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Without ever realising why, Ari liked to position herself so she could see the gym entrance, as well as anyone approaching the area she and Khalla considered 'theirs'. It was an unconscious thing, but useful.

When the familiar blonde entered, Ari felt her shoulders tense up. She immediately forced them back down, finishing out a sequences of punches and low kicks on the bag while Khalla made her way across the floor. Lowering her leg from the last kick, she turned to face Khalla, brushing loose, sticky hair off her face with a bare forearm.

"I was beginning to wonder if your family had kidnapped you," Ari said, resting gloved hands on her hips. If she was a little brusque, her next words explained part of the reason why. "Or that maybe you got caught in one of those 'terrorist attacks' that are all over the news lately. I'm glad to see you aren't dead." Violet eyes narrowed - now that the worry was removed, irritation was free to surface. "Though I don't suppose you've been at least practicing on your own while too busy to show up, or let me know you were alive but too busy to join me?"

Giving a sigh, Ari let her arms drop. The wry half-smile she gave Khalla removed the last trace of her sternness. "Well, that's good, at least. And I'm glad you're back." The length of Khalla's absence had also prompted concern that the blonde had decided she'd learned enough, and was done with the training.

Ari's smile turned full and bright. "Alright, pad up, let's see how you go against me." She moved away from the punching bag and into the space used for matches or kata. She wouldn't go all out against Khalla, but this was the best way to see how Khalla was progressing, and what, if anything, needed work.

It was a reluctant Ari that turned off the hot water and emerged from the shower. She promised herself a hot soak when she got home, since she didn't like to take too long in the gym lockers even when someone wasn't waiting on her. She was briskly rubbing herself down when Khalla called out - already done with showering and dressing from the direction of her voice.

"I was mostly pleasantly surprised," Ari called back, voice serious though her eyes (unseen by Khalla) sparkled mischievously. She bit back a chuckle - she might not be vengeful, but that didn't mean she was above teasing Khalla. "Or I would have been, if I didn't expect you to keep improving like you do."

She dressed quickly, pulling on denim capris and a lacy shirt. Finally rejoining Khalla, Ari gave a bright smile. "So, I figure I owe you a drink, at the least, for keeping up with your practice. It really showed. Unless you've got somewhere you need to be?"

Ari laughed, not sure if she should take offense or not. It wasn't like she was a real teacher. Or a very patient person. "Well, seeing as how I've never taught anyone before, you unfortunately get all my rough edges as I learn. Besides, anyone teaching this would be hard on you." She frowned and considered. "Or should be, anyway. Mistakes in any martial art can get you or someone else seriously injured, or even killed. A little more serious than the homework your other teachers give you, I think."

Or that might just be Ari's opinion on homework talking.

Walking out of the locker room, Ari shrugged at Khalla. "Maybe 'owe' isn't the right word... More like a celebration? You're improving in leaps in bounds, and there I was on the day we met worried that this would be a waste of time. You proved me wrong, and in this case I'm more than happy to be mistaken." She waved a hand in the air, honestly not too concerned with the reasons. It was more that she wanted to enjoy some time with her friend outside of the gym. "You can always shout next time, if you want."

Ari's smile was a little strained at the edges, though she tried to appear reassuring. Thankfully, she told herself, all Khalla had to worry about was not injuring herself during practice and maybe some muggers - at least she wasn't trying to beat up youma like Ari did in her free time. It was nice to know that Khalla wasn't actually risking her life on a regular basis, that Ari was protecting normal civilians like her friend.

She laughed in relief as Khalla accepted the offer. "Alright, a celebration it is. There's a small cafe on the corner, they do great milkshakes, spiders, even energy drinks to drag in the gym clientele. Does any of that sound good? Otherwise I'm sure we can find somewhere else in the area..." What with the area being a prime clubbing spot when night fell, there were all sorts of cafes and hot food spots that made a good living off the 3am cravings of clubbers.

"Alright, milkshakes it is," Ari nodded, beaming brightly as they made their way to the cafe. She laughed, a little rueful, as Khalla mentioned needing a rest. She grinned, "Sorry, but consider being worked extra-hard your punishment!"

If Ari had known Khalla was comparing this to work as a senshi, Ari might have been able to explain that kickboxing used different muscles, and a different kind of focus. Ari could patrol all night as Birhan Isat without feeling any ill-effects (assuming there weren't any too-strenuous battles), but a good kickboxing workout could still leave her exhausted. Perhaps the lack of being transformed also played a part. But Ari still thought that Khalla's biggest problem was muggers, so nothing could be said.

"Thanks," Ari said as Khalla held the door for her. Pausing for the blond to catch up, Ari chose a table in the corner. It was far enough away from other patrons and the counter that they could talk without eavesdroppers, not to mention avoid that 'crowded' feeling you got when strangers were only a metre or so away from you.

Taking a seat, she picked up one of the menus on the table to see what milkshake flavours were available. "So," Ari made conversation while reading, "how did the family catch-up go?"