goes to her classes….” Sam said eyeing him slightly, ”IF your going to skip classes make sure I’m not on a first name basis with the teachers classes you skip,” Sam smirked having a feeling that he already knew what Gawain was doing instead of going to class.

”But now that your hear, we can start class… practice side stepping till I direct otherwise,” Sam said as he walked closer to Twyla and gestured her towards the door, ”I usually say same time tomorrow but I don’t know when you have a free period so if you wouldn’t mind giving me a schedule of your classes so I can plan around that, I’d like to keep you as one of my regular students like your boyfriend here.”

More classes? For a second the girl was confused and it showed in a wider opening of her eyes and then Twyla realized that during the course of their...whatever you want to call it she'd been signed up for something. A small smile and a nod in the affirmative. She could do that, she'd find time for it. Even if a similar...confrontation like the one they'd been in today made her a bit nervous the girl knew that she needed whatever help she could get from whoever was willing to help her and life was all about putting emotional hangups aside to accomplish your goals. And Twyla Ashby had goals, oh she had goals.

She was busy nodding again after her apology when she heard a familiar voice. Twyla's head swiveled around like one of the spinny chairs that you always see near computer desks. Brown eyes blinked once and then took in the sight of an obviously flustered and surprised Gawain. Of course he would be surprised--it was a weird scene to just walk in on. If he only knew...

At the mention of ass kicking she blushed a sudden and deep red, not wanting to admit that she was not even close to such a thing. Looking back at Sam she couldn't tell if he was blinking at her or if it was a wink...Maybe a wink? Mentally, she shrugged. When the teacher said she had promise Twyla just looked at the blue splotched gloves. It was meant as a joke at Gawain (she was pretty sure) but at the same time...It's just a lack of confidence is all, chill out.

Twyla rolled her eyes and smirked at the bit about class. Her blush started to recede at the normalcy of her boyfriend skipping class. It looked like it was Gawain's turn in the Danger Room and the blond was glad to give it up--she really needed to get out of her jeans and into something more comfortable and then work on some of that math homework she didn't like to...or go and read somewhere...or get something to eat...or maybe a bottle of water...or

Her mind was already out of the room when Sam gestured at her moving towards the door. "I can get you a schedule--" Twyla started before he'd finished, not really understanding what he was saying meant. 'Regular students'. Sounds like a plan. Looking up, the girl smiled. "Alright, sounds good." She said, echoing her thoughts. Twyla Ashby did so like plans.

Walking up to Gawain on her way out, she playfully shoved the gloves at him. "Tag, you're in." And with that, the blond sauntered out into the hall.