Chapter 7

After unpacking they ate and slept and were free of jetlag the next morning.

"Let's do some sparring on the beach after breakfast," Fred said. She was sitting at the kitchen table in just a robe.

"Sure," Sally said. "I brought my gi." Sally was dressed in blue cargo shorts under a white tank top.

"Then maybe I can practice my blasts without losing clothes because I'll be starting with none," Brita said. She was also in just a robe but hadn't bothered to tie it shut unlike Fred.

"Then lunch and an afternoon on the beach listening to audiobooks and talking?" Fred asked.

"Don't you two want privacy?" Sally asked.

"Not from you," Fred said. "But if you want privacy from us you can have it easy enough. Just go inside or for a walk."

"Watching over you is my job," Sally said. "While you're outside I'll be here with you."

"You know, maybe I shouldn't practice blasting," Brita said. "If I point them up they'll be visible for a long way and be pretty much declaring 'there's a mutant here'. If I aim at the water the hiss might be loud enough for any neighbors to hear."

"Well we know the nearest large villa is empty because they offered it to us but if you're worried about who is nearby we can gather intelligence and exercise at the same time," Fred said.

"By jogging on the beach?" Sally asked. "Good idea. We can see any villas on the beach as we jog by. If there's no one close you can either aim at the ocean or straight out to sea. Also we can see how easy it will be for joggers from any other villa to come strolling past our little bit of beach."

Fred smiled, "Thank you, you had a great idea as always Sally!"

"That means you two pervs will have to get dressed," Sally said. "I recommend cargo shorts, a bra, and any of the shirts for you Fred. It'll cover everything and make you look like a tomboy."

"Sounds good," Fred said. "I'll go change."

Brita giggled, "Need any help?"

"No," Fred said. "But you can come watch me dress as long as I get to do the same."

"It's a deal," Brita said. And they both left the room.

Sally washed the dishes and tried to stop imagining what they might be doing other than dressing.

They left in tank tops and shorts and jogged along the shore enclosed by the resort.

"Well, it seems that the nearest villas are empty," Fred said. "And even they aren't very close. So we can practice as long as we don't light up the sky. I might even practice a spell or two that Freya has offered."

"What do they do?" Sally said.

"One helps me move better," Fred said. "I first used it during our first trio run. It didn't let me catch you but I stayed close enough to see Brita burn her footwear off and detour to where you were."

"And the other?" Sally asked.

Fred said, "I haven't tried it yet but it's supposed to be a shield spell."

Brita said, "Defense is good. Let's see that one."

Fred called internally, "Can we try the shield spell?" Freya replied, "Yes."

Fred gestured and glowing runes formed in the air then a shimmering silver glow surrounded her.

"That looks good," Sally said. "Mind if I test it?"

"Go ahead," Fred replied.

Sally tried a moderate punch first and was pleased when it bounced off. She followed it with a hard punch and smiled when that bounced as well.

Fred felt the shield drop, "I think I'm out of mana. Freya says I will get better at holding, well she calls it essence, if I practice regularly."

"That sounds right from what I remember," Sally said. "Once you have recovered enough let me know and I will boost first then swing."

"And if it handles that we can see if you can put it on other things or around other people. If you can shield a rock then we can see if it blocks my blasts. If you can surround people you can protect them."

Fred said, "It'll be a few hours before I recharge, so I think it's your turn next Brita."

"Aren't you tired of seeing her burn off her clothes?" Sally asked.

Brita smiled, "No reason to lose good clothing. It's a private beach." She stripped and then concentrated. Soon she was glowing golden all over. She held out a hand and a blast of plasma shot out over the sand and about ten meters into the water. She took a deep breath and the glow slowly faded. "How was that?"

"That was great!" Fred said.

"Not the best range," Sally started then grinned, "but it was pretty awesome!"

Brita said, "Let's see how long I can keep it up." She started to glow again and started throwing plasma balls from either hand until suddenly the glow brightened enough for the other two to have to look away. She eventually took control and shut off the power.

When he turned back Fred said, "I'm surprised the sand didn't melt."

"That takes a lot more heat," Brita said. "My plasma balls could do it but not my accidental overflow."

"Well some of my essence is back," Fred said. "So I guess it's my turn again." He gestured and different runes formed, 'Want to spar, Sally?"

She said, "Sure, is that the better movement spell?"

Fred replied, "Yes."

For the first two minutes Fred was winning. He blocked or dodged everything Sally threw his way. His offense was on target as well and he managed to turn two attacks of hers into throws. Then it wore off and they were closely matched again.

Brita called out, "Break! That lasted two minutes. Not bad for hand to hand."

As they separated, Sally said, "That's good! Many fights don't even last two minutes and if you can dominate the first two minutes of longer fights you should be able to win. Keep practicing and you'll do well in basic martial arts come September."

Brita said, "And since I don't want to fall behind it's my turn again. Unless you want to rest first, Sally?"

"Don't you want to dress first?" Sally said. "You're leaving sensitive targets out in the open."

Brita gave a little shimmy, "Maybe I'm hoping to distract you into making mistakes." She left her clothes on the sand and moved up to face Sally. "I'm ready when you are."

"I hope you're ready for sand in delicate places," Sally said and moved forward.

"I hope you'll stay exemplar 3 and not boost any higher," Brita said.

"You mentioned being able to boost your physical stats with energy so why shouldn't I?" Sally said. "Just give me a warning if you lose control."

