One Year Later

[Lena Choi]

Her living space was modest. Many in more affluent neighborhoods of the city might have even regarded it as Spartan. She trundled through the streets of Rhydin during the day on two wheels, delivering packages and messages to eke out a meager living. She had arrived in the city a year prior with the intention of teaching, never having considered making Rhydin her permanent residence. Chained in humble servitude she asked for little, pious in her quest to spread the gospel of Taijiquan far and wide to honor the memory of her Father and the traditions of her heritage. Like a leaky spigot, students had trickled in to learn, and every new face became representative of her successful preaching. Her pulpit was an empty rec room, or patch of park grass in the summer's breeze, or a sweat-soaked ring in the Outback. Throughout the year she found contentment in introducing Hoi Mei to a new form, or by strengthening Napoleon's Brush Knee technique whenever the Norway rat wasn't otherwise occupied with raiding.

Season 3 of IFL had been her inaugural season and she found herself thrust squarely into the spotlight as the team advanced in the rankings with each passing week, though she opted to yield the floor to her team's captain while keeping her own statements few and far between. The plaque delivered to her residence bearing her name and unofficial recognition for her achievement as IFL's Rookie Of The Year would have elicited a swelling of pride in most individuals, but it had yet to find a place on her wall. Even a thorough lecture of the historical significance of Siera Redwin from an avid dueling enthusiast in her cycling group, yielded little more than a smile and nod of understanding after she had won the Talon. In such competitive circles she could have easily been considered aloof in regard to her few accomplishments since arriving in Rhydin, but her goal had never been to accrue accolades.

However new opportunities began to surface almost immediately in the wake of her successes that extended beyond a few special nights of cocktails and karaoke sponsored by her fellow bicycle couriers. No longer was she forced to rely upon posting notices to inform residents of her Taijiquan classes like she had in the Outback. Word of mouth began to spread the news for her at a fevered pitch. Seemingly overnight she had ceased merely being a woman teaching Taijiquan, she was instead the Iron Fists League's Rookie Of The Year offering Taijiquan classes at no cost for any interested. Weapons training had not been an intended portion of her curriculum, but she soon found many earnestly interested in wielding a blade, leading to an expansion of her instruction. Many adhered to her recommendation of first investing their time in unarmed training before engaging in the more advanced weapons classes, causing her numbers to swell. A portion of her income soon found itself entangled in the rental of a gym large enough to provide for her students during the winter months.

Her desire to remain in Rhydin now beat with a stronger pulse than ever, vitalized by her continued involvement with the denizens of the bustling metropolis and the slow but steady spread of her teachings. What might the next year bring?