Brita shrugged, "Okay then." She concentrated and her eyes had just started to glow when Sally swept her legs out from under her.

Brita rolled into a handstand then flipped onto her feet.

Fred was amazed at the skill and speed they both showed.

Sally won the first bout pinning Brita face first into the sand but when Brita started glowing she let go and backed off.

Brita raced to the sea and dove in with a hiss. A minute or so later she came out dripping wet and winked at Fred's appreciative look, "Okay, you won that one. Do you want to try for best two out of three?"

"Is your essence topped up Fred?" Sally asked.

"Not yet," Fred said.

"Then sure Brita, let's go around again," Sally said. "If you win I will even go topless."

Brita grinned and a glow surrounded her then sank inside, "Now that's a good motivation. Strip sparring, whoever loses has to take something off."

Sally grinned back, "Sure!"

Whether it was the motivation or being prepared, or a combination, Brita won the next bout.

"I should leave my bra on if we are going by an article per loss," Sally said after taking off her shirt.

"But you had already said you'd go topless," Fred blurted. Then he blushed, "Sorry."

The other two laughed and Sally said, "Well I did promise. But after this one per loss and if Brita loses she gets a spank on the ass for fighting naked."

"I can agree to that," Brita said.

"Me too," Fred said. "When I'm recharged enough to join in."

"Your ability to hold essence will grow with proper use and Whateley will give you exercises on how to make it grow faster."

Sally removed her bra and with a twinkle in her eye she handed it to Fred, "Here, go put this inside for me. I don't want to get it full of sand."

Fred grinned back trying to look without being obvious about it, "I can take your shirt in with me too."

"Sure, thanks," Sally said.

"Will you grab my clothes as well?" Brita asked.

"Sure," Fred replied. "Put them in the washing machine? So we can launder everything once we go in?"

"Don't start it until we're done sparring but otherwise that's a good idea," Sally said.

Brita nodded, "Thanks for the service."

Fred gathered up all the clothes and walked into the utility room. She started by shaking sand out of clothes before putting them in the washing machine. When she got to Brita's black lacy panties he stopped, looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was coming in and then listened for footsteps. Hearing and seeing nothing he brought them up to his face and inhaled. Then he blushed and tossed them in the machine.

When he got back outside Sally was holding Brita over head, "Do you yield?"

"I yield," Brita said. "Unless and until I can figure out how to fly at least."

Sally smirked and said, "You're just in time to watch her take her punishment." She put Brita down and smacked her butt with a loud sound, "That's two out of three. Did you want to go for three out of five?"

Brita flushed, "Is your essence back yet Fred?"

Fred said, "No, but we can move onto the second half of the day and grab the large towels and suntan lotion if you don't want to spar any longer."

Brita said, "No, I'm not going to be the first one to quit. Three out of five it is."

Brita won the next one and Sally took off her cargo shorts and handed them to Fred, "Check the pockets before putting them into the machine please."

"Sure," Fred said.

As Fred started back to the villa Brita said, "We need to get you something other than white boyshorts next time we go shopping. A body like that practically demands sexy lingerie."

"If you're buying then sure," Sally said.

Brita lowered her voice, "And if Fred's buying? Or gives you a present?"

Sally blushed, "I'm having trouble with that. It feels like robbing a cradle and like seducing the boss at the same time."

Brita nodded, "Well Robert's the boss not Fred and in case you haven't noticed we're now his age. However old you feel you're a teenager again and unless you want to spoil the careful plans of our actual boss you can't tell people your real age."

"Whispering about me?" Fred said as he walked back from the villa.

"Asking her if she thinks you're sniffing our clothes before dumping them in the washer," Brita said.

Fred blushed and stammered out denials.

"Never mind Fred," Sally said. "She's just teasing."

Brita nodded, "Teasing and flirting with both of you. I don't actually mind if you do."

Fred gaped at her in shock and she laughed, "That was a great reaction!"

Sally rolled her eyes, "If you're ready we still have one spar left."

Brita nodded, "And you're still wearing one piece of clothing. I'm going to try and win just so Fred can get her hot little hands on it."

Fred blushed again but said nothing as they started sparring again.

Brita won by tossing Sally far enough that they both agreed it should count as a ring out in sparring.

Sally got up and brushed herself off trying not to notice the looks she was getting from the other two then turned around and slid off her white boyshorts, "Here you go Fred. If you think your clothes need washing too you can dump yours in then start the wash."

Fred nodded, "Sure, then I'll grab my kindle and the big blanket on the way back so we can start the relaxing part of the day."

Brita grinned, "I'll make a pitcher of lemonade and grab the suntan lotion." She followed him inside.

Fred went back to the washing machine and after tossing in Sally's panties he added the clothes he was wearing and started the machine.

He grabbed the large blanket from his room and on the way out he passed through the kitchen, "I can carry the pitcher if you will carry the tray with the glasses. We should set up a table for these."

"Sally's on it," Brita said.

Once outside Fred saw that Sally had brought a table from the front patio and was opening the umbrella in the center. Putting the pitcher down after she was finished he said, ""I'll grab the chairs."

"I got them," Brita said. "You lay out the blanket." She went around the corner of the house and dragged the chairs over to the table. "So, what are we doing first? Cooling off in the shade with a cold drink or rubbing each other with lotion in the sun?"